Greetings, everyone!

“His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” (Lam 3: 22-3)

This Scripture is the story of my life since I got to Africa. I moved into the “mission house” on Sunday (a week ago yesterday), but it seems that I have been here MUCH longer. Elton and Lydia moved in the same day, after some difficulty with finding a “buckey” (pickup truck) and helpers. I was amazed to find that they brought with them almost new, very nice furniture for the “lounge” (living room), complete with a nice stereo and a TV. They also had dishes, cutlery, pots and pans, etc. I bought a little chest freezer (that can be adjusted to be a fridge) for delivery Monday, but it was already there. The day was very hot, so the ability to provide cold water was very much appreciat! ed. My bed was delivered that day, and was larger than anticipated – so the bedding I had didn’t fit. But Elton and Lydia dug through their “stuff” and actually HAD bedding that did. Later, they decided that I should have new bedding – and curtains – and simply bought them and put them on. They picked well, and the love and honor are food for the soul.

The bed was delivered by a lady and a helper, and when they were through she asked if there was anything else I needed. I said yes, actually I needed to get to a store for some food. So, after going home she returned and took me shopping. Later in the week she took a break from work to take me to the bank and to a store.

Early in the week our next-door neighbor came over to introduce herself. She recognized me from a prayer meeting, and wanted to know if we needed anything. We are now using an extra microwave oven she happened to have. Her name is Audrey, and she is a wonderful Christian who loves to worship the Lord and does so in a variety of African languages. Elton and Lydia were delighted when she started singing in Tswana, then Zulu, then Afrikaans. (Audrey is white).

Elton has a good friend who is an optometrist, and on Wednesday I went to meet him. My reading glasses have not been very satisfactory of late, so I mentioned that I might soon need his services. We went in right then for an eye exam, and I now have new glasses (much better!). He then called to invite us to accompany him and his wife to the Methodist church for their first “Forty Days of Purpose” Wednesday night meeting, so we went. He is the leader of one of the small groups (of about 20 people, which is not really so “small”), and he called on Elton and me frequently for comments. The group very much wanted us to return, so we are going back this Wednesday.

Russell and Lynn arrived from Cape Town at 3:00 am on Saturday, overcoming many difficulties. They are now moved in, and Lynn has relieved Lydia of many chores (cooking, dishes, etc.), which is good, because Lydia has a full-time job at the post office. Lydia is a tremendous woman of God, and it is very good to see her being blessed. Russell and Lynn have years of experience in programs to feed and house the poor, and there is a big need for that here. There is a new ministry, with Rev. Ruth on the board, called Grace Outreach that has this as their mission. I think th! at God called Russell and Lynn here for at least two reasons: 1. for rest, healing and strengthening after many VERY trying years in Cape Town, and 2. to provide vision and leadership to the growing effort to help the poor here in Rustenburg. Elton has not only ministered in many churches around here, but also has ministered to the parliament of the Northwest Province of South Africa (in which we are located), and has open doors to continue, especially in the area of inner healing and counseling.

The people in St. Luke Church should know that, by sending me here and providing this house and food, they are providing the home base not only for me, but also for two very powerful ministries that will touch thousands of people in this area.

Last Tuesday I accompanied Rev. Ruth to Pretoria for the monthly gathering of pastors of this presbytery. It was a very good time of bible study and fellowship, and they were naturally curious about the American in their midst. One of the pastors took a special interest in the inner healing seminar, and wants me to present it to his church in a couple of months, and is even willing to come and fetch me and bring me back (the trip is over 90 minutes each way). I will go back with Ruth next month, and who knows what additional doors may open (after all, the name of the church where we meet is “St. Andrews”). That same Tuesday night the Session of the church here in Rustenburg extended an invitation to me to preach once a month, beginning this Sunday. They also spent considerable time discussing a messy situation, in which extra calendars, which were being sold as a fund-raising effort, had been printed without proper authorization. There were all these issues about who owed what money to whom, and I felt clearly prompted to intercede and bring peace – by buying the extra calendars (19 in all). So, I did. I will send those along by surface mail, for sale there to raise funds for your sister church here. I paid about $3 for each, so really you already have helped them. If you can sell them for more, however, every little bit will help. (The funds can simply be put in the mission fund, and I can pass them along here).

I have completed the devotionals for the first two weeks of the “Forty Days of Purpose” project, and they have been translated into Afrikaans. I actually don’t know exactly what the organizing pastor of the project has done with them, but then again that isn’t my department. I am just called to write them, and Rev. Nell knows far better than I the best way to use them. He did tell me on the night of the “kickoff” that he liked what I had written and thought they would be very useful. That’s good enough for me!

Elton and I are being given a ministry to the black employees of one of the big grocery stores in Rustenburg. We were there with Audrey last week and ended up having a prayer meeting at the checkout with two ladies who worked there. Well, the word spread, and today many of them were smiling and nodding, and some called me to come to them just to greet me. All were calling me “pastor”. If revival breaks out at Pick N’ Pay I’ll send word – and pictures.

Last, and certainly least, I had the opportunity to watch a good bit of cricket on TV when I was staying at Ruth’s house (she is a big fan). Before now I could never make the slightest sense of that game, and had no desire ever to do so. But now, I too am a fan, complete with my favorite players (both “bowlers” and “batsmen”). God moves in mysterious ways.

This Wednesday I will have been here for one month, and I feel that the Lord is moving very, very quickly indeed. The phone line was even installed a week ahead of schedule, so I am back on the Net (praise God!). It is tremendously exciting to be here, and I am literally filled with gratitude for the kindness and generosity of the Lord, working through my brothers and sisters at St. Luke Church.

God bless all of you!

Attached are pictures of the SLPC Mission in South Africa (think of the 23^rd Psalm when you look at them – it fits!).

Love,

Lary

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