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!

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