Greetings from Africa!                                                                                          26 August 2004

All the travel arrangements have come together very well for my US trip for my mother's memorial service, which will be in Iowa on Sept. 18th. This trip will also provide the opportunity to discuss the long-term future of the mission in Africa. I am now certain that there is such a future, and that God has the best possible plan in mind for it - and for me. Some features of that future are just now beginning to become more clear. Just this week we received the joyous news that friends in the US are providing money for the purchase of a tent for Erton & Lydia's ministry in Sunrise Park. Praise the Lord! Erton has made it clear that he wants me to teach in his new tent quite regularly. I drove to Sunrise Park for the first time last Sunday, since I had received the generous loan of a car for the weekend. I now have a much better picture of the challenge of just getting there from here without a vehicle. Let me now make it official:

WE NEED A VEHICLE (Erton's dream is of a twin-cab bakkie [pickup truck])

Erton will need to be at the tent or visiting and praying with people in their homes almost every day, and I will also perhaps once a week. We will get by with whatever we have – that is the story of Africa. But the other side of that coin is suffering and vast amounts of wasted time – which is also the story of Africa. Please pray for us, specifically that nothing will hinder the good plans God has for us and this ministry.

Once the ministry is well established in Sunrise Park, Erton and Lydia dream of traveling to the villages to plant churches – again virtually requiring a vehicle. As for me, there is an open door for ministry at the large prison in Mogwase IF I can get there (somewhat less than an hour away by car), perhaps on a weekly basis. It seems to me that God is speaking the word “GO!” again. Just as I couldn’t come to South Africa without help, and just as Erton and Lydia couldn’t come to this house without help, none of us can fully respond to the “GO!” without help. HELP!

The inner healing ministry is gradually growing, with definite good and lasting fruit in the lives of a number of people. Another thing that is growing is people just showing up at the house. Recently a refugee from the Sudan just went for a walk – from the far side of town. The Holy Spirit directed him to Leyd Street, and it just so happened that Erton was standing outside when he walked by. They talked, and later he came back to visit with me (see the attached picture). He is not a member of any church, and now plans to comes to Erton & Lydia’s meetings on Sundays. The meeting this Sunday will be here at the house, and will be rather special. One of Lydia’s sisters is bringing a small tent for the back yard and we are borrowing extra chairs from the Presbyterian Church this morning. They are also getting braai (barbeque) equipment from somewhere. I will give a teaching, and we will all celebrate afterward with feasting and singing. I wish all of you could be here with us! We are expecting from 30-40 people, but more are always welcome.

I mentioned in an earlier email that Rustenburg weather does not respect what the calendar calls “seasons”. Some days have already been over 80 degrees (F), and it is still August (equivalent to February in the US). The rainy season is normally in summer, and it rained last night (the first rain in a LONG time – we really needed it). All the trees are starting to blossom (see attached photo from our back yard). The scary part is that some people – people who live here – are starting to use the word “summer”. I am not sure I’m ready for a “summer” that begins in August and extends through March. Rather than bundled up I am writing this barefoot. It is still cloudy this morning, which is quite a pleasant change from the usual brilliant, burning blue sky. Anyone who truly loves sunlight would love it here!

The ophthalmologist wants to wait until after I get back from the upcoming trip to do my first eye surgery, so he can do proper follow-up. As they say, “he’s the Doctor!”.  I do plan on getting that done soon after my return, however. It will be VERY nice to see clearly again!

Love from Africa,

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