Iain’s baptism

Iain was baptised on March 12! He invited quite a few friends to join us for this special time and it was a true celebration of God in his life. Iain did a great job sharing about his commitment to following Jesus and says he is glad that each person in our family helped with scriptures and blessings for the day. Thank you to everyone who has prayed (and continues to pray) for our children with us – God is doing such amazing things in their lives.

Grandpa Lee’s visit

Melissa’s dad – Lee Liddle – visited us for the first two weeks of April. We had a lot of fun introducing him to our new city, neighbourhood, the kids’ school, and friends. It was hard to see him go, but we are thankful for the time together. I think the kids are already talking about the next time Grandpa comes to visit.

Melissa’s latest

When I was younger I always pictured myself having both a career and a family, but was naïve about HOW I would do it all!  During our last year and a half with NieuCommunities in Pretoria I realised that I had been operating beyond my relational capacity for quite some time.  So, I have been seeking a new vision about how to live as a Jesus follower who is a wife, mother, friend and neighbour.  Since returning to South Africa I have been hesitant to take on significant ministry commitments outside of our home and the kids’ school community.  Thankfully, God understands me fully.  He has surrounded me with caring, welcoming, like-hearted people who are beginning to become wonderful friends and mentors.

I have joined a weekly prayer group currently consisting of women who previously worked for The Warehouse, but have stepped back from those roles in order to be present with their children.  A couple of moms from the kids’ school and I have begun walking for exercise one morning a week in a nearby park.  I even enjoy most of my regular household duties while the kids are away at school, primarily because I get the house all to myself and no one is saying, “mommy?”  I am also able to get to the gym for a class or two each week (I can flex my triceps now;)

Tomorrow I begin volunteering two hours a week at my kids’ school with a non-profit organization called help2read (http://www.help2read.org).  Currently there are about 500 volunteers in over 125 schools in the greater Cape Town area.  I have been assigned two students who I will see one-on-one for 30 minutes twice a week.  As an early childhood educator I resonate with help2read’s child-centered philosophy and am thrilled to have an opportunity to help children learn to love books and become confident readers.

Leading worship & blessing leaders

The last few months have been very fulfilling for me (Arthur) as I’ve had the opportunity to lead or coordinate the morning prayer and worship times at the Warehouse (http://warehouse.org.za/). Each morning, we gather for an hour with God together – absolutely necessary for those working in the difficult realities of poverty and injustice. We believe that our direct encounter with God is THE thing that connects our hearts with God, shaping us more into the image of Jesus and giving us God’s heart for those all around us. It’s just one of the ways I get to pour into the lives of these amazing leaders. In the upcoming months, I will turn more of my attention to working with local church leaders. There is such a huge need here to care for, encourage, and listen to pastors. These men and women are given the responsibility of guiding God’s people, yet who looks after their hearts? Because the Warehouse’s mission is to serve the church in its response to poverty and injustice, one way we can help them is by ministering to their leaders. Please pray for me as I move into this important (and exciting) role.

A great way to keep up to date on what God is doing through the Warehouse is to sign up for the newsletter mailing list: http://warehouse.org.za/newslettersignupform

Mairin is turning 7 on April 28^th!

“We are going to have my birthday party at a park. My friends and I are going to play and have a cake with butterflies. I am very excited to be seven ”

Arthur Paul high school update

“I’ve sent in all of the applications and am waiting for a reply from either. It’s pretty boring just waiting for news :/” – AP.  Just a note to say thank you to everyone for praying with us through the high school visiting and application process. We have applied for two schools and will hear back in the next month or two on acceptance.

We are missionaries

God has asked us to live in Cape Town, South Africa, and we have said yes to this and all that He asks of us. We are sent and supported by churches and individuals who believe in us and are investing in the Kingdom work we do while partnering with and working for local ministries. We need prayer, encouragement, and financial help to do this. I point this out because while many are encouraged (inspired?) by what God is doing with our lives, they don’t know that we raise our own support to do this. Maybe God wants you to be part of this with us. If you are feeling a nudge, email me.

Two links for you to check out

• Andrew Breitenberg – friend and neighbour who is sharing good news through street art here in Cape Town http://breitenberg.wordpress.com/
• Different church – a blog I have begun to share some thoughts on faith community possibilities (please subscribe!) http://differentchurch.wordpress.com/

May this season bring good things in your life!

Arthur for the Stewart5

Learning to Love God

My friend Myra Perrine wrote an amazing book called “What’s Your God Language?” that we have found really helpful over the past few years. The basic idea is that each of us is created somewhat uniquely in the way we love God most naturally. In discovering our “God Language,” we can grow in the intimacy of our relationship with God as well as appreciate and help one another as we engage God together. This is powerful stuff when we bring our hearts before God this way.

Two weeks ago, I had the privilege of walking through this with the staff of The Warehouse. For many, it was a new way to think about their love relationship with God and how to live out this love best.  For others, it was an opportunity to take time to evaluate the current state of their relationship. For everyone, it was a special time to see the amazing diversity God has brought together in this team and I believe it will only make us stronger as we continue to seek to serve God here in Cape Town.

I love being able to teach in the context of a ministry community where we know one another and are able to practice what we are learning together. I am also thankful for the opportunity to help train Christian leaders here in South Africa in ways that are both life-giving for them and impactful in the local church. Leaders that know their own hearts and focus on their own relationship with God will be able to help others. Several people have mentioned wanting to use this with their church or home group. May God be glorified as His people know and love Him more.

If you are interested in learning about how you are created to love God or how to shape your life to best connect with God, I’m glad to tell you more, answer any questions, and highly recommend the book What’s Your God Language?

Church Renewal and new Churches

God continues to speak His call for us to help people plant churches here in Cape Town. An interesting part of this journey has been ongoing conversations with several friends about what it means to be the church and how we can faithfully respond to God’s call for life-changing community.  There is a growing momentum for a church plant among some really Jesus-loving people and some others who are seeking God but need something new. I am also excited about a particular local pastor who also has a vision for planting missional communities as a way to renew their own church and as part of a network of new churches in Cape Town. We are beginning to pray and dream together for church expressions that allow people to experience Jesus in life-changing ways – especially in ways that are needed here in South Africa. Please pray with us for new churches and growing disciples in Cape Town. I have just started a new blog to share some thoughts on the subject and would love for you to check it out and subscribe. http://differentchurch.wordpress.com/

Lecturing

I am taking a break from teaching courses at Cornerstone this current term. This is primarily due to the load I have taken on at The Warehouse and needing to put a lot of effort into what God is doing with me there (read about what I am doing on http://www.stewart5.net/2010/12/what-i-am-doing-at-the-warehouse ). However, I am scheduled to lecture the following courses in the upcoming in terms:

• Character of Christian Leader
• Constructive Conflict Resolution
• I am also considering teaching an intensive course with some coworkers on Reconciliation through Changed Relationships

These are all subjects that are dear to my heart and important here in South Africa. In each case, we have the opportunity to shape students from this country and across the continent to be leaders different than the norm – ones who model a passion for Christ and deep dependence on God that leads to serving and changing our world. In future updates I will tell you more about some of the individual students I am coming to know and love.

Iain is going to be baptized

Our middle child wants to be baptized J Praise God for Iain’s tender heart and desire to declare his faith and share his commitment to following Jesus with others.  Iain has made a list of people he wants to invite and we are making preparations and setting the date for the next few weeks. Pics to come…

AP going to high school next year!

Gulp.

In SA, there is no middle school.  Primary school ends in grade 7 and High school begins in grade 8. Arthur is currently in Grade 7 so we are busy looking at local high schools for January. This is a big decision! Unlike public school in America, you must apply to high schools here. Also different is that public school is not free. This is true for all grade levels, but the cost really goes up in high school.  We would appreciate your prayers as we ask God where He wants AP (and potentially Iain and Mairin down the line) to be in school the next several years. Please also pray for him as he writes essays and goes for interviews.

For more Pictures

Melissa is our primary picture taker and online poster. I know most people really enjoy pictures, so make sure to visit our shutterfly site and subscribe to get updates. http://stewartdot5.shutterfly.com/

• couples
• leaders
• all humans not included in the above two categories

I am currently using this book as one of the texts in the Conflict Resolution course I am teaching at the Cornerstone Institute.  Buy it, read it, learn it.  We’ll all be better for it.  No, I do not know the authors and am not getting paid for my testimonial.

Being in partnership reminds me that I don’t know everything and can’t do everything myself.  Sometimes I forget that.  I need other people who are strong where I am not.  I need other people to teach me.  I need other people to say, “let’s go” or “slow down” as appropriate.  I also believe in partnering because we are in a new city in a country that is not our own.  God is at work here in LOTS of amazing people.  Partnership says, “we aren’t the only ones trying to do something good.”  Honestly, I don’t see partnership enough.  So, part of being in partnership is living out what I say I believe and hoping that it serves as a model to others that we need less one-man-shows (especially in the Church/ministry business I am in)!  And finally, Jesus seemed to send people out in groups and pairs quite often.  Must be something to that…

I have been pretty fortunate over the years to learn a lot about myself – personality assessments, gifts tests, team styles, work styles, etc.  So, I know what I bring to a team or work relationship.  I say “let’s go.”  I see the big picture and how things all connect together.  I like to see other people do what is on their heart and can often help them move into that.  I can analyze.  I gather people for a cause.  I am a thinker.  I train and inspire.  I ALSO know that I desperately need others who can keep my ego in check.  I need people who can share other perspectives.  I need people who see how everyone is feeling.  I need people who keep it light and fun.  I need people who move quickly to action.  I need people who remind me to serve more.  I need people to remind me that’s not all about me.

Where do I see partnership opportunities developing right now?

• helping start a new faith community with some friends here
• helping with people already living and working in our new neighborhood (Woodstock)
• meeting up and strategizing with others also praying/working toward a church planting movement
• working with people who are also serious about discipleship and exploring different ways to do that
• helping a few local ministries do what they do better
• coaching and encouraging local leaders to follow their hearts and respond to God’s call

I can and will do none of these alone.

I do not consider this a sign of weakness or lack of vision.  Rather, I am intentionally saying, “I am here to help.  How can we do this together.”  By my reckoning, that’s the strongest kind of leadership there is.  This hasn’t always been the way I’ve operated.  But it’s how I want to be, how I believe Jesus wants me to be, and I give you permission to hold me to it.

I would really like your suggestion on a book that helps with that!

I won’t recount the story here (but do look it up).  I will, however, repeat (paraphrase) Wilna’s points on courage (my comments in italics):

1. It is the ordinary things that prepare us for the extraordinary events.  How many of us seek training, being with the “right” people, etc. to prepare?  Or, how many of us just want to do the “big things” without the difficult or MUNDANE preparation that comes day in/day out over years?  I think of how Melissa, by loving and raising our kids, is developing and using skills that are nothing less than extraordinary.
2. Deliverance often comes from unexpected sources.  Hear that one pastors?  Hear that one men?  Hear that superstars?  History is not made by great people.  They just seem great in retrospect  (I just made that up).  Props to everyone who is overlooked.  You have a better chance of being used by God to change the world than I.
3. We need action, not just words.  Stop making plans and do something.  Think as you go.
4. Be willing.  In the end, this is all God asks and needs.  Are you wiling?  Are you?

I believe most leaders are leaders simply because they do something.  What is God putting on your heart?  Please do it.  Do not be afraid.  God is with you. God will never leave you nor forsake you.

May it be so.

Of course, God seems to have taught me several things at the same time. This morning during a reflection time, I realized that one of the things God is speaking to me was captured so well in a picture from our weekend.

When you do pottery using a wheel, the first and most important thing to do is center the clay. If you don’t do this properly, you can not make a piece. Period. Because the clay is spinning on a wheel, any unevenness or off-centered-ness results in either a lopsided piece, or it will simply fly off the wheel because of uneven weight. Literally. I’ve seen it happen

To center clay, there is only one thing you must do – push with the heel of your left hand. You push diagonally: away from you and left to right. This works with the spinning of the wheel to put the piece in the center.

All weekend, I struggled with this one step. Why? Because I never wanted to push too hard. So, I continually had to ask the instructor to come and help. He patiently put his hands on mine, and reminded me to push – hard. And of course, with his hands there on mine, the clay went right to center. And when it is there, you can feel it – it’s just right. Then, the fun of creating pottery begins.

Why don’t i push hard enough? Ironically, this is question God and I are discussing. Why don’t I ask hard questions more often? Why don’t I express my feelings, particularly when I am upset? My general approach is to do/say/give as little as possible to get the job done. I suppose I don’t want to overdo it. The problem is, 8 times out of 10, I UNDER do it instead. And then things aren’t centered.

You have to push…hard. of course, I don’t take this to mean I should be rude or overbearing. I still must be listening to God and loving. But I am learning – slowly – that you can do these AND push hard. And when you do it right, when things are centered, beautiful things can be created. Apparently, God really wants me to learn this lesson, because He is giving me ample opportunity to practice.