Outreach Location

It's official...we are going to Thailand for outreach!! More about this later but just wanted to let everyone know! P.S. Liz may be coming home for a short stay tonight (hope, hope!). Love to you all :-)

So much to say...!!

These last couple of weeks have been so busy I almost don't know where to start! Liz left for her outreach in the township of Asunda last Friday so I have been adjusting to life on the base without her. Yes, I am a little sad and I do miss her immensely but I did get a cell phone the day after she left so we do have some means of communication. Liz was asked to preach her first Sunday in the township and apparently the community showed up in numbers because the church was so packed people had to peer in from the outside through windows! What an audience for her first official sermon! But in true Liz fashion, I was told that she did a fantastic job - just sorry I wasn't able to be there in person to hear it.


My DTS is going great!! This week's speaker is talking about forgiveness and reconciliation. Let me just say, it has been a powerful week of lectures. This is such a godly man with such a powerful message. He grew up as a slave while South Africa was still under apartheid and suffered unimaginable abuse - yet God was able to bring him to the point of forgiveness towards those responsible and towards white people in general. There is so much more I am leaving out but honestly, I just walk out of class each day feeling so humbled by God's mercy and love for us.

Okay, I have to run to my outreach with the homeless so I need to close for now but I will try to add to this a little later! Much love to all our family and friends! We miss you!!

Another week coming to a close

This has been a busy week for both of us. I (Liz) had my first preaching on Tuesday, which was very encouraging for me as I was quite nervous for it. But I can already see how God takes all the preparation we put into it and breathes his life into it, making it a powerful message for his people. I am excited for the many opportunities we will have to teach and preach in the townships beginning next week. This preparation has been far beyond what I expected. This program does a fantastic job of equipping teachers for all different types of settings.

Brian has been very busy as well with classes, small groups, and his first outreach, working with the homeless kids and adults in an area not too far from here. He loved this first opportunity and is excited to continue working with them once a week during these next 2 months.

We are both looking forward to a day off together this weekend (Sunday) and are trying to prepare ourselves for our last full week together before I leave on outreach. It's amazing how quickly time goes, but I guess time flies when you're having fun. And we are both having so much fun, working here in South Africa!

We love you,
Liz and Brian

Humble Gratitude - from Brian (finally!)

Okay, believe it or not, this is a real FIFTY
BILLION DOLLAR bill from Zimbabwe - and we have two! :) Unfortunately, they are only worth about $1 USD so don't think Liz and I will be retiring on this. Maybe we'll put one in the church offering when we get back...

This little boy from Masiphumelele may look tough but he was one of my favorites! He liked to battle people with his stick and try to tackle us but softened up as soon as you grabbed him for a hug.

Well, I know I’m way overdue for my first official post but I know my lovely wife has picked up the slack and done a great job of keeping you all informed of our progress here in South Africa. We have definitely settled into things and are well under way with our respective schools. Liz is in the process of preparing her first sermon that she’ll be presenting to her school leaders on Tuesday. I just finished my first full week of DTS and have learned much. The rest of the students in my DTS are much younger but those of you who know me best know that I fit in perfectly!! Each of us in the DTS has to volunteer a couple times a week within the community as part of our local outreach to specific groups of people in need. One organization called the “Justice Act” reaches out to women and children who have been victims of human trafficking into the sex trade. Unfortunately this is a huge problem down here. Another organization is focused on helping Cape Town’s street kids turn their lives around. Many young children leave their homes to live on the streets due to abuse suffered within their families. As a result, they typically turn to crime, prostitution, and drugs as a way of survival. Ironically, there is a third group that works with severely disabled children. I’d say my last two jobs certainly seem to have prepared me to serve in either of the latter groups!

On Thursday my DTS did our first outreach and went into a township called Masiphumelele where we got a feel for the layout and its people. It was a humbling experience but one rich in blessings because of the people and children we were able to interact with. Families survive on a fraction of what we take for granted in America – for instance, one toilet for each row of houses. That means roughly 20-30 people per toilet. But as I said, the people were amazing – specifically the children. Loved them!! Most could not wait to pose for the camera and then ask to see the images of themselves. We ended up staying in this area for many hours just playing with the kids and giving them an abundance of hugs. I will post a few pics of the many I took. I'll try and get an online album set up so I can post more later.

Finally, we learned of our September outreach locations . . . South Africa or Thailand. There will be two teams, one sent to each area. We need to submit our preference by Tuesday but Liz and I have already agreed that both places would present amazing opportunities so as we pray for direction, please be praying for us! But yes, if any of you are wondering, we would not be sad if we end up in Thailand! :-) Well, I guess that's it for now. I will try and be better about posting but if my improvement is slow, you can all be thankful I have Liz!! Much love to you all . . . B & L

A New Week

After an incredible weekend of sightseeing and time with friends, we are back in the classroom for more training. Liz is preparing for her first teaching (On Thursday) and Brian is getting into the swing of things with his first full week of lectures. We have been finding a balance of hard work and time with new friends (and each other), which has made our time here in South Africa already very rewarding. We are both looking forward to what this week brings both in and out of the classroom.

Inspired

After a couple of incredible days of teaching, I (Liz) am feeling inspired. Inspired by God's beauty and power around us and inspired by the challenging teaching I am receiving in my training. This picture is of our sunrise this morning and to wake up to something so beautiful is

such a blessing. This beauty is all around us. In the nature, in the people of Africa, and in the hearts of those who have committed this season of their lives to serve the Lord. Brian and I are entering into our weekend, where I, Liz will get some rest and relaxation to process all I have already been taught and to enjoy some downtime with my teammates. Brian will begin his first classes tomorrow (yes, on a Saturday) and says he is quite excited to get started. We will get to celebrate the 4th of July at a barbecue with our fellow Americans here at the base as well!

Liz's first day of training

Liz writing: Today I started my first day of training. It was exciting to be back in the classroom setting again, with today's focus on "The heart of a teacher". What a challenging and inspiring first day! I was once again reminded of the importance of passion and the desire to see other's lives changed as we set the focus for the next few months and the foundation for how we choose to teach others in our classes and through our lives.

As I look over the syllabus and the plans for the next few months, I am both humbled and excited at the challenges that lie ahead. I am encouraged when I read the words of Paul in his letter to the Corinthians and I see that even as great a man as he approached his audience not with lofty words, but with fear and trembling, in hopes that God's power would be demonstrated through him. So, I guess I can say that I am glad I feel a little nervous about the opportunities to teach others, for it will keep me in a good place...one of total dependence on God.

Good night!