March Newsletter

Johann and Louise: Training Disciples to Make Disciples in Southern Africa Lace-up shoes. You know them. You've worn them at least at one time in your life.  I am sure I am not the only one who has at some or other time had an unfortunate experience that comes from untied laces. One moment you are plodding along happily and the next you are either lying prostrate on the earth or flying forward crazily trying to regain your balance.  I think 2020 and the first few months of 2021 have made some of us feel as if we have stepped on an untied shoelace. It has certainly been that way for Louise and myself.  I do not do well with untied things...I am one of those people who like to complete a task, tie it up neatly, and move ahead with the next item on my five-year-plan agenda. But these past few months, we have had to deal with many untied things...ranging from rather serious events like our health and the deaths of family members and friends to, what one would think ought to be a rather simple task of licensing the trailer we were given two years ago. This global pandemic has thrown a wrench in every single plan we had for ministry here and beyond our borders. So, we tried to be as flexible as possible, getting involved in local ministries as best we could. I have been preaching at St Augustine's more regularly than before. We have managed to train one group of local folks in disciple making. Louise has been very involved in Tools4Life, feeding the hungry and working with the disabled and disenfranchised. It has shocked us to realise that there is nowhere for these folks to go in our village. No safe house. No shelter. If their family or friends do not step in, they have to fend for themselves, as best they can. The group is trying to secure anything that might serve as a place where the disabled can safely live and function as per the skills they are taught by Tools4Life. They are looking into recycling (there is a LOT of trash here!) and eco-bricks to help these folks generate their own funding. Please pray that someone will make a positive decision so that the group may move forward. At the moment we keep tripping over the untied lace of bureaucratic indifference. My book, Breakfast on the Beach: The Development of Simon Peter, is now in the final editing phase. Please pray that all will go smoothly and that it might be published sooner rather than later. Also pray for the marketing of the book. That billions around the world will be drawn closer to Jesus by reading it. That is my main concern. That our Lord and God be glorified and that His Kingdom be advanced globally. Pray also that it will be translated into other languages. The South American Bishops have indicated that they would like to see it translated into Spanish.  Pray also for the sequel to this book entitled, For Us, For Our Children, For The World. Langham has said they would like to see how Breakfast performs before committing to the next volume. These two books explain what we teach in story form. It is discipling according to Scripture.  My research into the lives and labor of two SPG Missionaries has been placed on hold as we cannot physically go to Oxford to access the archives in the libraries in the UK, particularly the Bodleian Library. This research is valuable to all missionaries seeking to go into the field as it explores the many factors that have an impact on the lives of both the sent and the senders. Every economic slump, caused by war, political instability, or fluctuating markets had a direct effect on the Church and the Sending Societies, as giving went down during these periods. The same is still true today. Thankfully, our SAMS account has not taken too much of a hit during this pandemic. We are grateful to every one of our supporters. We are so grateful to each one who prays for us. True, our SAMS support account could be better, but then again it could also be worse. But our Lord knows our needs and we leave that in His hands. Bless you and thank you.   All our love Johann and Louise Support Us Johann and Louise spent two years helping to develop the St. Frumentius Seminary in Gambella, Ethiopia. At present, they are mostly working in Southern Africa where they are serving in seven southern African countries, although they continue to work with the Diocese of Egypt, North Africa, and the Horn of Africa as well as other southern and northern African countries, through engaging in a disciple making movement in order to grow the body of Christ. They are partnering with J-Life and other like-minded ministries. This ministry is massive and has the ability to reach thousands. We are sent  through the Society of Anglican Missionaries and Senders, a missionary sending community, engaging in building relationships with the worldwide church to experience the broken restored, the wounded healed, the hungry fed, and the lost found through the love and power of Jesus Christ.  Support SAMS Copyright © 2016 Society of Anglican Missionaries and Senders, All rights reserved. www.sams-usa.org      Our mailing address is: PO Box 399 Ambridge PA 15003 Attention to: Johann and Louise van der Bijl Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list