Hello

So much has been happening over here and the business of the ministry lifestyle has become my daily routine. It is crazy how many hours a week are spent at church ministering and in preparation for ministry. I was asked if this trip has been beneficial thus far and I must say it has been so much more than that! The practical experience and training I have received has been incredible, I think College can only do so much and has been so helpful, but nothing compares to practical experience.

I want to say a huge thank you for your prayer about my finances, I got a great response and God has truly provided for me. I am still about $250 short of the minimum I need for the rest of my time here, but am doing all right for now. It was great to see God come through for me and to see him work through people has been a huge blessing.

We have started up our Saturday church, with the purpose of moving the youth from our outreach on Friday nights into home cell groups and church on Sunday morning. Since so many of our students are unchurched we thought it would be valuable to have a go between church, so teaching is very simple and topical, dealing with basic issues of the faith. We have spoken about who God is and who we are the last 2 weeks. It has been a bit slow going, so please be praying that the youth would come through to Saturday church, but most of all through on Sundays and Home Cell.

We have also started a new home cell group on Thursdays that I am heading up. There was a need to have a group on another day, so please be praying that we get people into that group. It is always difficult starting a new group like this as accountability and trust need to be established and built upon.

Friday night youth has been going really well and the last two weeks we did The Amazing Race and Ultimate Uno. Both nights ran really well under the student leaders and Dave and I are now freer to build relationships and do ministry instead of focusing on the running of the ministry. Dave shared his testimony last week and please be praying for me as I share mine this week. A huge praise is that I am getting to know the youth a lot better and building some good relationships. I have also started meeting with two guys each week, Allan and Armandt and that has been going really well.

One of my main goals while I’m here is to re-establish relationships that have been broken or cut off in some way and obviously having been away for 3 years there are lots of these. It has been amazing how many people I have been able to see and some relationships restored. I don’t exactly what role God wants me to play in all of this, but I have had some really good opportunities to just get together with people and see where they are at. Dave and I have also committed to meeting with youth who have left the church, to challenge them to return to church and reestablish their walk with God. These are going to be difficult meetings so please pray for us and for all these relationships.

Thank you all for your prayers and support, none of this would have been possible without you and the love you extend to me (that sounded a lot like an Oscar speech). God has showed himself to be real in all that I have been doing so thank you for the important part you are playing in my life at this time.

Much Love

Eric

The Internet has been down at the church this last week, so that has made posting a bit of an issue. Friday night youth was the weakest link, so we had fun with that. Dave and I came up with some killer questions, some of my favorites were:

What is love? Baby don’t hurt me

What do women want? They don’t know or ask Mel Gibson both accepted

Who is more powerful, Chuck Norris or Oprah? Harpo or Oprah both accepted

Finish the song…Hey Hey – You you I don’t like your girlfriend.

So ya, it was basically a whole lot of fun! The kids got most of the questions wrong but it was still fun, especially voting each other off.

Saturday was competition day at the skatepark and other than some discipline issues we had to deal with it was a great success! We had about 30-40 riders and I helped out at the starting gate. We had one broken collarbone, but fun was had by all. Saturday night we all went to Dave and Michele’s place for pizza and some games. Charades is always fun, but especially with this group of people! I spoke in church this morning and played drums in worship. We continued our series of the Life of Jesus, I spoke on the birth of Christ, so John 1 and just going through the birth story. I ran out of time, but it went OK. I am really enjoying this series and am learning a lot.

In sports news, we won our soccer game 8-3 today and I got a hat-trick! Also South Africa is playing Australia in cricket, a huge rivalry and tomorrow is day 5 of the first test match (yes, they play for 5 days). If South Africa win they will set the record for the biggest comeback in Test History and I will be there to see it!!! I am very excited and hoping for the best! 

Ok so lots to say from the last time I posted, but here is a quick rundown:
Friday - Worked hard in the morning and watched park in the afternoon. Friday night youth was guys and girls evening, so we split the genders up and the guys basically played a bunch of games that involved hurting each other. It was lots of fun, but during the last game some of the guys snuck outside and were throwing rocks at a pole over the church wall. Unfortunately there happened to be cars parked there and a rock damaged one of the guys cars. So ya, Dave and I have been dealing with that incident most of the weekend and since the mother can't pay the cost of the damage, the church will be paying and we will be making the kids do some kind of community service. Not a whole lot of fun, but it is all good experience that I am learning from.
Saturday - Woke up nice and late and went into a prayer time at church. Most of the church got together and it was great to spend an hour in prayer for what God is doing at the chapel. I then went down to the skatepark and was there for the afternoon. I had the great opportunity of falling off my skateboard with keys in my pocket, so i have a nice cut on my finger and a tear in my pants. Saturday night was Jamie's birthday party so we all hung out and watched some T20 cricket and Super 14 Rugby (go Sharks)
Sunday - Dave and I advertised for the BMX competition at the chapel next weekend with an impromto skit, it was below average, but I got to wear a pink helmet! Dave spoke in the youth and we are starting a new series on the life and teachings of Jesus, which i am really looking forward to! We had another soccer game and after being down 4-1 at the half, we came back to win it 5-4, and I got another 2 goals in a great team effort! Sunday night was the AGM at church, so we presented the youth side and people seemed really happy and supportive.
Monday - Day off, so Dave and I hung out at his place and wanted to do some filming for a youth video. After Dave left the camera at home though we decided to get lunch at Steers instead. In the afternoon I went with Allan and Nicky to UJ (University of Johannesburg) to watch a rugby match between UJ and some school from the Free State. The atmosphere was great and the stadium was pretty full, with UJ winning by 40 points!! Allan and I then hung out at his place for a bit, before I returned home to spend some time with the Forsyth boys.

It has been an exciting beginning of the week, all the ministries now have someone doing what we are calling managing and admin. Managing will be the running of the ministry and then admin will be the organization and admin side of it. The names are genius I know, you can thank Dave for that. Dave and I spent almost all of Tuesday preparing for youth on friday which we thought would be The Weakest Link. So we were making Powerpoints and coming up with questions when Dave checked the schedule and we realized that this week is guys and girls evening and Weekest Link was only next week so we are now prepared for that. Today was run errands day, so we went to Macro (the South African Sams Club) and got some supplies for the office, keys for me and our brand spanking new whiteboard for our office. I am proud to say that the first thing written on the whiteboard was "Dave is a negative nancy". I got back on a skateboard today and didn't die, so i thought that was quite an achievement. I'm down at the skatepark now and then its bible study later tonight.

Valentines Ball on Friday went pretty good, it was fun to see everyone all dressed up and the girls really love it. Allan and I had a lot of fun playing love songs and break up songs. But after us it was time to dance and get our groove on, we had some dance battles and gave out some prizes. It was a late night, but lots of fun.

Allan and I are now going to meet weekly which I’m pretty excited about. We are also putting plans in place to replace some grass on the soccer field so that we can get that ministry started by the end of March. We are starting Saturday night church on February 28, so there is some work that needs to go into that as well.

I am now back at the Forsyth’s for good now, Doug and Anne are away in Durban for the weekend for a wedding. So it is no more living alone and jumping from house to house for me. Anyway its off to folding bulletins for me!

Dave and I had a good meeting yesterday just hammering out what our goals are for the year and what we want to see happen in each ministry as well as the youth in general. I am really very excited about where things are and where they are going, it is all looking very healthy and growing quite naturally. This is a very important time though as a new crop of youth are coming through now and it is essential for us to built relationships and disciple them.

We've had another hard rain, and even a good bit of hail. The ground is covered with marble sized people of ice and I had to run to grab buckets and jugs to catch all the drips from our leaking roof. The lights are in fact flickering on and off as I type this. There really is nothing quite like a Highvelt thunder storm, they come fast and furious. I was told today that Johannesburg gets more lightning than any other city in the world and I believe it. I've missed this weather, the constant cycle of hot days, thunderstorm and then cool night, its clockwork.

Allan and I practiced our little hearts out and valentines ball is going to be good. We ended the night appropriately by watching the dashboard confessional unplugged for some inspiration.

Dave and I have hammered out our goals today, as well as looking at all the leaders and where they need to be. Please pray for the goals that they would be what God wants and that we would trust him to fulfill them. Once we have decided for sure I'll post them and let you all know. We also have decided that we will be going through the life of Christ in our Sunday morning teaching times.

Friday nights youth went quite well, it is strange doing a spiritual based evening with about 80% of the youth unchurched. Concepts like singing songs as worship are so foreign to them (and I think there is much to be learned from that). I spoke about Gods love and it seemed to be received well, hopefully it will get people thinking. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will work in these kids lives.

Saturday was "DAVES BACK" day! I am no longer a lone ranger, but Dave Livie our fearless leader is now back to work from honeymoon. We had our big leaders meeting, with 14 of the youth there. Ministries are starting to come together and most of the admin is looking good (something we both struggle with) so with that sorted we can get down to the ministry. I also got to video chat with my brother and sister in law through skype (get it and we'll chat) which was a great blessing!

Sunday I went to Palm Ridge, a church in a township south of Johannesburg. The people there are very poor, but we were able to take a team from chapel to minister to them. This was very exciting as a team I was a part of in July from LBC did a VBS ministry there at the church. It was great to see the fruits of our ministry and God has blessed the church greatly. They now have a generator and are using the keyboard we gave them for worship. Also they have started a Sunday School on Saturdays due to all the young children who were coming to the church after the VBS. It was really good to be there again and to see Gods faithful working in the church and the Palm Ridge Area.

I am back at housesitting for the Cox's, they have a very nice house with a pool, so I've been getting lots of swimming in. Ahh the struggles of the ministry lifestyle! Allan is coming over tonight to practice for the Valentines ball we are having at youth on Friday. We are playing a collection of dashboard confessional songs and a bunch of classic love songs (see Enrique Eglasias, Celine Dion, Goo Goo Dolls etc.). Should be loads of fun.

Please pray for:

Soccer ministry we are wanting to start up, we have a field but the grass is not growing properly and we are wanting to do coaching and host a 5 a side league.

The new year, its only really now kicking off now that Daves back, but that all the ministries would run smoothly and effectively.

That we would see guys and girls transition from the Skatepark and Friday night youth into home cells, sunday morning church and discipleship.

Bible study on Wednesday was fantastic, thanks for all your prayers, we had 6 guys and Dave E led it well. We also had a good young adults bible study and we have a good group of about 14. Apparently there was so much rain and run off on Wednesday that it knocked over a wall at the bottom of the property and flooded one of our neighbors house. It was insane!! I jammed with some of the boys hardcore style. We did a mean cover of boy brushed red living in black and white.

I went to Al and Rach Shuster for dinner and it was a great time of catching up and the supper was amazing! Their kids have gotten so big! I then went to the Forsyth's where I will be staying permanently and it was a good feeling to finally unpack all of my bags and settle in. I have Kevin's room, so I get a room to my self and follow in the great footsteps of Forsyth's who have previously occupied that hallowed space.

Tonight is a spiritual evening at youth and I will be speaking about Gods love and sharing the gospel, so please pray for that.

Also please pray that I transition well to staying with the Forsyth's.

Thank You and much love from a sunny South Africa

I neglected to inform last time that Allan and I had a Superbowl party, African Style! By that I mean nothing special, but the game started at 1 am here and I made it until the end of the 3rd quarter until I saw the time was 4am and I was fading. My Steelers (gotta hold it down for PA) were up so I went to bed happy. So yes I did miss the 4th quarter!!! but I caught it again on the replay the next day, so it is okay.

Its raining really hard today and we have gotten loads of rain already. This is possibly the hardest I've seen it rain, the streets are flooded and the bmx track at the skatepark is in bad shape. My car also was not starting earlier which is a bit of a concern. Also as I type this there are drips coming from leaks in our office ceiling in 4 or 5 places, so basically lots of rain is bad.

This has been a big sporting weekend! South Africa is now the number one ODI cricket team in world, beating those filthy Ausies, oh so satisfying. On Saturday we had youth band practice for next Fridays spiritual evening. I played guitar and helped teach the guys some new songs. It went really well and they are great, it should be really good on Friday. I helped Sean fix some of the ramps at the skate park, but the drill kind of broke so we still have some work to do. I spoke on Sunday about the problem of pain, why bad things happen to good people type of idea. We looked at the story of Paul, his shackles, his shipwreck and his snake bite. I had a braai at Daves place as a last hoorah and ended up with lots of cleaning and dishes (bad idea). We watched the Australian Open Final and then headed to soccer for a comfortable 6-1 win. Afterwards it was Liverpool vs Chelsea time and the boys came over to watch. Who knew ministry and sport watching went so hand in hand! I am now house sitting at the large house belonging to the Cox’s, I have so many rooms to choose from, its great! After work today I went with Allan and his friends to the South African Open and got to see David Ferer and Jo-Wilfred Tsonga! We had another leaders meeting tonight which was quite heavy because of all that’s been going on. The suicide really has shaken things, but I believe the church is really dealing with it well and in a healthy way. 

Dave is back today and comes back to work on Friday, pray for him and Michelle as they adjust to married life and living together (anyone needing to deal with Dave needs pray). Also pray for Pastor Doug and the leadership team as they try recover and deal with the aftermath of all that’s happened.

Its been a crazy weekend and last couple of days. Youth on Friday night was great, another good turnout and we played mini olympic type games. Its crazy working from 9am-11:30pm, but it really has been great and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I have been learning a lot and I think I'm starting to get into the flow of things a little bit. Saturday Allan and I just chilled and played guitar and watched the Australian Open. We also had a meeting for the youth worship team and it seems to be heading in the right direction. I'll be helping out on Conga's/percussion and maybe guitar every now and then. Sunday I gave my first talk in the youth on disciple making focusing on the great commission, I thought it would be a good way to start off the year. I kinda ran out of time, but people seemed to receive it well and I had some people come up to me afterwards to talk about some relationships, so I was pleased. I played my second 5-a-side soccer game that afternoon and the altitude is killing me, I can feel it in my lungs and in my muscles, its crazy! We managed a dramatic 4-3 come from behind victory and I got a brace (thats 2 goals if you were wondering) to open my scoring account for the season.

Monday I had the day off, so Allan and I chilled as he was nursing a hyper-extended knee from soccer. Then Linda, Anelle and Tyron (nel's boyfriend) came over and I cooked dinner for all of them. Tuesday was a day spent in prayer and reading, capped off by an amazing dinner at Bryan and Brons. Kevin and Jeff came over last night to watch Liverpool disappoint us once again (I think Robbie Keane needs a hug) and Kev slept over and then woke up way too early to go to bible college.

There was some tragic news on Monday as one of the elders at the church Dave Duke committed suicide. It was quite a shock and nobody saw it coming. This has really affected the church and needs much prayer, especially for his family, his wife and 3 daughters. The funeral is tomorrow (friday). Please pray for Pastor Forsyth as he will be performing the ceremony as well.

Another big prayer need is for the guys bible study, we had no one show up again on Wednesday, so Dave Edwards and I spent some good time together. The girls had a good turn out and a really good discussion, but it would be amazing to see some guys come out. 

A huge praise though is that I have a car!! a green Volkswagen Golf (one of the many Forsyth cars) so I know have some independence, it has truly been a blessing!

The first night of cell groups was a little disappointing, there was a good turn out for the girls, but somehow all the guys who were going to come couldn't, all on the same night. James, Dave and I still had a good time hanging out and playing some cricket. Pray for the cell groups, that they would grow become a part of the lives of the youth as this is an important building ministry for us. Yesterday I got a chance to spend some time with Linda and Chris which was awesome! One of my goals while I'm over here is to restore some of the relationships I lost before I left here, so it was great to catch up a little bit and reestablish relationship.We have gotten quite a bit of rain the last few days, so the skatepark is closed today which free's up some of my time to finish my talk for Sunday. We also had no power all morning (something not too uncommon) so I did lots of reading. Thomas a Kempis' The Imitation of Christ is quite possibly the best book ever written. My goal is to read it once a month while I'm over here. I have also had a good start to my school work, getting a good amount of reading done. Tonight is another night of DOJ and youth so it should be a good time, and Allan is staying at my place this weekend so i expect there will be some fun times and lots of dashboard playing on guitar!

Ah the ministry life, days full of meetings and work, nothing like your average 9am-9:30pm job! It really is the best though, there is nothing better than doing what you love to do and doing it all day long! We had a really good meeting with some parents who want to get involved in the race track and skatepark which will be a huge blessing to us and will free the youth to do more relational ministry instead of work (being marshals, regestration etc.). Last night was also my first church leadership meeting, not the most exciting event ever, but it is good to see how things are working and what is going to be done in the future. Today I got to hit some golf balls with cheap clubs with Sean and Dave and I think I've had enough with golf for a while (after shooting 130 at eagle canyon!). I also worked at the Park and started my first talk to the youth, on discipleship. Tonight is also the first week of Cell groups for the youth so hopefully there is a good turn out and all goes well. Gotta head down to the A-frame (youth building) in a few minutes for that.

Well it has been a week since I left the cold frigid America for the warmth and just overall loveliness of Africa. I really have hit the ground running since I got here and yesterday was a most welcome day off. The first night of youth went really well, I’m not in charge of anything yet, just overseeing things and being up front. It was really strange being there again after 3 years and not knowing any of the kids, but it’s a good group and I am looking forward to getting to know them. Dave and Michelle’s wedding was beautiful and everything went really well (except that I didn’t know I had to turn on the mic so there is no sound for the first bit, but nothing some crafty editing can’t fix). It was good seeing old friends and catching up. So Dave is gone and I am all alone, but I have a cellphone and am working on getting a car, so things are coming together.  

First few days

I arrived safe and made it through passport control without a problem and I am still a permanent resident of South Africa! Jet lag has been pretty bad, yesterday I went to sleep at 2 am and was wide awake at 6 am!! Last night was much better though. Yesterday Dave and I sorted through the youth office and threw out a lot of junk and rearranged it so it looks all pretty and with a few additions its gonna be awesome (especially the quote wall: "ministry is a lifestyle"). Last night was the wedding rehearsal, so I went with as I am the filmer for the day. I also got to spend some time with the Forsyths and it was good to be home! We played golf today and I got a little burnt, it was pretty hot, but really good. Now I'm off to youth and my first night of ministry!