Friday, October 17
On Wednesday and Thursday, the three of us who arrived early had begun the groundwork for the venture by calling on previous clients and following up on the emails that had been previously sent out by the home office. This in and of itself was a great opportunity to discuss with each of the clients how things were going in their lives and with their households/businesses/organizations.
We took prayer requests on the spot from a number of the client alumni and scheduled follow up prayer meetings with a majority of the alumnus. We also talked to the clients about the upcoming Kingdom Economics Forum seminar as well as the Lemon Leadership training and available 10P Booster.
Friday was no different, following up with the remainder of the clients who we had not yet been able to connect with and scheduling more prayer meetings. We also spent some time getting some supplies and such ready for the upcoming events for the next week. Most importantly, we had the opportunity to go into Johannesburg and visit Alida and Jaap Van Deventer which would serve as the venue for the aforementioned seminars. This was an amazing experience meeting with Alida and hearing from her about her passion for marionettes and telling Biblical stories to children through puppet shows.
As the founder of some of the country’s first children’s television shows in the 1970’s, Alida’s work was warmly recounted to us on our way to her home by Lyn and Jodene, both of whom had fond memories of a number of the shows that Alida worked on.
Alida and Jaap’s home is a phenomenal historic manor from the turn of the century. We were spending time there to pray at the venue as well as have some time to meet Alida and Jaap, and in the time we spent praying in the home and the surrounding gardens, a number of items came to light. Specifically, the area is host to a number of Jacaranda trees (large deciduous trees with lavender flowers, similar in look to a flowering cherry tree, but much larger in scale-see photo above). From the back yard of the home, you can see into the valley that is Johannesburg, and with the Jacaranda’s in bloom, members of the team felt that they were similar to the team members and believers in the area, like beacons of light in an area where there was a lot of pain, desolation and darkness. As the trees lose their petals, the ground is covered by a carpet of lavender, very similar to the way God’s love spreads out from each person who spreads his word. In addition to these prayers and confirmations, a few of the members of the team prayed specifically for the Kingdom Economics forum, and that this house, as a historical representation of a number of worldly economic bulwarks, has been repurposed by Alida and Jaap through Alida’s business and now this discussion and forum of Kingdom Economics as it contrasts worldly economics will be set in that venue, which provides for a rich backdrop from which to discuss change, repurposing, generosity, gifting and stewardship.
We really can’t wait to get back to visit with Alida and Jaap again and to spend time at this welcoming home.
Jason Griffith
The rep-er
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Saturday, October 18th
;)
With our last team member arriving this morning, our full team is all here! And with us came the rain. It actually resulted in quite a celebratory atmosphere, as Johannesburg had been without rain all season and really in need of it. Even the skies themselves lit up in grand style, as tremendous lightening continued all evening.
;)
With numerous activities of the day, the most meaningful for me was the evening of braai and fellowship with the local consultants and rep alumni. For me, it was just a beautiful picture of God’s family and church. Faces of all colors, ages, backgrounds, and nationalities — all rejoicing in each others company, God’s promises for Johannesburg, and the expectations for breakthroughs in the coming week. In a country where such strong lines still exist racially, nationally, economically, this is a powerful testament to the power of God’ love. It is a great reminder that we do not arrive here expecting to bring change through our own abilities, but as ambassadors of God’s kingdom power, which can conquer all things.
Bart Munro
Sunday, October 19th
;)
Following that, Pastor Chucks called up another visiting Pastor to come speak about the miracles she experienced. She started off with a story about how once upon a time, her son was sick and a private doctor said he was near death and there was nothing he could do about it. She believed with all her heart that he was still alive, but the doctor insisted that her son was near dead and told her that she should take son to the hospital to watch him die. She took him, and the doctors there told her he was dead. Again, she believed, had faith with all her heart, that her son was not dead so she prayed for him and continued to pray for him until he eventually opened his eyes as was alive again! The doctors were amazed at what they saw they could not believe it! Another story she told was before she left her town to go to the service, she was not feeling well and could not get out of bed and could barely talk. She called her son and he prayed for her then commanded that she get out of bed and walk. She had faith with all her heart that she was healed and got out of bed and was healthy again! ;)
After her testimony, Pastor Chucks continued his sermon on Vision where he talked about vision as being rooted in one’s heart and sight is merely seeing with ones eyes. He also mentioned that followers of Christ should have vision in the spiritual realm, capable of seeing God’s hand at work.Next we had lunch with the local consultants to mingle and dig deeper with the logistics of the coming week. The late afternoon and evening was spent back at the B&B working on preparations and praying for the Economic Forum on Monday, tomorrow.
Rida Chow
Monday, October 20th
Today was a big day. Today the Lord struck a major blow at the world financial systems as Brett and a host of others shared their the truth on Kingdom Economics.
;)
The venue was at the home of one of our past clients from the very first Joburg venture - a home built by the Randlords of the early 20th century who pursued the economic systems of this world that has left this city physically, emotionally and spiritual scarred. Nope, God doesn’t miss a beat. Every thought and every concept set up against God’s economy was exposed for the lie it is and people were given mandates on what to do with the information received to ensure a real change in this land that will spark off a global fire that will advance the Kingdom into the realm of economics.
;)
There were many powerful testimonies of how God has unlocked these truths to people and proclamations on what we believe the Lord has been saying about how these truths are to be applied. We are all waiting in anticipation on the Lord’s promise in Malachi 3 that when the tithes and offerings return to it’s store house. We shall again see the day when there is a distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.
Nicole Dickens
;)
Tuesday, October 21st 2008
Today the team was split up into several groups. Three groups went out to visit past rep clients to pray over their businesses, encourage, and speak new life into their companies (I am very excited to participate in this aspect of the venture before the week is over!).
A fourth group consisted of Brett, Lyn, Isaac (a local consultant), Bobby and myself. Our day was spent with a past client, CSI (a mining products company), to do a 10P booster. We had a rather late start as our directions and traffic were working against us, but we were received very graciously and after general introductions between us and their leadership team, we delved into their scorecard from 2005! We were able to run through Purpose, Process, Product, and People. It was inspiring and very special to hear more about their vision, history, and marketplace miracles. To see a Kingdom focused business in full swing was, quite simply put, a blessing.
Touring their factory we saw up close where many of their miracles have taken place—from a God-given formula for welding copper and stainless steel (and all of the intricate obstacles that are gloriously avoided with this impactful capability), to the unexplainable life of the consumable tip of their plasma cutter and more stories of lives that have been transformed.
Another highlight of the day for me personally was putting into practice the exhortation Lyn spoke out this morning in our devotions: “Speak out blessings to people and their workplace!” CSI’s consultant from 2005 arrived to participate in our meeting with them today and when he sat down I distinctly understood the Lord to say, “He has the eyes of Jesus.” I was excited to tell him (and honestly, a little distracted as I wanted to really look at his kind eyes). I was even more excited to share within the group when he stated that he felt as a company they needed to see people through God’s eye’s. “You have no idea what that means to me…I can’t wait to go home and tell my wife,” was his response to me afterward. I think we both got shivers up our spines and it lead me to really ponder this…
Do we often miss the beautiful opportunities to speak Truth into people’s lives? Is God regularly saddened by our lack of obedience in communicating His word to those He loves?
This I know: while the people receiving the message may be blessed by our obedience, it is we who are privileged to partner with God, that are truly affected by His grace…that He, the King of kings and Lord of lords would entrust His most intimate thoughts to one so human as I.
Shirlene Wood