April 28 update

Muizenberg, Cape Town, South Africa-

2 weeks in Africa and a culture shock or 3 later....I'm chilling here with my buddy Alvin. hanging out in the internet cafe and about to hit the street to pick up the kids to go surf. I've been working with Sonsurf, affiliated with Christian Surfers International, and work with the street kids. Every day at 3:30pm we go down to the beach and practice surfing. We exercise far more than just the physical bodies of the youth; we aim for the hearts. Every day we focus on reading the Word and promoting an understanding of the the scriptures.

There are soooo many believers here. There is a strong Christian presence. There are many churches and even bible colleges here too! It is so unlike the Basque country in that I meet so many believers in the street and in the surf shops. Even though there are many believers they lack maturity and need to continue to grow and get plugged into churches!

I'm also working among kids who are in great poverty. These little guys need to hear the Word and get into a church body, but many of the churches are tough for them to feel at home at. There are many rings that we as the church make poor people jump through....we've got to be careful to prepare a church environment that is for all people of all economic levels. I'm still exploring this.

Prayer points:
1- Mandy, the coordinator for Sonsurf and the street kid outreach. Pray for guidance and a broken spirit
2- The kids- pray that they would turn their lives to Christ, that their needs would be met, both physically and spiritually
3- Jean Marie- the guy from Rwanda is going to be helping with the kids and working with Mandy. He needs great encouragement and to continue to grow as a disciple

Pray knowing that the prayers of a righteous man are stinking powerful (somewhere in James).

Jonny