Pray For The Ankle!

So this post is... post-surgery.  Non the less, Bruce Nygaard (our Cape Town Navigator supervisor and good friend) just had ankle surgery.  It was a nasty bit of work.  they dug into his ankle bone and actually sawed off his heal to re-align it!  not a pretty picture.  Pray for his recovery and also for his family that he wouldn't drive them crazy as he is on bed rest for the next month!

STEM Swaziland!

Short Term Experience in Missions (STEM) Swaziland.

That is what I was preparing this group of 17 students for over the weekend in Johannesburg.  It's an exciting venture to see this group set out on a mission to advance the Gospel.  The major focus of the group will be ministering to and connecting with individuals and families HIV/AIDs  virus.  Everything from making meals and cleaning sheets to praying with and for family units will be taking place.

Sihle and Lwazi are the the two representatives from Durban going on the trip.  They are key guys with a great love for the Lord and individuals.  both are in my Saturday morning group and the Durban Nav Core Team.  

Along with our guys from The University of Kwazulu-Natal there are also students represented from Wits University(Johannesburg), VAAL Tech(the mining area near Johannesburg), University of Cape Town(Cape Town), University Western Cape(Cape Town), and a couple Zimbabwe students going to the University of Botswana.

Our weekend was spent looking into God's word for inspiration and direction for missions, building team unity, learning about Swazi Culture, receiving practicleministry training skills and getting first hand stories of past students experiences on a STEM.  The trip ends 2 July.  Pray for the team and for the advancement of the gospel.

A few words from Vuyo...

Late nights? Study groups? Dial 0800-PRAYER for help, because Ben Cannot help you!

As a former student myself I know there is nothing that brings a student closer to God than exams. Those dreadful weeks which drag out longer any student would like have descended on the UKZN students here in South Africa. Exam time is tough on every student but the Durban Navigators are lucky to have a group of friends to support them and pray with them through this time, even though it is not possible for the students to meet as often as they would like. I have faith all you guys will do great in your exams! Something to look forward to though is that once exams are over and students have returned from the holidays, you begin the 2^nd half of the year as a Durban Nav member. It’s a chance to do more, learn more and enjoy the gospel more!

All the best to all the Durban Navigators! See you soon!

Vuyo

Sihle's date pushed back

Sihle is still waiting.  Money promised to him to help with the visa application didn't come through so he was not able to make his appointment today.  I have helped him secure the R1,500 needed to get in the door at the USA Consulate and we are re-scheduling later in the week.  Keep praying!

Sihle To the USA?

Sihle was selected to attend The Navigators Global Student Program (GSP).  We met him 2 years ago, helped him find an authentic walk with Jesus early last year and watched as he has become an energetic and bold proclaimer of the Gospel.  Pray with us as his initial application for a visa to the USA was denied (the US Consulate decided he had no good reason to return to South Africa once GSP was finished).  He goes in for a second try tomorrow (Tues 9 June).  We've armed him with 3 new letters from the Navs and I am going with him.  Pray for success and then funds for his flight that will hopefully be in 3 weeks!

Thoughts on change.

double click this to magnify and read!

To clarify

To update you all on where we are at in our financial budgeting and such.  Some questions have come up as to where exactly we are at in our budget... or are we finished with it?

Two things to clear it up: 

1.  We are not going back to the USA in 2009 as we are no longer behind in last years budget.  But we are still not up to full budget for 2009-2010!

2. To get to full budget we need to raise $1,500 in monthly support!  This covers ministry expenses as well as raising our 25% reduced salary back up to it's original amount. 

So keep praying trusting God with us for the final monthly support.  I don't like to keep thinking or talking about finances so bear with me and the "financial blogs!"

A great passage from Psalms that Manfred(South African country director) sent me:  

Psalm 50:9-12

9. I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats form your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.  I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine.  If i were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.

We made it!

We took a trip to the beach on Sunday afternoon to celebrate what God has been doing in our lives and ministry here in Durban.  Great friends and partners of ours have enabled us to stay in South Africa this year and not return to the USA to work on our funding.  Thanks to everyone who so faithfully gives to this calling to advance the Kingdom in Africa!  Without all our monthly partners sharing this vision we could keep doing what we are called to do!  Thanks. Ngibonga.

Myles is doing his best Zulu dance in the cold winter waters of the Indian ocean to celebrate.

Two of my favorite things in South Africa

 A little slice of Ben's life.  Sumptuous coffee (here is a photo of a great cappuccino with some latte art: double rosetta with a swan) and the best chicken wings (Only Chicken Lickin hot wings will do).  The Gospel, great coffee and Chicken Lickin hot wings (soul food).  Add Kristy and Myles and life is complete.

Ben working hard to not go to the USA!!!

Most people in South Africa would not say that, especially if their family and so many friends live in America.  But with the school year only half done and so much to do here as well as the fact that we were just in the USA last year makes me really not excited to go.  The reason for the potential trip.... Nav headquarters wants us to be in a healthier financial spot.  I understand.  I want to be in a better financial spot!  But all our partners and friends out there have been rallying behind us and i will check back in on Tues with YOU reading and the Navs to see if we have done enough to stay in Africa. 

Feeling like helping??? click on the link to the right! Or click here:)

Or give the Navigator accounting people a call:(719) 594-2327 or (866) 568-7827 (toll-free).

IPL

Got to go to an IPL (Indian Premier League) Cricket game.  First cricket game, after 7 years in SA!  Friends we have built a relationship with over the last  7 years that we are godparents for their son got me a ticket in the presidents suite!  sat with the owner and watched guys I've never heard of hit wickets for 3 hours!

Trial

To post via phone will be interesting since my computer is being
monopolized!

photo blog of the Durban Navs

The Sat AM Guys

Every Sat. morning at around 8:30 (give or take with Durban/African time) a group of us Nav guys meet for Bible Study, prayer, fellowship, accountability, and of course coffee.  Here are 4 of us, from left to right: Lwazi, Huli, Sihle, Ben (missing is Tweedy).  We're digging into Acts, savoring good coffee and building some great relationships.

When the guys get married.

Have you ever seen the movie "My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding?"

It's got a great line in it: "We never think it gonna happen to her!" Well that's how we felt about Phil! Ok, maybe thats being just a bit over the top, but still, when Phil rocked up at our house on Friday night he dropped the surprise of the year by telling us he was married last week! Thus the cheesy photo of Phil and I doing the traditional SA "I got married" handshake.

Not your typical way of getting married in South Africa. Usually taking almost a year to go through labola negotiations and planning. But then again Phil was never a "typical" guy. Phil has been a part of our lives for nearly five years, and last year moved to Johannesburg to finish up his medical internship. So it came as a shock and surprise to find him married. The couple decided to avoid a big ceremony (only 15 people attended), and have a signing ceremony. This was done to avoid the long family imposed waiting period that brides and grooms usually have to go through. We are so happy for Phil and Vume. They have been dating on and off for several years. Kristy went to Vumi's uMumulo (coming of age ceremony) two years ago, so we have had the opportunity to get to know her a little bit. We're excited to see "our" students growing and making big life decisions and continuing to walk with God.