Week 6 July 18-22
Monday.
Yesterday morning the Lord began a corrective work in my heart while I was in bed. Later that morning during the teaching at Calvary Chapel Cape Town he completed that work. It was a re-prioritizing of what I’ve been called to do. It was a humbling time and I know that God is faithful to forgive. His correction is proof of his love for me and evidence that he is with me in all that I do.
Today we didn’t have anything definite on the schedule so I took advantage of the YWAM Base’s prayer room and spent some more time before God in light of his word to me from yesterday. While at Base I ran in to Edson, one of the Base elders. He asked if I happened to have a book shelf for sale for the Eldership office. I said “Nope, but guess who’s got two thumbs and can build you one!” (OK, I didn’t say that but it would have really “dad” of me if I did!) Edson told me his budget and I’m going to see what we’ve got at Ithemba Woods to put together for him. Emily played some catch up with Eisley on school work and the little ones did their thang around the house.
Tuesday.
It was our monthly mid-wife appointment this morning in Plumbstead which is an area about 20 minutes North of Muizenberg. Emily and the baby are both in great health with no complications at this time.
With the appointment at the Midwife’s office it took up basically the whole morning. Emily needed to rest a bit and the kids needed to eat. Since Tuesday’s are technically my day with Dave and Vuyo at Ithemba Woods I dropped the family off at home and headed for the other side of the mountain and finished my day there.
Vuyo’s father is not too happy about him doing a DTS and wants him to go to the bush in December to be a part of the Right of Passage tradition. I asked Vuyo what he wanted to do but offered no advise one way or the other on the situation. He and I prayed about what the Lord wants for him and asked God to open or close the right doors.
It’s a hard thing to navigate coming from a completely different culture. Sharing the gospel and discipling people from cultures other than your own is a hard path to walk. The last thing I want to do is strip their culture of it’s uniqueness, meaning, and beauty. I do know there are some very real dangers about young men “going to the bush” to become a man. The first thing they do is circumcise them make them stay inside a grass hut for 8 days with no food or water while they heal. Last year 28 young men died from this tradition. There are some alternatives routes Vuyo could take but it’s a matter of his father’s approval or disapproval. Please pray that the Holy Spirit would move in Vuyo’s father’s heart and speak to him. Pray that God’s will be done in Vuyo’s life and for physical and spiritual protection if he goes to the bush.
Wednesday.
Today we were all back at Justice Dolls/Ithemba Woods. Sinazo and Joy-Lynn were quite impressed with the quality of doll that Emily has been assembling. Joy-Lynn said even she had to practice to get her dolls assembled as well as Emily’s first! I was pretty proud of my pretty wife!
Wednesday’s are technically Emily’s day with Justice Dolls so I keep Everleigh and River with me while I work in the wood shop or on constructing shacks with Dave and Vuyo. Yesterday, we were able to find enough wood and put a plan together for building a bookshelf for the Eldership office. Today we shaped/straightened all the pallet boards, sanded them, cut them to size, and assembled it. It’ looks great! We had to leave before adding a couple minor details to it. 
Thursday.
We still have to get our car through the Road Worthy inspection, which I may or may not be late on doing. I took it one morning not too long ago but it failed due to the airbag light being on. The mechanic shop told me it would cost over R6,000 which is over $400! Just to replace the passenger occupancy censor. I opted to wait and find another way.
Before the Renders moved back to the States Shelby introduced me to a Coloured guy in Ocean View named Neville who did back yard mechanics on the side for friends. I called him up and he invited me to bring the car over. It took about 4 hours but we got the problem resolved. The cool part is we spent 4 hours together talking about life and faith. Neville is an inspiring guy. People are writing books and planting churches calling it missional community or missional living. With out the trend, with out the reward of flattery and cool Neville is doing it…with out the books! He told me a lot of his story and shared about how God changed the old angry, violent, and selfish Neville, that even his own family didn’t want around, into the Neville he is today. The humility in which he operates in his community and the work that Christ has done in him has impacted Ocean View for the Kingdom. I’m the “missionary” and I just got missioned. Neville even spoke a word of encouragement to me that was directly on point and exactly in line with what the Lord had showed me on Sunday.
We had to cancel our time at Lavender Hill today because I was asked to play drums at Base worship tonight. I was pretty nervous about it knowing that I haven’t even touched a drum kit in almost 6 months. Turns out I was right to be nervous. At least the first 30 minutes. While playing, my mind would say to do one thing but my arms and legs wouldn’t get the memo. After about about 30 minutes or so I was able to shake off the cob webs. The set went great and I am definitely a fan of playing drums in a multicultural charismatic worship environment!
Friday.
All ministry opportunities fell through today and a One on One appointment was postponed to next week. We did our big weekly grocery shop and prepared for our family’s homemade pizza and movie night.
In case you missed it or have forgotten: If you would like to purchase a one or two story shack for us to build for a family in Masiphumelele please email me. The single story is roughly $300 and the two story is roughly $650. Those amounts cover 100% of the material.
