Nichols Mission

Welcome 2012

2012-01-02T12:59:00.000-08:00

It’s with great joy that we share with our friends and family the news of the next opening chapter of our lives!

2011 began with a searching and praying about our next steps, seeing that our 3-year contracts with JAM would expire at the end of 2011. We knew we needed to move forward in the ministry that is in our hearts and that it was time to step into the reason that God sent us to South Africa. Yet, the steps in front of us were not clear.

As the months passed we began to feel that God was speaking to us through scripture, in our times of prayer and through prophetic words from trusted individuals who knew nothing of our situation. The consistent message we were receiving was that one door was closing and another was going to open. The promised “door” became as real to us as any door we could see with our natural eyes.

We had been asked by our employers to confirm with them by the 1st of September our intentions moving forward, whether we were going to accept renewed contracts beyond 2011. We began to sense that, though not having another employment offer elsewhere to take, nor a clear route to pursue we must respond to the message we felt were receiving so clearly from the Lord and take a “leap” in faith. Faith can only be based on what God has said. So, when September came, after much prayer and the agreement of our local elders and other respected voices in our lives we communicated that we would not renew our contracts with JAM. We let the door shut behind us, confident only in what God had said. It seems that the road to destiny most certainly includes stretches of thin air.

In November we were introduced to Peter and Nicola Munnings who lead Sandton City Church in Johannesburg. Peter had approached the Lead Elder (Senior Pastor) at our local church, feeling that it was time for him to hand over Sandton City Church to another leader. God had given Peter this word:
1 Corinthians 3:6 “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.”
He sensed that God had called him to plant (8 years ago) but that there was now another who would come to water. The feedback to Peter from the elders at our local church was that we (Paul and Minda) should be considered to lead the church into her next season.

So, after several meetings with the Munnings as well as visiting Sandton City Church a couple of times, meeting other key leaders in the church and preaching there, it was agreed that we will take the Lead Eldership (Senior Pastor) role starting in January, 2012. God’s promised door! We are feeling both the sobering weight of the task ahead as well as the excitement of knowing this is what we were made for.

Sandton City Church relates to New Covenant Ministries International, the team to which the church we’ve been in for the last three years also relates. So, we’ll still be “in the family”. The community the church is in, Sandton, is the economic hub of South Africa and thus has quite an influential role in Africa as a whole. Peter's dream has been for the church to be a "base" from which other people groups and areas of the city/nation/nations would be reached, and other churches planted. He's also built a racially-integrated environment, as well as set the value in place of ministry to the poor. All of these things are deeply in our hearts, and so it is helpful to step into a place where these foundations have already been laid.

In December we completed our work at Joint Aid Management and Jesus Alive Gospel Outreach and said goodbye to a precious time and place in our family’s journey. We’re so grateful for the opportunity we’ve had to serve these organizations and their Founder, Peter Pretorius. They will always be close to us.

We finished off the year with a visit from Paul’s parents, after being apart for two years. We gave them a whirlwind tour of Johannesburg, Pilanesberg Game Reserve and Cape Town. It was such a pleasure to show them the beauty of South Africa and to have special family time together during Christmas.

On January 11th, Peter, age 7 will begin the 2nd Grade and John David, age 4 will continue in preschool. The kids will be able to stay at the same school since the new church is only 10 minutes down the road from the church where we’ve been. We are looking for a house to rent so that we can be closer to the Sandton community.

Thank you to all who have been a part of this journey with us. Life is rich when shared.

Our prayer and encouragement for you would be to have faith in what God has said to you. Believe and walk in obedience in 2012 and He will open doors! He has a plan for you and His plan in the earth involves each of us.

We are loving life, serving the King in this great city of Johannesburg!

Two Years Later: A Thank You

2010-09-07T12:34:00.000-07:00

The eight or so years before our 'exploratory mission' to South African in September 2008 in many ways felt like the slow initial climb of a roller coaster. Steady, slow, challenging...and in some ways really more preparation for the actual ride. It was exactly two years ago today that we departed the United States on that trip. Little did we know that the trip would very much be the beginning of what has been a thrusting forth into the wild ride of God's purpose, charging forward from the momentum afforded us through a long 'upward' preparation.

This month we also complete the first half of our three-year contract with our employment in South Africa, Joint Aid Management and Jesus Alive Ministries. As we do so our hearts burst with excitement for what is yet to come, while also reflect on the amazing journey we have been on since that 'exploratory mission.’ For each of you who generously contributed towards that mission, or towards our actual move to South Africa the following January, we so value and appreciate what your support has meant to us. We want to express our deep gratitude and share with you from our hearts now at this stage in the process what you have ‘sown into.’

From the day our feet touched South African soil in September, 2008 up to today our being in this country has been surrounded by such a profound sense of divine purpose and blessing. We have been amazed and overjoyed to watch God so quickly open doors of ministry, connect us into many deep and purposeful relationships as well as provide for our needs. It feels like we have entered into a place that was all along being prepared for us at just the right time.

Our beloved friends, Peter and Ann Pretorius, founders of Joint Aid Management, an organization that feeds over 550,000 African children every day, and Jesus Alive Ministries, an evangelistic ministry that has lead over 9.4 million people to salvation decisions throughout 21 African nations played an important role in getting us into South Africa by providing our initial employment (as well as housing!). To us, our roles in these organizations are far more than just jobs. We know that we are learning so much from these two ‘spiritual legends’ as we serve in the tremendous works that they have pioneered. We believe that what we learn and receive from them will be necessary for us to have in our future. It has also been an honor to pour into the staff of both of these organizations as we have helped lead weekly staff devotions.

Our hearts burn ablaze for the Lord’s church, and we know that ultimately we wish to give all of our lives to participate in its building. To that end we are so incredibly amazed by the connection we have made with our church, New Covenant Church Bryanston, which gave birth to New Covenant Ministries International (NCMI), an apostolic network that has successfully planted hundreds of churches now on every continent in the world. The deeper our involvement and connection here, the more deeply impressed we become. We carry such an affinity with the values, practices and beliefs of this network. Since its beginning in 1979, New Covenant Church Bryanston alone has been responsible for planting 31 churches through sending teams of people raised up within its own congregation. That is an average of one church plant every year! We are learning so much from the unique, organic culture of NCCB and NCMI, that seems to foster such richness of relationship, while maintaining a constant commitment to ‘go’ and fulfill the mandate of discipling all nations through planting new churches. We very much feel called to this very thing and, again, are simply amazed at the providence of God. We did not know how we would move towards planting or leading a church when we moved here...but God did...and he brought us to a place completely committed to raising up and sending out leaders to do so.

We are honored that this connection has not only been for our benefit, but it seems our ministry has also meant much to this church. Already, in the first year of our joining the church we have been humbled to be asked to share the message in 8 Sunday services!

A few exciting things on the immediate horizon:

In late October/early November Paul is going with some of the New Covenant Church Bryanston elders and leaders to Singapore and Australia. They will connect with three churches during this trip, including a recent plant from NCCB, as well as spend several days with Dudley Daniel, the founder of New Covenant Ministries International. What an amazing opportunity to grow, learn and further expand our experience in the nations!

Speaking of that, our good friend, Laurel Roth is taking the brave leap to fulfill a dream of ministering to disadvantaged African children. We have been honored to coordinate her itinerary through our connections here and have been amazed at the favor her trip already has had with very significant doors opening up to her where she will literally be able to impact entire regions!

The journey - as always - is yet unfolding. Even still, our hearts overflow with the realization of God’s hand upon us, guiding, directing and empowering. We know for sure we are where we are meant to be. To those who have played a part in making this happen, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for having invested into our destiny, and those we will reach. Through your contribution you are here in South Africa with us!

Much love,

Paul and Minda Nichols

November Heat

2009-11-13T06:54:00.000-08:00

It is now summer here in the Southern Hemisphere and it is hot both in temperature and activity. The time since our last blog update has been significant. Ministry-wise it has certainly been busy as Paul spoke in three Sunday gatherings as well as two JAM staff Devotions.

The last weekend of September Paul spoke in Mokopane at Pastor Sam Paghati’s church, Church of the Firstborn. Paul shared about overcoming through revelation. He and his father-in-law, Rodney Lloyd tag-teamed and flowed seamlessly together. It was the final service this church would have in their tent facilities before completing their new building. Paul reminded the church that the last time he had been there- exactly one year ago- Minda had spoken a message about “enlarging your tent.” It was an honor to encourage this growing church on this significant day in their history.

The ministry throughout the month of October at our home church, NCCB, was handled by a team put together to speak on the Kingdom of God. It was a significant time, and the level of faith and understanding seemed to build in the church throughout the month. Paul spoke on the morning of the 11th and on the evening of the 18th. After the message on the 18th Paul and a couple of the elders led the people to a response and some ministry. A hunger and passion began to grip the church. One of the elders called an ad hoc prayer meeting for the next morning at 5:30am to continue crying out to God and many attended. (These messages are accessible in the “Resources” section of www.nccb.co.za).

We officially became members of NCCB in October. Justin Donlon, one of the elders with whom we have become particularly close jokingly commented to the church on our “remarkable integration strategy” in preaching to the church three times before becoming members. In October we ate dinner with the NCCB elders at the house of Justin and his wife Kerry. Minda treated everyone to Mexican cooking from “back home.” We later also had another group of NCCB friends over to our house for some Mexican food after a guided tour of JAM and Jesus Alive Ministries.

Paul has a new job as the Writer for Jesus Alive Ministries! This involves writing the Outreach reports, website material (www.jesusalivemin.com), annual reports and various other printed publications. Paul is thrilled to now be working more closely with Peter Pretorius and also the great men who are taking the Gospel into rural Africa. We believe this is a strategic opportunity to glean from this side of Peter’s work, after working in 2009 for the feeding/humanitarian side- Joint Aid Management.

Our Peter has his last month of the school year this month (the school year corresponds to the calendar year in South Africa). We were delighted to visit his school for an end-of-the-year concert in which Peter’s class and the Kindergarten sang songs with motions. They quoted Jeremiah 29:11-13, which Peter can now recite entirely. It is so cute to listen to him recite this verse, which he learned to say with a South African accent since he learned it at school. “…Plans to give you a hope and a few-cha.” As parents we can hardly express our gratitude for God’s provision for Peter and John David respectively with Peter’s school and John David’s nanny. God promised Minda before we moved that He was going to provide for our children. He has done so “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.”

This past Saturday, 14th we enjoyed one of the wonderful benefits of living in Africa as we spent the day at Pilanesberg Game Reserve in the Northwest Province of South Africa. Pilanesberg, along with several other Game Reserves is just a two hour drive from our home and we absolutely love our close proximity to such amazing views and African wildlife in their natural habitat. Incredible. We arrived at the gates before 7:00am and drove around all day through the valleys and up into the mountains while spotting wild animals. We saw an elephant in the distance and drove right next to monkeys, warthog, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, rhino, and several large buck...the lions were hiding this time. The boys loved it!

Plans are coming together for a Christmas visit to family and friends in the States. We will share at World Harvest Church, our beloved home church in Dublin, Georgia on Sunday, December 13th. But, before then we will celebrate our first Thanksgiving meal while in another country… and in the summer!

(Feel free to post a comment. We love to hear from you!)

1 Year Mark Since Our 2008 Trip

2009-09-17T03:14:00.000-07:00

There is something about finding and embracing your place in the Church that releases things in your life. We have found that since we determined to pursue NCCB as our local church and place of service we have been overwhelmed with the goodness of God towards us that has surrounded that decision. It seems almost overnight that we feel so relationally connected to so many quality people at NCCB. Deep and fulfilling friendships are developing faster than we can keep up with! We have been so grateful at how quickly and readily the leadership have embraced us, taken us in and received what we have to give.

August was a big month in many ways. JAM celebrated their 25th Anniversary with an “International Funder’s Week,” during which the heads of all of our international affiliate offices convened here at our South African international office. It was a joy to mix with these amazing leaders from Canada, Germany, UK and Switzerland who are all doing their part in the JAM global effort to help the children of Africa.

During August Paul spoke at NCCB, which represented the first time we’ve spoken in a church context since moving to South Africa. We were delighted with the connection that was made with the body as we gave what has been given to us, and have been pleased to hear positive feedback from the church.

On September 27th Paul will go with his father-in-law, Rodney Lloyd to speak to the church in Mokopane that we visited in September last year (refer to 2008 post). This was such a precious experience last year and we eagerly await visiting “Pastor Sam’s church in the tent” (as Peter referred to it). This is a large African congregation in the province of Limpopo, which is a place with a real “African” feel to it. Pastor Sam will once again interpret Paul’s message into the local language, Northern Sotho and Paul is now getting his Sotho-speaking friends at work to help him prepare an impressive greeting in that language. Paul is also working with Werner (pronounced “Vernor”) Badenhorst, an elder at NCCB (and fast-growing close friend) in developing a series of teachings on “The Kingdom of God” for NCCB during the month of October. Presently the plans are for Paul to speak on the Sunday mornings of October 11th and 18th. As we’ve stated in previous posts, NCCB Sunday messages are available on their website, so you can always catch the messages at www.nccb.co.za.

September is also a big month for the Nichols family as both Peter and Minda celebrate birthdays. Peter will turn five on the 26th, and Minda turned older than that on the 16th.

We are presently putting plans in place to visit family and friends over the Christmas holidays in the States. Not a day goes by where we don’t fondly think of and appreciate the many wonderful people who have walked through life with us “back home.” We can’t wait to see “ya’ll!”

Paul's Preach

2009-08-16T11:19:00.000-07:00

If you would like to hear Paul minister at NCCB, the message will be downloaded online after Sunday, August 23rd (he will be the speaker on the 23rd instead of the 16th).
Click here: http://nccb.co.za.
(From the menu select "Media" and from the dropdown menu select "Preaching.")

August Update

2009-08-06T13:46:00.000-07:00

We’ve passed a significant milestone in our passage into Africa. We have identified and settled on a church to make our home in Johannesburg and our local covering for any ministry the Lord may lead us to do in Africa. We are very excited to be a part of New Covenant Church Bryanston (NCCB) and will be received as members in September.

One's journey through life is truly meant to be a walk of faith. Not every detail was laid out in front of us as we came to Africa, but as we have walked step by step we have been led by two things: 1) principle and 2) peace in our hearts. As we’ve been patient we have been amazed at the unfolding design of God in leading us to the right church for us at this important crossroads in our lives.

NCCB is the original congregation of the network, New Covenant Ministries International, which has planted hundreds of churches (some on every continent) over the past 30 years. We were drawn to NCCB because of their like-minded paradigm to what has been built into us already in ministry. One of the most outstanding characteristics of NCCB is that they have managed to maintain a very organic nature, despite their 30-year existence and relatively large congregation (about 800).

Churches are planted literally every year from NCCB. Not surprisingly, God sends many leaders to NCCB and to the leadership covering of Ashley Bell (the pastor) and his eldership team who are absolutely committed to sowing their “best”. Of the 15 or so elders that were in the church 2 years ago, only 2 remain and others have since been added on. The rest have been sent out with teams of other leaders within the church - and yet God keeps adding to NCCB.

We have also been excited as we’ve learned more about the work that NCCB does “up into Africa”, continually sending out teams to train and raise up indigenous leaders amongst the Church in Africa. This is thrilling to us because of what God has laid on our hearts for this continent.

There is a large segment of the congregation that is “youngish”, in their 20’s and 30’s and there are many young families, so we are thoroughly enjoying the vibrancy of church life! We have been warmly received and we can hardly keep up with all the opportunities to connect and relate to new friends.

Paul has been honored to be invited to minister at the Sunday morning service on August 16th. You’ll be able to hear him online after the message is downloaded at http://www.nccb.co.za/

In other news: our work with JAM continues to be both challenging and fulfilling, Peter lost his third tooth, we will celebrate John David’s second birthday this month and we’re looking forward to springtime after the cold months in the Southern Hemisphere. We’re enjoying life and our hearts are very full of gratitude.

Thoughts from Paul

2009-06-08T10:56:00.000-07:00

There is certainly a distinction between what we experienced in South Africa when we came in September ’08 and what we are experiencing today. When we visited last September we had a jam-packed, almost daily ministry itinerary with the feeling of constant action. After that we returned to the States for only a few months during which time we put our house up for sale, sold two cars and virtually everything we owned, organized our passports and visas for returning to South Africa all the while working night and day for our church. The intensity of it all in some ways was like a birthing process. Since then our return to South Africa has had maybe the most remarkable sense of peace and of being at home that I can recall. It is as though the “birth” of our life and purpose in this land has been accomplished. We find ourselves out of the canal and very much in our new place.

Though we are busy during the days with our work at JAM our lives as a whole carry a feeling of process and developing over time. It is as though we have entered a great land of inheritance, but must take it day by day and at the Lord’s time. We are not currently pursuing any ministry beyond what we do at JAM in leading weekly Devotions until we have our local covering identified. On that front we are excited about a ministerial network that we have connected with and very well could ask to take on a covering role with us. This church network has been successful in planting churches literally around the globe. Minda and I had dinner with one of the leaders in the network and his wife and are extremely impressed with their commitment to raise up leaders and send them to plant. In just the last nine months this man’s church has been responsible for 3 successful church plants! We have taken note at how much an affinity we feel with the vision and values of this network. We feel good about pursuing that relationship and will update if and when that becomes more formalized.

This period of lesser activity has been a much-needed and appreciated time as a family, building and loving our boys. We are so delighted in how much both of them have developed. Just this last month John David began walking, and hasn’t looked back since! His vocabulary seems to expand daily. Peter has made tremendous progress this year in several developmental areas. Minda and I have enjoyed time with him when he pulls his bible-for-kids book out and “preaches” everything he knows about God to us. “Giving is good…Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and that is good…killing people is not good…”

Though the process thus far has been relatively slow, we know it will not last this way forever. Our hearts burn ablaze with a passion to minister God’s word to this people and build His Church in this land. In our spirit is the resounding witness of being where we are meant to be - a clean and thrilling feeling. Thank you all for being a part. We appreciate your love, support, prayers and relationship.

We're bundled up tonight in our house with heaters, listening to the howling wind outside. It's in the 40's! Yes, it gets cold in Africa!... South Africa, at least.

Have We Mentioned that We Love Being in South Africa?

2009-04-22T11:54:00.000-07:00

Today is Election Day in South Africa. This is the fourth election in the 15-year history of the democratic “New South Africa”. Election Day means that it is a public holiday and so though we can’t vote we are enjoying a day off of work and school, spending time together as a family in this very interesting and beautiful city. Johannesburg is a sprawling megalopolis… increasingly merging with another major city, Pretoria. We mainly stick to the northern suburbs of “Joburg” (as the locals call it). We live in a countryside area near Ruimsig and Honeydew, Peter goes to school in Randpark Ridge and we often shop and attend church meetings in areas like Little Falls, Fourways, Bryanston and Sandton. These suburbs are unique in being fully developed and first world, but sprinkled with “informal settlements” where Africans who have come in from rural areas of the nation and other African nations to find work in the city dwell.

We have still not made a final decision on which local church we will plant ourselves in, but we do sense that God is directing our steps. We are continuing to attend the churches where we already have existing relationship with the leaders and we are meeting with them and getting to know them, allowing for opportunity for clarity to come and God-ordained connections to take place.

We are able to share the wonderful news that in March we entered into a lease-purchase contract on our house in Dublin! We had peace and confidence that we were to take the step of moving to Africa and beginning the work here even though our house had not yet sold. Well, it was on literally our first day of work here in February that an offer was made on our home!

We also finally have our own car! We were able to secure a very good deal on a Toyota Corolla Verso which is a very comfortable and roomy family car with two seats which flip up in the rear area for extra passenger room when needed, seating as many as seven. This is perfect for when Minda’s parents are in the country – or for when any of you visit us! It is a manual shift (as most cars in South Africa are). Paul loves this, but Minda has not yet ventured out beyond the JAM grounds as she is a bit anxious about driving on the other side of the car and the other side of the road AND shifting with her left hand!

We’ve already shared in previous blog entries about our jobs and the fulfillment we are experiencing in our roles as well as our daily life as a family. In addition to our jobs at JAM, we have been asked by Peter Pretorius to carry the responsibility and leadership of the weekly JAM Staff Chapel meetings. JAM has a Headquarters staff of about 100 individuals and we begin each week with an hour of prayer, worship and teaching from God’s Word. It is a great honor and a joy for us to coordinate this each week. Peter and Ann are out of town so often on their international travels, spreading awareness of the work of JAM. Their hearts are so toward their staff and they love to spend this Monday morning chapel hour with them when they are in Johannesburg, but they need someone to carry it for them and represent their heart when they are away. Because of our long-standing relationship and history with them it is easy for us to do this and to lead, upholding the vision God has given them and helping to cultivate and foster a spiritually healthy atmosphere at JAM. For the year we are focusing on and reinforcing the “Ideal JAM Culture Characteristics” which the leadership of JAM has listed in their 5-Year Strategic Plan. We are teaching on things like Effective Communication, Teachableness, Honesty, Integrity, Excellence, Compassion, Mentoring, Common Goals, etc. We also lead the prayer time and facilitate the worship. The chapel meetings take place in JAM’s state-of-the-art studio with theater seating, projectors, studio lighting and the weekly experience is captured on video cameras, edited and sent out to field offices for the rest of the JAM team to experience. We feel that the responsibility of JAM Chapel is one of the most significant tasks the Lord has given us at this time. Thank you for your prayers, that we will allow the Lord to enlarge us and increase us and give us His supply for this work.

Exciting things are happening for JAM! We have just been awarded the largest portion globally of this year’s USDA McGovern-Dole Grant funds! $29.3 million for our feeding programs in Angola and $7.5 million for Mozambique, enabling the feeding of hundreds of thousands! The JAM Team have been pressing and working at getting JAM awareness out there and our exposure has grown in leaps and bounds even in this one past year. God’s favor is truly with this organization as we express His compassionate heart in Africa.

Our boys are doing very well. They are growing and enjoying their MANY new friends! We’re so happy for them. Peter is developing in skills at school and steadily picking up the South African expressions and accent. John David has started walking and talking, his favorite words being “ball” and “car” – a true boy!

We think of individuals in the USA so often. You are a part of our lives and we carry you in our hearts as we do what we do here.

With love from Africa,
Paul and Minda

A Day in the Life of Modern Missionaries - thoughts from Minda

2009-03-03T10:49:00.000-08:00

We’re up at 6:00 to have some prayer and study time and then at 7:15 Paul drives Peter to preschool. At 7:40, our nanny, Winnie arrives at our house to care for John David and I walk to the office so that I can get rolling before Peter P. comes in at 8:00.

In the office, I sit at a desk with two windows behind me, which I can look out of and see the same hills that I was so fond of as a teenager when my family lived and worked here 20 years ago. Some days I work with my windows open and enjoy the breeze and the sounds of the birds. But what’s happening inside the office is not so tranquil! Things are fast paced as I scurry around trying to juggle the constant inflow of information and requests for the CEO of this continually growing organization. Joint Aid Management has 700+ employees world-wide, operations in seven African nations and support offices in six countries in North America and Europe. Peter is also president of the gospel ministry, Jesus Alive Ministries, whose offices are housed adjacent to our property. All of the activity associated with all this plus the many requests for speaking engagements around the world and the boards that Peter serves on for other ministries and organizations and other non-profits he is assisting to get off the ground are constantly vying for Peter’s attention… and it all flows to me before making it to him! But this is what I signed up for and I love it. I love it because I love the work of God’s hands that we’re accomplishing. I love the privilege to be around and serve this man everyday whose heart beats with so much compassion and passion.

In the studio, Paul has just been part of the launch of our new website: http://www.jamint.com/ and is learning so much about web administration. He still has another month of training before he begins to function on his own and begins developing projects in conjunction with the website. Even the avenue of Facebook is being employed to generate interest and ultimately partnership in our programs.

Paul picks Peter up from school at 12:30 and brings him back to our house where they eat together and then I come home for an hour (1:00-2:00) while Winnie takes a break. I so enjoy that hour with the boys in the middle of the day. Then I’m back to work at 2:00 (the South Africans eat lunch at 1:00 so the afternoon part of the work day really goes quickly!).

Winnie lives adjacent to the mission base as her husband is one of the construction workers employed on base. She is such a blessing and a big part of the Lord’s provision for us here in South Africa. It is part of the culture here to have full-time help in your home. She was a must in order for us to be able to do what we came to do. In addition to being a gentle and loving care-giver to the boys, she assists me with taking care of our home. She’s always done with the chores by midday so that she can play all afternoon with the boys. The work that Winnie does affords us wonderful quality family time together once our working hours are completed.

The boys and Winnie visit with the other children and nannies on the base. There are quite a few families with children. Three other families have children the same ages as ours; one of those families is American. The boys have lots of friends!

At 5:00 we’re home – no commute! – and we enjoy the outdoors a bit with the boys and I make dinner, etc. We keep the front and back doors open. The fresh air here is so wonderful. The first thing I do each morning is open the bathroom and kitchen windows. There is no central air conditioning or heat, but it is amazing how comfortable we are with the natural air flow. We often eat dinner on our veranda where we have a table and enjoy the absolutely breathtaking sunsets. At 7:00 we bathe our thoroughly dirty boys, scrubbing black knees and feet and then we all sit on Peter’s bed together for “book-in-the-bed” and family prayer as we each take turns praying about whatever is on our hearts. We tuck them into their beds in their rooms and then Paul and I make a pot of African Rooibos herbal tea to enjoy together as we talk. We’ll catch up on emails, read, etc. and then we usually go to bed pretty early (for us)… 10:00 or so.

I still can’t believe we’re back in my beloved South Africa. I just want to pinch myself sometimes. We are so at peace. We’re at peace in our home, on this property, in our jobs, in our family. We’re experiencing such a stillness to just “be”. There is no sense of striving or reaching for something “out there”. We’re really enjoying just being “here”. I know this is a feeling that God will soon want to stir and enlarge as we come into the reasons why we are here. But it is so good to feel the confidence that we feel in where God has brought us to today.

News from the Nichols

2009-02-09T12:14:00.000-08:00

We are loving South Africa. We have moved into our home and are enjoying life on the mission base. We’ve been at work for a week now. Paul is working literally next door to our house in the studio. He has been undergoing training for the technical side of his job which has been pretty intense, but his “fuel” has been the stories, pictures and videos surrounding him in the studio. He’s had several moving experiences as he’s learned more about JAM’s work and it’s not been hard to find inspiration for the work at hand… wanting to get word out to the world via JAM’s websites so that more can be done for the children. In addition to administrating the sites for JAM (the relief organization) he will also do the same for Jesus Alive Ministries, the evangelistic organization. He looks forward to opportunities to write and edit as well as brainstorm on ways that the websites can be better tools.

Minda was grateful to have a week to get up to speed with Peter Pretorius’ previous assistant while Peter was away in Angola on a filming shoot with Life Outreach International (James Robison) and special guest Ruth Graham (Billy Graham’s daughter) who came out to see the work being done. Look for the footage on upcoming Life Today broadcasts. Peter is back in town now and Minda is amazed at how easy it has been to fit into the flow of things in assisting him. She has felt graced to step into her place.

Our Peter is at preschool every morning and is learning all the new ways and words in the culture around him. (They do speak English, but use some different terms and phrases). He is making many new friends and LOVES to play outside in the afternoons on the grounds surrounding our home.

God has blessed us with a wonderful African nanny for John David. Winnie is the wife of one of the builders on the JAM construction staff. She is very nurturing and gentle. Several days after she began coming into our home, we were struggling to get John David to take his nap and he was crying. Winnie put John David on her back and wrapped a blanket around him and tied it at her waist as the African women do with their babies. He immediately became calm and quickly fell asleep. This has become part of their daily routine as Winnie busies herself with other tasks. It’s so sweet.

On the ministry side of things we have visited with two churches whom we have relationship with and are setting up times for fellowship with the leadership in order to further determine where we feel to connect locally.

When we visited South Africa in September of last year, God spoke to Paul’s heart from Isaiah 61. Since arriving four weeks ago, this word has been resonating in our hearts concerning the Lord’s purpose for us in this land. According to Isaiah 61, God sends His people, anointed with His Spirit to bring good news to the poor; to heal them, comfort them and bring them liberty. According to this passage, God’s heart is that THEY then would rise up to rebuild the ruins and desolate places around them, destroyed by the generations before them.

This is certainly our heart in all we are doing here. This is the work that JAM is doing in feeding 500,000 children throughout the continent of Africa every day, in drilling holes for clean water, in the malnutrition clinics nursing the starving back to health. This is also what Jesus Alive is doing in taking the gospel to the unreached inhabitants of rural Africa. JAM has numerous development projects underway in the various countries where our programs exist to not just leave the communities the way we find them, but rather “helping Africa help itself.”

Please visit http://www.jamint.com/

"Consider the Poor"

2009-01-22T13:08:00.000-08:00

(thoughts from Paul)

This week I was asked if I had heard about the "million rand robbery." I had not. Apparently, there had been an organized, armed robbery in Johannesburg where 1/2 to 1 million rand worth of items were stolen. The robbery was aggressive and included over 20 men with AK-47 and other automatic weapons. Forty rounds of ammunition were fired. Thankfully, no one had been hurt. I asked where this had taken place and was grieved to hear that it was in Sandton, a wealthy community only 30 minutes from my new home. Though the conversation remained casual and I showed no outward evidence of fear I could not ignore the terrible senses I was having from the several "what if" scenarios developing in my mind. What if Peter...? What if John David...?

My mind knew this was fear and that I needed to be in faith for God's protection, but still the thoughts and feelings ensued.

That night I spent my prayer time bringing this issue before God. I had a wonderful time in His presence, casting all of my cares upon Him. Afterward, I picked up where I had left off in my bible study, which happened to bring me that night to this very verse:

"Blessed is the man who considers the poor: the Lord will deliver Him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve Him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and you will not deliver him to the will of his enemies" (Psalm 41: 1,2)

All of the feelings and fears vanished in the light of God's Word and promises. A great sense of peace and excitment settled over me as I knew the creator of Heaven and Earth was covenanting with me to deliver and preserve me, keep me (and my family) alive, bless me and deliver me.

But, the context in which the Lord spoke this promise was not merely because I was "in His will," or because I had moved to Africa in obedience. The context of this promise was in considering the poor.

God's "father heart" aches and breaks over every soul who does not have enough food to eat. How would I feel watching Peter or John David starving to death due to malnutrition? The thought exceeds my imagination. God's heart feels that and moreso for every hungry child in Africa and throughout the world. He has covenanted with His people that we can be His very Body on earth and do the very works of God. If only He can find those in His Body who would "consider the poor," who would personally identify with their need to the point of action. Only then can He fulfill the desires He feels so strongly towards the starving and needy.

Will you consider the poor? Will you look beyond the issues of your own life and create a place in your heart to care for those in desperate need the way He does? It is to people who would do such that God promises to aid in their time of need.

If you would like to know more about how you can be a part of meeting the needs of the starving children in Africa, please visit www.jamint.org.

Every Goodbye is Followed by a Hello

2009-01-15T03:40:00.000-08:00

The plane touched down after 15 hours in the sky and the pilot said, "After a marathon journey it is my pleasure to give you a hearty welcome to African soil." We are home.

It's amazing how Africa just seems to wrap her arms around our hearts. It feels so right to be here. We arrived at the Joint Aid Management base and we are staying in a temporary accommodation used for visitors until our own home is ready to be occupied. (They are knocking down some walls in one of the existing staff housing units to convert it into a three-bedroom unit for our family. We'll be in it by the end of the month.)

This morning we had a brief meeting with Peter Pretorius just to touch base. Then Paul and Minda took Peter N. to visit a Christian preschool 15 minutes from the base where we've decided to enroll him. The school year began here yesterday, so Peter will start Monday and be in on it from the beginning! He's so excited. He said, "Mommy, can this be my school?" (The principal of the school was Minda's brother's teacher when her family lived here 20 years ago.) It is Summer here in the Southern Hemisphere and so today the boys are already loving playing barefoot outside on the green grass and enjoying the spacious and safe grounds on the base.

We are excited to pursue our plans for this first phase of our journey after arrival. We will need to get up to speed with our roles at JAM Headquarters here on base. We also feel we have several important relationships with various church leaders already developing. We will be visiting several of these and discerning where we will fellowship locally, and also have as a local covering.

Before starting work with JAM on February 1st, we will be accumulating furnishings for our new home as well as acquiring a bank account, cell phones and a car, interviewing and hiring a nanny for John David, getting over jetlag and getting settled into our new home. Minda's parents are here on one of their many trips to South Africa and so they are providing much appreciated help with the kids, etc.

WE ASK FOR PRAYERS during this transition time - for ability to adjust easily, for wisdom in making decisions, for provision for needs. Thank you for carrying us in your hearts. We are so aware of all of our friends and family and carry you in our hearts as well.

Anyone who wishes to contribute towards our relocation costs and the work we will do with JAM can do so by mailing a check to DDMI at the following address and your gift will be tax deductible. (Please mark your gift for the Nichols.)

DDMI
Nichols Mission
2457 Airport Thruway
PMB #220
Columbus, GA 31904

Thank you.

2009-01-04T17:10:00.000-08:00

Update:

We are planning to leave Dublin on Tuesday, January 6th and will spend a week with family before departing for South Africa from Atlanta on Tuesday, January 13th.

2008-12-17T10:22:00.000-08:00

We are planning to depart for South Africa on January 7th (pending the processing of our residence permits in time). We have sold most of our belongings and are “camping out” in our unfurnished house: sleeping on air mattresses, eating on paper plates and borrowing a TV and microwave from a friend! We’re filling our days with necessary preparations for the move and precious visits with friends and family.

Upon arrival in Johannesburg, we will get over our jet lag and begin to set up our new residence on the mission base of Joint Aid Management (JAM). We’ll visit preschools and enroll Peter as well as interview nannies for in-home childcare for John David. We are set to begin in our positions with JAM on February 1st.

Minda will be working as Personal Assistant to Peter Pretorius, helping him during the transition period of the next few years as he prepares to give the leadership of the organization to his son. Paul is going to be managing the websites, writing and editing stories as well as monitoring donations coming in to track their effectiveness. http://www.jamint.com/

We are very much looking with anticipation to this new opportunity in front of us. In addition to our work with JAM, there are many churches and ministries who are doing so much effective good in South Africa, whom we look forward to building relationship with and ministering with as opportunity provides. We love South Africa and can hardly believe we’ll be living there in just a matter of weeks!

This is a missionary endeavor and so we have undertaken the challenge of getting there and the many expenses that go along with that such as fees for residence visas (plus the expenses of acquiring all the legal documentation required), airfare, and the accumulating of furnishings for our new home. If you would like to give towards making the work we will do possible, tax-deductible contributions can be made to DDMI (Divine Design Ministries International) and all funds will go fully to us. Please mail to:
DDMI
Nichols Mission
2457 Airport Thruway
PMB #220

Columbus, GA 31904

Thank you for the interest and support that so many of you have expressed and for being a part of this exciting journey with us. We will continue to update as our “new season” in life unfolds!

May you have a Merry Christmas, celebrating all you hold most dear and may you experience God’s blessing in your 2009!

In Summary

2008-10-03T10:23:00.000-07:00

We have returned safely to Dublin, Georgia and are basking in the richness of everything we have experienced in South Africa.

We were overjoyed to see people come into the Kingdom of God. We were honored to minister to 11 congregations, Bible Schools and ministries and so humbled by the flow of grace we experienced. We truly “stood on top of” what has been built into us over the years of formation and sensed an authority to communicate as well as a receptivity and need for the things God has entrusted to us. We witnessed God’s hand of guidance as we made numerous purposeful connections over coffee, in restaurants and in homes with spiritual fathers, leaders and the emerging generation in that land.

Before leaving for South Africa, we stated that the purpose of the trip was to put our feet on the ground and see what we experienced… walk through the open doors believing they would lead to open doors for the future. Through God’s Word to our hearts while away, through the witness of the Holy Spirit in our spirits and through the connections made we feel a growing confidence in the purposes of God for us in that land. Our hearts are now connected with the work of God in South Africa and Africa in a more deep way and we look forward to the future and watching God’s plans develop.

We realize that all we have been a part of over the past four weeks is not due to anything special that we are, but it is because of God’s goodness and His commitment to the destiny of His people. If we make what He is doing in the earth our priority, it is His pleasure to bring us into our place in that plan.

We thank you for your interest and your friendship. Thank you for being part of this journey with us – we were so aware of your support. We hope you have been enriched and inspired to fully participate in all that God is doing in your life and in the earth.

All praise to God!

Cape Town

2008-09-29T06:55:00.000-07:00

We are in the “Mother City”, Cape Town. Known as “the fairest cape in all the world”. Cape Town is a bustling, cosmopolitan metropolis – the city at the southernmost tip of the continent of Africa.

Friday evening we were at Fountain of Life Church in a colored neighborhood (the preferred term of the race who are a mixture of the inter-mixing of indigenous Africans and whites from generations ago). Paul spoke a powerful Word, challenging them to apprehend the Kingdom of God through agreement with God and agreement with one another.

Sunday morning we enjoyed vibrant worship with Christian Family Church, Cape Town (another large colored congregation). Paul ministered the message on the Kingdom once again, teaching that the revelation of Who Jesus really is begins the building of God’s Kingdom in our lives.

Sunday evening we were with Christian Family Church, Tyger Valley who we ministered with four years ago with the youth from our home church, World Harvest Church. We experienced a really good “flow” as we delivered our final message for this trip. We saw all the things we have taught come together into one large stream as Minda passionately spoke on Enlarging Your Capacity and Paul preached the Kingdom Come.

These three weeks have truly been an adventure and our experiences have exceeded our expectations. We have been so blessed by the hospitality and warmth of the churches and leaders and their receptivity to what God has given us. Each place we have visited has extended an invitation to return. We are most grateful for the flow of God’s grace as we have ministered which has confirmed to us a special link between ourselves and Africa.

Today we are visiting with one of Minda’s closest friends from high school who married one of Peter and Ann Pretorius’s sons and we will enjoy a special day tomorrow with Minda’s parents before beginning our 25 hour journey home on Wednesday.

There will be one final blog post in the next few days to summarize our trip. Thanks so much for your interest, support and prayers.

Margate

2008-09-26T04:01:00.000-07:00

Tuesday we flew from Johannesburg to Durban and drove an hour to Margate, a retreat community on the southeast coast. Wednesday morning we spoke at a rural African congregation who meet in a school in a very poor area of Margate. We were overcome by the Father God’s heart for these precious people. As Minda was praying in preparation for ministry to them she heard the Holy Spirit say to her heart, “Tell them they’re the apple of my eye.” She shared with them from Deuteronomy 32 and Proverbs 7 that we are the apple of God’s eye and His Word is to be the apple of ours’. She encouraged them that as they grow in love towards their Father God, he will plant His desires in them and then He delights to bring those desires to fulfillment (according to Psalm 37).

Wednesday evening we had an awesome time at Rhema South Coast, a church planted by Rhema South in Johannesburg (which was planted by Rhema South Africa, which was planted by Rhema, Tulsa). This vibrant church of only 3 years was packed with people of all generations and full of energetic worship. We both preached the message, “Enlarge Your Capacity” and afterwards we received so much confirmation from the leaders throughout the church as to how God was speaking “into the Margate area” through our message. The pastor is going to make the CDs of the message available to the congregation at cost on Sunday and he encouraged everyone to listen to it over and over. We were really overjoyed to be the carriers of a Word from God to encourage and empower these laborers who are making a tremendous impact on their city.

Thursday we flew from Durban to our favorite city, Cape Town, the city on the southern tip of the continent of Africa. Once again we’re absolutely awe struck with the wild natural beauty of the mountains and ocean here.

Today is Peter’s 4th birthday so we are making it all about him! We look forward to another very full weekend of ministry.

We value prayers that will carry us through our final week on this mission.

Jo'burg Happenings

2008-09-22T02:44:00.000-07:00

Saturday we had a 4th birthday party for our little Peter and Terri who is Peter Pretorius' grandaughter who is just six days apart in age. They were so cute in their prince and princess costumes and it was a very special day for our two families to celebrate together.

Sunday Minda spoke at Covenant Christian Centre, a vibrant congregation that meets in an area that was once a township under the old South African apartheid system. The people who call themselves the "Cape Coloreds" (a people group descending from the mixing of Europeans and indigenous Africans) still reside in this area though no longer by force. Minda once again gave her heart away on the subject of allowing God to enlarge us through circumstances and bring life to our barrenness. We felt the message being very well received and meeting a need in their hearts.

In the evening Paul ministered at Word Christian Church in a suburb on the East side of Johannesburg. This church has been experiencing a manifestation of the Kingdom of God through healings and salvations and Paul's message was "God Wants Your Heart So He Can Establish His Kingdom."

In both Sunday meetings people received Jesus and were born again.

This morning we were honored to speak at the chapel for Peter and Ann Pretorius' organization, Joint Aid Management (http://www.jamint.com/). It was so special to us to be with this team who tirelessly lay down their lives for the practical demonstration of the gospel in feeding more than 470,000 children in Africa daily. They asked us to speak on the many-membered Body of Christ and so we gave of what we have learned regarding how being in unity and order releases God's blessing, grace and power to do the work He's given us to do.

We are looking forward to lunch and an afternoon appointment with Peter and Ann today.

Back in Johannesburg: Rhema South

2008-09-20T09:52:00.000-07:00

After a brief stay in Mabula Game Park on our way home from Polokwane we arrived back in Johannesburg for the beginning of a very full ministry schedule.

Our stay in Mabula was wonderful. We went on a game ride where we were able to witness up-and-close many of the main African wildlife, including Rhino, Giraffe, Elephant, Warthogs, Water Buffalo, Wildebeest and several other species of African antelope. So exciting for us, and especially Peter, who surprisingly was most fond of warthogs! John David now seems to be doing much better and we appreciate those who stood with us in prayer for his healing.

Our first engagement since back in Johannesburg was ministering in a Friday night youth service at Rhema South, a large and dynamic church in the city’s southern suburbs. It was so awesome to worship with these youth and witness their ability to host and sustain the presence of the Lord. The Spirit of the Lord moved significantly that night. There was laughter, conviction and encouragement. Three teenage boys responded to the call for salvation, one of which we learned was a Muslim who had been to mosque just earlier that day. We spoke out of Matthew 16: 13-17, where Jesus asked His disciples, “who do you say that I am?” As we spoke the boy was convicted that Jesus was not merely a prophet (according to Islamic belief), but the Son of God and the Way to God. We also invited those wanting prayer for breakthrough to come forward and many responded in a sincere way. With the Youth Pastor’s agreement we ended up going ½ hour over the normally scheduled time to close to minister to them all.

Polokwane

2008-09-18T02:35:00.001-07:00

Monday and Tuesday we were honored to speak at Light of the Nations Bible School in a town called Polokwane. Seven African nations are represented in the 60-person student body there. They have received full scholarships and will go back to their countries to serve in their local churches or to help plant churches.

Paul shared from his experience of commitment to oversight and the local church and how serving a spiritual father is essential today before having “what is your own.” He spoke from John 6 of the tests of the Lord that will expose and purify the motives of your heart. Minda taught from Philippians 3 and gave her testimony of how the Lord has used circumstances to build her life upon the foundation of knowing Christ and being found in Him. All “doing” in the Kingdom of God should take place from that foundation.

We concluded with a question & answer session. During this time several expressed how they had been helped and inspired by what was shared and we rejoice to have some of what we’ve been given sown into the work God is doing in Africa.

The school surprised Minda by celebrating her birthday on Tuesday with a cake.

We are now going to catch up on some rest for a couple days before a very full and busy weekend of ministry. Thank you for your continued prayers that we are so aware of covering us in all we do and each place we go.

Mokopane

2008-09-15T11:01:00.000-07:00

The funds donated for our trip went to great use this weekend as we were so privileged to minister to a church of indigenous Africans in a rural area who cannot usually afford to bring in guest speakers. We have been in the town of Mokopane with Church of the Firstborn whose congregation meets in a tent. They are building walls one by one around the tent to gradually build a building for the church to meet in. These people were precious and it was wonderful to feel the familiar presence of the Holy Spirit with them as we worshipped. Though limited in resources this church has done much and is truly “going somewhere.” It was an honor to give what we had to them.

As we spoke, the pastor interpreted into the local native language, Northern Sotho. Paul spoke from Romans 8, encouraging the people that each one has been predestined, called, justified and it is the Lord’s intention that they be glorified to reveal God in the earth. Minda spoke from Isaiah 54 regarding the issue of “barrenness” in our lives which gives an opportunity for God to bring forth life that meets our own needs and in the process enlarges us to meet the needs around us.

The Pastor and others seemed to deeply appreciate the ministry and even invited us back for a longer period whenever we could.

Peter loved “Pastor Sam’s church in the tent” and continues to fit right in to his African surroundings.

Yesterday we arrived in a larger town called Polokwane where we will be speaking this evening and tomorrow evening at Light of the Nations Bible School. There are about 60 students, over one-third of which are from other African nations who will be returning to their home country to minister.

Please pray for John David to recover quickly from a cold. Other than that, we are all well and enjoying the Lord’s grace and favor as we set our hands to do what He has put before us.

Orange Farm

2008-09-11T05:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was truly precious. We went to a place called “Orange Farm,” which is a squatter camp (or “Informal Settlement”) in the rural south of Johannesburg with a population of about 1 million. There we visited a school of many precious African children who were so delighted to have Americans taking their pictures!

We then visited a small daycare and were so impressed at the tremendous job the teachers were doing with such limited resources. You will see in the picture that the school operates out of a one-car garage attached to a home. (Carpet is put down for it to be a preschool by day then the carpet is removed and it’s converted again to be a garage by night.) The children’s behavior was so impressive and they were performing tremendously in their activities. We were delighted as they sang their national anthem for us.

We visited both the school and the day care to witness and participate in the feeding program which is provided by JAM (Joint Aid Management), the relief organization of our dear friends Peter and Ann Pretorius. JAM www.jamint.com ensures that these children receive at least one good meal a day (highly nutritious, fortified porridge) and in feeding through the schools, they are encouraging the education of the rising generation.

From there we visited two care facilities for adults with disabilities.

At each of our stops we distributed the clothes that we brought donated from the women of World Harvest Church at home in Dublin, Georgia. Our women need to understand how profound a gift it was that they gave. It is almost crushing to see how “unwanted” items given from our side meet such a desperate need for these people. I left wishing there was some way to transport American “junk” to ones who so desperately need what we don’t even use.

We Made It

2008-09-09T05:57:00.000-07:00

We have arrived safely in SA and are settled well in our accommodations on the Jesus Alive Ministries/Joint Aid Management (JAM) mission base (see picture). The boys did great on the 18 hour flight… thank God!

This morning Paul discovered there are two water temperatures in our shower: scalding and frozen. Looks like we’ll be taking baths…

We just had our first connecting time over coffee with a local pastor, Ashley Bell, the current pastor of the original church of NCMI, a large apostolic network of churches/ministries all over the world. He is a tremendous man, very authentic and relational. We appreciated the time to pick his brain and glean.

Tomorrow we will have the first item of our ministry itinerary, which is to go to Orange Farm and help with the Feeding program. Many women will benefit from the clothes raised from the women of our home church, World Harvest Church and we will experience firsthand some of the tremendous need of Africans.

Internet is not as accessible here, but we plan to post as often as possible. Look for future updates soon and please feel free to comment as we would love to hear from you, too!

ITINERARY

2008-08-17T16:19:00.000-07:00

Below is our itinerary. Catch a picture of what we'll be doing. Those wishing to cover us in prayer during our trip can use this as a guide.

Sunday, September 7:
3:45 pm Depart Atlanta

Monday, September 8:
4:35 pm Arrive Johannesburg www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johannesburg
Staying at "JAM" Mission Base (Jesus Alive Ministries/Joint Aid Management, Peter and Ann Pretorius) http://www.jesusalivemin.com/

Tuesday, September 9:
Meet with Pastor Ashley Bell of the original New Covenant Church of NCMI http://www.ncmi.net/

Wednesday, September 10:
Participate in JAM School Feeding & Teacher Training http://www.jamint.com/
Distribute women's clothing (from our church, World Harvest Church) at Orange Farm Settlement www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Farm

Thursday, September 11:
Private meeting at Parliament with Member Lydia Meshoe (Mrs. Meshoe lectures internationally on the plight of African women)
pm: Birthday party for Minda with old friends

Friday, September 12:
Travel to Mokopane (3 hour car drive) www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mokopane
pm: Attend Church of the Firstborn (rural "tent" church)

Saturday, September 13:
Speak at afternoon meeting at Church of the Firstborn, Mokopane

Sunday, September 14:
am: Attend Church of the Firstborn
Drive to Polokwane (1 hour car drive) www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polokwane
pm: Attend Light of the Nations Church http://www.lightofthenations.co.za/

Monday, September 15:
pm: Speak at Light of the Nations Bible School, Polokwane

This Bible school hosts and fully funds the training of ministers from all over Africa.

Tuesday, September 16:
pm: Speak at Light of the Nations Bible School, Polokwane

Wednesday, September 17:
Drive to Mabula Game Lodge for 2 day stay (gift from friends)
http://www.mabula.com/

Friday, September 19:
Return drive to Johannesburg (2 hours)

pm: Speak at Rhema South http://www.rhemasouth.co.za/

Saturday, September 20:
4th Birthday party for Peter Nichols and Terri Mynhardt (Peter Pretorius' grandaughter)

Sunday, September 21:
am: Speak at Covenant Christian Centre
pm: Speak at Word Christian Church, Springs http://www.wordchristianchurch.com/

Monday, September 22:
am: Speak at JAM staff Chapel
Appointment and lunch with Peter and Ann Pretorius
pm: Minda speak at JAM staff ladies meeting

Tuesday, September 23:
11:00 am Fly to Durban (on East coast) www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durban
Meeting with Indian pastors

Wednesday, September 24:
am: Speak at 2 rural government (public) school assemblies
pm: Speak at Rhema South Coast http://www.rhemasouthcoast.co.za/

Thursday, September 25:
11:20 am Fly to Cape Town (southernmost tip of Africa) www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Town

Friday, September 26:
Day with church planting/entrepreneur friends
pm: Coffee shop gathering

Saturday, September 27:
Speak at Fountain of Life Christian Church

Sunday, September 28:
am: Speak at Christian Family Church International, Cape Town
pm: Speak at Christian Family Church, Tyger Valley

Monday, September 29:
Meetings with area ministers and friends

Tuesday, September 30:
Siteseeing and time with the Lloyds

Wednesday, October 1:
6:00 pm Depart Cape Town

Thursday, October 2:
11:08 am Arrive Atlanta

To learn more about South Africa:
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Africa