The Hawks Bless Many

My parents, Ralph and Novella Hawk, have been with us here in Cape Town since April 11. They have had many opportunities to minister during their time here.

In these photos you see Dad ministering weekly to the men, Mom speaking monthly to the women, and all of us visiting Ian and Carmel Chalklin, who minister to the poor in the village of Paternoster.

Regarded by Xavier and Heather as valuable mentors, both Ralph and Novella have enjoyed their role as "fathers and mothers in the faith," not only in Africa but in many other parts of the world.

Building Belonging to the Lord

Coastlands Community Church dedicated our new building to the Lord last Sunday. Over 250 people attended, 15-20 of them Cape Town pastors.

Since their arrival in this area nine years ago, Pastors Xavier and Heather have made friends with many people. At the beginning, they walked the local mall to get to know people and develop friendships. Pastor Xavier began working in the community, as a speaker at the old-age home, a chaplain at the hospital and board member at their children's schools. The Adriaanses think of the community as their congregation, and to hear from the community at the church dedication, they are loved and appreciated by many.

The church that faith built

Take a look at the new building of our African home church, the Coastlands. Pastor Xavier has led the congregation in constructing it completely debt-free.

Businesses, individuals and churches made significant contributions, including our U.S. home church, Grace North in Anthem, Arizona. One local business donated the carpet, another fencing materials; a church member sewed curtains, another provided kitchen counter tops...and so it went up to today, when all is nearly complete. I call it "the church that faith built," because we've watched it grow from parcel of land to nearly finished place of worship.

We've also seen a pastor believe God for what he knows God wants to do in this community, which Pastor X says means a lot of faith-stretching.

Living in South Africa

What does the situation in South Africa mean for us? First, let’s talk about the challenges.

Attacks against foreigners from other African countries have continued since last May, with 10 migrants killed in November in Cape Town alone. Although we are not threatened by this violence, several members of our congregation in Tableview (our suburb of Cape Town) have immigrated from other African countries. They and other members who live in the townships have seen this violence first hand and have ministered in its aftermath.

South Africa also suffers from one of the world’s worst crime rates, with high incidences of murder, rape, robbery and carjacking. Some citizens of Cape Town move to gated communities or install electrified wire around their block walls. And yet, this year record numbers of tourists came to South Africa from Europe and the rest of the world, and we personally have seen or experienced no crime.

Often when John or I talk to people we meet around Tableview, they express fears that the country is deteriorating. They wonder if South Africa is following the “Zimbabwean path.” Will South Africa be able to maintain a successful democracy on a continent where the will of the people is rarely respected?

In all this, Pastor Xavier and Heather, our pastors at Coastlands Community Church, remain optimistic and forward looking. He has convinced us that no matter what happens the church will thrive, that families will need ministry and that people will respond to the Lord. We admire the dedication of our pastors to the people of Tableview, whether in the hospitals, school system, community, or the church.

On the Road

Car serviced, bags packed, maps consulted, and ready to go! But not without a good prayer meeting to send us off. Friday we met with African friends for loud and effective midnight prayer and praise to God.

On Sunday morning our church prayed for us and blessed us with an offering. Pastor Xavier told the congregation that the offering represents a seed planted for our church to expand its missions vision. They will be interceding for us during the entire trip. We hope you will too.

The Devil's Death Sentence

Georges Kabady came here to South Africa from the Congo four years ago. Last Sunday he shared how God has worked in his life in the last few months.

Read his inspiring testimony to see how the devil resists God's people, but they emerge victorious when they affirm, "God...I believe You!"

A Roof for a Church

Just a few days ago, Pastor Xavier and the church council gave the go-ahead for the roof to be constructed on our African home-church building. Xavier and Heather planted the Coastlands in Table View nine years ago. The congregation currently meets in a school until the church building is completed.

If you'd like to follow the progress of the construction of the Coastlands' meeting place, please click here. At this website, you can single-click to watch a slide show, or double-click to go to the album website.

African City-Church

I took this one-minute video last Sunday to give you an idea of what it’s like to worship in an African city-church. Not really much different from what you’re used to, wouldn’t you say?

The Coastlands, our new home church

Our home church currently meets in a school, but land has been bought and a building begun, as you see in this photo taken this past Sunday. Pastor Xavier is happy that thus far everything has been paid for without going into debt.

How you can pray:
Please join us in praying for God’s provision for the roof to be built, which is the next stage in this project of faith.

"Just the 2 of us"

Six couples met at Pastor Xavier and Heather’s home for a marriage seminar this past Friday night and Saturday morning. Each couple shared throughout the seminar on such topics as how they met and what attracted them to each other.

Some shared victories and challenges, and Pastors Xavier and Heather, along with John and I, shared our own victories and challenges in the context of the Word.