From Ted and Joy Carr:

Hi Val and Tina,

Your regular support is a spiritual anchor and encouragement in difficult times. CBC is still our First Church in our American experience. Thanks for hanging with us and for the visit.

Our past 33 years in ministry have been decisively impacted through Jesus words to his disciples and to all subsequent apprentices "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last." John 15:16 NIV ("- I have chosen and ordained you –"KJV)

It is clear that this calling and equipping carries a responsibility through the preceding command to abide and obey for both our personal internal spiritual growth as his children and also our commitment to external fruit bearing through the sharing of Jesus' love and the discipling of those who respond to his offer of salvation through repentance.

Down the years we have made it our mission to fulfill our calling through the Great Commission of Jesus by being proactive in direct evangelism and discipleship in our Jerusalem , Judea, Samaria and beyond. These aspects continue in our city, country and across our borders as far as Central Africa . Our commitment has also embraced mercy ministry as a door opener for the love of Jesus to be visible to communities that are physically and materially impoverished. Finally, we have attempted wherever possible to provide for and to serve through a believing community of faith – a local church and leadership – in the regions and localities in which we work. These factors reflect our foundational philosophy of ministry.

Here are a few communicable fruit bearing highlights since our last newsletter:

• The Malawian pastor whom I mentor has just informed me that 45,000 clay bricks have been hand molded and baked in readiness for the building structure which we will erect for his church at the base of the massive Mulanje Mountains in Malawi , Central Africa . (25,000 hand made clay bricks were destroyed by heavy rains before baking. We sent a further donation and the believers got to work again. Their hope – a church building of their own and for the community. The land was provided by a sub-chief as a result of our last visit.)
• A businessman who I have spiritually mentored over many years - a previously confessed Christian play boy - has become an active apprentice and discipler of other businessmen. In a meeting that ended in a midnight decision I had the joy of leading his indifferent philosophical adult son to the foot of the cross in heartfelt repentance and confession of Jesus Christ as Lord.
• After months of constructive strategic consultation and counsel it has been gratifying to be invited to function on the board of a new ministry called Kingdom Builders, focused on the South African business community.
• Joy and I have just completed consulting to a suburban church, training and equipping lay leaders and pastors in "Growing a Healing Ministry" as part of the life of the church. I led a strategic process that resulted in a pastoral commitment to various forms of outreach to the community. We will return to train Christian Listener counselors to meet the additional needs of the outreach and healing ministry.
• Our commitment to the orphans of Zimbabwe through the spiritual and strategic mentoring of leadership and provision of food is a large component of our cross-border ministry. We thank the Lord for financial support to that end from a US Foundation through dear friends who manage it. Through this commitment we have been able to feed (at different times of drought and need) over 2000 orphans, vulnerable children and their care-givers. We have established significant vegetable gardens and in a few localities rabbit farming for protein. The sewing machines continue to provide a livelihood for operators and clothing for children. We are currently plowing 10 hectares for maize cultivation.
• I spoke recently at the memorial service of a close friend, prominent businessman and past supporter whom I have spiritually mentored as a confidant and soul friend for many years.
• It was a joy to be the Master and Pastor of Ceremonies at the wedding of a couple whom Joy and I have mentored through deep waters.

I hope that this somewhat personal window into some of our ministry responsibilities provides a transparent look into how God has enabled and privileged us to serve his purposes. We do so through a portfolio of ministries that call on all of our spiritual gifts and abilities in ministering to people who desperately need and long for His deeper presence. We are servants reporting to you. 'His the glory'.

On a related personal note - the global economic crisis has resulted in a loss of over 50% of our take home salary. Many individual donors and two of five supporting churches have succumbed to the crunch and ceased to partner us financially. Two close friends who have provided large monthly financial support have recently died. This has had a significant impact on our income. Thank you for contributing to the other half of our support which we do receive. We appreciate your fellowship, prayer and financial support more than words can express. God is faithful!

We remember you regularly before the Throne of God.

Together – serving Him in bearing fruit that will last,

Ted Carr

+27 (11) 453-5857 (office)

+27 (11) 453-8989 (fax)

+27 (82) 900-0649 (cell)

Ted@ProVision.org.za

Isaiah 33:6 (NIV)