Caleb's Turns "7"

Caleb turned 7 years old today - this is his fourth birthday in Africa. He had his 4th birthday just 2 days after we arrived in South Africa. What a joy it has been these last 7 years to be his father. He has an incredible imagination and he keeps us laughing with his comments and "amazing-laughter" with the things that he comes up with and the math that he does in his head - especially related to money.



He received some 'How to draw' books from Jody's parents and spent about an hour and a half this afternoon drawing this. This scanned picture doesn't do it justice. We were amazed - this in free hand, not traced.



We asked him what he wanted for his birthday - since we'll be home in 3 months - we asked him if he wanted birthday here or to wait and buy some things in the States - he wanted a little of both. So we bought him some 'riding gloves' for his bicycle, some Hot Wheels, a water gun and gave him some cash - about $80 from us and various grandma's, aunts and uncles.





This is a coloring/story book that he received from my mom - he said that he was going to like coloring all those pictures.


He just opened a 'mega-water gun' . He was pumped about that. He finally had something that his brothers didn't have and he knows how to use it.



(Eighty-eight)

My Friend, Mark

My good friend Mark Stephens went home to be with the Lord Sunday night. After cycling 35 miles on Saturday and preaching on Sunday, he was watching TV with his wife and suffered an apparent heart attack. His wife called 911, Fire and Rescue came, and he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. He leaves behind his wife, and 3 girls of 15,13, and 10.

Mark and I spent the last year of seminary together riding in a car 65 minutes to and from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. Spending that much time together, we bonded like brothers. I have never had a relationship like that. Jody couldn’t believe it sometimes as Mark would drop me off, drive to his house 15 minutes away, and call me on the phone. He called his 3 years, pastoring in Arkansas, “exile” as he longed to get back to his home state of Florida.

Mark was a University of Florida Gator graduate and fan. I have never seen a fan like Mark. Each year he would receive the Florida Gator Football Press Guide – the book that has all the players, stats, and information that you would ever want to know. He kept that book by his chair and would reference it during the game. Watching a game with him was fun. I know of one time when the Gators were not shown in Arkansas that his father called him, long-distance, and held his receiver up to the TV and Mark listened to the second half on the telephone. He spent 3 football seasons away from Florida and I remember him telling me that all 3 years Florida beat Peyton Manning’s Tennessee Volunteers. Mark could hardly wait to get to seminary that next Tuesday after those victories.

Mark and I went to the Southern Baptist Convention in Salt Lake City and we roomed together. We had a blast. At the time, he had only 2 girls and we had Andy and Josiah was just a baby. We made it a point to go around the booths and get 2 or 3 of everything that they were giving away – pens, stickers, notepads – so that we could give them to the kids when we returned home. He was almost obsessive about it. But that was Mark.

We graduated Seminary together and traffic caused me to miss the Senior group picture. I arrived just after they had all dispersed. He told me that he had saved a spot right next to him as long as he could. He tried unsuccessfully to stall, knowing that I was coming. In choosing our graduation rings – they were identical except for our name imprinted on the inside. We would touch them together and say “Wonder Twin powers activate …in form of a…” Do you remember that from the Super Friends?

He was presently working for the Florida Baptist State Convention. He was Director of Theological Education by Extension. He was working on me coming to his home church to speak when we are home for Stateside Assignment.

It was my privilege to call Mark my friend. He gave me my preaching Bible and I really don’t know if there has ever of time that I didn’t pick it up without thinking of him. My grief is not that he is gone, but with the family that is left behind. I don’t even want to imagine what they are feeling. I don’t question the wisdom of God, I don’t understand it in situations like this; He has been too good in the past not to trust Him in times of grief and sorrow. I know that we will see each other again. Until that time -

I will miss my friend, Mark.

Josiah Mauled by Tiger

Josiah was mauled by a tiger early Sunday morning as he and his brother Andy were both in the cage of two ferocious tigers. They were invited in as the tigers were being fed. As the one of the tigers was eating and Josiah was distracted, the other tiger attacked and mauled Josiah's leg. As the picture reveals, Josiah was attacked by a 3-month old tiger cub.












We were at a the Wawiel Park Holiday Resort just outside of Stillfontien, 15 kilometers from Klerksdorp. We were having a S.A. Tswana Team meeting. One of the benefits of the park was that there were several water slides and pools to swim in. They also had a animal park that contained 3 male lions. I was about 8 feet from the largest lion and it was incredible. His front shoulder came up to my hip and he was about 5 feet long.







Andy and Josiah going down one of the big slides together.











Caleb has just begun to get comfortable with water - he is learning to swim at school. I had to go with him the first two times, but this last week I was unable to be there with him and he was ok with it.









Bethany had fun also. She is getting comfortable with the water herself.
















What needs to be said?











This is what her hair looks like after being up in rubber bands and berets for 2 days.










(one sixteen)

Josiah's Swim Meet

Josiah was chosen for the Swimming Team this year at ISSA. Yesterday was his first Swim Meet at St. Konrad's School in Klerksdorp - about 2 hours east of Mmabatho. He competed in every stroke. He did very well considering he only learned to dive last year. He swam in 7 races. He enjoys all the sports that he plays. He also is playing cricket, he joined the Chess Club this year, and is learning to play the clarinet. He loves school.






































(One nineteen)

The Week in Review in Pictures

Who is who? Well, the top one is Melody a couple of days ago and the bottom one is Bethany two years ago - They were taken when they were about the same age wearing the same dress !!



The little darling has learned to roll over and is now looking around. She doesn't yet know what to do.



We had a cool snap this week and it was down in the 50's in the morning. It was very pleasant. I think Jody put this on not becuase it was that cold, but that she just looked cute.




Again, you can tell by the long jammies that it was cool, usually she sleeps in a onesie and some socks. Bethany was being a nice sister and wanted Melody to wear her sunglasses.



This Extension 39. This is where we have starting visiting and witnessing. We will start a Bible study - that being the embryonic start of a church. There are going to be about 2500 of these houses. The are 3 room houses - about 600 sq. ft. They have running water, but no electricity, yet.

(124)

February Update

Well, it is almost the middle of February before we get this update off. God is so good and again I am learning that things happen in His perfect timing. Things are off and running in Extension 39. This is the area of about 2500, 3-room houses – probably 600 sq. ft. each. Now, that is not much for 2 or 3 people, but for some it more than what they had previous. These are cement floor, brick wall, metal-tile roof houses. They do have running water, but not electricity, yet. It is necessary to say that it has running water because there are a lot of houses or dwelling places still in South Africa that do not have running water much less indoor plumbing. They have to get water each and every day. However, they should get electricity in the next couple of months.

This Monday will start the first night of visitation in that area. I have a young, untrained pastor that lives in this area. He was in an accident a couple of years ago and receives some kind of pension from the government. Apparently, it is enough to live on because he can devote his time to this church plant. The ‘mother’ church and I will be pairing him with a retired pastor that is not yet retired. So, this last Monday, five of us meet together just to pray and dedicate this work to the glory of God. It is so refreshing to see them see the need and take the lead. I am just a resource for them to use as they need me.

This last weekend, Jody and I were a part of a “Lead Like Jesus” training weekend. It was nice to be a student instead of the teacher. We learned some valuable concepts relating to leadership and being a servant and encourager and not just a leader that tells everyone else what to do. I don’t think that is a leader, but it is a concept that many people have.

My calendar is filling up fast for these last four months here. Of the 6 Sunday’s this year, counting tomorrow, I will have preached 4 on of them. That looks to be like the rest of our time here along with a couple of seminars, weekly leadership training times, preaching a couple of times at the International School on Sunday evenings, and a weekly Bible study at the Hotel School (Vo-Tech). These young people are eager to learn.

Our calendar for our time in the States is filling up fast also. If you desire for us to come to your church, let me encourage you to get in contact with us. I don’t want to presume on any invitation. We look forward to seeing you when we come – in 131 days – if I was counting!!!

Hello everyone! – Jody here - It’s been so long since I’ve written anything in the newsletter! I first of all want to say thank you to all the churches that sent boxes for my little Christmas stocking project. Everything went off great! The people were so thankful and excited to receive the stockings. It was fun to see their faces. I think Dennis has told you thank you, but I wanted to add mine as well.

We are busy here trying to get things in order before we return to the States. I am still going to the same village. I’ve been trying something new in the last couple of weeks that I hope will help the ministry continue even after we leave. I’m teaching the women the story first, and then we have them teach the children. We have some ladies in the group who have no trouble at all teaching the children. It has really been exciting to watch.

The lady whose house we meet in is expecting a baby in March so we will continue until then. Culturally, only certain people are allowed in someone’s house after the birth of a baby until the baby is about three months old. We will probably continue to visit out there, but our Storying class will end when Maboka has her baby. Please pray for her. Pray also that we will be able to have time to tell all the stories that God wants us to before we have to stop.

The kids are doing great. Melody is growing so fast. She has started rolling over and laughing out loud a little. Bethany is a little live wire who loves her baby sister and her big brothers. She likes to boss the boys around. Caleb is adjusting well to his new class at school. He’s not real detailed about what he does at school each day, but aren’t most kids like that? Josiah is doing well also. He started clarinet lessons this week. Don’t ask me how he chose the clarinet, but we let him choose what he wanted to play, and that was it! He had a cricket match today. He enjoys all the sporting activities that he gets to be a part of at school. Andy is doing well in his home schooling. He has started tennis lessons again with a new teacher. He seems to enjoy it.

I hope each of you has a beautiful, wonderful day. I love you all, and can’t wait to see as many of your faces that I can.

First Day of School

Josiah and Caleb finally went back to school. They have been out since December 6^th. That is an extremely long Christmas/Summer break. Yes, it is summer here and it is hot. It was 88 degrees in our bedroom last night – at 8:30 pm.

Caleb started grade 1 and Josiah is in grade 4. They both enjoyed their first day. Caleb was disappointed that he didn’t have any homework on the first day. I asked Josiah how his first day of school was and he replied, “Perfect!” They usually promote the classes together with the same people in the same classes – they didn’t this year. I thought he would be disappointed that he didn’t get in the same class with his best friend, but he seemed to be ok with it. We are home schooling Andy and he started a couple of weeks ago. We want to finish up with him around the first of June so that we can concentrate on packing and doing the stuff we need to finish before we leave on June 21.

And of course, the other pictures are of Bethany and Melody from Sunday - can't leave them out!!!

Just another Sunday in Mmabatho.

I had the opportunity to preach at 2 different locations today. My first preaching station was just down the road from our house at Calvary Baptist Church.

I preached from Luke chapter 9 where Jesus talks about commitment and being his disciple. This is the church where we attend if I am not preaching anywhere on Sunday. It is also walking distant for Jody and the kids if I am away.

My second opportunity was right after the first. I preached the 11:00 service at Calvary and then I went to Christ the Lord Ministries church and preached from Acts chapter 2. I showed them in the last seven verses of the chapter five characteristics of a growing church. Their preacher, Million Mardenzegwa, has become a great friend. I see him at least once a week, if not more. He asked me on Thursday if I wanted to preach. I told him that I was already at Calvary. He said it didn’t matter – they would wait for me. I got there about 12:20 and they sang for about another 10 minutes. I got into the pulpit and finished by 1:30. Andy was with me and he took the pictures today. When I got home I was able to watch the Colts-Ravens game that was played yesterday afternoon. It was almost like a normal Sunday – Sunday school, preaching, lunch, watch a football game, take a nap – unfortunately I missed out on the nap. Oh well, God is good!!!

The rest of the pictures are just extras – good extras.

Just Some Pictures

January Update

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. What an incredible blessing it is to serve Him. I have no idea why He chose me, but I am so glad that He did.

We rang in the New Year in Johannesburg this year at our annual Prayer Retreat. At 10:00 pm, it was midnight in Nairobi, Kenya, so we counted down and rang in the New Year 2 hours early. We said good night and went to our rooms and went to bed – that’s what we did – when you have 5 kids, things tend to change a little bit. When we awoke in the morning, we turned the TV on to CNN International and they were just counting down to the New Year in the Central Time Zone. We had eaten breakfast and were packing when the New Year came to those of you on the West Coast.

We had a good Christmas. The boys awoke at about 5:00 am. We got up and got everything ready. We got the boys bicycles for Christmas and they could smell the rubber tires throughout the house. They enjoyed Christmas. Bethany awoke at about 5:30. She had a fun time opening her presents. Every time we say something about Christmas, she smiles and says ‘presents’ and wants to open something. We had some good friends come from Francistown, Botswana, that evening and spend a couple of days with us before we left for Prayer Retreat.

We have about 5 and a half months before we head Stateside for about 6 months. In fact, a year from today we return from the States to be right back here. This next year is going to fly by. Some of you have already contacted me about speaking in your church, I would encourage you to get in contact with me as soon as possible if you would like for us to come and visit you and your church in some capacity. With all our other activities, our calendar will fill up quickly.

I have had several good meetings with some national pastors concerning our time left here before we leave. Our work in Extension 39 looks very promising. Tshwaro, the young pastor, has moved into his house in Ex 39. We now have a home to work from in that new area. I also talked with Ben Poo and he has an old man in his church with pastoral experience that is on pension, but he knows that God is not finished with him. He is interested with the work in Ex 39. I would ask you to pray for this situation – that we would be sensitive to God’s moving and His direction. I want to see what God is doing and join Him in His work.

Jody was able to distribute some Christmas stockings out in Moshawane village. After being absent from the village for the last 3 months, she was welcomed back with open arms. We took the boys with us and they were just as excited as handing the stockings out as the kids and ladies were in receiving them. Pray for Jody as she tries to discern the Lord direction in that village. She doesn’t know whether to continue there or move to a different area.

Josiah and Caleb start school on the 23^rd of January – still 2 ½ weeks away. We went shopping for school supplies and uniforms. Last year, Caleb didn’t have to wear a uniform to school, but this year he does. He wasn’t too excited about his gray socks that go to his knees. Pictures will follow in about 3 weeks. Andy will start his schooling next Monday. We have to work hard with him to finish 6^th grade so that he will be able to enter 7^th grade this coming September in Longview, Texas. I have been teaching him Math, Science and History and Jody has the rest of the subjects. We try to get started around 7:40 and I finish at about 9:00. He then has an hour to finish any class/homework from me – takes a break from 10 to 10:30 and then finishes the day with Jody. I am free then from about 9:00 in the morning to do my work and in the evenings and things happen.

Bethany is talking up a storm. She is like a tape recorder – she is repeating everything the boys are saying – good and bad. So this is not always good. We had to correct her from saying ‘tupid-head’. Melody is looking around and is now awake 5 hours a say instead of 2!

Thanks for remembering us in your prayers. We cannot and would not want to do this without your prayer support and prayer cover. I have realized that there is some incredible spiritual warfare going on over here that I have not seen before. We look forward to seeing you this summer and fall.