This Little Light of Mine

December 13, 2013

This Little Light of Mine

A year ago when our second son, Jesse, was born we came to understand that not very many people know where the name, Jesse, originates from. With our explanation of who he was in the Bible and what his name means it has allowed us to share the Good News with many people.

“And the Lord said to Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the

Beth-lehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.”

1 Samuel 16:1

Jesse Dean just celebrated his first birthday a couple weeks ago. His cake was made to look like a candle representing one year and his favorite things: lights and the song, “This Little Light of Mine.” We enjoyed watching him have fun on his special day with our friends and family.

Jesse's 1st Birthday Party!

The school year has come to an end and many people will be leaving to go on their family holidays/vacations. We look to this time of year as a time when we can continue sharing the gospel as we remember God’s love for the world.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:11

One of those ways that we do that is by baking cookies, (Well I bake and the boys like to eat them ;-) packaging them and taking them to people in our church-plant. We see this as a time to be of an encouragement to them and to tell them how much we love them.

Delivering our Cards & Cookies -
Ruan with Aunty Benita

We would like to thank you, our prayer & financial supporters, for being just that to our family this past year. Your notes and phone calls have been one of encouragement to us. It has allowed us to keep focus on what the Lord is giving us to do in the town of Malmesbury as church-planters.

A Blessed Christmas to All from Our House to Yours!

Deon, Michelle, Ruan & Jesse

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.