Monday, February 26, 2007

Our Church


We mentioned a couple of weeks ago that our church was in the process of changing from a preaching point to be a full-fledged church. It's something that we are really excited to be a part of, and a way that we feel that we can minister in the community, as opposed to our work in the Regional Office, where we are more in "support" ministry and less involved on the "front lines.

The picture you see is of our co-pastors, Madela and Meshack (they are twins). They will be sharing responsibilities, as there is huge potential for outreach with many informal settlements (a.k.a. squatter camps) near the college campus. Right now, there are about a dozen or so adults from the community that come regularly, in addition to about 30-40 kids. Then there are about ten missionaries (including kids), and probably around 15-20 students from the college. We really feel like there is a good core to build from and a lot of people that can and will get involved in active ministry. We are really excited for the potential!

Pastor Madela has asked Jeremy to meet with him tomorrow night to help prepare him to be a pastor from an administrative standpoint. It's really nice for him to feel like he can use his skills in ways other than just the Finance office!

Jakes' Quote of the Week

"You think I'm awesome because I have my shirt off, don't 'cha?"

Praises and Prayer Requests

We praise God for the opportunity that we have to really make a difference in establishing a church. We are all very excited to be a part of it!

Please remember the following needs in prayer this week:

-- Jeremy's meeting with Pastor Madela

-- Our upcoming missionary retreat (this weekend), that it would be a time of refreshment and spiritual growth

-- Today's closing of the General Board meetings in KC and sending service for, among others, our missionary friends from Guatemala, the Armstrongs

-- Unspoken request

Until next time,

Jeremy, Tricia & Jake

Friday, February 16, 2007

Visitors!

Tricia's best friend Amber and her husband Luke flew in from Kansas City to visit us for the last two weeks, so we ended up being too busy showing them all around South Africa to post to the blog last week. We had a wonderful time in Johannesberg, Pilanesberg, and Cape Town while they were here. So now that they flew out this evening, we find ourselves left with the memories of their visit (cue sappy music)...


Jake welcoming Amber to South Africa














Amber and Luke hanging out with some of the "locals"













The Johnson family at Boulders Bay (yes, those are penguins in the background)













The best friends at Cape Point












Jake's Quote of the Week

"Dear Jesus, thank you for our bread, our vegetables and our chicken, and I don’t have any ketchup. Amen."

(Such a subtle little boy...)

Praises and Prayer Requests

Well, we really want to praise God for the time that we had with Amber and Luke, and especially the time that Amber and Tricia got to spend together. This past year has been the longest that Tricia and Amber have been apart in the last 20 years, so it has been hard on both of them. We are very thankful that they were able to make the 9,000 mile trip to see us.

Please remember the following needs in prayer this week:

-- Amber & Luke's travel back to the U.S.
-- The floods currently affecting Mozambique
-- General Board meetings in Kansas City
-- Unspoken request

Until next time,

Jeremy, Tricia & Jake