Hi Friends
It’s been a while since last I wrote. Cant believe we are ZAR for 2 months already, which means only 10 left!!!
This past 2 months has been an emotional roller coaster for us. Reason? Just because we now know what it feels like to be “normal” South African citizens. We went through all the trials of house finding, setting it up, finding a vehicle, sorting out schools, looking where the closest mall is, getting food-cupboards filled, surviving the heart attacks of food and petrol prizes etc etc.
Can you understand why I sometimes at night long back to my jungle house and friends.
Living in Joburg can also be lonely, its not PNG where you and your neighbor are best friends and free bananas are delivered to your door regurarly!!!
Our only visitors this week were 4 Beggars, jobless people, so sad.
Ok, so before you totally feel sorry for us, we are doing good. Not every thing works out exactly the way you want, but we can testify how God was/is great, every step of the way…
We met incredible people. People that God sent our way, just when we need them…
Our house in Jozi
In our second week here, we met a very special family, who had a whole furnished house in Rustenburg. Since there were renters going into the house, they had to pack up their furniture. She then suggested they “store” their stuff in our house! Of course we weresooo glad to help… And then there was Oom Gert, a Farmer from Brits, who gave his big truck, and one Monday morning in late April, my furniture was delivered!!!!
So between them and our Potch friends, we have a very comfy house!!!
Now we are renting a 3 bed house in Linden, Johannesburg. It is only 2.5 km away from Madeleen’s school! And i am surrounded by Spars and Pick a Pays… Its an established, older, neighborhood. There is a library and coffee shop at our street corner, so I am a happy women!
Oh, and on our premises is a big tree. My kids spent lots of time in there, making sure not to loose their jungle skills…
Madeleen
Leen is loving her new school. Many times when I drop her, I just thank God for his leading in this! We basically found this school over the internet while still in PNG! The first day we visited there, looking at the teachers and student, i just knew this is the school for my girl. I was overwhelmed, I got so teary eyed, that I got a big HUG from the principal!!!
This past week Madeleen was Star-student of the week! We are so proud of her! She loves her friends and are taking the whole school thing very seriously!
Even though me and Madeleen were working on lower Grade things, they decided to move her up a few Grades, and this is doing her self esteem very good.
Liam
Liam found out the kombi driving past our house, playing loud music, is selling ice cream…
He attends a preschool/ playgroup 3 times a week in the morning. This is only two houses down our street, and we are thankful he can have some friends. He especially enjoys his soccer practice…the soccer thing is quite rough, he is on his fourth soccer ball in 2 months…
Naomi and Marlou
They are also enjoying SA. Unfortunately it didn’t work out for them to go to a school as well. They were dissapointed.
We are still trying to get on our feet with the new homeschool curriculum. Its taking lots of my time, since I have to act as teacher, giving lessons. There is big differences between the SA and US schoolwork we are used to. This is my least enjoyable part of furlough.
We got them enrolled at a Christian school for sport, so 3 times a week the play netball! All new to them but the definitely enjoy this.
The parents
The mom anddad are slowly starting to breathe again. We found a group of wonderful believers that we can be part of this year. That it one of our main aims for the year, to be fed spiritually. We are thankful for a family of believers, encouraging us and accepting this jungle citizens as their friends.
We continue giving feedback at whoever invites us, we have a very busy June ahead! This is why we are…Lots of reasons actually, but also to give feedback on our work and to strengthen our support network! Thanks for inviting us and hearing how God is at work in the lives off the Mengen believers.
Abig thank you
We are extremely grateful for our financial supporters.
Also for you standing behind us in prayer!
But here in South Africa we have specific financial deadlines, school, house rent, etc. So we are so grateful for your faithful support. Also a big thanks for all the anonymous gifts. It’s nice to be able to support this ice cream kombi sometimes!!!!
Thanks for granting us this time in SA…and everything that goes with this!!!
In the bush
Our co- workers, Dave, Judy, becky and Keri are still ploughing forth faithfully back in the bush. Dave sends us weekly updates and every thing is going really well. We miss being personally involved in the believers’ lives, but thankful for a faithful God and our co- workers,!
Our plan is to return to PNG next year March/ April.
We will try and enjoy the ice cold winter ahead of us… Our first winter in 7 years!!!!
How are all of you doing?
Let us run the race before us
Marie, for all the spaghettis, who are all turning into raviolis!!!!
( Go and check out what is ravioli, and you will laugh…)