Wednesday, September 9, 2015

September 2015

Visitors
Jason and Shane, eating like the Basotho!
We were so blessed to have visitors, Shane and Jason, from the Stirring in Redding, CA with us for a week last month. They jumped right in with us and encouraged us in everything we were doing. They helped build cupboards for the church kitchen, prayed over us as we initiated the young adult’s service at the church, and played with us on our days off.



Ground Shakers from Maseru
Worship Explosion Conference
Over the weekend we had a “worship explosion” conference. It was a great time of worship through out! We had a guest band from Maseru that blessed us with their music one night. Once in a while the pastors will ask me (Piet) to speak which is really a privilege. As I was praying for this conference I felt the Lord say:

The common concept of worship is people singing songs, but I am interested in why they sing. Why do the lyrics mean so much to you? The greatest worship towards Me (God) is an adequate response to my word in every second of your life. Become the song you want to sing to Me. There is no worshiper without reading the Word of God.
Piet Speaking at the conference

For me personally this was the greatest reminder of a character/ lifestyle worshiper. After all, worship is a truthful response towards God’s desire communicated through HIS word. How we read the Bible and our understanding of worship will determent how we worship.


Our little worshiper!
Business Training
Learning about Budgets
Piet and I are now in week 6 of teaching our business training classes. I have to admit that this has been so fulfilling for me personally.  We run a class during the week (Thursdays and Fridays) and a weekend class on Saturdays for those who work during the week. We have about 15 people in each class and they are mostly in their 30’s and 40’s. It has really been a lot of fun. The curriculum for this 10-week class is specifically tailored for African entrepreneurs and is biblically based. After each person has completed the course, they will have the opportunity to apply for a small business loan if needed. They will have all the practical and spiritual knowledge needed to successfully run their own small business. A few people in the course are already running small businesses and are using the training course to enhance their
Team Building Game
knowledge and skills.

This afternoon I sent out a bulk text message to our students just to tell them I’m really enjoying interacting with them in the course. I got a handful of very nice responses back, but here are two in particular I want to share:

I wasn’t fine today. But I woke up and would like to pass my vote of thanks to you good people. I fell in love with the training and am indeed putting into practice what I have learned there…with the information I got from the training I now make everyone who buys on credit [IOU] to sign so that there is proof that they owe me money. Thanks again and it’s my prayer that people may see and acknowledge and make a great use of you while you are still here. May my God richly bless you, my mentors.

I feel honored to have been given this chance by God to be a part of this training. May the good Lord continue to bless you richly for the sacrifice that you are to us.

We really feel privileged to be able to teach this impactful course to the locals here in Butha-Buthe.




Young Adults
The Saturday evening young adult service has been slow going so far, but not bad for a brand new program. Two weeks ago, we had a braai and watched an inspirational movie and had a decent turn out. We have put together a small committee to help us plan and dream for the future and we are still discussing and discerning what the service should look like. Our desire is to leave this ministry with the local young adults and we feel that dreaming and trusting God together for direction with the locals will be a great vision transplant. We hope you will pray with us in this matter. 

Personally
Mommy at 26 weeks!
Our family is doing well! Harmony is growing up so fast. She is no longer a baby, that’s for sure. She is an independent big girl who talks a lot and loves to read books and do puzzles. Our baby boy on the way is also doing fine. It’s been a good pregnancy with no complications. Only 3 ½ months to go!

Piet’s health is, in general, fairly good. He still struggles from time to time with his anxiety, but hasn’t had any major issues or attacks in a few months. We praise the Lord for that and continue to trust for complete restoration. You are welcome to email him if you would like to know more or if you would like to encourage him in any way. 



Thank you and we love you.

Loving Africa,

The Bakers

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