Count down....

Seven weeks from yesterday, 10/5/10, we fly out of Johannesburg, SA in route for the US.  The weeks are flying by and there is much to do.  Some of my responsibilities have already been transferred to others who will be taking over permanently.  Sometimes, lately, I have felt a bit in limbo as I'm stepping out of past obligation and now preparing to return to the US for six months.  Recently I've had a burden to get good messages into the hands of our people here.  I've been taking old audio cassettes, playing them into my computer and then burning them onto CDs.  I would like to do this on a bit more of a larger scale so we can give good sermons out here in the community.  Help us pray about this new venture. 

Our Four

Nick Vujicic

Here is a link to the website of Nick Vujicic, a man born without arms or legs.   His is an amazing testimony of God's grace.  Thank God for those who can go places and be used of God in ways I can't.  I am not necessarily endorsing everything Nick believes or teaches, but he does offer hope through Jesus Christ.  http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/

Special service

This past Saturday we had a special ordination and licensing service for our pastors here in South Africa.  This was the first time this has happened in the history of the work here in South Africa.  We are so thankful to the Lord for the progress He is giving in the work here.  Mr. Howard our Regional Director was visiting so he was able to take part in the service.  Two men were ordained and two pastors received licenses.

Mr. Jim Howard speaking with Pastor Thabang interpreting

Pastor Pheko, HIM's National Representative in Lesotho, and Glenn Gault our Field Director.

Johan van der Merwe, HIM's National Representative in South Africa

Philip Geise, Administrator of Hope Christian Academy

Piet Marais, HIM missionary and director of the Bible distribution project in various African countries

The four pastor's with Mr. Howard

All Thumbs

It looks like our little girl will be a thumb sucker. She hasn't mastered the concept but she does it quite often!

Church Ladies

Let me introduce you to a couple of ladies from our Manyatseng church. I hope you will pray for them.  The young lady on the left is Nthabiseng.  She has only been saved less than a year.  She always has a smile on her face and testifies that God is working in her life.  The older lady on the right is Makamohelo.  She has been attending our church for about a year and a half.  She is really saved and is a tremendous blessing in the church and community.  She never misses any service of the church unless it is absolutely beyond her control. Pray for these ladies.  Life for them isn't easy. 

Diagnosis

Well, it's been an intense week, but at least we now know for sure what has been causing my pain.  According to the specialist I have many ulcers, thus the pain.  I am taking anti acid tablets, but thankfully there was no H. pylori so I don't need antibiotics.  I am eating a lot of papaya and aloe vera which I think are helping to heal the raw areas of the stomach.  Thanks so much for all your prayers!  Taking life a little slower......  Steve

What a year!

This past week has been rather eventful.  Actually, it seems this entire year, so far, has had it's share of drama.  In the past 8 months we have moved twice, been burglarized, had oral surgery, welcomed a new baby in the home, made an unexpected 6+ hour trip one way to take an HIV patient to a AIDS clinic, also made an unexpected trip to Johannesburg (5+hrs one way) to work on US paperwork for Shoshanah, started homeschooling Isaac, and many other smaller activities and details that have barely allowed us time to stop and catch our breath.  A few weeks ago I was talking to Gwen and I said, "I wonder what is next?"  And then this week...  Sunday night I, Steve, had terrible abdominal pain and didn't get much sleep. Monday was fairly normal except for being exhausted from the lack of sleep. Then Tuesday morning after breakfast I started feel uncomfortable again.  After lunch I again began experiencing severe pain in my stomach. Finally we decided to go see the doctor.  He first gave me a shot for abdominal cramping, which I reacted to.  So he then put me on an IV and gave me some strong pain meds and sent us to the ER an hour and a half away.  In the ER they did x-rays and took blood samples.  All the tests that were done came back clear.  The doctor told us he thought is was gallstones or a stomach ulcer. We stayed that night with some friends who live in Bloemfontein and the next day we went back to the hospital so I could be tested for gallstones.  That test was also negative.   A couple of hours after leaving Bleom I was again in a lot of pain.  I hoped it would go away, but I actually spent the entire night tossing and turning, getting in and out of bed, sitting in a chair and on the floor but with no relief.  Thursday morning the pain subsided a little but by the afternoon it was back again.  Some friends took me to the doctor again for more medication.  I was finally able to sleep the whole night.  My diet at this point is yogurt, papaya and bananas.  (Great weight loss program!)  I am scheduled for an endoscopy next Monday to verify whether my problem is a stomach ulcer or not.  We are so thankful to those who have helped us and have been praying. We trust the Lord to work out His will in these events. 

My Two Beautiful Girls

I'm blessed to have a wife like Gwen.  She enjoys little things and doesn't need expensive clothes and gadgets to make her happy.  She made the jumper that Shoshanah is wearing to match her skirt (sorry you can't see that in the picture). I think it turned out very nice.  I'm very thankful for my 1 Timothy 2:9 wife and her desire to raise our daughter the same way. 

I'm sorry

I have deleted the previous post due to some incorrect information.  I apologize.