Blog

The Third Option

Grant Porthen grew up in the Cape Flats area of South Africa, described by some as “apartheid’s dumping ground.”

At a young age Grant got swept up into the gang lifestyle of crime and drugs, and he ended up in prison before he found the Lord and turned his life around.

This past week I had the privilege to sit down together with Grant to watch The Race for Unity simulcast as Pastor Miles from The Rock Church discussed “the third option” of honoring each other, especially those individuals that are not like us.

The Third Option Simulcast
The Third Option Simulcast

One of our prayers has been for God to connect us with other leaders that are passionate about discipleship and life transformation like we are.  Grant is one of those people.

Grant currently helps oversee Eden teams, which are groups of people who move into rough and gang infested neighborhoods with the intention of creating connection with the church and community.

We are also grateful to be part of a church community focused on building bridges amidst the ongoing racial tensions in South Africa, and we continue to seek wisdom on how God would like us to play our part specifically.

Building Bridges Workshop
Building Bridges Workshop

Last month a missions team from the Rock Church and Believers World Outreach came to Cape Town for 2 weeks to serve in various ways.

It was such a blessing spending time with them and seeing their heart to serve those in need in Cape Town, as well as hear them share how God was moving in their own hearts from the experience.

Missions Team from The Rock Church/BWO
Missions Team from The Rock Church/BWO

If you would like to visit us in this coming year, please let us know!   We are currently helping plan future trips and experiences here and would love for you to be a part of it!

Thank you for your continued prayers and support.  It means so much to us!

We made it to South Africa!

What a journey it has been just to get here!

It was such a roller coaster of emotions as we prepared to leave a beautiful season in San Diego behind.

Saying goodbye to our friends and loved ones became harder and harder as our departure date drew closer, but we held tight to the wonderful things that we knew God had ahead for us.

Selling or donating most of our furniture and personal belongings, we brought only what we could fit into a bunch of suitcases with us.

Fortunately, we had a small army of faithful friends at the airport to help us check our luggage and say one last “goodbye for now.”

When we arrived in South Africa weary from a 30-hour travel experience, we were warmly welcomed at the airport by one of the pastors from Jubilee Community Church, one of our new church partners, along with a sweet couple from the church.

This couple and their family have been an amazing blessing as we settle in and get acclimated to a whole new life on the other side of the world.

They’ve not only allowed us to stay in their home this first month, but they also make dinner for us every night (well, except when Sumari insists that she bless them with dinner), and have been helpful in so many ways.

God’s beauty and splendor in creation is so clearly on display here, and one of the biggest example’s (literally) is Table Mountain.  We just marvel as we gaze at it, and it’s clearly visible from almost everywhere we travel in the city, including our current backyard.

Thank you to everyone who has been there for us in this season of transition.  We are so grateful for your love, prayers, messages, and support.  We honestly couldn’t have done it without you.

As for current prayer requests, please pray for God to give us wisdom and direction in these first few months as we settle in, learn the culture, and listen intently for His guidance.

Please also pray for us to meet and connect with a new circle of amazing friends and family that we can do life with together here in Cape Town.

On that note, Arielle has already made her first close friend here.  His name is Buster 🙂

God bless you!

We Have A Date!

“Do you have a date yet?”

We’ve heard this question so many times in this journey.

Well, the answer now is YES!

We’ve booked our flights!

We’re officially moving to South Africa on July 25th, 2018.

Thank you for all of your prayers and support.

We’re so excited for what’s next.

We will be having a fundraiser dinner and send-off event on July 13th.

If you’re in San Diego (or want to come visit), we would love to see you then.

God bless you!

May 2018 Update – Impact Cape Town

Thank you so much for your continued prayers, encouragement, and support!

Here’s a quick update on our financial support, departure date, and opportunities to see us before we depart for South Africa!

Be sure to sign up for updates if you would like to receive e-mails about our departure and/or our ministry once we are in Cape Town.

God bless you!

Celebrating Mother's Day
                      Celebrating Mother’s Day

Cape Town – The 15th Most Violent City in the World

Each year, Business Insider rates the most dangerous and violent cities in the world.

In the 2017 listing that was recently published, Cape Town, South Africa was listed as the 15th most violent city in the world.

Cape Town has now been listed in the top 15 most dangerous  cities for the past 4 years.

Cape Town is struggling with murder, crime, drug abuse, prostitution, alcoholism, gangs, racism, and hatred.

The effects of apartheid, a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination that existed in South Africa between 1948 and 1994, remain clearly visible today.

Our vision is to create a movement of thousands of souls on fire for Christ bringing love and hope to this broken city.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support!

Exciting Mission Update! – Impact Cape Town

We’re so grateful to share this exciting update with you!  Check out the video below:

We know we can’t do this alone. It will take an army and we invite you to join us.

We are confident we can make a great impact in South Africa, but we need your help to send us.

Would you prayerfully consider joining us to bring hope and healing to Cape Town, South Africa?

Click here to donate.

P.S.  Here’s a cute pic of Arielle on her 1st birthday this week!!

Arielle's 1st Birthday
Arielle’s 1st Birthday

It’s Time Cape Town – South Africa Prayer Event – March 24, 2018

In just two days (March 24th, 2018), there will be a huge prayer event in Cape Town, South Africa called It’s Time.

In March 2017, 1.2 million people gathered together on a farm in Bloemfontein, South Africa to pray for the country in an event that farmer-evangelist Angus Buchan organized in only 6 weeks.

Angus was inspired by God to call the nation to prayer for the 2nd time, specifically in Cape Town.

According to Angus, the objective of the prayer event is “to come against crime, murder, disrespect for human life, prostitution, alcoholism, drug addiction, racism and hatred.”

The event is going to be held in Mitchell’s Plain, an impoverished, gangster-ridden township in Cape Town.

We’re so excited to see what God is going to do through this prayer event!

Please pray for the event and continue to pray for the people of Cape Town as we prepare to begin our mission there very soon!

For more details on the It’s Time Cape Town prayer event, visit Angus Buchan’s website.

My Favorite Holiday Dessert Recipe!

As Sumari and I celebrate our first Thanksgiving with baby Arielle, I’m thinking back to all of the great Thanksgiving meals I had growing up as a child myself.

One dish the whole family always looked forward to was what lovingly became known as “the green goop” by my cousin.  It’s pistachio salad, although the word “salad” doesn’t do it any justice.

It’s sweet and delicious, and I wanted to share the recipe with you so you can try it yourself!  Here you go…

Pistachio Salad

1 – 8 oz. container cool whip – thawed
3/4 – cup milk
1 – 20 oz. “crushed” pineapple drained
1 –  box instant pistachio pudding
1- cup mini marshmallows
1/2 – cup chopped nuts (optional –  I do not use them)

Put the pudding in a bowl and thin with the milk.  Then blend in the cool whip. Add the pineapple (must be drained) and then add the marshmallows.

Best if made the day before and chilled overnight.  Make sure the can is crushed pineapple and put it in a colander and then press on the pineapple with a spoon until you have got most of the liquid out.

Leave me a comment and let me know how you like it and/or share a favorite recipe of your own!