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 23rd 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 6th grade so that he will be able to enter 7th 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.
1 comment:
What a good looking family!!! I just love this picture of all of you. The boys have really grown since I last saw them. Can't believe it's been nearly a year since we were in South Africa on our mission trip. I will never forget our time there. It was a great experience.
It will be great to see all of you again when you get to Longview, even though it is still several months away.
Our love and prayers are with you. May God continue to bless you in all that you do in His name. Much love to you.
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