Every time I wanted to write a post or update, God kept me quiet.
My pen silent…
Not that a lot did not happen since we last shared, but because not everything is for sharing. Sometimes God leads you in a season where quietness and trust you will be made strong (Isaiah 30:15 TPT).
There is so much to be said, so much emotions, but silently we’re going through a fire we do not yet understand. When the voices of darkness threaten to overwhelm me, I remind myself that God is faithful, He was faithful before, He will be faithful again. And then I surrender into His loving hands – the only safe place. My heart knows this, but my mind keeps me awake at night.
All my spirit yearns for is to sit at Jesus’s feet and know that I’m in His perfect will and not missing any step in between. I want to drink from His well of living waters, so that life can flow out of me. He knows my heart without me saying a word. Abide in Him.
“O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, In the secret places of the stairs, Let me see thy countenance, Let me hear thy voice; For sweet is thy voice, And thy countenance is comely.” (Song of Solomon 2:14)
Maybe the silent pen is leaving a blank space for the next season to bloom in. . .
With great joy and relief, I would like to announce that the book I was writing is finished! Busy with final touches and then looking forward to publish in January. Just a heads up, it is in Afrikaans! We looking into translating it to English. Ordering would probably be through email.
Otherwise, we found brethren to fellowship with and sharpen each other. God is good. Thank you Abba.
I am also grateful that Abba is preparing our hearts for seasons to come and doesn’t just drop us into it unprepared. I was blessed by this quote: “Without God I am not giving one step, but with God I’ll go to the ends of the earth.”
Have blessed family time everyone as you prepare for a new year. Keep on growing.
As I’m pondering how to write this story, the words in my head struggled to take shape. How can I put to words this experience? To give God all the glory without it turning into a book. In order to tell the testimony of birthing Lisa, I have to start at the beginning.
It began more than two years ago when God started talking to me about having another baby. He also gave me a vision of a child. I seriously doubted my capacity for five, at times I even convinced myself that I’m not hearing correctly. Then the dreams started of me being in labour and delivering my own baby. We joked that, should I fall pregnant on the road, it’s going to have to be an unassisted caravan delivery. I prayed that if a fifth child is what God has in store for us, to please prepare Tian’s heart as well, but God knows my husband’s heart better than I do.
The vision of the child I had – God reminded me of this photo of my mother and then confirmed it through this prophetic painting given to me on Lisa’s baby blessing by Yolandi.
We found out we’re expecting in Hazyview and from get go I was in warfare. Holy spirit led me into serious prayer walks and there He stilled my heart with scripture: Exodus 14:14.The battle was His to fight, I could just rest in Him. Later it was confirmed through a friend. We did feel led to not share the news, mostly because of the warfare, but also because the world does not take kindly to big families and to avoid the conversation of not taking the medical route. It took time to strengthen our hearts for the journey ahead. It did come with a lot of persecution and fighting off fear that people spoke over us. For some background: in medical terms I’m considered high risk – I had two previous caesarian sections, I’m advanced maternal age and a grand multipara (five or more pregnancies).
Despite the medical facts, we knew that God prompted us to do this in faith without medical assistance. In some circles this is called a free birth. The law has also recently been changed that no midwife is allowed to assist a mom with a previous caesarian section outside of a hospital setup.
During my pregnancy, I read this in a devotion that strengthened my heart: Everything that God tells us to do is for our benefit. This statement is a truth that we need to settle in our hearts and our minds. Everything that He tells us to do leads to victory if we stick with it. The testing of our faith, and allowing patience to work in our life, have their benefits. God is trying to help us grow! He wants us to be perfect and complete, lacking nothing! – And with this, I would also like to add that sharing my testimony is not to say this is how everyone should do it. My heart is to encourage brothers and sisters in Christ, that anything is possible with God and asking yourself: What is God prompting you to do in faith??
When we were in Kosi Bay I started bleeding. It was hard for me to take authority, but I prayed, surrendered and chose to put my trust in God. Tian felt not to go for a sonar and to trust God, but I felt I needed the reassurance. I layed it to rest for a while and first prayed about it. While we stayed with the Fouries, we covered the baby and pregnancy in prayer with the Mele family which really uplifted my spirit.
Now, I wish I could tell you once you choose God’s path that it is smooth sailing from there, but it is often quite the opposite. The enemy came at me hard. I would suspect that majority of women feel this way during pregnancy. It is a vulnerable time for any woman.
Encouragement with scripture I put on the bathroom wall as part of warfare!
Only six weeks after the bleeding, I finally felt peace to go for a sonar and found out we’re expecting a little girl. Everything was perfect, with no indication where the bleeding came from . I was told to book with a gynae as soon as possible because of my age. I just calmly responded that I won’t receive any death spoken over me and my baby.
God provided a home for us and I was led to prepare the property spiritually for the birth with spirit led prayers over a period of time.
The closer we came to the date of birth, the more anxious I became and doubt flooded me with thoughts like: “Will I really be able to do this?”
I was tempted to think it would be easier to opt out and have a caesarian section, but I knew it wasn’t an option.
My body started to prepare for delivery and I had prodomal labour almost every day from 36 weeks. It was mentally and physically exhausting. During this time, God worked in me and dealt with a lot of fear and control. Complete surrender is what God desires.
My dear friend Yolandi came and prayed over my growing tummy and anointed my scar – it was such a precious moment and we could feel the chains of fear fall off. The day before I went in labour, God revealed more anxieties in me and Tatiana and I could pray over it, bind it and the final release come.
I felt some contractions at the dinner table, but kept quiet to wait it out. Past eight that evening my eldest daughter, Nanke and I went for a stroll, I thought: “This might be it tonight!” We were swinging peacefully together when I said: “You’ll probably have a sister tonight.”
At ten I was hopping on the birth ball through contractions and by ten thirty Tian had a warm bath ready for me. My waters broke eleven thirty. I got out of the bath to try positions to help head decend and by now the pain was unbearable. A few contractions later, l got back into the bath, sitting up so that gravity can do the work and groaning through the pain.
I clearly heard Holy Spirit say: “Get out of bath now.”
I got a huge surge of contraction and melted into Tian and Nanke’s arms while bearing down. Lisa just gently slided into Tian’s hands, whilst the song “Praise” by Megan Tibbits was playing. Lisa was born 11 February at 00h57, weighing a whooping 3,7kg.
It was a sacred moment, where God showed up tangible. Thank you Abba for doing the impossible on a next level!
It is so easy for our human nature to become complacent, that if we don’t allow Holy Spirit to lead, we can easily miss what God has planned for us. Despite how difficult it could be to the flesh – God gently leads us and patiently prepares our hearts.
Four years ago we were busy selling everything to go on the road. We looked liked loons to most people. Yes, it was painful letting go! Our old way of living in a home had to die for a new caravan life to start. Leaving, with our youngest being only two months old, into the unknown, I still don’t know how I did it, but Christ in me willing me.
Not realising that a few years along the line, our caravan became my new complacency, God put us to the test again. Are we willing to give it up? So, prayerfully we gave our caravan to the Cronje family as a home. God providing for them even before they realised they had the need. Yes, I had to mourn, not only what was our home for the past three plus years, but also the journey. Guiding our kids emotions through these many changes was no easy task, I desperately needed God’s wisdom.
We left Kosi Bay with a rented trailer carrying our belongings, not knowing where to next or how. I was ready to sell the last bit we own and just go to Indonesia! But God said it is not the right time. When God finally started talking after a period of stripping and silence, we thought surely we must be hearing wrong!
Now, four years later God led us to buy a new home with the little we own. It seemed like an impossible task, but God provided everything we needed to start afresh. Or is it really afresh?
Maybe God wants to do something completely new and different! Something we can’t see clearly yet, but He requires the step of faith in obedience. To the world we might look like we failed, but in God’s eyes we’re exactly where He wants us – at His feet…
And how great is God to confirm what He is doing in the spirit, by also manifesting it in flesh! As we enter this new uncertain season of birthing something new in our hearts and lives, we’re also awaiting the birth of our new baby girl. God is good all the time. He is in control. We welcome little Lisa into our Bear home, we are convinced she will complete our family and bring something special to God’s kingdom on earth. It might not look like how we imagined it to be, but we know that what God has in store is so much better than what we ever dreamed it could be.
We bless you dear reader with the encouragement and boldness to take the leap of faith for Christ Jesus. Say yes to his plans and you’ll be blown away, despite hardships.
I can’t believe April has come to an end already! Where did the time go? We’ve finished the repairs on our caravan and we’re back on the road after four months in Gauteng. During that time we went on a missionary trip to Indonesia. After five years of prayers and waiting for the right doors to open, God came through. It was incredible and God placed a love in our hearts for the Indonesian people. In our hearts we feel God prompting us to go back long term, so we are trusting God to open the right doors at the right time, especially long term visas.
This past month, we felt to use the time to connect with disciples and get to know some of them better and catch up with others. And the best fellowship is always when we stay together! I can testify that it has been a blessed time in the Lord with brothers and sisters and meeting new people along the way, who loves the Lord and is seeking God for His perfect will. Thank you to everyone that opened their homes to us. It was a incredible month.
God is doing a great thing and I hope that everyone reading this is part of that somehow.
We’re blessed with a stay in the bushveld. God knows how much I enjoy the bushveld, so I feel like God wrapped this gift especially for me. Also the kids get to spend time with their grandparents.
All the other disciples are doing well and growing and trusting the Lord for specific things. Please check out the disciples page and their social media links and reach out as spirit leads.
Until next time, May God keep you all and continue to run the race.
I started writing this update from our car as we making our way back to Gauteng. We had an amazing time in George with fellow brethren. We had the privilege of attending Marc and Carly’s wedding – fellow disciples- and it was truly special. This is also the couple that we will meet up with in Indonesia! As the time to go to Indonesia draws near, we are preparing, praying and listening. With that also hardships, persecution and we realize it will take a Good-size miracle to get us to long awaited Indonesia.
It is also with a heavy hearts, after long time in prayer and fasting that we are blessing Bradley on his separate journey to follow the path God had set apart for him. We wish you a joyful, awestruck journey with God. God willing our paths will cross again as with all other disciples.
In the meantime, our caravan has to go in for a service and long overdue maintenance work to be done. So God led us to rent a small townhouse for time being. Please pray with us for all these things to follow through God led.
We would like to remind you not to neglect Jesus during this holiday season. Re-evaluate what you treasure most. Look in retrospect of this past year where you might have missed God’s voice and how to pursue Him more actively in the year to come.
Ephesians 5:14-16 KJV
[14] Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. [15] See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, [16] redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
We’re watching the beautiful sunset over the ocean on the West Coast. Every evening is a new masterpiece of artwork from Abba! Then, at night we fall asleep with the thunderous roaring of waves. How magnificent is the work of His hands? I stand in awe and I will miss it, but again it’s time to raise the anchor and sail onward.
Our season at Lambert’s Bay was good. It was encouraging to see the growth and the promises of God, that He is at work despite what things might look like in the physical. It was a blessing to meet up and reconnect with our family in Christ and find them well and growing despite hardships.
This year was an exceptional flower season and what a blessing to experience the beauty of colours! No photo can compare to seeing it in real life. When the sun comes out, the flowers gleam, but when it is cloudy they slumber a little longer. As to remind us that we can only fully bloom when we look to the Son!
The ministering highlight of Lambert’s Bay was the opportunity to share the gospel both at the primary and High schools. Fellowship with everyone was blessed and powerful. We were reminded again of the importance of discipleship. To be God’s hand and feet in a broken world, connect people, rekindle and ignite hearts for God, and point people to Jesus. We also had the privilege to meet up with Quinten again and minister hand in hand to the community while handing out food parcels.
We had the unfortunate experience of opportunists coming into our tent at night while we were sleeping. They took food, milk, toys and all our paint and brushes. In times like these one really gets challenged to search your heart attitude and to walk in forgiveness. I was also reminded of a cleansing prayer for the trauma and violation. God is good.
Tian was promoted to make our way back to Gauteng and God confirmed it in my heart as well. We’re looking forward to seeing family and friends again, but also wanting to spend the time wisely to pray into Indonesia.
It’s that time again. It’s MOVing time! We are leaving George after almost four months! We really enjoyed our time here. The people are so friendly and welcoming. We have been exploring the city and met people from all walks of life. We have also been meeting with other missionaries from all over the world and learning from them.
**People We’ve Met**
We have met so many amazing people since we arrived in George. It is amazing to experience how God connects people. We have met people who are passionate about Jesus and have been inspired by their faith. We have also met struggling people, and we have been able to offer them hope and support. We are so grateful for all the people we have met, and we are so glad that we have had the opportunity to connect with them. In Carmel, we found a home and lasting family relationships. We would like to highlight meeting with Indonesian missionaries, and we’re blessed with Indonesian gifts.
**Things We’ve Been Up To**
Here are some of the things we have been up to:
* We all took up Indonesian, learning the language.
* I joined the Carmel prayer group every Wednesday morning and was reminded again how important prayer is.
* We had fellowship often during Sunday soup and praise and worship afternoons.
* We attended a few church services at local churches. I was moved by the praise and worship of the deaf community!
* Meeting disciples of Jesus, sharing stories and learning from each other.
*We could sort out Tian’s eyes by a recommended optometrist.
* I had a blast with our rock ministry at Carmel.
* We served local kids with love and soup on youth day.
* Bradley was blessed with keeping his own veggie garden at Carmel.
* The kids had so much fun with their new friends and meeting other missionary kids serving in other parts of the world.
* Living community in a different sense was amazing!
* The babies loved the prayer walk, exploring and playing at the “parkie”.
* We were blessed and honoured to send the Cronje and du Preez’s families prayerfully off into the mission field.
* Visited the local transport museum
* Baboons had a food party in our tent while we were on a gospel mission.
We are so grateful for all the experiences we have had during our stay in George. We’ve grown, and we have made so many new friends. We are excited to continue our journey and to see what God has in store for us. We’d be in Sutherland soon and hoping our YouTube video won’t take too long to put together.
What, then, shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Rom 8:31
Guys, what an honour to serve and labour for Jesus. We might not always have things figured out and need growth in many areas, but God is at work. Philippians 1:6 says: “being confident that He who has begun a good work in us, will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
We managed to get our passports, so now we are ready when God says GO to the nations. Think of us in your prayers that God will make a way to Indonesia. That He will prepare the place and people’s hearts.
We’re still in George. And God is really growing us in the area of community living! At the missionary retreat, we connected with Indonesian missionaries. Also, we joined in on the retreat fellowship routines, prayer and worship. We feel so blessed by everyone we’ve come in contact with and built relationships with. The kids all of a sudden have a string of missionary friends!
I’m really seeing how God’s heart is to connect people and the body of Christ, coming alive and starting to function as God intended! While we stayed with the du Preez, we joined a kickstart, and it is amazing how God moves when there is unity and transparency among disciples! Twenty-one people living under one roof, with one goal – to do what Jesus commissioned us to do. Praying and coming against the enemy. The men got to serve and preach the gospel at a local shelter. Jalusi found Jesus and was baptised. It was incredible! Hope to share more on our George video soon.
Our art ministry: I’ve never written about our rock ministry. We left rock art and blessed special people with scripture rocks at every place we’ve been. We love it! Our art also took the form of a tree house, paintings, drawings, and the Jesus cow shed. We got feedback that the shed is thriving and doing what it was set out to do! Thank you, Jako and Judicka, for doing the follow-up work on the shed. I feel so blessed that God’s word never turns back void!
In closing, I want to encourage you not to get too caught up in the business of this world and miss God’s whispering. Stay close to Abba’s heart.
We’ve been in Jeffery’s Bay for more than a month now after departing from East-London. After a busy season, we’re once again called into rest and fellowship. We met Jako & Judicka who are green markers on the TRL map and Oom Jan & tannie Ruth with alot of missionary experience! We are truly blessed to learn from and be inspired by them!
God is really speaking to my heart about giving the gift of the gospel in love. It can so easily become task orientated, performance driven or just something on a to-do list. I shared the gospel the other day with someone that just wanted me to join their pity party. I felt condemned afterwards for talking straight and a bit harsh. God comforted me in His word that showing mercy is giving the truth in loving kindness. The truth hurts, but without His truth we won’t grow or mature. Some need to be pulled from the flames and hard hearts need a scorcher. I trust that my words are from Abba’s heart and not from mine!
We feel God prompting us to start the process of getting our passports ready. Indonesia has come up a lot recently and also an invitation to Swaziland. No idea what God has in store for us, but we have willing hearts and trust in His perfect timing. I for one feel completely unequipped, but I know in our weakness, He’s our strength.
Soon we’ll be making our way to George to join fellow brethren for a kickstart. Always excited to see what God is going to do. And having fellowship with the body of Christ.
Out of our hearts we thank everyone for praying for us, ploughing into this ministry and encouragement.
Jesus love and greetings to all. From the Bear 🐻 family and Bradley.
With a heavy heart, I’m reporting that the enemy is very active. People are being deceived, thus causing people to forsake the Faith or compromise on Godly living. We experienced things that you would think only existed in movies. People are practising witchcraft, ancestral worship and just plain weird beliefs.
When we want to share Jesus, some people argue that everyone who talks about Jesus, only wants money. There are so many churches, some in backyards, it’s hard to keep count, but where are the life and the fruit? Word got out that “church” is the new money-making scheme. We are evangelising against a false Jesus.
People are hurting. Many are in chains without knowledge of freedom. Others roam in their good works. Elsewhere people are drowning in religion. While others blatantly reject Jesus. Who will go?
The spiritual battle is real. Demonic forces hit hard! We, as light bearers, are sometimes ignorant about the weapons Jesus equipped us with and how to utilize them! But it is in the going that we get schooled. We often feel that we must do more to show people the living Jesus, but not sure what that practically looks like. Then God lovingly reminds us to let the Holy Spirit take the lead in every song we dance to. We have a heart-cry desire to see the body of Christ connect everywhere we go, but most hearts are so hardened.
I want to address the elephant in the room! Where are the intercessors? Where are the elders to lead and teach the young? Are there any gatekeepers and guards on the walls? Who is concerning them about the widows and orphans? It is evident in every town where the intercessors pray that the effect of darkness is much less. We want to challenge you, the reader, to ask the difficult questions and not just accept something as absolute truth or falsehood. Ask God where in the body you should function and how. There is no time to waste; we need to be awake and alert – We are all on the battlefield- are you going to engage or turn a blind eye?
Let us be concerned about treasures in heaven and not on earth where moths and thieves destroy it. Let us be Kingdom-minded and not tossed around by worldly concerns. Let us live a life of faith, where two fish and five loaves of bread fed the multitude!
family and Bradley
DisciplesOfJesus 