Freedom... August News 2011

LBSC & Internship complete…(for now)

After many months of nonstop action, I have enjoyed to get away for a quiet two week break in my family’s home in the wine lands of the Western Cape. There is nothing quite like stopping to rest and take a deep breath after a season of hard work! Through the last challenging and busy season God has taught me more of what it means to take courage in the face of opposition. I realise that nothing great has ever been achieved without persevering through trying circumstances.

After six great weeks of staffing the Leading By the Spirit Course (LBSC), we graduated 20 amazing students on the 10th of June. In this leadership course (designed by my ministry leaders) the entire staff take part in teaching, facilitating, demonstrating and coaching based on our own firsthand experience of what we have learned in pioneering Bethesda as well as in other ministry settings. God did so much in all of our lives, bringing breakthrough in and through us in massive ways!
This was a very intensive time for us staff because not only were we running the school but also Bethesda House, as well as maintaining all else that we had started, with many hours a week in prophetic sessions, inner healing and deliverance, open times and other appointments. But through the grace of God it was possible to be like fountains – not giving from our own strength, but God’s abundance. We are continually learning to be fountains.
We had 10 students remain behind for a further 6 week internship in Bethesda House. This was a first for us, and an opportunity for them to get more practical ministry experience. They plugged into various ministries at Bethesda, and working alongside us, grew in insight, in a Godly character, and in their gifts. They received further guidance through book reports, discussions, and one-on-one times, and gained some experience in certain leadership capacities, with many opportunities to lead prayer and worship both at  YWAM meetings and Bethesda open times, including a 24hr worship event that they organised.
…Here are some encouraging personal testimonies from the past few months working at Bethesda House: For more infosee:www.facebook.com/pages/Bethesda-House
 "I have been blessed and encouraged in my walk with the Lord through Bethesda House. The ministry at Bethesda is refreshing, life-giving and exciting. God is getting ready to release an outpouring of His Spirit on Bethesda House that will impact Muizenberg and beyond." -Eric Karanja-


"During the inner healing and deliverance times I had at Bethesda House God brought such freedom, healing and new perspective to my life. I was able to get breakthrough in areas i have been struggling with for over 12 years. There was a safe environment at Bethesda House and the staff members were very loving and encouraging. God." -Young girl set free from eating disorder


"Through the art ministry at Bethesda House I have seen how a simple prophetic picture can really impact individuals and communicate Gods words so powerfully and directly. Learning about the prophetic alongside various artistic techniques really creates a unique place to discover more of God's heart of creativity. For me personally, my creativity has really been awakened, after many years of neglect and disinterest. I recommend it to everyone." -Felicity Davies-


 ‘Where have you been all these years? We love the vibes coming from your place, so much peace, chasing all the bad vibes away’- man from local business in village


‘Bethesda House refreshed and renewed my spirit with their encouraging prophetic prayers. I met with God in very personal and intimate ways during the prophetic worship times. The staff at Bethesda are sensitive to the leading of the Spirit and I commend them wholeheartedly.’ – Mandi Dreyer


‘I was so hungry and thinking of what I should make for supper, then I looked up and saw your building and decided to come and change my life.’- local resident


“I was incredibly blessed during my prophetic session at Bethesda House.  Everything was accurate and God used that to bring consolation, encouragement and healing to me. Wow, He is so good.” – Jenneth, a lady from one of the local churches.


After our strategic prayer outreach that I shared about in my last newsletter, we saw evidence in the news of God already breaking in with His light and justice in this recent drug bust.
W.Cape police raid illegal shebeens
Rafiq Wagiet |  6 June 2011
“Western Cape Police at the weekend conducted raids in the Muizenberg cluster of the City of Cape Town, including Lavender Hill, Capricorn Park and Seawinds among others. Police raided several illegal shebeens arresting people in possession of drugs and confiscating almost 700 litres of liquor. “In our fight against crime in the Muizenberg cluster we had several crimes prevention operations over the past weekend. Nineteen houses were searched and four people were arrested for possession of drugs. We also arrested 18 wanted suspects,” police spokesperson November Philander said.”
Light &Life @ Greenmarket square…
On Friday the 15th of July we prayed up a storm, packed our gazebo, art supplies and musical instruments and headed for Greenmarket Square in the city centre of Cape Town along with our interns, to simply share Jesus with people through a Light&Life stall. This is where we offer prophecy, healing, and free spiritual art to people walking by in this African market.  (This is the second time we have run an event in this location; the first time was last year during the world cup.)
Today’s society is becoming increasingly indifferent toward religion. Church buildings are being converted into theatres and night clubs in many “Christian” nations and increasing numbers of people are disillusioned with church and live with a false conception of God. Light&Life stalls and events take Jesus to where the people are and provide opportunities for them to encounter a living, loving, all knowing God, outside of a church building.
Our simple desire was to bless the people of the city with God’s truth, joy and love! During the four hours that we were open we saw ten individuals come to salvation, and over forty others come to experience God’s love through words of encouragement or paintings.
One story I will never forget was with a young gentleman who came and sat down at the art stall in front of me. His eyes were so big and he looked a bit puzzled. He said to me I was asking for answers to my life and just felt something draw me down this street and then I saw this stall and felt I needed to sit down!’ I welcomed him and proceeded to tell him how things worked at the art stall. I shared a simple picture and told him what I felt God was saying to him and it turned out to be exactly how he had been feeling. He confided in me and my team mate about his relapse into drugs in the previous 10 days, and his 
intense desire, but also struggle, to get free of it. There was a deep hunger for freedom in his eyes and I sensed that He was close. I shared with Him how Jesus came to us a rescuer: He rescued us from every addiction and pain, no matter how deep. Through His death and resurrection He defeated that power, and He is present with him in his addiction and ready to help. After our conversation and prayer he enthusiastically received Jesus to be his Lord and Saviour and invited the Holy Spirit to be his helper. He was overjoyed and grateful to have met with the true, living God! For more info see: www.lightlife-za.org

Holding the Fort…
In September we are running another LBSC; this time in MiddleE (i cannot openly communicate the exact location for security reasons). This training for those workers in the MiddleE has been on the agenda for 4 years, and we finally feel that the time is has come. So a portion of the team will be going along with my ministry leaders to run the course in September and October. During this time I will be overseeing the Prayer&Worship Department and Bethesda House and leading the remaining team along with one of my team mates. I would really appreciate your prayers in this regard as it is a challenge for both teams:
 – for us remaining behind: for sharpness, readiness and wisdom as I manage and lead the team in the absence of my YWAM leaders. Also, for strength for the team and spiritual stamina to push through to the end of the year. Praise God we have five new staff members joining, with more to follow in the new year!
– And for the LBSC team: obviously safety is a big issue, supernatural protection, access to food, financial provision, favour for visas, childcare, for all the students coming from the MiddleE to do the training and for strength and wisdom for the staff as they are running the first course in this location during a very difficult time in this nation’s history.


Youth With A Mission is a non-profit organization and an international community of missionaries living in trust of God to provide for our personal and ministry needs. We are currently 17000 workers in over 160 countries working to make Jesus known to all people. But all our efforts to further the Kingdom would not be possible without the spiritual and financial partnership with the rest of the body of Christ. We believe that this relationship based support promotes mutual communication, accountability and prayer.   For more info see:www.ywammuizenberg.org 
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Love&Peace

Gaylin