January 2017 Prayer Letter

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Dear Pastor and Friend,

After 4 days of traveling (due to changes made to our flight schedule) Bekah, the kids, and I all arrived home on January 6th. We have picked up right where we left off almost 5 months ago. Our short furlough was nice, seeing friends and family and getting to give reports of what the Lord is doing here was fun, but getting back into the work is what we are really passionate about.

I am starting to get back into the hang of preaching in isiXhosa. Bekah too, is back at it. Yesterday afternoon she met with 5 teenage girls, and 2 twelve year old girls who have recently made professions of faith in Christ. They discussed salvation and baptism for a couple of hours and all have chosen to obey the Lord through believer’s baptism. These girls have all been faithfully attending our youth meeting held by Mxolisi Dama, our untitled youth pastor. We rejoice with a joy that is unspeakable to see how the Lord is using his life!

Tuesday night we started a new semester of Bible Institute. We currently have 13 people enrolled, one of which is from Soweto Baptist Church; Matthew Olwethu. He continues strong and is over half way finished with the curriculum. He continues to serve as the children’s church teacher.

On January 31st we will have new interns arriving. We are excited to have the Kelley family, Timmy and his wife Destiny. They are part of the Our Generation Training Center and will be with us for the next 6 months. Please remember them in your prayers as they travel and get settled in here.

Until today, we have been hosting the Coffey family in our basement while they were looking for their own house to rent. They also have just returned from furlough. Pray for Mark and Amy as they get back into their ministry and also as Mark continues searching for property for Camp Rhino.

Extras:

  • Next month we will start having Sunday School, and full out children’s church at Soweto.
  • We may have found land for Camp Rhino. We meet with our lawyer this week to discuss setting up the non-profit organization.
  • Please pray that we continue to learn and adapt to the Xhosa Culture and Language. We have come a long ways, but there is still much room for improvement.
  • On February 14th we will start a new outreach ministry at Soweto, English Classes. This was a very productive outreach in Peru and we are expecting the same results here. It will be a great opportunity for our interns to serve and have an impact in our congregation though they do not speak the language.

Your prayers and donations are vitally important to all the work the Lord is doing in South Africa. We cannot thank you enough for your partnership with our ministry.

Sincerely,
Jeremy and Rebekah Hall
Support Address:
Macedonia World Baptist Missions
Att. Jeremy Hall
P.O. Box 519
Braselton, GA 30517

Home Church:
Whitfield Baptist Church
Pastor Wayne Cofield
2134 Dug Gap Rd.
Dalton, GA 30720
Personal Contact Info:
jhsouthafrica@gmail.com
(770)573-9541
Website: www.projectsouthafrica.com 

Departing with $100,000 and much much more

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As we get ready to leave for the airport today, I wanted to send you our last update before we head back to South Africa.

Two weeks before our goal date, December 31, 2017, we crossed the $100,000 mark that we were trying to reach for Camp Rhino.  As many of you know, this was the initial amount we wanted to raise in order to purchase property to start our camp and training center in South Africa.  Well…….we didn’t stop there.  A week later we received a $20,000 donation and the week after that we received an $8000 donation.  With those gifts an a few others we are now over $129,000 for Camp Rhino.

I want to Praise the Lord.  He did much more than we even hoped for.  I also believe other donations are on their way and there is no telling where we will be by the end of January.

Thank you for your prayers and for your giving.  I am so very grateful for your involvement.

Please be praying as we pack the last minute things, drive to the airport, and go through the difficult time of saying goodbye to our family and friends.  Today will be a bitter sweet time, but we are definitely looking forward to getting back to our ministry in South Africa.

Please especially pray for us and for our oldest son Tyler who will be staying here in the states.  He attending the Our Generation Training Center at our home church to become a missionary as well.  Leaving him behind will be the hardest thing for us as we head back.

Coffey Family December 2017 Prayer Letter

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Quick Updates & Reminders:

  • January 10th is our departure date for South Africa.  We are looking very forward to getting back to the field. 
  • 7 Young people were saved at this year’s camp, our last we hope at a rented facility.
  • We completed our first two children’s books that teach missions principles and features Camp Rhino.  Go to camprhino.org to order Lana’s Spots or The Little Five Friends Coloring and Activity Book. 

It is my joy and pleasure to announce that we have met our initial goal to raise $100,000 to help with the start of Camp Rhino with two weeks to spare.  PRAISE – THE – LORD!!!!! The last $388 came in the night I preached at my home church, Vision Baptist Church, on Dec 14th. When I announced our goal to raise that much money back in January, I was a little nervous to say the least. Despite my nervousness, God worked out what some thought was impossible. 

$100,000 and Growing

I know this is just the first step concerning fundraising, but God has taught my family a lot during the last year.  He has confirmed in our heart we are headed in the right direction, and He has taught us the importance to live by faith and not by sight or worries or second thoughts or doubts. 

We really desire to live a life not based on our abilities and talents, but based on God living through  us to be a blessing to many others.  Please pray for our next steps.  We need to find the right piece of property and see from there what other funds are needed.  With the sale of our house and more donations being committed, we are hoping to return to South Africa with $150,000. 

Also be praying about our next church plant.  We hope to start our second church within the first few weeks of returning to Port Elizabeth.  Although we are excited about Camp Rhino, we know our main goal is to see more churches started throughout all of South Africa.  We really believe that Camp Rhino will help accelerate those efforts. 

Prayer Requests

  • Our oldest son Tyler- He will be staying back in the States for Bible College when we return to the field.  This is our first time leaving someone behind and know it won’t be easy. 
  • The sell of our house-  When we left for the field the first time, we weren’t able to sell our house.  With the improvements in the market, we are hoping to sell and at least clear $30,000.  Our plan is to use the money toward the purchase of our camp property.

December 2017 Prayer Letter

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Dear Pastor and Friend,

As we are sitting here state-side on a short furlough, it is a bitter sweet feeling to see reports of how God continues to bless in our absence. There really is “no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” On Sunday, at Soweto Baptist Church, they celebrated their 2nd anniversary. Since the church’s beginning, there have been 40 people who have been saved and baptized. God has begun a tremendous work in the lives of dozens of individuals through this work. We are super excited to return next month and witness how he will continue to mature His children. We are also very grateful to the Underwood family for all of their hard work in our absence.

One of our first priorities upon returning to South Africa will be to officially organize this work. This will be a lengthy process, as I still have much to teach on before it takes place. I am busy now preparing lessons on church polity and membership responsibility. This will be something you will hear more of in upcoming prayer letters. But for now please make this process a matter of prayer.

Last month, Bekah and I had the opportunity to visit our old church in Arequipa, Peru; Iglesia Bautista Omega. It has been over five years since we were last there. Words cannot express how proud I felt to see many continuing to serve and grow in grace. This was probably the most encouraging trip I have ever been on. Everyone was so sweet to us. They had a special service to honor us and then I had the opportunity to preach there once again. Also, before leaving Arequipa, Missionary David Gardner invited me back to preach the annual Youth Conference. Lord willing, I will be returning in July to participate.

Next week, December 11-15, our team in South Africa will host our 3rd annual Youth Camp. With us, and several others being gone, the work load is going to be spread amongst many new leaders. This will be a great time for service and growth. Pray the Lord uses this time, not only in the lives of the youth who will attend, but also in the hearts and lives of the workers. Please pray that they see much fruit for their labor. Also, thank you to all who have donated to send campers to camp!

Other Prayer Requests and Praises:

  • Our students in South Africa are in their final week of Bible Institute, pray they end strong and continue to put into practice all that they are learning
  • Camp Rhino: My cousin Mark Coffey has been raising funds to purchase property for our youth camp and training center. He has done an incredible job over the last year raising $95,000 of the $100,000 needed to purchase the property. Please go to our website and see how you can get more involved. ProjectSouthAfrica.com and CampRhino.org
  • God’s been good as we have been traveling. We only need 4 more churches who will partner with our ministry to meet our goal of 10 new churches before returning January 3rd.
  • There’s still time to sign-up for the OurGenerationSummit, Dec 28-30; hope to see you there!

Thank you for your faithfulness to pray and give. You mean more to us than you know. We hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Sincerely,

Jeremy and Rebekah Hall
Support Address:
Macedonia World Baptist Missions
Att. Jeremy Hall
P.O. Box 519
Braselton, GA 30517

Home Church:
Whitfield Baptist Church
Pastor Wayne Cofield
2134 Dug Gap Rd.
Dalton, GA 30720
Personal Contact Info:
jhsouthafrica@gmail.com
(770)573-9541
Website: www.projectsouthafrica.com 

Almost to $95,000

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This past week while in North Carolina, we had two of our supporting churches give a total of $1470 towards Camp Rhino.  With the new addition we now have $94, 691.74 towards our $100,000 goal.  Wow, so close!

I’m, thrilled to know we are nearing our goal.

Will you pray about helping us get the remaining $5000?

Our family leaves for South Africa on January 10th.  We can’t wait to get there and start searching for property.  We have a few options we’ve seen online that we’re excited about.  God has used all of you to be a great blessing in praying and giving.  I don’t have the necessary words to express my appreciation.

Christmas Camp Coming Soon

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Our 3rd Annual Teen Camp is not very far off.  Each year during the first part of December our team host a teen camp in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, which is about 45 minutes outside of Port Elizabeth where we live.  We hope this will be our last camp at a rented facility before we’re able to purchase our own property for Camp Rhino.  We will continue our Christmas Camp but hope to be well established in our new property by December of next year.

Here are a few things you could be praying about with us if you would:

  • Souls to be saved at this year’s teen camp.
  • Teenagers to commit their life to full time ministry.
  • That we are patient to wait on the property the Lord wants us to buy.
  • Our oldest son Tyler who will be staying back when we return to South Africa.
  • Direction as we hope to start our second church.
  • Funds to come in to finish off our $100,000 goal and beyond

We currently have a little over $93,000, but still have a little way to go.

October 2017 Prayer Letter

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Dear Pastor and Friends,

This week I will be giving an update to a church who has faithfully supported me for more than 10 years, Liberty Baptist Church in Timmonsville, SC. I will also be in two new churches. This is what we have been doing steadily for the past two months. We are really enjoying traveling and seeing many who have been so good to us for so many years. In October, we visited 10 churches, two of which decided to partner with our ministry as new supporters.

New Support: We have had four new churches promise to partner with our ministry since we have been back. We are praying for 10 new churches before January. We need a miracle. This support already has a specific purpose; We have to get more materials translated into isiXhosa. There are little to no Bible study helps or books for personal growth in this language. I am currently employing three people from our churches who translate materials. I want to continue to employ them and begin to get some of these materials printed and distributed to our local pastors and others.

The most exciting event this month took place at our home church two weeks ago. I had the privilege of baptizing three of our four children; Olivia, Brayden, and Jackson. All three of them made professions of faith in Jesus some time ago and have been anxiously awaiting their opportunity to make those decisions public. All the grandparents were able to be present and it was a very special night.

Summer Camp in South Africa is right around the corner, December 11-15. With their finances, most teens cannot afford to go. We have dozens of young people who have been working on different projects (created by us) to earn money for camp. It’s going to cost around $30 per camper. If you would be interested in sponsoring a camper please send any donation to Macedonia World Baptist Missions (attn. Jeremy Hall Camp) P.O. Box 519 Braselton, GA 30517. Thank you very much to all of you who have already participated!

Other Prayer Requests:

  • Our Travels: we will be making a special trip to Peru this month (Nov.13-21). We will attend a Regional Conference and visit our old ministry and friends.
  • The Our Generation Summit: “Unashamed” is the theme for this year. Join us at Lake Lanier Islands Resort, in Buford, GA December 28-30.

Thanks again for your faithfulness to support our ministry through prayer and financial support. May God bless you richly for all that you do!

 

Sincerely,

Jeremy and Rebekah Hall

Big Check for Camp Rhino

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Back in January, a supporting pastor and good personal friend reached out to me about helping with Camp Rhino.  Pastor Aaron Smith and the folks at Crossroads Baptist Church in Mobile, AL committed to giving $2500 to purchase property to help start Camp Rhino.  Their plan was to take up a change offering from then until their missions conference in October with the purpose of giving that offering to Camp Rhino.  The folks at Crossroads were actually the very first church to commit to helping with Camp Rhino raise $100,000.

This past Wednesday was the first day of their conference where they presented us with a not a $2500 check, but huge $2600 check.  With their gift, we not only have over $87,000 with gifts and  commitments, but now have over $87,000 in hand.

Please continue to pray as we get closer to our $100,000 mark.

 

 

October 2017 Coffey Family Prayer Letter

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Prayer Request

  • The sell of our house-  When we left for the field the first time, we weren’t able to sell our house.  With the improvements in the market, we are hoping to sell it and at least clear $30,000.  Our plan is to use the money we clear toward the purchase of our camp property.    
  • Safety as we travel- This coming month we’ll be in Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, and Florida.   
  • Our oldest son Tyler- He will be staying back in the States for Bible College when we return to the field. 
  • Christmas offerings being designated for Camp Rhino- We are praying to meet and surpass our $100,000 by the end of December. 

Quick Updates & Events:

  • Volunteer visas for our children were approved.  They are good through July 2019.  Afterwards we hope to get a 5 year work visa which would allow us to one day obtain permanent residence.
  • With the children’s visas in hand, we purchased our airline tickets for South Africa.  We are booked to fly out January 10th.    
  • Our first children’s books that will promote missions principles and Camp Rhino will be shipped out on October 31st. Check them out and pre-order at CampRhino.org.
  • Plan to attend the Our Generation Summit either at Lake Lanier Island Resort in Buford, Ga on December  28th-30th or in Boston, MA on January 4th-6th.  For more information go to OGSummit.com

Through these past months on furlough, God has really taught us and grown our faith in an incredible way.  When we started announcing our goal back in January to raise $100,000 to start Camp Rhino, to be honest, we were a little nervous.  This is the first time we’ve personally tried to raise money like that.  Month after month God, met or even surpassed our goals.   From the first $5000 given to the last $1000 that came in last week, it’s been amazing to see. 

Looking back and knowing the churches and individuals that have been involved is a bit overwhelming.  God has placed us in the path of some incredible people that have been a great encouragement and help.   

We now have over $87,000 towards the purchase of property to start our new camp.  With around $13,000 to go, we’re not near as nervous as we were in January:). Thank you all again for your prayers and support.

Camp Rhino and our Christmas Camp

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Another $3000 came in within the last week and a half for Camp Rhino.  The total is now over $85,000.  I believe we will meet and beat our goal of $100,000.  Thank you all for praying and giving.  I want to say a special thanks to Oakland Heights Baptist Church in Cartersville, GA and Fellowship Baptist Church in East Ridge, TN with helping us pass the $85,000 mark.

Our team at Camp Rhino will be renting a facility to use in December to host our annual Christmas Camp.  Please pray as churches are preparing now to bring their young people and recruit lost teens from their community.  This should be our biggest camp week so far.

If you or your church would be interested in making a trip to South Africa sometime next year to help with Camp Rhino please let me know.  We are hoping to have our first teen week July 2018, but need help before and after getting the Camp ready.  We already have six groups schedule to visit us next year, but are looking for many more.