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<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> Mark Harper
[mailto:mark@bethelproject.org] <br>
<b>Sent:</b> 03 May 2009 04:13 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Penny Faulhammer<br>
<b>Subject:</b> PRAY FOR WATER IN MAVUIANE WELL<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA>Paz irmaos.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA>Peace brothers (and sisters)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA>I’m writing to ask you to pray and to ask
others in your prayer circle/church to pray.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA>Les and I were out at the most remote area
where YFC Gaza is doing outreach, a village called Mavuiane again this week
following up on the school there (Lizete and Les have trained a woman from a
neighbouring area to be the teacher to replace the previous two who gave up due
to physical and spiritual conditions there.) and to follow thru on the digging
of a well in this area where people currently walk up to 20km for a 20 litre
drum of water. This was our 4<sup>th</sup> trip to try set this up, purchase
the necessary equipment and cement etc to line the well. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA>All the boreholes (tube wells) that have
been drilled in the area have found salt water. Nobody has bothered to mount a
pump as they say the waters salt content is so high it will destroy even
clothing. We were advised to dig a hole and to stop the moment we found water.
Apparently the fresh water lies above the salty layer but is very thin and so
very easy to break thru and so destroy the well. However, this involves digging
a massive, 30m pit and then lining it with cement rings after water is reached.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA>When we presented the new teacher and the
well digger to the community Chief (also the Witchdoctor) the chief started to
explain to us the “necessary” things we would have to do in terms of the
culture – like giving the ancestors a large sum of money – blessing the first
sand to come out of the hole – doing some or another ceremony – at which stage
my good wife with hackles raised interjected politely but with much passion and
boldness that no ceremony to ancestors was going to take place. There was much
discussion translated back and forth. Les and I in English to one another,
Portuguese to the Pastors wife and the new teacher and then into Shangaan for
the sake of the chief and the others present. Together we explained why we as
Christians would not have anything to do with the ancestral spirits, that the
funds for the well came from Jesus Christ, and that He would provide the water.
We are God’s children and all we need do is to ask our Father. Mark then led
the people in a simple prayer for water, sweet and plentiful ! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA>Pray that this ‘challenge’ of faith shows
God’s power and brings many to find the Living Water in Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA>We are so thankful for the donation from
our friend and brother Dade </span><span lang=EN-ZA style='font-family:Wingdings'>J</span><span
lang=EN-ZA>, and know that this was the Lords provision through His
children to bless the community. We explained to the people that although the
community would be blessed by the water the well belonged to the School which
belongs to Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA>We felt very much like Elijah and the
prophets of Baal, when we told them that our God was the one true God. That He
created the heavens and the earth and that He is a jealous God. That He was
more than able to provide water, Sweet water and plenty of it. We prayed that
the Lord would provide sweet water and lots of it as a sign to those in the community
who doubted the Lords existence and His power to provide. In my mind’s eye I
had a picture of the Lord having to re-create the sub structure of the ground
below us in order to redirect fresh water to the area. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA>As we prayed the chief’s wife, Leopoldina
said several loud ‘Amen’s’ – and her face was radiant – she is truly a new
creation, since giving her life to Jesus after she was healed at death’s door,
after being prayed for by one of the first evangelism teams. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA>We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the
Lord can and does do miracles. We have no fear that even the gates of hell can
stand against our God. The Lord has shown His mighty hand in many situations
around the world even in our own lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA>My fear is that I might have spoken out of
turn. I have no idea why this area has no fresh water. I have no idea of the
Lords plan in creating this area “barren” of water or why. I would love to
believe that He has withheld water thus far from these people till such a time
as this. So that His name may be glorified and that through this fresh “sweet
water and lots of it” many who have lived in bondage to the ancestral spirits
may be set free and enjoy new life in Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA>Please pray as the Lord leads you in this
regard, please pray with faith and with boldness. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA>This morning after the time of Praise and
Worship in the Church in White River where we have chosen to attend for the
next 3 years, Les asked the Church to pray for this request. We all stood as
the Pastor led us in prayer. He then went on to preach from <b>Numbers 21:16</b>
and I paste it here.....<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><sup><span style='font-size:12.0pt'></span></sup><sup><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>
</span></sup><i><sup><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"'>16</span></sup></i><i><sup><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'></span></sup></i><i><sup><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"'> </span></sup></i><i><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"'>From there
they continued on to Beer, the well where the <span style='font-variant:small-caps'>Lord</span>
said to Moses, <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"'>
<b><span
style='color:#548DD4'>“Gather the people together and I will give them water.” <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"'>
</span></i><i><sup><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'></span></sup></i><i><sup><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"'>17</span></sup></i><i><sup><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'></span></sup></i><i><sup><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"'> </span></sup></i><i><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"'>Then Israel
sang this song: <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"'>
“Spring up, O well! <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"'>
Sing about it, <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"'>
</span></i><i><sup><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'></span></sup></i><i><sup><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"'>18</span></sup></i><i><sup><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'></span></sup></i><i><sup><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"'> </span></sup></i><i><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"'>about the well
that the princes dug, <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"'>
that the nobles of the people sank— <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"'>
the nobles with scepters and staffs.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>The
Pastor did not focus on this sentence, nor did he know that we were going to
ask the Church to pray.... Now when I looked this scripture up in my Bible
software it gave an introduction to Chapter 21 that I also copy here as its
something that I believe could be significant...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:18.0pt'><b><i><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Overview</span></i></b><i><span
lang=EN-ZA style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:18.0pt'><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>With Numbers 21 we begin a new and
positive chapter in the history of redemption.</span></i><i><span lang=EN-ZA
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:18.0pt'><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>God’s people are not suddenly perfect.
They still fail. But a new generation takes over from the old. The generation
that would not trust or obey is dying out. In Numbers 26 we read about “those
numbered by Moses and Aaron … in the wilderness of Sinai. For the Lord had said
of them, ‘They shall die in the wilderness.’ There was not a man left of them,
except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun” (vv. 64–65).</span></i><i><span
lang=EN-ZA style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:18.0pt'><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>The new generation began to respond to
God’s voice. And they made a great discovery. When God’s people live in right
relationship with Him, they are fully protected!</span></i><i><span lang=EN-ZA
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>My
heart wants desperately to believe that this is not coincidence but that is of
the Lord. That these people who have been wondering in the desert - a waste
land without the Lord, will now come into the Lords presence. That He will give
them fresh sweet water and lots of it, but that they will by this sign (like
with the Jews God gave them water s a sign in the desert) that He will pour out
His spirit in this place and that many would put their faith in Him as their
Lord and saviour.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Please
also pray much for wisdom, repentance and restoration for Afonso – the National
board decided on a period of discipline to be applied to him, during which he
is suspended from JPC until he has sorted out the circumstances of his private
life. This quite drastic action is due to his position of leadership as his influence
on the youth and volunteers is significant. The communication of this and its
practical outworking has been very stressful for our family over the past few
weeks and months, as Afonso is a very dear brother and son in the Lord. Pray
that much good, and the power and purity in the organization that comes from
obedience, would come out of what seems to be a negative situation. Pray that
Afonso’s response will be a godly one, that many others would follow.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Thank
you, dear friends, for your prayers of faith ! You bless us, and many
others through your prayers !<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Love
in Christ<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Mark
and Les<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-ZA><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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