Zach Attack

Passed My Driving Test

2011-02-13T10:36:00.000-08:00

Well, I just wanted to update everybody on my

license situation. On Friday I went and took

my driving test. I passed and thankfully didn't

even get asked for a bribe. Praise God!! He

deserves all the praise!! So below is a picture

of me with my temporary license document.

I go back in 4 weeks to get the real license. I

have enjoyed being able to drive my Mazda

Drifter again and battling it out with the crazy

taxi drivers on the SA roads. I look forward to

driving around and doing ministry my last two

months here in South Africa.

Me with my License and Truck!!

Prayer Request

2011-02-10T10:42:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow, Friday February 11th I am

going to take the Driving Test to try and

get my South African driving license. My

US license has expired and its been expired

to long to get it renewed online. So I have

been in the long process the last few months

of trying to get a South African license.

After many delays I was finally able to

get my learners permit and was able to get a

reasonable testing date for my driving test.

That day is finally here. For those of you who

don't know license are hard to come by here

without paying bribes. Also the test is much

more detailed then the test in the States. So

please pray for me tomorrow as I take my

test that I will do well and also that the

instructor will be grade me fairly and not ask

for any bribes. If I pass I will be able to stay

until my extension into April expires. If not I

will leave South Africa at the end of this month

unfortunately. So I appreciate your prayers in

this matter very much. Whatever happens

tomorrow I know God has a plan and purpose

for everything. Pray that I will just trust in that

and not worry about it. Thanks again for you

prayers and support.

Soccer Clinic In Dobsonville/Meadowlands

2011-02-07T05:12:00.000-08:00

The past two Saturdays in Dobsonville rachel,

lori, stephanie, philani, and I have had the

opportunity to go play soccer with kids and

share the gospel with them. We usually begin

with basic drills, then we split up into teams

and play. At half time of the games we share a

Bible story and invite the kids to Church. It

has been a very fun time playing and getting

to know these kids. Pray they will take what

they hear and believe it.

Everybody introducing themselves before we

started the drills.

Stephanie playing soccer with some of the

older kids!

Lori and Rach playing soccer with the

younger kids!

Lori sharing the story of Elijah and the

prophets of Baal while Philani translated.

64 kids heard the Bible story this day!!

Praise the Lord that 10 of these kids came to

church the next day. Pray that they will

continue to come and that Given & I can go

visit them and their families at home to share

the Gospel with them.

Carnivore

2011-02-07T04:41:00.000-08:00

Last week wednesday some friends and I had

the opportunity to go to the carnivore to eat.

We ate chicken, beef, pork, lamb, sable, kudu,

crocodile, and zebra. Unfortunately there was

no giraffe on the menu that night. It was a fun

evening of fellowship and great food!! Enjoy

the pics!

Dec 2010 Holiday in Cape Town

2011-02-07T03:40:00.001-08:00

The last week of Dec 2010 I went with some

friends to Cape Town on Holiday. It was a

nice relaxing vacation. Here are some pics

from the week.

At Boulders Beach about to go see the

penguins!

Me with some penguins in the background!

Penguins on the beach!

Cape of Good Hope

One of the many beach shots from the week!

Me sitting on top of a boat at the waterfront

with Table Mountain in the background!!

Nov 2010 Soccer Tournament

2011-02-07T01:55:00.000-08:00

Back in November we had a soccer tournament

for the kids in the 4 schools Philani and I have

been working in over the past two years. This

was the last tournament for the kids while I am

here in SA. It was a great day for the kids to

play and compete with one another. At the end

of the tournament I was able to share the gospel

and then we had a trophy presentation. It was

a great day!!

Mayibuye as Germany came in 1st Place!!

Bonamelo as Argentina came in 2nd Place!

Dr. Mary as Portugal came in 3rd Place!

Obed as Spain came in 4th Place!

Pray for these kids as they grow up in Soweto!

Many of them do not have support at home and

live under difficult circumstances. Pray that

the things they have learned over the past two

years will grow in them and that they may come

to have a relationship with Jesus!!

Sibongile & Lebo's Wedding

2010-12-05T11:28:00.000-08:00

On October 30th I had the privilege to attend

my first African Wedding of my good friends

Sibongile and Lebo. Here are some pics from

the day.

Thembani, Rach, Patricia, Mama Tshabalala,

& Beth before the wedding started.

Given, Rach, & I before the wedding

started.

Alan performing the wedding ceremony for

Lebo and Sibongile.

Sibongile putting the ring on Lebo.

Lebo putting the ring on Sibongile.

Wedding Cake

September Vacation to Victoria Falls

2010-12-05T10:08:00.000-08:00

In September I had the privilege to go on vacation

to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe with my friends

Rachel Jensen, Stacie Barker, and Ethan Crowder.

We had a lot of fun seeing the falls and just

hanging out and relaxing while surrounded by

God's amazing creation. Here are a few pics.

Hope you enjoy them.

Given & Philani

2010-08-25T09:38:00.001-07:00

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

While here in South Africa I have been truly

blessed to be able to work along side and

become great friends with some amazing

people. I would like to share with you a little

about two young men specifically that I really

enjoy very much. I don't know what I would do

without them. They are absolutely amazing

young men of God. There names are Given

Mokoena and Philani Mjijwa.

Given is the first national that I really met and

got to know when I arrived here. He is 20 years

old and just finished high school. Given is an

excellent translator for me and his spiritual gift

is without a doubt evangelism. Given goes

along with me to Bible studies, Church in

Dobsonville, and visitations for evangelism.

He helps with translating for sure but sometimes

will lead Bible studies and preach also.

Philani is a young man of 23 years old.

I met Philani a year ago last month. Philani is

a former semi pro soccer player. Obviously he is

an excellent player and a testimony of how

God changed his life and showed him how there

was more to life than drugs and soccer. Philani

helps me coach and translate at the 4 different

schools that I work with in Soweto. His soccer

skills, translating ability, and testimony fit

perfectly and help out so much with my soccer

ministry. He is an example that the boys we

coach can really look up to.

I am reminded daily how blessed I am to have

them alongside me to help me with ministry.

More importantly though I truly cherish there

friendship which means the world to me. I will

miss them very much come next April when

I leave to go back to the US. Please be praying

for them to continue to walk and grow with God

daily. I see God is using them daily and He will

continue to use them mightily in the years to

come here in South Africa.

Given and I at a world cup soccer game.

Philani & I preparing to watch

the first game of the World Cup.

Dobsonville

2010-08-03T07:50:00.000-07:00

The past 2 months I have had the privilege

along with the Soweto team and my friend

Given to help start 2 Bible studies and get a

worship service started in Dobsonville,

Soweto. Please pray that God will continue

to work in the lives of those who are attending.

Please pray that I will seek the Lords guidance

in what to preach each sunday and as i lead

these two Bible studies along side my friend

Given.

Sunday Morning Worship. It was a small

group this past week. That is Given in

the back.

Bible Study

World Cup 2010

2010-07-30T05:24:00.000-07:00

The World Cup has come and gone. It was an

exciting time and I am truly blessed to be here

in South Africa while the World Cup was here.

While the world cup was going on I was blessed

to have been able to attend 5 games live and

watch many more. Enjoy the pictures!!

Here is a crowd in Soweto getting ready to

watch the opening match between South Africa

and Mexico on the big screen.

Brad, Philani, & I excited and ready

to watch the opening game of the

2010 World Cup between Bafana

Bafana and Mexico in SnakePark,

Soweto!!

Amber, Rach & I watching USA v Slovenia at

Ellis Park in downtown Jozi!

Kurt & I at USA v Algeria game in Pretoria.

Thanks again Kurt. It was fun!

My friend Given & I enjoying a game in

Polakwane between Paraguay & New Zealand!

Amber, Rach, and I at Soccer City watching a

round of 16 game between Argentina & Mexico.

It was freezing that night but lots of fun!

Argentina v Mexico!!

Rach & I were blessed enough to find tickets

to the quarterfinal game between Spain &

Paraguay at Ellis Park!! It was an awesome

game! Fun times!

Quarterfinal game between Spain & Paraguay.

Mission Trip To Manzibomvu In Zululand

2010-03-27T05:29:00.000-07:00

Several weeks ago i had the opportunity to go

on a Mission trip to manzibomvu in Zululand.

It was an awesome week of ministry, camping,

and even some relaxation on the beach. I

enjoyed it so much I hope God calls me back

to work in a rural setting like this someday.

Enjoy the pics.

Scenery on the trip to Zululand

More beautiful scenery

Setting Up Camp

Our group that went to share with the schools

every morning.

Sharing with the High School

Holiday Bible Club with the kids in the late

afternoon.

Kids at Holiday Bible club.

The packed out school room for the Jesus Film

presentation one evening.

In the afternoons we did some work around

the church property. This is a hole for a new

septic tank we put in.

Trent & I installing the new toilets.

On our day off we went to the beach for several

hours to relax and swim in the Indian Ocean.

Can't beat chilin with good friends at the

beach.

Weekend In The Magaliesburg Mountains

2010-03-12T03:25:00.000-08:00

Several weeks ago I had the opportunity to go

hiking and camping with Trent, Nick, Gareth,

Rach, & Amber in the Magaliesburg mountains.

It was a lot of fun and great time of fellowship

with Friends. The scenery was spectacular!

Traveling to the mountains in the bakie!

Hiking through the gorge!

Taking a short little break to rest & take some

pics.

Campsite

Sunset

The Men

The Ladies

Group picture with the gorge in the background

Mandela House & Hector Peterson Museum

2010-02-09T14:09:00.000-08:00

In early January Rachel, Amber, & I went and

visited the Mandela House and Hector Peterson

Museum in Orlando West, Soweto. We had a

fun day and learned some interesting stuff. Here

are some pictures from the day.

Mandela House

8115 Orland West Soweto where Mandela

used to live

Restoration of The Mandela

House

Mandela's Favorite Chair!!

Thought this was cool so I had to

take a picture and include it in the

blog.

The Indicator

Hector Peterson Museum

Hector being carried by a young man

MK Camp 2009/2010

2010-02-09T13:47:00.000-08:00

So December 28th through January 2nd of

this year I had the privilege to help out

with MK camp here in South Africa. It was

an exciting week of just hanging out with

MK's all week. It was a great week of worship,

bible study, recreation, crafts, and fellowship. Many

mk's made some very important decisions during

the week. Please continue to pray for them

to grow in there relationship with God this

year. Also pray that some how there will be

an MK camp at the end of this year again. At this

point it does not look like finances will allow it.

It is such an important and exciting time of the

year for these mk's! It can me life changing!

So keep these mk's and mk camp in your prayers.

Kilimanjaro the Highest Peak in Africa

2010-02-02T12:43:00.000-08:00

This past Dec I had a once in a

lifetime opportunity to climb

mountain Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

Here are some pictures of the

successful climb up Africa's highest

peak.

At the top of Kilimanjaro!

Group picture at the top of Africa!

Less than 100m from the top!

Sunrise from the top of Africa!!

Sunrise on the morning we reached the summit!

So close yet so far from the peak.

Looking down at the rainforest.

Hiking through the rainforest in

our rain gear.

Machame Gate where we began

our accent up Kilimanjaro!

On our way to base camp to begin the climb

we stopped to get a picture of what we were

about to climb.

Hiking the Magaliesburg Mountains

2009-12-05T09:11:00.000-08:00

So this past Friday I took a day off to relax &

go hiking in the Magaliesburg mountains with

some friends. It was a awesome day of fun

with some amazing friends. Or as my friend

amber would say it was a "lovely day."

However you want to describe it, a good time

was had by all. Here are some pictures

of the beautiful scenery and fun that we had.

God's creation sure is spectacular. Hope you

enjoy it.

Spectacular view. You had to be there though

as the picture just doesn't do it justice.

Long way down but boy its a spectacular view!

Looking down into the gorge. I

almost ended up down there mom.

Close call. What's a little danger

right!! Not really mom but it was

a long ways down.

Amber & Trent enjoying the view.

Amber at the top of a rock

overlooking the gorge.

Me on top of a boulder overlooking

the beautiful landscape.

Amber & I posing for picture on

one of the many different rocks

that we climbed up and around

throughout the day.

Water at the bottom of the gorge

that we waded through. It was cold

but refreshing.

Trent and I enjoying the nice cold

water.

Relaxing in my hammock after lunch.

Trent & I diving in the pool after a nice long

hike. It felt so good.

Faith Baptist Church Baptism

2009-12-02T12:39:00.001-08:00

This past Sunday Nov 29th we had a Baptism

service at Faith Baptist Church in Soweto.

There were 8 ladies who were baptized on

this day. They each shared there testimony

in front of the church before being baptized

in a small blow up swimming pool. It was a

very exciting day. Please pray for each of

these ladies that they continue to grow in

their walk with the Lord.

Tracy sharing her testimony in front of the

church before being baptized.

Singing as a group before being Baptized

Brenda being Baptized

Tracy being Baptized

Sibongile being Baptized

Lehae Baptism Nov 22nd 2009

2009-11-25T02:59:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday I was able to attend a baptism

in Lehae where we have a small church started.

One of the young men jerry munyai a new

believer was baptized in the klip river. Below

are some pictures and a video of the day. Please

continue to pray for jerry as grows in his walk

with the Lord.

The members of the church singing together

before the baptism at edge of the klip river.

Jerry sharing his testimony to the church

before being baptized.

Jerry praying after his baptism.

One of the group pictures.

Training for Kilimanjaro Climb

2009-11-21T10:55:00.000-08:00

So for my part of my vacation this year I am

going to climb the highest peak in Africa.

Yes that's is right I am going to climb

Kilimanjaro in December. The peak stands

at 5892 metres (19,331 ft). We will start our

ascent on the 16th of December and summit

the early morning of the 21st. Thats the plan

atleast. So it is 25 days from now and I am

trying to train as much as possible. I will be

sure to update you on the trip just before I

leave and after obviously. Assuming i make

it back alive. Below are some pics I got off of

the internet of Kili.

Nov 14th 2009 Soccer Tournament

2009-11-16T01:50:00.000-08:00

The Nov 14th Tournament went very well.

Thanks to your prayers the rain and storms

stayed away. The attendance from parents

was good and the kids had a lot of fun. The

day started out with an introduction,

South African national anthem, and prayer.

Then the games began. We had two semifinal

games, a 3rd & 4th place game, and then the

Final! After the final was over brad presented

the Gospel. Then we ended with the trophy

presentation. It was a very exciting and

successful day. Pray that the contacts that

were made through out the day will lead to

more people coming to know HIM!!

Thanks again for you prayers!!

Mayibuye Primary School wearing the Brazil

jerseys.

Bonamelo Primary School wearing the

Spain jerseys.

Obed Primary School wearing the South

Africa jerseys.

Hector Peterson Primary school wearing

the Germany jerseys.

Brad, Philani, and Kurt were the referee &

linesman for the day!

1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Place Trophies!!

Brad giving the Gospel Presentation after

the final game. Parents & grandparents

were present. That was an answer to prayer.

Trophy Presentation!!

1st place team with their trophy!!

Group picture at the end.

Prayer Request

2009-11-12T11:45:00.000-08:00

I just want to ask you to lift several things up to the Father.

If you remember a few weeks I put up a post about two guys I am doing some discipleship with. Well one of the guys just found this week that his dad has passed away. So I ask that you be lifting Zakele up this weekend as he goes home to bury his father and be with his family.

I also ask that you lift this coming Saturday Nov. 14th up. This is the end of the school year soccer tournament for the 4 teams that I have been coaching and teaching this past few months.

1) Pray for safety for the kids as they play.

2) Pray for parents to show up and watch so we can share the Word with them.

3) Pray for clear skies. Currently 40% chance of thunderstorms.

4) Pray for all the the last minute details and preparations to fall into place.

Youth Conference Nov, 7th 2009

2009-11-10T09:09:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday on November 7th we had

a youth conference in Bromfisher for several

different churches in Soweto. It was a great

day of fellowship, worshiping the Lord, &

studying God's Word. Thanks for the

prayers. Below are a few pictures from the

day.

Group picture

Pastor Thaba translating for me during the

sermon.

Given leading the entertainment and dancing

time after the worship service.

Given speaking during the afternoon

discussion time.

Brad speaking during the afternoon

discussion time.

Youth Conference & Soccer Tournament

2009-11-03T12:06:00.000-08:00

Hope everybody is doing well. I just want to let you know about two events coming up that you can be lifting up. First of all this coming Saturday November the 7th is a youth conference in Soweto. The event will begin at 9:00 am and go until 3:00 pm. It is going to be a packed day of worship, studying the Word, discussion time, recreation, and food. I Just ask that you lift this day up to the Father that there will be a good attendance and that the youth will listen to what the Father has to teach to them. Also ask that you lift me up as I will be speaking at this event.

Secondly be lifting up to the father the 14th of November. This is a big day we have planned for evangelism in Soweto. We are organizing a tournament for the 4 different schools I have been coaching in the last few months. So the kids are really excited about the tournament. We are inviting the family members of the kids and the community to the tournament. Just lift this day up that many will hear the Word shared and that hearts will be ready to hear. Lift up all the organizing and little details that need to be worked out for this to all come together.

Discipleship

2009-10-28T02:29:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to share with you two friends of mine that I am enjoying the opportunity to do some discipleship with every tuesday in Soweto. Please pray for them that they will continue to grow in their relationship with God. It is exciting to see their growth and I hope they continue to seek His will. There names are Petzi, and Zakele. Below are a several pictures of them after our discipleship time in their homes this past tuesday.

Petzi & I

Petzi

Zakele & I

Zakele

About Time

2009-10-23T10:54:00.000-07:00

Hello, everybody!! Hope everything is well. Yes, I know its hard to believe but I do have a blog now so that you can hopefully follow what is going on with me here in South Africa. I realize it's about six months late but better late than never. So here are a few pics from the last few months. By no means is this going to cover or catch you up on the last six months but oh well. I will try to keep you updated as much as possible from here on out. Enjoy the pics.

Some much needed guave ice refreshment after

a hot afternoons worth of soccer practice for me

& girls club for Amber and Rachel.

Bossman (Alan Locke), Rachel, Amber, & I before

we go to a Kaizer Chiefs soccer game.

Youth Day in Lehae!

Visiting a witch doctor in Zambia back in May.