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A Church On Kingdom Assignment

 

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Pastor T. On Kingdom Assignment in South Africa

I made it in to Durban, South Africa on Tuesday night. They only lost one piece of my luggage. Pastor Naiker and his family waited with me at the new King Shaka Airport until it arrived. We then went to their house and had a late snack.

Wednesday started with a tour of an oil refinery where one of Pastor Naiker's member is head of security. I spoke Wednesday evening at Pastor Msane's church Here Is Life in the Hammersdale (Mpumulanga) area.

Tomorrow will be Golf at a new course in the area and then supper at the Assistant Pastor and her family.

Keep me in your prayers because it will be real busy and intense after Thursday.

Pastor.

ps. pass this along to any member that anyone that is not on the list that may be interested.

V. Ricardo Thomas Sr.
Pastor, Life Coach, Motivational Speaker
and Author of the Powerful, Gripping, and Moving
Book "The Prodigal Son...From Dope Dealer To Hope Dealer"
A True Story of Redemption, Restoration and Forgiveness

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Pastor in South Africa #2

God has truly been gracious. I enjoyed me a round of golf on Thursday at a very nice course. I was able to relax before starting this busy but enjoyable time of ministry here in South Africa.

I attended a CD recording at the SABC studio here in Durban that Pastor Naiker's Praise and Worship team is doing call "Manifest" on Friday evening. Saturday morning I was blessed to conduct a seminar at Pastor Msane's church Here Is Life in Hammersdale (Mpumulanga). They are having an influx of drug usage in the area and they wanted to learn how to minister to those that are struggling with addiction and how to live a Godly life after coming out of any bondage or toxic lifestyle. People throughout the region from other churches attended as well.

Then Pastor Msane drove me back to the Durban area where some of the leadership had a Braai (Feast) for me . I wish you could have tasted all of the meats. Lamb, Ribs, Livers, Sausages, Curry, then Vegetables, beans, breads, and SWEETS GALORE. It was a great time of fellowship and sharing as well as catching up since the last time that I was with them. I felt like laying down after such a meal but that was not the case. I was spirited back to the Naiker's house to change clothes. I had to speak at their Praise and Worship service. God really manifested Himself when we broke through a blocking ceiling and penetrated the heavens with our worship after the word. God IS AWESOME and He does indeed inhabits the praises of His people.

I am in now and it is after 11pm. I have to get a little rest before speaking at the Potter's House 8am service. There will be a brunch afterwards and then I will speak to their leadership in the afternoon.

I solicit your continued prayers and thank all of you that have been interceding for me since I left. God has been ministering healing and restoration to me while I have been here. Sometimes He removes us from our familiar surroundings in order to really get our attention.

Your Servant In Christ, Pastor

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Pastor in South Africa #3

The day started at The Potter’s House Church where Gerald Naiker is the Senior Pastor. This ministry is an Indian (India, not Native American) ministry. Pastor Msane and Here Is Life is a Zulu ministry. South Africa is diverse in cultures just like the United States. There are your Blacks, Colored, Whites, Indian, Orientals, Dutch, etc. Many people have the misconception that Africa is all jungle and natives in bare feet are running around or that every area is impoverished with children with bulging bellies. That is not the case. As India Irie writes in her song Ghetto, “The world is a ghetto” There are parts of the States that look just like Africa.
One thing that you do not see that is so prevalent in the States is all of the abandoned and blighted houses. People here value their homes not matter how small large or what amenities they may or may not have.
I really would like for some of you to start considering joining me as I travel here next year as well. If you are not ready for this then think in terms of Jamaica in February or March of 2011.
Service was great. The Indian congregation loves Praise and Worship and THE WORD. After service we went to brunch at one of the leaders homes. Then there was a time for rest before going back to the church to minister to the Leadership. I spoke on What Happens When Leaders Lead. There were Q&A and the ministry said that they were blessed. Praise be to God. We then dine. These folk love to eat. I am going to send the women a list of the spreads that I have been having. Who said all mission trips are bad LOL.
I leave in the morning for Pietermariztberg to minister for three days and come back to Durban Wednesday evening to do Bible Study. I will keep you posted and thank you for your continued prayers.

Your Servant In Christ, Pastor

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Pastor in South Africa #4

We started the day (Mon 16th) heading to Pietermaritzburg where I spoke at Union Bible Institute to the students there. This is the Bible School where the Patricks, Dave and Marj serve on staff. I had not been here in three years. I was reunited with some of the staff that I had the privilege of fellowshipping with in the past. After speaking to the students at chapel we had a light snack and fellowshipped and then visited with Pastor John Van nie Kirk and his wife Cathy, a powerful prayer warrior and intercessor, of City Harvest Church. We shared our memories of past trips together to the game preserve of Africa. This is an awesome experience that I will take the team on next year to Safari and see the Lions, Tigers, Elephant, Giraffe, Springbuck and other animals in there natural habitat. We then spent the night at his parents home in Pietermaritzburg. The next day Tuesday we were to minister in the prison in Pietermaritzburg but was denied the opportunity because of recent prison break in Durban and security concerns were taking precedent. So we went sight seeing in the day. We then drove up to Howick to Grace Christian Fellowship, with Bishop Peter Meintjies where God has so graciously opened another ministry door and new relationship. The service was orchestrated by the hand of God and the altar was flooded with people that desired to be free from various things that was hindering them from their relationship with God. It became too overwhelming for me alone and other visiting Pastors throughout the area that were in attendance, I asked to assist in praying for people. The door to that ministry is open for us in the future whenever we are in that area of South Africa. The Pastor informed me that I am free to reside in their home whenever I am in the area. God always provides. Glory to His name. This morning (Wed 18th) we journeyed up to Albert Falls where Apostle Thamo Naidoo church, River of Life which is located in Peitermaritzburg, has a retreat center. We attended a seminar that he holds every month when he is in the country for Pastors. It was attended by over 100 Pastors. They served us lunch as well. This may be a possible sight for a missions team to be headquartered. They have nice facilities for dining and clean rooms. We just arrived back at Durban and I am about to rest up before doing Bible Study at Pastor Naiker’s church. As always, that you for your prayers during this most busy but spiritually reviving time for me.

Your Servant In Christ, Pastor Rick

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Pastor in South Africa #5

Bible Study at the Potter’s House last night (Wed) was well received. The topic was “The Ministry of Reconciliation.” Afterwards we were at one of the members house for fellowship. The Grace gift has been welcomed with the utmost of honor on this trip. I have been truly humbled.
We had a busy day this morning. I had some loose ends to take care of before heading to Illovo area to visit with my Spiritual Daughter Oxlile Debra Shinga. She stays in Port Sheptone and took three different taxi to meet us at the home of her brother. She traveled with her 13 months baby in tow.
It was a wonderful time of reconnecting and catching up with one another. I had not seen her in three years. The baby boys name is Mhlengi, which means Redeemer. We dined at their house. The brother who has taken over the family home is the same one that we prayed for the last time we were there, that he would find employment. He is now working at the docks up at the Durban Harbor. Praise God.
After visiting for a few hours we headed over to E- Folweni to the Africa Evangelical Church, Pastor Msomi. He was part of the UBI Dream Team that came to minister at Faith Tabernacle in 2003 when he was a student there. It is there winter now and there is a chill at some times. This was one of those times and the people were crowded into the Tent, some with gloves and scarves on. Their Winter gets no worse than our Fall. Some days I even had on short sleeve shirts.
I once again had to speak with the help of an interpreter. Some things were lost in translation, but they were hungry for the Word and understood enough to praise God and give him glory. The visiting pastors helped with the people that flooded the altar.
I am done and ready to come home and rest for a few days. LOL. Please pray for my safe journey. I long to be back home now that the work is done.
I have plenty of pictures of the trip and will be showing them to FTC next month.

Your Servant In Christ,

Pastor Rick