Rusks talk about Becki's challenge ahead

God Loves Children

A team from Coastlands traveled 1½ hour away to Paternoster, for an outreach to that community. Ian and Carmel Chalklin arranged this event with Samaritan’s Purse. Over 200 children attended. There was face painting, games and entertainment, including Carmel’s singing and dancing team of young girls and a dynamic drama group from an area drug rehabilitation ministry. Of course, the highlight was when the children opened their "love boxes."

If your church has ever prepared these shoe boxes for Samaritan’s Purse, you know what a joy is to think of the children who will receive them. On this side of the world, it was truly delightful to see the fruit of such ministry as we watched the kids open their boxes. We prayed that this day would cause them never to forget how much God loves them.

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.

Planting in Botswana

Last weekend I visited Tyler and Lizzie Jorgensen, missionaries in Botswana. They have begun a program to train leaders, called Southern Africa Leadership Training. This program, developed by Tyler and sponsored by LIFE Canada, provides home study for potential pastors from anywhere in Africa.

They have also started a church in the carport of their house in the village of Mochudi, near Botswana’s capital of Gaborone. Here you see the Sunday morning church service, with 30 children meeting around the corner on the porch of the house.