Encourage & Edify

Our USA "Home" Church or Sending Church is Truly a Great Blessing to our Family. During the last three months of the almost eight months we have been in the United States we have been able to live near our sending church, Friendship Baptist Church. There have been times when we have not had churches to present our ministry to and it is during these times especially that our church family has encouraged us. 

In Prayer: An evening I won’t forget easily is when Deon I were buckling our kids into their car seats after a Sunday evening service. A brother in Christ popped his head in through our car door and with kindness in his voice said that he and his family were praying for us. Other occasions of encouragement have been when our Sunday school teacher has asked us how we are doing and how can he be praying for us. A little girl coming up to me after a Wednesday evening prayer meeting, telling me that she chose us as her missionaries of the year, meaning that she would be praying for us. There are many stories like this that I could tell you about of men, woman and children that have come to us saying that they are praying for us and how that we are a such a blessing to them. The Lord has used the time spent with our home church to uplift us spiritually. 

Ruan at Vacation Bible School -
 Puppet Show

In Ministry: Through the Sunday school and nursery ministries at our sending church Deon & I  have had time to hear God’s Word preached by our pastor. We have enjoyed being able to talk to each other about what we hear and how we can apply that to our daily walk with the Lord. The ladies and men that care for and teach our children have been a great encouragement to us. We are thankful for each of them and know that our children will miss them a lot when we return to South Africa. Our Sunday school teachers and their wives have challenged us spiritually and taught us Biblically through a series on how to enrich our marriage. We are thankful for the spiritual care our home church has provided us with . 

Jesse at Vacation Bible School
with his Favorite Teacher & Friends

Julia in the Nursery with her Friend, Levi

In Service: While on deputation we do not have as many opportunities to serve the Lord in the same way we would when we are in Cape Town. Our home church has given us opportunity to serve, through Vacation Bible School back in June. Most recently, the Friendship Christian School invited Deon & I to speak at their International Club. We enjoyed working together on the presentation and speaking to the teens about the beautiful country of South Africa. Giving us this time to share our testimonies and burden for the spiritually lost has us excited to get back to ministering for the Lord amongst the Afrikaans people. Knowing that we have 23 more people faithfully praying for us is an answer to our prayers. 

Speaking at the International Club
of Friendship Christian School

Deon Sharing his Testimony 

South African Favorite Foods
Made Especially for the Students -
Bobotie, Pannekoek & Crunchies 

Friendship's Students Attending the International Club

Thank you to all our brothers and sisters in Christ at Friendship Baptist Church for coming alongside us and ministering to our hearts. We will greatly miss you all when the time comes for us to return to South Africa!

"From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."

Ephesians 4:16

A thank you to Diane Braswell, Melanie Vradenburgh & Jessica Willis for making these pictures available to us.

A special thank you to Patricia Soemer for inviting us to speak at the International Club and 

contributing the delicious crunchies!