Many people have asked where they’ll be able to read the articles I create once we’re in South Africa.
The best place to start will probably always be this web site, which will always be the hub of our ministry. Here, we will always have the bulk of our updates and personal reflections, as well as videos and links to other articles. We’ll also still share small bits by Facebook and send emails and letters to those most interested in our work. Odds are high that I’ll add a few more social media venues as we seek to share widely about Christ and His work.
But those are just our own efforts. SIM’s many branches also have their own print and online publications, and the official articles I write will have a much wider audience than our friends and family. Most of what I write will focus on and be used in South Africa, but the U.S. office has an interest in what I, as one of their missionaries, write, and will therefore be likely to use much of it, too. If I write about a Canadian missionary serving in South Africa or a South African serving in Paraguay, it might be published in any of those countries and the U.S., as well as in SIM International’s worldwide publications. Additionally, I’ll also sometimes submit articles to publications outside SIM, especially those with an interest in missions and Christianity.
“Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind!” Psalm 66:5 (NIV)
Print articles that aren’t available in the U.S. will sometimes be shared on our own page, but much of my writing will be available online anyway. SIM South Africa publishes a national magazine called SIM Now, and issues are available from their web site, sim.org.za. Freshly redesigned, the site cleanly presents a great deal of information about SIM’s values, goals, and work in South Africa.
Truly, this is a ministry with long legs, which is very exciting and energizing. It’s also humbling to remember the responsibility it entails, so please pray that I will have wisdom, discernment, and skill in all I do in God’s name. Thank you.
Psalm 66 (NIV)
For the director of music. A song. A psalm.
Shout for joy to God, all the earth!
Sing the glory of his name;
make his praise glorious.
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power
that your enemies cringe before you.
All the earth bows down to you;
they sing praise to you,
they sing the praises of your name.”
Come and see what God has done,
his awesome deeds for mankind!
He turned the sea into dry land,
they passed through the waters on foot—
come, let us rejoice in him.
He rules forever by his power,
his eyes watch the nations—
let not the rebellious rise up against him.
Praise our God, all peoples,
let the sound of his praise be heard;
he has preserved our lives
and kept our feet from slipping.
For you, God, tested us;
you refined us like silver.
You brought us into prison
and laid burdens on our backs.
You let people ride over our heads;
we went through fire and water,
but you brought us to a place of abundance.
I will come to your temple with burnt offerings
and fulfill my vows to you—
vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke
when I was in trouble.
I will sacrifice fat animals to you
and an offering of rams;
I will offer bulls and goats.
Come and hear, all you who fear God;
let me tell you what he has done for me.
I cried out to him with my mouth;
his praise was on my tongue.
If I had cherished sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened;
but God has surely listened
and has heard my prayer.
Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld his love from me!
The Heffron Family 