Ayanda's triumphant return!

I just wanted to share with you a little bit of the joy that I was able to experience recently as Ayanda returned safely from Kenya. Odwa, Luvuyo and I all attended his graduation from the Discipleship Training School (DTS) as well as the completion of his outreach phase. It was a wonderful day to celebrate, and really take in the life change that is so evident in Ayanda. It's hard to put it into words, so I won't try, rather I'll let his words speak.

"Hey!!!! I just want to thank you for everything you've done for me, I really appreciate everything. This has been an amazing experience starting from lecture phase till Outreach and now the debriefing. I believe that "DTS" planted something in my life that I can't describe: because it is too great, too deep, too high and too wide to prove, but I know I am not the same as before. The whole thing affected the way I think, speak and how I see things.

The new Ayanda is being born, am ready to do God's will, I know it's not going to be easy but am willing to take it. For I know the Lord will be by my side and he will never leave me. I feel that the Lord is calling me to Kenya to take care of his children but the problem is who is going to take care of my family because I feel that they are expecting me to support them. Which is true somehow I have to take the responsibility because they invested in my life. And if I become a missionary who will do that?"

What wonderful issues to grapple with - and what amazing ministry lies ahead. I've always believed that Film Project Africa could and should be replicated - perhaps these are just the first steps toward a Kenya branch. :)

Please continue to pray for Ayanda as he finds his feet in Kayamandi once again. As he tries to swim upstream in his community and with his friends, that he might stand firm in all that he has learned.

In three weeks he'll be starting the video production semester and it will be nothing short of a challenge, but it's one that will equip him, and for that I'm grateful. For all who have supported us, you've made a real impact in the lives of many - but it's so fun for a moment focus on just one.

To become involved or donate to Film School Africa, simply go to www.threadsafrica.org and click on the donate button. Together we're harnessing the power of film to forever change lives.