Dear Family, Partners and Friends,
I hope this finds all doing well. As you read this letter I will have been away from home for 30 days, not because Shay ran me off, but because I had many open doors of opportunity to share the Gospel with thousands of people in Southern Africa. As you know, we had landmark meetings in Johannesburg in September of last year. The response from schools and churches alike encouraged us to continue building on the momentum we have. Working in partnership with churches and relationships we developed last year, we set a heavy schedule of meetings in many areas of the city. These included schools, both public and private, churches and open air meetings. At each venue we brought the snake and iguana, using them as examples of how people hide from things in their life they want no one else to see. Each and every time this message is communicated, we see the same reaction: lives being convicted of sin and the grace of God being poured out to repentant hearts. Another aspect of our outreaches are the Life Events we hold in different parts of the city. Based on our video “Sea of Trees”, I expose the lie behind suicide and how this insidious spirit is affecting young and old around the globe. Without fail, in every Life Event held, there is always a demonic manifestation. In our Johannesburg event we had no less than 6 young people scream out as the demons in them cowered in the presence of God. After talking with the teens after the event, they acknowledged that they were being tempted with thoughts of suicide, were involved in the occult, had attempted suicide, or had someone close to them commit suicide. Regardless of the doorway or sin that bound them, God was faithful to see hurting hearts and set them free! We are continuing our outreaches in South Africa with a large citywide set of events scheduled for July in the city of Cape Town. Please keep these meetings in prayer; we know God is going to do something wonderful!
While in Africa I made many new friends. This was the only one that bit me.
Me and Danie inviting people to the open air event that night. We drew quite the crowd!
What makes our events unusual and readily recieved in different cultures is the fact that we operate completeley out of the religious box. Yes we reach teens, but the majority of our events are focused on people, young and old who do not know Jesus. It is not very often that a communicator comes to town, a Christian one at that, and brings a 20 foot python and iguana to use as an object lesson. It captures the imagination and stirs the heart of the religious to come and see what is going on.
When they arrive they have no idea what to expect, but God knows exactly what He is doing. As the message and examples are used and the Word is read, the Spirit of God begins to move, and many times in a very dramatic way. The tangible presence of God fills the enviroment and the people are amazed that something this weird could capture the hearts and minds of those in attendance. We have done hundreds of meetings like this around the world and without fail, Jesus convicts, loves and redeems the lost in the crowd. The demon possesed cry out and the sick are healed. This is the beauty and simplicity of the Gospel. When we go and seek the lost, using what God has placed in our hand (for me it is a snake- so weird!) He will always show up and show off, confirming His Lordship over every man’s life!
The ministry events in South Africa were incredible, but given the proximity of other nations located in Southern Africa, we chose to expand our outreaches. Our first stop was Swaziland. Having visited Swaziland many times over the past 10 years, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to hold a youth event there. This was only possible with the cooperation of two other ministries, Healing Place Church and Challenge Ministries. Each of these organizations were more than willing to offer their time and services to see this event accomplihsed. We utilized the same model we have been using in Africa. We hold school events during the day and invite them to the evening meetings, in this case held at Healing Place Church. The three day event culminated with over 500 in attendance the last night and countless rededications and salvations. God was faithful as hungry, wounded hearts responded to the power of His Spirit present in each nights service. I was thrilled to see that in a nation steeped in withcraft and ancestor worship there is a generation who is willing to throw off the traditions and superstitions of the past and press into a relationship with Jesus.
Adam & Kim Braud - Pastors HPC Swaziland
Our next stop was the nation of Mozambique. This is a fascinating country, one that I had never had the opportunity to visit over my many years of travel in Africa. Torn by civil war and political disputes, Mozambigue resembles something that one may see in the middle east. Dirt roads, narrow streets, walled compunds and much more. It was however a great place to have a youth event. Working again with Healing Place Church, we were able to hold a one night event in the capital city of Moputu. It is always a challenge to go to a new country not knowing the nuisances and customs of that nation. I must admit I was a little intimidated. But as usual, God showed up and showed off as He has done countless time before. I was excited to see young people stand to accept a call to ministry and for those who made fresh commitments to Jesus. God is truly no respector of persons and He is committed to impart grace and mercy to all who would call on His name and respond to the gift of His son Jesus.
Young people came forward to accept Jesus in the city of Bulembo!
500 young people attentivley listen to the message, and look at the Iguana.
The Youthbytes van all tricked out for work in the townships of Johannesburg.
Me and my son Max will be traveling to Costa Rica this summer. Youthbytes, Jovenbytes, went on the Enlace network early this year and we have recieved wonderful feed back. We will be visiting the station, connecting with friends and doing a few television interviews for them. We will then travel to Nicaragua to visit with another televison station in the capital city of Managua and hold a few church youth events. None of this would be possible if it were not for my favorite missionaries, Dan & Cindy Salas who have graciously offered to host us and feed us in their beautiful home located in San Jose Costa Rica!
Thanks for your continued support and friendship, we could not do any of this with you!
Chad & Shay Daniel