We had our 1st doctor's visit today for baby #3. We didn't really know what to expect but was very suprised. The doctor is great and very knowledgeable. Erin is 10 weeks along and he said the baby is very healthy. He performed an ultrasound and we got to see and hear the baby's heartbeat as well as see it moving it's arms around. The doctor was very suprised to see the arms moving like they were because generally they are sleeping most of the time at this point. Fortunately, Kaleb and Blake are both wrong as the doctor verified it is a baby and not a puppy and that there is only 1!!
They recorded the ultrasound on a DVD that they let you take and then bring back each time to record the next one. It will be fun to watch the baby grow and develop on the DVD. We go back again in 3 weeks for the next appointment. Your prayers throughout the pregnancy and delivery are much appreciated.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
The Hand of God
This past Monday we set out for Kruger National Park with Mom and Dad. It takes around 6 hours to drive there. Everything was going great and we were about 4 kilometers away from entering the park when things turned for the worse.
We were driving through a small village and noticed that something strange was going on. The entire village was out beside the road and glass and debris were everywhere. At first we thought that maybe a wreck had just happened. We soon found out that was not the case. The further we drove the worse it got. They had ripped up the curbs on the side of the road and threw them all over the road to try and block the path. We were able to find a path to get through, but then came to a road block of burning trees and tires.
A group of people were motioning for us to come towards them to go down a side road to avoid the road block. I made the mistake of going towards them. In a matter of seconds a large group surrounded our vehicle and began shouting and hitting the vehicle and one guy jumped on the hood. They started punching the windows trying to break them and rocks are hitting the vehicle on all sides. I floored it to try and get away in hopes of getting the guy off the hood. We thankfully made it through only to find a much worse road block about 1 kilometer away. There was no way at all that we could get through this one. We were all very scared and not sure what to do because we certainly did not want to go back through the mob we just encountered, but knew that was the only way out. We stopped the car and decided to pray and ask God to deliver us from this situation.
After driving just a few meters God placed a police car right in front of us! I quickly drove over to him and asked what was going on in the village. He said it was a riot over services they felt they should be getting. We described what had just happened to us and asked if he could help us out. He graciously agreed to escort us back out of the village. We found out that 2 people died in the riot a few hours after we had left. It was a frightening situation but incredible to see the hand of God deliver us from it. We want to thank everyone for their continued prayer support, as we feel it daily.
We were driving through a small village and noticed that something strange was going on. The entire village was out beside the road and glass and debris were everywhere. At first we thought that maybe a wreck had just happened. We soon found out that was not the case. The further we drove the worse it got. They had ripped up the curbs on the side of the road and threw them all over the road to try and block the path. We were able to find a path to get through, but then came to a road block of burning trees and tires.
A group of people were motioning for us to come towards them to go down a side road to avoid the road block. I made the mistake of going towards them. In a matter of seconds a large group surrounded our vehicle and began shouting and hitting the vehicle and one guy jumped on the hood. They started punching the windows trying to break them and rocks are hitting the vehicle on all sides. I floored it to try and get away in hopes of getting the guy off the hood. We thankfully made it through only to find a much worse road block about 1 kilometer away. There was no way at all that we could get through this one. We were all very scared and not sure what to do because we certainly did not want to go back through the mob we just encountered, but knew that was the only way out. We stopped the car and decided to pray and ask God to deliver us from this situation.
After driving just a few meters God placed a police car right in front of us! I quickly drove over to him and asked what was going on in the village. He said it was a riot over services they felt they should be getting. We described what had just happened to us and asked if he could help us out. He graciously agreed to escort us back out of the village. We found out that 2 people died in the riot a few hours after we had left. It was a frightening situation but incredible to see the hand of God deliver us from it. We want to thank everyone for their continued prayer support, as we feel it daily.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Big News!
We just found out that the Lord has blessed us with a 3rd child! Erin is due sometime in mid-late September. Please pray that she will have a smooth pregnancy and safe delivery. Blake thinks Mommy is going to have a puppy and Kaleb thinks Mommy is going to have boy and a girl! We hope they are both wrong. :-) She is about 8 weeks along now and we think they typically found out the gender here around 16 weeks.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Nana and Papa in Africa!
Kody's parents, affectionately referred to as Nana and Papa, arrived to Johannesburg, South Africa, last night! While the boys were a little timid around them at first, they have more than made up for that now!
We have a full schedule planned, starting with Soup Kitchen and Youth Group today. The Lion & Rhino Park and Kruger Game Park are on the list of fun activities!
We'll post pictures soon!
We have a full schedule planned, starting with Soup Kitchen and Youth Group today. The Lion & Rhino Park and Kruger Game Park are on the list of fun activities!
We'll post pictures soon!
Friday, January 6, 2012
Update
We have gotten behind in keeping our blog updated like we had hoped. Ministries have begun to pick up again now that the holiday is nearing an end. It won't be in full swing again until the middle of January.
Today we started back at the Soup Kitchen. I got there and I could tell the Pastor was surprised to see me. He asked if we were having the Soup Kitchen today. I said yes and he informed me that everyone forgot so there was no food. I said that is fine and I'll just make some juice for the men.
Normally the men start coming around 12:15 but today no one was there at this time. I went out to the street corner near the church and found a man sleeping on the ground. I invited him to come to the Bible study and he said he would like that.
He was the only one that came but it was incredible to see God work. I gave him a Zulu Bible and showed him the passage I was going to be talking about and he immediately read it! When he was finished he said, "I understand what this is saying." I asked him if it was ok for me to explain the passage and he said he would really like that. Then he asked if I could tell him in Afrikaans instead of English. Oh, how I wish I knew Afrikaans and Zulu! He said he could understand English but understands Afrikaans better.
I began in John 3:16 and he was listening very attentively and repeating what I was saying so I knew he understood. We talked for a long while and at the end he said he wanted ask Jesus to be his Lord and Savior! It was indescribable to hear him pray to ask Jesus into his heart in Zulu. I have no idea what he said but I know God does and I could see the change in that man's life.
Please pray for Thomas as he begins his new walk with the Lord.
Deuteronomy 32:3-4
3 “For I proclaim the name of the LORD;
Ascribe greatness to our God!
4 “The Rock! His work is perfect,
For all His ways are just;
A God of faithfulness and without injustice,
Righteous and upright is He.
Today we started back at the Soup Kitchen. I got there and I could tell the Pastor was surprised to see me. He asked if we were having the Soup Kitchen today. I said yes and he informed me that everyone forgot so there was no food. I said that is fine and I'll just make some juice for the men.
Normally the men start coming around 12:15 but today no one was there at this time. I went out to the street corner near the church and found a man sleeping on the ground. I invited him to come to the Bible study and he said he would like that.
He was the only one that came but it was incredible to see God work. I gave him a Zulu Bible and showed him the passage I was going to be talking about and he immediately read it! When he was finished he said, "I understand what this is saying." I asked him if it was ok for me to explain the passage and he said he would really like that. Then he asked if I could tell him in Afrikaans instead of English. Oh, how I wish I knew Afrikaans and Zulu! He said he could understand English but understands Afrikaans better.
I began in John 3:16 and he was listening very attentively and repeating what I was saying so I knew he understood. We talked for a long while and at the end he said he wanted ask Jesus to be his Lord and Savior! It was indescribable to hear him pray to ask Jesus into his heart in Zulu. I have no idea what he said but I know God does and I could see the change in that man's life.
Please pray for Thomas as he begins his new walk with the Lord.
Deuteronomy 32:3-4
3 “For I proclaim the name of the LORD;
Ascribe greatness to our God!
4 “The Rock! His work is perfect,
For all His ways are just;
A God of faithfulness and without injustice,
Righteous and upright is He.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Praises
We had a great day at the Soup Kitchen. Last week I had challenged them all to memorize John 3:30 and John 4:14 and to tell it to me this week. The man I had the privilege of leading to the Lord last week was able to say both verses today! Not only that but he then told everyone what the Bible study was about last week in great detail. It's incredibel to see the change in his life.
After the Soup Kitchen I took a man home that lives in a township that I would like to see a new church planted. It's awesome to see how God works because he approached me about wanting to start a Bible study there before I ever mentioned anything to him! We drove around the area trying to agree on a place to meet. We finally found find an area with a large tree that provides good shade. There was a group of men already under the tree so I suggested we go talk with them. They loved the idea of starting a Bible study there and want to meet next Wednesday at 4! Please pray that God's will be done and many will come to accept Jesus as their Savior.
After the Soup Kitchen I took a man home that lives in a township that I would like to see a new church planted. It's awesome to see how God works because he approached me about wanting to start a Bible study there before I ever mentioned anything to him! We drove around the area trying to agree on a place to meet. We finally found find an area with a large tree that provides good shade. There was a group of men already under the tree so I suggested we go talk with them. They loved the idea of starting a Bible study there and want to meet next Wednesday at 4! Please pray that God's will be done and many will come to accept Jesus as their Savior.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Heaven is Rejoicing!
What an incredible day. We arrive at church and I see a man that has been coming to the Soup Kitchen sitting outside the church. I went up and started talking with him and he told me he accepted Jesus as his Savior last Sunday! He said, "I was looking for you last Sunday but you were not here so I talked with someone else." I rejoiced with him and assured him that was the best decision he will ever make and then told him that we were out of town the last week.
I sat by him during church and learned more of his story. He is married and has 4 kids, but they are all living with his wife's mother in another village because he does not have a job or money to buy food for them. I asked him how long it took for him to walk to church and he said 1 1/2 hours. I immediately told him we would gladly take him home after church.
When church was over I went to the market (tuck shop) to get some groceries for him and his family. We drove to the village where his wife and kids are staying and it was quite the cultural experience! He described how his wife was very negative towards him before he accepted Jesus because there is no food. Since he accepted Jesus she has been positive towards him. He asked me, "Do you have a word of encouragement to give my wife?" I told him that I was praying that the Lord would give me something to say that would encourage her.
As we approached the one-room house he said we must wait in the car. I was expecting him to get out or something but he just stayed in the car. He saw one of his kids and called them over to the car. Something was said in Zulu, but I'm not sure what it was. He then called another one of his kids over and said something to him. A lady then came out of the house and I asked if she was his wife. He said no but she will come out soon. She finally came out and as she approached the car, he said under his breath to me, "ask her if you can come inside." I told her I had some groceries for her and her family and would like to bring them inside. She agreed and said to come inside.
As I set the groceries down the man asked me where my Bible was. During the confusion in the car and carrying the groceries I had forgotten it in the car. I went and got it real fast and then came back and sat down. It was a bit awkward as his 6 year-old daughter was taking a bath in the middle of the room in a large rubbermaid-type container........
I explained to her that her husband is a new person because he now has Jesus in his life. I asked her if anyone had ever told her about Jesus. She gave an answer of 'not really.' I then asked if it would be ok if I shared with her about Jesus. She said that it would be ok. I opened the Bible to John 3:16 and spoke with her about this passage for about 15 minutes. I could tell that the Holy Spirit was working on her and asked if she saw herself as a sinner and would like to accept Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior. There was another lady in the room that I was not introduced to but I could tell she was listening very intently. I shared with them a little more and then they both prayed to accept Jesus! It was incredible to see the huge smiles that came on their faces.
As I left I assured her that her husband desperately wants her and the kids to come back home and be together again as a family. I told her that we would be praying for God to provide him with a job so they could have food. Please join us in praying for this young family and that God would provide for them in a mighty way.
As we were taking him back to his village he patted his knees and sighed great big. He then looked up and said, "God is so good! I have such peace in my life now and can actually go to sleep tonight." This man is very interested in beginning a Bible study in his home. I can't wait to see how the Lord is going to use him because he lives in a village that we have been praying for a new church to start there.
I sat by him during church and learned more of his story. He is married and has 4 kids, but they are all living with his wife's mother in another village because he does not have a job or money to buy food for them. I asked him how long it took for him to walk to church and he said 1 1/2 hours. I immediately told him we would gladly take him home after church.
When church was over I went to the market (tuck shop) to get some groceries for him and his family. We drove to the village where his wife and kids are staying and it was quite the cultural experience! He described how his wife was very negative towards him before he accepted Jesus because there is no food. Since he accepted Jesus she has been positive towards him. He asked me, "Do you have a word of encouragement to give my wife?" I told him that I was praying that the Lord would give me something to say that would encourage her.
As we approached the one-room house he said we must wait in the car. I was expecting him to get out or something but he just stayed in the car. He saw one of his kids and called them over to the car. Something was said in Zulu, but I'm not sure what it was. He then called another one of his kids over and said something to him. A lady then came out of the house and I asked if she was his wife. He said no but she will come out soon. She finally came out and as she approached the car, he said under his breath to me, "ask her if you can come inside." I told her I had some groceries for her and her family and would like to bring them inside. She agreed and said to come inside.
As I set the groceries down the man asked me where my Bible was. During the confusion in the car and carrying the groceries I had forgotten it in the car. I went and got it real fast and then came back and sat down. It was a bit awkward as his 6 year-old daughter was taking a bath in the middle of the room in a large rubbermaid-type container........
I explained to her that her husband is a new person because he now has Jesus in his life. I asked her if anyone had ever told her about Jesus. She gave an answer of 'not really.' I then asked if it would be ok if I shared with her about Jesus. She said that it would be ok. I opened the Bible to John 3:16 and spoke with her about this passage for about 15 minutes. I could tell that the Holy Spirit was working on her and asked if she saw herself as a sinner and would like to accept Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior. There was another lady in the room that I was not introduced to but I could tell she was listening very intently. I shared with them a little more and then they both prayed to accept Jesus! It was incredible to see the huge smiles that came on their faces.
As I left I assured her that her husband desperately wants her and the kids to come back home and be together again as a family. I told her that we would be praying for God to provide him with a job so they could have food. Please join us in praying for this young family and that God would provide for them in a mighty way.
As we were taking him back to his village he patted his knees and sighed great big. He then looked up and said, "God is so good! I have such peace in my life now and can actually go to sleep tonight." This man is very interested in beginning a Bible study in his home. I can't wait to see how the Lord is going to use him because he lives in a village that we have been praying for a new church to start there.
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