Donna Rudd in SA News and Updates

My new South African outfit

2011-07-11T20:52:00.006+02:00

This is my new South African outfit. It is made using the traditional Shweshwe (pronounced, "shwayshway") material and print. Here is more information about the history of this material and print pattern: http://www.shweshwe.net/article/18/The_History_of_

In August I will be attending a women's conference in the northern part of the country, and they usually have a "traditional" night where many of the women come in traditional African outfits. Can't wait to attend, and worship the Lord with all these ladies. These events are phenomenal. 'Wish you could join me!

Adding a little "Sara" to my blog

2010-05-31T21:29:00.004+02:00

Just added music to my blog. And...uh...yes...I do happen to like Sara Groves' music....a lot! How did you guess?? :-)

Much of Sara's music reflects a lot of who I am and my thoughts and feelings. Sometimes I think she must be reading my mail! HA! Every song on this list challenges me in very distinct ways. Maybe they will challenge you too.

Thanks for listening! You can see the mix list at the bottom of this page.

Donna

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

2009-12-15T01:34:00.002+02:00

My Christmas newsletter is ready, and can be found at this link:

http://hqmail.agmd.org/~donna.rudd/Christmas 2009.pdf

I hope you have an incredibly wonderful Christmas, and a blessed New Year...and all year through!

Donna

What you do wiith what you've got

2009-09-17T23:58:00.004+02:00

My brother shared this poem with me today, and I was challenged by it.

It is not what you do
if riches be your lot;
it is what you do with the dollar and quarter
that happens to be what you’ve got.

[author unknown]

IN this economy it's easy to focus on what we don't have compared to what, perhaps, we once had. It's good to refocus on what we DO have, and how God wants us to use it. And what we DO have does not only involve money. It can involve other tangible resources including expertise or skills. It can also involve less tangible resources such as time, attention, compassion.

Perhaps if we focus on God's plan for the resources that He has given us, we may be able to do more than we think.

I'm talking to myself here too! Ya know?

Blessings!

Big papers and growing trust

2009-08-25T02:44:00.004+02:00

Thanks for your prayers over the next months especially. In addition to itineration travel, I have begun working on my Seminar Paper (like a mini-thesis) for my MA program. I have head start on it due to some previous work I've done, but it's still going to be a challenge to do that amidst the travel. I guess it's just another way that God can build my trust in Him. And that's a good thing!

Busy, busy times....and surrender

2009-08-11T01:15:00.004+02:00

What a crazy-busy week it was last week. The first weekend of August I participated in two awesome services on the coast of SC, and returned on Monday, only to fly out EARLY Tuesday morning for Orlando. It was there that our Assemblies of God (U.S) fellowship held it's biennial General Council this year. GC09, it was called. It was a truly wonderful event, and a great opportunity to hear some fantastic speakers. And of course there was much business to attend to.

But I returned to Greenville really exhausted. Sunday AM had me in Easley, SC...close to home. Today, I am trying to catch up, and I think I'm almost there.

I was challenged this week in hearing the message of another missionary. He is one who serves in an area of the world that is extremely resistant and hostile to Christianity. I was challenged to, once again, surrender my life to Christ and allow Him to take me wherever He wants me to serve.

I just realized how I worded that. I didn't say that He would SEND me, but that He would TAKE me. That's so true, isn't it? When God calls you to a place, He goes right beside you all the way, and in fact, He leads you in. Not only are you not alone, but you don't have to figure it all out on your own. He is leading. He is with you. All the way!

And onward it goes

2009-07-28T02:21:00.003+02:00

Had a service in McDonough, GA this weekend, and got to stay with family in the Atlanta area. Took my Mom along to be with the family, and we had a great time. Driving on the 285 perimeter isn't so bad on a Sunday AM. I just wouldn't want to be on that stretch in rush hour!

Services this coming Sunday in Charleston and Georgetown, SC. And then barely home from there next Monday before I head to Orlando for GC09 early Tuesday AM. That's the General Council of the Assemblies of God for those who don't know. Should be a great event, and I'm looking forward to it.

I was challenged recently by the passage in Psalm 11:

Psa 11:3 When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?"
Psa 11:4 The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD is on his heavenly throne.
He observes the sons of men;
his eyes examine them.
(NIV)

It seems at times that everything around is is decaying morally, spiritually, and in every way. It can make a person want to run away or disengage from the spiritual "battle." But we are challenged to face the issues. God is on His throne. His power and authority is far greater than the issues, and He is "on duty," 24/7/365, ad infinitum. He sees it all, He knows it all, and nothing escapes His knowledge and attention. Nothing will thwart His ultimate plan. When we are tempted to throw up our hands and just run away, we must look to Him, because He is fully and completely in control.

This particular passage was brought to my attention through a regular "Missive" to AGWM missionaries from our Director, John Bueno, and I was prompted to look into the whole chapter more fully. You might want to do that too!

Sentimental Journeys

2009-07-21T02:44:00.002+02:00

As exhausting as itineration can be, one of the great things about it is being able to travel around my beloved home state of South Carolina, and our wonderful neighboring states. Whenever I can practically do so, I enjoy taking the back roads, as opposed to the interstates. The backroads are often much more direct to my destination, and they offer much more beaufitul and interesting scenery. I thought I knew my home state, but my travels have reminded me that there is much to learn. Today I headed home from Loris, SC (near North Myrtle Beach) partly by way of little Highway 917. I got a glimpse of some beautiful farmland, with various crops growing green and beautiful. And sometimes, out in the middle of nowhere, a large, beautful new home would stand, perhaps as testimony to someone's dream of living in (or never leaving!) the country.

And every once in a while, I get a chance to see someone I haven't seen in a long time! When I was studying for my nursing degree at Lander College in the 80's, I was privileged to to be a part of the Baptist Student Union. Chi Alpha didn't exist at Lander at the time, and with at least four, active Christian organizations on the relatively small campus, there was lots for the Christian student to be involved in. And involved we were! There were BSU meetings every Thursday night, and various outreaches and projects. And right in the middle of all this was Scott, our campus pastor. I don't know that I have ever met anyone with a bigger pastor's heart than Scott. We students were his "congregation" and we all knew we could depend on Scott when life was great, and...well...not so great. When my father was ill, and we knew his time on earth was short, I asked my family to contact Scott, because he would be able to track me down. Sure enough, the friends who came from Greenville when my dad passed away went directly to the BSU center, and Scott went into action. He, and all my BSU friends were such a blessing at that time!

Well, all that to say that I was able to stop by the BSU center a few days ago, as it was directly on my way home from a service. Scott was there, in his same office, only this time, his assistant is his son....that son that I knew as a BABY when I was a student. Time flies! But Scott is the same as he has always been. He still loves his students, but now he has a long line of alumni to keep track of, and he couldn't be happier. It was great to visit with him and his son that day.

And it was Scott who got after me at bit to keep up with my blog. He said my friends want to know what's going on with me. I need to do that, don't I? I plan to try and do some more frequent entries, and throw in a lot more personal thoughts. I promise that all the notes won't be quite this sentimental or sappy. But that's my mood for the day, so thanks for your indulgence...just this once!

On the Road Again!

2009-06-10T17:38:00.002+02:00

I'm back on the road for my itineration year to visit churches and speak! What does this year involve? Well, they used to call it a "furlough' but they changed that because that implies a vacation! Itineration, as it is now called, is certainly NOT a vacation. It's a full time job calling hundreds of churches, scheduling services, keeping records (LOTS of records), visitiing churches, preaching, sharing, and many other tasks. It's a GOOD time, but a very, very BUSY one. In order to return to South Africa by my goal month of May 2010, I need to raise a designated amount of funds in CASH, AND a designated amount in monthly commitment promises (pledges, where a donor commits to giving an amount that he or she designates to give each month as long as I'm on the mission field). My mission agency, Assemblies of God World Missions, assigns the budget I have to raise, based on the cost of living in South Africa, and the needs and expenses I will incur...both work and personal.

So it's a busy time, but I'm excited to visit the churches and share about South Africa and Cape Theological Seminary. And I hope to see YOU while I travel about. I truly appreciate your interest and support for my missionary service!

If you are a pastor, or in ministry with a church in some way, and would like to have me visit and share with your congregation, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me. My e-mail is:
donna.rudd@agmd.org.

Update and important clarification

2008-09-15T03:47:00.002+02:00

Some have asked me if I still need your support. The simple answer to that question is, I still need your support!! My role as a missionary has not changed at all from the standpoint of my sending agency, Assemblies of God World Missions. AGWM has asked me to get some further training that will enhance my service on the field, and so that is what I'm doing now. But I still depend on your faithful giving, and am very grateful to you for your continued prayers and support!

If you are not currently supporting me, but would like to do so, you can find a pledge form at this link:

http://hqmail.agmd.org/~donna.rudd/default_files/pledge_form.pdf

OR, you can go to the home link and find several different options for donation, including online donation:
http://hqmail.agmd.org/~donna.rudd/

This blog site that you are viewing now will tell you a lot about my work. You can go to the right hand column and scroll down to find archives of blog entries from earlier in my first term.

Thank you again...especially for your faithful prayers!

Great article

2008-08-10T02:31:00.002+02:00

I ran across this article on Janet Paschal's website. She wrote it for the March/April 2008 Homecoming Magazine. Here is the link. Good for reading...and pondering:
http://www.janetpaschal.com/pdf/tripofalifetme.pdf

Donna

The importance of cultivation

2008-07-17T21:32:00.003+02:00

I've just attended our annual Missionary Renewal (formerly known as "School of Missions") in Springfield, MO. This is a time for new candidate missionaries and veterans who are home on furlough to join together for spiritual renewal and updates. Our leadership is really working to put the greatest emphasis back on the renewal aspect. The changes are receiving pretty good reviews from most of us.
It was so good to see everyone and get connected again with friends whom I get to see so rarely! To me it feels like the tiny-est of previews of what heaven will be like.

In one of the sessions, our Africa Regional Director, Mike McClaflin, spoke about one of the four "pillars" of action upon which our mission organization is built. The four pillars are reaching, planting, training and touching. ALL of these pillars are equally vital to our work! But Mike's topic for that session was training. He used an analogy borrowed from his growing-up years in Wyoming. His dad was a farmer, and Mike grew up learning the importance of all the stages of farming, including plowing, planting and harvesting. But by far, Mike said that the stage that his Dad put the most effort and time and resources into was the cultivation stage. This stage could often be...in a word...boring! It involved watering, weeding, pest control and other constant attention. Mike was expected to be as active in this stage as anyone on the farm, and he talked about how long and boring the hours of attention and caring to the details could be. But his dad was determined that attentive cultivation was vital to the ultimate outcome, and as a result, his harvest was usually somewhat larger than those who paid less attention to cultivation.

Training in missions and ministry is a LOT like cultivation. It can sometimes be tedious and messy and a lot of hard work! And there are often not a lot of exciting stories that come out if it. But please understand...it is VITAL to reaching souls for the kingdom of God. You see, these young (and some not-so young) men and women that are studying at Cape Theological Seminary and other Bible schools like it are the ones who are reaching their world in exponential numbers compared to what we as missionaries can do by ourselves. We, and a number of Godly and talented South African leaders, are investing time, resources, talent, skills and sometimes tedious effort in a growing army of leaders who will reach their country and the world for Jesus Christ.

Why does it take so much time and resources (especially human resources)? Why is it sometimes so tedious and difficult and time-consuming? That is the nature of cultivation! It's not easy. We aren't just giving these students knowledge, but we are investing in their lives and helping them to grow and mature. It's like discipleship on massive doses of multivitamins!! We don't just want them to know the Word of God in their heads, but to let it penetrate their hearts and seep to the very core of their being. We want them to be so deeply rooted in Christ and knowing HIM, that they can know how to stand strong against the temptations and attacks that can and WILL come! And we want them to be strong in SOUND doctrine, knowing that doctrine is not supposed to be cold and lifeless. Biblical doctrine is the foundation from which the Holy Spirit's work is lived through us!! The whole "roots and wings" thing!

This is why I, and so many others feel strongly about the importance of investment in training. It's not more important than the other pillars, but it is important, and must not be overlooked.

Thank you for your continued support as I spend a little cultivation time myself. And I promise you I will make the most of it! My leadership feels strongly that I need to finish my Masters degree in order to be able to teach with the proper qualifications on the BA level. These standards are not only held by our fellowship and educational institutions, but also by the South African educational system. So, AGWM has asked me to take the two terms needed to finish the Master of Arts in Theological Studies with a New Testament concentration. While studying, I am still a missionary and still grateful for your continued support! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at donna.rudd@agmd.org.

Thank you, friends! I could not do this without knowing you are behind me!

Blessings!

Donna

When the "daily" takes over

2008-04-06T20:37:00.002+02:00

I've been reading a book full of short, anecdotal stories of missionaries from around the world, and I feel called all over again! :-) I've been challenged too! Are the daily tasks (and sometimes not so daily chaotic moments) of life sucking up all my time? I know they take a lot of energy most times! Am I too busy to notice the beggar at the stop light, or the friendly barista who serves me my "tall, black brew with wings" (that's black coffee to go). Am I doing my best to show them Christ? What about the exhausted looking young lady behind the cash register at the grocery store? How many family members does she have who have AIDS and are maybe in denial? We hear these kinds of stories often!

Many of the missionaries in the book told stories of how God used simple, almost un-noteworthy moments as divine encounters to bring someone to Him. Am I too caught up in the "work" to take note of potential moments like these? Maybe God wants me to sometimes look up from my stack of daily tasks to look into the eyes of someone he wants me to reach.

I'm preparing for heading back to the States for furlough and study in a very short few weeks, and these moments often lend themselves to introspection and looking back on what has, and has not been done. The "term-in-review" can lead to a lot of "woulda, shoulda, coulda" thinking. I don't want to overwhelm myself with this. But I do want to learn from my actions, both the mistakes and the good stuff. I want to become more like Him. That's what it's all about!

Love you all!

Donna

Praise Amidst the Soot

2008-01-26T21:22:00.000+02:00

I was blessed to be able to be home with my family in SC for Christmas! I told some friends that is was like "plugging back in to the familiar and getting re-booted." It was a wonderful time, but little did I know that life would have some pretty interesting moments when I returned to South Africa and CTS!

Most of us missionaries had been away for at least part of the break time, since the bulk of the "crew" went to a missionary retreat in Togo, West Africa. So we all kind of "hit the ground running" on our return. We had lots to do in preparing for the new term, and the new "flock" of first-year students who would be arriving.

Then came some...excitement, shall we say. On the first Friday afternoon during the New Student Orientation, I was in the office of our student deans, having a quick impromptu meeting, when one of the returning students came in and said, very calmly, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but there is smoke coming from the kitchen.....black smoke." Needless to say the three of us staff members fairly 'flew" out of the office, and off to the kitchen. We could see that smoke was coming out of the open windows that lead into the passage. The door was cool, so we opened it to be met with a "wall" of black smoke so thick, you could not see anything. Long story short, there was not much flame, and the fire was put out rather quckly, after fire extinquishes and hoses were brought seemingly from all corners. The fire brigade was called, but by the time they arrived, everything was fairly settled down.

The smoke and fire started in a large, deep fat fryer that is in the kitchen. The fryer had been turned on for use at lunch time, but immediately after turning it on, the electiricity went off. All of South Africa is contending with "rolling blackouts" due to a shortage of electricity in the country. Because the fryer had just been turned on, and it was still cold, the fact that the switch was on was forgotten in the wake of trying to determine "plan B" for lunch. After lunch and clean-up, the kitchen was closed and the staff left. So when the power came back on, so did the unattended deep fat fryer!

While power outages, and generators are part of the daily routine in most of the African continent, we are just now getting used the idea here in SA! We expect that over the next months (and maybe longer) we will have as many as 3 or 4 in a week's time, each one lasting 2-3 hours. And if they are doing maintenance, the outage can last the entire working day, as it did this past Monday. Thursday, they had a record number of outages due to an unexpected level of demand. The issues the utility company and government are facing will not go away overnight. So we are adjusting! We are thankful for the few UPS (uninteruped power supply) boxes we have on some of the computers, that keep the power on long enough after an outage so that one can save and close down properly. And we try to "queue up" tasks that can be done without electricity, so that when the power is off, we can operate as efficiently as possible. And I think we will be a LOT more aware of appliances that need to be switched off when the power goes out!

Fortunately, our fire was found early, put out rapidly, and no one was injured, so all is well. And as we went through the kitchen that Friday afternoon, cleaning away the soot and grime that had settled over everything, I could hear two of the new female students who had volunteered to help clean. They were washing dishes together and singing praise and worship songs. Two brand new friends from two very different cultures and backgrounds joining their voices in praise to God. And I was thankful!

Reaching beyond our own influence

2007-03-22T20:31:00.000+02:00

I was reading lately, in Luke 8, the story of the demon posessed man who was healed by Jesus. You know the story...Jesus casts the demons into a herd of pigs, and the pigs rush madly into a lake and drown.

Interestingly, after the man is healed, and found by his friends to be sitting, fully clothed and sane next to Jesus, they seem at first to be awestruck. The Message Bible words it like this, "It was a holy moment, and for a short time, they were more reverent than curious." But then they get scared, and actually ask Jesus to leave. I mean, He was a stranger to them, and perhaps it was just all too much for them to take in at once. Maybe they weren't sure they could trust Him.

Well, of course, the healed man wants to leave with Jesus, but Jesus refuses. He says, "Go home and tell everything God did for you. (The Message)"

Hmmm...Jesus could not stay at that place at that moment, and do any further work. But the local man could...because the other locals knew him. He was familiar to them. But yet, now, he carried the Truth in his heart! And perhaps they would listen to him, when they just couldn't wrap their brains around what this stranger named Jesus was doing and saying.

You know, the students we teach at CTS will reach many people that we (many of us being foreigners) will never reach. They come from such diverse backgrounds. Some grew up in church and "cut their teeth on the back of a hymn book" so to speak. Others chose a very hard and dark path before they came to know the Lord. But whatever their backgrounds, this one thing can not be denied. They will be able to relate to those they meet in this country, or in the country from which they come, better than we "strangers" ever could.

The fact is, the Lord sends us where He wills, and we can't be bound to strategy. But I believe that in God's economy, He uses the teachers to lead and guide students, so that they will be raised up to do more for the kingdom of God than the teachers themselves ever could.

In my current newsletter (Spring 2007), I write about a young man named Marvin. Marvin comes from a background very different from my own. And he tells me that some of his former buddies talk of how they gave up on Jesus because "no one understands where we come from. No one understands what we go through." But they don't have that excuse with Marvin, and they know it. Marvin understands. And he is living proof that God can take even the toughest situation and bring complete and total restoration and healing.

Thank you for praying and giving and helping me to invest in the lives of these students, knowing that they will carry the Message successfully into places where I could never have influence!

Donna

Christmas at the Cape

2006-12-18T12:42:00.000+02:00

Christmas in Cape Town is warm and windy! Hey, it's Summer time here. Daytime is usually warm (sometimes HOT) if the sun is out, but if it's overcast, it can be chilly with the wind. Evenings are pleasant, with a bit of chill, again, due primarily to the wind. Sometimes the wind gusts are so strong, it almost sounds like a storm outside. But it's just normal here!

Now, if you think the shopping malls are busy where you are, try being in an internationally recognized tourist city where Christmas means sun, surf and sand! The city is FULL of tourists, a good many from the northern parts of the country, but many, many from other countries. As you can imagine the malls are CRAZY! This is the very "western-ized" side of South Africa.

The other side of South Africa is the truly African side. There is some affluence within the African cultural groups, but the vast majority live in poverty. Within a 10-15 minute drive from any shopping mall are informal settlements that are every bit of what we know as the poverty of Africa. THESE are the cultural differences we face every day, and that many South Africans in ministry have known all their lives.

Thank you for your prayers! Hey, check out my latest newsletter (see side-bar, and scroll down to the link for "Christmas 2006"). Included in this issue are updates on what I'm up to this holiday season.

Have a VERY Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Gratefully,

Donna Ruth

Another kind of camp

2006-08-26T19:22:00.000+02:00

On a college campus where the student body is comprised of multiple cultures, from traditional Africans to surfer “dudes” and everything in between, you can imagine that one of the great challenges is “unity.” Even the faculty is multicultural, and it is not at all lost on us that we, as a CTS family, have a golden opportunity to represent what it means to be the “body of Christ” to a lost generation in this country.

This week was the annual CTS camp (retreat) where students and faculty “come away” for a time of spiritual emphasis and renewal. The emphasis for this camp was, not surprisingly, Unity. Activities included worship services, team building events, and lots and LOTS of discussion!

On the first night, we were sorted into teams, and our first task was to prepare our own supper. We were provided ingredients and basic essentials for putting together a “potjie” (pronounced “poy-kee”) stew. Potjie is a traditional South African stew that is cooked over an open flame in a large iron pot. But that may be where the similarities end, because lots of folks have their own ideas for how it should be made. Kinda’ like southern barbeque, everybody thinks their way is the best! “Don’t mess with my potjie!” That night turned out to be a hit, and there was amazing “give and take” as everyone learned how to work together.

The other big team building event was building houses. Yes, houses! We were given a SMALL bundle of string, and told to go into the bush (the woods) as a group and use whatever we could find (only natural items) and the string to build a ½ metre square house with a working door and 3 windows. We had about 3 hours to do this in. You can imagine that, in 3 hours, there is lots of conversation in addition to house-building. And the variety of houses was amazing.

I was really happy to be able to relate to the students in conversation outside of academics. And the event lent itself to lots of questions for me and other newer faculty, from the students about our lives and callings. College students are an amazingly inquisitive bunch, I must say!

The morning and evening services were the best, as Mark and Judy Hayburn ministered on the theme of Unity. Satan will try his best to use our cultural diversity against us to tear us apart, but we have a “higher” and more important culture called “the body of Christ” that should be pulling us together.

We learned how to appreciate the cultural differences and celebrate them, but to also make them subject to our calling as believers. There were powerfully anointed times of worship and ministry to one another as barriers were broken down and love was revealed. I can’t tell you how important this was for all of us. We feel very strongly that this is only the beginning of what God wants to do in the lives and hearts of everyone on the CTS campus.

Please pray with us, as we “lean in” to God’s Word and prayer, and find out more about where He is leading us. Thank you for praying for Cape Theological Seminary!

In Christ,

Donna

Rolling right along...

2006-03-06T15:30:00.000+02:00

Thank you for your prayers! I have found a safe, affordable, and lovely little apartment, and have been able to furnish it with all the important stuff...like a fridge, etc. And things are moving right along at CTS as I learn my new role and prepare to take it on more fully in the summer.

I'll be taking some specialized training this month that will help me tremendously in my work. This will involve a quick trip to Springfield, MO, so I appreciate your prayers for traveling mercies and quick recovery from jet lag, so that I can learn all I need to learn.

Thanks for traveling this road with me.

Blessings!

Donna

My new home

2006-01-28T19:52:00.000+02:00

Thank you so much for praying for travel safety for my friend Laura and me as we took the two-day car trip from Pretoria to Cape Town. We had good travels, and arrived safely to a warm welcome from the Cape Theological Seminary staff and missionary friends. In the week that I've been here, the Lord has helped me to find a new apartment, that I feel very comfortable with. I think it will be just right for me. I will be moving in, and finding furniture and other supplies in the next couple of weeks. Traveling safety and finding a good, safe apartment were two major answers to your prayers, and I do appreciate your participation in this journey.

Thanks for your continued prayers as I settle in to my new area of service at Cape Theological Seminary. I am at peace that I'm right where God wants me to be!

My new mailing address on the field is:

Donna Rudd
PO Box 11066
Bloubergrant 7443
South Africa

My e-mail address remains unchanged: Donna.Rudd@agmd.org

Blessings!

Donna
(Donna Ruth)

His voice of truth speaks to my heart

2006-01-09T08:55:00.000+02:00

Well, I was privileged to spend Christmas with my family and friends in South Carolina, and oh, how wonderful it was to see everyone and reconnect with those I love so much.

And now the new year holds some new challenges for me, as it does for many of you. I am constantly reminded of how much I depend on the Lord each and every day. And sometimes doubts wage a vicious war with trust in my heart and mind. But I'm reminded of the words to a song that has ministered to my heart from the first moment I heard it. The song is called "The Voice of Truth", and it's been made popular by the Christian band, Casting Crowns. The words can be found at this website:

Casting Crowns, “The Voice of Truth” lyrics

I hope that you, too, will listen only to the Voice of truth!!

Till the whole world knows!

Donna

A turn in the road!

2005-10-19T20:16:00.000+02:00

Please take a moment to check out my latest newsletter, Fall 2005 at this link:

FALL 2005 NEWSLETTER

In it I share about some upcoming changes in my work here in South Africa. Thanks for your partnership and prayers!

Blessings!

Donna

Summertime and Kids Camp

2005-10-05T16:45:00.000+02:00

What? It's not summertime where you are? Well, it may be October, but summer's just starting on this side of the planet, and that means Kids Camp! We just finished an annual kids camp for 2005, and all I can say is, it was tons of fun, though I am a little worn out from all of it! We had over 250 kids ranging in age from 4 to 15. The camp was divided into two age groups: the 11 and under group and the junior youth (12 and up). Each group had it's own services. The kids services were directed by two Missionary Associates that serve with our Jackson's Ridge camp and training center. Abby and Sarah had the kids on the edge of their seats with each service, and many children made life changing decisions for Christ!

The Junior Youth services were led by one of our own fine pastors. Pastor Odo really touched the hearts of our youth, and spoke to them where they live. It was a blessing to have him join us! He's also a great volleyball coach! Several of our pastors visited the camp during the week, and got to see first hand the ministry and activities that were taking place.

And what would camp be like without crafts and swimming and games! One of the most poputlar crafts for the Junior Youth was when they learned how to make tie-dye bandanas. They LOVED it. Do I sense a retro trend here?? I thought I was back in the 60s!

Another popular craft was flag making! The creativity was really shining for this one!

Of course, swimming was the most popular among the younger ones!

So it was a good camp, and the most important thing is that lives were changed.

And that's worth a few aching muscles! YES!

Blessings!

Donna

Worthless Ground??

2005-07-26T14:30:00.000+02:00

Once again I was cleaning my shoes.

It seems I do that a lot lately, because I find myself walking around a lot on what some considered to be worthless ground. You see, some of our congregations here in South Africa meet in church buildings that they and friends built on ground that was given to them free of charge. The only thing is, that it was given to them free because it was considered "worthless" ground, unusable for any valuable purpose. In many cases, that was nearly the truth. I know of one case where truckload after truckload of good soil had to be brought in and spread out. And then the congregation would take a period of time to "pack it down" by making it a parking lot. Then more soil, and more parking/packing, and more soil, and more parking/packing, until finally the ground was solid enough to hold a firm foundation.

Now that church has a large facility in which to meet. It's not fancy, but in our eyes, and in the eyes of our South African brothers and sisters, it's beautiful! All of these churches are beautiful, because they are the meeting places for God's people, and I believe He is pleased.

So, I'll happily continue to clean my shoes...and thank God for "worthless" ground.

Blessings!

Donna

Gorilla George and altar calls

2005-05-29T17:00:00.000+02:00

What some missionaries won't do to help another missionary! This past week, I worked with Earl and Laura Goodrich on a children's crusade that they were conducting in the Protea Park area of Soweto (the southwest township of Johannesburg). Now, to be honest, children's ministry is not my best thing. I'm just not gifted in that area. But Earl and Laura make it pretty easy, really, and I rather enjoyed it, though it is a LOT of hard work. All the props, equipment, sound, puppet stage, etc. has to be loaded each morning, unloaded and set up on site, broken down and re-loaded after the service, and unloaded again each night. All this for about 1-1/2 to 2 hours worth of neigborhood canvasing and service time each day for 5 days. We had a blast, though!

And believe it or not, on one day in particular, Laura came to me and said, "We don't have anyone to be Gorilla George.... can you be Gorilla George"? Let me explain: Gorilla George is a big BLUE gorilla. Well I agreed, and Laura helped me into the blue suit and gorilla head. Gorilla George helps "canvas" the neighborhood and invite people to the service. Really, all he has to do is sit in the back of the "bakkie" (truck with camper cover), and ride around and wave to everyone. Next to him sat a dear African lady, Lizzie, who is the children's ministry director for the Southwest Zone. "Mama Lizzie" used an electronic megaphone to call out to the neighbors as we drove around, and she told them about the crusade, and invited them to come. I.....I mean, Gorilla George....just stayed silent and waved and acted silly. It's rather interesting to be in one of those suits and having people staring at you, but not really you, because all they see is a big blue "gorilla". Sometimes it's rather nice to be anonymous! The children loved it, though some were afraid. I enjoyed the whole experience, really, but you know, I'm not that eager to jump back in that suit.

I admire children's ministers! And Earl and Laura are among the best. On the last day of the crusade, Laura explained about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit to the kids. No hype....just a truly anointed and simple explanation about how the Holy Spirit wants to empower us to be better witnesses for Him and to live for God with more boldness! Most of the kids in the audience that day were saved, many having come forward earlier in that same week for salvation. The kids who knew Jesus came forward on this last day to receive the Holy Spirit's baptism. Many of these kids were so HUNGRY for Jesus' touch. So many of them face things in life that we can't even imagine. They see things with their young eyes that they should not have to see. They carry burdens that don't belong on the shoulders of ones so young. After salvation, more than anything, they need the power of the Holy Spirit to give them strength and courage to face each day, and to walk as faithful witnesses in their world! I watched as one young man, perhaps 11 or 12 years old, cried and begged God for help and direction. And I watched as Laura stayed with him the whole time, arm around his shoulder, quietly praying with him and for him. He could not have doubted that day that "Mama Laura" and "Mamma Lizzie" and Pastor Earl cared very much about him. And I know that Jesus touched him that day as well!

As I prayed with others at the altar, I felt such a wonderful presence of the Holy Spirit. God loves each one of these children so much, and I know that He sees each one and knows each name, and walks with them each day. Will you pray with me for these and all the children of South Africa. Jesus wants them all to know Him!

Thank you!

Donna

The Granny Brigade!

2005-05-13T21:30:00.000+02:00

All last week, I joined other missionaries in working with a ministry team from the US. This team came to participate in various ministries here in South Africa, but particularly in the area of Book of Hope distributions in public schools in the Pretoria area. For those who don’t know, the Book of Hope is a compilation of portions of the gospels, along with articles, games, puzzles, stories, etc. The books are designed for school-age children, and there are three levels of the books: young primary, older primary and high school.

What made this team unique, in some ways, is that it was mostly comprised of grandmothers! They called themselves the “Granny Brigade” and came as a ministry of Book of Hope and of the Women’s Ministries of the Assemblies of God, USA. The ladies ranged in age from early 50’s to 78 years old! And boy, did they have energy! All week, the ladies amazed me with their determination and passion for the work that they were doing! And I can also tell you that the national believers were greatly blessed by what they saw in the team members!

One of the highlights of the week was a Pastors Wives and Lady Pastors tea. The ladies from the US wanted to host a time when they could bless the South African pastors’ wives and lady ministers. All I can say is that the unity I felt in that room far exceeded any language or cultural barriers! We sang together, prayed together, and cried lots and lots of “happy tears”! (You ladies will understand what I mean by that!). We were there to let the South African ladies know that we honor them and pray for them in their ministries. But in many ways, we were all blessed by that anointed time of ministry!

I hope that when I’m 78 years old, I’m still going strong like the ladies I was privileged to work with last week!

Blessings!
Donna

Joyful Worship

2005-04-25T14:22:00.000+02:00

Yesterday morning, as I attended service at one of our churches in the Mamelodi area, I was touched, yet again, by the pure joy that was displayed through the worship and singing. There is no way that words are sufficient to describe the images and the emotions. Here I sat among so many people who, in reality, have suffered much pain in their lives. The largest percentage have lost multiple family members to violence and disease. Many stuggle with poverty and discouragement. And yet when they come together to worship, the cloud of troubles that weighs upon them seems to lift, as they lift their praises to God. The whole room seems to sway, because hardly anyone stands still when they sing here! They dance, they move, they sing with abandon, not to show off or bring attention to themselves. No one is watching the others. Young and old alike, teenagers and "gogos"(grandmothers) worship and lift the Name of the only One they can depend on to meet their needs and give them real hope. On their faces are expressions of pure joy in knowing Jesus. As one, they move and sing and worship, and I'm moved to tears just watching and participating. I've never experienced anything more REAL and JOYFUL in my whole life than Africans in worship to Jesus.

I had been greatly moved by this, in particular, a few weeks ago as I attended an Easter Conference service at another of our churches in this area. As I stood in the back with some of the other ladies, their joy just seemed to "explode" through their smiles as they danced and sang and taught me to dance, I wonder if it was but a little taste of what heaven will be like.

Blessings!

Donna

Exciting news from Vezebuhle

2005-04-22T20:00:00.000+02:00

I just got this e-mail last night from Laura Goodrich, another missionary here in SA. You may remember from my previous newsletters that Vezebuhle is where the first drop-in center was established by an Assemblies of God national. Because of Anna's work with this center, others are being inspired to start a center themselves, which will help meet the needs of children who are affected by AIDS. Many are orphaned, and living on their own at home, or with elderly grandparents. Here is Laura's news:

Just wanted to share some exciting news I just received from Vezubuhle. As some of you may know they recently expanded their property and were able to acquire the house behind the centre for extending the ministry. Well, a group has offered to build them a church building on the site and it is going to be an IAG (International Assembly of God) church. Pastor Ntuli (the district superintendent) is going to start the church officially on Sunday, May 1, 2005. They began with Sunday School just about one year ago, added youth services and now a whole church is being birthed. How exciting. Anna couldn't wait to share with me and called to tell me all the wonderful news.

Think about that folks! God used an ongoing outreach of compassion for children to birth a church! REACHING, PLANTING, TRAINING, TOUCHING. They all go hand in hand!

I will be involved in meetings this weekend as the second drop-in center is being formed as a ministry of an already existing church....Pastor Ntuli's church, to be exact! Thanks for your prayers for both of these centers, and for those people that God may be inspiring now in South Africa to start the next center!

Blessings!

Donna

Hi, Folks

2005-04-21T15:12:00.000+02:00

This is my first attempt at "blogging," but this site was recommended by some friends that I trust when it comes to "all things techie". So hopefully this will provide a good venue for me to share my newsletters and updates. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the ministry in which I'm involved in South Africa, or if you have questions about the site. Thanks for your interest and the time you are taking to read these musings.
Please be sure to notice the helpful links on the right hand side of this page, most especially the "MY LATEST NEWSLETTER" link.

Blessings!

Donna
Donna.Rudd@agmd.org