Dave Bassett is the man. Yea, I kinda hate him. He made me paddle into waves I have no business being near. He made me wake up before the sun rose (in China) to go surf. But I still love this guy.
He's a manager at the Surf Shack in Muizenberg, Cape Town and he and I spent about 6 weeks within 10 feet of each other. We were bros. Through this friend I was able to pour into the lives of other surf instructors at the Shack and invite a lot of guys to bible study. Dave took me into his house and hosted me for several weeks. His house became a launch site for interactions with local surfers and contacts. Through meetings/parties/meals we were able to get into the lives of people.
David has a passion to grow and serve the Lord. He is in a tough place as the surf culture has a heavy pull on Christians.
Keep this brother in prayer as he looks to move believers into discipleship and growth!
Showing posts with label Profile: Cool Kidz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Profile: Cool Kidz. Show all posts
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Roxanne Salida
Featured cool kids profile: Roxanne Salida.
I was chilling in this park thinking about what on earth I was going to do in Jeffrey's Bay. I was freaking out about getting in contact with some ministry and just praying through these things on a bench overlooking the best right hand wave in the world (it didn't help the situation). All of a sudden I turned around to find a soul-patch wielding pastor telling me about what it's like to do ministry. I'm like, "Pastor Murray, where the heck did you come from?" He didn't have to answer, I knew he was put their by God.
I was invited to go to Face to Face church and had spent an afternoon at the pastor's house to talk about church. It was in these interactions that I met Wendy. This believer is actively involved in the church and even offered to let me stay at her place while she went on holidays (excessive answer to prayer has been a trade-mark of God on this voyage). Wendy invited me to her birthday/going away party and it was there that I met a ton of Face to Facers and these two crazy sisters Roxanne and Simone.
These two sisters have something special between them. I don't know if their powers combine into some strong voodoo or something, but they are bent on being the most open people in the world. I spoke with them at the party and also connected with a dude named Vaughn. The four of us shared what God has been doing in our lives and over the course of the next 2 weeks I was adopted into one of the most vibrant Christian communities I had ever seen. It was highlighted by a dinner party that drew such honored guests as the YWAM 3 month students. I met with believers through the events that Roxanne hosted and had a chance to hear (and join) the praise given to our Father what he is doing in the lives of students from Canada, the US, Madagascar, and everywhere in between.
I guess the thing that hits me the hardest is how Roxanne seemed to re-prioritize everything. She thinks of others before herself and is honestly concerned with the well-being of others. She makes people feel special and is a fantastic listener. The grace of God is way definitely upon this girl!
So often we have our own lives and don't have time for some crazy guy with a Mohawk and an odd gotee. So often we meet some guy and see where we can fit him/her in. Roxanne dropped her life and then rebuilt it to include me as a special guest (even if it was for 2 weeks). Yea, we're from America. We're busy. But people can be impacted and brought closer to God.....even if they're with us for a short time.
I was chilling in this park thinking about what on earth I was going to do in Jeffrey's Bay. I was freaking out about getting in contact with some ministry and just praying through these things on a bench overlooking the best right hand wave in the world (it didn't help the situation). All of a sudden I turned around to find a soul-patch wielding pastor telling me about what it's like to do ministry. I'm like, "Pastor Murray, where the heck did you come from?" He didn't have to answer, I knew he was put their by God.
I was invited to go to Face to Face church and had spent an afternoon at the pastor's house to talk about church. It was in these interactions that I met Wendy. This believer is actively involved in the church and even offered to let me stay at her place while she went on holidays (excessive answer to prayer has been a trade-mark of God on this voyage). Wendy invited me to her birthday/going away party and it was there that I met a ton of Face to Facers and these two crazy sisters Roxanne and Simone.
These two sisters have something special between them. I don't know if their powers combine into some strong voodoo or something, but they are bent on being the most open people in the world. I spoke with them at the party and also connected with a dude named Vaughn. The four of us shared what God has been doing in our lives and over the course of the next 2 weeks I was adopted into one of the most vibrant Christian communities I had ever seen. It was highlighted by a dinner party that drew such honored guests as the YWAM 3 month students. I met with believers through the events that Roxanne hosted and had a chance to hear (and join) the praise given to our Father what he is doing in the lives of students from Canada, the US, Madagascar, and everywhere in between.
I guess the thing that hits me the hardest is how Roxanne seemed to re-prioritize everything. She thinks of others before herself and is honestly concerned with the well-being of others. She makes people feel special and is a fantastic listener. The grace of God is way definitely upon this girl!
So often we have our own lives and don't have time for some crazy guy with a Mohawk and an odd gotee. So often we meet some guy and see where we can fit him/her in. Roxanne dropped her life and then rebuilt it to include me as a special guest (even if it was for 2 weeks). Yea, we're from America. We're busy. But people can be impacted and brought closer to God.....even if they're with us for a short time.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Alfonso skate
I met Alfonso down on the beach and I was able to talk to him about how sweet skating and surfing is. After we cleaned out the bowl, he showed me some of his moves. We also got to talk about Jesus and how no matter how cool skating is, there's a life with Jesus that means so much more.
Alfonso skate from Jon Wong on Vimeo.
Alfonso skate from Jon Wong on Vimeo.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Eliel: big timing youth
Malaga, Spain: January 18th.
Launched a couple emails before I jetted over to Spain from Ireland. My bags didn't make it, but God hooked me up with something better. Without confirmation or knowing much flight information Eliel stepped into my life. He was waiting at the airport for me, a facebook friend of a friend of a friend. For the next week, Eliel gave me contacts and an inside look to what it means to be a Christ follower in southern Spain.
Eliel at only 15 years of age acted and served like someone far older. His soft spoken words brimmed with excitement at what God is doing in Malaga. Pride and a positive sense of ownership of his church prompted Eliel to introduce me to Edgar, Christian, and Emmanuel. It was with these 3 Christ followers that I stayed for a week. Eliel showed me the church building and helped me meet other local Christ followers.
God has given Eliel great talent with media and video in particular. Eliel serves with a local ministry that produces Christian media for distribution.
Sure, Eliel could not spend every day with me, but with the connections that he had he was able to give me a great foundation for learning about what God was up to in Malaga. His unique friends and contacts made him an invaluable asset as I moved between groups of friends.
I've never heard of anyone place his identity so readily in the church. He couldn't wait to introduce me his friends. I think back to how many youth groups in the US have discontented youth who think the meetings are lame. Eliel brings the amp by pouring out his gifts and making the group something that he takes pride in.
He's not a pastor and he has no fancy degrees, but Eliel has chosen to join the harvest with what he's been given. It starts with a servant heart and there is no age requirement for that!
Launched a couple emails before I jetted over to Spain from Ireland. My bags didn't make it, but God hooked me up with something better. Without confirmation or knowing much flight information Eliel stepped into my life. He was waiting at the airport for me, a facebook friend of a friend of a friend. For the next week, Eliel gave me contacts and an inside look to what it means to be a Christ follower in southern Spain.
Eliel at only 15 years of age acted and served like someone far older. His soft spoken words brimmed with excitement at what God is doing in Malaga. Pride and a positive sense of ownership of his church prompted Eliel to introduce me to Edgar, Christian, and Emmanuel. It was with these 3 Christ followers that I stayed for a week. Eliel showed me the church building and helped me meet other local Christ followers.
God has given Eliel great talent with media and video in particular. Eliel serves with a local ministry that produces Christian media for distribution.
Sure, Eliel could not spend every day with me, but with the connections that he had he was able to give me a great foundation for learning about what God was up to in Malaga. His unique friends and contacts made him an invaluable asset as I moved between groups of friends.
I've never heard of anyone place his identity so readily in the church. He couldn't wait to introduce me his friends. I think back to how many youth groups in the US have discontented youth who think the meetings are lame. Eliel brings the amp by pouring out his gifts and making the group something that he takes pride in.
He's not a pastor and he has no fancy degrees, but Eliel has chosen to join the harvest with what he's been given. It starts with a servant heart and there is no age requirement for that!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Jonatan and Sara: believers against the world flow
Madrid: 2005 and now 2009.
Jonatan and Sara came into my life in 2005 when I was on my first journey through Spain. Since then these friends in their 20's have gotten married and have a beautiful daughter. They are both in advanced schooling and have an interesting testimony.
Jonatan tried to kill me in a car accident in 2005, but failed and now he's studying to be a doctor (ok, maybe it wasn't a direct attempt on my life, but it was a close call). Jonatan and Sara have recently had their daughter and this has opened their eyes to the cultural situation around them: abortion. Abortion is paid for by the state of Spain and is easily accessible. As a doctor, Jonatan sees his coworkers take on abortion jobs and make serious money in a short day's work. Jonatan refuses to take part in this and has taken a stand. It is in this action that he defies the norms of society. Sara also helps on the abortion front by putting up fliers to get people thinking about the repercussions of abortion. As Christ followers we are obligated to oppose evil and never back down.
You never know when your position will open up an opportunity to share Christ.
Other insights gained from interviews with Jonatan and Sara are as follows:
1) Believers are afraid to get into conversations about God because they do not know how to respond to challenges.
2) There are not enough funds coming into small church groups to hire a full-time pastor.
3) Pastors do not have enough time to invest in believers because they must work a supplemental job.
4) People really look at you funny when you put up an anti-abortion poster
Jonatan and Sara came into my life in 2005 when I was on my first journey through Spain. Since then these friends in their 20's have gotten married and have a beautiful daughter. They are both in advanced schooling and have an interesting testimony.
Jonatan tried to kill me in a car accident in 2005, but failed and now he's studying to be a doctor (ok, maybe it wasn't a direct attempt on my life, but it was a close call). Jonatan and Sara have recently had their daughter and this has opened their eyes to the cultural situation around them: abortion. Abortion is paid for by the state of Spain and is easily accessible. As a doctor, Jonatan sees his coworkers take on abortion jobs and make serious money in a short day's work. Jonatan refuses to take part in this and has taken a stand. It is in this action that he defies the norms of society. Sara also helps on the abortion front by putting up fliers to get people thinking about the repercussions of abortion. As Christ followers we are obligated to oppose evil and never back down.
You never know when your position will open up an opportunity to share Christ.
Other insights gained from interviews with Jonatan and Sara are as follows:
1) Believers are afraid to get into conversations about God because they do not know how to respond to challenges.
2) There are not enough funds coming into small church groups to hire a full-time pastor.
3) Pastors do not have enough time to invest in believers because they must work a supplemental job.
4) People really look at you funny when you put up an anti-abortion poster
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Patrick: a servant heart
Patrick Devitt and family put me up while I was in Dublin. I spent the 14-18th with the Devitt family and learned a lot of what it means to be a Christ follower in Ireland.
Uncle Patrick showed me the importance of long-term support for loved ones who don't have a personal relationship with Christ. Patrick is juggling responsibilities between Church/family in a very Biblical manner and I am impressed with his dual role. Patrick serves his family.
I arrived early in the week and was able to see the church in its daily expression. We had a prayer meeting at the house of a church member ill with a brain tumor. Uncle Patty and I helped Peiter and his family with their move out of their apartment. It was a blessing to serve in such a simple capacity. Patrick serves individuals.
The baptist church that Patrick is a member of has tremendous diversity. Nigeria, the Philippians, and Ireland each have a large share the group make-up. They meet at a local school and Patrick wakes up early to turn the heat on so that the group doesn't have to suffer. Patrick serves the Body.
Uncle Patrick showed me the importance of long-term support for loved ones who don't have a personal relationship with Christ. Patrick is juggling responsibilities between Church/family in a very Biblical manner and I am impressed with his dual role. Patrick serves his family.
I arrived early in the week and was able to see the church in its daily expression. We had a prayer meeting at the house of a church member ill with a brain tumor. Uncle Patty and I helped Peiter and his family with their move out of their apartment. It was a blessing to serve in such a simple capacity. Patrick serves individuals.
The baptist church that Patrick is a member of has tremendous diversity. Nigeria, the Philippians, and Ireland each have a large share the group make-up. They meet at a local school and Patrick wakes up early to turn the heat on so that the group doesn't have to suffer. Patrick serves the Body.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Caleb
Over the next couple months I will be meeting some really cool people and they'll have some wild stories. This section will host their profile.
For starters we have a short clip of Caleb the son of Rich of Hillsboro, OR. Rich is more of an American than any of us will ever be. He's got a big truck, tons of guns, and was in the Coast Guard. His son is already following in his footsteps.
For starters we have a short clip of Caleb the son of Rich of Hillsboro, OR. Rich is more of an American than any of us will ever be. He's got a big truck, tons of guns, and was in the Coast Guard. His son is already following in his footsteps.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)