Happy 7th Birthday Generational Ministries South Africa

Dear, dear family and friends.

On Sunday, November 1, we (the whole GMSA team) will celebrate 7 years as a ministry here in South Africa.  Unbelievable!!!!!  As I (Jody) reflected on this occasion I found myself so amazed and grateful to God for all He has done and I wanted to write and also thank all of you.

After seven years I am so thankful:

For my husband, Dallas, who stepped out in faith and led all of us on this incredible adventure, and who has lovingly and faithfully fathered our six children (through a LOT of teen years), as well as worked very hard to establish GMSA, Storehouse church, and Nation Builders School.  If it weren’t for his exceptional heart for God and for Africans, none of this would be here!

For each one of our amazing children; Who left behind all their friends and everything familiar in USA to start a new life in South Africa.   They are becoming such strong men and women of God.  The have persevered through….”various trials”…..and they each have embraced a deepening, loving, growing relationship with their Lord and Savior Jesus.  So proud of you Natalie, Joe, Sus, Ty, Bo, and Des!

For the Allens-Apostle Steve and Patty-I will never forget the day Apostle Steve and Patty “left” us here to establish GMSA; It was with much emotion, both joy and tears.  But, truthfully, they never actually left us-part of their hearts stayed here with us.  What an immense joy and pleasure to have them here these past five years as the Dad and Mom of GMSA.  What a joy to partner with them in establishing Storehouse Church.  What an amazing thing to watch young (and old) people’s hearts turn to them.  And especially incredible to watch them launch and successfully disciple 13 young adult students these past nine months directing our Nation Builders School.  I wish more of you were here to witness their unrelenting love for these young men and women.  Though I know it has been very stretching and exhausting, they have not ceased to pour out love and wisdom and His Presence on these formerly broken sons and daughters.  Love you, so proud of you dear friends!

For Libbs, Justice and Joe-what AWESOME friends you have been to our kids!

For the extraordinary South African young people who began to “flock” to the “farm” (GMSA) in 2003 and who are now pastors and leaders of Storehouse Church and birthing sons and daughters of their own, both naturally and spiritually.  We love you Pastor Marshall and Martha, Pastor Leon and Joey, Pastor Mark and Nadine………………………

For the invaluable members of Storehouse:  Coloured, Xhosa, Zimbabwean, Mozambican, Congolese, Nigerian, Ghanaian, Afrikaners, Zambian; Who have become our covenant family.  We love you and find great joy in the relationships we have with you.

For Gert Smit, who has worked for us so hard all of these years keeping our farm “the most beautiful one around”!  We pray abundant blessings on you!

For our devoted families and friends who have supported us with much love, prayer, and finances.  Many of you have given faithfully and unceasingly for most of these seven years.  To reflect on this is very humbling. 
LOVE AND BLESSINGS to: Dad and Mom Seaver, Mom Grandma Barbara Sphar, Doug and Caroline Seaver, Del and Marie Seaver, Tom and Debbie Stutes, Ray Falgout and CCPC, Rick and Mary Adams, Pat and Michelle Deaton, Don and Sandy Margeson, Pastor Bob and Cara Grimm and CLC, Pastor George and Julie Conkle and Tonasket Foursquare,  Paul and Oradee Nunes, Bryan and Dana Roff, Pastor Tim and Diane and CityGate Church, Pastor Dave and Dayle Robbs, Ron and Marsha Craig, John and Marie Layman, Cathy Schaeffer, Mountain Life Church, Keith and Barbara Jones, Jeff and Nancy Zitterkopf,  Dave and Jill Boman, Dan and Jennifer Parker, and many others!!!!

For all the “volunteers” who came to serve, work, and sweat to make this farm become a place of real beauty:  Nate, Amy, Thomas B., Thomas P., Mike, Meghan, Jalene, Dan, Rick, Carlos, Stacey, Havilah, Anisa, Joel and Jackie, Renne’, and many, many more who came for short-term visits.

For our USA Administrator, Oradee, and Web-Designer, Paul.

For this country of South Africa we are privileged to live in-such beautiful scenery and such beautiful people.

For our international friends in Australia, Zimbabwe and the UK; Thanks for your impartations into our lives!

If not for ALL of you, we would not have had this incredible opportunity to bring Christ’s love and His Gospel to this people.  How grateful we are!  Our hearts are full as we celebrate our 7^th Anniversary!

As a ministry and church, we have set aside these past three weeks for a Daniel Fast.  We will be breaking our fast on Nov. 1 with a potjiekos, games and fellowship!  We approach Nov. 1 with lots of faith and anticipation for the breakthroughs that will come!!!  So looking forward to what God has in the next season of seven…………….

 With lots of love,

Jody (and Dallas) Sphar