I left on Friday the 5th early in the morning heading out to Cape Town on the local train from Worcester. My initially intention was to get away and have some time to myself. Little did I know God had other plans. I was almost to Cap Town when I started into conversation with a business man on his way to work. He told me he felt called by God to the Nations but that due to his wife having a baby he was taking it one day at a time. He told me that just that week he had brought two people to the lord while living his everyday life. He said, “It’s about the journey.” As Christians we are all called to Love God with all our hearts and love our neighbors as our selves (Mark 12 v 28-31). God placed us here on earth, gave us his word and then said go to the nations. It’s not about going to another country or waiting for God to tell you who to share his word with. We have so many opportunities to tell people what we know about our savior Jesus Christ. The question is, “Do I reflect him in my life?
After I left the train God led the way. My first task was to find a place to sleep and some breakfast. I found that many people in the city where very helpful, pointing me in one direction or another. I went into many hotels but they were too expensive. I prayed I would find a place for the amount of money I had available. By the grace of God the next hotel I ended up at was perfect. The cost per night was the exact amount I told God I could afford to spend. My next stop was Table Mountain for some quiet time with the Lord and a good hike. I ended up meeting many people on my hike who I was able to share my love for Jesus with. I barely made it back in time to catch the last bus back to the hotel. One of the employees for the bus company ended up being a pastor. He and I talked about ideas for missions, how his church is getting involved in the community and outreach projects. When I got back to the hotel the staff was setting up a party for some musician friends of theirs. I was planning to head to bed but I found myself mingling and before I knew it everyone knew me as the missionary. Once again I was given an opportunity to speak to people about Christ. The strange part was that they were initiating and asking me about my faith. I listened as they shared their understanding of Christianity, Jesus and life after death. I made many new friends and met some really great people.
The next day I was going to try and meet up with a friend but was unable to get a hold of her. I ended up giving up finding her at Green Square and headed down to the Water Front. On my way I met a man who asked me if I would like to buy some magazines. I told him I wasn’t interested in buying a magazine but that I was up for a good conversation. We ended up in a great conversation about Jesus and he told me how God had been working in his life. He said he always felt that God was calling him. He shared with me how he had asked a man the day before for money and the man had said, “No”. Later that day the man came back and told him he couldn’t stop thinking about him. The man said it’s wasn’t about the money and that he wanted him to understand that. Then he blessed him with a good amount of money. He said now he knows it was God. After talking for a while we prayed the sinners prayer together and he asked God to come into his life. He turned to me after praying and said that the prayer was powerful and that he felt different inside. I knew exactly what he meant. I told him, “That is the holy spirit.” All I can say is “God is Amazing and there are no words to truly describe him!”
I found myself speaking to random strangers about Jesus. Even when I was tired believe it or not God gave me a second wind and I could go on for hours about the Lord. I was taught so many lessons throughout my weekend in Cape Town. I realized friend ship, caring and respect are a big part of being able to share you testimony with someone. By listening to others they in return listened to me. Sometimes it takes many Christians to speak into someone’s life about Jesus before they come to Christ. As a Christian I have to ask myself, “Do I reflect Jesus?”
Philippians 2 v 1-4 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than your selves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
On my last day in Cape Town I was packing up and ready to leave. Then I overheard the one of the employees telling someone the price per night for a room and it was almost twice what I had paid. I then asked why I was charged so much less. The employee explained that randomly they do deals where they give out discounts and I was one of the lucky people.
I headed out in time to try and find a Church service to attend. I could hear the worship music of a nearby church from the streets. I followed the music and found myself in a small church many stories up above an old building. I walked in to find myself being the only Caucasian person in the room. Everyone turned to look at me. I was welcomed in with open arms and everyone was so friendly. One of the pastors up front started to translate in English and I didn’t feel so out of place any more. When they asked for the new people to raise their hands everyone looked at me. I couldn’t help but smile in humor at it. When it was time to greet people everyone came to hug and greet me. That day in church the pastor spoke on missions and how we are all called as Christians to tell the word of God. I could not believe it. It was the same message I had heard from the man on the train. One of the bible verses he shared that really spoke to me was;
Ezekiel 3 v 18-19: When I say o a wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. Bu if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself.
I had heard this verse once before by a friend but at the time had not known it was a bible verse. After the service I was introduced to the pastors and many of the church people. They gave me something to drink and we talked about life. I was then invited to go to one of the church members homes for coffee. She ended up paying for my train ticket to come to her house and back to Cape Town. I learned about her life, met her family and she shared pictures. She didn’t have much and was struggling to find work. Here home was build out of a cow stable but it was very clean and well kept. She offered me a shower and made me lunch. A friend of hers joined us for lunch and we spent the afternoon talking about God. I was able to share some of my testimony with them. Her friend had been questioning his faith and by the end of our talk we prayed. I could see God working in him. I felt so at peace and so happy the whole afternoon. I didn’t want to leave but I knew it was time. My new friends said they felt God had sent me there that day and I agree that I felt the same way. As we said good bye my new friend blessed me with a hat for shade, jewelry, and some food for the road. I wanted to bless her with something as well. She did not want any money for the ticket or food. All I had to give her was a pair of angel wing earrings I had bought at the Green Market the day before and it was perfect. My heart ached as I waved goodbye to my new friend.
God didn’t stop there. On my way back to Cape Town on the train, a drunken homeless woman asked me to pray for her and I did. Like I said, “God is Awesome!” I headed back to the YWAM base on the Gray Hound bus and made it back safe. I am blessed to have met so many awesome people and have made so many great friends in just one weekend. I hope this story of my weekend can continue to inspire others.
I end my story with another scripture spoken by the pastor in Church this past weekend;
Acts 4 v 12: Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (This is a powerful statement.)
After I left the train God led the way. My first task was to find a place to sleep and some breakfast. I found that many people in the city where very helpful, pointing me in one direction or another. I went into many hotels but they were too expensive. I prayed I would find a place for the amount of money I had available. By the grace of God the next hotel I ended up at was perfect. The cost per night was the exact amount I told God I could afford to spend. My next stop was Table Mountain for some quiet time with the Lord and a good hike. I ended up meeting many people on my hike who I was able to share my love for Jesus with. I barely made it back in time to catch the last bus back to the hotel. One of the employees for the bus company ended up being a pastor. He and I talked about ideas for missions, how his church is getting involved in the community and outreach projects. When I got back to the hotel the staff was setting up a party for some musician friends of theirs. I was planning to head to bed but I found myself mingling and before I knew it everyone knew me as the missionary. Once again I was given an opportunity to speak to people about Christ. The strange part was that they were initiating and asking me about my faith. I listened as they shared their understanding of Christianity, Jesus and life after death. I made many new friends and met some really great people.
The next day I was going to try and meet up with a friend but was unable to get a hold of her. I ended up giving up finding her at Green Square and headed down to the Water Front. On my way I met a man who asked me if I would like to buy some magazines. I told him I wasn’t interested in buying a magazine but that I was up for a good conversation. We ended up in a great conversation about Jesus and he told me how God had been working in his life. He said he always felt that God was calling him. He shared with me how he had asked a man the day before for money and the man had said, “No”. Later that day the man came back and told him he couldn’t stop thinking about him. The man said it’s wasn’t about the money and that he wanted him to understand that. Then he blessed him with a good amount of money. He said now he knows it was God. After talking for a while we prayed the sinners prayer together and he asked God to come into his life. He turned to me after praying and said that the prayer was powerful and that he felt different inside. I knew exactly what he meant. I told him, “That is the holy spirit.” All I can say is “God is Amazing and there are no words to truly describe him!”
I found myself speaking to random strangers about Jesus. Even when I was tired believe it or not God gave me a second wind and I could go on for hours about the Lord. I was taught so many lessons throughout my weekend in Cape Town. I realized friend ship, caring and respect are a big part of being able to share you testimony with someone. By listening to others they in return listened to me. Sometimes it takes many Christians to speak into someone’s life about Jesus before they come to Christ. As a Christian I have to ask myself, “Do I reflect Jesus?”
Philippians 2 v 1-4 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than your selves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
On my last day in Cape Town I was packing up and ready to leave. Then I overheard the one of the employees telling someone the price per night for a room and it was almost twice what I had paid. I then asked why I was charged so much less. The employee explained that randomly they do deals where they give out discounts and I was one of the lucky people.
I headed out in time to try and find a Church service to attend. I could hear the worship music of a nearby church from the streets. I followed the music and found myself in a small church many stories up above an old building. I walked in to find myself being the only Caucasian person in the room. Everyone turned to look at me. I was welcomed in with open arms and everyone was so friendly. One of the pastors up front started to translate in English and I didn’t feel so out of place any more. When they asked for the new people to raise their hands everyone looked at me. I couldn’t help but smile in humor at it. When it was time to greet people everyone came to hug and greet me. That day in church the pastor spoke on missions and how we are all called as Christians to tell the word of God. I could not believe it. It was the same message I had heard from the man on the train. One of the bible verses he shared that really spoke to me was;
Ezekiel 3 v 18-19: When I say o a wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. Bu if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself.
I had heard this verse once before by a friend but at the time had not known it was a bible verse. After the service I was introduced to the pastors and many of the church people. They gave me something to drink and we talked about life. I was then invited to go to one of the church members homes for coffee. She ended up paying for my train ticket to come to her house and back to Cape Town. I learned about her life, met her family and she shared pictures. She didn’t have much and was struggling to find work. Here home was build out of a cow stable but it was very clean and well kept. She offered me a shower and made me lunch. A friend of hers joined us for lunch and we spent the afternoon talking about God. I was able to share some of my testimony with them. Her friend had been questioning his faith and by the end of our talk we prayed. I could see God working in him. I felt so at peace and so happy the whole afternoon. I didn’t want to leave but I knew it was time. My new friends said they felt God had sent me there that day and I agree that I felt the same way. As we said good bye my new friend blessed me with a hat for shade, jewelry, and some food for the road. I wanted to bless her with something as well. She did not want any money for the ticket or food. All I had to give her was a pair of angel wing earrings I had bought at the Green Market the day before and it was perfect. My heart ached as I waved goodbye to my new friend.
God didn’t stop there. On my way back to Cape Town on the train, a drunken homeless woman asked me to pray for her and I did. Like I said, “God is Awesome!” I headed back to the YWAM base on the Gray Hound bus and made it back safe. I am blessed to have met so many awesome people and have made so many great friends in just one weekend. I hope this story of my weekend can continue to inspire others.
I end my story with another scripture spoken by the pastor in Church this past weekend;
Acts 4 v 12: Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (This is a powerful statement.)
Hey Brandy... I don't know if u'd remember me except if you saw a pic. I said hi to you just before you guys left for N2N and we graduated from Sep09 DTS. Told you I remember your name as we prayed for the applications. Anyway was really missing Jbay, YWAM, ppl and googling and found your website and am really blessed by your openness to your growth and taking us along on your journey. By the way I am from Cape Town too. Also on outreach I experienced the same, even when you tired but God is nudging your heart or creating opportunities, when you step out God gives the strength. May God bless you, favour you, come through for you as you prepare for and go on outreach with provision, but also wisdom, strength and protection and divine appointments, and also coming back to Jbay and whatever is next for you, may you continue to be led by him. If you come to cape town again you welcome to let me know and I'll come say hi :)
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