Amy's return, Girls' sleepover and Sunday School

"Use hospitality one to another. . . I Peter 4:9"

Baptist World Missionary, Amy Blackburn, returned from her furlough to begin her second term on Sunday, 9 January. "Her room" and her car, which we'd kept for her, were ready --- and so were we and other friends. Caren and her children, and Jason, who had stayed overnight to work with Tony, enjoyed having lunch together on Monday.

The next day we helped Cedric celebrate his birthday and enjoyed all the wonderful food that Caren made for the occasion.

The cool pudding, complete with birthday candle, was perfect for the hot summer evening's birthday celebration.

Everyone (yes, EVEN Tony) pitched in with the clean up!

Before we went home after the party, I took some blood pressures. Generally, I have my BP cuff in the basket that I carry, so I can oblige anyone who desires to have their BP checked.

On Wednesday after prayer meeting, the Sunday school girls came home with us for a long-awaited sleepover party. After a snack of popcorn and a devotional, which Amy brought,

everyone got settled in for the night, but---they didn't get quiet for QUITE a while!! Poor AMY!!

The next morning after breakfast, Amy brought a challenge from Hebrews on laying aside the weights and sins that hinder our spiritual "race."

The girls spent the rest of the day making home pizzas, baking cookies, playing under the sprinkler, watching a video and some even took an unenforced nap! After dinner, Pastoor Tony brought a challenge. When everyone packed up to go home, there was one question that was being asked over and over: "When can we come again?

On 16 January, we began a new year of Sunday school teaching through the life of David.

Some new children, Tyrese, Chanelle and Tasneica, were invited by some of our core people and they are coming faithfully to services and Sunday school.

We are praying that the children of our Sunday school will become men and women after God's own heart.

Pray for our team of teachers as we seek to live Christ before them. Most of these children's parents are unsaved and do not church anywhere, though they may be members of a church somewhere.

First Sunday of 2011 and Outing with Vogels

"As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. I Peter 4:10"

Pastor Roger Vogel spoke from Acts 18 on Faithful Servants Behind the Scenes at Eindhoven Baptiste Kerk on the first Sunday of the new year. His ministry was well-received.

He and Mrs. Vogel's warmth and friendly manners endeared them immediately to both old and young. The children gladly gathered around Mrs. Vogel for a photo.

On Sunday afternoon, Mrs. Vogel made about 5 dozen of her famous cinnamon rolls for tea time after the evening service.

During the evening service held in our lounge

I had the privilege of watching my little friends, Micah and Chloe.

After the service, while everyone enjoyed a plate of eats and a cup of tea or coffee or juice, the fellowship among almost 40 people spread throughout the house

and into the front and back gardens.

Faithful servants, Joan and June,

and Jason busied themselves washing up the tea cups and plates.

The next day, we played "tour guides" and showed the Vogels the beautiful Cape Peninsula!

It was a perfect day for great photographs and fish and chips for dinner!

On Tuesday evening, Kevin and Lydia Simpson joined us for dinner. The warm fellowship matched the warm day of almost 36C!

We thank the Lord for the good ministry He gave to the Vogels during their first trip to South Africa.

Leadership Retreat

"Now our Lord Jesus Christ. . . stablish you in every good word and work. II Thess. 2:16-17"

Dr. Roger Vogel from Dublin, Ohio preached at the Oostenberg Bible Institute's Leadership Retreat held in Genadendal 28-31 December 2010. His theme was "Encouragement and Establishment in Every Good Word and Work."

The 28 attendees represented 12 South African churches. These pastors/leaders and their wives all testified that the ministry of the Word and the fellowship were a great encouragement to them.

Unfortunately our group foto does not include a few couples who were unable to stay for the entire retreat. Notice, however, that almost everyone is wearing a jacket. We had specifically prayed for cooler temps, since Genadendal can be very hot in summer.

Among those already looking forward to next year's retreat are the Finneys from Upington

and the Frantzes from Calvinia.In addition to the nine sessions that Dr. Vogel taught us, the group also attended a lecture and tour given by our friend, Dr. Isaac Balie, the curator of the Genadendal Mission Museum.

Meals were enjoyed together

especially Cedric's chicken curry

made with Caren's assistance.

Jeff

and Judy Blanton's help was inestimable!

Mrs. Vogel also lent her help

whenever she was not being the Pillay children's volunteer babysitter!(aka "Grandma Vogel")

December Doings

"Redeeming the time . . . Ephesians 5:16"

In the final month of the year, the Lord allowed us the time to entertain and be entertained, even though we were quite busy preparing for the Leadership Retreat. Aneesa came to spend a day with me and taught me how to make breyani and sambal salad. Below, Jason prepares to dig into a plate of it! During the 8 hours Aneesa and I spent together the Lord allowed me to share freely with her about her need to have her sins forgiven by Christ, the Sin-Bearer.

Two days later, one of my "daughters,"Charmaine, came for the better part of the day. That same week, Lungilie and Thembi and their daughter, Yanda, called us and made an appointment to come for tea on the Saturday before Christmas. They shared the joyous news of their expecting their a son in 2011! We are thankful that they to continue follow the Lord at the work in Northpine.

In addition to preparing meals and tea goodies for guests, I continue to make use of nursing skills visiting the sick, taking blood pressures, evaluating injured ankles and fingers, and even administering first aid to a victim of a dog bite.

We greatly enjoyed the Carols by Candlelight at the work in Northpine attended by 5 churches

and a carol sing at the Van Besouws' annual function.

Our Christmas Day service was well attended. What a special way to celebrate our Saviour's coming to earth to be born to die!

Among the visitors, were Joan's neighbour, Celeste and another friends' daughters.

After the service, we enjoyed having the Christmas meal at Eric and Katie Grahams' home. We appreciate the fellowship we are blessed to have with this fine missionary family.

December 26, known as Boxing Day or Day of Goodwill, gave us the opportunity to have one of our families join us for a giant stirfry and fruit salad. Later while having carrot cake and coffee, two other friends dropped by to visit and also enjoyed a slice of cake!

On the 27th we drove to the airport to receive Dr. and Mrs. Roger Vogel who arrived in time for our Leadership Retreat!

With shopping for the retreat and all the other "December doings," I had just enough time to get the bedroom ready for the Vogels' 9-day stay!