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Update:
Bricks are now being mass
produced!
It has been a long time since
God gave me this word to "build the people houses," not to say that I've
been unhappy about that lapse at all. Having worked in Africa for over
10 years I've learned that things operate differently there and the most
valuable thing I can offer these precious African brothers (other than
Jesus, of course!) is to defer to their system and their way of working
through challenges. In this they are totally empowered
and the door is opened for development of dignity - that which comes
with creating for one's self and working a thing out one's own way.
Historically, black South Africans were denied this opportunity, so it's
a very important aspect of our work with them. The Crusades, the
brick-making, the computer school... it's all organized, managed, built,
led... by them. Glory to Jesus!
All to say, they have worked
through the innumerable challenges that this project presented -
everything from lack of ongoing finances to political opposition (if you
can believe this) from church leaders who view it as a threat to their
position and secular politicians who've been promising the people this
very thing since the new government took over in 1994. We've now
begun a steady production/stockpiling of bricks and things are in full
swing. Soon Pastor Martin will apply to the South African Board of
Standards to get their stamp of approval that our bricks are
construction-worthy (you can keep that in prayer for us!) and that will
open the door wide.
Our hope is to begin with an
initial selling of bricks - this will make the project financially
self-sustaining as opposed to constantly having to feed it with donated
dollars. Then we will proceed with two priorities 1) searching out
Christian families that are in the most desperate need, building the
first homes for them, 2) build structures in the village of Erasmus and
in Elandsrand where the churches have long outgrown the shack and tent
that are now serving the people.
After that we will begin to
build homes for non-believers as an outreach. We'll also go down the
line of 25 churches we've planted and build structures. All but two of
them now meet in tents, under trees, in garages... I tell you, the
lengths these precious Africans go through to worship God - truly, I so
often feel put to shame.
So that is our plan and I'm
excited to report we're on our way. Please pray for us. To an African
person a home is a huge deal, so this project is a huge ministry
opportunity. Great thanks to you who donated to buy the brick machines
and tractor. I'm thrilled to say that God is doing it! Thanks! Glory
to Jesus!
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Background Story
In December 2002, upon
completion of his first SA Crusade with Pastor Martin, Bruce was praying,
"Lord, what do you want me to do next?" In the ways the Lord deals with
him, Bruce sensed
the Lord's clear response, "Build
the people houses." It was a daunting thought to say
the least. With absolutely zero experience in such things and no funds to
launch, Bruce could only think to pray and look for God's open door.
That first "open door"
came when Bruce mentioned it to Martin.
Immediately Martin was moved in
his spirit, confirming the leading. At the same time, Bruce had a "chance"
encounter with an American missionary who was a contractor by trade. This
man had a similar leading and had done loads of research that gave Bruce a
springboard and a place to begin.
As time has progressed,
taking what "baby steps"
God provided for,
funds have been raised, two
brick-making machines and a tractor/trailer have been
purchased, a brickyard has been established along with a project manager and
crew. A proper "entity structure" has
been created within which the laborers/workers can be properly cared for and
actually begin build a future for themselves and their families. And now we
sit at the dawn of 2006, poised to
build our first structures.
We will begin with the
"poorest of the poor" Christian
families. These are our brothers and sisters and they so
need to be cared for. As westerners, you and I cannot even begin to imagine
the suffering that goes with sleeping in the dirt, living in a "shack," as
they are called--a shelter thrown together with scraps of whatever a family
can find. Well, now families with no other option will be lifted from that
fate--and all in the name of Jesus!
 Next on the list will be reaching
out to non-believers--actually
going into a village, identifying the poorest of the poor, and just blessing
them with a house--again, all in the name of Jesus! What an
outreach opportunity! Along
with that we will begin to build legitimate
brick churches where our 25 church plants are now
anything from old army tents and shacks, to literally people gathering
beneath a shade tree.
It all began with a
whisper from God so long ago, and now, as we have prayed and moved as the
Lord has provided, we stand at the edge of a marvelous fulfillment. Glory to the Name of Jesus!
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