ccm Cross 0068
February 12, 2015
YFC
Youth For Christ
Hodygos Training Center
Okahandja, Namibia, Africa
ccm Cross #0068
GPS/DMS 21.9719° S, 16.9063° E
Additional photos after Testimony
3746-7 cdd Communication 101 3/25&26/15
Cyber Daily Devotion
Volume 16 Number 040
Today’s Author: Pastor Bill
Scripture: 1 John 1:3
“That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” NKJV
Hello our names are Stanley and Desiree Beukes from Youth for Christ (YFC) in Namibia, Africa. This is our Cross testimony of how Jesus Christ is alive and active in our lives.
I’m Desiree and as the National Coordinator for YFC in Namibia my life began in a family of five children. I am the middle child. We lived in Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia. Mom and dad were very active in our church and taught all of us the values of Christian living. Dad was an elder and mom was the head of the ladies group in our church. Some called me the perfect church person but I was soon to find out that my parents’ relationship with Jesus Christ did not guarantee me a place in heaven.
In 1997 a group from South Africa to Namibia visited our church reaching out for Christ. I went to see what all the hype at youth group was all about. During their presentation we were given paper and pen and asked to draw a picture of our relationship with Jesus. Then we were asked to rate our relationship with Jesus from hot to cold. I thought I’d play it safe and picked the middle.
Wrong answer! We were then introduced to Revelation 3:16, “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth” NKJV
I was shocked when I heard the correct answer. That night I gave my life to Jesus and from then on I wanted more of what HE had for my life. The perfect church person found out that a relationship with Jesus trumped all else.
My walk with the Lord grew day by day and my pastor introduced me to YFC and I joined their Short Term Missions department for studies.
I’m Stanley and as the YFC Hodygos Training Center Campsite Manager, my life began in a family of five children. I am the oldest. Mom and dad never taught us about church or Jesus. My dad was an alcoholic and regularly abused me with beatings and horrendous words. As the oldest I stood up for the others and took the lion share of the cruelty.
In 1997 I was seeking relief from my pain in any way possible. Alcohol, abusive life style and questionable friends did not help. I had avoided any Christians I knew because they just simply were all hypocrites. I was invited to attend an upcoming YFC event. I went with friends to see these “so called Christians”, who say one thing but live another lifestyle. That led to my attending YFC summer camp where I was challenged for the first time to receive Jesus as my savior. I struggled with all this religion stuff and finally blurted out what was really troubling me, “How can God love me when he allows all this abuse and violence at home?”
I gave my life to Jesus and ran out to sit in front of my cabin. Number 6. As I sat there I prayed and talked to God about my situation at home. I heard clearly in my heart and head that GOD said PRAYER is your key.
That was all in 1997. Little did I know that what had just happened to Desiree and me, independent of each other, would change our lives forever. And it would set us on a collision course that would change our lives — a second time, forever.
For the next two years I prayed as Jesus asked had me and I waited for answers. Jesus did not disappoint me and HE answered. My dad walked in the door one day and announced that he was done with alcohol forever. The taste was putrid and he could not stand it any longer. That was his last taste of alcohol. My brothers and sisters accepted the Lord as did my mom. Still working with my dad but we have restored our relationship.
Desiree and I saw one another at a YFC Summer Camp 1998, but got to know more of each other in 2000 as I joined YFC Short Term Missions Training. During the training period we were not allowed to have relationships. In 2001 we started dating. During that time my prayer partner and I prayed a lot to the Lord whether Desiree was the right person for me or not. Then I had a dream.
My dream was of big hands holding Desiree and myself as babies in each palm. The next day my prayer partner called and had the same dream — seeing two big hands holding Desiree and myself as babies in each palm. The dreams were clear to me that Jesus would hold each of us in the palm of HIS hands.
Eight months later we were married. After our wedding we worked together for YFC in Windhoek, Namibia, and together headed up the Short term Missions Department based at Hodygos Training Centre. Our assignments from the beginning reflected great fruit for the Kingdom. Then in 2005 Justin, our first child was born. Those were good ministry years for us.
In 2005 things became challenging for us in ministry with new leadership. Our new leader had a management style that was difficult for us. After praying we decided to resign from YFC. We took some time off to rest and continue to minister with church youth groups. During our time of absence, I had dream number 2. Clearly hearing the Lord asking us to come back to YFC as “things will be exposed in the light.” My prayer partner confirmed the dream and asked if I would return? I answered “yes”. We had peace when the YFC Regional Director asked us to come back. We knew the Lord was in the answer.
Our absence was about two years and things had gone downhill very fast. The pristine campus had degraded badly and the training center was heavily in debt. We rolled up our sleeves and began to pray. Then we began work.
Our coming back to YFC was not easy. We faced extreme challenges in restoring the Good Name of the Organization. During this time I had a bad car accident and convalesced for 3 months. It was a very tough time for Desiree as she had to keep the ball rolling.
We re-launched Youth for Christ in 2009. There were the two of us and six young people. We prayed daily for the strength and finances to continue. The Lord healed me physically and healed the YFC finances. Restoration took place and today we continue ministering in local schools, youth groups and throughout the community. We currently have 7 field staff with volunteers and 16 campsite staff working at Hodygos Training Centre.
We teach all school age children “Life Skills” which gets us in the door and we enhance their training with information about Jesus. Our curriculum includes:
Drugs and Alcohol awareness
Avoiding substance abuse
HIV/AIDS communication
How to make good decisions
How to build lasting relationships
Instilling a vision for the future
Choose to wait — sexual purity
Perhaps the most important aspect of what we do is teach the children how to pray and communicate with Jesus. With the planting of this cross we can now say that our Prayer Garden is complete. The Prayer Walk is built around the acronym ACTS.
Adoration
Confession
Thanksgiving
Supplications
At the entrance to the prayer Walk stands the Cross. A reminder if the life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. He died and victory over sin is available through Him.
The Cross to us means the humbleness of Christ. He gave His life for all who will receive Him. How can we say we’re better than anyone else? Our life is in Jesus.
This Cross planted paints a pretty picture while standing tall in front of the Prayer Garden. The Cross is adding life to our grounds. Veins of the Cross run through the campus as everyone has a view. It is just spectacular. Pastor Bill, thank your readers from us for the Cross. It will be well used and preserved here. The Prayer garden is now complete and open for business — prayer business. And I believe the Cross will draw them in.
Prayer: Father help me to communicate with You in ways I never imagined could be accomplished. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
Escorting Cross to the Prayer Garden
Work team of Theo, Anianus, Matheus and Johannes prepare ropes for duty
Hole is prepared and ready
Lining up Cross for planting
Lifting Cross into place
FIRE IN THE HOLE
Back filling the hole
Children led by Rachel and Justin do a Holy Spirit stomp to secure the Cross
Plaque is secured
Enter the Prayer Garden and walk the walk the children will use in their Prayer Tutorial
Importance of Prayer
Jesus strengthens us
The Holy Spirit will guide each step
Place all at the feet of Jesus
Jesus will lead in the light
The name of the Lord Jesus Christ is far above all others
Ask
Confidence that Jesus will help you
Give Honor and Glory to the Father
The Holy Spirit empowers our Kingdom activities
Give thanks and praise to the God of the universe
From left to right: Pastor Bill, Stanley, Desiree, Pastor Carol
Stanley and Desiree Beukes from Youth for Christ (YFC) in Okahandja, Namibia, Africa.
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
To the maker of the heavens and earth to You alone belongs all Glory, Honor and Power.
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.!