south africa

July News

It has been another full month of camps and debriefs!

We continue to be amazed by all that God is doing across Africa, raising up leaders in local communities to share the Gospel of the Kingdom with their own people. It is a privilege to witness how He is working in places that often seem forgotten by the rest of the world.

A Reminder of the Spiritual Battle

Recently, we traveled to Transkei, a region on the eastern coast of South Africa that is home to many of the country’s most rural Xhosa communities. The Xhosas are the second-largest ethnic group in South Africa, and notable leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu were from this group.

The beliefs among the Xhosa range from ancestral worship and traditional healers, known as sangomas, to Christianity. While we were in Transkei, we were awakened one night by the sound of drumming and chanting that seemed to be getting louder and closer. Rehgert went to investigate and discovered that a group was conducting an initiation ceremony for new sangomas.

We can easily forget that there is a spiritual battle surrounding us—a battle that Paul reminds us is greater than the physical one we can see. That night, I felt the unnerving reality of the enemy who still seeks to spread fear, confusion, and doubt. Yet I was also reminded of God’s greater power. I was able to fall back asleep with the assurance that “greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

The experience reminded me that we should never be caught off guard but remain attentive and aware that we are engaged in a spiritual battle, while resting confidently in Christ’s victory.

Encouraging the Local Church and Leaders

During our time there, we served in the community of Zithulele, where a team of Xhosa believers faithfully plant churches. We had the privilege of leading a seminar on the story of the Bible, teaching it as one unified narrative. Our desire was to help believers understand the biblical worldview and God’s unfolding plan of redemption from Genesis to Revelation.

It is exciting to see local believers equipped to share the Gospel and disciple others within their own communities. Please pray that these church plants would continue to grow and that many would come to know Christ through their faithful witness.

Growing the Debrief Ministry

I have also continued serving with Le Rucher Ministries by helping develop their Facilitator’s Guide and by debriefing missionaries. At present, there are only four certified Le Rucher debriefers in all of Africa. We are greatly understaffed, but we are trusting God as we work to grow our network and train more debriefers.

As Rehgert and I travel, we continue to meet couples and single missionaries who are weary and in desperate need of rest and refreshment. Debriefing provides a unique opportunity for these servants of God to process their experiences, find renewal, and return to the field strengthened for the work ahead.