Happy Thanksgiving!

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus.” I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.

As I sat in Oshoek at our care center in the middle of a hot day, I heard some noise from behind our building. It was children as young as 2 up to age 8 laughing and singing. I thought to myself how wonderful this was. Their praise was life-giving and such encouragement in this dry season. Many people are worried about the rains being late and what they will do if they are unable to plow and plant. The wells and rivers, their source of water, were dry. For many of our families, if they miss planting season, there is no plan B. We spent that morning visiting families who are in need, and spent part of the afternoon meeting with the community people to pray for rains and share in some of their struggles. We dug deep into scripture and pleaded with God for breakthrough.

I listened to the children singing and laughing behind our small building made of mud and sticks. I got up to find a new spot with shade. As I walked around the building, I was surprised to see Sara surrounded by kids, playing and singing. Language wasn’t a barrier because everything was centered around Christ. She was almost 8 months pregnant, in the heat in a tough place. My amazing wife gave herself up to be there to bring Jesus’ hope. I was filled with thanks to know that God gave me a partner like her to walk this journey with. Before I knew it, a few more women joined, and suddenly there was life and hope and joy as they played. We had rain the following day! It has rained a few times since and now people are preparing their fields. We pray and trust God for a good harvest.

What a wonderful friend we have in Jesus! When we come humbly before Him, He hears our prayers. We only need to have faith like a child. We are so thankful to God that he chose us to be vessels and to carry his message. We have cried this year upon losing a couple of our children, and we have celebrated breakthroughs and victories at other times. More than anything, we are thankful for souls that have come to know Christ, and that is our biggest prayer looking forward, to bring souls to Christ. May each of us never give up in shining the light of Christ in this dark world, to make Jesus known, and our lives a testimony to His faithfulness. Let us not live for ourselves, but for Christ. Be joyful in hope, faithful in prayer, and share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Happy Thanksgiving!

With love, Xolani and Sara