Back Home
This is an update from my arrival back in SA from Uganda, until the end of the year.
It is so encouraging as a leader, to come back home after being away for a month, to a vibey, energetic, passionate church, that seems to not be lacking in any way! That was my experience when I got home from Uganda. Thoks had done a great job, and I arrived to welcome home party with cake, sweets, singing etc. It was awesome, and a great blessing. I did a short report back on Uganda, and I know that the stories and testimonies from that trip planted seeds of great excitement in many.
Zinkwazi
As a team we decided to fast and pray for Sabelo, who has been suffering seriously from his epilepsy, on the day that he was going to see the Prof. When he found out what the team had done, he was blown away that people would have taken that kind of love and care for him. It is a precious thing when the body of Christ operates in that kind of love. We trust for his full healing! Sabelo later felt led to be baptised, and so on our team trip to Zinkwazi, we baptised him in the river. It was a special time, and Sabelo believes that he will be fully healed as he responded to the conviction of the Spirit to do this after he read about the healing at the pool of Bethaisda. His faith encourages me so much, and I also believe God is going to heal Him.
At Zinkwazi, we had our round up meeting for 2009, where we all shared testimonies of what God has done and where we are at. We also cast vision for 2010. I have attached these testimonies at the end of the update and you are welcome to read them, because they will give an insight into what God has done here. It truly is inspiring and life changing!
We also had an end of year wrap up with our kids where we did a slideshow of the events. It went down with a bang and the kids loved it incredibly! We then watched ‘George of the Jungle’ with them… Oh my goodness. If any of you work with kids, here is the greatest secret in the world. Show them this movie. Oh my… Haha… the last week with them, we decided to show another movie, and just ‘by chance’ (yea right), the only kids movie in the little movie shop we went to, was ‘George of the Jungle 2’. Haha, I didn’t even know there was such a thing. It was as big a hit as the first one!! God is so great how He loves His kids, and plays with them like a Daddy… too cool.
In His Presence
My last message in Uganda was one called ‘In His Presence’. I wanted to share the same message with my team, and after a fairly long word, (I was thoroughly enjoying every second of sharing it, and it seemed the whole team was engrossed), I sang that same solo that I did in Uganda, of the Jason Upton song, ‘In His Presence’, and I knew God was going to move powerfully. He did!! We moved into a powerful and intimate time of prayer and worship, and then things happened! After some very challenging and encouraging words shared by different team members, and some powerful prophetic pictures were shared, the Lord showed me something. As I shared it, one of our team burst out crying for about 5 minutes. It was however, not at all uncomfortable, as we all knew that the Lord was working. At the end of our time, she stood up to speak and share what had happened. As I had spoken about someone needing to not hold back, and to believe that it really was God speaking to them, she broke down because she had doubted whether it was God, but my word had confirmed for her that it was. She felt the Spirit leading her to wash the feet of the entire Impendulo team, and all the visitors there, and she wasn’t sure if it was God or not. Another then confirmed this by saying that she had seen a picture of Jesus washing the feet of the Impendulo team. This young girl then washed the feet of about 45 people present, one by one, and the atmosphere, and the presence of God in that room, was so thick and tangible. It was a light, joyful, and happy presence. There was spontaneous singing and dancing, there was prayer in one corner, there was laughter in another, and EVERYONE was smiling. I was so humbled, as is was the first time I had ever had my feet washed, and it was by one of the young girls in my own church. I cannot explain the atmosphere that we experienced that day, but I just know that all who were present could testify of the joy of His presence there!
Vidal
To end off the year we arranged a trip to my favourite place in KZN, Cape Vidal. For 2 nights, we had a family camp for 25 of the team with some time in the word, some time in the waves, some around the braai, and some (lots) searching for leopard. One dream of mine was to show my team a leopard. I have been studying and tracking them this year, and in wanting to further my studies in wildlife, have come to know of good places/ways to find them. After an incredible time together, enjoying wildlife, getting up at 4:30am and driving for hours each day, and searching, we came to our last evening. I told the team I was going to spend 3 hours doing a 2km stretch where we believed we would see a leopard. After almost 2 hours of it, many people lost hope, some went back to camp, some locals working there tried to discourage us, we continued. I told the story of my searching for a caracal, for years, and how it finally culminated to an event where we did exactly what we were doing then, and how I was rewarded with a choice sighting of the little cat. On our last 10 minutes, our last hit of that stretch, I said to Jabs, “this is it Jabs, Come on!!” 5 minutes later, the most gorgeous feline stealthily appeared on the road, Jabs spotted it, and we started screaming with excitement! She crossed the road and within 45 seconds, was disappearing into the forest. We called the other 2 cars, which had missed her, and told them to follow us. We headed down another road, and on our way back, had her walking down the road toward us. It was now night time, and we needed to get back to the camp, but she gave us the MOST exciting views, right next to the road, hunting a bushbuck, and then crossing between the cars. I even had to shout to the boys on the back of my bakkie to sit down because she was so close! This was a reward that came from heaven and you have NEVER seen a team so excited. When we arrived back at camp we exploded into celebration for ages!! It united us so much, and also some very amazing and powerful lessons were learned from it. One of the team said that it was a picture of those waiting for Jesus, and how som will get discouraged, some will mock you, but He will come back, suddenly, surprisingly, for those who are looking for Him. Amazing analogy! We now have a prophetic teaching, about how when you persevere, you will ‘get the leopard!’
The testimonies on the last day, showed how much this trip had changed lives, and I was overwhelmed again at His goodness.
Thank you Lord.
Olive Tree
We had an amazing gift from Olive Tree, and they came up on the last Saturday to hand out 140 food parcels to the community!!
100 houses were visited in one day and most of them were suffering households that the Impendulo team had good relationships with through the years of ministry. I couldn’t believe that we had already stretched to so many houses through the home ministry, and again am overwhelmed that God is blessing the people in this community so much. A big thank you to Olive Tree and to the Impendulo team for channelling God’s provision and love to so many!
Umfolozi
Because of my wildlife experience, one of my greatest dreams since I started Impendulo, has been to take my kids to the game reserve to see the Big 5! God finally made this possible and we arranged the trip. I spent a few weeks teaching the kids about wildlife, showing them all my wildlife photos, and some of my wildlife trips on video. They were passionate about learning. So much so, that if you come and ask them things like, “how long is a giraffes tongue?” or, “which cat’s footprints shows claw marks?” Most, if not all, will be able to answer you! It is amazing! So we had them all trained up as little field guides and ready for the trip. We waited on the 5th Dec, from 5:30am, and unfortunately, and sadly, the buses did not arrive…
That’s right. The buses did not pitch. I was heart broken. It was a tough day for me. It was amazing though, because we decided to play with the kids, do some singing, and performances, and through their joy, I was able to deal with the disappointment. I have no doubt that I was the most disappointed kid there. God was teaching me some things, and painfully, I asked Him to reveal them to me. I am so grateful we have a God who is alive, real, and active, and how no matter what happens in life, He is there, close, and comforting. The day turned out really great, and we trusted God for another opportunity.
The bus company claimed there was some mix up, and I won’t go into details, but we arranged again for them to take us on the 15th of Dec.
God’s provision is amazing. I was offered biscuits from Harvest, and when I said I would love some for our Umfolozi trip, they asked me how many kilograms I wanted!! We ended up being given almost 40kg of biscuits to our kids!! Great Stuff.
I was sitting in a Harvest service, and started chatting with the couple next to me, who, when they found out who I was, asked if our kids needed drinks for anything. I told them about the upcoming Umfolozi trip, and they then told me to come and collect 300 drinks from their shop that Tuesday!! Thank you Lord.
So, the day was unbelievable!! Everything went so well, and so smoothly. The buses even arrived, it was fantastic! At the end of a magic day, we had 150 blessed children of God, 3 out of the big 5 sighted, great weather, enjoyed by all, LOTS of food and sweets destroyed, combined with some rally car driving at times, equalled 2 kids throwing up, more great animals, 1 great educational movie, lots of noise, even more excitement and an exhausted group of Impendulo leaders. I want to say a big thank you to all who were involved with this day, and for playing part in one of my dreams coming true: Taking and educating children in Africa’s beauty.
We ended off the year on a very high note, and we look forward to going in 2010 to show our community ‘a New Way’, our theme for next year.
Much love and be blessed
Richi
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Testimonies for 2009
Sindi (Leadership Team/Youth Leader) – I want to thank God for what He has done for me. I want to start about what happened on Wednesday. I never believed Cebi, my younger sister, would ever wash my feet. Secondly, I used to watch people praying for the sick, and I never believed I would be able to pray for the sick, but He is now showing me to pray for the sick, and I accept His word and guidance. I have learned that in the team, whatever happens, good or bad, I have learned that I have made a decision, and you mustn’t change your decision but stick to the decision to continue. Perseverence. Lastly, I want to thank God that He chose us as a team to be able to work for Him.
Nu - Firstly I would like to thank the team for being together, and even though difficulties came, even though I was involved in some of them, God told me to persevere and come back. Thirdly, reading the bible helped me a lot, even though my heart was hard, the bible taught me a lot, and even though I thought of terrible things, my heart softened. Fourthly and lastly, I would like to thank God for learning about the 7 habits, and the Cherish course, they helped me so much.
Makhosi – Firstly, I would like to thank you all for the opportunity to join the team. I want to thank Gogo for inviting me to come, I didn’t notice much about what was happening, and I was very busy, but Gogo encouraged me to come and be a part of what was happening here. It also helped me to be full time on the team. It has made a difference to be full time here. Before I used to be a person who didn’t take notice of most things happening, but I have learned to be a person that takes notice of what is going on. The importance of praying, I can now see, I used to go to bed without praying, but now I don’t forget, and it helps me a lot with all the problems I face. God has helped me a lot in my life and I can see a difference. Praying for people, I can now see is so important. I was encouraged to do that by being in this team. I don’t want to go back anymore, and next year I want to be a part of what this team is doing! Even though along the way to a meeting on Wednesday with my bible, people ask me where I am going, and I tell them I’m going to the team meeting and people ask me ‘don’t I read my bible in church on Sunday already?’ Also I know God will help me and I will never look back.
Cebi (worship team/youth ministry) – I want to start with the differences I have seen in my sister Sindi. I don’t remember the date, but I remember I had a problem with my voice, and I couldn’t sing. I asked sindi to pray, and as sindi prayed, i was released and the chains were unlocked, and I can see Jesus is living in Sindi as it was His power in her. The difference I have seen in my life, I used to be moody, most people know, I used to hate being around people, and most of the time I wanted to cry, and I have prayed to God, and now I can sit with people without a problem. I now want to say I’m sorry to people when I have done wrong. I am now able to go to the people to say I have been wrong. Now to humble myself, when I’m talking to people, I used to want to show people who I am, but now I’m able to humble myself when talking to people. Also, being afraid of people and being shy, I used to be afraid even of singing, I used to worry about what people will say about me, but now I am able to sing as I want to, I know who I am worshipping. When we are praising, God now will show me things I need to say, and God often wakes me up to tell me things, and God prompts me to do this. I spoke to Sabelo and we prayed about it, and now I am able to do it and show God the glory as He wants me to do. Before, when I was young, I used to hate playing with kids, and I grew up with it. Now I can sit with other people and have fun, and I love the kids so much now. I am able to share the love of God with people, outside of the team, but people overpower me with words when I am speaking to them. That is my prayer. Also, to love people, I used to choose who I was going to love, but people doing bad things, I used to hate them. Thoks has taught us, that everyone has been designed to serve God. Some scriptures in the word have started giving me understanding and are becoming my favourites. John 14v In my Fathers house are many rooms. I carry it in my mind wherever I go, and that I will persevere, so I will see what God has prepared for me. Impendulo means a lot to me, and God made a way for me to stay here. If it wasn’t like that I would have gone astray a long time ago. It has changed my life, Thank you Impendulo. Before I used to see what other people would share, and I used to long for that gift, that God puts things on people’s hearts, and now I have that gift. God is really here, He is really REALLY here. He has shown me. What I am praying for is that I must not doubt Him. He is here.
Thenjiwe (Leadership Team/House ministry) – Some of you here, will remember last year, when we closed last year, that I said I want to know and learn more about God. I will stick to God no matter what happens to me. In Psalms 119v71, David says, “I am supposed to go through suffering,” This was the same David who was anointed by God to be King of Israel.” I have learned His commands in the most difficult way, but I will always love and serve Him. I just want to thank all of you for your prayers and all your help, from the time Ephraim got very sick, til the time he passed away. It was always in my heart, that even if he died, I worried most about his soul. I asked Jesus Christ to heal his soul. I believe my Jesus did that for me, because by the time he was in hospital, whenever we visited him, he would cry saying we mustn’t leave him behind. I knew he was so scared that he might die, and he didn’t have anyone to accompany him to a better place. He knew he hadn’t accepted the one Jesus Christ. He knew he would get lost and the angel of darkness would take him to the dark. There is a song I love to much, and I can’t sing in front of people, but I do sing it alone. It is a song in Zulu, which says, “We have arrived in the Jordan River, please be with me when I cross the river.” One time we visited Ephraim, he said I have just prayed and asked God to forgive me. I am ready for him. I want you to know that Ephraim hated Impendulo so much, but by that day, he said, even if he is going, Impendulo will take care of us. I couldn’t believe my ears, for the first time when we were praying, he was praying like crazy, and I stopped praying and was listening to his prayers. He was connected with God. From there he was no longer crying when we visited him. In turn, it was us who were crying and he was comforting us and saying he was going to rest. He would always ask for Impendulo and encouraging us not to leave Impendulo, and the afternoon on the 16th of April, Impendulo were the last people he asked for when he passed away the following day. I just want to tell you guys, especially the youth, aids is there, don’t listen to any lies about it! It kills, and that’s why I lost Ephraim. It is not just Ephraim alone. I have lost lots of relatives and friends, and still many friends and relatives ill with HIV. It is so painful, but I put my trust in the Almighty God, and I thank Him that He is always there for me. Just to encourage those who haven’t accepted Jesus in your life, know that it is so painful that you are going away, and there is no-one to take you to rest. Jesus says,” I am the way and the truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through me.” I was in the same place when I had my first epileptic seizure. I am sorry that maybe some of you didn’t know, but I couldn’t close my eyes, because I was so scared I might die. It is so difficult to go to a place you have never been before, especially if there is no one to accompany you. You can ask anyone to accompany you anywhere in this world, but when you leave this place, there is only one who can accompany you, the Almighty Jesus Christ! He is the only one who will take you to the everlasting, hand in hand! I can’t imagine those happy days, but that is what He promises us in Revelation 21. He also emphasises in v 27 that nothing that is impure, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life, will enter the city.” Is your name written now? If not, … I will quote John 14v6… I will leave this question to everyone. Where are you prepared to go after this life?
Nonku (House Ministry) – I would like to share about the Purpose Driven Life. I have learned a lot throughout this year. I learned mostly about the part, that there is no one like me, anywhere in the world. People will an amazing voice, etc, I would want to be like that… but now I know that God has created me, the way He wanted me to be. I also learned a lot about serving God with the talents He has given us. We must serve Him the shape He has given me to use. I also learned on the house visits before, I never used to want to go and share with people who are suffering, even though I have nothing I have learned that there is something I can offer them. I alos learned that God has blessed me, and has blessed us, but before I used to wish for everything, I used to wish for a nice house, etc, but I have learned that God has blessed me, with a roof over my house, and that God has actually blessed me. I have learned that Mary was the most blessed woman on the earth, and we don’t hear of her having wealth. During the HIV training, I learned that we, who call ourselves Christians, should love those who are infected with HIV and aids and we must show kindness to them. I want to bless Sindi, gogo and Thenjiwe, for a sisterhood, and they have given her child new shoes. And I saw a huge difference in Sindi and Cebi, and they used to laugh out of the blue at strange time and it concerned me. But now they don’t laugh anymore.
Winnie – God has loved me and kept me. I want to thank the team for what they’ve done in community and Macambini. They are true parents to people of the community and in my life. I have learned a lot about speaking about the Word of God. I thought it was only supposed to happen on Sunday, but here we speak about the word of God, wed Sat, and everyday. I have learned to speak, I used to be quiet, but now I can share about God. I have learned also to not covet other people’s things, and have learned to be satisfied with what God has given me.
Hlengiwe (Creche) – Thank God for making this day possible. I saw in 2008 the love of the team. Learned a lot and God showed me He loves me. Even when I’m alone reading scriptures, or spoken badly about someone, God convicts me and I go to apologise. Most of the time I pray for the team, and relatives, and God gives me pictures and visions. Usually when I’m praying I ask God to give the team strength to carry on through tough times, and in hospital I prayed and saw some things that weren’t good in the team, and also when problems came in the team, and some wanted to go away from team, God showed me that I must persevere and continue to go on. Picture of 2 men fighting, and one offered quick results, I believe it was Satan, and the other said we must press on. I believe that was God. I have learned to forgive. Not to hold grudges. Lots has happened that I can’t explain. When the year started I didn’t think I would end the year with the team. I have learned a lot from Rich and Thoks about forgiving people. God has taught me to always forgive people. I pray that God would continue to give this team power to continue to go all through Macambini. I pray they will continue to soar
Hopewell – I want to thank the team that I have been a part of this year. I was not able to always be here but my heart has always been here. My vision for next year is to be able to teach people in rural areas, who don t have TV and access to information etc, about how to take care of their lives, and HIV and all these things. I want to thank those who are involved in house visits. They are doing a great job, never hold back and look back. No matter what people say, they are doing a great job and must keep doing a great job!! Happy Christmas and happy New Year.
Syabulela – Firstly have to say thank you for this opportunity. I have learned a lot being with this team. I have learned how to sit and socialise with people. I used to be on my own and afraid to be with lots of people. And what has changed is that I used to like to drink a lot and that has changed. I have also learned a lot, my eyes were opened, when I got involved with people who were doing house visits. I used to think I was suffering, and I have sent hat there are people in a lot more need than I am. Lastly I want to say I can now read the bible!
Sihle – I knew about this team before, and wasn’t a member, but now I am, and I can see that this is a team that is doing good things. God loves this team because of the work that this team is doing around the community. I want to thank the members of this team that have been here for a long time, for persevering, and may God bless you for what you are doing. Lastly I want to thank this team for what they did for my house. They came and prayed for my grandmother and gave us a food parcels and blessed us, may God bless you all.
Goodie (Gardening project) – This year I want to thank the team for everything, and all the people who are leading different ministries. They are doing hard work and I want them to continue next year. This year I saw unity, and I saw young people loving old and vice versa. What I have learned individually, is about the 7 habits, and what I have learned to put 1st things 1st and I have to make decisions to make things right and stick with them.
Thank you Rich and let’s go in with the same spirit into 2010.
Sibahle (Worship leader) – This year we said that we want to make a difference. Firstly I said I want to make a difference in myself before I make a difference for others. When we went to white river to learn about leadership, we were taught about godly leadership, there I told myself that I wanted to be a godly leader, and I pointed it towards myself and said I want to be a godly leader. In the Purpose driven life purpose #7 on how we can worship God, made me decide that this year I want to worship God with the lifestyle that I’m living. I am looking forward to next year and I cant wait to continue with what I have started!!
Sabelo (Leadership Team/School ministry) – I thank God that He has been with us all through the year and He shows us how much He loves us through the strength that He gives to us… the same strength that we must give to people in the community. I want to thank Thoksy with the help that he gave to me. I brought an issue to him and he prayed for me, and I have seen God help me with that situation. I thank God that He brought me to Impendulo so that I can learn about the 7 Habits, the HIV training and the Purpose Driven Life. Especially ‘7 habits’ and PDL have helped me so much in driving myself. I thank God that He has given me more strength, and that He has sent me to school to do school ministry, and I have seen Him help me when I’m suffering sometimes, and I have seen Him continue to help me. I thank Leigh and Richi for helping me to try to have a better life, as I suffer with epilepsy, and they always try to make my life better. I thank the whole team for praying for me, at the time when the attacks got really bad, when you came to me at home. I hope to see God helping us to have more strength in the future, not focussing too much on FIFA but more on people. We have shown people how much they need God, and they need us to continue. Thank you so much.
Gogo (Leadership Team/House Ministry) – I would like to thank my lovely God for keeping me to this time of the year. He has taught me so many things that have helped my life. I am thanking God He is great to me!! To have people in the Imepdnulo team that have helped me with so many things in the bible. Thank you for the book called PDL, that book changed my life so much more than before. All that was written in there taught my heart a lot from chapter 20: 2 Corinthians 5:18 ‘God has restored our relationship with him through Christ, and has given us this ministry of restoring relationships”.
I was also so happy to be at the nature reserve on the weekend at the nature reserves with our brothers and sisters who blessed us with the word of God. People from Harvest came and showed us Jesus and the cross. We learned a lot from them. Goodie our teacher showed us a new way of making gardens. Well done my son. God bless you. Thank you to our leaders, Richi and Thoksy, I am encouraging you for what you did in my life. People came from Pretoria for HIV and aids, thank you to them. Thank you to our women’s leader Leigh, bless you until we meet again next year amen halleluyaah!!!
Cecilia – Thank you so much. I thank God for these months I have been with you. I have learned a lot. I knew a way of God before, but when difficulties came, I didn’t know how to pray to God, but now I know how to pray to God through tough times. I have learned so much about God in this team.
I want to thank Rich and God, for showing Rich to come and work in our place. He could have gone to any place but he came here. He has enlightened us about the Kingdom of God, and I have learned a lot. I want to thank Leigh because in the past we know what happened between blacks and whites but you guys show us love and a different way. Thank you. I want to thank Imepndulo for praying for me. I was asked to bring a problem to the team, and I told thoks about my son who had no money for tertiary education and the team prayed, and after a few months he got a job and the same thing happened with my daughter. God answered prayer. I would like to thank the team who are doing house visits. When BBC was here they went to Ntuli’s house and we saw the problems and I want to pray for power, so that this team can continue to help the people who are suffering.
Mostly I want to thank Rich for what he is giving to the team, supplying food parcels, and clothes etc to bless the community with. This is helping people so much. I would like to say, my wish for next year, is that we get involved in sharing the gospel in prisons. I would like it if we can organise the team to go visit Shelembe in jail. Lastly I want to thank Rich, for what he is doing, and God for giving him such a wonderful man, who is interpreting (Thoks), who, while Rich was away, did a great job of looking after us and treating us well. Thank you.
Hlengiwe Mkhwanazi – A few things I would like to thank for; things that have changed my life. I used to think that you pray on Sunday only, but now I know that you can pray anytime. I want to see God continue to remove the things that are not of Him in my life.
I can also see a big difference in my life and in my family. I used to think that it was only old people who can talk to God. I then saw people in the team doing it, praying and talking to God, and now I am doing it and the people in my family are blessed, because the team prayed and helped my family, and before we used to get muthi, and now we know we can turn to God and to prayer, and now my mom asks for the boys to come pray for her when she is sick. I want to thank Impendulo for what they have taught me. I pray that next year God will help me to persevere because I used to have a bad temper, and I can also see that physically I am starting to get well, because I used to struggle with stress at home, but God is helping me.
Thembisile (House Ministry) – Thank you so much God for your power. I see the answers of my prayers from 2008 to 2009. I have seen many of them answers. Some lacking but will continue to trust Him. I also will never forget the people who took me into this team. They took me from the craft centre and into this team. Rich and Jabs. Those are the people who made it possible for God to make a difference in my life. I was going to church but there were a lot of things lacking in my life. I didn’t know when they came to tell me they want me to be a part of what God was doing; I didn’t know that this was when God was going to help me. Sometimes there are difficulties and during those times is when you are able to see the power of God, you may think God wants to punish you, but He is moving you from one position to another. I often have difficulties, but they do pass. When they pass I thank God, because I wouldn’t have known the power of God, and that He is able! I thank the team for helping the Thusi family. They had a difficult time but when the team prayed, God answered and the family started to get their hope back in God. I also would like to thank Rich and Leigh. When a young girl of that family passed away, we had a trip to Durban arranged, but they had nothing for the funeral the next day and with the power of God, we managed to arrange something, and still today they are still thanking God. Also being part of the team, I have been involved in house visits and many other things, and even leading a funeral, and the power of God has helped me, and now that family even wants to come and see what is happening in this team. The other guy from the same family was in hospital and we went to visit him to pray for him. He said he wants to meet us again. Maybe he will come to the team. I also want to thank God for the op to be in the reserve with different people, and from JHB, and to welcome them and get to know them. Also the courses of Habits and PDL, have taught me a lot and have helped me a lot. I have been able to share them with another guy from another church, and I have been able to pass on the knowledge that I have been given. Thank you all my brothers and sisters, all of you, for the life of my sister here, Zama. I used to pray for her, and we lived by prayer, and every day we prayed, and right now you can see the power and the results of prayer! I would like to thank God for Sindi and Thenji and for what they are doing. One day I was praying and I saw a vision of them and me in a relatives’ home and we went to pray. Then I didn’t understand that vision, but now I have understood. As we now see they are a part of the leadership, God has blessed them, and is raising them, and we can see God doing his workl. Sindi used to laugh out of the blue, but I thank God for what He is doing now raising her as a real leader and I bless these women. Lastly I would like to say that I would like to see the kids doing drums, and many other things.
Gogo Miriam (this woman is a classic!!) – I am so happy. ‘Sit down Thoks.’ No translation from you. I told my husband I’m going with Rich. He asked why? I told him that his food is ready at home and now I can go with the Impendulo team.
So I have learned a LOT in this team. I have learned that I have a gift, and I know I can sing, and I can pray. Rich asked us if we knew our gift, and taught us about spiritual gifts.
Impendulo, we are the answer! I am a full member now; last year I was with you only a few days, now I am a full member. What I want now is to come over to 2010, I have 76 years, and I love you all here. Everyone must open their hearts, so that God must come inside. In my church I don’t go sometimes, but I know that it’s ok because Rich has told me that every hour, not only on Sundays, we can be with God. I am now talking to God more than just Sundays. I am very glad and very pleased to be a member of this team. I also thank you for what you have done for me. You came and planted a garden for me. I just weed them, and now I’m eating. Through you! Your work is very good. Next year I must get another garden. When I’m at home, I’m praying for the house visits, even if I cant go on them because I’m old. They are very good. I heard the other day, you took the people from Khuzwayo’s house to Stanger. Without money. I thank you. Many houses don’t have food, and now they are getting food. It is very good.
Rich, who told you to come to this place in Macambini? Thank you very much. God bless you!
Leigh (Leadership team/women’s ministry) – Last year Dec/Jan I wasn’t in a good place. 2008 was a very hard year. I was in a place where I felt the house in my life had been broken down to the foundations. I didn’t understand God anymore. I had walked with him for 30 yrs but I didn’t understand him anymore. I didn’t know how to pray. I had no answers. I knew He was with me and that he loved me but knew nothing else. Through this year, I look back and I am amazed at what God has done. I am so thankful because He has restored so much. I am now starting to have new visions, new dreams and a new hope. He has showed me who I am in Him. It’s been a hard year, but a good year, and I know that I have come out of the desert. It has been a wonderful privilege for me to work with this team. So thankful not in Kloof at a desk but I am here. To the ladies I want to say thank you to each one of you. I have learned so much through watching each one of you. You are the hardest workers I know I have seen God through the course of this year work in each one of your hearts. Through very tough circumstances you have let God work in your hearts and with difficulties with other women you have worked through that, I am very proud of you. My prayer for 2010 is that we keep this unity in the team, that we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus no matter what happens, and I am excited because I see God is doing deep work in this team since Richi started and I sense God has some Big things for us. God has been laying the foundations and now there is a new thing happening! Thank you all of you!
Sdu (Leadership Team/Youth Leader) – It did not start as an easy year for me as my dad passed away at the end of 2008. We are told as Zulu men not to cry, but it affected me in a big way and affected my work a lot and was really hard. Also working with the team and kids, it affected the work I am doing, as I acted as if everything was ok, but when I was alone, there was no peace, and the way I dealt with it, was not right. I used to get angry a lot of the time, and it was not easy for me. I would like to thank the team, and especially Sabelo, because he spoke to me about the tough times coming so we can go to the next level. Not to crush us, but so we can grow to the next level. Also Rich came and spoke to me, that I must take this time and let go, and not act like everything is ok, and I can cry, and from there on, things started to get better, and my work started to get better, and I started to grow again. Also, I thank God, because there are a lot of things He has done. I hope he has used me to change a lot of the kids and to teach them about Him. I also got baptised this year which was a great blessing to me. I want to thank God for the friends I have, like Thoks, because even when we are playing, they challenge me when I’m not doing things right, because they help me a lot. I also thank God for everything that has happened this year, all the places we have been, and all the courses we have learned., and I hope that next year, we are really going to show people a NEW WAY, as God has showed us a new way. Lastly I would like to thank everyone who kept praying for the team because their prayers are doing a great thing even if they are not noticed.
Nsizwa – I want to thank God for the opportunity He has given me. I want to thank you all for what you have done in my life. Firstly I thank God for preparing a family like this to come into. I did not know I would come into something like this. Thank you to people for loving me despite the things I was doing. Thank you for people who persevered with me through tough times. I want to thank Thoks for always encouraging me in every way, even if I am going astray and I don’t feel like going to church, because I used to want to be alone, but by him encouraging me I have been able to meet with guys like sdu and sibahle. There is a lot that I have learned being with this team. Before I used to believe in ancestors, but being with this team, and with the guys, I have learned that it is not what we need in our life. Also I used to only love people I know but I have learned to love people even that I don’t know. Also I have learned to put God first. Before, I used to only worry about soccer on Sundays, and now I want to go to church and I have seen that putting God first is something I want to do in my life.
Brenda – I would like to thank God for being able to be a part of this team. I am a shy person but I have been given the opportunity to be with these people. I really want to thank Sindi, she helped me a lot. It was my younger sister who used to talk to her. One day she asked me how I was and I explained to her, what was happening. Sindi is now a part of my life and she has helped me a lot when I have had difficulties, and I ask God to bless her for what she has done in my life. I would like to thank God for what He has done for me in difficult times. I started to seek help for my younger sister’s grant in June, but only when I moved from one that place I was living in, because He saw that if I stayed under those circumstances things would not get better, and then when I moved from there, everything happened so quickly. Thank you God! I want to serve him with everything… Rich shared on wed we must give ourselves completely to God, and I have decided I want to do that. Even when tough times come, I want to serve him with everything…
I want to thank the whole team of Impendulo, may God bless you and continue what you are doing…
Xoli – I would like to thank God for everything He has done in my life. I used to worry about a lot, but since I joined this team, I have learned not to worry. Thenjiwe came and gave my family clothes, and God has blessed us with a grant for our kids, and everything is happening in my life!
I want to thank gogo for encouraging me to come on Wednesdays and Saturdays to Impendulo and God has done so much in my life… I want to keep coming…
Thoks (Elder/Leadership team) – So much has happened in my life individually and also in the team. So I’ll give highlights and a summary:
This year started and I said to God that I am all yours, do whatever you want with me. From there God started an amazing journey with me with a lot of challenges along the way. But I can see now that He was preparing me for His purpose for my life and it was not easy for me but there were things that needed to be cleared out of my life so that there could be a space for God.
I remember a couple of times talking to Rich with tears running down my face because of the things I’ve done and I wanted to do no more. That’s what happens when you give God control in your life. He shows you the things that are not pleasing to Him and then it is up to you to decide whether you get rid of them or not.
But when you do, there is a blessing that comes from it. You become alive and God starts to nurture your gifting. That is what happened to me. This year God unlocked something powerful in me, a deeper understanding of His word. And He gave me direction in my life. If you think you have heard enough of me preaching to you, you haven’t heard anything yet. I’m going to be preaching to you all the time, even when you are sleeping, because that’s what God has showed me is His purpose for my life.
This year for me is the year which, from being with the team, God has been preparing me for. His ultimate purpose that He formed this team for; THE NEW WAY.
In this team I have got to see God doing amazing work in the life of the individuals. There are so many things that could take me the whole day to mention. That we have learned and done together. Like the leadership training, HIV & Aids training, soccer and dancing with Sean and Jillian, days in Zimnkwazi and lots LOTS of other good things. And we had a lot of groups coming to work with us here, the olive tree guys built a house for mkhulu, the crawfrod kids doing gardens, the BBC beauts, and the Harvest Champs.
I’ve seen God using this team to make a difference in the lives of so many people in this community and other places. This team means a lot to many families and kids. We’ve been the answer to so many problems they have faced. Lastly, this team means a lot to me. Through this team I’ve come to know what it means to be truly loved. This team has become more than a family to me and through this team I have found life in Jesus Christ. I just want to say all of you guys have had a BIG impact on my life whether you know it or not. I love you all!!
Rich (Elder/Leadership Team) – wonderful year – look at the difference God has made in our lives, and what we have done to so many. God has rewarded our hard work, and we are seeing the most amazing results. Those who have been here from the start, and those who have committed to being here through the good and bad, are going to see God doing the most amazing things in our lives, and in our community. When God builds something, nothing can stop it. Nothing! Get ready for God to show you more than you ever dreamed of. Jesus’ death on the cross was for this, for us to see His kingdom come, on earth. This is what we have started to see, and as long as we persevere, we will always see it. Unity, truth, family, relationships, the power of the Holy Spirit, will bring His kingdom.
Honoured Thoks for being reliable and solid in God, Leigh for making so much happen, ministry leaders for great work, home ministry team for being such a blessing to community, kids club leaders because its been my dream from the start of this ministry to raise children of God, and God’s dream too and we have trusted them with this massive task because we love them, believe in them and they have been placed there! They will change thousands of kids, and will be known around the world for their work.
Spoke over gogo’s heart being softened, over Sabelo with a heart of David, over Sya that 2010 will be the most significant year of his life spiritually, over Cebi, Sibahle and music ministry to dream big, and team to travel.
I want to see all our ministries growing, and getting stronger and deeper. The leaders looking at raising others to help with their work. That we would continue to be true family, full of fathers, sons, mothers daughters, brothers and sisters. I want each member of Impendulo to be a leader, and raising up at LEAST one person, in the ways of God.
Let’s not get silly this season but come back overflowing so that there is a Holy Spirit explosion when we return in Jan. This season we are the light, and next year, our word for our year of showing them ‘A New Way’, is that we are the very light of Jesus to this world.
I love you all, my heart is here. God showed me in Uganda that this is my home. I will be changing my life next year as I get more onboard at Harvest, so 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off, but this is where my heart is at, and we must get ready for great things!!
My dream for 2010 is that we will walk in the fullness of God, unashamed, bold, and ready for anything, speaking only life, trusting only in God’s goodness and grace, and allowing Jesus Name to be glorified through our lives.
