Dear Praying Friends,
Thank you for all your prayers on our behalf, especially since we had a theft of four laptops at our Knysna Hope facility. God has provided wonderfully, and we’ve had some financial donations put toward replacing computers and installing more comprehensive security measures. We have a couple people donating laptops as well, with the net result that we may end up with one more laptop than when we began! It’s truly amazing to see what happens when God’s people pray!!
Our lives here seem to be moving along at breakneck speed. Ashley is nearing the end of her first year of online college classes through Lancaster Bible College and will be heading back to the States in just four months to continue and eventually finish her studies at LBC. Alyssa’s well into her 10th grade year, doing very well in school, and loving life to the fullest. George David is nearing the halfway mark of his bachelor’s degree at Nelson Mandela University. It’s an up-and-down journey for him, but he seems to be understanding the system here a bit better, and his marks are improving. Amy just had a minor medical procedure done and was in hospital for a couple days. All is well, but her recovery will take a few weeks at least. And finally, I (George) find myself occasionally wishing time would slow down! Not because I’m too busy – the pace of life is full but very manageable. It has more to do with just wanting to enjoy each moment and appreciate what God has allowed us to experience as a family together. Please pray for each of us in our specific situations, that we would bring glory to God in all we do.
Some months back, we shared how God was moving much faster than we were when it came to our church planting work in Belvidere with the Hunter family. It’s been amazing to see how God has brought our group together, and we’re so thankful His ways are higher than ours. For this month, we have another instance of God moving faster than us – this time with the Biblical Leadership Institute (BLI). Our vision has always been for the advancement of theological education along the Garden Route, and we believe BLI is a good beginning toward realizing that vision. BLI fills a need here, in a place where few ministry schools can reach for various reasons. We look forward to seeing what God will continue to do through BLI, and our focus remains squarely on our Garden Route locations.
However, with the strategic partnerships we’ve formed, and with the work we’ve put into making BLI comply with South African standards for higher education, it seems other ministries around the country have taken notice. Some have inquired about partnering with BLI, using our material, and making use of the work we’ve already done. This is a very exciting and unanticipated step for us! In one sense, it doesn’t really affect BLI in its day-to-day ministry. Those desiring to partner with us will simply come alongside of what we’re doing and mirror BLI in their own locations. Yet in another sense, we will have opportunities to assist, influence, and reach many more people than we ever could by partnering with ministries throughout the country. Please pray for us as we carefully explore these new opportunities. We need wisdom and discernment, as always, to not just purse what is good, but to pursue what is best.
Thank you all again for all your prayers, support, and encouragement. You bless us in so many ways, and we are forever in your debt!
In Christ,
George, Amy, George David, Ashley, and Alyssa