Joyful and Thankful for National Believers and Fellow Workers

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. Philippians 1:3"

During our most recent trip to South Africa, I continually found myself thanking the Lord for the dear fellow believers there. These national believers and the missionaries are a joy to know and work with.  Kristie, Rita, Joan and June were seated across from me in a prayer meeting held in Joan's home.

Two of my "daughters," Lydia (and the twins) and Oriel spent a Thursday evening with me.

Brother Jeremy leads the Sunday services every second week.

Brother Jason leads the services on the alternative weeks. He and Jeremy preach regularly on Wednesdays.

Jason's brothers, Brandon and Luke, are faithful in their church attendance.  Sadly, Mgoduse (in red jacket) is presently attending another church, but visited our service again after  I invited him in the week.

Kristie teaches the teen girls' Sunday school class. One week she had all ages when Sue and Bill were away for the day at another ministry.  In April, I had the joy of leading Tammy (with blue head band) to Christ.

One Sunday, Tony and I enjoyed a meal out in Stellenbosch.

Amy Blackburn arrived from Knysna to help us with some of the packing!  What a servant she is!

Two other faithful servants who helped us are Jeff and  . . .

.  .  .   Judy Blanton.  We thank the Lord for their selfless labours to help us.

Time out for coffee at Mugg and Bean with "daughters" Caren and Oriel was so much fun!!

Another "daughter," Liz, and her friend Rhoda came for an afternoon visit. (Rhoda is next to her grandson.)

The tree in the back yard needed to be topped since a portion of the tree is beginning to decay.

Tony was thankful for Bill and Daniel's help with cutting firewood and taking away brush to the dump.

Our GFA South Africa team met together for a brunch and a time of sharing and praying together.

Mother's Day was spent with the Pillays.  It was also Micah's 5th birthday celebration!

We were so thankful for the opportunity for a 24 hour visit with  Isaac, Sheila and Judith Balie in Genadendal and attended their weekly men's and women's meetings on Monday evening and Tuesday morning.

I shared a devotional from Proverbs 4:28 with the ladies of Genadendal before we left on Tuesday.

Christopher and Chloe came to see us one evening and enjoyed seeing photos of our family.

If fellowship with these dear ones gives us so much joy on earth, what will heaven be like?

The Lord's Days--21 and 28 April 2013

"This is the day that the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.  Psalm 118:24"

It was a delight to worship again with the believers at Eindhoven Baptiste Kerk on our first Sunday back.

Pastor Bill Knipe asked me to take the teen girls' Sunday school class, since Sister Kristie Elmer who teaches these girls, was home sick.

That evening we went to Immanuel Baptiste Kerk, our first church plant, to be with Pastor Kevin Simpson and Sister Lydia for the dedication of their twins.

Tony preached from Mark 10:13-16 encouraging us to learn from children that we must reassess our values; point children to Christ; and  become like children--transparent, humble and dependent.

God granted Kevin and Lydia, Sarah and Noah, in answer to prayer: they have dedicated the twins to Him.

Among the many family who heard the gospel once again were Lydia's mother and youngest sister.

The following Sunday we were thrilled to hear Mornay read the Scriptures.  When Tony left Cape Town last April, Mornay was still in spiritual darkness.  God saved him a few months ago and is growing him!

Tony has preached 4 times since April 21.  He is enjoying teaching God's Word again in Afrikaans.  Pray with the Elmers and Knipes for increasing fluency in the heart language of the people.

After the service on April 28, most of the church family joined us for a "bring and braai" at our home.  Clive is a great braai master!

Here, Clive and his helpers, Tony and Geoffrey, take a well-earned break.  Geoffrey and Rita and their son, Maurice, started attending Eindhoven Baptiste Kerk late last year.

Sister Kristie helped the children prepare Mother's Day cards while waiting for the meal to begin.

Almost all the youth, INCLUDING young men, had a turn at the doing dishes. Here, Luke and Brandon, two of Clive's sons, serve together.

In addition to croquet in the garden, different table games were enjoyed.The ladies in the kitchen . . .

. . .  and the men in the lounge.

Before everyone left late that afternoon, we gathered for a group photo.  Pray for the Lord to produce much  fruit in the lives of the believers of Eindhoven Baptiste Kerk and bring to salvation those who attend regularly but are yet without Christ.