Camp #2 :)

What an amazing week! I don't think I will ever stop being overwhelmed by the fact that God chose me to be a part of this ministry. Being apart of a week that brings cultures and races together as the body of Christ is beyond incredible. I had my fears going into this week--will we see the same results as we did last year? Will the team be unified? Will we make a difference? Will everything go smoothly? The list goes on and on, but as I saw the week unfold, I was reminded that God is sovereign. He takes a team from various walks of life and backgrounds and unites them in Him to make a difference for His Kingdom. Is it difficult? You better believe it! Do we have differences? That is for sure--but one thing is constant, and that is the fact that we all want these children to know Jesus in a personal and intimate way.

We had 72 kids attend the second Hidden Place camp, over 30 of them accepted Christ as Lord and Savior of their lives! Relationships were built with leaders in the community which we hope will join us in doing follow up with the kids in the coming weeks. Our mission does not stop here. There is more to do. Jesus called us to make disciples, and that is our desire. Please join us in continuing to pray for the kids that attended camp. Pray that they will continue to walk out the decision that they made a few weeks ago. Pray for the team here that we are able to develop a discipleship strategy that works and impacts the lives of these children. And please please join us in praying for the Lord to provide land. It is truly a deep need of ours to have a face in the community and a home base from which we can minister to the children of the community.

Thank you all for your support, prayers, and encouragement. A special thanks to the amazing team from the States who went above and beyond what they were asked to make this camp a reality.

2 weeks!

Wow...time is flying! I cannot believe we are just two weeks away from our next camp. I just wanted to give everyone a little update on how prep is going and ways you can pray...

We currently have 55 kids signed up for camp and will have a few more in the next few days. We have 9 leaders coming from the States and 8 coming from various townships around Johannesburg. I am so grateful for the team we have in place. I really believe God is going to do great things in and through them!

Promise will be leading us in large group bible studies throughout the week, and Brad will be leading us in worship. Please pray for these two as they prepare for the week.

Game and activity prep is coming together as well. It is always a joy to watch the kids as they learn how to do new things and build relationships with their team. Please pray for each of our 8 teams--that the leaders will be able to quickly build relationships with the kids, as well as the kids with one another.

A major prayer request is team unity. Our team during camp is made up of people from various cultures and backgrounds, which can sometimes make unity difficult. Please pray that people will step out of their comfort zones and get to know new people. Pray that we will be unified as we work together to minister to the children attending.

In these next two weeks so much prep work takes place--both here and in the States. My desire is that our focus will stay on Christ and what is in going to do in the week of camp. So often the details and lists can become so overwhelming that my focus shifts. Join me in praying for our kids, our leader, and that God would be the focus of the week.

Thank you all for your support--this couldn't happen without you. Please check out The Hidden Place on Facebook and follow us on twitter thehiddenplace_ for all kinds of updates during camp.

:) Courtney  

a new year

After a wonderful month with my family and friends in America, I am back in SA and looking ahead to all that the year holds. First of all, I just want to update you guys on all that happened while I was in the States. It was a wonderful and very busy visit!

While in the States, we received some very exciting information---our non-profit/tax exempt status was approved!!! I am so thankful to everyone who has prayed for this--it was such a relief to get that piece of paper so that we can begin the process on this side of the ocean. Please pray as we begin the process of gaining that same status in SA.

I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to share the vision of The Hidden Place with various churches while I was home. It was so great to speak at my home church, as well as Mars Hill and others who play such a huge role in supporting this ministry. God also opened up some doors so that I could share at new places--it is such a joy to have new people jump on board every time I am home.

We also held a fund-raiser at Pizza Inn--thanks to everyone who braved the cold to come out and support! It is such a blessing to have so many people who believe in this ministry--you are all a huge part of making The Hidden Place a reality.

Now we are right at 2 months away from the first camp of 2014 and as of now we have 9 volunteers coming from America to work at camp--I am so thrilled! Please pray for each of them as they prepare to come here and share the love of Christ with these children.

As far as things on this side go, Promise will once again be doing the talks at camp and our theme will be "the armor of God." Please be in prayer as we meet with two new pastors this weekend who are excited to join The Hidden Place team. Forms will be going out soon--for both children and young adult volunteers--please pray that God leads us to the individuals who He desires be a part of this camp.

Please also be praying for God's provision in land. We are very excited about the prospect of building our own office and resource center, but land is proving to be difficult to find.

I really believe that God has great things in store for this year. I am constantly amazed that He chose me to be a part of this ministry. I am so unworthy, but I am so thankful that in my weakness His strength is made known. Thank you for your support---this could not be possible without you.

things above...

Hi everyone :)

I just wanted to take a moment to give you a little update on some exciting things that are in store for the Hidden Place, and also to share a little of what our Lord has been doing in my life.

First of all--thank you again for ALL your support, especially during the week of camp. The prayers that were being lifted up around the world were definitely felt--so thank you for playing such a big role in the first Hidden Place camp.

We are already looking forward to next year and have a few exciting things to share with you guys--

First of all--the first camp for next year will be from the 31 of March to the 4 of April. Volunteer spots are filling up fast so if you are interested please contact us at thehiddenplacesa@gmail.com for more information

Secondly--we are in the process of having a few more churches in Alex sign on to partner with us. If this happens we will be able to reach more areas of Alex and have a greater support structure in place to minister to the kids and their families after camp.

Third--we are looking for land in Alex to build an office/resource center so that the Hidden Place has a base in the community from which to work. Please join us in praying that land becomes available and that we are able to secure it.

Finally--in 2014 we will be beginning small group bible studies around the community with kids who have attended our camps. Please pray that God will provide leaders who will join in helping lead small groups and that the material that they will go through will be what they need to hear.


In personal news, God has begun to open up doors that I'm very excited about. The place in Alex that I am currently tutoring at 2 days a week as offered me a full time volunteer position :) Basically I will be working Mon-Thurs from 1-5 tutoring primary school children and creating individual plans for them to work through during the year. By taking this position, I will be able to work with children (many of whom attended our camp in September--all of whom live at the local orphanage or live in child headed households) on a daily basis--focusing on building their education as well as speaking into their spiritual lives. I will also be able to live closer to the community from which the kids we minister to come from which will play a huge role in relationships in the community.

Also--I will be starting Zulu course at the local university in January! I am beyond excited---I've been waiting for the day when I was able to start learning a local language and the day has finally come!

I'm so thankful that God is opening doors which allow me to be closer to the community in which He has called me to serve :)

PLUS--I will be home one week from today!! So I'm looking forward to seeing many of you and catching up :)

--Courtney

darkness into light :)

I can't believe camp has really come and gone. It was an unforgettable week where God truly changed lives--I'm just thankful to have been a part of it. Thank you for all your prayers and support--it truly made all the difference in the world. God showed up in a big way--bigger than I could have ever imagined.

The theme for the week was "from darkness into light"--and the truth is we saw that happen. I saw children walk in on Monday and walk away changed by the end of the week. And all of the credit for that goes to God. He is so faithful. We saw 35 children accept Christ as Saviour--and we also got to share in baptism with them.

I am so thankful to everyone who played a part in the first Hidden Place camp. There were people on 2 different continents that played a role in making this a reality--from financial support, to transportation, to toiletry bags and pillow cases for the kids--the list goes on and on. Just know that you are appreciated more than you could ever know.

Ok--the rest of this post is going to be pics :) enjoy!

:) Courtney

It's almost time :)

I honestly can't believe it--here we are 3 weeks away from camp. I didn't actually think the would ever come, and it is fast approaching. The emotions are varied--excitement, anxiousness, joy--it truly is a dream coming true.

God is incredibly faithful, and I can't believe it still shocks me. Never once has He failed me. Never once has He given me a task that could not be completed in His strength. Never once has He failed to provide exactly what I needed at exactly the right time. I've had moments when the list seemed to long or tasks seemed impossible, and every time He has provided in abundance.

The loose ends are beginning to be tied up, but there is still so much to be done. The final details are beginning to fall into place, and yet there are so many things that still need my attention. Please pray for strength, endurance, and wisdom in these coming weeks--I have no doubt that the evil one will do everything in His power to stop things from happening. However, we have a God who is greater. A God who is sovereign and in complete control. I'm thankful that He is fighting for me. I am thankful that He will accomplish all that He wants to in His own power.

There are so many exciting moments on the horizon. On the 15th I will be speaking at an open day at the church we are partnering with in Alex. I will be sharing the vision of The Hidden Place with the church, as well as with the parents of the kids that will be attending camp. My prayer is that the impact doesn't end at camp, but that it is a starting point of discipleship with the families. Please pray that God will begin to soften hearts to His Gospel. Then in just a little over 2 weeks, the team from America arrives! I cannot wait to see all of them and have a piece of home here for a few weeks :) Please pray that as they journey here things will go smoothly and that God will begin to prepare their hearts for what He has in store.

Thank you guys so much for your support and encouragement--it is incredible. Please continue to pray in the weeks to come--Pray for the hearts of kids and leaders--Pray that God would do more than we could ever ask or imagine. All I desire is that His name is honored and made known.

Love to you all--
Court

An Update.....

Hey everyone :) 

It's been a while...sorry for that. Things have just been crazy on this side of the world. Thank you for your continued love, support, prayers, and encouragement. They are truly priceless.

So many prayers have been answered in the past few weeks, and you play a huge part in that. Thank you. Here are just a few---

1. The crate is officially on a boat--in the Atlantic Ocean--on it's way here! Yay! I can't begin to tell you the craziness we went through (and when I say we, I mainly mean my parents--give them a hug when you see them--they deserve it!) but it will all be worth it when it arrives on this side! Please pray for its safe and timely arrival. Thanks to everyone who played a part in filling it up! 

2.A church in Alexandra (the township I volunteer in and where the kids attending The Hidden Place in September live) has committed to partner with us! This is a huge answer to prayer--my desire was always bigger than bringing kids away to camp for a week. Through this partnership, we will be able to follow up with the kids and their families and hopefully begin a discipleship program! PLUS the pastor has committed to recruiting the kids for each camp--another HUGE answer to prayer. He is involved in community development and will be able to reach kids that I would not have access to otherwise. Please continue to pray for Pastor Charles as he heads up recruitment

3. I am finally having some direction as far as the theme for September goes--I'm not quite ready to tell everyone--but I am thankful that God is giving some direction. 

I have been back in SA for 2 months--time flies. During that time I have had the opportunity to share the vision for The Hidden Place with countless people--God truly is doing great things! Please continue to pray.  for a few things. 1. for our non profit paperwork to come through  2. for a camp nurse to be organized 3. for transport for the kids to be organized (it's been quite frustrating) 4. for the theme to be finalized 5. and for general logistical issue and spiritual guidance. 

And otherwise I am doing well--God has brought some amazing new people into my life in the past couple of months. He has given me people who are helping develop the vision for The Hidden Place--and who are also encouraging me in my personal walk with Him.

I am tutoring primary school kids in Alex a few days a week--and I am loving it! They are just precious--please pray for them as they face many difficulties in their lives. I am also helping out at the coffee shop at my church here as a way to offset expenses which has been a great blessing. 

I am truly looking forward to the coming months--there is SO much to be done, but God is guiding each step of the way. I am learning patience and trust as He usually only gives me one step at a time--but I am learning that is all I need. Thank you for your prayers---keep them coming please :)