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Simmons 4 Africa

April 2012

MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTSSince our return from South Africa, many haveasked for an account of our trip and ministryopportunities. We want to share about our trip andministry through: 1) this first extended newsletter (itwont normally be this long!) and 2) a special moredetailed presentation April 22nd at our church,

Livingstones Fellowship (17000 NW Highway

45 Parkville, MO 6415, 816-891-8750). Servicestarts at 10:00. We are formally inviting all

of you who have loved, supported and

prayed for us!Through your giving you are a part of all we will doand have done in Africa.

VISION TRIP 2012Our family just completed our 63 day excursioninto the unknown world (at least for us) offrontline missions, serving our Lord inNewcastle, South Africa. We had an excitingtime in the Lord, received clarity on our callingand were overwhelmed by the colossal need ofministry. We also found out first hand that when

you commit to yourself fully and totally to thegreat commission it doesn't come withoutserious challenges that continually tests yourlevel of devotion to His cause. Probably, nowlooking back what is most telling about our tripis what we learned about being missionaries andwhat we need to do in preparation for full timeministry.

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EDUCATIONOur primary focus when we arrived was todiscover what God had for us to do in SouthAfrica. Our first contacts were with ShekinahChristian Academy and the NewcastleBaptist Church. Deena assisted the school indeveloping a comprehensive readingprogram for grades 1st through 3rd. Deena

also developed a remedial reading programto assist learners at all grade levels withreading proficiency. Dan helped out withcounseling students, P.E. and recess. Wefound the teachers (pictured right) to beextremely professional, knowledgeable andwonderful to work with. We have a specialplace in our hearts for them.

LITERACY OUTREACHWhile serving and living in Newcastle, we gained valuable

insight into the urgent need for English literacy outreach amongthe children and youth of the area. Many of the children in Kwa-Zulu-Natal grow up speaking a prevalent language other thanEnglish (primarily Zulu and Africans). However, in South Africa

children are required not only to learn English, but to learn toread in English.

According to the most recent figures from the Kwa-Zulu-Natal Department of Education, the literacy rate among sixthgrade children stands at a meager 39%. To compound theproblem, schools are poorly equipped. The general consensusamong education experts in the country is that the low literacyrates are directly related to poverty. With an estimated povertyrate of 70%, higher than any other province in South Africa, thesituation in Kwa-Zulu-Natal is especially dire.

We believe God is calling us to partner with pastors, schoolsand communities to provide reading education to the poor and

disadvantaged in Northern Kwa-Zulu-Natal. We have an openinvitation to work with the School of Industry to not onlyprovide literacy education to the reform school and behavioralchallenged students, but to read the Bible and pray with them!Additionally we are developing a mobile literacy program (BACorBook Adventure Club see our logo below) that will allowus to reach primary aged learners in poverty stricken villages andtownships. God is opening up doors for us to share the life givingGospel of Jesus Christ through these reading education programs

School of Industry

Village: Wycombe Farm

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SOCCER RULES!!

It didnt take us long before we realized thatamong the Zulu children and youth, soccer iskingin South Africa. Seemingly everywhereyou went, there were children playing soccer;

in parks, vacant lots and in the streets. Wewere amazed to learn that there were virtuallyNO formal soccer competition, leagues ordevelopment programs offered throughschools or in the community at large.

God has put on our heart to use this void toreach youth with the Gospel message. Byconducting outreach programs through thebeautiful game of soccer, we can reachchildren in the next five years. God has led usto create the United Youth SoccerAssociation of Northern Natal.

Through this initiative, we are partneringwith local evangelical pastors and others todevelop formal soccer competition throughstrategically place leagues while also offeringoutreach activities/camps for both players andcoaches. We have 2 leagues and 2 campsstarting in January 2013 and two more leaguesset to start in February.

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SIMMONS 4 AFRICA

GIVING FORMPlease include this form when mailing donations .

All information is strictly confidential.

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Into all the WorldPO Box 702558Tulsa, OK 74170-2558Designated for Simmons.