Family

October 20, 2011

Family

We had the most enjoyable weekend away at Paardeberg Mountain. This beautiful mountain range between Paarl and Malmesbury, South Africa has become a second home to many of the churches that use the facilities at Paardeberg Mountain Retreat. Paarl Valley Baptist Church had a great time of encouragement around God's Word and fellowship amongst brothers and sisters in Christ at this years Family Camp.

Exner & Jorden Families

The weekend started off with a Bring & Braai. It was great being able to hear what the Lord has been doing in the lives of the people in our church around such a terrific meal. The evening continued with time spent around God's Word. Brett Keyser led everyone in a study and discussion time focusing on how we as a family (husband, wife and children) can be serving the Lord in our local church. The night ended with a lot of laughter around some board games.

Fun & Games

Saturday morning we were pleasantly surprised with a delicious English breakfast prepared by the men in the church. After a prayer time together we all gathered down at the gymnasium to enjoy a few games of volleyball. The rest of the morning was spent relaxing and enjoying the beauty of Paardeberg Mountain Retreat.

Andre showing Iwhan & Rianke how it's done!

The Lord has greatly encouraged our hearts as we look back on a weekend with our church family. The Lord has blessed so many lives and how wonderful it was to see the spiritual growth in so many of the families attending the church.

We would greatly appreciate your prayers for Paarl Valley Baptist Church as this church continues to reach out with the gospel to the people of Paarl. What a great way to be able to serve the Lord as a family!

"Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age. Amen."

Matthew 28:19-20

written by: Michelle Rensburg

Comments

Deon's Testimony

I was born in Boksburg, South Africa, and lived in Benoni and Roodepoort during my childhood and teenage years. I grew up hearing the gospel from my Dad. At the age of twelve, I realized I was a sinner and asked Jesus to forgive me of my sin believing that He died for me and rose again so that I might have eternal life through Him. (John 3:16;Romans 10:9-10) Four years later in obedience to God's Word, I was baptized. During my high school years, I observed and assisted my dad and other men from our church in providing support at a local informal settlement in Johannesburg. Through this opportunity and upon meeting my wife and seeing her desire to serve the Lord I began to consider studying for the ministry. Shortly after Michelle and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary we moved to Cape Town so that I could study through the Church Ministries Institute. The Lord taught me so much during those years of studies and as I worked towards and completed a Theology degree. After completing an internship with Paarl Valley Baptist Church we attended the mission agency, Biblical Ministries Worldwide's candidate class. We have served with them for twelve years in Cape Town, South Africa. We have recently completed our church-planting efforts in Cape Town and have sought the Lord's Will for our future. We believe He is leading us to Australia. We covet your prayers as we make these new and exciting changes to our ministry.

Michelle's Testimony

I was born in Harare, Zimbabwe, and grew up in Durban and Cape Town, South Africa. I grew up as a missionary kid, witnessing my parents' dedication to serving the Lord and hearing them share the gospel with many people. Through their testimony and a Sunday school lesson from John 3:16-17 I realized that I needed to accept Christ as my Savior. At the age of nine, I prayed and asked the Lord to forgive me of my sin, and a year later in obedience to God's Word, I was baptized. My parents included my brothers and me in their church planting efforts. They allowed me at the age of twelve to teach Sunday school and since that year my desire has been to serve the Lord with my life. After high school, I attended the Church Ministries Institute. Upon completing my degree, I worked as a short-term missionary, assisting church planters and teaching at a Christian school in Cape Town. The Lord brought Deon into my life and has blessed us with three children. During the past twelve years, our family has been blessed to serve the Lord among various people groups in South Africa. We are now starting a new journey and look forward to joining teammates in Australia to continue our ministry.