Although we are home, we have left part of our hearts in South Africa

Praise God that He has brought us all home safely to our loved ones, and to our local churches. We rejoice in all that God has accomplished on this trip, but not just in "bricks and mortar". We rejoice in what He has done in the hearts of His people. He has bridged a gap, across many miles and ocean, to join together brothers and sisters who have a common call to spread the good news of Christ. I can tell you that although God's people need our resources in South Africa, our time spent with the believers their convinced me that we need their spiritual hearts and faith of steel!

As I reflect back on all that our team gained on this trip, it is far more than just memories. It is the recognition of the amazing faith that exists in a country where most people do not know where their next meal is going to come from. Where jobs are scarce, and resources almost non-existent. Yet their faith can move mountains! During my time in getting to know the hearts of these people, I came to understand many of the things they have given up to answer the call of Christ in their lives. Many have lost most of their families, or have families who have forsaken them because of their faith. I came to the awareness that people all of this country WANT to know the Lord and His word... they are just waiting for someone to point the way. Pastors are shepherding churches with no former training because the needs is so great! 50 churches alone in the district we visited, had no pastor to lead them. Resources are not there for those who are called to attend training and yet we have been given so much in abundance. As I spent time with Dr. Lockard, Academic Dean of NTC, I found that on her desk alone she has the names of 50 students that want to attend NTC to get trained in the Word of God, but they have no money for the fees. In Ethiopia alone there are 1,500 students listed who want to learn God's Word through NTC's distance education, yet there are no funds for scholarship. Folks, this is YOUR CALL! We have the resources; we have the nickels and dimes that collectively can feed a nation the truth of God's Word. Please partner with us in helping these students to get the training they need and to provide them with adequate facilities to accomplish God's purposes.

For more information on how you can be a part of this great vision, contact Bruce Jacobson at mrbruce@nc.rr.com or Resa Cross at resacross@nc.rr.com. We will give you direction as to how you can partake in bringing blessings to the people of South Africa in a way that has eternal impact. Thank you for your prayers and your support of the gospel in this great country called, Africa.