Simmons 4 Africa

As our vision trip to South Africa comes to an end we have gained a fresh first hand perspective of the country and a far greater understanding of why God has called us here.

Before we departed on this journey, many asked why South Africa.  One gentleman even questioned why we would go the richest country in Africa when there were so many other countries on the continent whose needs were far greater?. Many in the West think of South Africa as an exception to other countries is Africa. Basically  speaking they consider it the same as a first world western democracy that just so happens to be located in southern Africa. 

The fact is South Africa is a very complex and diverse society that cannot really be ladled in regards to a world class. One of the people and a great man of  God I have gotten to know since being here put it this way. Our country has first world cities and the rest is third world. After being here and observing for over two months I tend to agree with that assumption. Take here in the town of Newcastle proper.  Everything here including the shopping, roads, homes, hospitals, commercial buildings etc. reminds me very much of what you would find in any western civilized town. However, it is when you venture out a few kilometres you get a whole different perspective.

There is a densely populated area just outside of Newcastle which houses about 300,000 people, everywhere you look you see abject poverty and realize quickly you just entered a different world. Additionally, the countryside throughout this region is dotted and consumed by makeshift townships and camps. Many of these places are full of dwellings that would not pass any building codes common in the western world. Also much of these areas are void of basic necessities including, running water and electricity. Let me contrast this. The town of Newcastle proper has a population of about 17,000 people, the poor areas I just described are home to nearly 4000,000.  This only includes this immediate area around Newcastle. I can only imagine what the numbers are like nearer the big cities and in the vast rural areas of the country.

Before we came here, we really felt like God was telling us He was sending us to a place that has been neglected and what we found was an area that was ripe for the hope of the Gospel. The need here is vast and seemingly never ending and we are privileged that God has called us to this place at this time. Even though we are looking forward to going home, seeing loved ones, share our adventure and articulate the need. We also take back with us an excruciating burden for the people here and cannot wait to get back.

Two weeks to go here in Newcastle South Africa on this particular trip. So many exciting things are happening and lots to do before we pack up and go two weekends from now.

tonight we are having the three teachers and their families from Shekinah Christian Academy over for Dinner to thank them for their service.

Deena and I are having lunch with Pastor Seeva Pillay of the Evangelical Bible Church after we attend services at Newcastle Baptist Church tomorrow. Pastor Seeva has been pivotal in connecting us with schools and ministries in the area that provide numerous ministry opportunities. He is alos my major partner on developing/planning the soccer ministry.  After lunch tomorrow he is taking us back out to Wycomb Farm Village where Deena will provide a Sunday school lesson to the children there. This will also be a site for at least two soccer teams when our league is up and running in early 2013.

Also next week we have may an opportunity to acquire soccer uniforms (Jersey, socks, shorts) for the kids at the School of Industries who play games with local schools once in a while. However, they have no uniforms and most of them play with bare feet. I attended a game last week and they had borrowed jersey's and played a team that was fully equipped.  Please pray that we will be able to supply them with the uniforms before we leave Newcastle on March 10.This will be a big step in building trust and showing these kids the love of Christ and letting them know we really do care and are committed to them. Also pray that we will be able to obtain good quality second hand shoes when we return to the States that we can ship to them in a couple months time. Deena is also looking into reading curriculum that will best serve the kids at the School of Industries  most of whom cannot read English. We hope to meet with the staff members at the school before we leave with examples and seek their input. Once we have something we all agree on Deena will work to acquire the curriculum when we return and will implement it and train the staff when we come back to South Africa.

Please keep us in your prayers as we try to finish strong here!!!! 

Our time here for this vision trip is coming to close in a hurry as so it seems. We only have three weeks left in Newcastle and we have a lot to accomplish before we leave. Deena is working frantically on ensuring the reading curriculum is in place prior to March 10, our last day in Newcastle. Please pray for her, the teachers and administration as they work together to make this happen.

I am spending my time developing the soccer ministry organization and preparing us for full time ministry here. It is a lot of work but what a labor of joy!!

Please pray for appointments I have this week and that they will be informative and extremely productive. Pastor Seeva Pillay and I are meeting with an administrator of the School for Industries today. They have invited us to come in on a weekly basis to minister to their 30-40 students. This is essentially a juvenile detention center who houses troubled youth from all over South Africa. Even though it is a state run school we are going to have opportunities to present the gospel, both through the soccer ministry and through individual counseling sessions with the students.

I will also be meeting with two pastors this week to discuss how the soccer ministry will serve them in their efforts to evangelize their communities.

Please pray that both Deena and can complete the work we needed to set the foundation for us to come back, hopefully by the end of the year. We are moving forward at a rapid pace to serve here long term. Our prayer is that the Holy Spirit will be our guiding force and God will receive the full measure of glory in all that done through our work here.

Dan Simmons

Note: We are now preparing for full missionary service, if you feel lead to give to this ministry, you can now make tax deductible donations through our sending agency listed below:

Into all the World,  PO Box 702558, Tulsa, OK 74170-2558, Designated for "Simmons"

We are happy to announce that our missions blog is operational. We will post ministry updates regurally along with pictures, videos and other information that applies to our mission in South Africa! Please stay tuned!!!