Saturday Serve is a bi-monthly opportunity for you, your family or small group to come together and serve in the community. This month is a little different that normal.  There are two different times you can serve.  As usual, we will have a kick-off celebration at the church at 9:00 a.m. From there, participants meet with their assigned group and head out in the community to serve. This group will be finished by noon on Saturday.  If Saturday morning doesn’t work for you, we also have a special opportunity for you to serve in the afternoon from about 1:30-4:30pm.

Saturday Serve has age-appropriate service opportunities for kids, students and adults. It is recommended to pre-register as you will be notified in advance of your team placement and what to prepare for the day. Walk-up participants are always welcome, and we place walk-up participants in groups that have space.  If you will be attending the afternoon serve time you MUST pre-register.

Serving in the community not only makes a difference in the lives of the people we serve, but is a great step for you in your own spiritual growth.

If you have questions or need more information please contact Jason Hale: jason@rollinghillscommunity.org

For more information about serving in the afternoon contact Michelle Carroll: michelle@rollinghillscommunity.org

To register for Saturday Serve, click the following link: Saturday Serve – May 11, 2013 Registration Form.

Posted in Local Missions, Missions, Saturday Serve by Michelle Carroll No Comments

As I sit here tonight poised and ready to write about our team and what we have been doing in Red Hill, I am having a hard time coming up with what to write.  It isn’t that we haven’t had any great experiences… it is that we have been so abundantly blessed that it is hard to narrow it down!  I could write about…

… all of the fun our team had wrapping up our painting job in the Living Hope office in Red Hill, where Life Skills Educators Lumka, Kennedy, and our own Nathan and Claudia McDivitt work each week.  Lumka’s personality, truly filled with the joy of the Lord, was reflected in even the paint colors she choose for the office – bright and happy Crazy Daisy and Red Flame.

… the pride on Phyllis’ face as she presented new curtains for the Living Hope office.  Our team brought fabric, but Phyllis worked all day today on those curtains, saving this very special task to do herself and not pass on to others in her community.

… getting to revisit Phyllis’s garden again this year, helping her to tend to a plot of land that she uses to give nutritious food to people in her community who are sick and need the nutrients to help their bodies heal.

… watching Kennedy’s love of the Lord shine across his face as he taught preschoolers about Matthew 6 and trusting God.

… the amazing, God-filled singing time at the opening of Kids Club, as children who are full of love for God sang out, “Your love is deeper that my view of grace, higher than this earthly place, longer than this road I travel, wider than the gap you fill.”  It brought tears to my eyes to feel God so present in that shelter.

… the honor of seeing so many people serving God in such a special place as Red Hill.  Lumka, Kennedy, Phyllis, Nathan, Claudia, and so many others are working day in and day out in Red Hill to be leaders and raise up disciples in their community.

God truly has His hand on Red Hill, and our team has been so blessed that the paths that God laid out for each of us brought us to this place.

Posted in Missions, SA 2103, South Africa by Sara Ingmire No Comments

Our team woke up yesterday to a very encouraging message from one of the A6 members of Rolling Hills, where he prayed that we would have “sun stand still” experiences that would allow us to complete what we were sent here to complete without rush or worry. It’s all in the hands of the Father. And for our longest day of ministry this week, it was very appropriate!

We certainly had plenty of opportunities to put that prayer to the test yesterday; we had filled our day with various tasks and projects that would be taking our team all over Red Hill and Cape Town. In the morning alone, between the 12 of us, we painted, poured concrete, worked in a clinic, taught a class on early childhood development, and fixed a gutter on the middle camp shelter. The afternoon was filled with more painting, in-home care visits, and a teens club on purity and hygiene. Nicknames were cemented (Michelle “Baby” Carroll), established (Larry “Big Baby” Crawford), and abandoned (Jason “Hot Lips” Hale). The dog that has adopted our team as her own in an annoyingly aggressive way bit at least three locals that made the poor decision to walk past us (I’m sure the body count will increase today).

Our evening was spent in the shelter, with Jason, Leslie, and Larry delivering messages on leadership, small groups, and budgeting to church leaders from several congregations in Red Hill. It was a very encouraging time, starting with a prayer  of “Thank you Jesus, Amen” sung by everyone in attendance, and ending with an invocation to lead and lead well from Jason.

And in the midst of all that, in the time between the end of teens club and the beginning of the training seminar, I had the chance to experience my first Red Hill sunset. This is my fourth time coming to Cape Town, and I have seen dozens of sunsets from the patio at the Team House, but never from the edge of Phyllis’ garden. When you’re in Red Hill, it is very easy to become focused on the shanties and shacks that populate the landscape and miss the fact that you’re standing on a hill, in the midst of mountains, overlooking the Atlantic. Unreal.

This was the end of our day; we didn’t need the sun to stand still any longer. And it sank in some of the most incredible shades of gold I’ve ever witnessed, a neon yellow that could not be contained. It was God’s way of saying, “You’re welcome. And yes, I am awesome.” And not in the 80′s way that things became “awesome” just because they happened; in the way that made us stand in awed silence. Amen.

Posted in Missions, SA 2103, South AfricaTags: 2013, missions, Red Hill, RHCC, South Africa | by markahlberg 1 Comment

It’s Sunday, and so we attended church this morning. But instead of just one service, one church, or one body of believers, we made it to two locations today. Our first service was with King of Kings Baptist Church, which is the church Living Hope grew out of. We had driven past several times, and met several members of King of Kings already, so it was great to finally see the church that had the vision to establish Living Hope. There were so many things about King of Kings that were familiar to me — things harking back to the church I grew up in and also reminding me of Rolling Hills. There was a great realization that both RHCC and King of Kings have a common focus on missions. I could see the parallel path to founding non-profits separate from yet supported by your church body: Rolling Hills founding JMI and King of Kings starting Living Hope.

It was incredible to see the humility that King of Kings has about the fact that they founded Living Hope. It would be so easy to proclaim from the rooftops that your body of believers started this organization that is now working in 7 communities near Cape Town, reaches hundreds of children, feeds over 200 people a day, and has hosted over 4,000 people for short-term ministry. But walking into the church, I had to search to find anything that said “Living Hope.” There was one note about Living Hope in their worship guide, while several people spoke from the pulpit about other ministry opportunities and ways they are reaching out to other people in the Cape Town area this morning.

We returned to Red Hill and attended River of Life, where Kennedy is the pastor. River of Life is a small one room building, with no air conditioning, that serves as a meeting space for all church events and kids and teen clubs Living Hope runs. Many of the faces were familiar, from our visit on Friday afternoon and spending the day with the LSEs and their families at Ratanga Junction. I didn’t know any songs we sang, or even the language some of them were in, but I knew God was in this place as well.

The material aspects and atmosphere of both churches weren’t anything new to me. But I had never been to a very traditional Western service and a charismatic African service back to back. So the thing I took away most this morning was that it didn’t matter how we looked, what we talked about, what songs we sang, or even where we met. Two or more were gathered and God was in each place. I was reminded of Lumka’s life verse she shared at the LSE retreat: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go,” Joshua 1:9. God is with us wherever we go, be it Franklin, South Africa, Moldova, or Brazil. He is with anyone who calls on Him wherever they are.

Posted in Missions, SA 2103, South Africa by Michelle Carroll No Comments

A day at an amusement park in downtown Cape Town might not seem like the typical place to spend your time when on a mission trip for 10 days. I can say now that it was such a sweet time with people that mean so much to all of us.

Lumka, Kennedy, Phillis, and all of their families were picked up early this morning from Red Hill to meet us and then head to Ratanga Junction. From the moment we stepped out of the Quantum’s at the amusement park there was pure joy on all of their faces. They were excited for the day and ready to jump on every ride that they possibly could. While riding rides and eating junk food was fun, the time spent in meaningful conversations was so precious to all of us.

As an LSE that serves in Red Hill with Lumka, Kennedy, and Phillis day in and day out, I understand the tiredness and stress that comes even with the joy and blessings. They are such fearless leaders in their community and spend most of their time serving and tending to other peoples needs. They all have such big hearts for not only people, but for seeing those around them truly understand the importance of having a personal relationship with our heavenly Father.

When we returned to the team house tonight we all were able to share about today and any special moments that we shared with all of their families. Lesli shared a story with us about Phillis and it made my heart so happy. Phillis looked at her at some point during the day and pointed to her head and said, “today I have no stress and no worry up here.” This is exactly the kind of day we wanted them to have. A day that they could go out with their families and simply enjoy each other.

It was such a blessing for me and the whole team to be able to see them spend their day without a worry. To be able to go to a place and have a day full of fun and excitement was something that I think they will hold dear to their hearts for a long time. It also gave us all a chance to spend the day having fun and getting to know one another better then we did before.

Today was a lot more then going to an amusement park and riding tons of rides. It was a day filled with intentional moments, laughter, and the simple joy of sharing life with one another. I believe that moments like today remind us how much we are alike, and how we are apart of such a greater story then we could ever imagine.

Claudia McDivitt/RHCC Missionary serving in Red Hill

Posted in Missions, SA 2103, South Africa by Jason Hale 1 Comment

Today has been a good reminder that the differences between us all are actually a lot less pronounced than we would like to think. For the past six years, Rolling Hills has facilitated a retreat for the life skills educators at Living Hope Ministries and today we had the privilege of  spending another day with this group of mentors and community leaders.

Being a like skills educator is not an easy task. Life skills educators (LSE’s) devote countless hours to working with teens and kids in their communities, teaching them about what really matters in life, how to be all that God has created them to be and ultimately what God’s plan is for their life. This task entails after school clubs, holiday programming, intense relationship building and standing in the gap for many at-risk students in their communities. These folks are some of my heroes! Two of our one missionaries, Nathan and Claudia McDivitt, are life skills educators in the community of Red Hill. Along with Kennedy Dick and Lumka Malima, the McDivitts make up the LSE team in Red Hill.

Throughout the day, whether in a conversation, hanging out at the beach with the LSE’s or eating breakfast together, we were able to be reminded once again, that the struggles, joys, celebrations and concerns we have in ministry really bind us together.  We both struggle with how to make teen’s listen or how to plan the best bible study. We both celebrate when others are obedient. We all struggle with fulfilling our calling God has placed on our life. In moments like this, we often think that the plans we make are important, whereas God is wanting us to catch of glimpse of what it means to simply journey with someone. Today was just that. As a matter of fact, a lot of our work in South Africa is just that.

Over the past seven years, God has afforded us at RHCC to work in a community called Red Hill. Red Hill is made up of about 1000 people and this community has become more than a township on a hill. The faces have became names and friends, with stories and spiritual journeys. The volunteers and servants have expanded from a team we work with, to now include our own missionaries like Nathan, Claudia and Lesli Crawford. The team are our friends and partners in ministry.

Today has been a blessing and the blessings have been manifested in the form of relationships. I cannot think of  a better way to spend a day or to spend your life.

Please continue to pray for our team as serve in the community, invest in others and seek to bring God glory through our time and efforts.

Posted in Missions, SA 2103, South Africa by Jason Hale 1 Comment

Saturday Serve is a bi-monthly opportunity for you, your family or small group to come together and serve in the community. Each Saturday Serve starts with a kick-off celebration at the church at 9:00 a.m. From there, participants meet with their assigned group and head out in the community to serve. Each group will be finished by noon on Saturday.

Saturday Serve has age-appropriate service opportunities for kids, students and adults. It is recommended to pre-register as you will be notified in advance of your team placement and what to prepare for the day. Walk-up participants are always welcome, and we place walk-up participants in groups that have space.

Serving in the community not only makes a difference in the lives of the people we serve, but is a great step for you in your own spiritual growth.

If you have questions or need more information please contact Jason Hale: jason@rollinghillscommunity.org

To register for Saturday Serve, click the following link: Saturday Serve – March 9, 2013

Posted in Local Missions, Missions, Saturday Serve by Michelle Carroll No Comments

Join us as we travel to New Orleans, March 23-27, 2013 for a missions experience. While in New Orleans, RHCC will partner with Harbor Community Church and other community organizations and ministries. In addition, you will have an opportunity to experience and better understand New Orleans culture through this missions experience. Here are some thoughts on previous trips we’ve taken to New Orleans:

-“A turning-point for me between a really difficult time in my life the past few years and a new hope for the future.  I love serving God by serving His people so it focused me once again on that part of my life allowing me to forget the past and move on toward the future.”

-“just what I needed to re-energize my walk with Jesus”

-“An awakening and thought-provoking experience, with unforeseen blessings coming down on me like an unexpected rain storm, challenges that required me to stretch spiritually, mentally, and relationally, and a peace that comes from further emptying me of me and allowing Christ to come in and make me more like him.”

-“A great experience in serving and seeing what God can do with us when we make ourselves available.”

-“A great mission experience. New Orleans helped open my eyes to a natural disaster and the long lasting impact that can have on a city, and on a culture. It really has defined the city and winning the Super Bowl has been one of the things to help the city come back. It is now a place where the people who live there are determined to make it better. With everything I know about recovering after a crisis in my life – I really relate to this city. I have had storms that seem like I can’t get over, but you do, not with time but with hard work. It’s a beautiful picture of real live and Harbor Community Church really meeting people where they are in life and bringing Christ to them.”
-“An eye opening learning experience about a very misunderstood city”

-“Sobering…I didn’t realize that five years later the need for help would be as large. A growth experience and exciting to be able to see God move.”

There is a $100 deposit due on February 17 so don’t hesitate. We’d love to have you serve with us on this trip!

Posted in New Orleans, NOLA 2013Tags: missions, New Orleans, RHCC, sign-up | by benmorgan No Comments

Saturday Serve is a bi-monthly opportunity for you, your family or small group to come together and serve in the community. Each Saturday Serve starts with a kick-off celebration at the church at 9:00 a.m. From there, participants meet with their assigned group and head out in the community to serve. Each group will be finished by noon on Saturday.

Saturday Serve has age-appropriate service opportunities for kids, students and adults. It is recommended to pre-register as you will be notified in advance of your team placement and what to prepare for the day. Walk-up participants are always welcome, and we place walk-up participants in groups that have space.

Serving in the community not only makes a difference in the lives of the people we serve, but is a great step for you in your own spiritual growth.

If you have questions or need more information please contact Jason Hale: jason@rollinghillscommunity.org

To register for Saturday Serve, click the following link: Saturday Serve January 26, 2013

Posted in Local Missions, Saturday Serve by Jason Hale No Comments

Jesus had a lot to say about the value of people. Jesus invested in small groups, committed the message of reconciliation to His disciples and built the church using a group of fallible men and women. As a matter of fact, in His dealings with the Pharisees, Jesus reiterated the greatest commandments are to love God and love people.

At Rolling Hills, we are blessed to work with some great people around the world. Two of those people, I would like to introduce you to are Lumka Malima and Kennedy Dick. Lumka and Kennedy are both Life Skills Educators in the township of Red Hill in Cape Town South Africa. Lumka and Kennedy both live and work in Red Hill and are two of our heroes. For the past seven years, Rolling Hills and JMI has enjoyed a partnership with Living Hope Ministries and had the privilege of working directly with these life skills educators. Our own missionaries Nathan & Claudia McDivitt work with this team daily.

Lumka Malima has been working with Living Hope for two years and is the mother of two boys, 8 and 18 years old. They enjoy going to the beach and shopping. Lumka’s hopes for the kids and teens of Red Hill are that they will grow up to be great men and women of God, who will also raise their own children according to God’s principles. Lumka has been able to build a great relationship with her community and enjoys teaching the children about Christ and building the knowledge of God into their daily lives.

Kennedy Dick enjoys working in Red Hill because it gives him an opportunity to shepherd the hearts of kids and teens while also building meaningful relationships with parents. His desire is to help the kids understand that God can change their life and help lead them as they become leaders in the community, their schools and ultimately wherever God takes them. Kennedy has been working with Living Hope for sixteen months and he and his wife Rene’ have three children, Joanne, Jeremiah and Elridge. The family enjoys outdoor activities like camping and swimming.

You can be praying not only for their continued work in Red Hill, but specifically that Lumka would be able to get her own home for her family. You can also pray for Kennedy to finish the year strong and that God would protect his family and marriage and their home would be an example to the community of Christ’s love.

Know that our work around the world is being carried out by great men and women like Kennedy and Lumka. Your support not only aids their continued work, but also provides daily meals to kids in Red Hill, early childhood education development and intervention, parenting classes and afterschool kids and teens clubs. To learn more about South Africa, Living Hope or ways you can be involved with the ministry of Lumka, Kennedy and the work in Red Hill, please contact:

Jason Hale: jason@rollinghillscommunity.org

To drop a note or learn more from Lumka or Kennedy directly, contact them at:

lumkamalima@gmail.com

kennedydick@gmail.com

Posted in Missions, South Africa by Jason Hale No Comments