An African Proverb says: “If you keep your head and heart going in the right direction, you do not have to worry about your feet.”
What is interesting about the birth narratives of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels is that while all yearned for a Saviour only some bothered to seek Him out. The shepherds, Simeon, Anna, and the Wise men were all examples of those who followed their heads and their hearts and were rewarded when their feet led them to Jesus. But others, like Herod, the leading priests, and the teachers of the law – who were all only two hours walk away from the place Jesus was born – did not move a toe as their heads and their hearts were already going in the wrong direction. Political power is what they sought and they would resort to whatever tactics necessary to keep that power…even if it meant wholesale slaughter and murder.
Christmas time reminds us that the world is still in need of a Saviour. Without beautiful feet carrying the Gospel of peace to a world estranged from its only source of life, heads and hearts will continue to go in the wrong direction.
That is why we are here in Africa…that is why we train others to train others to make disciple makers…
We had an absolutely marvellous time training leaders at the Anglican Church of St Martin’s in Bergvliet recently. This is an Alpha church, so they quickly understood that disciple making was the essential next step for their walk with Jesus.
Due to the withdrawal of provincial funding, the depletion of the budget allocated to our training ministry, and the resulting need to downsize, Growing the Church has decided they are no longer able to host us as members of their team. However, as the Lord is always way ahead of us, prior to this announcement, J-Life Africa had approached us to ask if we would consider working more closely with them as we already use their material. We have discussed this with SAMS-USA and we will be meeting with the J-Life leaders to finalise matters in February when SAMS Southern Africa meets in here for a retreat. Working with J-Life will also grant us greater freedom to work outside the borders of the seven countries in which we currently serve.
Speaking of other African countries, Bishop Mouneer has once again invited us to train the leaders in Gambela, Ethiopia, so Louise and I plan to leave South Africa just after Christmas and to return the first week in February. We are also currently investigating the possibility of training in an otherwise closed North African country in April. Your prayers are very much appreciated, as it is not easy for Americans to get visas to this particular country.
The Queen has decided she needs to move into the local nursing home, which comes as a great relief to us. It was simply no longer safe for her to stay alone in her apartment. Please pray with us that the transition will go smoothly and that she will enjoy being with all her old friends again.
Louise is currently studying the Scriptures through George Whitefield’s Explore Course and enjoying it thoroughly. Our disciple-making group continues to grow spiritually as we work our way through the four Gospels. They will be taking a break for the holidays and gather again in the New Year to discuss the book by Dann Spader, 4 Chair Discipling. Once we return we will resume our study.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE IN OUR SAMS-USA GIVING LINK!
https://give.sams-usa.org/missionary/johann-and-louise-vanderbijl/
We think of and pray for y’all often and hope that all is well.
May the Babe of Bethlehem, born to set us free, rule and reign in your heads and hearts this Christmas and direct your feet into the way of peace throughout the coming year.
Many blessings.
Johann and Louise
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