Our time with Mark's Dad and Uncle

Mark's dad and uncle came for a visit and they wanted to make sure that they could go into Mozambique with us and see what we do with the mission.  They arrived on May 13th and left on June 5th.  They had a week with us here in Polokwane and they were a huge help in all the last minute preparations for our first outreach.  Along with preparing to go into Mozambique we managed to find time to have a little fun around town as well. Kelsey, one of our short-termers arrived at the same time.  We enjoyed having a house full! 

Luke and Pappy

Brit and Pappy

Pappy, Uncle Jim and Brit playing cards

Bob playing with the lion cubs at The Ranch

Jim and Bob playing with the lion cubs

We had a great time at The Ranch

This is a very playful lion.

shopping for 2 teams

making sure the new tent works before we go to Mozambique

and it works -  we put up 4 tents that day in the backyard

Bob and Jim had the job to check air mattresses for holes

after a day of packing - yes all of this goes with us to Mozambique

Luke and Jim are packing the milk

Loading the truck - Brit and Kelsey did a great job packing the truck, with the help of William

We got the tarp on just before the rain came!

Pappy and Luke played a game together the night before going into Mozambique

Nothing like changing a tire on a fully loaded 7 ton truck!

putting up the kitchen tent

Jim helping with the kitchen tent.

They did A LOT of dishes in camp!

They were busy fixing the shower doors.

Hanging out by the showers.

Jim is helping Brit fill the 1,000 liter water tank. 

Down at the Limpopo River

Bob is playing with the kids after the soccer game.

The kids wanted to help them carry their chairs back to camp.

They enjoyed the nightly services.

Wood for the bread hole... very important!

They went with Mark to Xicumbane.

helping to push the bus on the 7-ton truck

Standing in front of a boabab tree. 

Brit and Uncle Jim

Luke and Uncle Jim

Bob, Mark and Jim

We are so thankful that they came to spend time with us on outreach in Mozambique.  We enjoyed our 3 weeks with them!  

Back in South Africa for 12 days

Just a quick word to let you know that we returned from Mozambique on Thursday and we will be here for 12 days preparing for the next team that we will be with.  We have been busy washing clothes, bedding, towels etc. and in a few days time we will be doing the shopping for the next team we will be with.  There is a team that arrived today from West Frankfurt and they will be heading into Moz on Monday.  Joseph and Gordon will lead this team.  We are also excited to say that with this team Doug and Debbie Crawford arrived and they are now joining Samaria Mission full time. 

We will be updating the blog with LOTS of photos (that is if the Internet will work right) and reporting about what the Lord did on the last two outreaches we were apart of.  We will also fill you in on the time with had with Mark's dad and uncle.  So just check back over the next few days for pictures.  Thank you for your continued prayers, support and encouragement. 

Here are a few prayer requests ...
- that we would be able to get a little rest during these 12 days home
- for our health as well as the rest of the mission staff - it is winter here and it is cold!  Lots of people around town have been sick.  One of our missionaries had the flu last week and we are praying for protection from illnesses for our family and the rest of the mission staff
- that we will be able to accomplish all that needs to be done for the next team
-for the West Frankfurt team as they head to Mozambique on Monday - pray that the hearts of the people will be open to the TRUTH
for Mark as he is studying for a Greek exam in the middle of all the mission responsibilities
 

way too long since the last update

Things have been BUSY here (as usual) I am not sure where time goes.  Not much time to update so I thought I would just post pictures of our last few day.  Here is the update on our Visas and we wanted to thank you for praying and ask that you continue to pray for us as we are in the beginning of our busiest time of the year.  As of today, we still do not have our new Visas.  Mark called the home affairs in Pretoria and asked about the status of them.  He asked about expediting them and they told him he had to contact the home affairs office here in Polokwane where we had to submit the applications in the beginning.  They were not really able to help us with expediting them.  Mark explained to them that we need to go to Moz this Friday and that we would be in and out of the country.  They told him that since our Visas are still valid until May 30th and since we will leave BEFORE they expire that we would be entitled to the 90 day permit that they give to people when they arrive to South Africa.  So with all that said, PRAISE THE LORD!  We are all heading into Mozambique!  Thank you for praying for us and please continue to pray for us.  Mark's dad and uncle are here with us as well as a college age girl, Kelsey, that will serve the whole summer with the mission.  We have ALL been VERY busy with all the last minute preparations (and so has the rest of the mission staff) - needless to say we all tired - long days and short nights.  We joke and say once we are on the road and get to Moz then we can rest!  Please pray for everyone's health as well.  It is the beginning of winter here.  We are all fine (Kelsey seems to have a cold or allergies) but everyone else is fine.  We can't wait to update  you all with all the Lord does on each of the outreaches this year. 

 

No on to the pictures ...

Well after over 2 hours trying to get the pictures to load they would NOT! So I will try again when we return.