Here we are, already a week into February and I’m still catching up from January! 2018 is in full swing and I am excited about the future of our team and ministries here in South Africa!
A couple of weeks ago, I was going by Missionvale to pick up Thulasizwe and he was not waiting at his usual spot. I drove to his house to find that he had already left and his mother was not sure where he went since he was not with me. A few moments later, I find him chasing us down the street as we were heading to church…with another young man running beside him!
Thulasizwe had met this young man named Raymond, shared the gospel with him, and invited him to church! I can’t tell you how excited I was about this! A guy that I had led to the Lord in June of last year, had been going through discipleship with, and spending time with is now “teaching others also!” With all the things I have been blessed to be a part of in South Africa, the ministries, the camps, etc; this is by far the proudest I have been!
Please continue to pray for Raymond. He comes from a charismatic background and has been asking several questions about how we worship and what we believe. We continue to bring him to church as much as he is able and have set up opportunities to go through discipleship with him, each time presenting the true gospel!
I am also excited as tomorrow evening, we will have our first organized bible study in the home of Thulasizwe and his family. His parents have graciously allowed us to utilize there living room area and will be inviting their neighbors and friends to attend. Please pray as we present the gospel to everyone in attendance and that their will be fruit from the labor there in Missionvale!
Ashlee and I have also started going through another Xhosa learning book. It is our desire to continue to grow in this language and we have much work to be done. As we get involved in more and more ministry, and look to start a work in Missionvale, the language will be THE MOST IMPORTANT part of our learning!
As Nelson Mandela said, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” This is our greatest desire; to reach the heart of the Xhosa people with the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ! Please continue to pray with us to become fluent in Xhosa!
Thank you all for your continued love, prayers, and support of our family!
Your Missionaries to South Africa,
Stephen, Ashlee, Peyton, Eli, and Neyland
The Underwood Family
Acts 20:24
southafricamissions.com
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