This evening (12 August 2015) we board our plane at O.R Tambo airport and begin the 32 hour journey to Redding California where we will begin our third year at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry - an internship year with Steve and Wendy Backlund.
We have been in South Africa for 11 weeks spending time with friends and family as well as organising and renewing our student visa for our up and coming year. The time with family has been incredible. There have been many moments of laughter, heartfelt conversations, tears and encouragement. The girls were reunited with all their cousins and so from sun up to sunset the air has been filled with laughter, songs and imaginary games.
It has been so good to hear familiar accents and phrases. The taxis, the colours, the smells, all of this has felt comforting to us.
We began our time in South Africa with my sister and her beautiful family. We were welcomed at the arrival gate of the airport with hot Woolworths cappuccinos (thanks Mike). We received lots of hugs, gifts and wonderful South African food. The jet lag was short lived and we were in SA time within 4 days. From there we spent some quality time with my Dad and Mom in Pretoria before our trip down to Durban.
The Durban winter is like paradise; warm days and cool evenings. We spent 7 weeks with Pete's family who live in Hillcrest, our "hometown". We also got to catch up with my brother and sister-in-law and met up with loads of friends. It was such a joy seeing everyone again. There were many beach visits and good coffee, GREAT coffee (my love language). The goodbyes have been emotional and tough but the excitement in our heart is great.
Pete and I were able to share and minister into a few churches and home groups during our stay in Durban. During those moments we felt so alive! God confirmed and ignited something in our hearts - something we were born to do and that is to see people and churches awaken to the Kingdom and love of God. We feel so excited about the year ahead because we know that this year is going to be strategic and significant for us as a family.
Our last 2 weeks have been spent in Gauteng and today we begin the final packing and complete our last few admin details.
Last night we managed to secure an apartment in Redding. The one thing I have really desired is a small garden for the girls to play in. For the last two years we had a small gravel yard which allowed us to have some outside play, but I longed for some grass and a little tree...or something green :) Well, God gave us just that!! We found a place that is available and managed to send in an application and, with a lot of help from some special friends, we are able to sign the lease and move in on Friday. The only condition is that we have to pay 6 months worth of rent upfront - ouch! But let me share that side of our journey...
We wanted to follow on from my last blog, "The shoreline of faith", and share a bit of our financial testimony. At the end of May we arrived back in South Africa with little less than R2000 in our bank account. With our South African savings we were able to live in the USA for 18 months - that in itself is a huge miracle! A huge part of our third year adventure is completely trusting God to provide for us financially. Even though it's an internship, we are still 'students' and therefore travel on student visas which makes it illegal to work in the USA and so this is yet another self funded (or God-funded) year.
I can be honest and say that my faith has wavered and has sometimes felt like it has been a rickety hut stilted on sinking sand :) especially watching the exchange rate hit a 15 year low at R12.80 to $1!!! (lets laugh at that!)
BUT He is the One who believes in us and He fulfils His promise. We just had to do our part and go. As I sit here I can truly testify of Gods goodness and His faithfulness. He is who He says He is and He is GOOD! We already have been given 70% of what we need for the year!! And we believe that the last 30% will come through. We feel totally humbled and grateful to everyone that has sown into our year and we know that, as we reap, you will too. Its just how God works :)
A few weeks after we arrive back in Redding, Pete will be travelling with Steve to Canada for two weeks on a ministry trip where they will be visiting different churches in and around Vancouver Island and mainland Vancouver.
South Africa is an incredible nation, we have loved being back in our home country. We have so enjoyed eating the delicious food and soaking in the scenery but most of all connecting with friends and family who will forever have our hearts.
Redding, here come....again :)
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