On November 11th, 2022, our family arrived in Durban South Africa after a much-needed furlough. We are so thankful for the Matney family for helping us get a house and car rented and get phone and internet setup before we arrived in the country. We are also thankful for our home church. They surprised us by having our refrigerator stocked and a trampoline set up outside for the children. This was a great blessing to be able to come right into our new home and begin to adjust. We had a beautiful Christmas service, and we were even able to help give food and gifts to some families that live around the church.
In November, our visa applications were submitted. We are very thankful for the churches that helped us with this cost as it was much higher than we were originally told. Please pray that our visas are approved quickly. Due to covid backlogs the process has been taking a very long time but we have been assured that this is improving and should not be as long for us.
The children are adjusting well and beginning to make friends. Tanzania still has a big place in our hearts and we are thankful for the technology to continue to keep in contact with our church family in Msaranga. They are continuing well, and it is good to hear that Edward is continuing to be a great blessing to Pastor Yohana. Ednesta tells Kelli how much she looks forward to going to church each week as the church has become a close family that loves to be together. This is very encouraging to hear, and I ask that you continue to pray for them as they grow in the knowledge and love for God as well as in number.
Over the last couple of weeks, we have met with John and Chrystal Matney to plan the events for this coming year. We are excited to soon be part of men’s and women’s Bible studies, mid-week Bible studies and a weekly teen Bible study. Kelli and I are looking forward to using songs, games and scripture all focusing on teaching the attributes of God to the youth each week. Many of these children and teens come from broken homes that have been greatly affected by substance abuse. It is our prayer that as we build these teens and teach them to know and trust God, we might be able to begin meeting with some of their parents to teach them the same.
