Kinsley's In Africa

The Church's Response to Orphans

2010-07-30T04:00:00.009+02:00

My wife, Teresa, has become quite the blog follower. In particular, she has found a community of mothers who have adopted African children. That interest, along with a good dose of the LORD's providence, has led us to a group of families in the Central Mississippi area who are in various stages of the process of international adoptions.

At a get together the other evening, Teresa began sharing an article she read in "Christianity Today" called Abba Changes Everything by Russell Moore. Mr. Moore is author of Adopted for Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families and Churches and is senior vice president and dean of the School of Theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.

The entire article can be found by clicking here.

One particular passage really caught my eye. It was under the sub-heading Orphan Care: Spiritual Warfare. Now I have to admit that parenting a 6-year old boy while in my 50's could be classified as warfare. However, I had never considered it to be Spiritual Warefare. Moore poses the question "Would our gospel be more credible if 'church family' wasn't just a slogan, if 'brothers and sisters' was more than metaphor? What would happen if the world saw fewer 'white churches' and 'black churches,' fewer 'blue-collar churches' and 'white-collar churches,' and fewer baby boomer and emerging churches, and saw more churches whose members have little in common except being saved by the gospel?"

And then he answers the question by stating that God is using adoptive families to teach the church that there are no natural-born children in the kingdom of God. We are all adopted by Abba.

Specifically he says "Our churches ought to be showing the families therein how love and belonging transcend categories of the flesh. Instead, though, it seems God is using families who adopt to teach the church. In fact, perhaps we so often wonder whether adopted children can really be brothers and sisters because we so rarely see it displayed in our pews. Some—maybe even you—might wonder how an African American family could love a white Ukrainian baby, how a Haitian teenager could call Swedish parents Mom and Dad. The adoption movement is challenging the impoverished hegemony of our carnal sameness, as more and more families in the church are starting to show fellow believers the meaning of unity in diversity.

That's why adoption and orphan care can ultimately make the church a counterculture. The demonic rulers of the age hate orphans because they hate babies—and have from Pharaoh to Moloch to Herod to the divorce culture to malaria to HIV/AIDS. They hate foster care and orphan advocacy because these actions are icons of the gospel's eternal reality. Our enemies would prefer that we find our identity and inheritance in what we can see and verify as ours—the flesh—rather than according to the veiled rhythms of the Spirit. Orphan care isn't charity; it's spiritual warfare.

Does this resonate with you? I encourage you to read the entire article.

What If ... the Movie

2010-07-28T15:43:00.018+02:00

Teresa, Alfie and I had a great time last night connecting with old and new friends who are in the process of adopting children from Africa. One of my new friends is Brent Johnston Jr who has a media company that is promoting a screening of a new Christian Film, "What If?". He's excited about it because it is a high quality production that effectively communicates the Gospel.

If you are in the Central Mississippi area on Saturday night there is a free screening at Ridgeland High School's performing arts auditorium. Here is the announcement and the link to RSVP if you want to attend.

Exclusive Screening, One Night Only!
Saturday, July 31 at 7 p.m.
Ridgeland High School Performing Arts Theater

7 Day Media invites you to an exclusive screening of the new feature film What If... from Pure Flix Entertainment and executive
producer Jerry Jenkins, author of the "Left Behind" series.

Please RSVP today to reserve your seats. There is no cost for attendance.

reserve@sevendaymedia.com

In the tradition of Fireproof and It's a Wonderful Life, What If... tells the story of Ben Walker, a high-powered businessman given a glimpse into what his life would look like had he followed his true calling to be a pastor and marry his college sweetheart.

Coming to Jackson area theaters August 27, 2010, What If... stars Kevin Sorbo (Hercules, Hallmark's Avenging Angel), John Ratzenberger (Cheers), Kristy Swanson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Big Daddy), and Debby Ryan (Disney Channel's Suite Life on Deck).

We are teaming up with ministries and organizations to bring this family-oriented film to the Jackson area. Our hope is that this film may lead others to the Lord while encouraging pastors and congregations to ask the question...“What if I follow God's plan?”

Our goal is to give church and community leaders the opportunity to view and rally behind a family-oriented film with a positive message. We believe this film can provide ministry opportunities for everyone involved. We hope you will attend this exclusive screening of the new film, What If... on Saturday, July 31, at 7 pm at the Ridgeland High School Performing Arts Theater.

For more information and to view the trailer, visit the official What If... website.

Freedom to the Prisoners

2010-07-16T10:02:00.008+02:00

“To proclaim freedom to the prisoners”

This last phrase from Isaiah 61:1 became a reality for me as I had the distinct privilege of sharing the Gospel in Krugersdorp prison in South Africa. Because of legal issues, I could not take pictures while there, so please allow me to attempt to paint the picture in words.

My dear friend Rod Shiers has been conducting group sessions as part of addiction counseling here for over two years now. This place is one of three prisons where Jesus has ignited a revival in South Africa. These groups are all being repeatedly invited to enter into a personal relationship with Christ as the basis for receiving freedom from addiction. Another friend, David Hain, has authored two books that are the basic curriculum. These books have been approved by the South African Department of Corrections for use. For Christ-centered books to be approved as training materials by a government is truly a miracle.

Rod gave me the opportunity to share about 10 minutes before they began their session. I felt in my heart that the twenty men gathered there needed to hear the proclamation of freedom in Christ. For the next 15 minutes (sorry I stole 5 minutes from Rod), I shared our family’s story of a battle against drugs and alcohol and the Holy Spirit prompted me with verse after verse of freedom and liberty in Jesus. I saw on their faces the true realization of the Way, the Truth and the Life.
We prayed for many and the LORD met their needs. And on that day, I gained 20 brothers that I had not met before … twenty men who were part of my family with God. They were challenged to share their freedom with those still held captive by sin and I saw their commitment to that challenge.

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold new things have come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Hotheads Bless Africa

2010-07-15T16:07:00.020+02:00

As part of our 2010 Africa Children’s Camp and Outreach, we were blessed to be able to distribute hand-knitted “beanies” to the people of the communities in which we served.

These were supplied by a group known as the Hotheads. This group of women from the Jackson MS metro area work together to produce these beautiful hats to bless those who are battling winter.

These pictures are of some of the children that benefitted from their generosity and talent.

Thank you Hotheads!

2010 South Africa Kids Camp

2010-07-15T13:44:00.009+02:00

During the month of July, Mission Sebenzela had the privilege of hosting mission teams from the Church at Brookhills (Birmingham AL) and from Oak Ridge Baptist Church (San Antonio TX). I cannot begin to explain just how well prepared these teams were and how much impact they had on the communities that they served and upon me personally.

They worked with kids in the community who had been out of school for 4 weeks with nothing to do, due to the World Cup schedule. The first two days we averaged about 40 children, but the last three days saw us host 140 each day.

These missionaries shared Bible stories, taught games and songs, did art work, and fed them lunch all in open, vacant spaces around these impoverished communities. Beyond this, the most important thing was that they showed the Love of Jesus.

However, I truly believe that the team members were more impacted by what Jesus did within them as they served His people. They witnessed first-hand the challenges faced by most people living outside of the West and just how blessed their lives are. Jesus awakened in them His ultimate purpose of making disciples of all nations and bringing God glory.

Mission Trip Report - #2 - Crossgates Baptist Church

2009-09-16T14:34:00.017+02:00

Our first mission team of the summer was from Crossgates Baptist Church of Brandon MS. The 11-person team was led by Kyle Reno, their College and Young Singles Pastor. On their first Sunday there, I asked Kyle to preach in the service at the Wells of Salvation church located at the Refilwe Community Project. He did a phenomenal job and the church still talks about it. I had also asked the worship leader, Pete Lee, to be prepared to lead a few American worship songs and accompany them on the guitar. Little did we know that the local worship accompanist would not be in attendance. Pete did a phenomenal job of attempting to accompany African worship songs (with constantly changing keys, rhythms, and melodies).

On Monday, the team joined community outreach leaders of Berakah Educational Foundation as they visited the homes of orphans and vulnerable children that this group helps look after. At each stop, the team met the children and their caregivers and shared with them the love of Jesus. At one particular stop, the team prayed with a severely ill lady. The lady got off of her bed to shuffle outside and join the team in prayer and praise. It touched us all.

The remainder of the week, the team worked alongside the staff of the Refilwe Community Project. The team was divided into 2 groups. One half of the team joined the home-based care team to go into the multiple informal settlements surrounding the project. There they sought out people who needed the medical and life-skill services offered by Refilwe. They prayed with those already receiving help and joined in by loving those that the world would see as poor and destitute. Instead, they saw them as Jesus sees them … precious in HIS sight. The remaining group assisted with site work. They cleared land, hauled dirt to build a road, and set fence posts that serve to secure the 20+ acres on which the project sits. The next day, the groups swapped places.

While this team was our first, they set a high standard for hard work and cooperation in serving the people of Africa. It was such a blessing to have them, and in fact, one of their team members, Leigh Ann Williams, has now returned to South Africa to work with us for the remainder of 2009.

My Knight

2009-09-15T14:53:00.006+02:00

In his book, “Raising a Modern Day Knight”, author Robert Lewis lays out 4 pillars of manhood: A real man rejects passivity, accepts responsibility, leads courageously and expects the greater reward.

This is my knight-in-training, Alfie. He is anything but passive, is learning to harness courage (vs. simply taking risks), and has a well-earned 5 year old’s view of accepting responsibility. His current view of the greater reward is fashioned by his love for all things Narnia.

As he roams our place in South Africa, he sometimes assumes the role of High King Peter or Prince Caspian, and continually does battle with his foes and ultimately comes out on top, though not without a few “dramatic” injuries. Although lately, he has shied away from adopting a character’s role and has declared himself, King Alfie.

I relish that title for him. I attempt to remind him on a regular basis that his King, King Jesus, paid a price that makes Alfie royalty. He is a son of the MOST HIGH and carries the authority of the KING.

As I watch him, I am acutely aware of a God-ordained destiny for his life, and quite humbly, I am even more aware of my pivotal role in molding his identity to fulfill that destiny. For the lessons learned at my knee dictate the length of time it will take him to overcome my short-comings in instruction when he is his own man.

If that doesn’t drive me to prayer, then I shouldn’t be a father.

Spring has come to Africa

2009-09-08T09:16:00.009+02:00

Spring has arrived in Africa. It was the coldest winter of the 5 years that we have been here so the respite from the cold, the color brown, and the smokey air from wildfires is more than welcomed. It’s a time of celebration.

The transition into spring is always metaphorical. New beginnings … a relaunch of color, freshness, and new growth … a warming of the body, mind, soul and spirit. All of those things apply to us.

But the additional meanings of the word spring also apply.

Spring (Verb) to be released from a constrained position, as by resilient or elastic force or from the action of a spring.

We had a very blessed summer (our winter) with numerous short-term mission teams ministering alongside us. But at the same time, we have felt a sense that there was more to the ministry. As we move into spring, we have felt a definite release. We have moved away from our friends at Alabanza (more on this in another blog) to the Midrand area. The move was not the result of any conflict but a specific leading of the LORD that is releasing constraints. It’s exciting and yet it’s another step of faith into the unknown.

Spring (noun) a leap, jump, or bound.

With this new season, we believe that we are leaping, with joy, into a path that will lead us into increased ministry, discipleship, and fulfillment of the mission of Sebenzela.

So we covet your prayers as we enter into Spring.

Mission Trip Reports #1

2009-08-11T11:52:00.014+02:00

We have been on a whirl wind of activity since Teresa, Alfie and I were reunited in South Africa on the 4th of June. Over the next few days, we will post reports of those who came to serve Jesus and share some testimonies. These will be in no particular date order.

In the third week of July, we received a 20-person medical team from the Church at Brookhills (http://www.brookhills.org/) in Birmingham AL. On Sunday, we served the people of the church at Refilwe. The rest of the week, we established a mobile clinic of sorts in three informal settlements that are served by our friends the Refilwe Community Project (http://www.refilwe.org/).

We saw over 1,225 people that week. We saw many that were sick, many that needed attention, and most all that needed Jesus. What I witnessed in this team was just awesome.

They performed surgeries, pulled teeth, started IV's, and treated many colds and flu. But every single person heard the Gospel multiple times. Many for the first time were introduced to the Great Physician and many had a life-changing encounter with a Savior.

Time after time a team member would call me over and tell me "Let me introduce you to my new brother/sister. They just accepted Jesus".

We have since gone back into each of those communities and we encounter people who are praising the LORD that they are feeling much better since being treated by the team. I'm sure some of it had to do with the medication and vitamins they received. But I'm more confident that much of their health improvement is the result of being shown the love of Jesus and encountering authentic disciples.

Easter Sunday 2009 - Life Accelerating

2009-04-13T00:32:00.002+02:00

Life is moving at a fast pace for us and it was never more evident than today. Just this week, we will complete the interview phase of an adoption home study that the US Immigration Service requires for Alfie's (our 5 year old) citizenship. Then, I will transfer a load of furniture 600 miles to North Carolina to the house in which our daughter Kim and her son (our 15 month-old grandson) will relocate. During my return, I will stop through Birmingham and see our son Chris and daughter-in-law Liza and their precision 6 week old daughter Story. Then three days later I board a plane to South Africa. I will be accompanied by our first staff member, Brooke. Teresa and Alfie will follow a month later after helping Kim relocate and spending a week helping with Story.

I'm now 52 years old and the old adage seems to be true. The older you get the faster life moves.

But I am looking forward to the ride. I've always like speed.

Buy Coffee for Orphans

2007-09-06T10:40:00.000+02:00

This post came from the blog of Tom Davis, President of Children's Hope Chest. Tom and I have become friends on his numerous trips to Africa.

"September 04, 2007
Saints Coffee
Buy a pound of coffee and feed an orphan for a month! Go to http://saintscoffee.com/ and order online.Besides being an awesome concept, here are some other pluses:

Only the top 3% of coffee in the world is good enough for Saints Coffee

Trade Free

It's Organic

It helps the poor instead of lining rich people's pockets!

Roasted fresh and in micro-batches

Cool Blends like St. George the Dragon Slayer dark roast

Flat out tastes better than any coffee you've drank

Look at it this way, you can know you are really helping a child in need because when you are enjoying that piping hot, delicious, fresh coffee, drinking that cup feeds an orphan for a day."

You can visit Tom's blog at http://tomdavis.typepad.com/tom_daviss_blog/

Mission Sebenzela Video

2007-08-31T12:22:00.000+02:00

This video was created by the Media Team of The World Race during the time they worked alongside of us for our three weeks of Children's Camp.