Out of the mouth of babes...

One night at supper last week I asked Kaitlyn what she had done that day.
Kaitlyn: Me and Thabiso played van!
Daddy: Oh. Did you drive somewhere?
Kaitlyn: Yes. On the way the van got an oil leak.
Daddy: Oh no. What did you do?
Kaitlyn: Thabiso got out and opened up the "oil leaker" and threw some more oil in!

I wish all mechanical problems were so easily solved!

It was another busy week for us. We held a tent meeting at Ha Setho on the other side of the mountain from where we live. Because of the Systematic Theology class I'm taking, I only went two nights, but God really helped in the services. It was clear that the Holy Spirit was talking to people and convicting them of their sins. I think several got saved, but we'll see for sure how serious they are after the excitement of the tent is over. One young man from there came to church here at Matukeng this morning. I think Nt. Liau (who lives close to Ha Setho) will probably begin holding services in this village when he's not at work in Thaba Tseka. (He works two weeks on, two weeks off.)

Philip and Amrie Geise just got back from deputation in America Friday night. There was a little welcome home get-together for them Friday night and Saturday at Uncle Johan and Aunt Hessie's farm. Steph spent Friday night there, but I had to go to the Bible School, so I went Saturday morning. It's really nice to have them back!Kristell really enjoys eating solids. Sweet potatoes, carrots, rice cereal and pears are great, but butternut squash didn't go down so well!

The Bad and the Good

Hi everyone,

It's been a busy, interesting couple weeks since we last wrote. Dentist, pediatrician, Valentine's day, a trip to Pretoria, homemade peach jam, Kristell with a fever, a broken timing belt, and hours of studying for a systematic theology class. In spite of a few bad things, God has been so good to us!

Two weeks ago Kristell saw the pediatrician. He is very happy with her progress. She's right on target with the development for her corrected age. (She was born two months early, so the doctor subtracts those two months from her actual age.) We thank the Lord for the miracles that He worked to spare us tragedy and many problems. The same day, the dentist looked at a lump on Steph's cheek just in front of her ear that he said needs checked out. We've seen our doctor about it since, and he referred us to yet another doctor in Bloem. We have to go there tomorrow (Monday). It is most likely nothing serious, but we'd appreciate your prayers as we walk through the unknown. The lump has shrunk considerably this week, so we are trusting that God is healing whatever it is.

Last week on Monday Ntate Kali and I made a long trip to Pretoria, South Africa (about 700 miles round trip) to exchange a tent there, get tracts, and look for parts for a motorcycle that someone gave him. We left at 3 in the morning and didn't get back until nearly 10 at night. It was a tiring day. Fortunately Ntate Kali is a good, safe driver, so I didn't have to do all the driving.

The following night as we came back from Ladybrand, our little Volkswagen Golf broke a timing belt. We saw God's hand of providence in that it happened when we were almost home. It could have happened the day before in the dangerous inner city of Johannesburg. God is so merciful! I took the head off and found that the damage is much less than it could have been. Two valves are bent, and there may be one rod that's bent. I'll have a machine shop check it for sure. Please help us pray for wisdom to fix it and that God will provide the right parts! This car is a "gray market" import, so sometimes parts are hard to find. Fortunately "gray market" used engines are also available fairly reasonable, so that is another option that I'm considering.

Steph canned 15 bottles of peach jam Wednesday last week. That was a long day's work between taking care of the children and canning. It's been a good year for peaches here. Our neighbor, who has been very strongly against us and the church here in the past, just invited us to come pick peaches from his tree. Some of the reason is the bumper crop, but God is also at work in his heart. Pray for his salvation! He has really changed a lot over the last six months.

Kristell is starting to sit without being propped up. She still is really wobbly, but you can tell she's pleased with herself.

Kristell is 6 months old!

Kristell turned six months on the 27th of January. Just yesterday I looked at how big she was and couldn't believe that when she was born I could comfortably hold her in one arm. God has been so good to us!

She likes to swing outside especially if the other children are playing where she can see them.

By comparison, Kaitlyn (above) was sitting up shakily by the time she was six months and was quite a bit bigger. But their faces do look similar.

Last week while I was studying in my study, Kaitlyn came with her tea set and tea tray to ask if I would care for a cup of tea. She's definitely picked up on that part of the South African culture.

Today Kristell fell asleep on my lap. She really likes her dummy/pacifier, but if it's not available, then a thumb will do.

From the ministry angle of our lives, we've been keeping busy. I taught the last lecture of the hermeneutics class that I've been teaching at the Bible School on Friday and next week they will take the final exam. I always feel like there is so much I didn't cover in a class like this and wish there were a few more weeks for more lectures. That's not an option, though. Time marches on!

Today there was a new lady in church who got saved a couple weeks ago. Her younger sister got saved through Stephanie's children's services several years ago. I didn't get to talk to them much, but I think the older sister came to the Lord as a result of the witness of her younger sister. It's encouraging to see how God is working in the lives of people here.

Tomorrow I'm going to a workshop in Maseru on helping people to start income-generating projects. One of the biggest challenges with helping orphans is how to help them become independent, help themselves, and not always be looking for handouts from others. I am hoping that I can find some answers and ideas through this workshop which is sponsored by African Inland Mission.

Tuesday we have dentist appointments in Bloemfontein and Kristell has her 6-month check-up with her pediatrician. I'm sure it will be a super busy day.

Thanks so much for your love, prayers, and e-mails!