The month of August has been very challenging for our team in Cape Town. Two families need to find housing because of unexpected challenges with landlords. One family is contemplating an early return to America due to these circumstances. Man, times like these feel very unsettling for all of us! Yet we know that as, “The crucible is for silver and a furnace for gold, so the Lord tests hearts” (Proverbs 17:3). In this time of testing, pruning and refining, God reminds us why we endure these hardships.
During our team’s monthly outreach at a local high school, a young man named Natanial approached Leon. He expressed remembering Leon 3 years ago when he was a student at the University of Western Cape (UWC). Leon shared the Gospel to him and answered his questions. At that time, Natanial had a lot of questions about evolution and atheism. It turns out his questions were the result of a desire to witness to atheist friends. He went on to be involved with various campus ministries at UWC and he is now a teacher at Delft Technical High School. Often times, we never get to see the rest of the story. God in his sovereignty knows when you need to be reminded of His handiwork in our lives and those whom we meet daily.
In a few weeks, we will begin to experience the beautiful joy of spring – new beginnings. On 12 September, our Western Cape Team will host a Harvest Celebration breakfast for donors and friends to join us in celebrating what God is doing in the Western Cape. We will be joined by current student and community leaders as well as past laborers with CCC. As you think of the Western Cape over the next month, pray for Natanial teaching children and witnessing with his life and words to high schoolers and pray for our Harvest Celebration. We are trusting God to remind us of how far we have come, present clear ministry vision and gather more local connections.
Praising God for your partnership,
Melanie Best
Best Times 