We arrived back home safe and sound, but tired. It is quite a journey, affording the opportunity to explore the outer limits of foot and ankle swelling, not to mention the stratoshperic pricing of simple things like coffee in Heathrow airport. British Air managed to fail to issue me new tickets when I changed to booking to one week later, which led to vastly more excitement in just getting on the plane in Kansas City than I every want to experience again. Then there was the small matter of losing one of the suitcases, again, just like a year ago. Good thing there was nothing expensive in this one, which did show up un-burguled. Oh well, next time we may try someone else than BA -- actually, almost ANYONE else!

 

It is VERY good to be back. The congregation is growing in numbers and spirit, and 'it just don't get much better than that'! We also returned to the usual nonsense with what is laughingly called 'the phone company' here in South Africa, so we're trying to reorganize our telecommunications and internet infrastructure into something that will actually work -- reliably. We will appreciate your prayers in this regard.

 

Since we are now in an internet cafe, there is no good way to attach pictures to this message. Hopefully by next week, at least toward the end thereof, we should have something WONDERFUL (now, remember to pray!) at home. We took so many pictures during the America adventure that it may be some time before you see anything of South Africa. Unless, of course, at lot of great pictures from here somehow show up on our camera, and then there will have to be a time-sharing arrangement.

 

We must close by saying how very blessed we both were by our time there, especially the opportunity to see so many of you. Louise was THRILLED to get to know you and discover what a wonderful bunch of friends and family I -- and now, of course, WE -- have in America. We especially thank the St. Luke family for the wonderful reception you all organized for us.

 

May all of you be blessed exceedingly, abundantly beyond all you can ask or imagine!

 

Love from Africa,

Lary and Louise