Our last day in South Africa and a day that many of us wished would have lingered on. After packing up our belongings at the Bell Rosen B&B—our home for the past two weeks—we made our way to John and Tania Noble’s farm about an hour northwest of Cape Town. This was one last occasion to meet with the South African equip consultants and to savor the amazing African cuisine: various barbecued meats, borewors (a traditional sausage), pap (a traditional maize dish), fruits, salads, koeksisters (a very sweet desert), melktert (a traditional milk desert) and more.

The Noble’s farm is an experience in itself with a farmhouse converted into a cottage-like home and an “out-house” used as a classroom where Tania home-schools her children. A small pool in the front yard provided fun for the children and some of the animals alike. Dogs, rabbits, a stray goose and other animals also enjoy this fairy-tale abode.

While the children enjoyed the pool, trampoline and a game of rugby, the consultants had the opportunity to meet some of their SA counterpart’s “better halves” and reflect on the impact the consultations had on the equip clients. It was clear that God had not only impacted the clients’ companies, but also their own lives both personally and professionally. Several clients had testified to marketplace miracles, such as Coetzee’s Attorneys who had to fire a key staff member at the outset of the consultation & therefore question the feasibility of taking part in the consultation process.

Yet God provided someone outside of the company who was interviewed and appointed on the same day! We sensed that a key hurdle had been passed for equip in Cape Town and were excited as we envisioned the Capetonians taking what they have learnt to Gauteng (the South African region that encompasses Johannesburg and Pretoria) and beyond to the United States in the not too distant future.

We looked forward to the upcoming venture in September of this year and to more clients coming back to train as consultants such as Fritz Roberg who joined this team after having attended the consultation as a client in October 2003. What impact would God continue to have on the businesses represented at this year’s consultation? How would God use those selected from Kayamandi to start businesses within that township community?

That much prayer and further work is needed goes without saying. But we hold tightly to God’s promise that He who begins a work in us is faithful to complete it. In each of the past equip ventures to South Africa we have been well aware of our need for God to come through for us and, true to form, He has never let us down. Let’s step back and give Him the glory.

Saturday! Today we got to sleep in! Breakfast at 8 and in the cars at 9. Today was the day the team got to sightsee some of Brett and Lyn Johnson’s’ favorite spots. I was so looking forward to sharing the experience with this new team. Last trip we had such a great day, I knew this time would be memorable, too.

With overcast skies and a bit of drizzle, the mood was cozy and relaxed, yet filled with anticipation. Off we went to the perpetual cash-point and petrol stop. Our first scenic view was south of Cape Town over looking Lundudno. The Atlantic coastline on the Cape is fantastic! We saw the rocky outcrop where Brett and Lyn Johnson, our team leaders, used to go and the beautiful small town where they grew up, met, and married.

We continued down the coast to Hout Bay and lunched overlooking the harbor. We met up with the Wouters and Dave Milne, good friends of the Johnson’s. While there we were entertained by The Soap Girls; sisters, ages 10 and 12. They sang in English, Afrikans, French, German, and Xhosa, while telling about their quest to raise funds for incubators at the local hospital by singing and selling their mother’s homemade soap. They were amazingly polished, and fun. Of course we supported the cause.

Up Chapman’s Peak and through the drizzle we went. What an incredible drive Lyn made every day to teach at a school in Fish Hoek! We wound our way up along the cliff and just at the top, God answered Lyn’s pleas; the sun broke through and we were gifted with an amazing view overlooking of the whole of Hout Bay. What a beautiful, beautiful place.

Over the mountains and down into Fish Hoek on the Indian Ocean coast. A quick stop and shop and on to Simon’s Town. After a brief stop, we continued on the see the penguin colony on the beach. An adventure worth the rain as we were able to see them as close as 1/2 a meter away. They were sleek and nesting in pairs. Last trip they were molting, this time they appeared much more sophisticated.

Our last stop was in Kalk Bay. We were treated to a tour of Media Village, an equip client from the first venture. They showed us a video they had recently produced. We had the privilege of praying with them and for the business.

With the sun setting, we drove back to our B&B at the Bell Rosen, looking forward to a peaceful evening of fellowship and reflection. David Kwok wonderfully organized a take-away meal from the local Spur (family type restaurant). As we ate and shared over dinner in our equip room, a peaceful spirit pervaded. The evening ended with each of us retiring to our last night’s sleep in South Africa, content with our work and trusting God to expand it.

Friday, the final day, started off badly. We got lost! Rebecca was driving and Scott and myself were navigating. Time after time, either Scott or myself chose a right instead of a left and sent Rebecca on a wild goose chase! Eventually we stopped for directions, and the man we spoke to, told us to turn left instead of right!

Thanks to a very patient Mike on a cell phone we got to the Durbanville conference center with minutes to spare!

The day went very well, the clients each gave a presentation on their business, what they had discovered during the training and how their businesses would be changing in the future as a result. Everyone seemed to have received revelation from the Lord and everyone seemed to have a new understanding of their role as a Christian in business. Testimonies of marketplace miracles abounded. After each presentation the client was prayed for and commissioned as a Marketplace Minister. The Lord was there very powerfully and it was a very blessed morning.

In the afternoon the clients from Kayamandi came in to share what the Lord had been doing for them in the last two weeks. It was wonderful to hear from them and to learn from what the Lord had been doing in their midst around business. Again the Lord was present in a very powerful way.

The Lord is good. Both clients and consultants were blessed in some way or another by the training, the presentations and the prayer times.

Today was our last day of client consultation before their presentations on Friday. We had a good day covering the P’s of People and Process. Given the racial and political inequity of our history, many businesses in South Africa struggle to align their approach to people with kingdom principles. The effect of this misalignment is evidenced by a recently released report that people in South Africa trust the government more than they do business!

It has been really encouraging to see many of the clients that we are working with internalizing the importance that God places on people and adjusting their current and future approaches to people accordingly.

I am still in awe at how God works in the hearts and minds of businessmen and woman through the equip process, and realize that without the prayer support that this program receives the transformation and renewal of minds that we experience in the clients we work with would not be possible. So a massive Thank You to all of you who continue to pray for this program, without your support we wouldn’t be half as effective as we have been.

Hello everyone, this is James writing for all. I am a part of the team working in Kayamundi.

Today we worked more with our small businesses in Kayamundi. We have been taking them through cost sheets, capital, commission, and other key principles for a small business. One of the major obstacles we are working around is their view of prices. Most people are very quick to give a price for something but when it comes to finding where that price came from, most people are in the dark. I spent most of the afternoon walking around the township marketing bread from the local bakery. This was an amazing experience because it let me see the town, play with some children, and find out how the people there negotiate when dealing with business. A conversation that for me might consist of a few short statements, takes the Choza people 20 minutes.

In the evening we had the opportunity to go to a small game park. Here we saw zebra, buck, ostriches, guinea fowl, antelope, and a wide variety of other animals. We were able to stop for some biltong and borewoerse. The amazing sunset over the wine land could not have been painted by any master painter. Through this beauty I am continually reminded that God is the master painter, who made the beautiful sky and every person here in Africa.

Mid-morning we usually break for tea; this morning we had some fun by celebrating the birthday of one of our clients. We awarded him with the team’s colorful African shirt to wear for the duration of the day (see picture). The U.S. consulting team wrapped up the day at a nearby by restaurant with delicious Italian cuisine. Tomorrow we look forward to a break in the schedule so that we can meet with clients and complete our deliverables. "Cheerio!"

Lyn delivered a loving message to us, encouraging us to fix our eyes on Jesus at all times, especially during times of growth and change. Today was to be the first day the church would hold TWO services. We had the pleasure of having lunch with some folks from the church, and had the chance to share what’s been happening with each of us this past week. (It’s only been a week?!) While Brett has been making the most of our time with the clients, Lyn has been maximizing our off time. The Johnson’s’ family friends, Lindsay, Rowan, and Tami Jones, invited us to their farm in De Doorns, which is about 2 hours from where we’re staying.

The drive to the “wine country” was absolutely breathtaking. The towering mountain range that we drove along/under/around is made of rocks that are both smooth and chunky, and a rusty color that we’re not used to seeing. We’re also not accustomed to finding a pack of baboons feeding along the highway. Quite a sight!

Lindsay and Rowan grow the most extraordinary table grapes, run a B&B, raise two children, four dogs, and generously open their historic home (homestead established in 1769) to people like us. We had the opportunity to relax in the warm hospitality of a wonderful family. Lindsay and Rowan took the time to explain to us all about the Hex Valley region, the grapes they grow, and the businesses they run. Their farm and uniform making businesses are having a positive impact on their community, and growing the kingdom of God. We left feeling rested and well fed, and wondering when we’d be able to return for an extended visit.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace patience kindness, goodness faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Galatians 5:22

Applying Kingdom Principles to entrepreneurial endeavors was today’s spiritual message in Kayamandi Township. A partnership of spirit-led business consultants from South Africa and the United States aided by Stellenbosch University students held a one-day seminar to equip prospective business leaders with the 10P method of fulfilling God’s business objectives. The day was filled with faith-based skill building booths that employed situational scenarios as members of the community learned how to plan, implement, maintain and expand successful businesses. Inspirational praise and worship songs glorified Christ in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa.

The day ended on a high note as members of the community presented community-based business opportunities using the partnering, process and planning (to name but a few) skills that were learned in today’s spirit-led seminar. This South African community located east of Cape Town is on its way to establishing faith-based businesses as a means of expanding God’s kingdom.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Equipped with 10Ps, Brett led a team of US and SA consultants to conduct a business workshop for the citizens in the township of Kayamandi (City of Hope). The purpose was to equip the residents who would like to start small business within the community. The planning committee, led by Margo Johnson (better known as Ma) and Samantha Stevenson, organized a program that teaches the foundation of business skills by integrating Kingdom principles with real-life applications. Collaborating with local business college students, the consultants conveyed the concepts to the entrepreneurs in a concise, yet relevant manner. The entrepreneurs were bright, energetic, and rich in spirit. As goodwill ambassadors for Christ, the equip team prayed that the entrepreneurs will be blessed in their businesses and transform the township into a Kingdom community. The team not only commenced the program with a smile but also left a piece of their heart in the City of Hope.

Friday the 16th of April was of most importance for our client. Our client was working vigorously to get her product registered by the government of South Africa to allow her to sell her product. The process of getting her product registered was at a standstill and very frustrating to her organization. On Thursday our consultation group stopped and prayed for the Lord’s help to get this product registered. The following day God answered prayer by opening a door with the government agency by helping the client process the registration.