6 Months, 2 Teams, 1 Heart

We cannot thank these teams enough. Giving up their time, money, and responsibilities is no small sacrifice. Each person was obedient to the Lord’s calling, and He was faithful through that obedience. These teams helped plant seeds and water them, and we have watched God bring growth and produce fruit.

Thank you to each of you who patiently wait for updates while remaining steadfast in prayer. There are no words to express how truly grateful we are for you, your prayers, and your support.

Sharing the Good News Through Medicine

We have had two teams from Colorado come down and be used mightily by the Lord. The first team focused on bringing the gospel through medicine. In the mornings, the team prayer walked, evangelized, and checked in one-on-one with the Oaks and Ladies—the men and women struggling with drugs and alcohol. In the afternoons, we split into smaller groups and visited homes in Shiyaz. It was beautiful to see people open their doors and welcome us in.

One miracle we witnessed was the healing of a woman’s leg after a dog bite. At the beginning of the week, her wound was severe, and walking was extremely difficult. We could not give her antibiotics, and the doctor only had over-the-counter ointment to apply, but the group was able to pray for her healing. The next day, her wound was already improving. By the end of the week, we did not recognize her as she passed us dancing through the street! She was praising the Lord and celebrating that she could finally walk to get groceries. We were left in awe of God’s power.

The team also served our kiddos through Saturate School. One team member walked around playing the guitar and singing, and the children were captivated. The teenagers were separated into groups of girls and boys, where the team shared important information about their changing bodies, sex, and drugs. They even helped some of the girls’ study for a biology test. Most importantly, the kiddos were reminded of their identity in Christ and that God created every part of them with care and beauty

By the end of the week, we had seen miracle after miracle. People were encouraged, healed, and reminded of their first love. Many began to understand that Jesus is not simply a name we say—His name has power. The pastor and his wife in Shiyaz were deeply encouraged and were given a first aid kit so they could continue bringing the gospel through medicine.

Bringing Shiyaz Together Through Art, Play, and Worship

The second team came from Brave Church. This group of eight wonderful people was eager to serve the Lord and did so faithfully. They brought the encouragement our team needed and came ready to build a playground, paint a mural, and take more than 15 kiddos to a youth retreat.

Before they arrived, our team worked hard to move hills of dirt, plaster walls, and prepare the mural space. With the help of six amazing guys from the community—and God’s miraculous expansion of time—everything was ready.

Our heart has always been for the people of Shiyaz to see their community through the eyes of the Lord. It is an incredibly beautiful place, surrounded by hills, next to a waterfall, and perfectly positioned for both sunrise and sunset. Yet that beauty can easily be overlooked because of difficult circumstances. Our prayer was that the mural and playground would remind the community of God’s love and bring His children together through laughter and play.

The mural features a map of the world, with Africa highlighted and enlarged as a reminder that the people of Shiyaz are not forgotten. Next to Africa are the words “I am a child of God” in Zulu. At the bottom of the wall, we added words describing their identity in Christ: chosen, loved, worthy, called, and His.

The mural also includes a tree representing the fruits of the Spirit. The fruits are written in Zulu, and the leaves are made from the handprints of people in the community. We hope God will continue using this mural to speak to His children. We also painted two walls with black chalkboard paint so the kids can create and display their own artwork.

The kiddos finally have a playground in Shiyaz! They no longer have to leave their community and cross a bridge to find a place to play. What an incredible miracle God did for us! Watching the playground come together was a beautiful picture of the body of Christ. People from Shiyaz, America, and the Howick community worked side by side to cement, drill, measure, hammer, and build. A few additions, including a rock-climbing wall, still need to be completed, but the kids are already having a blast.

The Brave team also prepared skits, testimonies, and teachings for the kiddos. In Shiyaz and Howick South, they performed a skit about trusting the Lord through the storm and trusting Him as our Provider, who can take a little and make it more than enough. Each teaching included a craft to remind the children that Jesus is their Protector and Provider.

One of the greatest highlights was a worship night in Shiyaz. We began with a talent show where the kiddos used recycled materials for a fashion show and shared their gifts through dancing, modeling, and singing. Four members of the Brave team also shared their testimonies. It was moving to see the kiddos hold on to their words and connect with stories of desperation, loneliness, sorrow, and God’s faithfulness. Each testimony was a picture of God’s mercy and how He pursues every one of us.

After the talent show, we entered a time of worship. The church was filled with more than 100 people, mostly youth. With each song, the presence of the Lord became more evident. Pastor Zamo invited those who wanted prayer to come forward, and the space quickly filled. Tears were falling, hardships were being shared, and words of life were being spoken over each person. By the end of the evening, we knew the Holy Spirit had broken through, and many had encountered the Lord like never before. How AMAZING is our God?

The team also took our Freedom youth to a retreat that was Spirit-filled, dynamic, and eye-opening. One of the most beautiful parts was worship. The presence of the Holy Spirit was so powerful and tangible that it felt as though Jesus was dancing right there.

The sermons were especially impactful. The youth journeyed through the story of Joseph in four parts and learned about forgiveness, perseverance, and how suffering develops character. They were encouraged to arrive expecting God to speak—and He did. The games were also a favorite, giving everyone a place to release their competitive energy! The youth left camp with greater wisdom, stronger friendships, and a new awareness of God.