"But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15b)

dinsdag 30 december 2014

Newsletter

 This is a time of reflection, looking back to 2014, looking ahead to 2015. A good time to think about where we are:

Where are we, physically? We just returned from South Africa. Back to Mazabuka. Myself and the children went down south for two and a half weeks, and Carl just came to pick us up. We had a great and relaxing time with my sister’s family (and a broken camera). We could do the necessary shopping, which was a great pleasure as everyone else was doing their Christmas shopping (made me miss the village a lot). Mostly we had to shop to set up the new school for the children, since our formal home schooling will commence in January. After my training in November, we are fired up and looking forward to starting that. Ask my poor family- I should be send on promotional tours, I’ll try and convince everyone of the benefits;) The boys are also ready to go back to crèche- Simon will start new, exciting!

Carl was waiting in Zambia, watching the clouds for the rain to come- and waiting and waiting and waiting. But it came- and man did it come. So, now we are actually waiting for the mud to subside to work in our gardens again. Despite the water it is not always an easy time for vegetable gardens- so I have some work too. Carl planted soya beans, maize and sunflower- mainly as chicken feed, since our chickens are doing well, and egg-selling a hit.

Where are we,  emotionally? Doing very well. It has been a busy but good year. We have been involved and could see things happen and change. We could also see ourselves grow, and settle. Then it is nice to go to bed at night, knowing it is not for nothing. We have also grown in our African-ness (though I have never been anything but)- I had to share this photo with you.





It’s Carl’s motorbike, his only transport since I had the car in South Africa. There are four crates strapped on the back of the bike to transport his 20 new chickens. When he was using our car to plow the other day, one of the big farmers, smilingly commented: “Are you trying to get a short-cut to your residency?” Belonging is the name of the game.
 


Where are we, spiritually? Also in this area, we are filled with gratitude. It was one of our greatest needs while in Liberia, and here it has been met. We have a church family where we can be active, and belong. But we also experience God’s presence first-hand daily in our work and surroundings. God greatly encouraged me earlier in this year, and now God has placed a vision in Carl’s heart. A big vision. It is not all clear yet, so we are going to leave you wondering. If it crystallizes Carl can write about it beginning of next month. We can see how this little piece of land we are on, can touch many lives and people- on all levels. Isn’t that exciting?

To God be the glory (or as they say in many tribes around us- to God be the groly). He is the One who holds us day by day. Is there anywhere else to be, than in His Hands??

Ps. A small testimony of how the work here reaches our own children:

This is a sketch Rashelle made after going to a conservation training with her father. This shows how God’s blanket works to slow water loss, but also how God can change our heart- creating a new creature. Carl has been doing training in the church of one of the pastors of Hope Builders Ministries Zambia- this is an open door to willing and eager people.
We pray that 2015 will be a very special year for all of us!!!!
 

donderdag 6 november 2014

The play park

We finally finished something we've been busy with for a while. And I just couldn't wait till the next newsletter.
We are hoping to make the children feel comfortable close to us, without them sitting on our veranda staring at me. Even adults come sit on the tyres and have a conversation.

Tim turns 4

Our oldest son, has turned 4- a wonderful day for all of us. Reminding us how blessed we are.
For their fourth birthday, they get an Afrikaans
bible.

His one request was a ride on a quad bike, so we went to friends who own a quad bike, and they allowed his dad to take him for a spin.
 
And then he got to blow the lights out of the airplane.
 
He asked to go to bed at night- always a good sign;)
 
We thank God for this little boy, and pray that God will carry him into this new year, teaching him more of who he really is in Christ.

maandag 3 november 2014

Newsletter November 2014


I promised to have a different format this month, and I want to keep my promise. I asked for input into the name our place/project. There was almost complete consensus by all who replied. And we feel at peace with the name too. So, we are planning to name this place Nongo Farms. But….

 

We serve a faithful God! We sent the request that people should tell us what they think, thinking it was our own ideas. But God came to confirm that it was much more. While on the ladies retreat I wrote about last month, a lady told me that she believes God will give us the ‘strategy for ministry’- she told me three times. I forgot. Then when I came home, I send out the e-mail, and the responses started to roll in. At the exact same time, separately, it clicked for Carl and me. Nongo Farms, is our strategy. We received a copy of what the lady said, and Carl heard it for the first time. The next morning, what she said, and what we received from the Holy Spirit, was confirmed by two men visiting our church. They prayed for me and Carl separately, since I was in the Sunday school. Their words were completely in line with what has been said, and what started to grow in our Spirits.

 

The picture is not completely clear, but slowly a picture is starting to emerge, of little farms all over Zambia. Farms that are focused on providing- like widow’s claypots, not running dry until there is no need. It sounds beautiful, at least it does to me. But it is hard to imagine, as we are standing in a spot now, where things are small, and failure seems to follow close behind us. We just have so much to learn, so much to grow, so much, so big…. I guess that is where faith comes in. Not in ourselves, that would be VERY pointless, but in a Faithful God.


On the farming side, it seems to be a constant fight- against diseases, against mice, against even the cute guinea fowls. Things just don’t always turn out as you expect. So, we keep fighting. We hope to get our first layers before the end of the week. I might wait to get you a photo of them. We have big plans for all our eggs;)

Anyway, I was suppose to answer questions.
 
How do people react to us: are they open and friendly?
That’s a really easy question. They are some of the friendliest people you will ever meet. I could literally stop anyone on the street and they would smile and start a conversation.
 
Are they open to the gospel? Carl firmly feels that evangelism has been thoroughly done in Zambia. Most people have heard the gospel, and you can find churches almost everywhere. Mostly Seventh day Adventists (I mention this first, since in our area it is most prevalent), Catholic churches, Baptists, Anglicans and most Pentecostal churches. How clear the gospel message is? Uhm, more difficult to say. I think the fact that you need to believe in Jesus, and that He has died for our sins, that part has been conveyed, what is lacking, is how do I live this out in my everyday life- discipleship.
 
Because people are so open, it is very easy to do. People also like to talk. Carl, especially, spends long hours discussing whatever people come to ask. Because we are in a SDA area, we often have to answer to not celebrating the Saturday as Sabbath. But truth be told, it gives us a lovely launching plate for discussions about having a relationship with God instead of just following rules.
 
 
A maize shelter
Do you preach?
No (not yet). As I’ve mentioned we live in a SDA area. So, people are trying to convert us! We are careful not to step on toes, and yet speak up for what we find in the Bible. Mostly, currently we are working on a more personal basis- getting people to trust us. The other big stumbling block is the language. Many people just do not speak English. This is not really a problem in churches, because you can use a translator, but makes things like children’s clubs (which we would love to do) much harder. Almost none of the small children speak a word of English. So, we wait. Sow seeds- showing the Jesus film, becoming part of the community, praying for people, and focusing more on personal discipleship. The organization we work for also strongly believe more in indigenous missions. Equiping the saints to reach out to their own people. It allows people to choose Christ for the right reasons.
 
What does the culture look like?
There is a lot of diversity, but in general people are always welcoming. Modest in some ways, but very immoral in other ways. Your body needs to be covered, yet you can have as many girlfriends as you would like. Polygamy is fairly common.We have learned to count the amounts of huts in a clearing. Weddings come when you have the money Funerals take precedent over all else. People come from far and wide, and stay for four days, expecting the bereaved family to feed them, and very often have no idea what the person died of. Children are treasured until they can start working, and then they learn to work!  People in general work very hard- there is no way I can keep up with them. All those stories about lazy Africans, were not written here, that I can promise you. But they are indeed always late, and never worried. We love it! I’m not sure how to filter what the children take on.
 
 
Witchcraft and animism?
Lots, mixed right in with Christianity. And it is very real. There is an explanation for everything that happens. And it is very seldom scientifically sound. We just had a lady die because demons (in the form of small children) locked her mouth.
 
Future plans for traveling?
To be honest, we don’t know. Anyone that knows us for a while, know that financially we trust God in the big and the small things. We do not safe up for it. The budget does not quite allow that. Ilne and the children are trying our best to get to South Africa in December. But will probably just make it to Pretoria. Carl is too busy then, and is looking forward to getting things done without us bothering himJ The Netherlands and America is another story, since our car will probably not like to take us over the Mediterranean/Pacific, but who knows…
 

OK, that was a lot of reading. I’m trying to think if there was more urgent news:
Our president passed away today, which is always a good time to pray. He’s been sick for a while, so it is not unexpected. So, we are waiting to see what happens. (the flag on the picture in half-mast, but you need a magnifying glass to see that).
 
Our children just had their 44th cousin born. Congratulations to my sister and husband- we praise the Lord for one more South African/Turkish/American. How beautiful is new life!!!!!
 
Also, a big thank you to all those supporting us in so many different ways. There have been parcels, gifts from people’s weddings, people doing different fundraisers for us. It is hard to convey the feeling in our hearts. So, please take the thank you, and know it comes from deep in our hearts!! May God bless you for your faithfulness.  
 
If there are more questions, keep them coming- it makes for very easy writing ;)
 
Blessings to all
Elephants on the shores of the Zambezi

vrijdag 12 september 2014

Having the right attitude

The other night I was laying in bed, in my pajamas. Someone came to our door, knock knock. A lady needed to go to hospital. What for, I ask? Stomach ache. It took all my training in casualty and motherhood to keep my face straight. I explained at length, that in general it is not necessary to go to hospital for STOMACHE ACHE! I asked every question I could think of, but there were no other symptoms. The guy listened and then asked if we could now go to hospital. ARGH. My attitude was terrible. I eventually asked, if I should come see her. Yes, please.

So off I went in the dark. I took a picture of the bridge I had to cross in the dark.


 All the while I was praying: Lord, please I need Your heart for these people, not mine. Mine is slightly irritated. Then I walked into the hut. The entire place was covered with blood. The woman was in immense pain. My irritation fled as quickly as it came. Again I asked every question, but it was like running into a wall. Eventually I said, well, obviously this is not stomache ache, and she needs to get to a hospital. It probably was a miscarriage, but she would/could not admit she was pregnant. Why? I don't know, but I'll leave it to the One with the Right Attitude, an attitude of Love.

It taught me again: don't listen with your i'm-tired-and-want-to-sleep ears, listen with the Spirit that God has placed within you.

Newsletter September


The wind is slowly leaving and the days are slowly turning into true summer days. Often the heat drives us inside. The plants are begging for water, but they will have to wait another two months before the rains normally start to come. So, we move with the rhythm of life here in Africa. When it rains, we plant, when it is hot we rest, when it is nice outside, we work as hard and fast as we can.

(Het vertaalwerk van de augustus brief is er bij ingeschoten) De wind word een beetje minder en de winter is over. We maken ons op voor de warmte. De planten beginnen nu dagelijks voor water te smeken en de omgeving is nu aan het verdorren. Alles zo als het altijd gegaan heeft in het ritme van Afrika.

 

Carl has been working into the darkness of the evenings, trying to finish all the building and plastering, before the true heat comes to dry the cement out too quickly, leaving it cracked. The rhythm of inner rest. Moving as and when God leads: sometimes through the time of the year, sometimes through the prompting of His Spirit, sometimes through circumstances.

 
De laatste weken Carl heeft elke dag gewerkt van 6:00-20:00 om te proberen om zoveel mogelijk werk klaar te krijgen voor dat de echte warmte eraan komt. En tussendoor hebben we onze eerste gasten gehad uit Japan die hier samen waren met Ilne’s vader om te zien hoe de organisatie hier werkt. Verder was Ilne’s moeder hier ook nog.


One of our goals here is to set-up the project to be self-sufficient. The problem with agriculture is that the income is seasonal. So, we are trying to think of ways to keep the income slightly more steady. Following the need around us, we have seen that there is a way we can help our community, and keep the project ticking. We can supply things that people up to now have to cycle to town for, or at least the next village. So, Carl started selling a few products from home.
Verder heeft de dienstverlening aan de gemeenschap hier ook een grote tol geeist op onze tijd, als we proberen de mensen te helpen door benzine te verkopen.  waar ze anders speciaal een 20 km voor moeten fietsen. De vraag naar andere goederen was ook groot en zo is ons assortiment zo uitgebreidt dat we besloten hebben om een klein winkeltje te bouwen. Een van de goals van de organisatie is om deze projecten zelfvoorzienend te maken.


 
But, it takes money to make money. In August the Seventh Day Adventist Church (to whom all our neighbours belong) had a big camp very close to where we live. They came with all their matrasses, water barrels and chairs and came camping for a week. There were probably a few hundred people, all camping together. Carl then set up a little mobile store and started to charge people’s phones for them, sold airtime and toiletpaper ( not a bestsellerJ), books and pens, chips, sweets and a few other things. In the morning I would use all yesterdays money to stock him up for the day. It was a quick turnover, and made it possible to now open a small store on our property.

Het gebied waarin we wonen wordt in grote mate bevolkt door mensen die lid zijn van de zevende dag adventisten. Nu was er een grote kampeer bijeenkomst dicht bij ons van een regio van de zda. Zo’n 1000 mensen kamperen in tenten van zakken gemaakt. Met een morgentemperatuur van 6-7 graden lekker koud. Voor deze bijeenkomst hadden we speciaal onze trailer omgebouwd tot een winkeltje om de mensen te helpen in hun behoeftes zoals tandpastaben borstels ,toiletpapier, beltegoed en zakken vol chips en lollies. Carl heeft samen met onze nieuwe shopmanager hier voor een week gestaan. Dit was een goede test voor de nieuwe shopmanager. Zijn grootste moeilijkheid was om nee tegen mensen te zeggen. Als ik iets niet wilde hebben of als er ergens geen ruimte voor was. Mijn grootste reden om daar naar toe te gaan was om ingang bij mensen te krijgen. Hoewel de zda leert van verlossing door Christus wordt er na de tijd tog de wet weer bij gehaald als noodzakelijk iets voor je verlossing. Ik heb geen moeite met het feit dat hun de zaterdag als sabbath bestempelen, helaas wordt de sabbath dan wel weer in zo’n middelpunt gezet dat dat de enigste dag is waar je God kunt aanbidden.  En verder lijkt het dat de mensen wel erg religieus zijn maar niet waarlijk Christus kennen.


 


The aim is thus: as income, as help to the community and also to build a relationship. So far it has been quite successful. So, very soon the doors of our little ‘Come again’ store will open. All welcome. Please, come again.

De naam van de shop is ‘kom  weer’, hier links op de foto. ( hij krijgt nog een afdakje voor en de naam moet er nog opgeschildert worden.) De shopmanager heeft deze naam bedacht.

Our next mission has been to find a shopkeeper. There has been a young man, that has been part of the work on and off since the beginning. He is one in a million: he sings whenever he works, works hard, always smiles (except when I want to take a photo), has no idea of how to be wise with his money, is an orphan, is unsure of his faith, yet touched by what Jesus did for him. He helped Carl in the ‘mobile’ shop, so we’ve decided to take him on as a shopkeeper, and disciple. Praying for him, and asking God to work in his heart. Maybe I should just mention that up to now, he has been 100% trustworthy, his only weakness being that you are 100% sure he will be late, but hey, this is Africa.
We genereren nu een beetje profijt en helpen nu een jongeman met een baan als shopmanager. Deze jongen zijn moeder is overleden en zijn vader is weggelopen toen hij nog jong was. We hopen dat we nu een helpende invloed op hem kunnen hebben sinds hij nog niet erg serieus met zijn  leven is. Hij heeft duidelijk leidende hulp in zijn leven gemist.  Hij kon deze baan alleen krijgen onder een aantal voorwaarden. Een van de voorwaarden is dat hij net voor twee dagen betaald krijgt. De andere drie dagen worden in een rekening gezet om te sparen voor iets wat hem kan helpen om zelfstandig te worden. Hij wil op zichzelf gaan wonen. Dit kunnen bv. dakplaten zijn of een fiets of een bed of zoiets.  Verder hopen we hem om te leren om zaken te doen en doordat we invloed op hem kunnen uitoefenen hem een werkelijke discipel van Jezus te kunnen maken (met de hulp van God).
Hieronder is onze shop manager. Zijn naam is Dudu, of Francis jr., of DJ. Zover betrouwbaar, spreekt weinig engels en verstaat mij helemaal niet wanneer ik tegen hem praat. Al bevestigt hij altijd iets met ok. Je moet dus altijd in de gaten houden of hij je werkelijk begrepen heeft. We moeten dus geduld met hem hebben. Hij zal ook een beetje uit zijn cultuur getrokken moeten worden sinds we strikte openings tijden willen hebben.




Our home and gardens are also progressing:Onze groente tuin begint ook goed te lijken.                                                              En we kunnen al redelijk wat groentes en vruchten daaruit krijgen.


Now the last big project is the chicken house. Another project that is dragging, as we’ve been waiting for the bricks. Then of cause our bricklayer was injured in a football game. And we got to play ambulance again…

Het laatste project is nu aan de gang, waar we kippen hopen te houden. Het had een beetje vertaging door afrikaanse omstandigheden maar een deel van de muren wordt nu gemetseld. Ook dit zal de zelfvoorzienendheid van de plek beter gaan maken. Het groeien van gewassen voor geld wordt vermindert wegen een gebrek aan water om te besproeien. We zijn nu met iemand in gesprek die naast een riviertje woont. Hij heeft de grond beschikbaar, water en een pomp maar hij kwam laatst langs en vroeg of ik hem kon helpen met pijpen voor de watervoorziening. In eertse instantie zij ik nee, maar later bedacht ik: als we samenwerken kunnen we wel groentes laten groeien voor extra inkomen. We moeten nu de details uitwerken hoe we beide equal zijn.  
In the beginning of August, I was blessed to go with a group of woman on a woman’s retreat. It was my first time gone from my children for such a long time. When they were not there, I suddenly had very little to do
In het begin van augustus was Ilne gezegend om naar een vrouwen conferentie te gaan. Het was de eerste keer om zonder kinderen te zijn voor een lange tijd. Het voelde een beetje om werkeloos te zijn.
 

We had a speaker, who spoke about many things, but one of the things that stuck with me, was this truth: that a lot of the truth (when taken from ‘real life’ and not the Word) we hold on to, is lies. Planted by satan a long time ago, but they grow into a believe system. Example: someone says, ‘you have such busy children’. The lie that is planted is that if my children do not behave well in every situation it must show that I am a bad mother. One thing leads to another, and eventually we do become ineffective mothers. We were challenged to replace such lies with the truth, the truth of the Word.
De spreekster sprak over vele dingen maar een van de dingen die haar het meeste raakte is dat “er veel waarheid uit het dagelijkse leven” genomen wordt maar niet uit de bijbel” en dat dit vaak leugens zijn van de satan. Als voorbeeld: iemand zegt:” oh je zulke bezige kinderen”, de leugen de satan dan plant is dat je eigenlijk een slechte moeder bent.  En van het een komt dan het ander en we worden meer en meer ineffectief. Deze leugens moeten ruilen met wat de waarheid die de bijbel ons zegt.

Our church is to us a blessing, since we are fed with truth, and we also are able to serve the larger community. I’m involved with the Sunday school, Carl has been doing a lot of maintenance work, and I serve in the administration.  

Onze kerkgemeenschap is een zegen voor ons, sinds we worden gevoedt met waarheid. Ook kunnen we hier dienen door zondagschool te geven en onderhoud en adminstratie werkzaamheden.
 
 

Carl’s also been showing the Jesus film in the villages around, together with one of the pastor’s from Hope Builder’s Ministries. He has a church in the area, and can end the showing of the movie with an invitation: come and meet this Jesus, and walk this road with Him.

Een paar weken geleden heeft Carl met een lokale Dominee de Jezus film laten zien op 3 verschillend locaties. Het laat het evangelie aan de mensen zien op een visuele manier en ook een deel van de achtergond en cultuur waarin de joden in die tijd leefden. We hopen dat mensenharten worden aangeraakt en dat ze zullen gaan zoeken en dat mensen bemoedigt worden door de genade die God ons wil schenken door Zijn Zoon.

xxx

 


 
"The Lord bless you and keep you
the Lord make His face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn His face towards you
and give you peace."
Numbers 6:24-26
 

 

dinsdag 9 september 2014

Tim to school

Tim started creche today. No butterflies, no tears. He was very ready.
Our two little smarties:) He loved it. Came back full of stories of the army men with the guns, the black berries and the BIG swimming pool (2m in diameter).

They grow up so fast.

zaterdag 30 augustus 2014

vrijdag 8 augustus 2014

Sports day

Rashelle had her first sports day at school. It was so much fun.

The funniest thing was to see that for most of them, it was not about winning at all. They would just kind of run together. They had a bean bag race, where they had to run with a bean bag on the head. (The test of real Zambians:)) Rashelle would drop the bag, put it back on her head, catch up with everyone, but never pass them. Maybe this is part of God saying we should be like children. It's not about winning.

Newsletter August 2014


And yes, another two months flew by. We are slowly moving out of our first winter in Zambia (and yes, I was bitterly cold) as many of you are starting to cool down after a lovely warm summer. Everything is very dull and brown around us, as the August winds stir-up the African dust. It is the ideal time to work outside, so we are spending many hours outside, before the expected and dreaded October heat.

 
 One of the hardest things for ‘missionaries’ is the loss of feeling connected. It is the same for anyone leaving their own ‘home’. You arrive in a new environment, and you are ‘unconnected’. In today’s life people are less connected, but still feel the need, making social media so successful. And so too, we did as we arrived here. We have now been here for one year. As I was driving the other day, passing by people (leaving them in the dust), I could wave. Not just because I’m friendly, but because I know who they are. I still do not speak tonga, I still do not understand all their customs, but slowly we are getting connected. We know who is family of who (easy, they are all related), we know what they do for a living, we know their needs, their daily routine, their laughter, their questions. And they know us. They still don’t call me by name (I’m always Mrs Carl, or mother of Rashelle, or simply madame), but they know us. And accept us...   


 
When we can’t find Simon, he is enjoying his n’shima with the neighbours



Anyway, for those who are reading to know how the work is progressing. Slowly. But at least mostly forward.

 

Last month ended with us showing the Jesus film on the soccer/football field behind our house.Over the last year we have done a lot of physical work and talked to a lot of people, but now we wanted them to know, that we are not only here to do good things, but also because God brought us here for a eternal reason. And we will not be quiet about Him. What touched me, is one of those men I placed a photo of last month, sat next to Carl. As the crucifixion was shown, he dropped his head in his hands. We pray that God will soften his heart, and show him that Jesus did that for him.



The next week, our first guests arrived. My father brought them, and they moved around with the local pastors in the areas around. They told the Good News as they were walking. Many people responded. Now it is up to the local pastors in who’s areas they were moving to follow up with these people, getting them connected to a church. It’s not about the church, but inside a church it is possible to disciple them with truth. I had a good conversation with one of our guests. She told me, she no longer feels sorry when she thinks of those photo’s of the children in the dusty streets of Africa. Because she realizes, many of them are happy and free. It is their souls we need to pray for.
 

On the day they left, my mother and another missionary arrived in Zambia from Mozambique. They yearly come and do woman’s conferences, teaching the wives of the pastors, and then some others. They did a series of conferences in the north of the country. This is not our story, for more information, see http://www.hbmin.org/programs/program/6.html. After they finished, my mother came to us, for a few days with the grandchildren. We made her work too hard, so we owed her a break. We took her down to the Kariba, so she could rest, and Carl could look for his next big fish. 

Meanwhile, we finished the tomato harvest. I am now preserving the last, and freezing what is left. I promise this will be the last mentionJ We have learnt, amongst other things, that tomatoes like water and a lot of effort. Carl’s next plantings (maize, sweet maize, butternut etc) never made it to germination. We had a terrible mice plague in the whole area, eating every last seed.


For the faint of heart, don’t look, the spade is full of dead mice. Carl’s record was 40 in one night.


Carl then replanted with the one seed that the mice seemed to not eat. Ocra. They are germinating, but still not up to the standard Carl is hoping for. We will see how it goes. The bricks are still being made for all the building that needs to happen:



This will include the chicken house, a small shop, a wall around our ‘front garden’ and ‘walls’ for our vegetable beds, so we don’t continue to lose the good soil.

 

Carl has been promoted to head petrolboy. He has been selling petrol to the locals, instead of them having to cycle the 17km to town. It is a roaring business. So, along with charging telephones, and selling airtime and ice, he has now officially changed into a business man. The point of our project, is to pinpoint ways to start earning an income without having to have a huge amount of capital. This is definitely a winner. But selling it out of our home, means the first people are at our door between 6-7 and some have come around at 22:00. Not great for dinner time. So, we want to open a little shop, with set times, and to give us a place to sell other produce too, such as the bread I sometimes bake, the vegetables we grow, and whatever else people need to go a far way for now.

Further, Carl has been doing some work for the church, Simon has been learning to talk, and becoming naughtier by the day, Tim is preparing to start crèche in September, Rashelle working hard on her athletics skills and I passed my driver’s license (again).


Please pray with us, as I am sure many are already doing, against the spread of the ebola virus in West Africa.  At first we thought it would just blow over, but it just keeps coming closer. This last week, the American doctor from the compound where we lived in our last weeks in Liberia, has been diagnosed with ebola and evacuated to America. Our friends are very close to the danger. Some can escape, others not. Only God can stop this monster.
May God bless and carry you, till we meet again