See, I told you!

/0 Comments/in /by

Written by Mike Verkaik

Seven years ago our Good Father opened a door to begin a ministry at a local motel in Holland, Michigan with a Christmas dinner. As our relationship with staff and residents has grown, Haven Church began to provide means for Oceans Ministries to also bless the residents with gift bags filled with hygiene products, gift cards and even a partial weeks rent payment.

You might think that attending a free Christmas meal at a local church would be an easy decision to make if you were spending Christmas in a motel room with no kitchen or means to cook. However, that is not the case for many of the residents who are not comfortable in crowds, or are new to the motel and have no relationship with the volunteers that serve there. Such was the case for Mary and Michael and their two children.

For residents that choose to, or can not attend our Christmas dinner it gives us the opportunity to bring them their gift bag and present it individually. While approaching Mary and Michael’s door I began asking the Holy Spirit for words to introduce myself. Nothing eloquent came as I prayed, only the simple truth was given. So, as their door opened and they invited me in I spoke His truth-filled words, “Hi, I’m Mike and I love Jesus, and Jesus loves you, in fact …” While continuing to speak about the Father’s love for them, Mary’s posture and big smile drew my attention. She was leaning over her 7-year old son saying, “See, I told you!”

Those simple Holy Spirit filled words was the key to the door of relationship and them sharing their story of loss, addiction and pain which led them to the motel. It was, and continues to be not an easy path to travel, but how beautiful and redeeming for them to know that in the midst of the mess their Abba Father sees them, validates He is with them, and supports a mom in bringing the message of Jesus to her son.

I have been pondering those words of Mary, “See, I told you”, during the past few days while dwelling in Luke 2. I Wonder if what I witnessed with Mary and Michael in that dark, musty motel room was similar to Mary and Joseph’s experience. I pictured the two of them, with their new born child, perhaps wondering is this really happening? And possibly, if like me, doubts and fears were creeping in about previous words spoken by angels seen.

What a reassurance it must have been for Mary and Joseph when our Father sent many angels with a gift message to shepherds and prompted them to go, see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. Luke 2:15b (NIV) I envision our Father smiling, holding Mary and Joseph, while listening to the shepherd’s recollection of the angels message, and whispering into their spirit, “See, I told you”. Although the uncertainty of their life did not change, the shepherds message had Mary treasuring words and pondering meaning the new trajectory of her life with Jesus.

If you are like me, in the midst of the challenges of life, you maybe need to be reminded frequently that our Father who sees you and is encouraging you. Maybe that is why the three snapshots written in Luke 2 of Mary and Joseph’s life with Jesus (with the shepherds, Simeon and at the Festival of the Passover) reveal our Father’s assurance and reminder that the Jesus they are raising is who the angel said He was before He was born.

As you enter into 2025 does your current life have you in a position where you are looking for validation, encouragement or wondering if you are walking on the right path? Are you looking for that reassurance again, even though you have sensed it before? Cling to the truth of your Father’s words, may they sink deep into the depths of your soul. Let them meet you where you are at, and bring you to trust in Him more deeply as He reveals Himself and says, “See, I told you.”

Matthew 6:8b (NIV – ) … for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) – So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

 

Christmas Blessings!

/1 Comment/in /by

Written by Patty Spykstra

December in Fish Hoek is sunny and the locals would say HOT. During this time of the year many visitors travel to South Africa and the Retreat Center always has inquiries for lodging. So Thobeka and I would be busy preparing rooms for the guests and then welcoming people from Ireland, the Netherlands or even missionaries from the Middle East. Then Thobeka and Sunny would head to the Eastern Cape of SA to visit family. Tim and I did our best to keep things running smoothly on campus while they were away.

In December attending Oceanview Carecentre graduation is always a highlight. These celebrations are so joy-filled. The kids are adorable and sing and dance with their whole hearts. The teachers work so hard all year and the parents are so excited for how much each student has learned. Each month Oceans Ministries blesses the teachers and staff with lunch but at Christmas eating out at a local cafe is a special treat. Tim and I love joining director Bernie, faithful cooks Marion & Gill, Isabella, Sharon, Angela, Erica, Jerome and the others, many who have been there for several years. There is always plenty of food, much laughter and of course a few pictures.

I can hardly believe that Tim and I have celebrated Christmas in Fish Hoek, South Africa for the last 4 years. Although missing our family in the states it has been very special to experience the holidays among so many different cultures. I will never forget that first Christmas in 2020 while shopping at a grocery store and hearing familiar carols proclaiming the birth of Jesus! What a wonderful gift to be amongst others who acknowledge the birth of Jesus-made me feel right at home. Over the years we have joined Tubal & Antoinette, Delgun & Pam and others who have graciously welcomed us into their homes for the holidays and introduced us to South African food and traditions.

December In South Africa marks the end of the school year. Students in grades 1-12 study for exams. It is especially hectic for those taking the Matric exam in order to graduate high school. Summer break is a welcome reward until classes resume mid January. It is indeed a busy season filled with lots of parties.

This year the Oceans campus was keenly decorated for the holidays for the students and marks 6 months that classes have been in session. There have been a lot of transitions during this time including a teacher living on campus to help oversee the day-to-day happenings with the school. Thanks to Daryl, Tim and I are able to spend Christmas 2024 in the USA! It is cold and snowy here in Colorado but we are thrilled to attend the Christmas program for our grandson at a local church and spend the holidays with our kids and four grandchildren! I brought back some Christmas Crackers (which is not something to eat) so we can share a bit of South Africa.

At the heart of Oceans Ministries is to Make the Father Known. A Father God who loved us so much that He revealed His heart by sending His only Son into a world in desperate need of a Savior. So this December wherever you be may you KNOW in your HEART how much you are loved and take a few moments to share that TRUTH with someone else.

Merry Christmas and Blessings in 2025!

Blessed are the Servants!

/0 Comments/in /by

“If I don’t serve I become like a teenage boy with too much time on my hands…” I was having coffee with a good friend last week when he nailed it with the sentence above about the importance of serving others.  He went on to talk about how he has learned that he finds the greatest joy doing deeds for others.  He went on to add, “It can be mopping floors, picking up trash, or having coffee with someone who needs to share their heart and being available to listen.”

With a sense of humor my friend tapped into the very DNA that runs deeply through our veins. We are created in the image of the triune God, who represents perfect and complete love and this God has manifested that love through acts of unconditional sacrifice. From the very beginning of time we have been designed to serve. However, because our first parents, Adam and Eve,  listened to satan’s lie the act of serving others has been distorted.  The false truth of making ourselves god and focussing primarily on  our own desires will result in ultimate satisfaction. Hmm how did that go for Adam and Eve? You and me?

As we enter into this precious season of Advent, many churches will light advent candles each Sunday. The fours candles represent hope, love, joy and peace. All pointing to the greatest act of service ever given to the world-the amazing gift of Jesus coming to earth. From His very conception in a virgin’s womb, to His birth in an animal shelter, and His obedient life culminating at the cross, this SERVICE was to the least and broken. Yes to you and me.

As Jesus stated so clearly in Mark 10:43-45  indeed this was His mission and it is to be the mission of all those who follow Him:

“If you want to be the greatest, then live as one called to serve others. The path to promotion comes by having the heart of a bond-slave who serves everyone. For even the Son of Man did not come expecting to be served by everyone, but to serve everyone, and to give His life as the ransom price for the salvation of many.”

When we desire to live out the mission of Christ through service- His Kingdom begins to invade our hearts with hope, love, joy, and peace as represented in those advent candles.  Serving ignites something deep inside of us, it can’t always be defined or described but it just feels right.

One of our greatest joys as a ministry is to observe what happens when young people travel to Africa and are “ruined” so to speak, by serving the least of these (see Matthew 24:45-51). We call the trips Kingdom Encounters because it is by serving, by giving of themselves-they encounter Jesus and His Kingdom. We have seen so many “ruined” to the kingdom of this world and find the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ when serving others.

Having coffee and a enjoying a delicious donut with my friend reminded me of the blessings of serving others. Serving brings hope, love, peace and joy deep into our souls as His Kingdom awakens and flows and grows through loving others by serving. I was challenged  to find ways to serve others this season, perhaps you will be challenged as well.

 

 

 

 

“Stay in the Boat!”

/1 Comment/in /by

“I heard God say to me in the vision, ‘Stay in the Boat!” When Chantelle stopped me the other day on the streets of Fishhoek, South Africa to tell me about a vision she recently had, my whole body was covered with goose bumps for so many reasons.

When my wife and I met Chantelle a little over 4 years ago she was homeless and just had a baby. The father of this beautiful baby girl had committed suicide before she was born. Chantelle, started to attend a Monday prayer service that Patty and I were going to at Overflow Church. We invited her to be apart of a recovery group Bible Study we were doing on Tuesday nights.

As we worked through the Lord’s Prayer and the Twelve Steps of AA we watched God do an amazing work in her heart. As the Spirit worked healing from past addictions He also provided a place for her to live and daily bread to sustain her.

Ab0ut six months ago Oceans Ministries contributed to the start up of a preschool for the community on at Overflow Church.  For Patty and I this was a great joy because both of our moms were preschool teachers and even taught together for several years. The first official volunteer for was Chantelle, who was able to bring her daughter Leela for free.

Chantelle has done so well and the preschool has grown to the point where the director hired her and will help pay for her to get a degree in early childcare. Miracle!

But let me go back to my divine appointment I had with her.  In the vision she was in a boat like the ones in Jesus’ day.  In the front of the boat was a man who had the sail wrapped around him. The water was still. The boat was going nowhere. However in the next scene of her vision the man took the sail and hoisted it up the mast and then wind picked up and the boat slowly began to move.

The man turned around, and Chantelle said that she immediately knew it was Jesus, and He said these simple words, “Stay in the Boat!” Chantelle, said after these words were spoken an overwhelming peace filled her soul. She knew that He was directing her future and no matter what she had to trust Him and “stay in the boat.”

Another reason why I was physically and spiritually touched by the words “Stay in the Boat” is because recently my mom has been battling with a rare form of cancer.  During the last few conversations and prayer times with her I’ve felt called to tell her to “Stay in the Boat!” I couldn’t wait to call my mom and tell her about Chantelle’s vision with the exact same words “Stay in the Boat!” What a Father God who hears our prayers and knows the cries of our heart. Meeting Chantelle walking on the streets of Fish Hoek and hearing her vision was a gift to remind me, my mom,  and perhaps some of you to “Stay in His boat.”

Life is a mystery like being in a boat that we are not in control of.  Sometimes there is no wind and it appears like we are going nowhere. At other times the boat is being pounded by horrific waves and we feel like we are about to sink. But the Spirit of Christ speaks to us and says, “Trust Me, stay in the boat!”  He has the perfect Haven which He is leading us to and grants peace to fill our hearts no matter what happens on the journey.

I’m not sure where your boat is at these days, but may you too hear Jesus say, “Stay in the Boat! I’m with you now and forever!”

“Peace be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another. “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

Mark 4:40-41