Davedine update

   Last Sunday we wrote to all of you about a girl named Davedine. We have had the opportunity to spend some time with her this past week and really show Gods love for her. To a young, colored girl from South Africa who grew up on farms all her life, in conditions that most of us couldn't imagine; the only explanation for the outpouring of love on her from across the world is God. We want to thank all of you who responded to the Lord speaking to your heart to help support Davedine and her baby. I shared with her that some of our friends from the States wanted to help her with the needs she has for her baby and at first I wasn't sure what she thought. I actually asked her after a moment of silence if that was alright. She said, "really?" And then said, "yes, yes", with a huge smile across her face. I'm sure her initial reaction was that of, "why do these people want to help me" and then I had the chance to explain that Jesus loves her and just as He has a plan for her life He has a plan to use these people to bless her. It all comes back to God and He gets all the glory!

"Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart" Ephesians 6:6

"Doing the will of God from our hearts involves doing the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, and for the right reason. That reason, of course, is the glory of God." 

-10 Power Principles for Christian Service by Warren & David Wiersbe

   Davedine is having a baby girl and is due September 19th, she is planning to name her Jodene. She is planning to finish grade 12 when the new school year begins in January, which is an answer to prayer. We have been able to buy her things like onesies, jammies, socks, blankets, binkies and cloth diapers with the support from you, our friends and family. We also have a couple care packages coming her way. Thank you so much for everything from us as well as Davedine. She has the comfort of feeling prepared for her baby and hope because people all over the world are praying for her.  You all are a big part in the ministry here in Paarl, South Africa.

God Bless,

Anson, Joy & Emme

On our knees...

... if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'move from here to there', and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

"However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."    

Matthew 17:20-21

We want to encourage you to join us, as many of you have, in prayers of worship, petition and intercession. We are in the battle, here in South Africa and there in the USA. "Prayer is the most important activity a born-again Christian can perform", says pastor Chuck Smith. We have both praise reports and prayer requests to report to you and ask of you.

We are seeing many new opportunities and growth at Calvary Chapel Paarl Valley. We are excited to have the opportunity to do another school assembly, but this time it is a high school in Paarl East. Paarl East is a very poverty stricken, colored community that we are eager to reach. We are continuing on the farms with our dear friend, Val, interpreting the study in Afrikaans. It has been great to see people in our small body serve the Lord and use their gifts. We will also be doing a community outreach in Paarl East with the Dream Team and a team visiting from Calvary Chapel Santa Barbara in August. This past week was a blessing as Mike and Anson had a chance to do worship and devotions for the Dream Team every morning, please pray for more opportunities like this.

Some of you know that I have been battling for the past year with allergies. We have been called by the Lord to the very beautiful Paarl Valley, which is also known for being the 4th worst place for allergies, in the world. The Summer months were brutal with the heat and humidity combo which resulted in eczema with heat rash on top, plus hay fever. Now the dryness of winter has caused some more skin complications and asthma. But, praise God! After trying several doctors and trying the homeopathic route; the Lord brought me to a wonderful skin clinic just down the road and we have seen much progress in the last 3 days. So, this qualifies as a praise report and a personal request for ongoing prayer. I have been encouraged by so many of our great teachers, such as Jon Courson, to press on... often times it was a struggle to go about the day and my service to the Lord and to my family.

We would like to ask a special request for prayer and support for one of the girls from Vrymans Fontein. Her name is Davedine and she is 16 years old. Davedine was one of our regulars at the Tuesday evening Bible studies on the farm, but we haven't seen her in a while. Today she came to church with an obviously, very pregnant tummy and tears in her eyes. I could see the shame and the fear on her face and was given a chance to talk and pray with her.  She was even trying to get around telling me, even though it was hard not tell that she is going to have a baby. She is such a sweet girl with a contagious smile, although, her life has been very hard with an alcoholic father. I haven't stopped thinking about her all day, trying to think of ways to help her tangibly and most importantly, spiritually. So, my plead is for your prayers for this very young teenager who has dropped out of school and has a baby arriving in September. The odds seemed to be against her already, but as we know and as Matthew tells us, NOTHING is impossible. I pray that Davedine's life will be used by the Lord despite her circumstances and that this little baby will grow up knowing the love of our Heavenly Father. Prayer is going to make such a difference in these lives. I would also like to ask anyone who feels a tugging on their heart to help with maybe a small care package of baby things or even a small donation that we can use to buy her nappies (diapers) and other necessities. This is just what the Lord has placed on our hearts and we wanted to extend this act of love to you. If you would like to help in that way,  you can just email us or post a comment and we can give you more details on how to help, but prayer is also just as important, actually more. The privilege and blessing to be a mommy really gives me a burden for girls like Davedine. 

We hope that you all are enjoying your Summer and we really do love hearing from you, so, please write or just add a comment. You all are in our prayers as our family in Christ. 

Lots of love and blessings, 

The Sextons 

Pray for Davedine...

Emme on a rainy day...

Worship with the Dream Team...

Our little charismatic daughter singing and dancing to "One Way, Jesus!"

Sunday School Worship...

Calvary Chapel Paarl Valley Sunday school class...

Abigail, Sammie, and Marlin coloring...

Penny also coloring...

Hannah and Emerson learning moves to a new song...

Dependent upon Him...

Happy fourth of July! What a wonderful day it is to think that though the States celebrate their independence; we, as Christians, also celebrate our dependence upon Jesus Christ. We need Him so desperately, and that is what we're learning more and more everyday.

Life here in Paarl is going great. We are now in the middle of winter, and boy it can get quite chilly. Thank the Lord that we have space heaters! Aside from the weather, things are heating up. We've been in much prayer for what direction the Lord is leading this ministry. As doors close, new doors are opening. The schools are all on holiday (2 week winter vacation) right now, and we've had the chance to hang out with some of the kids on the farms that we minister to. God is definitely giving us the opportunity to build more of a relationship with these kids. 

I have recently been meeting with some of the local youth pastors twice a month, and we are really connecting. Our goal is to build relationships with one another and see what God does. We meet and discuss different possibilities that we might do to reach the lost youth in our community & how we can equip the youth within the church.

Emme is growing more and more as the days pass. We've survived the potty training stage. She turned 2 last month (feel free to check out pictures from an older post). She talks up a storm and loves to make you laugh. It's amazing how much of a blessing children truly are. We thank God everyday for our precious daughter.

Just a few things you can be praying for:

We are planning some future outreaches in the community. Please pray that God would give Mike wisdom and discernment in how we can best reach the lost here in Paarl.

We currently are in need of some additional transport resources for Sunday morning church service. There are more people that want to come to church than what we can transport. (That's a good problem though... right.)

We are seeing a number of youth give their hearts to Christ. (Praise the Lord!) Please pray that they would draw near to God, and a firm foundation would be formed in their relationship with Christ.

Thank you so much for joining us in prayer. The Lord has most assuredly answered your prayers, and we are seeing fruit within the ministry. Feel free to email us anytime. We would love to catch up with you and hear how all of you are doing. 

Take care and God bless!

The Sextons

Emme having a great time with Kiki & Elizabeth...

Here she is with Natasha & Carmen...