We spent the week in Benguela working with a YWAM Angola Director Pastor Lidercino, group of pastors from Brazil as well as a large team of volunteers from right here in Angola. We were there to support and serve the other teams who came to do outreach at the football tournament. Mornings were spent in preparation and intercession and then in the afternoon and evening we went out into the city, either to the market or the stadium. It never took long for a crowd to gather. Several of the team enjoyed meeting two of Nigeria’s football players and chatting with them. Actually we got ticket for free and we went a game, for many of us was our first time in the soccer game… was fun

Last week we asked you to pray for the supernatural in our lives as we minister to others. Your prayers were answered in a big way! On Thursday morning, we had a wonerful time of prayer together as a team prior to meeting with the larger group. Afterwards Riaan led the Bible study and spoke to them about forgiving those who hurt them. Our team then began to pray and minister to them and amazing things started to happen. Many tears were shed as the Holy Spirit began to minister to the deep hurt and rejection in those who were there. One young lady who was plagued by a demon came to the service on Thursday. When the ministry time began, it became obvious by her actions that she was in bondage. Two of our team prayed in the name of Jesus and took authority over the demon and then ministered to her. We had a sense on Thursday morning that God was going to do something special, but getting to witness firsthand the incredible love and power of God was a very special experience for us. When this beautiful young lady came back on Friday, it was incredible to see her so happy and free.

We were all really tired by the end of the week but it was a good kind of tired. What an encouragement for us to know that if we show up and allow the Lord to use us, He can and will do it. Physically, our situation was very challenging but this past week’s experiences opened our eyes to the intense spiritual battle going on in this country. We feel privileged that God would allow us to partner with Him in the work He is doing here.

Several of the team battled some stomach illnesses this week but at the moment, we are all doing well and so grateful to the Lord for His protection and for health.

Back in Sumbe we have an intense week ahead of us. We will be starting a discipleship class for new believers and teaching in a number of churches. We will be doing home visits as well as working with the youth and the kids.

Prayer Needs:
- Thank the Lord for the unity He has given our team. Living, working, sleeping, eating and spending almost every waking moment with each other keeps us challenged but we love each other and have been working very well as a team. We recognize that it’s the Lord in us.
- Protection for us as we follow the Lord’s leading this week.
- Wisdom and direction for the new discipleship class and for each of us as we prepare our sermons and bible studies.
- For the supernatural in our lives as we minister to others

Thank you so much for your prayers and support. We know your prayers are what is keeping us encouraged and able to accomplish what God has for us here.

Christiane

We are doing well. Right now we are at the YWAM base in Benguela. The Africa Cup of Nations football tournament began today in Angola.  Our team is here in Benguela preparing to do a week of ministry and outreach at the games this week. These games are already tainted by tragedy. On Friday, militants in the north of Angola opened fire on the bus carrying the football team from Toga. Several people were killed and more were injured. Angola is just beginning to get back on her feet after so many years of civil war and was eager to host the Africa Cup of Nations to show the world they are recovering. This incident was clearly a blow to the nation of Toga as well as Angola. If there was any doubt that there are still issues in Angola, this is certainly proof that God’s love is desperately needed here. Here in Benguela our life is totally different than in Sumbe. We as a team are learning how to lay down our rights and live with less. It has been extremely warm and some of us have a hard time sleeping in the huts we are staying in. Everything from the showers to the food has been a challenge but we are in good spirits and ready to tackle the week.

This past week Mary, Evelyn, Riaan and Camila preached in different churches. God used them to bless the people. We also were able to visit people in their homes and bring clothes and toys for the kids. Every family we visited was blessed and so happy to receive us in their homes. Some even offered us food and sodas. On Thursday after two long days of travel Lori came. It is such a blessing to have her with us. We really missed her and now we feel that our family is complete. On Friday we drove to Benguela and then on Saturday we had a service here on the base. Around 200 people came and the team sang a song and did a drama. It was amazing. Praise God Philip and Cleber are feeling better and everybody is doing well.

Please pray this week for:

- Cleber’s America visa (he has a visa appointment on Tuesday at the Embassy)

- Protection for the team’s time in Benguela

- Protection during our trip back at the end of the week. We will be stopping in another town for a service on our way home to Sumbe.

- For the supernatural in our lives as we minister to others

Thank you for your support. We really need it.

In Jesus name,

Christiane

We brought from USA a keyboard to bless the church worship team, a Brazilian family offering it for them. In this service also the members of the church gave us an offering: food, gifts and money. They offered more than 400 dollars. It was amazing to see these poor people give us with joy what we can call the widow’s offering.

I preached and after that the team prayed for the people. We went to the beach and the guys were having an amazing time there… they really enjoyed to be there. Every morning they are going to beach to do calisthenics. We are inviting the church’s members to join us.

I know my English is not good enough, but until Lori comes we are trying to do our best. Please Lori come soon! We miss you!

In Jesus Love,
Christiane

Saturday and Sunday mornings were spent in prayer and preparation for the services we held in the evenings. We had a powerful time of prayer on Saturday morning. All along we have been reminded that we need to “show up and be available” and God will do the rest. That certainly is what happened in the services on Saturday and Sunday. We got to see the Holy Spirit use us to encourage others. Philip and Lori led the worship time assisted by members of the church band. We presented a drama in both services which the church loved. Mary, Gloria and Malcolm had lessons for the children and Camila and Riaan gave excellent sermons that both inspired and challenged. Karine shared her testimony which was also very powerful. Our team had a chance to pray for people and several were deeply touched by the Holy Spirit. It was encouraging for us to see what God was able to do through our lives this week.

Our hosts continue to feed us well. More gracious people you would be hard-pressed to find.

Monday we had another goodbye. Karine will be completing her outreach phase working with the Hopi tribe in Arizona. We know God is going to continue to use her life to bless those around her. We are already looking forward to reuniting with her in a few months.

On our day off we did a day trip to New York City. We made good memories: singing with a group of carolers in Times Square, traipsing through Chinatown, window shopping and even accidently stepping into puddles of melted snow. The toes were unhappy for the remainder of the day. Avoid melted snow puddles. Take our word for it.

It is hard to believe that we leave for Angola tomorrow. Finally it’s time! The next update will be from across the ocean so we will talk to you again from there. We are posting some pictures in the gallery so check it out. Thank you for your prayers, for your support and for your encouragement. We can’t wait to see what God will do next. The adventure continues. Merry Christmas to all!

Finally! The much anticipated, much discussed, much prayed about DTS outreach to Angola began with us packing (cramming is probably a more accurate description) our bags into the vehicles and waving goodbye to those who came to see us off. We are so grateful for our friends at the Richmond base who have loved and encouraged us these past few months. Thank you to all of you for coming to see us off and for the prayers, hugs and words of encouragement. And yes, for the help you gave us in getting all those bags into the car!

We will begin our outreach phase in Newark, New Jersey working with a wonderful Brazilian church for several days before leaving for Angola on Christmas Eve. We are fairly certain most of the populace on the East Coast were also driving from Richmond to New Jersey…we were stuck in traffic a good portion of the trip. But to quote one of our favorite phrases: “Thank the Jesus” we arrived safely, ahead of the snow. Reports from back home in Richmond are that we missed out on 11” of snow that started falling right after we left.

We made it to Newark hungry but in good spirits. We were fed like kings and queens and all slept well in our hosts’ homes. The hospitality we have been shown here is truly incredible. We woke up this morning eager to see what God has for us today. Please check back often…we want you to enjoy the adventure with us!