SA to UK to SA
As we write this blog we are coming to the end of our first “home assignment”, or furlough as it is often called. It’s certainly not a holiday although we have found time visiting with our family a blessing.
On our travels we were able to attend Highfield C of E in Southampton and the speaker on Pentecost Sunday evening service said this: “I’d rather spend a lifetime on my knees praying for the manifest presence of the Spirit than stand one day on my feet in a broken world!” What a great quote! To hear the heart of God for the nations, and to realise that without the radical moving of the Holy Spirit’s power, this world will continue to be ignorant of Christ was so encouraging. Who was the preacher? Ben Jackson our middle son! Proud parents!
Sunset over Kruger, near our home.
Prior to leaving South Africa at the beginning of May we had a very busy April.
UK Team Visit:
We were joined for two weeks by John and Joy Wilson from Life Church Chelmsford. They are retired teachers and we were able to visit a high school and a primary school in local villages . They also brought with them sports kits kindly donated by Sue Crace, art equipment and science experiments. They had a wonderful time teaching in the schools, sometimes with classes up to 78 in number, but the children were enthralled by the lessons and glad to have visitors from so far away.
John and Joy Wilson with Barbie at Nkomo B.
Nkomo-B Revival Week:
Nkomo-B is a village about 90 minutes drive from where we live. We were invited, along with John and Joy, to carry out a week long revival in the Emmanuel Assembly there, Pastored by Elias Mavunda. What an amazing time it was. Not only was the church encouraged and built up, but 29 people responded to the Gospel for the first time.
Easter Weekend:
After the Wilson’s returned to the UK we attended the Emmanuel Easter Convention at Bushbuckridge. The guest speaker was Pastor Ziso Moyo from Elim Zambia. We were privileged to be tasked with looking after Zizo, Nicki and the children. On the Saturday Ziso fell ill and Keith was tasked with preaching at the convention with an hour’s notice. It was an honour and the Holy Spirit moved!
Other Opportunities:
We have the privilege to minister at one of the Emmanuel Assemblies in Selwane, the church of Pastor Big Ben. The day before we left for the UK Keith was invited to speak at the Phalaborwa Police’s Weekly Parade.
In the UK:
We have been so blessed to be able to share what we have been doing and the progress so far in several Elim Churches. We began in Life Church, Chelmsford, where we were previously. It’s great to see the good things God is doing there.
Next we travelled to Malvern for the Elim Missions Conference and to hear the vision from the new International Missions Director, Iain Hesketh (L). It was great to meet so many of our missionaries there. During the conference we were sent in groups to various churches. Barbie and Keith joined Roy Johnston, Irish Missions Director, and missionaries from Guatemala, the Middle East, India and a Missionary Apprentice at Evesham Elim, with each country being given seven minutes to share their news.
Harrogate then beckoned as we joined Elim Leaders from around the UK for the Elim Leaders Summit.
The following Sunday we travelled to Crewe to minister at the New Life Christian, Elim in Crewe pastored by Andy Taylor. It was great to be joined by Tim Robinson, who is based in Nigeria, as he was nearby.
The following week we spoke at Westcliff Elim in the morning and renewed friendships with Mike and Jenny Wright who lead this missions minded church. In the evening we shared at Ashingdon Elim, led by Dave and Maureen Redbond, old friends and heroes of ours.
Barbie sharing our update at Riviera Christian Centre
Due to so many missionaries being in the UK at one time we had a Sunday off, which coincided with Barbie’s birthday, and we spent it with Sam, Susanna and Joshua and were joined by Ben and Emma as they journeyed home from a convention.
We also travelled to Paignton in Devon to the Riviera Christian Centre (Elim) pastored by Paul and Sîan Hobson. This was our first visit there and we were struck by the young people there who are so on fire for God!
Our next stop is Elim Ipswich, our final church visit, on 16th June.
Please check out our Gallery page for more pictures of our adventures.
Thank yous:
We have been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of so many during this home assignment. Whilst there are too many to thank, and we know many would not want attention drawn to themselves, we want to give special mention to those who hosted us: Darren and Rhi Lee, John and Joy Wilson, Alan and Eva Smith, Andy and Sue Taylor. And of course our children, Matt and Rio, Ben and Emma, Sam and Susanna, for giving us a bed and fridge access! Also we’d like to thank David Sampson for loaning us his car for our travels.
Prayer Points:
Barbie’s midwifery equivalency process: this is something we need to progress when we are back in SA. She needs this prior to commencement of the mobile clinics.
Surrendered Warriors: Keith’s latest book is due to be published in the next three months.
Safe travels back to South Africa: we fly in the evening of 17th and arrived mid-morning on the 18th. We then have to collect our car from Centurion, Pretoria, and drive back to Phalaborwa, a seven hour journey.
UK Team Visit: Darren and Rhianne Lee are joining us from 22nd June to 3rd July to help with the work.
Church Plant Nyakelang: from 15th-20th July we are ministering at a new church plant for an outreach week.
For our continued language learning so we can become conversationally proficient in Sepedi (Northern Sotho).
Thank you for standing with us.
In His service,
Keith and Barbie
All gifts towards our ministry should be marked 'Jacksons South Africa' and sent to Elim International Missions, Elim International Centre, De Walden Road, West Malvern,
WR14 4DF (cheques payable to Elim International Missions).
If you would like to make regular gifts towards our support please visit our giving page or our contact page.
Thank you so much.
Charity No. 251549 (England & Wales) SC037754 (Scotland)
