This was a great day as we went to Soweto, visited the Regina Mundi Catholic Church (which was a rallying point during the anti-Apartheid movement), went to a local consultant’s mother’s home and the Apartheid Museum.  While we went through the museum I learned more about the roots of racial segregation/discrimination that happened within this country’s history that even dated back before Apartheid and finally ended in 1994.  Not unlike in the US, unfortunately while the laws might have changed (it has only been 14 years since Apartheid ended), some of the effects of Apartheid and discrimination still remain.  I was reminded that we need to continue to pray for racial reconciliation among the African people.
 
In a small way, I think our venture is helping address this issue in South Africa.  I’ve been encouraged by my African brothers and sisters who are serving together with Rep to see God’s purpose and vision to transform society lived out in the lives of these people.  There is a genuine love between the different races and cities represented and a common bond in Christ where issues of the past have been forgiven and it is wonderful to see them loving each other and united to serve God.  I can’t help but think this is a little glimpse of heaven on earth with one Body, serving one God in unity together.  God is good ☺!

Kurt Nystrand

Another awesome event today was when all the clients and consultants had to write each other an affirmation. It was so special to hear what others spoke as unique characteristics in each other and to hear the laughs through the room as we read them to each other.  There were tears in some eyes because they felt so touched. For many it was the first time they had heard an affirmation in a long time.  This is like the washing of feet, if you have never done it you will never know what it feels like, and the vulnerability thereof!

I, Nesta Malan, want to tell you about an experience I encountered while praying with two of the intercessors today. We came into agreement and asked the Lord for my ulcer, that was giving me a lot of pain today, to be healed. After praying for me, one of the intercessors told me that while he was praying, he saw me getting a new pancreas.  This was wonderful for me because I have type 1 diabetes and that is the only way that I can be cured.  This is now just a mind-set; I know that I know that I HAD type 1 diabetes.

Consultants in their clients’ business settings:

Client and consultant enjoying a coffee break:

Team discussion: 

Shirt Bestowal:

Consulting: 

Computer work:

Ed Barker 

Our team leader sensed that the Lord sees us as His special battalion; his special army for this time. While she shared this I became aware of Jesus entering on horseback. He had a group of warriors with him, rearing to go. They stayed in the room for the rest of the day doing whatever angelic beings wielding swords on horseback normally do. Psalm 147 was then read reminding us that He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the mountains. Verse 10 states He delights in the strength of the horse, and (v. 18) He causes the wind to blow, and the waters to flow.
 
Later on my client was asked to share about God’s purpose. He testified that God comes by his side to reach His purposes on earth. He told us that he had experienced God supernaturally multiplying his grape harvest after 5 men prayed and farmed in faith for a year. They would pray early each morning in the vineyard and declare in faith over each vine that it would produce twice its expected yield. That year, instead of the normal harvest of 3,500 boxes per hectare, the vineyard produced more than 10 000 boxes per hectare. 
 
My client represents a group of 5 Kingdom businessmen that are in the process of making an offer to buy his farm. Our team leader prayed for him that God would provide the R300 mil that would be needed to make this vision a reality.
 
During this prayer I had a vision of horsemen surrounding them and one of the horsemen then started pouring something from a big jar all over my client. Gold coins? Water? Oil?
 
After seeing this, I told one of the intercessors about my vision of “horsemen” entering and then concluded that I needed to share this vision with my client and when I did so, he uttered a full-blown, “Hallelujah” at the top of is voice!
 
My client told me he was excited to hear about this vision because many years ago, due to longstanding stress, his neurotransmitters were depleted and a lack of serotonin caused his body to attack his own hair. This resulted in a condition called Alopecia (meaning: no hair) He became very ill and started grappling with his purpose for living. During his search for his personal significance, he discovered that God has a name for each one of His children, and also has a picture of each one of us tattooed in His hand. My client asked God to reveal the picture God had of him in His hand. The Lord then showed him a picture of a man on a horse, riding in a crowd of people towards heaven. They were all very joyful and those around him looked at him. God also revealed to him that He had used him to lead those people to Him, and that the name God had for him was “Soulwinner”.
 
Later on a second facet of the man on the horse was shown to him, where he was saving drowning people form a raging sea like the folk hero Wolraad Woltemade. Wolraad lived in the Cape in the 17th century and during a shipwreck, he went in and out of the raging sea, rescuing drowning people on the back of his brave horse seven times before they both drowned of exhaustion.
 
Hearing that the Lord and some more warriors were joining my client was a very special moment for him…to put it mildly!
 
During the first few hours of the venture today, the Lord confirmed my clients’ calling and identity to him as well as that God wanted him here. My client was greatly encouraged and confirmed.

It was an intense day as all the clients learned about what rēp’s mission is and how it fits into the structure of transforming society through business.  Tight on time, we forwent tea breaks and concentrated on productivity amidst tired limbs.  Prayers have been answered in the nick of time, as we now have nine clients.  I can’t wait to see what God has in store for these businesses.

The weather is also a bit intense.  I came with summer clothes, only to find that Johannesburg is entering winter.  Two layers of clothing were not enough, so some opted at night to shop for an extra sweater. 

One of our teammates was the winner of the day, getting ownership of the ugly shirt.  The ugly shirt is passed around from person to person on a daily basis, seemingly on whim.  Hopefully pictures of it will get posted in the next few days.  But heed this warning:  solely looking at it may damage your eyes. 

Our last team member arrived this morning from Cape Town. After a hearty breakfast of yogurt, eggs, toast, cereal, bacon (yes, we’re well-fed!), the team spent the rest of this Sabbath morning worshipping God, sharing what He has been showing us, and taking part in communion. It was wonderful to hear team members share of how God has been directing us, opening doors, and leading us on paths that have led us to come on this venture. We were reminded of how God is the God of all people, of all languages, and of all cultures, and is so amazingly magnificent that mountains, oceans, planets are in His control, yet He yearns to be intimate with each of us and yearns to develop a relationship with us.

Because it has been raining on & off for the past few days, our plans to visit wildlife were thwarted, so we ended up spending the afternoon soaking in the city by going to the rooftop market. It was a lively place to be, and a fun opportunity to meet locals and see some beautiful hand-made crafts.

We ended the day by meeting up with the South African consultants and spending time praying for one another. It’s been incredible how God has brought us all together and how He has been using people on our team to remind us of how radical, transformative, and how this venture will be none like South Africa has ever seen. It was amazing to come together as a team, pray, and find strength in our Lord. Additionally, the US & South African consultants were paired up and each pair was informed of the client they would work with for these next two weeks.

As this venture comes to a start, we trust our supporters will continue to pray for good health (some members on our team are under the weather), protection from evil, unity, focus, and the willingness to be used by God during our time here.

As an aside, I’d like to thank our fearless drivers for taking up the challenge of driving on the other side of the road, being open to taking scenic routes (a.k.a. getting lost :P), and being flexible.

Hoe gaan dit,

The Gauteng Spring 2008 team has safely arrived in SOUTH AFRICA! As a team we have been blessed with many traveling mercies and blessings. During the journey, a few of us were seated next to native South Africans and engaged in several cross-cultural conversations. We are acclimating to the country this weekend through the food and learning Afrikaan. We have been happily introduced to Nando’s famous peri peri wedges and mayonnaise, appletisers (natural carbonated apple sodas which should be imported to the U.S.), and “melk tert” (a vanilla custard with cinnamon topping and English biscuit crust).

This evening we were fortunate to meet and share in fellowship with one of our South African team leaders and his entire team of consultants and intercessors. We spent time in prayer over the giants of division, corruption, and lawlessness. We asked for God’s power to disarm these strongholds and to seek openness and protection over the clients as they come to hand over their businesses and careers to God for repurposing. As one unified team, we commissioned the co-consultants and intercessors. We have faith that God will show up in a mighty way during this venture, and we are very excited to witness lives and businesses being transformed for His purpose and kingdom.

Thank you for your encouragement and prayers!