Back to School and Birthdays!!!

"Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not." Proverbs 8:33

We began our third year of teaching Life Skills at Eindhoven Primere Skool in Delft in July. Each Thursday, we meet with 140-160 grade six learners from 10:20a.m. to 12:20 p.m. Our aim is to present to them the gospel of Jesus Christ as the reason to live purely in a sinful world. We teach them that Christ is the answer to the sin problem and that He can enable them to live wisely and make wise decisions based on His Word.Pray for Jason, Tony and me as we encourage them to "SAVE sex", rather than listen to the government's alternative message of "SAFE sex."
On 25 July, we traveled to again Atlantis where Tony preached on being "The Light of the World" at the Atlantis Bible Baptist Church at their celebration of being one year old. Pray for Pastor Nicholas Parrang who started the church in this wendy house in his backyard. They are in need a larger meeting place.Of the many birthdays we have enjoyed lately, I will first tell of the one we were not able to attend. Our grandson, Jake, turned 3 on 24 July and we were able to greet him on Skype. What a wonderful blessing this modern technology is for grandparenting from one continent to another with an ocean between!On Jake's birthday, our friends, Isaac and Sheila Balie, from Genadedal had dinner with us before they went to Cape Town International Airport to welcome back their daughter, Judith, who was returning from studying abroad at Bob Jones University. We enjoyed sharing birthday cake with Sheila to whom God added another year on 18 July! Over the past few years, God has allowed us the joy of being a part of the Cedric Pillay family. Their little girl, Azura, turned 5 on 5 August. We were thilled to share in this "crown" birthday celebration, which was also Cedric and Caren's 8th anniversary. God is so good to add others to our "family". He promised in Mark 10:29-30, we would "receive . . . MORE" (emphasis mine!) if we left" . . . children,and lands . . . for [his] sake and the gospel's."Tony requested that we celebrate his birthday on the 8th with a braai (barbecue) for the church family and other friends. We had a wonderful and full day. Tony and the other men managed the grill, as is custom here. Also there were lots of salads and 4 cakes to enjoy.

After serving the Sunday school children's plates, I finally sat down with my plate and had a chat with one of our "sons in the faith," Chris.
Lastly, let me tell you of a spiritual birthday!! Miche, 14, (below in black with white polka dots) trusted Christ on her own after hearing the gospel for more than two years at church, Bible club and Sunday School. Two weeks ago, I began discipleship classes with this new "babe" in Christ. Pray for her growth and for the salvation of her siblings and her parents, Tony and Megan.