Update from Johannesburg

We are having a wonderful time seeing God at work in Johannesburg.  We are feeling great and energized by all that God is doing here.

We had a great 2-Day Celebrate Recovery International Seminar in Johannesburg with over 60 people from 18 churches in attendance, some with existing or developing ministries and others just learning about Celebrate Recovery. They are excited to get their CR ministries going strong and then adding The Landing and Celebration Place for which there is a great need, including discussions of how to take them into the schools.

We have visited several churches and met with their leaders to coach them toward healthy Celebrate Recovery ministries. It is so encouraging to see how God is using this ministry in South Africa.

We’ve attended 3 General Meeting nights at different churches. We’ve seen much of Gauteng (the JoBurg region) as we travel from place to place.  We’ve heard many testimonies of how God is working in people’s lives and bringing healing through Celebrate Recovery.

We’ve enjoyed wonderful fellowship with our Regional Rep for South Africa and his wife, Tobie and Ria Tolken, and have been blessed to stay in their home. They are doing an awesome job representing Celebrate Recovery in South Africa and helping churches build strong, healthy CR ministries.

We visited Modderbee Correctional Facility with 6000+ inmates.  They have a church of 300 members led by inmates along with an awesome rehabilitation program that is serving as a model for South Africa.  They have 2 different 24/7 prayer vigils in the units.  Pray for them as they will begin Celebrate Recovery in the near future. 

This evening we fly to Cape Town where we will hold another 2-Day CR seminar for churches in the Western Cape before heading home on Sunday.

Prayer requests: Travel mercies, good rest, wake up refreshed for the seminar which begins in the morning. Pray for those that will be attending for willing hearts and open minds. Pray for the churches both in JoBurg and Cape Town as they go forward with Celebrate Recovery. Pray for Tobie as he carries the torch of Celebrate Recovery in South Africa.

Leaving for South Africa

Jana O’Guin, John and Linda Brennan will depart October 7 for South Africa and return October 20. We will visit several Celebrate Recovery programs in the Johannesburg area and conduct a 2-Day Seminar for churches in Johannesburg. We will fly to Cape Town and hold another 2-Day Seminar for churches in the Cape Town area.

Your prayers are so important, please pray throughout the trip. Check back for updates and specific prayer requests.

Tuesday - Wednesday, October 7 - 8 – John & Linda will depart from Chicago and Jana will depart Dallas midafternoon. We will meet in Atlanta and fly together on to Johannesburg, arriving late afternoon on Wednesday.
Please pray:
• For travel mercies, airline connections, luggage arrival and safe passage through customs.
• For our health and for strength throughout this missionary journey, to accomplish the tasks God has set before us.
• For peace for family members and friends at home.

Thursday, October 9 – Meet with ministry partners to finalize plans for the seminars.
Please pray:
• To wake up refreshed and Spirit led for all of the divine appointments ahead.
• For the details about of the seminars to be worked out smoothly.

Friday & Saturday, October 10 & 11 – Hold 2-Day Celebrate Recovery seminar for churches in greater Johannesburg.
Please pray:
• To be used for God’s purpose and help the attendees to understand how to start or grow their own CR ministry.
• The Holy Spirit opens hearts of those attending to hear His message.

Sunday - Thursday, October 12 - 16 – Visit & speak at churches that have existing CR ministries. Meet with leaders to help them develop strong CR models. Thursday evening fly to Cape Town.
Please pray:
• For connections with the people that God wants us to visit.
• Wisdom and guidance for how best to help their CR ministries continue growing strong.
• A fun time of fellowship.
• For travel mercies going to and from Cape Town and reconnecting with friends.

Friday & Saturday, October 17 & 18 – Hold 2-Day Celebrate Recovery seminar for churches in Cape Town
Please pray:
• To be used for God’s purpose and help the attendees to understand how to start or grow their own CR ministry.
• The Holy Spirit opens hearts of those attending to hear His message.

Sunday, October 19 – Attend church. Flight departing Sunday evening from Cape Town, connecting in JoBurg then on to Atlanta.
Please pray:
• A day for Divine Appointments He has set in advance

Monday, October 20 – From Atlanta, John & Linda will go on to Chicago while Jana travels to Dallas, all arriving home around noon on Monday.
Please pray:
• For travel mercies, airline connections, luggage arrival and safe passage through customs.
• For reunion with family members and friends at home.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.”