These past few weeks have been quite a ride. For the last 3 weeks, we've been in complete Holiday Club mode. We just wrapped it up last night with a great program put on by the kids for their parents. The Lord provided for us in a big way. We had 6 volunteers from Calvary Chapel Cape Town come out and help us with the event, the farm provided a great hall for us to hold the VBS, and we saw God connect with kids in a radical way. There were games, food, prizes, crafts, and great Bible teaching provided for the kids for 3 days. It was awesome! Over 75 kids attended the Holiday Club, including kids from 4 different farms in the area. It was hard work, but the reward in seeing the impact that God has on these kids was priceless.
The 2 youngest age groups learned a song that week, along with motions, and performed it at the program last night. The next group memorized and recited 3 memory verses (Psalm 37: 3-5). And the oldest age group delivered a great skit that they rehearsed that week. Mike ended last night's program with a captivating gospel message. People got saved! Praise the Lord!
We have so much fun at our weekly times together and we see the Lord in them. But, when we are not there they face the darkness and we know they struggle to be the light. 3 children from Vlakte Bricks were just removed from their home after being violently raped by their father. They will stay in a home in Klapmuts until they are told it is safe to return home, what ever that means. The majority of these kids are sexually abused and it is never dealt with legally. Most of the parents abuse alcohol which results in physical and sexual abuse. The parents also spend their money on alcohol, so many times they can't afford to feed their kids. It isn't unlikely for the kids to go without food for days at a time. These children witness physical fights, partying, theft and sexual immorality every week, sometimes daily. Our mission is to encourage them to secure their foundation in Christ, that they would not be swayed. The temptations are surrounding them and they don't have any other examples in their lives other than failure.We are teaching them to rely on God's strength to make the right choices. Hence the theme for Holiday club, if you are anchored in the Lord you will not drift away or be moved by the weight of this world.
Emerson is growing and changing so much too. She is now 18 months old, running, talking and singing all the time. She sings hallelujah at the top of her lungs with Anson and is starting to say sentences like, "I had juice mama". She is still such a little peanut though, but she's a toughie. We would love to hear how all of your families are doing and growing and changing. It is such a blessing for us to be connected with you, so please write. I've been meaning to upload & post this onto the blog for quite some time...
It's a devotional that I shared while the team from CCT was here... all the way back in September. Joy's dad sent over a digital voice recorder with the team so we could post various messages on the blog. (Thanks Pop!) Please listen & enjoy...
boomp3.com
Take care and God bless <><
Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD. -- Psalm 31:24
As summer approaches, we are getting busier by the day. We continue to minister to the kids on the farms each week. (Tuesdays @ Vrymans Fontein & Thursdays @ Vlatke Bricks) Currently we're organizing a Holiday Club
(Vacation Bible School) for when they are out of school next month. Please keep this in prayer, as there will be many kids attending & we will be in need of helpers to assist us.
This month we were also invited to a Primary school (grades K-8) in nearby Klapmuts as guests for a school-wide assembly. I had the opportunity to lead 1,200 kids in some of the songs we do on the farms, and Mike gave his testimony & a great Gospel message. When the invitation was given to accept Christ as their Lord & Savior, about 3/4 of the kid's hands were raised. We were invited back the next week to start an after-school Bible study for the older kids at the school (ages 8-14). 
We've had 2 bible studies so far, and there are about 65 kids consistently coming. Mike challenged them with some homework the 1st week & about 20 kids showed up the next week with their homework completed. It was so encouraging to see the kids put in the effort & really examine their faith in Christ.
The birthing of the church is going great too! We are getting to the point where we really need to find a venue for the study soon. The Portland's home is busting at the seams on Sunday nights. God is faithful to add to the church. We are so blessed to know that God is the One doing the work & we are merely the instruments carrying out His work.
We thank you for all of your prayers & support. Please continue to pray for God's provision for our family, as well as the ministry. Please pray that God would provide a home for our family & a vehicle to accommodate the needs for the ministry. Please pray for our family as we enter the Christmas season, as this is our 1st Christmas away from our families.
We love and miss everyone. We would love to hear how all of you are doing back in the States. Drop us an email anytime at:
sextonsouthafrica@gmail.com
Take care & God bless <><
Anson, Joy, and Emme Lu
“Give unto the LORD, O you mighty ones, Give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.” -- Psalm 29:1-2
These past 6 weeks have been quite intense & filled with so many opportunities to further the kingdom of God. The Lord is adding to His church daily. Lives are being changed, including our own. We are in the midst of something that is so much bigger than we could imagine.
At the beginning of September, our laptop went out of commission & was in the shop until this past Tuesday. It is great that it is now back in business! So much has happened since our Macbook decided to go on Holiday...
A team from our home church, Calvary Chapel Tustin, visited during the 1st two weeks of September. 
We spent much time in the nearby township of Mbekweni at a number of creches (day care/pre-school). CCT's puppet ministry was a big hit with the kids & we were blessed seeing the smiles of all of the beautiful children.
We also spent a day at the Bowy House -- a facility that serves children, parents and families living below the poverty line who have been impacted by HIV/AIDS. The Bowy House was created to address the physical, spiritual and psychological needs of needy, symptomatic HIV infected children and their families. The team brought along the puppets & the kids loved them! The children lead us in some great "Sunday School" songs that was such an amazing time of worship to our Father in heaven.
The following week we attended the Calvary Chapel Africa Conference. Pastor Barry Stagner (CC Tustin) and his wife, Teri, were both speakers at the conference -- so we had another week to enjoy their fellowship & learn from the awesome teaching that the Lord imparted unto them to share at the conference. 
Along with the Stagners, Phil Pechonis from Calvary Chapel Woolacombe, Mike Harris from Calvary Chapel Beachside (Huntington Beach), and Greg Opean from Calvary Chapel Redlands were the main speakers for the conference.
The conference was one of the most intimate times that we've had with the Lord -- with continual teaching, worship, and fellowship. God solidified & confirmed His heart for this nation within us during that time. We walked away changed forever & can hardly wait for next year's conference.
The Bible study at the house is really beginning to take off as well. We are already having to pray that the Lord would begin to open up doors to a venue that we could use for the study, as we're starting to out-grow the Portland's living room.
We are also holding weekly bible studies with the kids of 2 farms outside of Paarl. Within the past 2 weeks we have witnessed dozens of kids accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. Just from one week to the next you can see a change in many of the kids. God's mighty hand is upon those farms & we believe that God can and will do great things.
We miss everyone & hope that you are right where God wants you -- doing His will. We thank you for your prayers. They are being answered every day. We also thank you for your financial support. Please continue to seek God as to how you might participate in this ministry, as we daily seek His face & ask Him as to what He would have us do to further His kingdom.
In Christ <><
Anson, Joy, and Emerson Sexton
"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." -- Phil. 3:14
This past month has been amazing! We have had so many opportunities to serve Christ & see Him work through our lives. I have found that as God works through my life, He is working in my life as well. (Wow, what a novel concept.) The goal in all of this is to do the will of God in planting this church in Paarl & responding to the prompting of the Holy Spirit on a daily basis. The prize is not something we tangibly attain, but the prize lies within bringing glory to God.
We have begun to establish relationships with people in the community. It's a funny thing how the Lord places people in your path. 
We have begun the bible study (Calvary Chapel Paarl Valley) at the Portland's house. Slowly, but surely we are confident that the study will grow -- not just in numbers, but in lives growing closer to God & His truth.
Please continue to pray for the study -- that God would use us in whatever way necessary to reach the community & spread the gospel.
We are currently living with the Portland family while we get acclimated to the culture & such a new way of life. (Going from Southern California, the absolute land of opportunity & convenience, to South Africa lies many differences that take some time to get used to.)
Please pray that our family will be able to move into our own place & start really setting some roots. We are waiting on the Lord for Him to reveal to us when & where we will be moving. Pray that God provides in ways that we can't imagine. We have already seen God's faithfulness in so many ways, and know that God never fails us.
Another practical prayer request is that God would provide us additional transportation. We are currently blessed with God's provision in having one car for both us and the Portland's to share. Our prayer is that God would provide another vehicle, allowing us to further the ministry & meet practical needs.
We would like to invite and encourage you to join our support team by committing to support us prayerfully and/or financially. Any amount of financial support, large or small, makes such a difference in our lives & the ministry. There are many expenses in living here and our visas don't allow us to work, so your support is needed and so graciously appreciated.
All donations are tax deductible and sent to us through our sending church
Calvary Chapel Tustin
330 w. Sixth st.
Tustin, Ca 92780
write in memo: Sexton/South Africa
Thank you for prayerfully considering how you might join in on what God is doing here in South Africa.
Feel free to email us at: sextonsouthafrica@gmail.com
God bless you & have a wonderful day!
In Christ <><
Anson, Joy, and Emerson Sexton
Our journey began from LAX. We left the States @ 9:45pm (our flight was delayed, of course). For the most part, the flight was not too bad. Emerson slept for most of the time, so we had a chance to relax & get some rest. We arrived into London the next day @ 4:00 pm. From London to Cape Town was a bit of a different story though. Emerson wanted to play & we were definitely a little more tired at that time, but we got through it. Looking back, it wasn't too bad. We are excited to be in South Africa now. We've had a chance to meet so many new people, and they are so welcoming. Emerson had a great time at mid-week study (Calvary Chapel Cape Town) jamming on the Djembe. Today we had an outreach planned at the park, unfortunately it was rained out. Please keep next Saturday in prayer as we attempt another park outreach to invite people to Calvary Chapel Paarl Valley.
Please pray that we get acclimated soon & that the Lord would continue to guide our path each day, as to what His will has for our daily lives. Take care & God bless <><
Anson, Joy, and Emme Lu
Happy 4th of July! As christians, we need to remember that this country was built upon the word of God. It is important to remind ourselves & continue to believe that just as God isn't finished with His chosen people, Israel, He isn't done with us either. God's saving grace stretches over all the earth & His blood shed on the cross will never fail us. God has & will prevail over all. We can find comfort in God's truth & continue to hold onto hope for our country, as we know that our King is Jesus Christ.
Isa 9:6-7 (NLT)
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His ever expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David. The passionate commitment of the Lord Almighty will guarantee this!
Even though her party was 2 weeks ago, today is actually Emerson's birthday. It was her 1st time on the carousel. It hard to believe that just 1 year ago she she looked so tiny.
Now she's so big. 
I know that she's going to have such a blast growing up in South Africa & seeing first hand the mighty work of God on the mission field. Our prayers are that this work that God has provided for us would be an incredible testimony to our children (yes, we do plan to have more, but not anytime soon), and show them that the awesome power of God is real & alive today.
In Christ <><
Today was Emerson's B-day Party. It has been such a blessing to see our daughter grow so much in just a year. Parenthood is quite a radical experience that can't be matched. Her Aunt Desi made the cutest & best tasting cakes. 
Emerson didn't know what to do with herself when she first saw the cake... 
But she soon figured it out & enjoyed every minute... 
The pinata was a big hit (sorry, I just couldn't help myself)... 
All in all, it was a wonderful time of fellowship & an opportunity to meet with friends and family before we make the big move to SA. Please continue to pray for God's will to be done in South Africa, that He would use the Portland's in a mighty way that brings glory to His name. Pray for God's provision for this ministry & that the Holy Spirit would guide us through this journey in every step of the way. Thank you so much for your love & support.
Have a great Memorial Day weekend!
God Bless <><
"We just wanted to let you and Joy know that we found a place to live..."
This news was waiting for Joy & I in my email inbox as we awoke this morning. Great news! Mike & Misty have found a town home in Paarl & are moving in June 1st. They informed us that there are apartments close by with our name written all over them, as well. We're ecstatic! So here we go. The ball is rollin' now.
God is faithful to answer prayer. I could leave it at that, publish this post, and that is completely sufficient; but really, God is faithful to answer all of your prayers with a definite yes, no, or wait.
When Joy & I were contemplating this great opportunity for ministry, we prayed for God's will to be done in our lives. With much prayer, God confirmed in our hearts that this move to South Africa is anointed & appointed by Him. (answer: Yes)
In the past, there had been other opportunities to pursue, but with God's wisdom, we knew that He had something else in store for our lives. (Answer: No)
And throughout this amazing process in preparing to move to South Africa, God's answer to our prayers have consistently required patience. (Answer: Wait)
Through all of this, there is a repeated stretching & molding of our lives to mirror that which God would have for us. There have been tests, trials, and tribulation; but there has also been blessings, rejoicing, and unmeasurable love displayed by the will of the Father.
Without all of the above, we wouldn't be fully prepared for such a journey.
We thank you for all of your prayers & urge you to continue to pray for the many aspects involved in such an undertaking. Please search your hearts & ask the Lord what you might be able to do to help further His kingdom in this awesome work of God.
We cannot express how thankful we are to be blessed with your prayers & support.
In Christ,
Anson, Joy, and Emerson
The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.
-- Lamentations 3:25
Sometimes waiting is the hardest part in God's plan. This morning's message at church encouraged me to remember that the time between when God calls you to do His work & the fulfilment of that work, we need to continue to push forward. Waiting doesn't just consist of sitting around, taking a nap, or working on your tan. No, waiting can involve your blood, sweat, and tears. There is still work to be done while waiting.
As most of you know (if not all), Joy, Emerson, and I are moving to South Africa soon. We are moving there with another family, the Portlands (Mike, Misty, and their son Michael). The Portlands moved there in February, and we are soon to follow. Our goal in moving to Paarl, South Africa is to be used by God beyond our means & reach the lost with God's gospel. Our prayer is that revival spreads throughout the land & souls are saved. We long to bring glory to God's name in a radical way.
Until we leave, we must wait. We are not only waiting for the practical things (housing, travel fare, financial support, etc.), but most of all we are waiting for God's timing. We are waiting to hear God's voice. We have received confirmation in our calling, now we are waiting for fulfilment in our calling. We hope that day comes sooner than later, but we will continue to wait on the Lord for as His word says, "The Lord is good to those who wait for Him..."
