Beat The Drum

Its a chilly and windy day in Jeffreys Bay. The waves are increasingly rising up on the sand, evidence that the Bilabong Pro Surf competition is only a week away. People are walking around bundled up in scarfs and caps, while others are out on the water in wet suits catching the waves- its winter in Jeffreys Bay!

I am now hidden in little cafe right off the beach on a Saturday afternoon after a full morning of 8am yard work with my family(my lxp team) at the house. We spent the whole morning working together-raking, trimming, weeding, anything and everything to clean! This past week has been a nice slower week as the whole team came back together after a two week holiday, everyone going to their own homes-resting and reflecting. I spent my holiday with one of my teammates-Khanyo. I went home with her to a small town called Morgans Bay in the Eastern Cape. It was an adventure of a lifetime! I loved every minute of it! From killing chickens, to bathing in a basin of 2 inches of water, having no running water in the house, not speaking to a white person for a week, learning to speak more Xhosa, and really becoming part of Khanyo's family, it was time I will never forget! The Lord taught me so much and I could see every step of the way that He is preparing for what He has for me in the future.

This past week has been a time of regrouping and reflecting on what we learned as we spent time back home. We shared our stories of challenges, victories and struggles and we looked back over the past 5 months and reflecting on what we learned and how the Lord has changed us.

Currently, things are quite busy as we start to prepare for our biggest project in LXP- which is: BEAT THE DRUM (BtD). A Aids Awareness Campaign that was originally started by Bruce Wilkison. He began the campaign in 2004 with thousands of volunteers mostly people coming from the states. It was at that time that Pastor George, the leader of LXP saw the need for a discipleship and leadership program in Africa. Most the people helping with the campaign were Americans, the need for Africans to rise up was hugely needed and God really placed that burden on Pastor George's heart and that led him to start LXP.

On the 22nd of July we will be traveling to Durban- a days drive away for a week of training and preparation. We will be working with some other African teams and also a group of Americans. The BEAT THE DRUM campaign is based on the Beat The Drum movie, about a boy that tries to uncover the lies of HIV/AIDS and save his village from the "killer"(AIDS) among them. BtD has gotten smaller over the years, since Bruce is no longer a part, and the campaign is now headed by my leaders George Mwanza and his wife Michele. But still today it remains extremely effective and it's effects are long lasting. And I've also had previous experience with BtD when I was in South Africa in 2008.

Like I said previously after a week of training we will then travel to the Transkai area to start the project. The first day we will be showing the movie in the schools and then the rest of the week will continue with a pair of volunteers in each classroom teaching the curriculum. The materials start with values, uncovering the lies of HIV/AIDS, abstinence, God's plan in sex and everything coming together in sharing God's plan for their lives and His love for each one of them. Finally, the last day is an opportunity for for the students to choose to be HIV tested.
The whole project with training, traveling and the campaign will run July 22- August 8. I am so excited to see the lives Jesus is going to change and draw to Himself and out of the lies of the enemy.
The transkai area is the deep rural Xhosa areas. A place of of deep traditions and culture. Which also means a lot of witchcraft, strongholds and a great need for the Light and Blood of Jesus.


-Please join me in praying for the students my team and I will will be ministering and teaching in the schools. Pray for a great thirst and hunger for the truth-Jesus Christ.

-Pray that the works and plans of the enemy will be completely demolished and that the lies that they believe will be exposed and the truth and love of Jesus Christ seen by all!

-Pray the Lord grants us favor with the principles and teachers in the schools.

-Also, please pray that I would be bold and courageous as I lead a team of volunteers and also teach in the classroom.

I am excited to come back and testify of the lives changed and power of Christ that I will see in Transkai.

Blessings to you my dear Brother and Sisters!