I AM ADOPTED

We are traveling to Bible-believing churches to present our church-planting ministry to the Afrikaans speaking people of South Africa. 

As we travel from town to town we are reminded of God’s love for us! We are learning that Christian love can be expressed in many ways we would never have imagined. We have been shown amazing (yet simple) love through the practical kindness of the individuals and families in every church we have visited. 

Each of these congregations have shown us their very personal love for the Lord and for us as His missionaries by being our genuine brothers and sisters in Christ. 

This love and kindness has been shown in some of the following ways:

• By providing us (a family of five) with lodging, 
• By helping us to take care of our children in the Sunday school or through the nursery ministries  - something really important if Deon & I both are to meet the churches,
• By giving us gifts of clothing and toys to the children and
• By praying for us and telling us how much they love us.

One way in which we are loved, (and that I was not prepared for,) was the way in which so many have just “adopted” us into their family. Our children especially have responded to this loving kindness! Each church that we have visited over the past three years of deputation ministry have wonderfully opened their arms and invited us in to their family without hesitation. How can we ever thank these families or the Lord enough? 

Our Kids' "Adopted" Grandparents -
Mr. Don & Ms. Gail

We are reminded of God’s Own love for His children when we see this. We have been encouraged and reminded of just how meaningful it is to include this message of  “being adopted”  to all those whom we share the gospel. Every lost individual can be adopted into the Lord’s family if only they will turn to Him and ask Him to forgive them of their sin. 

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

A Chorus we Sing as we Travel across the United States:

I am adopt-ed;   I'm a child of the King.

God is my Fa-ther,   and He owns ev-'ry-thing.

He walks be-side me;   He's my ver-y best friend.

Praise God, I'll nev-er be lone-ly a-gain.

I'm a-dopt-ed, hal-le-lu-jah!   I've got a new song.

I'm a-dopt-ed, hal-le-lu-jah!   I fin-'ly be-long.

I've got a brand new fam-i-ly o-ver-flow-ing with love.

I'm a child of my Fa-ther  a-bove.

My Fa-ther chose me,   and He loves me, I know.

He will be with me wher-ev-er I go.

I'll nev-er wor-ry;   I have joined roy-al-ty.

I am a mem-ber of the King's fam-i-ly.

Please be praying for our family as we continue our deputation journey. Please pray that the Lord, in His time, will lead the churches we meet to support our ministry and bring us to the place where we can return to South Africa fully supported. We can then refocus and continue sharing the Good News. Pray with us that even now we will see many make the decision to trust in Christ and be adopted into the Lord’s family. 

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit  of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” Romans 8:15-16

“ Neem daarom mekaar aan, soos Christus ons ook aangeneem het, tot heerlikheid van God.” Romeine 15:7

Michelle's Sister in Christ, Jami