Dec.17.09 update

As you may all know, I have been asking God some hard questions and in turn, expecting some hard answers.

What is my purpose on this earth?
What am I doing in South Africa?
How can i effectively serve the people here?
Am I really making an impact?
What more can I be doing?

Through the 5 or so weeks I have been here, the one answer I have been hearing is "yes". Funny right?
The only thing i hear God is telling me is, "yes Jonathan, be all you can be, do my work here on earth". Just simply caring for people, loving them for who they are, serving in any way I can, praying, playing, teaching, listening, singing, being a part of their lives.

I've spent the past 3 weeks working along side my friends Clinton and Lydia, who have dedicated their time here to seeing Gods love poured out on the people of Capricorn. Like I have stated before, we are leading simple home churches, bible studies with adults and children alike, and as the new year approaches we're praying to see these groups multiply and more hearts turned towards Christ.

I have been told by many South Africans that the holidays around here can get a bit hectic
and because of the busyness of this time of year, we have prayerfully decided to take a bit of a break from the home groups. Please be praying for safety as many of our friends are traveling home to see their families for Christmas.

Thank you so much for all your encouraging emails. They truly bring brightness and joy to my day/week and to be honest, I sometimes really NEED them.

I pray this Christmas season brings you all joy, love, and happiness. Keep your eyes focused on the true meaning of this all; Jesus Christ.

Jonathan

Searching for truth and purpose....

I have spent this past week searching, seeking, listening to God.
Asking myself and God questions about what my purpose is here, how am
I going to be effective for HIS purposes.

As I have mentioned before, I am involved with a community called
Capricorn, which is a coloured township situated 2 km away from my
home. I have felt God prompting me to minister within this community,
with simple home church, bible studies, teen/child groups.

At the bible study held today, we were talking about working within
God's will, listening to Him and TRULY being in a deep relationship
with Jesus Christ.
I want to know Christ more and more each and every new day.
I want to fully rely on Him and not subscribe to my own set of
preconceived notions.

So in saying that, I'm praying as to what EXACTLY God would want to
use me for here. I still feel stirred to work within Capricorn, but I
NEED God to be my guide, my eyes, my ears, my words, my everything.

Please pray that I will be a humble servant.
That I would follow God into whatever He would have me do here.

Thank you

Jonathan

ps. I have a cell phone that has free incoming, so if you would like
to call, email me back and we'll set up a time to chat.

Back in South Africa

I've made it safe.

8 seperate flights,
3 countries,
60 hours of traveling,
6 in air movies,
6 single serve meals,
I've arrived.

Still jet lagged and not sure what time zone my body is actually on at the moment, feels nothing but right to be back in the place God has called me to serve.

My regular email is not working at the moment due to SLOW South African internet. If you are receiving this message, please pass it along to anyone you think would be interested in hearing i'm safe and sound.

Thank you.

I'm heading to Namibia on Sunday, and will be back on Sat. Please pray for safety for the 20 hour bus ride, and that me, Layne and Jaylene will be a blessing to the people there.

I won't be able to check my email all week, but write me if you can and I'll be sure to write back as soon as I'm back.

Thank you for being a part of my journey.

Jonathan

GONE baby GONE!!!

"I'm leaving on a jet, I don't know what I'll be back again"
Do you hate to see me go?

I leave TOMORROW (Friday Oct.30) for my LONG journey back to South Africa.
It's a bitter sweet feeling, re-connecting with friends and family here, missing my country, my home and now leaving again.

In this short season that I have been here, God has been teaching me about many many things.


Patience
Reliance on HIM
Trust
Resting in HIM (as this time at home has had it's ups and downs)

I can say with complete confidence that even though I felt "lost" being home, that God has purpose for me here. Speaking at youth group, church, school, and ENDLESS cups of coffee with great friends.

I am
TRULY
BLESSED!!!

You are my friends, family, ohana, my LIFE. Thank you for being a part of Gods work on this earth.

I'm going to be using THIS email (jonnygphotography@gmail.com) from now on, since yahoo is being lame and won't let me send mass emails.

I also have a blog which you can read:
http://thepursuitofchrist.blogspot.com/

I also have a facebook group which you can search:
"Jon's pursuit of Christ"

I'll be updating as often as possible while I'm in South Africa, but I also NEED to hear about what's happening in your lives. So please email me as much as you can and I'll be sure you respond.

Jonathan, to the, Grime

Canadian Thanksgiving....

It's not just a day, or a weekend that I am thankful, so just because it's stereotypical of me to give thanks today, so I will.

THANK YOU

for

LIFE
LOVE
GODS GRACE
CANADA
YOU
FREEDOM
CHEESE BURGERS
MUSIC
ART
PHOTOGRAPHY
POETRY
TURKEY
CRANBERRY SAUCE IN A CAN
STUFFING
FAMILY
FRIENDS
YOUR MOM

Thank you one and all.

Since being home I've been reading through Acts. I'm not quite finished, but Gods been speaking to me through this day to day. Living as a vessel of Gods love, whether it's here, Vancouver, Hawaii, South Africa, Russia, where ever.

My mission in life is to speak truth and love just as God loves. So speak truth no matter what. Standing up for truth in each and every moment in life. Living sacrificially in my daily walk and humbling myself.

Even though it's only been 2.5 weeks since being back, God has provided for me to go back to South Africa. I'll be booking my flight this week to leave the first week of Nov. If I havn't seen/talked to you yet, i'm sorry. I'm trying to see as many family and friends as I can. If you would like to see me, please email/message me back and set up a time to go out for coffee. I have a lot of free time, especially for coffee and great conversation.=)

If there is anything you need/want prayer for, please let me know. I would love to be praying for you. (i'm keeping a prayer book now so I don't forget)

your THANKFUL Canadian friend

Jonathan

ps. gobble gobble

God is a provider...

Over and over again,
I can never complain,
I am blessed beyond words,
Taken care of step by step,
Walking in humility daily,
For God has His hand in my life,
Guiding me,
Fathering me.

I can't explain how I feel, the emotions, the comfort of what it's like to be in our Fathers arms.

After being home for about a week, I've had an over-whelming response and interest in my life. Sometimes I wondered if I lived this life I talk about these past few months. But it was me, God reminds me each and every new day that I am with Him, was with Him and will always be with Him.

Without explaining too much via email, God has once again blown me away with his provision.

I'm getting that much closer to my goal of returning to South Africa. I'm so very close to paying for my plane ticket, just a little bit more and I'm set.

I can't thank all of you enough for not only believing in me, but listening and trusting God. That means more to me that any dollar amount. TRULY!!

I would REALLY love to meet with as many of you one-on-one as I can, so if you want to, PLEASE email me back, call me (519-752-5513), facebook, pigeon messanger, letter, WHATEVER, just let me know if you can/want to hear about my trip. But also, I am eager to hear about how God has been working in your lives. Don't hesitate to make plans with me. I'l be contact as many of you individually as I can.

Please keep me in your prayers about some part time/temp work while I am home, just so I can make a bit of extra money to help cover my expenses, and for my trip back.

Your friend in Christ

Jonathan

back in Canada

Is this my life?
Am I really here?

After traveling for 24 hours straight, these are questions I ask myself and God. Life seems to be very surreal, like i'm living another persons amazing life. But I pinch myself, and realize God has given this beautiful gift of life.

I've been back in Brantford, Canada for only about 48 hours now, yet it seems like i've never left. I love my family, friends, my country, my city (even though it can be boring at times haha) my church family, my community. God will and does have purpose for me while i'm here, but I still can't wait for the next journey.

My plan while I am home is to connect with as many of you as possible, share about my time away, and just enjoy life here. I'm also going to be selling off my many items I do not need, and hopefully getting a part time job to save some money to be able to go back.

As I have stated before, I've been waiting on God for direction for the next season of my life, as I want to continue full time missions. I knew that going into YWAM, that it was just the beginning of a new season, a season and life of obedience. Through prayer/talks with God, endless conversations with friends, I feel as if God wants me to continue the ministry I was involved with in South Africa.

I was blessed with a 450 Euro flight credit, so that's at least half my ticket back to Cape Town. I'll need about another $600 Cnd for the other half of my flight. If you would like to donate Air Miles, that is an easy way to support me as well. I've calculated that my monthly costs, inc. rent and food will be about $500 cnd a month. If you are interested in partnering with me on a month to month basis, or just a one time donation, I'll be setting up a way to get you tax deductible receipts

In the next coming weeks, I will be hosting an open house for anyone who wants to come and hear about my travels, see my photos, enjoy great conversations, and of course delicious coffee and desserts.

I'm available anytime to grab a coffee, chat, so please feel free to call me anytime. 519-752-5513.

Jonathan