October 2007

Dear Family and Friends

Besides the odd little emails throughout the year, we have not released a newsletter since the birth of Zachary. We now find ourselves nearing the last stretch of the year – and a wonderful year it has been.

 

This year has been a blessing for us. We have found ourselves more and more settled into the home and routine of life, being able to manage time division between family, ministry, schooling and studies – although we cannot forget the rough patches we have weathered in order to get to this place. Just recently we have managed to clear out a lot of junk in the house and reposition some furniture which makes it feel like a new home, with lots of space and ‘air’ – it has given Jacqui a renewed zest for running the home as trying to keep it clean has been a constant burden. The once-a-week maid has been critical, but she would gladly have her for another day.

 

The latest stress was making it through the holiday club season – both the preparation and execution – but it went much better than last year, as Jacqui and I were now prepared for the potential pitfalls. We took deep breaths and held on until it was over, despite the stinging we started to feel toward the end.

 

So, now with that over, a renewed home, and only 2 more seminary sessions this year, I feel liberated to sit down and write our newsletter.

 

Ministries

The Junior Youth program has gone very well this year. We have had 4 full time volunteers to help our church out, and they were all involved in the youth. This means that the Lord has provided about 15 leaders to assist on Friday afternoons – about a leader per grade, boys and girls. Some of the kids have shown some real growth, and I know of at least one grade 5 boy who committed his life to Jesus. After one of my messages, he came to me of his own accord and asked “How do I cross that line?” (referring to Christ’s delineation of true believers and false believers).

Another guy in grade 7 relayed to me how God had deeply impressed on him the need to be a shining light to his friends. At night, while lying in bed and listening to his little sister singing one of her Christian songs, he was overcome by tears thinking about his friends and prayed fervently for the Lord to help him share Christ. The next week he was purposefully calling his friends to correct their behaviour and they were calling him “Pastor”. One of his friends has now since started attending youth and my AD (accountability discipleship) group and is showing signs of understanding the truth.

 

Speaking about AD group, most of the year I had 2 to 3 guys arrive every Thursday. It was a few, but I guess that was still enough to warrant a weekly meeting. The material we have been working through is for discipling new believers, and has recently been teaching about witnessing our faith to others. Each of us chose one person to pray for and shared this with the group. One of the guys (the “Pastor” I mentioned earlier) was praying for a friend who has been attending youth. I didn’t realize at the time, but it hit me like a brick about a week later: the friend that he was praying for had sms’d me after the time:

“hey Malcolm, u won’t believe what happened to me, Kathu explained Christianity to me and it all makes so much sense – he has changed my life”

But the road is long, and as we know, we can never tell for sure where a person’s heart lies.

Not long after that, we had an “accidental” arrival of about 7 guys one day at AD group – but they found it interesting and decided to return the next week. After a few weeks of coming they were actually disappointed that AD group would not be taking place during the holiday club period.

 

Mentz ministry is going steadily and slowly. Once or twice we had a swell in numbers but it always returns to about 7 to 10 kids. One of the greater achievements has been appointing leaders from the high-school attendants. 1 guy and 3 girls. They’ve been very committed and I’ve taken them through a few weeks of basic training on how to lead a group. Right now, I have handed over all preparation and execution of games and worship through a roster, which leaves me with purely teaching and general oversight. I’m aware that I might be gone by the end of next year and pray that God will provide a solid teacher to carry on after that. My last goal with this group is to perform some sort of outreach through them into the community. I know that the leaders are growing well spiritually, and I’ve been trying to impress on them the importance of carrying the gospel out beyond the church walls.

 

I have also found myself counseling 2 to 3 adult men – something that I have really found delight in, coming alongside and walking through the path with them, and trying to bring practical Christian perspective into their difficulties. Jacqui has also been counseling a bit, and together we feel that this may be preparation for whatever ministry we’ll wind up in. What presses on me the most is that the Christian is a redeemed sinner. Even though the old nature is gone, he still has a daily struggle with sin and is never without need of a saviour. Although complete salvation occurs at his rebirth, the need and effect of that salvation is daily present. Every day the sinner is reaffirming his need for and commitment to Jesus, who stands presently interceding for him before the Father. What is pitiful is how the church has built a system where the saints are supposed to be perfect and so there emerges a fear to admit one’s failings… which only strengthens the system and produces double-lives.

   

The Holiday Club went very well. We invited kids to attend for 5 days, and had a jam-packed morning program which left both them and the leaders exhausted. It took me about 4 days to recover! We had a wonderful sponsorship from individuals in the church, and so we raised probably about R3000, as well as donations of sweets, discounts on décor, and even got some plants from a guy in the church who runs a nursery. It is surprising how the less conspicuous and the less fluid individuals are the ones who come forward with this kind of sponsorship! We had 100 kids per day, and just under 40 leaders. Over the week, we had about 30 totally new kids who had not been to the church before. One of the bonuses was having Heather and the kids arrive! Our games leader was a bit perplexed with what to do with the preschoolers, so Heather jumped right in and did a super job. We had funny home-made video clips, aerobics, gospel video clips, worship, crafts, verses, relay games, fun games, a skit and a sermon each day, followed by counseling for those who wanted it. The skit was based on Bunyan’s “Holy War”, and was excellent!

 

My messages were:

Genesis 3: we are the children of Adam and Eve

Genesis 6: what God thinks about sin

John 3: The difference between walking in the light and the darkness (Gospel)

1 Peter 1: What is eternal life?

1 Thessalonians 4: what’s coming next? (Rapture and Judgement)

There are 2 kids I know of who committed their life to the Lord Jesus. The one girl I spoke to was from out of town, and I didn’t see her after that day. God brought her at just the right time. Another girl simply asked one of our leaders, “What must I do to be saved”! She comes to our youth on Fridays so I’m glad we’ll be able to carry on ministering to her.

Future plans

Jacqui and I continue to discuss what our future holds. We’re never worried, because we’ve seen how God has led us thus far. But we need to start making moves and knocking on doors because I only have 1 year left of studies.

We had tried to meet with Dave Bremner (Deputy director of SIM in SA) when he was over in JHB from the States but it didn’t transpire. Today, however, we were able to meet with Stephen Coertze (Director of Wycliffe Bible Translation SA). He was able to give us some wise counsel and general info on what it is they do and how they operate. What encouraged me about this group is a dedication they have to making sure that the people fit the roles with various screenings and application processes. They place the wellbeing of the family as a priority and are concerned to place people where they are best suited and happier. They also are serious about the home church remaining the “sender”, while they facilitate the actual operation.

I also had a pastor ask me if I’d be interested in co-pastoring his friend’s church in Bloemfontein – although I’m not sure I could pull off an Afrikaans stint , and others who have said they perceive me to be gifted for the pastoral (shepherding) role.

So plans still remain very open. But we’re now actively looking around to test ourselves and our suitability to various places.

 

Studies

The studies continue as usual, this being my favourite year yet. Historical theology, Theology III, and Hebrew are all very interesting and meaningful – all new areas that I had never studied before.

 

Home

After about 2 years, our tenants of the cottage on the property have left to rent a bigger place. So, now we’re considering running an over-night accommodation for the lost income. It’s actually nice to be just us again, and to be able to walk into your own cottage without feeling you’re invading someone else’s place! Well, for now we have a whole cottage for any of you who would like to visit us!

The roof on our house is still in need of repair, and now we are investigating whether we repair, or replace. Being our biggest investment (and what we have plunged our pension into) we dare not let a bad roof ruin the house with rain water. The rainy season has begun again and so now we’ll be waiting until the dry season before we can start any substantial work.

 

A word from Jacqui

Well I’ve finally found a moment to sit down and write to you. The girls and Zachary are all napping, before Malcolm picks us up for Junior youth at 3. I’m glad to say that life is feeling normal again. It’s been busy and hectic the last couple of months but we are now enjoying a gentle lull, before it sweeps us off our feet again!

I am enjoying a gentle morning routine with the kids, juggling their different routines, going on ß nature walks twice a  week, home schooling, adding naps and snack times.

I feel like the girls are finally ready for more formal and consistent home schooling and it’s been a challenge as well as being very rewarding to up the pace. This year we’ve thoroughly enjoyed ABC-Fun and look forward to completing their Alphabet books.à

 

We’ve decided to make “Southern Africa” our framework for next year, and have ordered a whole bunch of amazing books from Kalahari. My collection includes lots of story books about S. African Animals, People or Places, Fables, some Field guides, a Kiddies Bird Book, and great non fiction books about Rivers, the Bush and our Desserts, as well as all the amazing animals they host. I’ve also purchased a big map of S.A and as we discover a place we’ll find it on our map and add a Postcard of its scenery or inhabitants. We’ve already had fun finding where all our family and friends (who live outside of JHB) live. So next year we’ll enjoy an armchair journey around S.A! If you live outside of JHB please send us a photo of your family, so that we can locate you and add you to our map! Thanks!

Zachary is doing really well. After months of trying and being frustrated Zachary has finally mastered the art of crawling. Boy does he love the freedom this gives him! He’s into absolutely everything he can reach, but he’s learning the meaning of NO just as quickly!

He’ such a special little boy and such a delightful addition to our family! He’s learnt that laughter binds our family and will chuckle at you just to get your attention!

 

He waved right on cue for the first time today, and still has me waiting in anticipation for his first tooth!

 

We’ve had a lot of family come through to visit us this September, first Mum and Dad for a night, then Heather and her brood also for a night, they spent the rest of their week on Uncle Peter’s farm, and then Danielle and Baby Matt for about a week. It’s been so special to spend time with all of you; we wish it could have been for longer!  Here are Matt and Zack in their matching bath towels (totally unplanned)       à

 

Thanks to all of you for your ongoing prayer and support for us. We miss you all and hope to catch up with you on our December Christmas holiday in Jhb.

     

May the Lord bless you all,

Love from Malcolm, Jacqui, Danica, Lila and Zachary