Baby Its Cold Outside

We made it safely to New England where we find ourselves longing for the 90 degree weather in South Africa. We had forgotten how bitter the winters in NE can be. It was certainly a shock to have such an extreme weather change overnight. 

Us:
Upon our arrival, we were greeted by family and housed by them for a few days in Maine. Last weekend we headed south to Massachusetts, the place we now call home. We are temporarily staying at dad’s house while he is in rehab. He has a tiny home with a small single bed in the bedroom. Our suitcases take up the remaining space in the bedroom, so we have an inflatable mattress we put in the living room floor, which despite its lack of furniture, also has little space. Since the apartment is government housing for seniors, we technically are only allowed to visit for a few weeks. We are therefore searching for a place to live nearby. There are some apartments, but most of the landlords require their tenants have jobs. Go figure. The job market seems to be closed for the season so that is a slow process. The car hunt continues as well. Craiglist has become a good friend, but with limited internet, we spend little time together. It seems like everything is slow going or on hold for the holidays at this point. So we are trying to make the most of the time we have to spend with mom & dad and each other. Although we feel a little discouraged about our progress this far, we know things will work out soon. 

Mom & Dad: 
On our way from Maine last weekend, we received a call from the hospital that dad had suffered a heart attack. With anxiety we made the three hour drive quickly and found him recovering well in the hospital. He fortunately was doing well and was in high spirits. The attack delayed the amputation surgery, so he had to endure a few more days of pain in his leg. Nevertheless, he went under the knife on Wednesday to remove his right leg. He is now back in the nursing home with mom (the home doubles as a rehabilitation and physical therapy center) where he will work to regain his strength. He is in uncomfortable pain from the amputation while the doctors are working to find the right medication to ease the suffering. It will probably still be at least another month before he will be able to come home. We are hoping at that point a handicap apartment at the government housing will become available. 
Mom seems to be doing better since our visit in September. She is more vocal and has a stronger grip. She is happy to have us visit and seems very comfortable in the nursing home. Although bound to the wheelchair, she loves going for walks/rides up and down the halls of the home. 

We are pressing on in faith. We know God will provide. We cannot express our gratitude for each of you. Your prayers and support are so encouraging to us and we deeply thank you. 

God bless, 
Mike & Jeanine 

 Arriving at Logan Airport

 

Hanging with mom & dad at the hospital

Winchendon, MA  (aka Toy Town)

Jeanine with the Winchendon town statue

Mike...

Leavin On a Jet Plane

We once again find ourselves facing the unknown, willing to go where the Lord leads us. We spent the day packing up our lives into six luggage bags and closing out our beloved home in South Africa. In a few hours we will be leaving this beautiful country heading to New England to embark on our new adventure. 

These few weeks have been so jammed pack with activity that we have had little time to reflect on the past year and prepare for the next. The last four days alone have been so physically and emotionally draining that we are actually looking forward to rest on the airplanes.

We spent the weekend with the kids and staff of Siyathemba Nokeng. We had the fortunate privilege to attend the graduation of the kids. They proudly displayed their artwork they worked so hard on with Jeanine. They sang songs and stood tall in front of the crowd. 

On Tuesday we were with BEAM Africa during their year-end party. Over 200 kids were in attendance being blessed with gifts, food and cupcakes. At the end, they sang songs for us knowing it would be the last time they saw us. They lined up to individually give us hugs and say goodbye. It was impossible to hold back the tears. 

Throughout the previous year, we often spoke about how difficult it would be leave South Africa and our treasured friends here. We dreaded the day we would have to say goodbye. We always thought it would be a long time from now. But we have come to that day. So with long hugs and sweet tears, we depart from our friends in this magnificent country.

To be continued...

God bless,
Mike & Jeanine

Ant Attacks, Greetings and Farewells

We just finished an amazing visit with family and friends in Colorado, Arizona and Massachusetts. After our exceptionally long travelling over the United States, the Atlantic Ocean and much of the African continent in enclosed metal tubes with wings that flapped violently in the consistent turbulence, we have made it back to our South African home! We felt a comforting sense of rest while we unpacked our suitcases in our little flat behind BEAM house. It felt normal to be here. It felt like home.

During the evening of our return, Courage the dog made her way over before long and assumed her important role of holding down the carpet after nearly licking our faces raw. All four of the other dogs stopped by for a visit as well. Cerdito our guinea pig has added a little weight, but is still energetic as ever. He still is sure to remind us that he wants a lettuce snack whenever we open the fridge.

The landscape has endured many changes in our absence. The plants are all in full bloom covering the green terrain with brilliant colors of purple, pink, yellow and orange flowers. The view is magnificent.

We quickly discovered the spiders were very busy in our absence. After multiple victorious battles over them and significantly reducing their population, they have been determined to replenish their ranks. Beyond vigorous egg laying and hatching of their own kind, they have also been recruiting. It seems these sneaky arachnids have enlisted the aid of thousands of sinister ants. These menacing insects created a super-city under our front porch, waiting for the perfect time to strike. Just after dusk when they knew our sight would be limited, they began their invasion. We heard their bugle sound the charge and thousands came crawling across the porch with intentions to enter our home. Many carried eggs in attempt to hatch within our home giving them a more tactical advantage. Others bore their teeth anxious to tear at our flesh. After depleting our single can of bug spray, they kept coming. They crawled over the carcasses of their fallen comrades, determined to be the victors. Jeanine took the front lines with her mighty broom, sweeping vigorously at the insistent ants. Mike scrambled back and forth from the kitchen sink and the porch carrying a bucket of water, confident the insects could not swim. Courage paced anxiously at the door afraid for her life while Cerdito cheered us on from his caged fortress. The battled raged deep into the night, neither side willing to forfeit. Then, as the sweat slid down our foreheads past our cheeks, exhausted from the steady sweeping and heated by the steam from the rivers of water dumped onto the battlefield, the insects began their retreat. Although enervated by the battle, we cheered and screamed our shout of victory, warning the ants to never again return. The morning daylight revealed the devastating casualty count. War is not pretty, except for hungry birds willing to feed on ant cadavers.

Anyway….

We were received well at the BEAM Africa center. The staff was excited to see us and many of the kids gave us hugs tight enough to get the last little bit of toothpaste out of its tube. The Siyathemba kids were out of control with excitement. They were in the middle of eating their breakfast when we arrived, so they all dropped their spoons and came running to give us hugs. Our clothes were covered with oatmeal from their hands and faces pressed into us.

There are so many activities scheduled for this month. With the holidays coming, we have little time to prepare for all the upcoming events, and eventual holiday closure of the centers in mid-December.

We have come to learn that after the centers close for the season our ministry will be significantly changing. Matthew 25 and Isaiah 58 have inspired our work and it continues to be our motivation. We have been called to continue serving, but instead return home to care for our own. God is now taking us from South Africa to New England to care for Jeanine’s parents. Mom is in a nursing home with much need of spiritual uplifting and aid. She is both physically and spiritually suffering. Dad just underwent surgery in attempt heal his infected leg avoiding amputation. If unsuccessful, he may very soon be bound to a wheelchair, unable to care for himself any longer. Plagued by multiple illnesses, including the possibility of cancer (to be determined in a few days), his body is shutting down.

We are truly saddened that we will be leaving this beautiful country and our family here, however we are determined to follow God’s plan for us (no matter how crazy it sounds at times). We will maintain communication via this blog and sincerely hope you continue to follow our adventures. We also still have plenty of work to finish in Africa and plan to share these events very soon.

Until then, we thank you for all your prayers and support. We pray the Lord will bless you for all of your selfless blessing to us.

With love,

Mike and Jeanine

Little Courage being brave

The view from our window

Mama duck had three baby chicks - she is protecting them here

Ending the 3rd Trimester

There has been so much progress in our ministry these last few weeks that we are completely energized. For a long time our work seemed to make little to no impact with the people and groups we have been working with. However recently we have seen the benefits of our labor and our relationship building. We are integral parts of the ministries we participate in and, more importantly, they are essential to our lives as well.

We are quickly approaching the day we depart from South Africa to return to the United States for a brief visit. While there we will be visiting family and friends. We hope to have time to meet with as many of our faithful supporters as we can. Our excitement is explosive!

We do have to some needs while we are in the US. We will spend most of our time in Colorado and would like to borrow a vehicle while there. We also hope to visit family in Massachusetts and need help with funds and a vehicle while on the East Coast. We are grateful of any help with these items.

Now a brief account from us individually:

Mike:
I am not exactly sure how it happened, but we somehow now have a guinea pig as a pet. His name is Cerdito, which is little pig in Spanish. I know Spanish in Africa is strange, but Portuguese is close and is the primary language in Mozambique. I built a nice cage for him with scrap-wood and chicken wire. An upside down wooden craft box serves as a cozy house within the cage. He is a talkative fellow, especially when he wants something. His home is in view of the refrigerator. He has figured out that food is kept in there so whenever we open the door he stands on top of his house and screams constantly until we give him a little piece of lettuce to munch on. His favorite thing to do is crawl underneath the newspaper in his cage and toss his food dish over. He likes this best right after Jeanine has finished cleaning the cage.

I am not exactly sure how it happened, but we somehow now have a dog as a pet also. Well, part time at least. She finds her way over to our flat every night and curls up at our feet or on Jeanine’s lap. Her name is Courage and she is completely void of any. If there is a bump in the night, she is the first one to hide. Little Courage has more energy than the energizer bunny. She has two speeds, stopped and full sprint. She runs so fast that her front legs actually come off the ground. Dog wheelies.

We are both excited to visit the US! I cannot wait to see family and friends. I am also very anxious to fill my belly with Qdobas, Chick-fil-a, pumpkin brew, and Kirkland Trail Mix.!


Jeanine:
The time is 5:30am.  (Yes I STILL get up that early) Morning has arrived and the birds start their morning song.  We begin with the group of cranes that take to the sky, their cries similar to the US seagull only lower; the “whiner” bird who sounds just like a 2yr old whining (waaah, waaaah, waaaah); the “couple birds” (this one is great)..the male calls out with a little 2-tone whistle, similar to calling a dog and then waits for a single toned reply of the female.  (It is quite something when they call back and forth.)  There are lots of doves, a male & female kingfisher and leeetle tiny finches with amazingly vibrant colors like red/black; blue/yellow; yellow/green/black.  And there are the peacocks who make the morning totally complete with their exotic cries from the distance.  AND of course, our neighborhood rooster who unfortunately is a tad confused most times.  He crows at 5pm; 10:35pm….the other morning I got up with the dog at 2am… you got it, he was crowing then too.  *sigh* all in all it is an amazing sound to wake up to each day.  So with this beautiful chorus filling the air, the sky gradually lightens and after an hour or so the sun bursts over the horizon sending sunbeams thru all of the branches surrounding our little home…

And you know I realized then, that as excited as I am to come to the US for a visit, I will very much miss my African mornings…

Cerdito dressed up for a party

Courage (commonly mistaken as a goat)

Our agenda/calendar has been added to the blog, or you can click here

and Justice for all...

We say goodbye to July and the cold weather it brought. Hesitantly we welcome August. The climate is warming but the wind has increased. The dry grass and suffocating dust is now being sprayed every which way by the excessive wind. We fight to endure a few more weeks of such weather; we will be rewarded by the warmth of spring.

We are sad to say that the friendly noises of various guests in BEAM house have now come to a halt. The numerous teams that have visited during mission trips have all moved on. We were very used to having visitors and thoroughly enjoyed their presence (and help with our ministry tasks). Our most recent visitors were an amazing couple from Cornerstone, Justin (Justice) and Ginny Irvin. Besides their willingness to serve where ever and however, they also brought a lot of grub. They came stocked with four crates of food parcels packages by Kids Against Hunger. Most of the food has been distributed through BEAM Africa to a township in Maubane. Justin and Ginny were here to participate. Also, thanks to Justin, construction on the Siyathemba fence has continued since the tragic injury from The Pig Incident. We cannot express our gratitude of the amazing Irvins. We ask that you keep them in their prayers as they returned home to some discouraging and expensive house problems.

We are excited about many upcoming events over the next couple months. We have some meetings scheduled in August that will ignite some new processes in South Africa and possibly Lesotho (a neighboring country). We might be visiting Lesotho for a few days as well. Our friends at Siyathemba are working on a new church structure and have begun new relationships with potential volunteers. Our partners at BEAM Africa are aggressively continuing Life Skills courses and have begun new relationships with a ministry in a township north of their current center. Also some close friends of ours are expecting their first child in September and we could not be more excited for them. Last but not least, in mid-September we will be on home-assignment for a month. We are coming back to the US! Most of our time will be in Colorado but are hoping to afford a trip to MA and possibly AZ. As we iron out more details we will post our agenda.

We have much to look forward to and are very excited about all of it. We are beginning to see the effects of our efforts here and are thrilled about it all. We know that none of it would be possible without the faithful support and prayers of our friends and family. We thank you so much for everything you do!

God bless each of you!

Mike & Jeanine

The Amazing Irvins - Justin (Justice) and Ginny

Volunteers at Siyathemba Nokeng

Justin and Ginny with Louis and Erika of BEAM Africa

Ever see a giraffe drink water?

Chilly July

This past Sunday we had the honor of attending church at Siyathemba Nokeng, a ministry we have been working with. Although we have been serving there multiple days a week for a few months now, we had never attended a church service. We now admit that we have missed out. The service was abounding with worship music (vocals only because there were no instruments) with full participation of the entire congregation. Songs broke into dance then into praise and prayer. Although the words were in Zulu and Sesotho, we still knew what was being sung. It was an amazing experience to witness the energy and authenticity of the culture.

The construction of our flat in the back of the property is complete! We moved out of BEAM House last week and have settled into our little home. It is a comfortable place with lots of windows and high ceilings. The one space heater does not quite warm the whole house during these cold winter months so hoodies and jackets have become our permanent attire.

Here are some comments from our individual perspectives:

Mike:

The last few weeks have been crazy with preparation to move and preparation for multiple teams that have come from the US. The last two weeks BEAM has hosted 21 Campus Crusade students. The day after they leave a World Race team comes in. We have been helping with the preparations for their accommodations. Meanwhile, Jeanine and I have been busy working on various projects. She is still teaching the little ones at Siyathemba Nokeng. My responsibilities there have included the removal of some humungous pigs from the property. The swines have become a major nuisance that feed on anything they can find. I am afraid they might start eating the vehicles or jungle gym equipment. They reproduce more than rabbits and faster than white blood cells. They are beginning to be the majority of the population. I was tasked with their removal, but I am sad to say I have failed at my job. My strategy, although well though out and promising, proved to be inadequate. My efforts of pig extraction resulted in an escapade now famously known as "The Pig Incident". I sustained injuries including a fractured collarbone and a broken ego. I was documenting the removal process and therefore have "The Pig Incident" on video. You can see it on YouTube.

I remember some things from our short-term trip here in 2010 that were still true when we got here in November of 2011. The spiritual realm in this country is physically noticeable. I don’t know if it is because of all the different cultures and beliefs. There are witch doctors in the townships, parents cover their children with bead strings to inherit ancestral attributes, and bonfires are lit to worship false gods. Our spiritual battles here feel like physical battles. Many times we feel exhausted from the warfare, as do our allies. We know the war is already won, but the battles are still fought. It was not until recent weeks that we have felt as though we are winning our battles. We feel more and more encouraged and the power of the Holy Spirit is evident. We also know that your prayers for us are another weapon in our crusades. We want to thank you and ask that you keep fighting the fight with us.

Jeanine:

As the sun begins to set, creating a soft glow over the entire sky that will eventually turn to one of the magnificent South African sunsets that are the norm here; I sit in front of our little flat with Mike.  Our own little flat…our home.  After 3 previous residences, after all of our illnesses; one spider bite and a broken collar bone; after spiritual attacks and bouts of homesickness… we are at peace and we have a home.   And it is amazing!

Three days ago I was driving down the dirt road that takes me to the crèche that I teach at twice a week and I was filled with an amazing sense of joy.   As the dust billowed out behind the Landy I watched my surroundings in awe.  I thought…”Lord, I am in Africa… I LIVE in Africa….YOU have brought me to Africa.”   My thoughts were suddenly filled with all of the people I have come to know and adore these past 8 months.  Images coming and going and the feeling of love and excitement filling my heart in ways I had not felt in a long time.  It was like God was saying….”you done good, you passed the entrance exam, NOW let us begin”.    And I am ready.

8 months… YIKES!   Can you believe we have been here that long?   Time has flown by, friendships created and nurtured, children loved on and blessed by, lessons learned (some repeatedly) and through it all an attachment to a new country that amazes me.  A love for a place and a people that I never thought would be this intense, a sense of comfort in the lifestyle....you know?  This feels right.   One thing I have really learned was to let go of my pre-conceived notions of what serving in another country would look like.   Yes, we have had plenty of opportunity to serve: in Rayton; teaching the kids, building fences, painting & fixing up the centre….in Nellmapius; feeding the kids & playing with them, admin & computer help at the centre, things we would expect.  BUT South Africa is a place where you CANNOT live WITH the people you serve they say, 

……………………or can’t you?  We have had multiple teams come and go within BEAM House (the large lodge on the plot we live on).  Young people coming to serve who sometimes just want someone from their home country to talk to; OR our plot mates who need transportation or help when ill; OR our new found friends who are waiting to hear if they can adopt a child or dealing with the anniversary of the death of a parent.   God has shown us in this place we serve EVERYONE.  It may look different than the “typical” mission field, but in a place where darkness is a presence that is actually felt every day?  It is still a mission field. And a glorious one at that!!!  One that we cannot wait to share with all of you.  Hopefully this is something we will be able to do this spring (ok so YOUR fall *grins*).

We ask for your continued support and prayers.  But most of all, we ask for your prayers for those who live in the townships and squatter’s camps.  Winter is upon us now and homes do NOT come with furnaces or fireplaces for the most part.  In the townships and camps, most people live in metal shacks and get their warmth from a hot plate of by lighting a cookfire outside of their shack.  When you are talking lows of 25-30 at night…that is pretty danged cold L.  A lot of the children spend this time of year (and it has already begun) with colds, flu and ear infections.  So, please pray for these people.  For warmth, for work, for understanding that Jesus loves them where they are.  

Much love!!! 

  MmeJ

A South African Sunrise from our home

How Mike fixes things

Pastor Lawrence speaking to visitors in Phumzile Park

BEAM Kids at and event with a corporate sponsor

Siyathemba Nokeng (River of Hope) Church

Six Months In, ?? To Go

It is bizarre to think that we have been here for six months already. Bizarre because the memory of getting on the plane at DIA half a year ago is so vivid and fresh that it really seems to have been experienced only a few days ago. But when we think of all of our experiences since that flight, it seems as if we have been here for a full year. During our first month here, we figured the six-month milestone would come quick and that we would have accomplished so much. We are happy to report that we were correct on both accounts. We have accomplishments to report, but it seems as if we have only begun. Our ministry is still at such infancy that we know there to so much more work to do- and we could not be more excited about it. Sometimes we step back and see the path still ahead, and we admit it seems overwhelming. But then we take a step on that path. It plants deep and our step is strong. The next step is difficult, but we make it. Then another. With each step, our feet feel heavier. Our legs grow tired and our bodies weary. But then we look behind and see the steps we have taken. We have come so far, and God was with us during each step, sometimes carrying us so we could move forward. It energizes us to take another step, renewed in strength and determination. Focused on our goal, we keep going.

We have so much to talk about since our last entry, but for the sake of your time and avoiding writing a feature that could be published into a full-length novel, we will only summarize some of our favorite events (We are considering launching a full website where we can tell more stories).

At the end of March, a fellow missionary couple from the UK invited us on fact-finding mission to Tanzania. Together with a small team of South Africans, we spent a week visiting various villages in Northern Tanzania, along Lake Victoria. For six days we drove for three or more hours per day going 80mph on rough dirt roads in the back of a Land Cruiser on fold down seats that intentionally allowed us to fully feel the impact of each pebble and stone in the road.  The seats were intended to fit two people per bench, but we managed to defy physics and double that. Fully knowing what a sardine feels like, we endured the bumps and 90 degree weather traveling from village to village to learn about a process they have launched to enable their communities to thrive with the resources available to them. Despite the extreme poverty and limited resources, these villages have found ways to improve the community, their health, their food supply and quality of life- all from biblical teaching. Our purpose there was to learn this process and figure ways to implement it in South Africa. Now we are faced with the challenge of executing this process in an environment significantly different from Tanzania. It is like comparing an apple to and orange. However, we know God will show us the steps (and carry us through the difficult ones). There is so much more to tell about Tanzania and our experiences there. We plan to share some of the stories another time.

Jeanine continues to teach the kids at the day care in Rayton. The kids have adopted her as a mother and have given her the name of “mum-J”. She teaches two days a week. Each morning, without fail, the kids ask if mum-J is coming that day. As we pull up to the center, they come running outside to greet their favorite teacher. Beyond the academics and bible lessons, she helps with the feeding and cleaning of the older kids. During their naptime, she helps with the babies. Mike keeps busy with repairs and construction projects around the center. He will sometimes hold the babies and bounce them on his knees, even though the diapers are not as snug as Pampers (that is all we will say about that). We recently realized how acclimated we have become to living here. The other day we were at the center while a baby was crawling around outside and found a peach pit. Although it was covered with grass and very little fruit remained, the child proceeded to eat it. A visiting lady we were standing with cringed at the sight while we both shrugged and thought at least the baby is getting some vitamins (and there was not bugs on it). We realize that sounds appalling, but we have adapted a new phrase: “That’s Africa”. Some things here have to be taken lightly or it just becomes too much.

We have been fortunate to be involved in some events with BEAM Africa this last month. A local church hosted a potjie (poy-key), which is a local tradition of cooking various stews and dishes in cast-iron pots over hot coals. They brought a number of jumping castles for the little kids while the older ones played in a soccer tournament. The church fed over 200 kids and distributed winter blankets to each. A few days later, a local business adopted BEAM and held an Easter party for the kids. They hid eggs and candy in the field for the children to find. They even brought the Easter Bunny- actually it was just the costume. But they did not have a person tall enough to fit into the costume so Mike was nominated to volunteer to be “Bunny”. Despite the inability to see through the little peepholes and the added layer of fur in the 70 degree sun, Mike had the kids running through the fields and hopping alongside.

We did have some obstacles to overcome this last month. We had an unfortunate circumstance with our vehicle, specifically the tires. We were getting ready to head out one morning and found two tires as flat as play-dough squashed by a steamroller. Due to the condition of the tread, or lack of, the garage would not fix them. We were forced to buy new ones. There are some things that are more expensive here than in the US: Internet, fuel, furniture, bed sheets, WD-40, but to top them all: tires. It costs us a month’s salary to purchase tires for our aging Land Rover. We are praying that God will provide a way to replenish our account from the unexpected costs.

We have many projects planned for May and will be certain to keep you informed of our progress. We will also soon post our individual accounts from our own perspective of previous events. Until then, may God bless you and we thank you for all that you do.

God bless,

Mike & Jeanine

Jeanine with some ladies in Tanzania

Mike with our guide, Job

A marketplace in  Tanzania

Jeanine handing out birthday cake in Rayton

Some of Jeanine's kids in Rayton

Mike suiting up as Bunny

The Easter party

Starting Month Five!

Greetings!

First of all, we would like to apologize for not posting an update for a while. It is a good indication that we have had some busy weeks. Our days have been filled with caring for and playing with children, working on construction projects, meeting and working with various organizations, painting walls (and roofs), searching for Dr Pepper in grocery stores (at times successfully), fellowship over a tasty braai (BBQ), and an occasional university rugby game. That is a very small nutshell that narrowly contains the events of this past month. Regardless, our schedule is no excuse for slacking on the updates to our family and friends.

To continue summarizing our month: we have met with a number of different groups the past few weeks. We have an opportunity to be involved in curriculum development for a life skills training program that will assist folks in finding work. We will be teaching life skills classes for children that will educate them on non-academic skills and spiritual needs. Jeanine will be teaching academic classes for 2-4 year olds a few days a week. Mike has been working on web sites for a couple ministries we are partnering with. We have begun communication with a few more groups from neighboring townships that we hope to start working with towards some of their needs. The Lord has been blessing us with more and more opportunities to serve and be involved with so many groups. We do request prayer that we can be a blessing to these ministries and that our time be plentiful so we may offer attention to each.

As always, we love to share our personal thoughts and stories. Here are our individual accounts:

Mike:

I am happy to report that while we have been living in BEAM House (a sort of lodge), our encounters with annoying and/or ferocious animals, other than a ridiculous amount of domestic canines, has dramatically declined. The goats that once roamed these hectors have been donated to a neighbor and are now confined to a different property. They did manage to eat the berries from the tree prior to their leaving therefore the atrocious flying bats have departed as well, searching for food elsewhere. Earl remains on the original property where we can only hear his call and not his insistent window tapping. So with the animals gone and vegetation growing as it should, we are now able to enjoy an evening sitting on the porch free from beastly nuisances. At least that was true for a while. I would gladly accept annoying goats or freaky bats instead of the next creature that plagued our happy little home. What kind of monster can bring such dismay you ask? I speak of spiders. All kinds of spiders: arachnids that spin a web strong enough to mold a patio chair to the ground; spiders big enough to wear a seatbelt while riding shotgun in the Land Rover; some can jump far enough to clear the Grand Canyon; others hearty enough to consume a leopard. In this month alone, I have counted over 32 different species. Each of them attack with a force greater than a underground storm drain after a rain dumping enough water to fill Lake Erie. They have no mercy and have one goal in mind: destroy. These multi-legged beasts rule this home and are trying to drive us out. Little did they realize, however, we have the advantage. We can squish them with a flip-flop. Their precious endoskeletons are no match for our five toed feet. So they try to trick us. They wait for us under the toilet or dangle from a web in front of us when brushing our teeth. They climb across the ceilings trying to find the best angle for attack. But their tricks will not work. We will be victorious. We have begun recruiting allies. See the recruiting video on YouTube for more.

Admittedly, I do have quite an imagination and exaggerate at times, but not in all things. I would not be exaggerating if I said that I continue to fall in love with this country more and more. Beyond the beauty of the landscapes, the uniqueness of the plants and trees, the powerful and awestruck thunderstorms, the peculiarly magnificent wildlife, the people here have penetrated my heart. I would also not be exaggerating if I said that in spite of the crime, the poverty and spiritual confusion, deep inside most people is a pure heart. I have learned so much from the folks here and I am humbled by their acceptance. Recently I was speaking with a man whom pastors a church in a nearby township. We visited a few members of his church in their homes. In some neighborhoods we had to abandon the vehicle and hike because the roads were too small to fit a car or were too cluttered with debris and muddy ruts caused by flooding rain. The homes were metal shacks about 15 by 8 feet, hardly enough to fit a bed and possibly a couch or a table. Some had electricity; none had plumbing. Bricks stacked on top held the metal roofs in place while areas of the walls began to rust from the relentless rain. The shacks, only tall enough to stand upright, collected the summer heat and magnified its intensity inside the metal ovens. This pastor also lives in a shack. His church is a tent. He does not always have the means to feed his family. He has been mugged 3 times since he came to the area. One day we spoke of Jeremiah 29:11. He admitted he is prosperous, abundantly, as the Lord promised. This man is one of many that I have met that trusts the Lord and knows He blesses them each day.

Apart from the daily lessons in life, I am excited about the work we are doing. We continue to meet new people and find opportunities to serve. Many of the kids at BEAM have gotten used to us being there a few days a week and started opening up to us more. The culture here is to address an adult as “uncle” and “aunt” as a sign of respect. Therefore I am Uncle Mike, at least to the older kids. It is also customary to title an old man as papa, which I unfortunately have been addressed as such. Maybe my beard is too gray.

I am excited about the upcoming month. There are many events scheduled. I will be sure to update you as they happen. Meanwhile, I have some prayer requests. We continue to search for a church here. Our prayer is that we may find one we may consider to be a home away from home. We also request prayer that our time be plentiful with the various ministries we have been working with and that our hands be blessed to help. Lastly, we request prayer for our family and supporters as they sacrifice so much to be a part of our work here. We pray for blessings among them.

Jeanine:

Hi all! I am about to take you on a journey, so close your eyes. Ok, no, wait, you won’t be able to read what I’m saying if you do that so DON’T close your eyes *sigh*

Anyway, here we go…

Driving down a two-lane road, it is peaceful and beautiful. The road curves this way and that allowing you to view the beautiful rolling hills that are South Africa. Rounding the corner in the road you are suddenly faced with a much different, far less serene scene… The first thing you notice are the hundreds of Toyota vans that fill the street, most are white with yellow pin stripping, some are red a few blue, but all are honking their horns in their attempt to attract passengers. They weave their way in and out of traffic stopping wherever they want, and then there are lines on either side of the street filling up with clients. (Taxis here are used more as busses, you pay a fee and as do the others who are crammed inside, all heading the same direction). It is a mad rush of sound and color….

Yes, I said color. Vibrant colors are all around. The people dress in such magnificently colored clothes. Ruby reds, turquoise, magenta, vibrant golds and yellows. There are deep majestic greens and intense blues. It is amazing to see them all as they wait in long lines for taxis, work their way in between the cars to cross the street or set up shop on the side of the road for the day...

So many little set ups. Signs advertising chickens, fruit and veggies, kitchen utensils, and clothing, (the clothing is usually laid out nicely on the ground so that people can come and look thru) and let’s not forget tires. There are the men and women who walk up and down the lanes of traffic selling the daily newspaper and there are the enterprising young men who have managed to confiscate a road crew vest & shovel and tell you he will fill the potholes for a small donation (lol). In the afternoons the roadsides also attract those with mini grills who cook sandwiches and meats to sell to those driving home from work and the local witch doctor that sets up shop (unfortunately he has quite a following as well as a host of witchdoctors in training and women who serve him, but that is a story for another time). 

Welcome to Mamelodi. It is the biggest township in So Africa hosting thousands of people. These people represent every nation in So Africa; some from neighboring countries as well. It was formed during the time of apartheid as one of the places where blacks were moved, basically to clear out the other, more choice areas for white inhabitants. The blacks were told to pack up and then were transported to Mamelodi according to their tribe. In sorting them by tribe, they would not get used to working together, learning each other’s languages and more importantly join together to defend themselves. A horrible beginning for what is an amazing township today.  

Today it is filled with everything from roadside sellers to small stores, gas stations and schools. Its residents live in a variety of homes from small cement houses about 15’x10’ to maybe double that size; and small metal shacks. They live in areas where they have paved roads and some where the dirt roads are so small you cannot drive them. But all in all, no matter where you go, you are welcomed in with open arms and offered a seat, even if it is on their bed for lack of chairs. In other words, the people of Mamelodi live and laugh and love.  

It is an amazing change of view in which I type this description today. I remember during my trips here in 2009 and 2010, I looked at this township and its people with “oh how terrible” eyes. Eyes that I’m sure every visitor has looked thru. Yet, the longer I stay, the longer I live here in their country I see their life different. I see Mamelodi and its people with Different Eyes. It is a life; it is THEIR life and a life they live every day, their normal life. A life that doesn’t have the “I have to have those shoes” or “I must go to that concert”, a life that for the most part doesn’t even miss these feelings because they are not even available to them. A life that is heaped in poverty, yes; simple, yes; yet they laugh…they live… they love and they are some of the happiest and giving people I have ever met. We have a friend, Pastor Z (short for Ezekiel). He lives in Mamelodi with his wife Agnes and 2 children. They, too, live in one of the shacks and he told Mike knows he is prosperous. He also feels that by living in the middle of, and like the people he serves, it helps him to truly be one of them. They trust him. It is simple, it is Christlike and it is AMAZING! Now, each day as we drive thru Mamelodi, I no longer just see poverty and “oh how sad”… I see life, I see beauty, I see Jesus.

Thank you Lord for my Different Eyes…

Jeanine painting the entrance to the creche (day care center).

Mike actually does work (sometimes).

Jeanine's classroom.

The construction continues... (our upcoming home)

Blessing for her meal (video).

Hello 2012!

We would like to apologize for not posting during Christmas and New Years. We have limited internet usage and saved what we had left to use for Skyping with family for Christmas.

It is strange to think we have been in South Africa for over 2 months now. Looking back it has seemed more like 6 months. Maybe it is because the previous month has been unusual. The holidays here are celebrated differently. By mid-December, most businesses shut down for about 30 days so folks can spend time with family and friends for Christmas and the New Year celebration. This prevented us from spending much time working in our ministry, mostly because the groups we have been working with have been closed for the holidays. So we have spent the last few weeks doing yard work and hanging out with a World Race team that was here for the month. Some local friends blessed us with a day safari trip with them. We finally got wheels and were able to get out and about a little. And, oh yea, we have had three different residences this month.

We are now in our semi-permanent residence at BEAM house, a lodge type building, used to house different groups that come through (such as Campus for Crusade and World Race). One of the rooms in the back is large enough that we made it into a studio apartment. A family from the States that used to live in South Africa donated to us their household items they had kept in storage here. So we have couches, chairs, tables and kitchenware. We both feel very blessed!

We would like to share our individual thoughts…

Mike:

Since moving from our previous residence, we have been able to sleep in a bit longer. Earl has fortunately not followed us and we therefore have not been robbed of early morning sleep from his obsessive window tapping. We do, however, continue to have mishaps with wildlife. We stayed at our friends house while they visited their family on the coast. It turns out their home is the local hang out spot for toads. Apparently shoving their nose against the front door was what the “cool frogs” do. Like clockwork, the sun would set and the toads would line up against the door shoving their nose into it. Often they would end up coming under the door and jumping around in the house. Convinced that I would contract some kind of disease, I would never touch them. Jeanine had the designated job of toad removal.

Just outside of the front door of our current home is a berry tree full of the favorite food of a pair of local bats. Each night these blind beasts miraculously find their way to this tree, but do not rest on it. Instead they fly back and forth just in front of the door sometimes taking a nibble of the fruit. I am convinced that if we were to open the glass door they would take our heads off. I know: bats are tiny and harmless, right? Well, not these bats. They are the size of black crows with wings razor sharp, fur like a grizzly, claws like an eagle and fangs like the lost Saber Tooth Tiger. They could carry away small animals if they had a taste for it. Jeanine with her fascination of bats actually wants to sit on the porch and watch them. Yes folks, she is crazy.

In my last posting, I shared about Earl and his, um, plentiful and colored excrement. It seems that in this place that we are living, stories of dung are plentiful, so I will share another. On this property lives a family of goats. A few weeks ago it was decided that the two baby goats should be moved to another fenced area of the property (because momma was sick and her milk was bad). Old enough to eat plants and grass, they were quite happy in their new home full of greens. One day, these goats decided there had to be more to their little world and managed to jump over the fence. They quickly found a whole planet full of tasty treats and places of exploration. It was not long before they found their way into garages and sheds and, of course, our home. Although I shoo them whenever they are near the house, they are still persistent to find an open door. Now with abundant food comes something else. Yes, abundant poo. Although they could find a more suitable area on this giant propery, these goats have a favorite relief spot: any and all covered patios. Their droppings are not big giant mounds of stuff you can easily avoid, but rather tiny little pellets that scatter everywhere. If we are not careful, they can easily go undetected, at least until you step on it. So unfortunately our days of walking barefoot have come to an end.

The month of December here is a month of rest. Businesses close and people travel to the coasts to lie on the beach. It turns out this month definitely was not a month of rest for us. Working with a World Race team that was here for the month, we pulled enough weeds to fill a school bus, hauled 6 truckloads of dirt, 30 wheel barrels of bricks and made a rock garden. Amazingly I loved every minute of it. Not only was it physically rewarding and made this property we live on that much more beautiful, it was good to be a part of something. Working alongside with the World Race group made me feel like I was part of their team. Since coming here, it has been just Jeanine and myself. At least that is how I have felt. It was a blessing to have other Americans around for the holidays, people who also missed their families that we could relate with. We have made some good friends among the group.

Although the “rest” has been nice, I am exited to get back to working in the townships again next week. We will be helping BEAM get going after their holiday break and then we will be working with other ministries in a couple weeks. There are many people to visit still and a lot of work to do…, and I cannot wait!

Jeanine:

2 months…man who would have thunk it!  I sit here with a little dog on either side of me & one at my feet.  The other 2 are nestled under Mike’s desk..lol .  Some things never change even in Africa AND they aren’t even our dogs!  

As I type, I think of everything that happened in 2011…a new grandson /my son becomes a daddy, a decision made to move to South Africa, time spent with family all across the country as we said our ‘goodbyes’, watching my daughter grow as a mommy of 2, and finally selling everything we own, finding homes for our puppies & moving out of the country.  We’ve survived the time change, jet lag, birds that scratch your windows at 5am, spider bites, killer frogs (see Mike’s spot) & we are working on the humidity.   Man who WOULD have thunk it!!  

Now, for 2012… we are finally ready to go.  After 2 previous/temporary homes (a room in Louis & Erika’s home for 6 weeks & then house sitting in a cute little bungalow for 3 on the property), we are now in our long term temporary home (lol) while our final place is being built/worked on. It is a nice approx. 800sq ft little studio that is located within BEAM house.  It is cozy and cute and we feel very comfortable & settled here (note the comment above re: the local dogs).   We also have a vehicle finally so we can be more mobile.  NOW we wait for “holidays” to be over.  As I type this note we only have 1 more day!  (after being ‘off duty’ since December 15^th!)  On Tuesday, BEAM centre will be open once more; we have made friends with a couple who work with a home for AIDS orphans (children who lost parents to AIDs and/or are HIV positive themselves) and several other ministry leaders.   And so it begins…. and we are SO excited!!

There is still much to adjust to, to learn (like the languages *sigh*), to acclimate ourselves to (like driving on the left side, my next lesson to learn) . But God is good, for every ‘hard thing’ He gives a Blessing.  Christmas & New Years were very tough.  We had no family & little to no celebration to speak of.  Yet, we were blessed with a HUGE donation of food that we were able to pull together in large gift bags (and I mean LARGE BAGS) for 12 different families in need.  He brought the World Race Group (a group that travels the world serving for a whole year… one place each month) from the US to bring a little holiday attitude to SA.  And as we sat around the bonfire on New Year’s Eve I was able to call my kids at OUR midnight to say “Happy New Year” and it was only 3pm Colorado time!! (Hey that is a big deal when your kids are parents of little ones & hit the sack by 9 *grins*).   And finally I am learning that although humidity is purty danged hard to handle at 100 degrees…  my hair is softer, I have less “old lady wrinkles” on my face AND it creates the most AMAZING thunder storms that can last for hours & have thunder that rolls across the sky in waves…  God is truly AWESOME!!!

Our new wheels :-)

Awesome safari pic!

This elephant charged toward us right after this picture.

The goats roaming their kingdom.

There are enough droppings around here to attract dung beetles!