More of October

I don't have long to update so I thought pictures would work ...

Derrick is teaching a lesson during the leader's training in Xicumbani.

Mark saw my friend Cassilda on the road. It is always good to get word that she is doing ok.

Mark broke down coming home from the leader's training (either it was the engine or the drive train -either way it was not driveable) Jospeh came to get Mark and tow him back to town and the clutch went out in the vehicle he was driving SO ... Gordon and Nathan drove out to tow them both back to town. Please pray for the missions vehicle fund - we have had MANY problems with the vehicles in the last few months. The costs are adding up.

Summer is here and Luke loves to swim anywhere he can.
This was on Saturday at the mission farm.

Thursday I was with Luke working on school and I looked out the window just in time to watch this peacock fly up on the roof of our neighbors house. Of course we took a quick break from school to check it out.

Jankie had some questions over being slain in the spirit and baptism of the holy spirit. So Mark sat down with him last week and took him to the Word for the truth.

Mark at the Piper to Pastors conference in Pretoria earlier in the month.

We had a conference this last week at CBC. Gary Gilley came from the USA to speak on
2 Timothy.

I love this time of year in Polokwane. Many streets are line with Jacaranda trees. They have to most beautiful purple flowers on them. I wish this picture REALLY showed you how beautiful they are.

A Little Bit of October

Here is a look at a typical day with school and studies.

Once a month the kids get to pick what they want for dinner. Luke decided on his night that he wanted to make homemade pizza. We had fun "creating" our own flavors.

Thought you might like to see our "Central Heat and Air"

The kids have had the opportunity to participate in sports at a local private school. Earlier in the year, Brit played soccer for the girls team as well as coaching a U9 boys team. Now Luke is a part of the swim team. He has had 2 Galas in the last few weeks. He seems to enjoy swimming and it keeps him cool during the hot afternoons here.

Mark headed into Mozambique for the October Leader's Training. This is a great time for Mark to spend with the leaders and continue to build relationships with them as well as spending time teaching God's Word and encouraging the local pastors. More pictures to follow.

We have been so blessed to know Meriam and Jankie, who are cousins.This past week we drove out to the township they live in to see Jankie's new house. He told us several months ago that he had applied for a government house and asked us to pray for him. A few months ago he excitedly came to tell us that he was approved for the house. Earlier this month they laid the foundation and on Monday they delivered the bricks. They should be finished with the house by the end of next week. He introduced us to the lady that helped get several government houses built in their community.

On the left you will see the one room house that Jankie has been living in and on the right you will see his new 4 room house. We are so excited for him and we praise God for the new shelter that He has provided for Jankie.

I want to share one of my favorite things about our house. Every morning we wake up to a beautiful sunrise that we can enjoy from our kitchen window. God amazes me every day with His creation.

Each night we can see the moon rise from our kitchen window. I especially love this time of the month with the full moon.

The Steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23

A little of this and that from September

Wow, September FLEW by for us. I have been thinking about updating the blog for weeks and just have not had the time or energy to do so. So today I thought I would just do a quick recap of the happenings with The Raley Family during September.

This was actually from our outreach with the PaulAnn Team (our sending church)in Tchale in July. Luke came to us during the outreach and told us that he wanted to give his testimony. He has never asked to do this before. We thought maybe he would do it during the children's minstry time but he wanted to do it during the evening service. So we asked to make sure it would be fine for a child to give their testimony during the night service and we got the ok. So he chose Wednesday night. He was excited and it took him a few days to decide which translator to ask to translate for him. He enjoys all of them but he had to decide which one to ask and he chose Derrick. As he was walking to the service he stubbed his toe on an old piece of wood sticking out of the ground. He got a huge splinter that went in and out of his toe. He was hurting pretty bad and I thought that he would not want to give his testimony since he was hurt and had been crying (isn't that just like the enemy). Luke told us he was still going to do it and limped over to the service. He did a great job. Thanks to Nikki we have it on video. (Still having trouble uploading the video. If it ever works it will be posted.)

We were able to attend family camp again this year with Christ Baptist Church. We enjoyed our time away at the base of the mountain outside Louis Trichardt. Our weekend consisted of: worship, 3 sermons (preached from John 19: 25-30 by guest speaker, Pastor Mike Rutter from Waterkloof Baptist Church in Pretoria),great food, fellowship, games and of course a talent show.







Mark, along with Nathan, Derrick and Member went to Xicumbane for the monthly leadership training. The training went well. It is so great to see and spend time with the leaders from the villages in Mozambique. This is a huge part of the work in the mission ... training the leaders to be able to take the gospel back to their villages. While there they also delivered the orphan food to the church leaders in Xicumbane, Ngala, and Matsilele.







Traveling to Mozambique is a long and difficult journey. It is especially hard on the mission's vehicles. This trip back resulted in a new tire due to a puncture on the side wall, a broken side shaft, and a broken windshield due to a brick falling off the truck passing them in the opposite direction and landing on the windshield. We praise the Lord the guys are ok.

Masango and Amosse arrived early for their session in seminary a few weeks ago so we were able to have them over for dinner. It was nice to visit with them for awhile. Luke and Mark taught them how to play pool. They had a great time.



Brit had the opportunity to play soccer for the Pepps School team after we returned from Mozambique. She enjoyed being able to play on a team. This past week she was asked to play in a "friendly" game with the Seminary students. She played with the 4th year students.





Luke is getting ready to swim again this year on the Pepps School team. He is excited because he will be able to compete this year. We are so thankful that the kids have an opportunity to still participate in sports. Pictures coming soon.