March 2007

Jacob joined his son Joseph with great joy in Egypt. For all those years he was under the impression that his son was devoured by wild beasts. As a very important official in Egypt, Joseph used his influence to arrange a meeting between Jacob and the Pharaoh (Gen 47). When Pharaoh met Jacob, he asked him how old he was. Listen closely to Jacob's answer: "The years of my pilgrimage are 130 – a short and hard life and not nearly as long as my ancestors were given".

Often we think we are carrying the whole world's problems on our shoulders. From experience I have learned that the season of promise is not necessarily the season of the fulfilment of the promise – therefore I choose to continue steadfastly with joy!

Magdaleen's and my prayer for you:

That you also may be stronger than any apparent suffering that is trying to get you down. May God pour out a season of blessings over your family.
We still believe in miracles!

Highlights from 2006:

• Two successful GCMT trainings in Rustenburg. (The GCMT training is a powerful curriculum of Campus Crusade for Christ, consisting of 4 Modules, where born-again Christians are equipped in the full spectrum of (i)evangelism, (ii)follow-up, (iii)discipleship & (iv)sending part.) During the mentioned trainings, students from all over the country were involved and as a result, ten-fold people regularly share their faith.

Huge JESUS-Film outreaches where various JF-teams were concurrently involved, e.g:

• The Mpumalanga outreach at SAPPI plantations. Not less than 12 Jf Workers from all over the country, as well as 18 Christians from 9 countries, in partnership with OM, worked together for a week. The first two days were scheduled for training, there after the teams were send to 5 of the SAPPI plantations, followed by 14 JF shows. In total 1,321 workers were exposed to the gospel through the film, with 291 indicating that they want to receive Jesus as their Saviour and Lord. All the new believers were followed up by local Spiritual leaders.

  

  Peter Jonker from Kimberley, giving equipment training.

  ___________________________________________________________________

  

  Some of team starting a conversation with one of the ladies, inviting her to the JF show.

  ___________________________________________________________________

  

  Even when you are in the veldt, far away from home, you still need to be clean.

  ___________________________________________________________________

  

  Two of our International Christian workers in training.
  Two-by-two practice in sharing their faith, by using the 'Four Spiritual Laws' booklet.

  ___________________________________________________________________

  

  Her own patented bread toaster.

  ___________________________________________________________________________

• The De Aar outreach. Six JF teams worked together to make this dream a reality. In total 4,553 people were exposed to the gospel through the film over 3 evenings, with 709 indicating that they prayed the prayer to receive Jesus as their Saviour and Lord. All the new believers were channelled into the local church, where they were followed up. ___________________________________________________________________________

• Philip and Hanna Botha covered almost the whole of the Northern Cape, town by town, during the past 5 years with evangelisation, follow-up and training. It is with great sorrow that we will join them for the last time on a "Vision Trip" during October in Douglas. There where the two BIG rivers are joined.

  Maybe something not to be missed! (Diary: 6-14 Oct ‘07)

  

  Hanna in action, busy training the "new believers" to share their faith.

  ___________________________________________________________________________

• In Letaba Camp, Kruger National Park, Expansion had a very successful outreach and planning. As usual we applied the JESUS-Film with much fruit-bearing.

  This week we truly experienced a deliverance. For the first time we succeeded to get our fulltime JF workers effectively involved with Expansion planning. (Important:- ownership!)

  

  In the heart of the Kruger National Park.
  Bus (Upington), Percy (Komatipoort) and Ian (National JF Director, SA) trying to get our ministry vehicle, an old Toyota Venture, going again.

  ___________________________________________________________________________

• As the representative of South Africa, I had the privilege of taking part in planning together with leaders from all over Africa, in Kenya and Uganda for two separate weeks.

  All this will finally lead to our Expansion Mission:
  “To help equip the body of Christ to present Jesus Christ to every person in South Africa through movements of multiplying disciples”.

  

  In this photo you see Pieter in a small-group discussion with other leaders.

  ___________________________________________________________________________

• The “SMS” project was launched in April ‘06 and bore much fruit up until now. In total, 4,366 people SMS-ed the word film to 36836, with a donation each time which was deposited in the Expansion Ministry's account. (Cost of SMS – R5.00)
• Consequently, the “Flyer” project was born in September. We placed the pamphlet in various magazines and newspapers. A lot of people reacted to the three well-chosen questions and requested material via e-mail & slow mail. The letters all described so much sorrow of people in search of something. (Requests from as far as Baghdad, The Netherlands, Australia, Kenya, USA and others…). Magdaleen, Pieter’s wife, answered each one with encouragement, accompanied by material which addresses the specific need. Almost 300 contacts received Evangelising and Spiritual Growth material. (We are currently busy with the final draft of the 10 powerful "Transferable Concepts" from the pen of the founder and previous President of CCC, Dr Bill Bright. This is a winner and will be available soon!)
• On the flyer is our information line, 082 234 2200 (a system which can handle up to 2,500 calls simultaneously). In total, 244 people phoned the number, where they could react to five questions and apart from other, listen to good testimonies. People who are really in need are directly put in contact with counsellors of Radio Pulpit.

Some interesting statistics from Expansion Annual Report, 2006:

• Organisations actively partnering with Expansion – 23
• Gospel exposures through all the strategies of Expansion (including JF) - 458,699
• Decisions to accept Christ through all the strategies of Expansion – 102,854
• People who got involved in follow-up groups through the Expansion - 24,535
• People involved in Expansion (movement group members) - 409
• People involved in leading and mobilizing others (movement group leaders) - 24
• People trained in evangelism and follow-up through the Expansion – 1,799
• People involved in short-term mission projects – 502
• People committed to join full-time ministry through Expansion - 11
• JESUS Film shows – 461
• New churches planted – 8+

2007

As usual, this year also started with a bang:

• Magdaleen & I presented Interactive Adult Training for a week in Durban.
• The Expansion Staff were involved in a further week of Strategic Planning, together with the JF & GCMT workers, at Nkwe just outside Pretoria. (The emphasis shifted from the former Projector Jockeys running from area to area to present the JESUS-Film to as many people as possible, to Transformational Leaders, who makes a difference in people's lives. (Both these were blessed weeks.)
• The plan is further to put all CCC SA personnel through a Continued Training program. During these 12 month intensive training program, it will be expected of the personnel to perform at least 6 hours practical per week in a predetermined target area.
• Where 2007 will be a very busy year for us, I especially need wisdom to do my planning in such a way to not confuse my priorities: (i) Walk with the Lord, (ii) Marriage, (iii) Children, (iv) Work, (v) Church.

Our family

Pieter, Magdaleen & two of our colleagues, participated in the "Great Western Cape Bike Ride"

This was a team building exercise for Expansion. Over a period of 9 days we travelled 653 km from George to Cape Town. (George, Oudtshoorn, Calitzdorp, Ladysmith, Barrydale, Montagu, Rawsonville, Riebeeck Castle and Bloubergstrand.) What an experience! – The beautiful scenery made up for the steep Cape mountain passes, dirt passes as well as rain which we had to endure!

200m before our destination, a car dashed right in front of Pieter: Speed! … Crash! … Flying through the air! … Fall and roll! … Masterly!! Pieter's first words after the fall: "It was not so bad, if I knew I would fall again like this, then I could fall every day – not even a bruise or a tear in my clothes. Only two Liqui-Fruits and bananas in my backpack which was totally 'liquidised'. Praise God for His angels who protected me!!"

Peet starts at a new IT company from March 2007 – bigger challenges, a bit more money, new responsibilities and experience. Please pray that he would adapt to the new circumstances.

Daleen is busy with her 2nd last year as language student with French as main subject. She also gives flute lessons. She makes good progress with her cello lessons. For an extra income she performs with the flute at weddings and other functions. Feel free to phone her for performances (072 450 3133).

Kobus started his Grade 10 year with much enthusiasm. He already decided on his subjects and is hard at work on a couple of personal goals.

Father-Son Relationship

In order to strengthen the Father-Son relationship, Pieter and Kobus did an Open Water Dive Course during 2006 and here and there had some opportunities to go diving. As inexperienced, enthusiastic novices, they had a couple of close shaves.
At Christmas, the three guys (Pieter, Peet & Kobus) camped for four days at Sodwana. What a privilege and experience for Dad and sons, for the first time, to spend time away together, to burn the food, to let it fall on the ground, while we discussed men-things!

Until everyone has heard!

Pieter & Magdaleen Brits

Skype Address - Pieter: pieterbrits
Skype Address - Magdaleen: magdaleenbrits

Back to news.

---

Back to top.
Contact Pieter: pbrits at email-sa dot co dot za or 082 469 6724