Meanwhile, in Argentina ...

While AfriCom has been busy getting a newsletter printed and posted, and connecting with the YWAM staff in the south central region, LatinCom has hosted their first corporate gathering since the global communication consultation that was held there in April 2008. Com Team members from around the Latin American continent met together in Buenos Aires to pray, discuss strategy and to connect with one another. Miranda was able to meet with them via Skype to bring a greeting from Com Teams internationally and to field questions. It was great to 'drop in' on our fellow Com Team members in South America and particularly to see the Portuguese-speaking Brazilians and Spanish-speaking Latinos seeking to work more closely together on behalf of their continent.

Com Teams in South America have developed differently to those in Africa. From the beginning of LatinCom we have had representatives in a number of countries and the challenge has been to coordinate the work of those individuals as part of a Com Team strategy to support the work of YWAM in that part of the world. In Africa we have always had the core team working together from one location, with a common strategy, but we have had to work hard to mobilize regional teams for different parts of the continent. We have a lot to learn from one another and in both parts of the world we are seeking to work more closely with YWAM's communication training that takes place through the College of Communication that is part of the University of the Nations.

LatinCom, we wish you the very best as you serve YWAM in South America! Thanks for allowing us to connect with your gathering, it was great to 'see' you all :-)

South Central Africa Regional Conference

You could hear the sound of a drum resounding through the South Central region of Africa. People came from the North, South, East and West, for one purpose; to be reunited as a family.
On the 9th of August, YWAM South Central Africa gathered for their annual two years regional staff conference in Livingstone, Zambia. Altogether they formed a family rich in diversity and flavour, living throughout Angola, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi.

YWAM South Central Africa is rich in its assortment of ministries, but this was not the centre of the conference. The message of the conference was simple, ‘together for the harvest’, and the focus was to rest and to be set free from bondages and fears that withhold us from walking in our full potential serving God. To be unified as a region and together reach these nations for God.

Words of encouragement were spoken. “We are people of labour, people of turmoil, but the number one in spiritual warfare is to rest, rest for strength.” Jonathan Mumbi, director of YWAM Zambia said on the first day. This set the tone for the conference.

Guest speaker of the week was Don Gillman, base director of YWAM Taiwan. He inspired us with his message and challenged us with his life stories and questions. A few of his questions were, how far are we willing to go for the gospel, what fears are keeping us from the will of God, what is true obedience and what are our value systems?
Through the daily preaching there was a calling to come back to the heart of God to find rest, to be strengthened, and to receive Gods grace in the middle of struggle or victory. To come back to a place where we “Obey the Father and not the need of men.” (Oswald Chambers).

With teachings in mind, fellowship in the heart and a cup of tea in hand, YWAM South Central Africa together tackled their fears and discussed their value systems.

At the end of the conference people were returning to their homes, encouraged and prepared for the task before them.

Lydia Smit

Bits & pieces

Some of the advantages of having our office next to the YWAM Muizenberg base are easy networking and opportunities to hear stories without having to travel far.
We also get to be part of the cool things happening under their roof and participate in ministry and events. The most recent event we attended was the Catalyst 9 gathering in Cape Town. Catalyst 9 is part of an YWAM international outreach which takes place in different cities around the world. What a great way to find out what the YWAM teams are doing in and around the city of Cape Town in partnership with local churches.

This week Evelien and Pam are in the office. The Heathcote family is in the UK for a well deserved break. Lydia is in Livingstone, Zambia where she is attending the South Central Africa staff conference. Check the blog next week to read about her time there.

Djembe, the YWAM Africa newsletter that we produce from our office went out this week. If you are on our mailing list check your mail box, if you would like to receive a copy please let us know.