We are back! Now that we have successfully gotten used to speaking in international terms, we need to get back into the habit of speaking like a normal American. An example: An Egyptian doesn't know where Michigan is. The correct response when asked where we are from needs to become "the states" rather than Michigan. Also, most other languages use a similar pronunciation of vowels that is different from English. Just because a persons name when written is obviously not being pronounced the way we would pronounce it, doesn't mean we get to change their name to our version. Josiah is Yo-see-uh. Beatrice is Bay-a-trees, don't forget to roll the "r". Often it's the little things we notice right away I guess.
It was an amazing adventure and we learned so much about our world, God, family, friends, and ourselves. It's really difficult to put into words what our hearts want to express. The range of emotions is too much for this novice writer alone, not to mention the limited ability to express through words what only our senses can comprehend. Regardless of how we may feel at any given moment, we have been forever changed. As with any experience in our lives, God shapes us according to His perfect and loving will. We are so humbled that God loves us so much that He doesn't want us to stay the same.
Unfortunately, we lost one of our phones in Africa. It happened on our last day and resulted in more than 600 pictures from our trip to be forever lost in the unseen digital atmosphere. Some of the photos were meant to be posted or published with hopes of utilizing a portion of the viewers senses. We feel a nearly overwhelming sorrow for such a significant loss of opportunity as well as the personal aid to memory. We are thankful however for the photos that so many friends have passed on to us through Facebook. We have posted many on our pages, so be sure to check them out.
We nearly had to remind ourselves when we returned that one of the reasons for going to the Harvest School with Iris in Africa, was to discover a place that we could be placed into full time ministry. Thankfully we had found that place and realized that we needed to return quickly. So, prior to expanding on the adventures we are so fond of telling, we want to offer up the opportunity again to support us in the so many ways you already know and accomplished so well.
Our time in South Africa, near Cape Town revealed the mold into which we could see our family fitting. The elements we had prayed for so long to be available to us in one package seemed to be fitted together just for us. The ministry base is an active grape, pomegranate, and cattle farm that provides a ministry income through the production and selling of wine, stud bulls, and produce. The base also rents cottages and operates much like a B&B. It is a beautiful land with sharp mountains and fertile valleys. My dreams of farming are a reality awaiting. The ministry base is very involved in the local communities, doing ministry at the schools, in the neighborhoods, and their little "kloof" or valley. There is a YWAM base in a nearby town and teams from the Iris base work alongside YWAM to spread the love of Jesus. A coffee shop is being built on the property that will be used to provide vocational training for local community members as well. It is hoped that expansion of the vocational training would be possible soon to include woodworking and other crafts. Carolynn and I have several ideas for this portion of ministry! If you have experienced Carolynn's gift of baking, you may understand. The connections we made with the people in nearby communities was very encouraging for us as well. There seems to be a hunger for God in that area that is waiting to be fed. We can't wait to be a part of the revival and unprecedented spiritual growth in that area!
We cannot express how grateful we are to all of you who have followed us on this journey. in the coming posts we will attempt to give a clearer picture of where we have been and where we think we are going. We want to leave by March, but there are numerous details that need to be worked out in order to get our family in the air again. As we discover solutions and needs, we will do our best to relay what we know. We look forward to continuing this journey with all of you wherever God guides.
