Click through sideshow to see all the pictures

It’s Ayoba (a word used to describe the wonder of the World Cup) time in South Africa and people are gearing up for the biggest event on the planet. It’s going to be epic. I get to go to the opening game on the 11th as a gift from my cousins Craig and Marcia, for officiating their wedding in April.

Well, we are nearing the end of our time here in South Africa for this trip. We wanted to share with you all about what God has been calling us to. Where to start?? We are feeling a renewed focus on how we are to be making disciples and how we are to come alongside the church. While much of our work is focused on community care and development we are seeking to be more strategic about the discipleship aspect in every area of ministry. Caring for widows, how do we disciple them towards God? Working with orphans, how do we move them forward in their relationship with the Father? The how part is a very exciting challenge to me indeed.
I was invited to preach at the Powerhouse church in the Mamelodi Township, on missions or more specifically; the important role Africans must play in the Great Commission. Side note: everyone came dressed in their World Cup soccer gear and the Vuvuzellas were at full throttle in the church. 4hrs of church later I thought I was going deaf! But it was exciting to share and as I shared I found myself more passionate than ever about equipping and sending African men and women to the nations. I know God is inviting us to play an important role in empowering and equipping young men and women. With Jason and Cara, Annie and I got to spend some good time with Floyd McClung in Cape Town, discussing what this needs to look like. Step by step as we send Vision Year volunteers and as we invest in the lives of promising young people God will lead us in the role He has for us to play.

Pray for:
1. The needs of the ministry to be met so we can push forward with the ripe opportunities coming our way.
2. Pray for wisdom as we digest the truths Floyd shared with us and the many next steps to take in setting up the Vision Year program to incorporate African young people.
3. Passionate hearts to join us in this work. This is not a one two or three man show. We need all sorts of gifts and abilities at the table to bring this vision to fruition. Anyone know an administrator wanting to come on board?

Again, what could we do without the support of our favorite friends and family!? Thank you, thank you, and thank you.
Blessings,
Follow close, follow hard
Allan, Annie and Judah Ben Hur

p.s. Judah’s pic of the month is the last pic in the sideshow above.

p.s.s Below is a video of Gogo Masindi praying for Judah when we visited her home.  So precious!

Click through sideshow to see all the pictures

We traveled to Bulembu, Swaziland where our teammates and co-workers in the Gospel have been rooted. Jason, Cara and their son Nick took good care of us and it was awesome to see the work God has laid before them. We got to spend great time with the orphan children. Such cool kids! I got to play volleyball with the older guys and hang out with them in their home a few times. I can see God raising up these Godly young men, to be leaders who love Him and want to serve Him. What an opportunity we have to be a part of that. It was neat to see the mentoring role Jason has in their lives and in general to see how the whole community has embraced them as a family.

Our desire to have a Vision Year volunteer team in Bulembu is fast becoming a reality. We have to rehab and fit out an old house for our next team. What a privilege they will have to be part of God’s redemption of precious orphan children to be the next leaders of their nation. The vision too of having African volunteers as role models has struck a chord, and we are excited to be setting that up in our remaining time here.

Pray for:

1. Our time with Jason and Cara, we have a meeting with Floyd McClung in Cape Town next week. His life and ministry have been very influential on us. We highly recommend his book “You See Bones, I See an Army”. His call to really do what Jesus calls us to;  make disciples, and get rid of all the other junk that distracts, resonates deeply with us all.

2. Our time with the Powerhouse Church and old friends here in Mamelodi. Pray that our time be meaningful as we see how our partnership projects are progressing and see where God is leading us into the future.

3. God has been directing us to focus on how we holistically make discipleship. We look forward to our time with Jason and Cara as we talk, dream and imagine together what this will look like for our lives and ministry.

Thank you our dear friends for believing in this work and in the working out of this vision that God has for His Kingdom here in Africa.

p.s. Judah’s pic of the month is the last pic in the sideshow above.

“Planting churches among unengaged and unreached people groups really means engaging in holistic discipleship. To start simple churches without caring deeply about people’s whole lives is pretty superficial, and to be engaged in transformation of people’s social and economic circumstances without leading them to faith in Christ and gathering them in new communities of faith, is to not care about their eternal salvation and spiritual growth.”
- Floyd McClung

On a more personal note. April started off with my close cousin’s wedding in beautiful Cape Town. My preaching skills were put to the test when 20 mins before the start of the wedding while all the guest were seated, the pastor called to say he was not going to make it. I was called to officiate and preach and it all turned out beautifully. God is gracious in moments like that where He gives us words to say that honor Him. As a thank you for stepping up Craig and Marcia gifted me with a ticket to the opening game of the World Cup!! HELLO SOMEBODY!!!

April was also our 3rd anniversary! I know that’s nothing for some of you 30+ years married folks, but for Annie & me it’s hard to believe it’s been 3 years already.

Judah has travelled really well. He has loved meeting new family and they have really loved on him in every way. He has been sick twice, which I believe was harder for Annie than for him. She’s such a loving mom and I am so proud of how she has blossomed in this new role.

Pray for:

1. We are checking in on many of our projects and making sure they remain sustainable, effective and are bareing Kingdom fruit. Much wisdom is needed as we advance the Life House and grow the Skills Development Center. The web-design co-op (pictured above) is finding it’s feet and making some impressive headway.
2. Our travels to Swaziland next month. Pray too that we are able to encourage Jason and Cara in their new set up. We look to establish a Vision Year volunteer’s site in Swaziland.
3. Conflict we have had with our previous landlord and their current tenant . Both owe AR significant monies but are avoiding and making excuses. It stirs up my sense of injustice and I struggle with the “how to exhibit” Christ like forgiveness and Christ like conflict resolution.

As always, thank you for your prayers, support and kind words.  Please shoot us a quick email to let us know how you are doing and how we can be praying for you and yours.

follow close, follow hard.

“An individual gospel without a social gospel is a soul without a body, and a social gospel without an individual gospel is a body without a soul; One is a ghost and the other a corpse.”

- E Stanley Jones (Missionary to India)

Some of the most curious and common questions we often get, are about South African cuisine. So we thought it high time we post some pics of the interesting foods we partake of while we are there.  The foods vary from the diverse cultures within the country but just like everywhere else, meal time is a beautiful part of those cultures, reflecting the people and their passion and is always, always a big deal! *This image gallery is dedicated to all the foodies out there… especially you Rachael Dagani.

So we leave for Africa in less than a week. We have much to get done before that time but things seem to be getting done somehow. We spent a weekend in Chicago with the AR board and presented to them in a not-so-brief-meeting “Where we have come from, where we are and where we are going” look at the ministry. One thing struck us all; our incredible need to depend on the Lord for the great things we are attempting with Him in His name.  So pray accordingly for us as we spend the next few months in Africa.

Pray for:

1. Our journey, that it may be a smooth 18hr plane ride with baby Judah. Nervous!
2. Pray for wisdom as we lay the foundation and structures for our indigenous African internship. Pray too for final stages of set up at the Life House in Mamelodi.
3. Pray that there be rich fellowship and joy as we spend time with friends and family, (especially my family seeing Judah for the first time). Pray that we bring peace and God’s light into people’s lives we come across.

Just goofing around between meals and sleeps. Its a hard life for a kid.

As always we are grateful for you our friends and supporters whom care so well for us as we stumble around after the Lord. It is a great honor that He invites us into establishing His Kingdom in the hearts and lives of people.

Oh and here is our Judah pic of the month. He’s a growing lad!

Follow close, follow hard.

Allan, Annie and the stinky baby

Last Words-

“Discipleship without obedience is like Christianity without Christ.”

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Back to Africa

In March, Lord willing, we leave for 2 and half months to South Africa and Swaziland where we will be working with our partners and staff on some of our already existing projects.

It has been said that, “Christianity in Africa is a mile wide and an inch deep.” While this comment is arguable, what is unarguable is what this comment speaks to; the desperate need for discipleship and equipping. One of the significant next steps we will be working on while we are there is to establish our Vision Year “Indigenous” internship program. The word indigenous literally means “generated from within”.  So this internship would be for young Africans desiring to do missions.  From the beginning we have always dreamed of playing a part in empowering Africans to do missions and not to just be the recipients of missions. Young Africans will have the opportunity to go through a year of equipping through hands on learning and spiritual formation in another part of Africa, as missionaries “sent ones”!  So many young Africans have a willingness and passion to seize this opportunity to be empowered to transform their communities… but the hurdle for them has been resources needed to make it a reality. In fact even now these finances are yet to come.  But we walk by faith and not by sight, right? I believe this is an exciting opportunity for those of you whom are not called to “go” yourself but to “send” others by supporting them. As givers you get to see the resources God has entrusted you with, (for advancing His Kingdom), make a huge difference in the lives of brothers and sisters in Africa. Consider supporting an indigenous intern or giving towards the development of this vision. We are so excited about this and can’t wait to share the stories!

Pray for us.

1. The cost of taking this trip is more than we have, so pray with us that the Lord provide all our needs to go.  He asks us to ask.  John 14:13-14.

2. Pray for our practicalities. Because we are nomads of sorts, much planning has to go into our lifestyle… this is already complex but we foresee it becoming increasingly more difficult with a baby. So pray with us as we figure out the logistics of coming, going, our stuff etc. Much waiting on the Lord and wisdom is needed as we seek first His Kingdom.

Judah is so alert and awake... sometimes at 3a.m. !

3. Praise God for the health of Annie & Judah as the final check up at the doctors has cleared them both!

As a super excited Dad, I want to continue just posting pics of our son on this blog but I realize that would only make the Grandma’s happy… so we will just post a “pic of the month” until his cuteness wares off………….never!!!
(more pics of this cute little snuggle bug here)

Thank you friends for your love and support.
follow close, follow hard
Allan, Annie and Judah

Note on Giving-
For 2009 Donors: Tax Deductible Receipts have been issued and will be arriving shortly.

Last Words
“God want us to be dependent upon Him and interdependent upon one another, not independent.”
- Loren Cunningham (founder of YWAM)

So we are obviously doing well.  Life is forever changed for us with Judah our baby giraffe.  We take things a day at a time with a whole lot of grace from our Father.   We are anticipating an exciting 2010!  As I have been thinking of the year ahead and all that I hope comes out of it, I was deeply challenged by our friend Floyd McClung, whom is so “intentional” in all he does.  I thought these 10 questions of his were worth passing on for you to ponder for yourselves:

1. What’s one way, you could utilize time, to increase your enjoyment of God?
2. What’s the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?
3. What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?
4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?
5. Who are three people you can disciple more intentionally?
6. What is the most helpful way you can build community with a few other followers of Jesus this year?
7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?
8. Who is the person you most want to encourage this year?
9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?
10. What single thing can you plan to do this year that will matter most in ten years?  In eternity?

Prayer for…

1. My Papa (Grandpa) is very sick right now with a failing liver. All his grandkids, including myself, are very close to him.  He’s the Grandpa all my friends wished for. He built us the biggest fastest wooden go-cart you can imagine. He would take us to the store and buy us donuts and ice cream so long as we didn’t tell our parents…. especially before dinner. He was unbeatable in arm wrestling and was always willing to hit the dance floor to show us how a real gentleman dances.

2. Annie’s Grandma has had some health struggles of her own recently. She is so dear to us and so precious to our family. She was taken to the hospital but is in recovery. Thank God she is doing much better.

3. Pray with us that the Holy Spirit work powerfully in us this year. We desperately need His power for life and ministry. You’ll know what I mean when you read our “Last Words” below from A.W. Tozer.

We love you guys and are so grateful for your love and support.

Follow close, follow hard

Allan, Annie and Judah

Last Words

“We may as well face it: the whole level of spirituality among us is low. We have measured ourselves by ourselves until the incentive to seek higher plateaus in the things of the Spirit is all but gone… [We] have imitated the world, sought popular favor, manufactured delights to substitute for the joy of the Lord and produced a cheap and synthetic power to substitute for the power of the Holy Ghost.”

- A.W. Tozer

Wow!  Baby Judah is born!  What an incredible experience we are having.  As the old year came to an end and people sang Auld Lang Syne to usher in the new one, the three of us shared a special moment in our hospital room; thanking God for His kindness in giving us this beautiful baby boy.  The whole experience from birth to changing his first diaper and driving home at 20 miles an hour has been somewhat surreal.  We now know why people say having a baby is a miracle like no other.  Seeing a new life come into the world stirred up emotions we never knew we had.  It’s truly breathtaking… so we’ve decided we’re going to keep him. Like I said to Annie, “he’s better than a new iPhone”.  Yes, he may not have many apps at this point and his ring volume is un-adjustable but there is just no comparison.  We love lying in bed and stare at him as he squirms around and syncs to life in this new world.

(Click here for updated pics of Judah as he grows)

Pray for…

1. Annie’s recovery from birthing our 9 pounds 3 ounce baby. That was no small thing, let me tell you! I have mad respect for my wife after that experience.

2. Pray for us as we adjust to life with a baby.

3. Thank the Lord with us as we recognize His kindness in giving us a life to nurture and steward. We are so blessed!

Last Words

“People who say they sleep like a baby usually don’t have one.”

“A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bank balance smaller, home happier, clothes dirty, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for.”

As this is our personal blog we thought it time we catch you up on our little lives.  I’m proud to report that Annie continues to be beautiful and pregnant. She was a real trooper for being on the road for 3 weeks being 7 months pregnant. Her due date is Dec 28^th.  I was hoping she could hold out till January, as I don’t want the little guy having to compete his whole life with Jesus when it comes to Birthdays in December; but Annie near about kills me every time I mention that.   She is ready to be done. Above are some pics of her beautiful self as a glowing preggers angel.  I kid you not; her hotness has proportionately increased with her belly.  As for me (my hotness remains at a steady 4.5) We finished our “birthing classes” where I learned oh so many things I can’t even put into words… and neither do you want me to try. But we are READY for action.

Prayer Requests

1. Pray for the last few weeks of the pregnancy.

2. Pray for the progress and development of the LIFE HOUSE Baby Rescue Home.

3. Thank God for our time with the pastors and past interns and old friends. Pray that the many people who heard the pastors challenge them to get involved with the ministry would take steps towards walking with us as we build God’s Kingdom.

Thanks to all of you who so faithfully support us. Thank you for playing your part in making it possible for us to grow God’s church in these very exciting ways.

Love you guys, allan and annie

Last Words

“You can’t lead a revolution AND still get 8hrs of sleep.” – Dr. John Perkins, CCDA Conference in Ohio.

(by the way Annie did NOT like this quote and does not endorse it in any way shape or form. I personally loved it!)

The new Powerhouse and AR baby rescue home.

“So what’s the plan?” has been the most asked question so far. Folks wanting to know where are we going to live long term, (Heaven) when are we going back to S.A. (April) and; what are we doing now? (Well at the moment it still feels as though we are catching up with life, sorting out taxes, settling in staff, planning ministry trips, and recruiting for another year.) Pastor Vincent Nyathi and Pastor Jonas Masotla from South Africa are joining us for 3 weeks in October. We work with their churches in the township of Mamelodi. It’s going to be a busy month as we hit the road going from Chicago to Michigan, with meetings, attending the CCDA Conference (Christian Community Development Association.) in Ohio, down to North Carolina and departing out of Atlanta. The primary reason for them coming is the conference in Cincinnati but we also long for them to be encouraged and celebrated in their time here. We will also get to see our alum team members from last year and some of you folks who came on mission trips to South Africa.

In South Africa, Jason and Cara are working hard at renovating a house we are converting into the Life House – Baby Rescue Home. It will be our next step in terms of Orphan Care as we have seen and recognized the need for a place of safety where unborn babies can be rescued. The primary Mamelodi social worker from Social welfare reports to us that at least 1 baby each week is found abandoned and often times dead in this community (Read AR’s most recent Blog post to find out more.) So God seems to be leading us to take the step to rescue His precious children with this home. It’s an honor for us to do this and we are just stepping out in faith for all the many, many needs that surround such a mighty feat as this. We invite you to join us in rescuing these kids.

If you asked us what are we most excited about? Having a baby overshadows all of these exciting things. Feeling him kick and anticipating his arrival everyday has given both of us an appreciation for how precious life is… especially as we build the Life House. A good friend of ours told us this week, “marriage changes you the second most in life…having a baby really changes you!” Bring it on, we’re ready!

Prayer Requests

The hard work of being pregnant at the office.

1. Funding and donations for the Life House – Baby Rescue Home. We don’t have the resources to do this right now but we know through you guys and others, God will provide. Pray with us daily as we walk in faith.

2. October Pastoral Trip- Pray that God really use that trip to envision His Shepherds from South Africa. May they be encouraged and refreshed for their time here.

3. Pray specifically for Annie and I as we prepare for the coming of our little guy. Pray that we remain continually faithful to this call on our lives.

Thanks for your prayers, support and friendship. We love you.

This was at the "A is for Africa" class. It was to try and get kids to pray for orphans but Annie's belly stole the spotlight. The kids loved touching her bump.

Follow Close, Follow Hard,

allan and annie

LAST WORDS

“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.”
-Psalm 68:5

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
-Luke 12:32-34

Jason and Cara build a notice board used to communicate classes, jobs, announcements to the community.

There is a chill in the air here in Michigan and the leaves are beginning to flying south. Meanwhile in South Africa all we hear about is how gorgeous the weather is getting. Just in time for our new staff as they arrive at the AR house in Pretoria. While Annie and I “baby panic”, (thank the Lord He gave us 9 months to prepare) Jason, Cara and Nic Mitchell are packing up their life and preparing to go to South Africa. The Mitchell’s hail from Oklahoma and have officially joined the AR family. Jason is a servant leader with a background in construction, the marines and once doubled for Buzz Lightyear. Cara matches Jason perfectly and makes Beth Moore look like a new believer. These guys are off the charts! (And for those of you who really love Beth Moore, I was just kidding.)

Gogo (Granny) Masindi falls in love with Cara right away.

Jason and Cara visited us in S.Africa in April where we checked them out and vice versa. We must have passed the test because they’re joining us for the long haul. Jason has come on board as the Director of Operations in Africa. That’s just the fancy title that says he will be overseeing all of AR’s work on the ground, dealing with everything from hugging grannies to dealing with mission teams. He will especially be focusing his time and energy on Orphan and Widow Care as well as Leadership Development.  Both Jason and Cara are very gifted but it’s their radical obedience to God’s call on their family as well as their genuine compassion for the things that break the heart of God, that make us want to serve together in this work. They are going to have an incredible impact on the ministry.  We love this family and believe in them and know that we’ve been partnered with them to do great things for the King and His Kingdom.  I encourage you to follow along on their blog and pick up Jason’s book, Invisible Children- Rescue The Perishing, which will really help you understand the passion in their hearts. Here is a video promo of Jason’s Book that’s definitely worth watching.

Prayer Requests

1. Pray for our new staff as they settle in and set the attitude of their hearts as one coming to learn and truly serve.  Also pray for others to go and join them. Pray that God bring the right people along to carry this vision.

2. Prego lady- Pray for Annie as she goes through the end of her 2^nd trimester. We are thrilled all is well and are blessed by a Grandma who can’t stop buying cute things for her grandson on the way.

3. At the moment it still feels as though we are catching up with life, sorting out taxes, books, general admin stuff. We are looking for a volunteer here in Lansing to help us with the many admin tasks that come up as we grow this ministry. We are praying for someone who loves research and admin and order. That’s what us visionaries need to keep us on track.

Thanks for your prayers, support and friendship. We love you.

Follow Close, Follow Hard,

allan and annie