Praise be to God that 3 African village boys can now say "farewell to the familiar" Last fridaynight after a smallgroup that I led at the church, 3 boys approached me after asking constant questions in the small group itself and said "We want to get saved". Once I got over the overwhelming urge to just give them all a hug, I regained my bearings and called over a Youth pastor so that we could pray with the kids. I started off praying and then these 3 boys who probably had never prayed aloud before in their lives, just poured out there hearts to the Lord. No matter how much fun that I have had on my trip or will have for the duration of my stay here in Polokwane, nothing can surpass this. The salvation of these 3 boys has caused the angels in heaven to rejoice with us! May God be praised for continuing to use the leadership here in South Africa to expand the His Kingdom. I will be meeting with the 3 boys today to discuss dicipleship and give them encouraging passages to read. Please be praying for Petre, Kabelleo, and Bezseza. Their next few weeks of informing their friends and family that they have accepted Christ could lead to the hardest trials that they will ever go through. Pray that God softens the hearts of everyone surrounding these boys so that they could also make an impact. I tell you that nothing is more exciting than seeing God just work in the hearts and lives of those around you. Thank you so much for your prayers about the ministry going on down here in South Africa. Not a day goes boy that I do not thank the Lord for the support I have back home.
Nothing is important as what I just mentioned, but since I am living in a foriegn region and everthing is very fast moving, I have more updates. I leave for Jeffrey's Bay this Saturday to spend a week with the Ferreira family, which I am extremely excited about. One thing you can be praying for me about though, is the people back here at home. When you leave, for any amount of time, its very easy to be forced to take step back with these kids. Please pray that I could continue to minister here right where I leave off before I venture down to the Bay. I am excited to see Andre and his family. It has been at least 10 years since I have seen any of them and I am quite sure that they will not recognize me as I get off the plane, so I will probably have to inform them what I will be wearing on the plane that day. Nonetheless It should be a wonderful time with former LHEF family. I will them come back and continue seminary classes for about a month until we have Easter break which will actually be taken up by Camp. I will be leading worship and leading a group of boys at Christ Baptist Winter Camp, which should be a great time. Another little tidbit I thought I would mention is that Dez (the youth pastor) has informed me that I will be playing the song I wrote (that is posted in the blog above) at youth group this friday, so that will be exciting. I am not going to mention to the kids I wrote this song, I will intro it as "I guarentee you...none of you will know this song" hehe.
While being down here I am also preparing myself for my short term missions trip to Durban, South Africa later this summer. I am on a mission trip to a different region of South africa in July of this summer. The way that the short term missions team works is that in order to be on a missions team you MUST fly out and back with the team. Which is unfortunate, cause Durban is about a 10 hour drive from here and I could save Grace and the missions team alot of money by just staying here and then going to Durban myself. But that is there rules and there is no bending them, So I have to raise 2700 dollars to go to Durban which I will start trying to raise immediately. So just pray that I would be diligent in fundraising. My parents have graciously offered to help me back home send out letters, which is such a help to me and I am so thankful to them for that.
Overall I have given you much to pray about and to continue to be encouraged about by the way that God working in lives here in South Africa. I hope that everyone back home is experiencing the same Grace and blessings that we are here. If I can say one thing, that will stick with you it is this; Please just always remember that it is always going to be in Gods time, not matter how hard you fight it!
God Bless and Glory be to our great God!
Benjamin Pierce Coussens
Monday, February 19, 2007
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Its just a journey typing this manny letters!
Hello to all. I am sorry that it has taken me so long to update yet again. Unfortunately the computer is in very high demand so I havn't had as many opportunities as I thought I might have. The last week and a half have been quite eventful. Unfortunately my busy schedule has once again contributed to me being ill once again. I have gone over 39 ideas in my head on how to pull my tonsils while I am down here, but every single one of the possibilities seem offer more pain than just sticking out another episode of throat infection. For some reason it dropped into my sinus's this morning which sadly prohibited me from attending Greek this morning. I am hoping to kick this thing in the next couple of days. But, I know that God never will give me too much to handle which I am thankful for. Today hasn't been all bad times though. My parents sent me a package 2 weeks ago that contained my drivers license/advil/throat lossenges and today it arrived! Everyone was telling me that it would probably be 6 weeks or so until I would recieve my care package, but God was gracious in delivering the meds..and a valid drivers license. The truth is that not many drivers here have drivers liscense's but since my the pigmant of my skin is different than almost 85 percent of the people that live in South Africa, it would not be out of the realm of possibility to be thrown in jail for not having a licsense that is current. So I am very grateful to my parents for sendin me the package and grateful to God for the speediness in which it was delivered. Ok so updates...Last week was a bit different for everyone here, as it held something that the last several weeks didnt...RAIN! If you guys think it is dry in Santa Clarita, come try living in Polokwane. I tell you the truth my friends, that farmers were probably doing irish jigs when they saw the clouds move in. Rain here is so essential. Water bills can be exceedingly expensive due to water shortages in the area. Also I don't care where your from, you have never experienced anything like an African Thunderstorm. Lets just say that I was literally knocked off my feet by one of the strikes. Not by shock, I saw the flash of light, but the literal sound shook me to my core and I just fell helplessly to the ground. I saw a lightening bolt literally strike 15 meters away. So those are always exciting. We also experience blackouts quite frequently...this is due to a total goof up from the energy provder "eskom" The president of that company should be flogged publically for his decisions...thats right, publically...and that wont even be as severe as a punnishment as he deserves!
Ok so now that you all think I am on the borderline of having sin in my heart towards this man, let me continue. I began Greek last thursday and so far it has been a wonderful experience. It is so much easier than Hebrew (in part because hebrew looks like a bunch of different flower pettals) and the Vocab is so much easier to memorize. We have charts that have like 32 different ways to identify the articles an, a, & the...and those are just about frustrating enough to want to pull your hair out, even when you are lacking in the area...you get the point. We have our cumulative quiz tommorow before everyone heads back to their homes, and the 1st and 3rd year students come back and we once again look at flower peddals together :).. I am excited though that I will be moving into the hostle next time the 2nd and 4th year students come. That will be a total blessing, and I am sure I will be able to identify with the students better after living with them...that or I might be kicked out, when I ask to take a shower....enough said..
I am also very excited because I found out that I will be heading on a survey trip up to Gesesho, Mozambique in April. I am excited and scared at the same time. All the people at the church tell me that this trip will be the most sobering thing I have ever done in my life...Now villages down here are depressing and complete poverty envelops them...but they said that is nothing to Mozambique. Aparently we also have to be careful driving there...I found out via the wonderful internet, that Mozambique has the most Landmines of any country...and yes we will be driving through fields that have been covered in mines. Thankfully there is a road! Yes a Road that drives through the only safe zone between the border and Gesesho. Now I am sure if my parents have read this, I will be getting a phone call very soon..however to put fears to rest. The mission team that I am going with has literally taken this trip too many times to count times. It is very routine for them, so they know the road very well. But I am very thankful that God will give me this eye opening experience.on the entertainment side of things, I was recently able to visit a bird and reptile park. It was beautiful! Birds that I could only dream about ever seeing anywhere, are just flying around freely. It is a truly amazing exhibit. I also got to look at the worlds deadliest and dangerous snakes. I have a video on my cell phone of one of my friends infuriating a King Cobra, and the Cobra lunging with all its might at him...thankfully there is a layer of 2 inch plexiglass in between my dear friend Michael and the fierce slithering beast. The best part of the day was when I was turning a corner and I saw my favorite animal! Meerkats! Never in my life did I think I would ever be able to touch a Meerkat, and yet just 1 1/2 months into my venture in Africa, I was able to stroke the head of a very cute kalaharian Meerkat. Next sunday after church we will be going to the Polokwane game reserve, where I will see Rhino's Girrafes and other African wildlife. Every sunday after morning services I go with 4 of my friends on a day filled with fun activities. In a few weeks we will go to Kruger National Park to see "The Big Five" (Lions, buffalo, leapords, baboons, Cheetahs) So I am looking forward to that as well.
On the ministry front...I am continuing to lead worship for the High School Youth group here in Polokwane, even though last week I didnt sing and I wont this week either due to my throat. The group of musicians I get to play with are a total blast to worship with. The songs are a lot different here but Its an enjoyable experience none the less. I also taught sunday school last week which I will again be doing in the next couple of weeks. We are also preparing to take a retreat in the beginning of April with all the youth, so please be praying for that. I am also getting to have a lot of bible time with a guy named Wesly. He is a great kid with a wonderful heart so having time to share with him is a blessing. Please be praying for other opportuntities of fellowship and dicipleship down here. Getting to be with the students is a great learning experience as well. And of course Mr. Beakley is continuing to teach me and educate me in all different fields which has been a wonderful time. Mrs. Beakley and Mr. Beakley have been so incredible to me and have given such great advice...It is such a privledge staying here. I am currently involved in 4 bible studies which is such an incredible experience, being in so many different books at the same time...and then I have my own bible time. I am currently in Matthew and chapter 7 had such a great impact on me as it is so easy to become judgemental in a place where you seem like a "spiritual giant". So please keep praying for diligence in staying in the word as well as having a humble heart.The last update I have for you is that I will be in Jeffrey's bay from February 24th till March 4th visiting the Ferreira family and serving them for a week. I am very excited for this opportunity because I havn't seen any of them for over 10 years. I am sure that many of you who are reading this, are very excited to hear from him. He sends his love to all those back home at LHEF. I am so grateful for the opportuntity to meet different missionary families all over South Africa. The last thing I would like to do before sharing picture with you, is to post a song I wrote last week when I just had time to reflect.
Ok so now that you all think I am on the borderline of having sin in my heart towards this man, let me continue. I began Greek last thursday and so far it has been a wonderful experience. It is so much easier than Hebrew (in part because hebrew looks like a bunch of different flower pettals) and the Vocab is so much easier to memorize. We have charts that have like 32 different ways to identify the articles an, a, & the...and those are just about frustrating enough to want to pull your hair out, even when you are lacking in the area...you get the point. We have our cumulative quiz tommorow before everyone heads back to their homes, and the 1st and 3rd year students come back and we once again look at flower peddals together :).. I am excited though that I will be moving into the hostle next time the 2nd and 4th year students come. That will be a total blessing, and I am sure I will be able to identify with the students better after living with them...that or I might be kicked out, when I ask to take a shower....enough said..
I am also very excited because I found out that I will be heading on a survey trip up to Gesesho, Mozambique in April. I am excited and scared at the same time. All the people at the church tell me that this trip will be the most sobering thing I have ever done in my life...Now villages down here are depressing and complete poverty envelops them...but they said that is nothing to Mozambique. Aparently we also have to be careful driving there...I found out via the wonderful internet, that Mozambique has the most Landmines of any country...and yes we will be driving through fields that have been covered in mines. Thankfully there is a road! Yes a Road that drives through the only safe zone between the border and Gesesho. Now I am sure if my parents have read this, I will be getting a phone call very soon..however to put fears to rest. The mission team that I am going with has literally taken this trip too many times to count times. It is very routine for them, so they know the road very well. But I am very thankful that God will give me this eye opening experience.on the entertainment side of things, I was recently able to visit a bird and reptile park. It was beautiful! Birds that I could only dream about ever seeing anywhere, are just flying around freely. It is a truly amazing exhibit. I also got to look at the worlds deadliest and dangerous snakes. I have a video on my cell phone of one of my friends infuriating a King Cobra, and the Cobra lunging with all its might at him...thankfully there is a layer of 2 inch plexiglass in between my dear friend Michael and the fierce slithering beast. The best part of the day was when I was turning a corner and I saw my favorite animal! Meerkats! Never in my life did I think I would ever be able to touch a Meerkat, and yet just 1 1/2 months into my venture in Africa, I was able to stroke the head of a very cute kalaharian Meerkat. Next sunday after church we will be going to the Polokwane game reserve, where I will see Rhino's Girrafes and other African wildlife. Every sunday after morning services I go with 4 of my friends on a day filled with fun activities. In a few weeks we will go to Kruger National Park to see "The Big Five" (Lions, buffalo, leapords, baboons, Cheetahs) So I am looking forward to that as well.
On the ministry front...I am continuing to lead worship for the High School Youth group here in Polokwane, even though last week I didnt sing and I wont this week either due to my throat. The group of musicians I get to play with are a total blast to worship with. The songs are a lot different here but Its an enjoyable experience none the less. I also taught sunday school last week which I will again be doing in the next couple of weeks. We are also preparing to take a retreat in the beginning of April with all the youth, so please be praying for that. I am also getting to have a lot of bible time with a guy named Wesly. He is a great kid with a wonderful heart so having time to share with him is a blessing. Please be praying for other opportuntities of fellowship and dicipleship down here. Getting to be with the students is a great learning experience as well. And of course Mr. Beakley is continuing to teach me and educate me in all different fields which has been a wonderful time. Mrs. Beakley and Mr. Beakley have been so incredible to me and have given such great advice...It is such a privledge staying here. I am currently involved in 4 bible studies which is such an incredible experience, being in so many different books at the same time...and then I have my own bible time. I am currently in Matthew and chapter 7 had such a great impact on me as it is so easy to become judgemental in a place where you seem like a "spiritual giant". So please keep praying for diligence in staying in the word as well as having a humble heart.The last update I have for you is that I will be in Jeffrey's bay from February 24th till March 4th visiting the Ferreira family and serving them for a week. I am very excited for this opportunity because I havn't seen any of them for over 10 years. I am sure that many of you who are reading this, are very excited to hear from him. He sends his love to all those back home at LHEF. I am so grateful for the opportuntity to meet different missionary families all over South Africa. The last thing I would like to do before sharing picture with you, is to post a song I wrote last week when I just had time to reflect.
"An Undeserving Love"-By Benjamin Pierce Coussens
You died for me
When you knew that
Trampling on your bloodIs all that I'd Do
But you showed me your love
And you gave me your son
When I had nothing to offer you My God
Your forgiveness flows in everlasting waves
And I am so thankful to you
That you give me life that you give me breath
When all I deserve
Is death and separation from you
Is death and separation from you
But you stoop down and rescue me
You paid the price
So that I may have life
You suffered shame
You suffered shame
Even though I defile your name
But you still show me love
Something I am so undeserving of
And you forgive a debt I can never repay
To you my God
Your forgiveness flows in everlasting waves
And I am so thankful to you
That you give me life that you give me breath
When all I deserveIs death and separation from you
But you stoop down and rescue me
Oh for all the things I've done
And all the trials I've come through
And I am so thankful to you
That you give me life that you give me breath
When all I deserveIs death and separation from you
But you stoop down and rescue me
Oh for all the things I've done
And all the trials I've come through
I still never give you the credit
But I see now
and I want to give you all the glory
and I want to give you all the glory
Give you all the glory My God
Have a great week everyone. God bless and may glory be to our Great God!
This is Serabi. She is called a Boreabull. Her head is about the size of a bowling bawl and her paws rival that of a Kangaroo! Her breed is estremely aggressive and sadly is literally trained to attack black people. However Serabi is a house dog and an affectionate one at that. She is an incredible guard dog still even though shes been trained to be a sissy...But the one thing we cant stand...SHE DROOLS LIKE CRAZY! when she wants to say hi she gives you a Serabi "bath"...Shes a sweet dog though and she makes the family.
...I gave you another picture of him. I have videos that I can't post but they would have you on the floor. Baruk once saw me in the kitchen wearing a hat that covered my face, but because he didnt recognize me...he barked at serabi and serabi bared her teeth at me and charged me...she got closer and realized who it was and skidded to a stop...Baruk knowing that he had started the whole mess...came up to me and extended his paw to me as if to say "my bad". I am not joking...he literally strolled up to me and put his paw in the air, shook my hand, and walked away..hes a cutie and a smarty.
This is a Staff Elders Braii...A Braii is like a bbq except it takes about 2 hours to get your food done, and everything is done by hot charcols. This is at our senior pastors house.Well I hope you enjoyed the visuals. have a great week.
Benjamin Pierce
Saturday, February 3, 2007
The Quiet Things That No One Wants To Know..
The title for this is inspired by the culture itself here in South Africa. Walking is the only mode of transportation available for more than 80 percent of the population here in South Africa. It truly is not imaginable for us that live in the states. People spend their literal day, retreiving water from a well 15 or 20 miles away. That is it. Their sole purpose in the day is getting water and bringing it back. Sometimes they will get water from a well infested with ecoli and dyptheria but to them it is life, and there is no other way. Its something that I as a spoiled californian look at and say...its just not logical. Well it isnt...But logic is not something that is valued so highly here. Something that supports that is the AIDS epidemic. Do you know that 45 out of the 47 patience here in the clinic in Polokwane, South Africa are HIV positive? Do you know that most Teens in the villages are pregnant by 14 and probably have AIDS already? did you know that the witch doctors here prescribe an aids ridden patience the cure of raping a baby to rid themselves of the disease that pleagues them? Welcome Africa, but most of all, welcome to Satans play pen. There are more demonic posessions here in one day than there are in the States for a decade. Witch doctors grab small children and grind their bones up to make something called "smruti" which is a remedy for sickness. Want to know the sad thing about it? Everyone knows about it....no one cares...no one tries to stop anyone. Welcome to Satans abode. Welcome to the most wicked place you can imagine.
Its not like the movies, they dont where white makeup and walk around villages casting spells (they can, but its not common) they are just regular people that everyone looks to, and sadly follows. It is flat out Evil...Pure and simple, Africa is a dwelling of the Devil and he is welcomed with open arms by the people here. So instead of thinking about that poor child on tv that has no food in Mozambique, pray for his soul, because no amount of paup or meat will ever last for eternity. Please just pray for these people...They are lost...they are so sickened by satan, and they dont see it. They kill their own, they die in vain, and sadly they die in mass quantity. It is common for a family to lose 1 family member a year. The life expectancy in the villages surrounding polokwane is 47 right now. this place is sick...in more ways than one.
Now that I have gotten that off my chest, its time to give a bit of an update. I am doing well, and enjoying seminary classes. I have also gotten the opportunity to get closer to the youth in the last couple of weeks. Its been wonderful, thank you for all your prayers. Tommorow I am going to be singing an accapella duet for worship which will be interesting because I never have sung acapella before. Tonight we will go to the Pastors house for a staff dinner, which gives all the youth a great opportunity to talk and unite. Also tommorow I will be teaching sunday school to the 5th 6th and 7th graders at church so please pray that the God would just touch these childrens souls, as maybe 1 of them is saved. And of course the big event of february. We will be going over to another missionaries' house to watch the superbowl live at 1:30 am on monday morning. GO BEARS!
Ok thats it for now, I will update again either tommorow or monday with pictures. May God bless you all abundantly
Benjamin Coussens
Its not like the movies, they dont where white makeup and walk around villages casting spells (they can, but its not common) they are just regular people that everyone looks to, and sadly follows. It is flat out Evil...Pure and simple, Africa is a dwelling of the Devil and he is welcomed with open arms by the people here. So instead of thinking about that poor child on tv that has no food in Mozambique, pray for his soul, because no amount of paup or meat will ever last for eternity. Please just pray for these people...They are lost...they are so sickened by satan, and they dont see it. They kill their own, they die in vain, and sadly they die in mass quantity. It is common for a family to lose 1 family member a year. The life expectancy in the villages surrounding polokwane is 47 right now. this place is sick...in more ways than one.
Now that I have gotten that off my chest, its time to give a bit of an update. I am doing well, and enjoying seminary classes. I have also gotten the opportunity to get closer to the youth in the last couple of weeks. Its been wonderful, thank you for all your prayers. Tommorow I am going to be singing an accapella duet for worship which will be interesting because I never have sung acapella before. Tonight we will go to the Pastors house for a staff dinner, which gives all the youth a great opportunity to talk and unite. Also tommorow I will be teaching sunday school to the 5th 6th and 7th graders at church so please pray that the God would just touch these childrens souls, as maybe 1 of them is saved. And of course the big event of february. We will be going over to another missionaries' house to watch the superbowl live at 1:30 am on monday morning. GO BEARS!
Ok thats it for now, I will update again either tommorow or monday with pictures. May God bless you all abundantly
Benjamin Coussens
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