Hello Again!

Hello again to all of you! Sorry it has been so long since my last
update, but after four months of living at the J-Life campsite, my
training is finally over! I know you are all asking the same question,
"What's next?" Well… I'll tell you...

Remember late last year when I spent about 6 weeks living in
Vereeniging and working with the youth at Acts Family Church? Well
they ended up asking me to come back and spend the rest of this year
working with the youth again, so I'm back in Vereeniging (don't worry,
I can't pronounce it either… most English people call it 'V-Town').
One thing has changed since my stint here last year… my Dad and Liz
moved into town. They were living at a campsite outside of Heidelberg,
but in February of this year they decided to move into town to be
closer to church, and civilization. Living here also provides Matthew
and Grace, my little brother and sister, the opportunity to go to
school instead of having to home school. They are excited. Again, I
know you are all asking the same question, "What does this change for
you?" Well… I'll tell you. I get to move home instead of living with
the pastor for the rest of the year, but other than that it really
doesn't change anything… thank you for asking though.

So as of now I'm trying to figure out what a full time youth worker
does during the day while all of the youth are in school. So far
(after almost a week) my days have consisted of moving into the
apartment behind my Dad and Liz's house and planning youth lessons for
Wednesday and Friday nights. I'm hoping to also get involved in one of
the local high schools and do ministry there, which should keep me
plenty busy. Things with the church and the youth group are going
well, and I'll fill you in more on that once I have a better idea of
what's going on here (again, it's been only a week).

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support, I wouldn't be
here without your help! Be well and God bless!

Andrew Even

Oh, I almost forgot… I'm coming home for a two-week visit in July.
Hope to see all of you then!

Cheers from SA!

I can hardly believe it's been almost 2 months since training started…
what an experience!! Training started with three days in what they
call "Bush Camp", where we were divided into teams and given limited
supplies. We were then sent into the 'bush' to build shelters that we
would live in for the next three days. It was rough at times but
overall it was a great experience and a fun way to get to know some of
the other guys. Since bush camp we've been through countless lectures,
most of which have been enlightening, as well as several practical
learning activities. One of the other team building experiences we've
had was called the "2AM Challenge". We were all woken up at 2AM and
then taken via tractor trailer to somewhere in the middle of the 4,000
acre farm where we were put into teams and given a map. We then
proceeded to race against the other teams in a variety of tasks that
took 10+ hours in total… it was a lot like the amazing race, only we
didn't win any money.

I've been growing a lot spiritually and I've been able to build
relationships with some great people. There are 39 team members this
year from 9 different countries: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Congo
Brazzaville, Malawi, Swaziland, Namibia, Zambia and America. Needless
to say, it's been a bit of a struggle with so many people from
different cultures learning to live together, but it's been a lot of
fun as well.

Things are going really well and I'm enjoying myself. I'm going to
have a couple of weeks of in July and I'm really hoping to get to come
home, but for now I'm just praying about it and hoping that the Lord
will provide. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support, I
hope to see you all very soon!

In Christ,

Andrew

PS – Below is a prayer request for South Africa from one of the J-Life
directors, John Abrahamse. Please remember this country in your
prayers especially in the coming months as we approach elections.

Dear Friends of South Africa

I have never encouraged or desired forward messages BUT for the first
time have really felt lead to do one.

May I ask you to pray with me for my nation. I believe we are at a
cross roads and unless God intervenes we are destined for hard times
as a nation. There are those in influential political positions that
do not seem to see peace or justice and this threatens the future
stability of South Africa.

In 1994, Christians joined together across the world in united pray
for the peace of South Africa. It was amazing to see God intervened
as He brought peace and a leader that fought for truth and justice.
Please PRAY for our nation again – PRAY for peace, truth and justice
to prevail. Pray that those who seek the things of Satan without even
knowing it will no longer have a voice in the future of South Africa.
Pray that South Africa will continue being a voice to the world of
true reconciliation and unity. Pray that those who lead will continue
fighting for this.

South Africa will be having it's elections in April 2009 – please
commit to pray at 5pm every day for at least 5 minutes for the nation
of South Africa.

Thank you for praying

Please pass this on to anyone that has a heart for prayer.

John

And so it begins...

Happy New Year everyone, I'm off to the J-Life Campsite for training!
Today at 2pm I will be reporting to J-Life for FOUR MONTHS of ministry
training. This year there are about 40 trainees, and for the next four
months we'll all be living there at the training facility in
bunks….yippee. All kidding aside though, I'm really looking forward to
the change of pace and everything that I'm going to learn. I'm also
looking forward to April, when I will be leaving with a team of 3 or 4
of the trainees to work in a church somewhere in South Africa, where
we will be until December.

So for the next four months my internet access will be limited, to say
the least. They have internet at the campsite but I have no idea
whether I'll be able to use it. I will do my best, however, to
continue to send update emails to let you all know how things are
going.

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support, and I wish you
all the very best for 2009!!

In Christ,

Andrew