MISSION TRIP 2025 – REPORT

After a significant amount of logistical planning and organising, the 13th May arrived and the Missions Group joined together at Ellel Shere House in South Africa. After getting to know each other a little through the online missions training, it was great to finally be together and get going with the mission trip.

Led by Herman Redelinghuys and Peter Brokaar, the mission started with two days of preparation and settling in, which included a focus on allowing God to look at the issues of ethnic wounding. This was both personal and necessary. It brought understanding and sensitivity to South Africa’s complex realities and there were personal challenges in this for all those involved as they looked at their own ethnicity, beliefs and perceptions. They all appreciate the time given for the Lord to meet them individually in these areas before the mission work began.

One of the highlights was the strengthening of an existing relationship with the Olievenhoutsbosch Disability Children’s Center. The group ministered God’s love and truth to children from a disadvantaged community and came alongside the overwhelmed helpers and teachers to minister God’s heart and truth to them. There was plenty of time to play and laugh with the children as well as sit quietly with others. Although the group gave generously, they received far more.

We had a first-time connection with the African Teen Challenge team, with so much kingdom potential. The mission group taught creatively, often using drama which worked well in this particular setting. This led into prayer ministry times for a hugely diverse group of ages and backgrounds in drugs, crime, and gangsterism – a huge step away from the comfort zone of many of our group but they all rose to the challenge.

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

We joined with a ministry working in a very poor formal settlement in Eersterust, stepping into a community hallmarked by poverty, abuse, and social problems. During this time, we met the people with God’s love both spiritually and practically. Whilst we offered short teachings, dramas and prayer ministry, we also loved and served over a

hundred people with much needed meals, prepared by the Shere House team and served, cleared and washed-up by the missions group.

We reconnected and strengthened our relationship with Operation Mobilisation and their Member Care department. We served twelve missionaries or people working within O.M. on a 3-day retreat at the O.M. training base. The Shere team provided, prepared, delivered all the food and daily surprises and treats, whilst the mission team, served, cleaned, and washed dishes with such love and excellence. This was a shorter version of the Mission Retreat, where there was teaching, with the team coming alongside the creative applications, messy painting, and prayer ministry. Some of the missionaries were deeply impacted by these three days. This exposed us again to the ‘hard’ realities of missionaries, and our hearts and attitudes were thoroughly tested.

The last day was serving in a church in black township in Vosloorus with a background of gender-based violence. The theme was knowing God’s life and freedom in a hostile world. About eighty people attended to listen to the teaching and panel discussions along with creative activities and prayer ministry. God’s presence was there. A very special work to place, and afterwards, many testimonies of people deeply touched by the Lord.

The last two days, the team went on safari so they could reflect, debrief, be filled up, and relax within nature, exploring the beauty of God’s creation. There were many amazing animal sightings through the two days: a perfect end to the two weeks.

We are so grateful to all those organisations who partnered with us for this Missions Trip, and we are encouraged by their feedback and their desire to work more with us in the future.

TESTIMONIALS FROM THE GROUP

“God was in everything and he was always there teaching in some way or healing in some way. I learnt something in absolutely everything we did from living with people to ministering with others”.

“In the first couple of days God highlighted some pain and burdens I had been carrying and not really bringing to Him. During the time we had and especially in the messy painting and reflection at the cross, I was able to bring this to the cross and allow Him in. This was a powerful time and very helpful before heading out to minister to others”.

“I am grateful that God brought me on mission……not only to reach out to people but to continue with my own healing”.

I know I have come away from mission a lot happier, more peaceful and closer to God.

“Some of the problems facing the people we met seemed impossible to fix, in fact they are impossible for us to fix, and their circumstances are unlikely to change at least in the short term. However what we were sharing was to allow God into the pain, the mess, the situations. I was reminded how much difference it makes just to be seen and heard and to know God is there with us, even if the circumstances look really bleak”.

“Going on mission for me was stepping outside of my comfort zone and so my reliance on God was made paramount during this mission. He always turned up, as expected and increased my faith, even when I was required to be more flexible than I would normally expect to be.”

My heart has got bigger and my mind has got wider and I never ever want to be the same again.

“He showed me His presence, power and protection in new ways in all the new experiences and challenges! I know I have come back changed and refreshed in Him”.