ISLAM (I sincerely love all muslims)

I just finished the book 'Secret believers' by Brother Andrew (I read it in dutch- 'geheime gelovigen').
It made me think:

When was the last time
I was too afraid to say Halleluja
When was the last time
I had to pray with open eyes

When was the last time
I was kicked for just being and loving
When was the last time
I was ignored by my own family

When was the last time
I could not find a job or place to live
When was the last time
I went to jail for my ID card

When was the last time
I had to choose between life and death
When was the last time
my believe could cost me everything.

For somebody it was today.

We need to pray: the book says, not for the persecuted church, but with them.
Not that God will keep them safe, but faithfull.
Not for revenge, but for the spreading of God's love.

The question I'm left with, is what do I do with my freedom?

International family day

I, Ilne Paalman, proclaimed it international family day, to be celebrated from the first of January to the 31st of December every year. Thank you. Do we appreciate our families enough? I hope so, my family taught me about love, God's love. And therefor I want to share with you this piece that was in our newsletter this month:

1 Cor 13 describes love as:

Love is patient like a mother singing the same song one more time

Love is kind like a brother who gives his chocolate to his sister

It does not envy like the clever sister who lives in the shade of the pretty one

Does not boast, just is

Is not proud like a child running into a parents arms, spilling everything he did wrong

It is not rude

Is not self-seeking like a mother who shields her child with her own body

It is not easily angered like a father who takes the angry punches from his frustrated son

It keeps no record of wrongs like a child being picked up in safe arms after another tantrum

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth, the strong father

It always protect, the big brother

Always trusts, the quiet wife

Always hopes, the smiling mother

Always perseveres, the child with the determined look on their face

Love never fails, because it does not give up and never goes away

God is love. He gave us our families to teach us love. Let's celebrate them today and everyday. Who knows what tomorrow brings?

Africa Mercy

On Sunday, 13 February, the Africa Mercy sailed into Cape Town harbour, just for a 24 hour stop on their long journey to Sierra Leone. It was lovely to see so many old friends, and talk as fast as you tongue can.

Zondag, 13 Februari, heb de Africa Mercy Kaapstad Hawe binne gevaar voor een 24 uur stop op hun lange reiz na Sierra Leone. Het was erg leuk zoveel oue vrienden te zien en gezels.

May God bless you with a safe journey and a wonderful time in Sierra Leone as you watch Him do miracles.
We bidden jullie een veilige reiz na Sierra Leone en een wonderlijke tijd waar God jullie gebruik in Zijn koninkrijk.

Children's parties/ Feesjes voor kinderen

It is amazing to see how much people do for their children. We went to a beautiful Mickey Mouse party- and both of us (Rashelle and Ilne) were totally overwhelmed. I think we belong in the bush somewhere, we seem more in our element:)

Het is giganties te zien wat mensen voor hun kinderen doen. Ilne en Rashelle warren na een prachtige Mickey Mouse feesje, en beiden warren totaal stil geschocked. Ik dink wij hoort eerder ergens in de bos:)

Like here:
Zo als hier:

This was on our weekly hike.
Onze weeklikse wandeling.

It was lovely just to be in God's creation, and hear the quiet. As we walk on Mondays (our free day), there are seldom other human species. Praise God for the beauty!

Het is zo een voorregt om in God's schepping te zijn, te luisteren na de stilte. Wij wandelen vaak Maandags (onze vrij dag), en dus zijn er vaak geen andere mensen. Prijs God voor de pracht!

Our happy one/ onze gelukkige kind

It's been three months since little Tim was born. He is growing well and a very friendly child. One more joy to thank the Lord for. Here he went to say Happy Birthday to Auntie Jolanda, our friend from work and neighbour.

Het is al drie maanden sinds Timothy z'n geboorte- tijd schiet wel op. Hij groeit goed en is een vriendelijke kereltje. Er is hij bij onze kollega en vriendin, Tannie Jolanda, om haar te feliciteer.

Rashelle's friends

Haar moeder had een prachtige vlinder koek gemaakt. Rashelle had twee vriendinnetjes uitgenodigt van het goeie hoop huis. Ze hebben heel lekker gespeeld en gegeten.

Her mom made a beautifull butterfly cake. Two friends from the Good Hope House came over to play and eat.

Rashelle's verjaardag

Op 30 Januarie hebben we Rashelle's tweede verjaardag gevierd.

On the 30th of January we celebrated Rashelle's second birthday.