Pack, travel, unpack, pack, travel, unpack, pack, travel,… and it isn’t over yet. Yep we are in the midst of making our way out to Oregon to begin the weekend trips to churches to share with folks what God has been doing in our lives during the past three years.
On the 11th August we departed South Africa, spent two hot but wonderful days visiting with friends in the beautiful city of Dakar, Senegal before heading on to Cary, North Carolina. We met up with Dad & Mom Carter in the airport in Atlanta as they were headed to Cary the same day we arrived, so they could keep an eye on our kids while we attended meetings at Trans World Radio.
Thankfully our meetings went well and we are now in New Port Richey with the grandparents enjoying the warm Florida sun. It has been pretty amazing to arrive at the beginning of hurricane season and see Gustav head past and have Hanna and Ike on the way. Oh well, wind and rain isn’t so bad as long as we don’t have to experience the direct effects like those in Louisiana and Mississippi have had to go through. Praise the Lord there wasn’t more damage from Gustav.
Well, the whole point of this particular blog entry was to post our speaking schedule for the next three months, so that if you happen to be reading this, you can pray for us from time to time.
Our confirmed schedule for sharing in churches:
31 August Tarpon Springs Alliance Church, Tarpon Springs FL14 September Visit our Home Church
21 September First Baptist Church, Hillsboro, OR
28 September Sellwood Baptist Church, Portland, OR
05 October Longview Community Church, Longview, WA
12 October Faith Baptist Church, Lincoln City, OR
19 October Grace Baptist Church, Newberg, OR
26 October Reserved for Dad & Mom Ragsdale’s 50th Wedding Anniversary02 November Evergreen Community Church, Ferndale, WA
09 November Sonrise Church, Hillsboro, OR
16 November Cascade Locks Community Church, Cascade Locks, OR
23 November First Baptist Church, Prineville, OR
30 November Pleasant Home Community Church, Gresham, OR07 December First Baptist Church, Hillsboro, OR
Well there you have it, our complete speaking schedule. Pray for us that the Lord will grant safety as we travel as well as wisdom, strength and boldness as we share the ways He is working through the ministry of Trans World Radio on the continent of Africa. If you happen to be near one of these churches and would like to hear what has been happening in our ministry then please send us a comment on our blog and let us know which meeting you would be interested in as we can then send an address of the church.Till next time…
I suppose, as blogs go, one is supposed to update them more often than every six months, so that folk can keep up with what we are keeping our lives busy with. Ironic isn’t it? We try to keep others up to date with what we are doing, only to be too busy, too tired, or perhaps just too lazy to keep the news up to date. Realistically however, there are few things more important to us than the few posts which we have made to our blogspot: God’s grace in our lives with such tangible evidence through fun times as a family, healthy children and good sports!!! (at least the latter is amongst John’s favorite).
So . . . we have been through lots of life events these past few months.
December was a joyous celebration of Christmas, the real meaning, as well as fun presents, with healthy, happy kids. Summer-time in South Africa is so refreshing with lots of sunshine and good barbeque’s, or braai’s as is the local lingo.
January was a month of ‘firsts’, Jean Marc began 2nd grade and Nicole began Kindergarten (better known as grade R or Grade 0 here). Her start to the year was a little late as we had not intended to put her into Kindergarten, but changed our minds at the last. She is at the youngest end of her class, so only time will tell if we will be convinced to keep her there, or move her back a grade.
Each child faced adjustments at school which they overcame in their own right and they have settled in well to routine. I also have settled in to the new and apparently never-ending schedule of ‘mom’s taxi’. It has been a challenge to rearrange and make my ‘home time’ more task and time efficient. We try to limit the extracurricular activities our children participate in but they are both still involved in swimming, and continue to enjoy that. Jean Marc is also currently involved in soccer.
--January and February also brought some apprehensive news for our family. Carol’s Mom found out she would need a partial mastectomy and chemotherapy. It was difficult news to hear. God has been faithful though and He is bringing her through this bodily trial. Keep praying for her, two more chemo treatments to go!--
February, John turned 41 years old!!!! I am married to a mature, older man! He also injured his right knee, in a casual soccer game in the park across the street from our house, which resulted in a need for surgery, in May.
March came and went with some blustery days and the arrival of some good friends from out of town. We are still enjoying visiting with them before they leave again in June. 
We also received our Permanent Residence Permits which we have been waiting over a year to receive. Praise the Lord!
We escaped for a family holiday for about a week in April and school progress report cards came home. It is a joy to report that both kids are doing outstanding in school. John was away for ten days in April. Ever the traveler, John had a good trip up into West Africa.
May brought a week without electricity, due to the efforts of “load sharing” here. Some good friends helped us out and let Carol and the kids sleep over as John was away still. We are now equipped with a two burner gas stove for emergencies.
Some thieves attempted to break into our home, and thankfully were not successful. No one was home and all is well. But the biggest news in May has been surgery for John. He is currently on the mend and improving daily.
Through the ups and downs of life, God is gracious to us and we appreciate His evidence of care in our lives. We also praise Him for good friends and family who act in a support role to us. Your prayers for us are invaluable.
Til we have a chance to update this ‘spot’ again, take care.
