March 20, 2015
Sunrise Guesthouse
Greytown, South Africa
ccm Cross #0080
GPS/DMS 29.0707° S, 30.5832° E 
Additional pictures after the Testimony
3806 cdd African Sunrise
Cyber Daily Devotion
Volume 16 Number 100
Today’s Author: Pastor Bill
Scripture: Isaiah 58:10
“If you feed those who are hungry and take care of the needs of those who are troubled, then your light will shine in the darkness, and you will be bright like sunshine at noon” NCV Bible Paraphrase
pb comment: Having planted more than eighty Crosses around the world, it is interesting to note one of the most unusual ways the Lord introduced us to Cross planting locations.
The following Cross testimony is about a Christian Bed and Breakfast. We had secured a different accommodation for our arrival in Greytown, South Africa — the Lord had other plans.
We settled in for a three day stay, where we made our reservation, when out of nowhere we were in the middle of a bat attack. Needless to say Pastor Carol strongly encouraged a new location for the next two nights.
In a bit of desperation we prayed and looked for a new location that was clean with no bats. The Lord heard and directed us to Sunrise Guesthouse in Greytown, South Africa. This turned out to be a “God Connection” as together with Hans, the proprietor, we have planted six Crosses in the Greytown area, in the past two years. pb
Hello my name is Hans Christian Holst and together with my wife Miriam we are missionaries in Greytown, South Africa. This is our Cross testimony of how the Lord has directed our lives from the very beginning.
My life began in Norway where my dad and mom raised six children. I am number 3. At the age of six dad and mom received a call to the mission field in Swaziland, Africa. We all moved to Africa. Our lives went from relying on a substantial paycheck every month to trusting Jesus as missionaries for our provision.
After four years in Swaziland and an additional two years back in Norway we moved to Greytown, South Africa. While dad and mom went about the Lord’s business I was developing my own relationship with the Lord.
While in Norway I had met Miriam and we corresponded as best we could while I was in Africa. After graduating high school in Africa and completing one year of Bible College in Norway, I returned to Greytown just as my dad had a heart attack. Dad and mom then returned from Greytown to Norway for medical attention which left me in charge of the ministry in Africa.
I was 19 years old and for three years was on duty for the Lord while dad recovered. During this time my wife’s aunt, Elin (Cross 0081) decided to visit from Norway and Miriam asked to join her. While Miriam was here for her 3 week summer vacation, in July 1988, we were engaged. Six months later I returned to Norway. Less than a month later, on the 7th of January 1989, we were married. Mom with my now healthy dad returned to Africa.
For the next 15 years Miriam and I lived in Norway. I was in business, ministering at church and we began raising our family of four children. But the Holy Spirit had other plans for our lives and impressed on us a desire to return to Africa.
When our children were 13, 11, 9 and 5 we sold our home and packed up a container load of all our belongings. While packing the container we feared all our belongings would shake and rattle all the way to Africa causing damage, scratches, dents, breakage and even be crushed.
Our solution came by way of second hand clothing. People — friends, family and complete strangers donated large amounts of second hand clothing that we stuffed into every nook and cranny in the container, to prevent breakage. Then upon arrival we had an abundance of clothing to give away which was much appreciated by the local people.
We purchased a house and began a children’s home immediately. We knew our call was for the children of Africa and did not hesitate to begin. While we bought and moved into our home we also established Khayalami Children’s Village, with five children. Today Khayalami Children’s Village currently is home to 65 children.
The early years were a struggle as our funding was substantially less than adequate. Still we knew we were in the will of the Lord.
Our church and some of our friends and family had pledged to help us with monthly support. Over time they have all been so faithful, but with one problem. The amount received was nowhere near covering our living costs. We partly lived on study loans we took out; well knowing it was no long term solution.
Then in 2005 my sister and brother-in-law, Heidi and David, were visiting from Norway. After surveying our situation they were not at all happy about where we were living. They quickly and correctly perceived the area was very unsafe and it was a particularly noisy part of town. At the time there was a nice two story home for sale (there was hardly ever a house for sale in Greytown) and it also had an apartment. Heidi and David offered to pay the difference between our existing house and this two story home in order for us to have a proper place to live. We were overjoyed. A few months later we moved into our new home!
The Lord had another plan with this house as well. In 2008, as we were getting financially desperate, not knowing our next move, some friends asked why we didn’t utilize the apartment as a Bed and Breakfast. We liked the idea and split the apartment in two adding another bathroom. That was the start of Sunrise Guesthouse. Today Sunrise Guesthouse has eight units and supports us financially.
Through the years the miracles and hand of God have guided us through the toughest of times. Raising a family while taking on responsibility to build and run a Childrens home has been rewarding far beyond what words can express. But it did not come without challenges and the development of truly deep faith. Whatever the problem — whatever the circumstance — whatever the challenge — Jesus has been and still remains the answer.
One of my favorite Bible verses is Isaiah 55:10-11 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” NKJV
The Cross is a powerful testimony of how our Father through Jesus Christ took all our wrongs and shortcomings, and traded them for a life with Him in glory.
This Cross planted today will proclaim Jesus in contrast to all the Hindus flying their pagan flags. My hope is that the Cross will lead to conversations and salvation through Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Father thank you that no matter the need, whether small or great, that Jesus is the answer. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!
Hans is securing the Cross beam
Placing Cross in the hole
Mixed concrete was hand lifted into place
Hans checking to insure Cross is standing tall and straight
Sunrise Guesthouse
Miriam and Hans Holst — Norwegian missionaries to Greytown, South Africa
Plaque “Declaring God’s Glory” over Greytown, South Africa