Oh the bugs we see.

Protests, Soccer Bosses and Nav Community.

South African President Jacob Zumu had struck fear into the hearts of many South Africans before he became president.  Now, six months later we find ourselves in a very anticlimactic state.  He's doing his best and it's not that bad at all!  I hear all sorts of people complaining and/or praising Obama, but with Zuma there just isn't a lot to talk about.  So that leaves me with the protests.

Poor service delivery is the problem of the day.  The ANC (leading SA gov. party) has not followed through on some promises and people are up in arms, burning tyres and demanding.... Jacob Zuma help them.

Second most important on peoples minds, just 230 days before the 2010 Soccer World Cup comes to SA... We have fired our countries head coach.  So maybe my decision of when to go back for our next USA visit is set.  If Bafana Bafana can't get their act together then why be here?

Last but not least is the growing Nav community in Durban.  We keep seeing God work, relationships grow and our community naturally growing and developing.

What's next?  Zuma quits singing Umshini Wami (Bring me my machine-gun), Bafana Bafana hires back our last Brazilian Coach for R7 million a month, and we light a braai (BBQ) for our growing community.

What's happening in the Cape Town Nav ministry?

I thought you would love to hear what our good friend and fellow Navigator Archie just wrote.

Hello hello,

Thank you to everyone who prayed for our Bible Marathon. It was such a meaningful time! This wasn't a fund-raiser or anything like that; we simply did it because of our desire to get a better grip on the Big Picture of the New Testament.

Below is the response of some of the 'athletes':

Bruce Nygaard (who initially proposed the idea):
___25 books___   
_____23 people_____
_______13 hours_______
___________1 great time__________

If anyone thought it might be boring to read the Bible for 13 hours with only short breaks and no discussion, our Bible Marathon on a Friday-Saturday proved the opposite! The more we read, the more we found ourselves energized as book flowed into book and morning flowed into afternoon. The best part for me was reading IN COMMUNITY. For example, whenever the Pharisees said something daft (which was always), we laughed. And whenever Jesus said something so brilliant that only Jesus could have said it, our exclamations punctuated it. It was nice not to have anyone putting their own spin on the message. And reading together as a group kept us on pace with God’s train of thought, rather than getting snagged by thorny details. We could better see what’s gloriously important (and what isn’t).

Zethu: God's word unedited, no one's opinion, no additions. Just His voice!  I described the marathon to a friend as being like standing under a waterfall and feeling the water gushing over you. You do not feel the [individual] droplets, you feel the goodness of the whole. You are cleansed, not only because you realize your faults, but because you’re reminded of the beautiful bigger picture…

Takadzani: Most of the time I read the New Testament with a very inquisitive mind, asking trivial questions, thus losing the central message-- the message of the cross and it's power! Reading the Bible in this manner helped me see the simplicity that we often complicate.

Thato: Everything came together for me. I get it now!

Felix: Doing this Bible marathon helped me see more clearly the simple fact that Jesus is being preached… It really is all about Him!

Mercy: Reading through the book of Hebrews in one sitting was just simply wow! It hit me again as to what Jesus actually came and did. And it was really great to feel part of a family. I feel encouraged to continue reading the Bible…

Camping with the guys.

The Durban Nav guys are going camping today!  We've got a great group of guys in community here in Durban and we see the need to grow them and with them both spiritually and relationally.  It's part of our ethos, our value of individuals and our heart for each of these guys.  The longer we're in Durban the more I see that it's not about the "ministry," it's about relationships.

Lou Lou and Kristy

BFF? Well, at least partners in creativity.  Lou Lou and Kristy have started hand printing fabric.  Kristy is always pushing the boundaries and traditional ways of how to connect and help friends.  Always relational.  Always making an impact.  I am continually inspired!

New Navigator South African Country Leader

The South African Navigators selected Mr. Paul Makhurupetsi as National Director on Sunday, 9^th August 2009, following a process involving several other qualified candidates. The Selection Council, comprised of staff, ministry leaders and Nav board; met over the weekend to pray together and interact with shortlisted candidates. At the end, it was clear to the Selection Council that Paul Makhurupetsi is God’s choice to lead The South African Navigators into the next phase of our ministry.

Udobong Idemetor (Southern Africa - Zonal Director) was used by the LORD to facilitate what was undoubtedly a very spiritual process.

 “ What I really enjoyed about this weekend was that the whole weekend was bathed by the word of God and Prayer. Everybody prayed, we searched the Scriptures, we searched God ‘s voice, we focused on God, we worshipped God and from that the decision naturally flowed to select Paul Makhurupetsi as our new National Director. He has everybody’s support…we are very excited about his vision for our ministry. He is committed to the CORE of The Navigators…to the Vision of The Navigators. We are looking forward to the next phase in the history of The Navigators of South Africa.” Says Archie Van der Byl, Navigator staff. 

Paul Makhurupetsi responded to his nomination and eventual selection by reading from Isaiah 6:1-8.

 Paul met The Navigators in 1989 at the University of Witwatersrand. From 1995, he had been serving at the same university. His gifts and hard work contributed to the growth and strength of the student work in Johannesburg.  Paul will assume his new responsibilities at the beginning of 2010.

Family of 3... almost 4.

For those of you who didn't know we are having another baby!  Due: beginning of Jan.

Are we excited? Yes.

Are we "worried" about another energizer "Myles:" yes!

 On the student front.

As the students return from winter break we look forward to launching into the second semester with new Investigative Bible Discussions, renewed medical school Lunch-hour sessions, Core Team Bible study, Sat morning "guys" Bible time, and advancing the Gospel in the residence halls.

There has been a keen interest in past students to get back involved with the campus ministry and disciple key students.  We're excited about what the future holds at UKZN.

Pray For The Ankle!

So this post is... post-surgery.  Non the less, Bruce Nygaard (our Cape Town Navigator supervisor and good friend) just had ankle surgery.  It was a nasty bit of work.  they dug into his ankle bone and actually sawed off his heal to re-align it!  not a pretty picture.  Pray for his recovery and also for his family that he wouldn't drive them crazy as he is on bed rest for the next month!

STEM Swaziland!

Short Term Experience in Missions (STEM) Swaziland.

That is what I was preparing this group of 17 students for over the weekend in Johannesburg.  It's an exciting venture to see this group set out on a mission to advance the Gospel.  The major focus of the group will be ministering to and connecting with individuals and families HIV/AIDs  virus.  Everything from making meals and cleaning sheets to praying with and for family units will be taking place.

Sihle and Lwazi are the the two representatives from Durban going on the trip.  They are key guys with a great love for the Lord and individuals.  both are in my Saturday morning group and the Durban Nav Core Team.  

Along with our guys from The University of Kwazulu-Natal there are also students represented from Wits University(Johannesburg), VAAL Tech(the mining area near Johannesburg), University of Cape Town(Cape Town), University Western Cape(Cape Town), and a couple Zimbabwe students going to the University of Botswana.

Our weekend was spent looking into God's word for inspiration and direction for missions, building team unity, learning about Swazi Culture, receiving practicleministry training skills and getting first hand stories of past students experiences on a STEM.  The trip ends 2 July.  Pray for the team and for the advancement of the gospel.

A few words from Vuyo...

Late nights? Study groups? Dial 0800-PRAYER for help, because Ben Cannot help you!

As a former student myself I know there is nothing that brings a student closer to God than exams. Those dreadful weeks which drag out longer any student would like have descended on the UKZN students here in South Africa. Exam time is tough on every student but the Durban Navigators are lucky to have a group of friends to support them and pray with them through this time, even though it is not possible for the students to meet as often as they would like. I have faith all you guys will do great in your exams! Something to look forward to though is that once exams are over and students have returned from the holidays, you begin the 2^nd half of the year as a Durban Nav member. It’s a chance to do more, learn more and enjoy the gospel more!

All the best to all the Durban Navigators! See you soon!

Vuyo