Today I returned from Yzerfontein with the Cape Town ministry team. Our last few sessions dug deep personally, spiritually and Biblically. It was a joy to challenge them and see them respond.

I am still amazed everytime I look at John the disciple and the changes that happened in him over his life. He was so selfish, racist, ego centric, loud and outspoken as the son of thunder. Jesus’ mother mentored him after Jesus into the disciple of love. Who is in your life today that is reshaping your character, capabilities and commitment?

Tonight Cathy and I went out for dinner and reconnected. It was so nice to be with my bride again. Thank you Lord!

Danny

Wow, what a positive experience. The San people (ancient tribe of Africa) embraced us and got deeply involved in our program tonight. Dancing, singing, laughing and talking of God. Six prayed to receive Christ tonight.

We walked to their homes and played with children and a crowd followed us back to the school. The program moved the people and engaged them. Our host said, I never expected it to be so good. Many times people just bore them. They loved this. Can you come back?

What was touching was the way the loved interacting. They hung on every word spoken and engaged the dancing by dancing themselves. I will add some pictures later. I was touched.

Danny

We drove to Yzerfontein as a team for our three day retreat. It was very pleasant. Yzerfontein is so restful and beautiful.

I took the team to the beach to watch the sunset. The orange sun melted into the ocean with brilliant colors radiating from it. We sat and talked on the benches for almost an hour.

Then I noticed a planet on the horizon. I asked the team members if they knew which planet it was.  As the darkness descended the faint orange glow of Mars became clear. We looked at the Southern Cross and within a few minutes the dust of the Milky Way appeared. It was so pristene and beautiful.

We returned to the house and began discussing the dreams of the team for this year. Great discussion followed for several hours. Then we set a course for the next three days including our ministry presentation at !Kwai ttu on Wednesday evening. Please pray that this team will connect relationally with these people.

Danny

Today was the commissioning service for the Cape Town Team that will minister around Botswanna and South Africa in the next year. We attended a Nazarene church where the group performed and were blessed.

Cathy and I completely enjoyed the music in the service. Worship music is much more active that in the states. What a joyful and worshipful experience it was.

I was able to give a challenge from God’s Word. Several of the parents had flown in from Germany and other parts of South Africa to be present. Afterwards they had a special luncheon for them.


Monday was a preparation day for the Cape Town Team retreat to Yzerfontein. I had sessions to prepare, meals to line up and other details to complete. Our camera broke and we had to go downtown to attempt a repair. Unfortunately, it could not be fixed and we had to purchase a new lens.

In many respects Monday was a frustrating day with multiple problems. Internet was down again for the second day in a row. We got lost in downtown Cape Town. Could not pay bills at home. Attempted to buy a modem to clearup the internet issue. Credit card denied the purchase because we are in South Africa.

We know the Lord is very involved in our trip, but it seems everything has to be done in the most difficult manner. Several times during the day Cathy and I stopped to pray and ask for His involvement. He still let us work through the issues. Very often God’s answer to a prayer is silence. He needs us to walk the path before us.

Danny

You talk about a meeting being God ordained. We just left the !Khwa ttu San cultural center near Yzerfontein. This is a rehabilitation center for the bush people of central africa. They are called the San people.

The owners are Christian and found out that we are bringing the Cape Town I-Temba team here for training on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. They have asked that we come and present the evangelical program to the !Khwa ttu young people.

They were very excited when they realized our I-Temba team has Zulu, colored, black, white africanz, american and numerous groups represented. They will bring a program of dance, music, drama and sharing to the people. These are the missionaries I have been training in the first few weeks of our time in Africa. 

The !Kwai ttu are the bush people of africa that were highlighted in a movie called, The Gods Must be Crazy. They are a very spiritual people. God is very real to them, but many do not know Jesus Christ, the son of God.There are some who have accepted Christ but it usually stops there said Betts the leader. The Holy Spirit is a very difficult concept for them. Pray that our team can give them a fresh snapshot of our Lord.

It is exciting to have the opportunity to communicate with such a unique culture. Your prayers can touch the hearts of those who love God but do not know Him fully.  I will give you a report on Thursday. Thanks.

Danny

Friday began at the Cape Town YFC office and a staff meeting with all of the international volunteers and staff. Over thirty people in the room singing and sharing. I opened God’s word and challenged them to have the same attitude that Jesus Christ has mentioned in Philippians.

Another volunteer was attending her last meeting before returning to Germany next Monday. Thank you and encouragement came from all around the room. They are a very tight knit group.

Friday afternoon Rolf and the children drove to Yzerfontein on the Atlantic coast. This cottage belonged to Lizzie’s mother before she passed away a year ago. It is a very restful spot. Cathy and Lizzie have been here for two days. Their devotions were deep and rich.

Last night Kyle and I took time and went to a local sports pub to watch the Cape Town Stormers play a rugby match. I am enjoying learning this sport. It is beginning to make some sense. Rolf’s younger brother also attended.

Last night Cathy, Lizzie and I went outside after dark to see the stars. The dust of stars that make up an arm of the Milky Way was brilliant and clear. No moon was visible so the stars were gleaming bright. I pointed out the Southern Cross which is the opposite of the big and little dipper in the northern hemisphere. It was breathtaking.

God’s handiwork is so beautiful. Seldom do we get such a pristine view of the sky in Memphis. Too many lights pollute the sky. Remember, he calls each star by name. Amazing.

Today we are going to a bushman rehabilitation center. I will be fascinated to see what they do and how. Keep praying.

Danny

The last three days have been similar in some respects. Three days of office work, study and preparation. Computer issues, attempting to work on-line and fighting internet issues to pay bills at home. That same time was sprinkled with 1-on1 meetings with Rolf Weichardt and their children.

Cathy left for Yzerfontein (on the west coast of South Africa) yesterday with Lizzie. She and Lizzie will get some down time for sharing and deeper bonding. Today she went to a bushman rehabilitation center near Yzer. She was fascinated with how they help these tribesmen from the interior.

Study in His word has been rich and rewarding. Prayer has been fresh as several items press on my heart from home. I struggle to watch some things from such a distance. But I also know the Lord is fully present there and here. Nothing can escape His attention.

We watched the movie Shindler’s List last night. Wow, what a powerful movie. I had never seen it. I can identify with the tears of Shindler when he says, this would be two people and this would be one. Money and possessions paled in the light of each individual life. There are so many today who do not know our precious Lord Jesus Christ. What will it take? How will they know unless we go? What a joy to draw others closer to Him.

Tomorrow I speak to the Cape Town YFC staff in the morning. Later, Rolf, I and the children will join Cathy and Lizzie at Yzerfontein. We come home early Sunday AM where I will speak at a local Nazarene church and commission the local Cape Town ministry team. What a priviledge.

Keep praying.

Danny

Today was back at the office in Cape Town YFC. It was good to see staff and volunteers who we had met only two weeks before. Cathy was with me and talked with many of the staff as we shared many stories from the week before.

Late in the afternoon we visited a park to walk. I became enamored with a tree that had fallen. It was completely hollow inside. What was once a beautiful full tree had become just a shell and lost the core needed to stand. I thought it reminded me of some people that I know. They look fine on the outside, but they are empty on the inside.

That night we meet with the Cape Town volunteers and I shared from the Scriptures. Philip listened to the eunuch and asked good questions. Then he began with the very scripture the eunuch was reading and shared the good news. Evangelism is uncomfortable for many, but simple in its approach. You listen, connect, care and start where they are.

Manfred said, man you hit it on the head. Thanks so much.

I left with Rolf for the YFC national board meeting in Johannesburg. I sat silently and listened intently to the issues they discussed. I walked out encouraged, impressed and very comfortable. God has provided a good team to work with Rolf in South Africa. Good questions, keen observations and a climate of direction and support.

We raced to the airport and flew to Cape Town to spend the evening with our sweethearts. When I walked in Cathy’s face was so inviting and warm. I could kiss my valentine finally. Oh yes, she still kisses great!

We drove to the mall. That is a challenge for an American. They drive on the left side of the road and the steering wheel is in the wrong place also. All natural driving instincts are completely altered in South Africa. We had a nice dinner, walked around, shopped and of course a little dessert, ice cream. It had to be Italian Gelato. Saturday was a great time to reflect on God’s direction in our lives.