Finnie, Dean and Paula - South Africa
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Prayer Update April 2005
We have had another excellent and exciting month. March was beautiful in terms of weather - lovely long, hot days with slightly easier nights. The days are definitely becoming more autumnal now though and we are enjoying sleeping with a duvet again!
The highlight of the month was the New Frontiers Southern African leaders conference in Bloemfontein. We travelled the 1000 km's each way in our trusty Honda - although with no air con, this was hard going in 40 degree heat. Thankfully, we were really blessed by some of our friends who offered to look after Joel for us for the weekend, so he did not have to endure this discomfort! Joel had an absolute ball away from Mum and Dad with his 2 'surrogate brothers'. He really came on a lot that weekend and we thank God for friends who understand our lack of family at times like this. It also meant that we were able to enjoy the conference to the absolute full and as a result were very blessed! The main sessions were excellent times of true African praise and worship (how we have missed that since Zimbabwe!!) and solid teaching. We also both attended a training track selection of seminars on Leadership and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Again, we both learnt so much and it was wonderful to be able to give our full attention to every session. It was also very special for us to see so many old friends from Zimbabwe, many of whom we hadn't seen since our deportation 2 years ago. It was quite emotional at times, but so worth it to spend time with such special people. We give thanks that the church in Zim is growing massively and that all the projects with which we were involved at the implementation stages in River of Life Westgate are flourishing and sprouting. Our two 'disciples' are doing so well - we were particularly encouraged by this.
Joel is doing really well. He is now 2 and enjoyed a fantastic birthday - albeit a few days late as mum and dad were away for it - oops!! He had a great party at a place called Little Impi's with 8 of his little friends. It was great because he is learning to climb and jump and run etc. etc., so he was able to enjoy the place to the full. He was a bit bemused by his train cake but managed to blow out 1 of the candles himself! His development is coming thick and fast now. We are really enjoying seeing the growth in his vocabulary in particular. He comes out with the funniest things and can say some of the most unusual words. His favourite present was a book called 'My Big Truck Book' - full of pictures of as many different trucks as you could imagine. We have to look at this at least 20 times a day and say 'Wow' with every picture. Talk about a boy!! Paula is having enculturation lessons!! We are also knowing heart stopping moments as we find him up a slide or on top of a wall etc etc and wonder where our sedentary little boy went! He loves nursery and can't wait to go, which is such a blessing to us all.
Dean continues to make progress in Chris Nissen Park as well as furthering his network with other agencies who are involved with the community one way or another. This will come to the fore in the coming week as Dean has a scheduled meeting with Chris Nissen himself and one or two other interested parties to look at the possibility of formally establishing a crèche in the community. Last week Dean met with the local Social Welfare department and looked at ways in which he and they can work together within CNP. Again this appears to have borne fruit and Dean now has a very positive relationship with them. Dean is getting a little frustrated with UN ISA, particularly their library as he is struggling to get the books he needs for his MA. Unfortunately there are no shortcuts so he will have to keep on harassing until he gets what he needs. He had hoped to take several books away with him on our break but he'll have to make do with his internet resources and the CD ROMs supplied by UNISA. The level of work is enormous and he would really value your prayers to use the time he has as effectively and efficiently as possible. At the moment, Dean can only afford 1 day and 1 evening. This isn't really enough, but will have to do for now - please pray. Pray especially for the first draft of his first assignment which must be in May.
Paula continues to enjoy her work. The area of admin for the HIV/AIDS peer education project is growing a little bit out of control and she is now quite involved in funding proposals. This obviously takes up a lot more time and she would value your prayers for wisdom in this area about how much to take on and when to say no. The volunteers at the church are doing really well and she is enjoying managing them. They are a real blessing to the church, so in many senses this part of her work is easy! Paula is also trying to ensure that her 3rd morning without Joel is just for her. This isn't always easy either as the temptation is to fill the morning with catch up - either work or chores and not put herself first.
Paula's cell group went so well last term and she is really encouraged by this. The biggest answers to prayer are the strength and depth of relationships between the women which are forming. Also, some of the Somerset West women have agreed to do a lift club for the Chris Nissen women to get to cell in the winter - this is fantastic. Paula has formed particular friendships with one woman whose health is not great all the time due to AIDS and another who is now 7 months pregnant with her 3rd child. Both live in Chris Nissen and she tries to visit them once a week away from the group. Please continue to pray for an increasing outpouring of God's Holy Spirit this term amongst the women. They are all hungry for more of God and for the Bible. Pray that her lack of Afrikaans and Xhosa will not be a hindrance.
We are looking forward to a much needed family holiday by the sea at a place along the Garden Route for 2 weeks in April. Please pray for refreshing and recharging and for excellent family times as well as individual times. We are so in need of a good rest and thank God for the church member who is lending us his cottage so that we can get away. We are also looking forward to the start of new cell groups in the church this month. One of our main prayers for the year is that we make more friends and this is one good way to do it. Please pray that we will join the right group and that God will bless us with true friends.
With very much love to you all and thank you for your continuing partnership with us
Dean, Paula & Joel