Jul 2022 - Evelyn's Story

 In our Acts 29 witnessing group, we have been working with the students on developing a personal testimony.  It is one of my favourite activities because we get to hear everyone’s story and how God has impacted their life.  Over the next few months, I will be sharing three of those stories with you.

Evelyn is a quiet, unassuming young lady who wasn’t at all sure she wanted to join Acts 29.  Acting on a God-given impulse, she committed to the program early this year and has grown in leaps and bounds since then.  Her growth this year includes being baptised and sharing her testimony with other students during our Easter movie outreach.  She even guest led our student Bible study this week!  I’ll let her tell her own story…

“My parents are Christians, we went to church almost every Sunday. I was not much of a believer because I did not know about Jesus, my church never talked about him, but only God. At the age of 16 I started experiencing severe chest pains, abnormal heartbeat and heart rate. Also swollen legs and constant tiredness. I did not know what was the cause of all this and neither did my mother. She tried getting me different medication, taking me to hospitals and traditional doctors to find out the cause and get me healed but they all did not work out for me or make anything better. I had anger issues and was always feeling pity for myself. It frustrated me because these symptoms have been occurring for more than 5 years but I don't know the cause. I thought perhaps it's better I just live with this and accept it even thou my mother did not want to.

“I was on a gap year when I met this Christian lady. She started by encouraging me about my gap year and I feel like God pushed me to her. I started going to her house, the first time she preached the gospel in the Bible I was astonished by how she knew different verses and scriptures. I didn't know that people can actually do that so I fell in love with it and wanted to know about God and Jesus too. I asked her one time how she understands and memorize verses, she just told me that you ask God for understanding and indulge in the word meditate on it. I went to her church during the weeks and I learnt so much from it that I had no knowledge of.

“My body had a breakdown because of my illness and I had to be admitted to the hospital. I had a low blood count so I had blood transfusion. The doctor suspected that there is something wrong with my heart and she recommended me a heart specialist. The specialist performed tests on me and he told me that my heart does not pump enough blood because of a valve that needs to be removed and replaced by a heart operation. He gave me medication to take in the meantime and come back after a few months. I was relieved to find my answer and few days later I did not feel those pains anymore, the chest pains where no longer that intense.

“I accepted Jesus at church because I understand his death and him as a whole. That was the best decision I've made. I am happy and at piece today. God gave a spiritual heart that can never be broken by anything. Even though I still have to do the operation, I am still and I know that God has already approved it successful so I don't worry about it. I enjoy getting to know him and following him where he leads me.”

May 2022 - Acts 29 is back!

 The Acts 29 team is back in action this year!  South Africa is resting at a level 1 Covid status and that means that most events and activities can begin again.  The university has also eased many of their restrictions and that has allowed us to start holding activities on campus.  Although there is still a lot of paperwork involved and signatures needed for approval!

For Easter, the Acts 29 team hosted two viewings of The Passion of the Christ movie in campus residences, and we had a great turnout.   For the second showing, we hit the allowed covid capacity with 60 people and had to turn some away.

The Acts 29 team for 2022 -  Timmy, Kamo, Wes, Mary, Evelyn, Given, Timothy
Me, Beth, Reneilwe, and Ompile

Five Acts 29 students had an opportunity to step out in faith during the movies by acting as MC for the event, sharing their testimony, and sharing the gospel after the movie.  We also had comment cards for those watching the movie to fill out that will provide opportunities for the team to visit later and share the gospel one-on-one.  You can see photos of both outreaches on my Facebook page – www.facebook.com/gospeakliveboldly

Over the next few weeks, please pray for our Acts 29 team as they use the comment cards to visit students in the residences and share the Gospel.  Pray for the students to share the gospel clearly and completely.  Please pray as well that the hearts of those they visit will be prepared to hear God’s word. 

For Easter morning, we had a great student church meeting at the Gestring’s house.  It was a special occasion as we baptized two of the Acts 29 team members and two Bible study attendees!   Afterwards we all shared an Easter lunch of chicken stew with rice, curried carrot salad, and chocolate cupcakes for dessert.

Evelyn newly baptized!

The Wednesday night Bible study has also continued with around 15-17 students attending regularly.  We are studying the book of James this term and the practical topics are really hitting home with everyone, including myself!  His section of the importance of the integration of faith AND actions is one of my favorite. 

Please keep our student home church and Bible study in your prayers.  Pray that the Lord gives them eyes to see and ears to hear what He has for each of them in His word. Pray also that they will be doers of the word and not just hearers; putting into action what they have learned and heading the promptings of the Holy Spirit in this regard.

Mar 2022 - Leaving Well

 What does it mean to “leave well”?  As I once again finding myself leaving friends and family in the US to return to my life in South Africa, I’ve been pondering that phrase.  The importance of leaving well is commonly discussed in many ministry contexts including overseas missions.  For me, it is something to keep in mind among all the busyness of the last weeks and then days before my flight.  To be more intentional about the things I do and don’t do with my time and energy. 

During the past few days, I have been working alongside my parents going though closets and boxes in their/our home in WA.  Lots set aside to give to charity, some set aside as keepsakes, some just reorganized.  It was finally time to get rid of all my notes from 10 years of college, old work paperwork, and clothes that I won’t wear again.  It feels good to leave with less clutter left behind.

While traveling around the US visiting many of my supporters, I stayed a few nights in Michigan and took the time to visit my undergraduate alma mater in Hillsdale.  It had been 21 years since I graduated, and this was my first trip back.  Although the campus has changed enormously on a physical level, the ethos and philosophy were still the same.  Many of my professors were still teaching at Hillsdale and I was able to meet with them and catch up.  Several will be retiring soon so it was good to be able to catch them this year while they were still there.

Just after I arrived home in Nov, I took advantage of some Michael’s coupons to get yarn for a new crochet project to keep me busy while I was home.  Somehow that got set aside unfinished when I had covid and then never got started again.  However, while watching the Olympics and Superbowl, I dragged it back out and managed to finish the shawl just in time.  It feels good not to leave behind unfinished projects.

Intentionally enjoying the beauty of my home in WA before I leave has meant taking several walks in the area and taking pictures of the swans who migrate though the area each year.  Several bald eagle sightings were also a blessing. It is good to take time to focus on what I love about Washington.

My last day at home in the US I changed the sheets on my bed, cleaned the bathroom, vacuumed, and generally organized and tidied my rooms upstairs.  It wasn’t necessary as my parents would be happy to have done it after I left, but again, it just feels good knowing I’m leaving everything clean and ready for guests to use.  

These seemingly little things can have such a big impact on how well we leave.  I find for me, taking the time to recognize and focus on these little bits of leaving well relieves some of the stress of leaving once again and allows God’s joy freer rein in my heart.   It also allows me to be more present when I am here in Mafikeng, rather than dwelling on home/the US.

Jan 2022 - Gifts of Grace

 Happy New Year!  Have you made any New Year’s resolutions?  Although I haven’t made any resolutions this year, I have been reflecting on God’s grace in my life over the past few years.  CVM’s verse for the year is Acts 20:24 with the focus on the gospel of the grace of God.  And it is a wonderful gospel (good news)! 

One the greatest gifts of grace has been the discipleship of students at NWU. Walking with them though their struggles and triumphs, praying with them, and studying the word together has been a joy and a source of growth for me as well. Many that were part of our witnessing group and Bible studies over the past 6 years have graduated, gotten married, and are working in jobs of all descriptions.

A second gift of grace is my little house and garden with my chickens and cats. Such joy can be found in the simple things in life: watching plants grow, playing with my cats and listening to the chickens clucking after they lay an egg.  It is such a blessing (especially during lockdown!) not to be in an apartment.  My home on campus also means the campus generator provides electricity during load shedding (when the government shuts off the power for several hours a day to compensate for low electricity production)! 

The Lord has also provided wonderful gifts of grace in the friends I’ve made in South Africa, both nationals and expats.  Friendships that will last long after my term with CVM are finished.  Friends to worship with, travel with, and bake with, friends who provided a place to stay when I needed to evacuate during student riots, friends who have rescued me when I’ve had car trouble, and friends who have helped me navigate the ins and out of life in South Africa.

Another gift of grace is the ability to return home on furlough and visit friends and family. This also includes the chance to meet up with vet students from various universities though the Real Life Real Impact student conferences and the talks I will be doing at the University of Minnesota.   Furlough also provides an opportunity to spend time with my parents.  They traveled with me to California last month to visit a few of my supporters and family who live in the area and we managed to have a bit of fun along the way. We even got out in the snow!

Finally, and most importantly, is the gift of grace in God’s salvation.  Last month we celebrated the birth of Christ, and in a few months, we will celebrate His death and resurrection.  Through Him we have been freely given the gift of restored relationship with our Creator and eternal life with Him. Praise Him for His marvelous gifts of grace.

Dec 2021 - Furlough Plans

Merry Christmas!  This is definitely my favorite time of the year, and I am blessed to be able to spend it at home in WA with my family.  You can pray that we will have a bit of snow while I’m home.  There is nothing better than sitting with a cup of cocoa and a good book while watching the snow fall. 

Back in Mafikeng, it was regularly in the 90’s when I left in late November.  I spent a good amount of my time in my one airconditioned room taking care of marking and finalizing the end of term reporting.  The last two weeks before I left were very hectic with a final test, written exam, end of term assignment, and the practical exam for the 106 students.

We also finished up our study of 1 & 2 Timothy and had an end of the ear braai with 19 of our Bible study students.   Next year we are excited to restart our Acts 29 witnessing/evangelism program with the students in addition to continuing the Bible study and house church.  It will be such a blessing to go out with the Acts 29 students again as we witness to others on campus.

In the meantime, my plans for the next few months in the US are filling out.  If you would like to meet for coffee or a meal while I’m in your area please let me know!

Dec 4-7 San Francisco/Sacramento

Dec 7-9 San Diego

Dec 10-11 Nevada

Dec 11-13 Colorado

Dec 15-30 in WA

Jan 2-7 Alaska

Jan 14-16 Real Life Real Impact CVM conference in Yakama WA

Jan 16-21 Orlando, VMX Conference

Jan 22-23 Atlanta

Jan 23-26 North Carolina

Jan 26-28 Minneapolis

Jan 29-Feb 1 Michigan

Please keep my travels in your prayers since weather and covid issues could easily derail my plans at any time.  Also, please pray that schedules will work out for me to meet up with those along my path.

Once again, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  I pray that this month will be a blessed time for you with friends and family close by.

Nov 2021 - Heading Home for Furlough

The spring term here at North-West University is winding down and exams start early next month.  The students will have both a written theory exam and a practical exam to pass in order to finish the Companion Animal Care II module.  And, as much as they are praying to pass, I’m praying to survive all the marking!  I keep trying to convince the students that it is just as much work being a lecturer as it is being a student, but they don’t believe me :)

The end of next month, I will also be returning home for my second furlough.  Barring unforeseen complications, I should be home for Thanksgiving with my family and will be in the US though mid-February.  This is my first time back in the US since my last furlough three years ago and I’m really looking forward to it.  Hopefully, I will have the chance to catch up with many of you while I’m home. 

It will also be wonderful to be involved with CVM’s Real Life Real Impact veterinary student conference again while I’m home in January.  The RLRI weekends are such wonderful time to pour into young Christian vet students and share in their excitement and passion for God and for veterinary medicine.  It dovetails so well with my ministry here as well!

In our student Bible study here in Mafikeng, we have been studying though the book 1 Timothy.  Paul does such a wonderful job in that book of encouraging and training the young Timothy in his faith and in his leadership role in the local church.  It has been an encouragement to me as well to never underestimate believers based on their youth, but rather encourage spiritual maturity regardless of physical maturity. Both with the students here and with the vet students at RLRI, walking beside them to help them grow in spiritual maturity and sharing their Faith is as much a blessing to me as it is to them. 

While home on furlough, my plan is to travel quite a bit around the US to catch up on my continuing education requirements, as well as meet with many of my supporters and friends.  Please keep an eye on my Facebook page for updates on my schedule, as I would love to catch up with as many of you as possible while I’m in there.  If I’m going to be in your area and you have time to meet up, please let me know!

I am also happy to share with groups about my ministry here in South Africa or on other topics.  If you would be interested in having me speak at your church, Bible study, fellowship group, or other event, please let me know so we can make arrangements. 

The easiest way to reach me is by email, Facebook, or WhatsApp (contact details below). 

Thank you for your continued support and prayers!

Sept 2021

 Winter is here!  Mafikeng has been in the grips of quite a cold snap the past few weeks. Temperatures have regularly dropped below freezing at night and only reach the low 60’s during the day.  I brought quite a few of my potted plants inside to keep them from freezing.

Although I really enjoy the cool weather, it is rather unpleasant when the indoor temperatures hit 49 degrees in the morning!  Thankfully, one of my cats always sleeps under the covers with me when it is cold.   It is like sleeping with a living hot water bottle and makes a huge difference in keeping warm at night!  He probably thinks the same.

Despite the cold weather, South Africa has been experiencing a third wave of Covid infections and it has been the worst so far.  Perhaps it is the delta variant, perhaps it is people getting tired of following the lockdown rules.  Either way, the country is back up to level 4 lockdown, which means no gatherings of any sort.  Thankfully, this has been primarily over the winter break so our ministry activities would have been paused anyway.  Hopefully, we will be able to meet again for Bible studies shortly after the new term gets underway.

One of our last Bible studies before the increased lockdown

Please continue to pray for our ministry:

·       That we will be allowed to meet in groups again in Aug so that Bible study and our home church can continue in term 2

·       That we will be an encouragement to students and challenge them in living out their faith

·       That students will prosper in their online studies and not get behind

·       That we would be able to source oxygen for the clinic to allow surgeries to continue

·       That covid would not lead to any clinic/department shutdowns in term 2

Over the winter break, I was blessed to have my parents come for a visit.  We traveled to Cape Town and Kruger National Park and then up to Namibia.  We were very lucky/blessed because Namibia is also experiencing very high covid infection and death rates, so locals were not allowed to travel, but foreign tourists were not restricted.  We adjusted our travel plans slightly to mostly stay away from the big cities, but we were still able to visit all the famous and beautiful locations.

One of our favorite stops was an area called Sossusvlei.  It is in the Namib desert and is famous for its red sand dunes which rise over 12,000 feet high!  We decided NOT to climb them!  There is also a valley amid the dunes which used to be an oasis.  Although it has been dry for 600+ years, the trees never rotted due to the extremely low humidity.  The area is known as Deadvlei and is very popular with photographers, where the black, sun-scorched trees against the white salt pan and red dunes provide stunning photo opportunities.

The beauty of Deadvlei, Namibia

What an incredible world God has created!  My soul resounds in praise as I see His glory reflected in His creation!