The Big Picture

NB: this was written yesterday, but I was unable to post it until today.

Today, my tenth day in Cape Town, was amazing. I experienced breakthrough in numerous ways. The first week was spent recovering from jet lag, adjusting to living in one house with 21 other people from all over the world, processing the lectures and group sessions, and generally wrapping my head around the reality that I’m in Africa for at least the next 6 months. The schedule was light, allowing everyone time to settle in and adjust, which I credit to wise leadership. However, it seemed a bit boring to me. I enjoyed chatting with my housemates, sorting out practical things like cleaning and cooking duties, and the hike of beautiful Lion’s Head they took us on on Thursday. However, I had a hard time figuring out exactly where the teachers were heading with the lectures we had. Also, we only took one hour each on two afternoons to visit the townships in which we will be working. We prayer walked through the communities, asking God to reveal to us His heart for the people there and for divine appointments for each of us. Overall, it felt a bit boring and uninvolved, but I truly appreciated the time to rest and reflect which we will have less of as things really get underway.

The weekend was very nice, with a (windy) trip to the beach, lots of time to read, and some cooking and cleaning duties along with my team. By last night, though, I was feeling very ready for the action to begin. Today exceeded my expectations! I had amazing quiet time early in the morning, watching the sun rise over the mountains next to our house. God really met me there and gave me a special revelation about freedom in Christ from Luke 4: . Jesus came to earth free us from the bondage of discouragement, disillusionment, and purposelessness just as much as from sin and death! Anytime I feel bound by anything, I can remind myself Jesus already overcame that issue and walk in freedom. In the afterglow of my time with the Lord, the worship time with the large group was amazing. We sing songs in African languages, and English, and dance around like I’ve never done at home. After worship someone leads us in a time of prayer either for something on their heart, or for the community we would be visiting that day. Then we hear teachings from Floyd McClung or Alexander Campbell, or some others who are part of All Nations. Today in lecture I had a breakthrough in understanding where we, the CPx students, are headed and why we are here. Naturally before coming here I knew the church planting training was something I wanted to be part of, but today the proverbial forest and the trees all came into harmonious focus for me.

All over the world God is building his church through a grassroots movement of small, member-led, out-ward focused groups. People are meeting in workplaces, homes, restaurants, and grassy fields to read the bible, worship Jesus, pray, share what’s happening in their lives, and think of who to share with and invite to the next meeting. The secret to the success of this movement is that it embodies the heart of God’s desire for His church in its simplest form; God’s church is meant to love and worship Him, take care of each other, and reach out to the people who don’t know Jesus. Our purpose in participating in CPx is to learn how to be part of this movement by being trained to train others who train others to plant churches. Just like in the book of Acts! It’s really exciting, because everyone can do it. All you have to do is share your story of how Jesus changed your life, and invite people to hang out together in intentional, discipling relationships. This concept can function alone, or within a larger institutional church setting, and thus can reach any segment of any community who are open to Jesus. Now that is something worth flying halfway around the world to be part of!!

I'm alive!

Hello from Cape Town! Well, actually just outside Cape Town; I live in a little spot of no-man's land between Fishoek and Nordhoek. After two loooong flights and a day trip around Frankfurt in the middle I arrived at the Africa House around noon yesterday. A lot of us have arrived already and are just milling about town waiting for the rest of the arrivals and our big kick-off dinner tonight. We are housed in three different places, and I am excited to be living in the big house where leactures and meetings are held. There is plenty of space around the grounds to get alone; we even have a pool! I am sharing a room with six other women, which is fine. We have to walk outside to get to the two toilet/one shower bathroom which will be fun once the cold winter hits :) I am feeling so glad to be here and extremely blessed. God is such an extravagant giver - I got to go for a run on the beach this morning since one of the women I live with has a car and took me with her! More later...time is up at the internet cafe for now.