…it’s been pretty busy, as evidenced by our lack of posts since the beginning of November. And since a full recap would be quite overwhelming to read, I’ll just highlight some things:
We had a great Thanksgiving this year, which included THREE turkeys and the entire team, as well as some friends that we’ve made, over at our house for an incredible dinner and time of fellowship. All in all, we had 24 eating, laughing and praying together. With the leftovers that we had Christina and I took some of the students out to do some food delivery to people in the townships. It was really cool to be able to bless some families and individuals that the Lord laid on our hearts with their own “American” Thanksgiving dinner.
I’ve started discipling a guy here in town named Marko. He’s about a year away from being a full-fledged lawyer and already works in his father’s firm, with the desire to take over the firm eventually. What’s great about him is that he’s really passionately pursuing God’s heart for him and desires to be the man that the Lord has created him to be. Consequently, he has a real teachable heart and I can see the Spirit really moving in the midst of our conversations. Even more exciting is his desire to get into the townships in more of a meaningful way, which brings to fruition the dream that Christina and I have to build bridges between the two very segregated parts of this town.
In the midst of all of this, however, Christina and I are asking some very important and tough questions, such as God’s desire for us as a couple and how it pertains to our future in ministry and in JBay (Personally, I’m also asking the very important and tough question of if there will ever be a playoff system in college football, but that’s a whole other post). We can see the Lord doing some great stuff here and it is evident that the Spirit is moving in a powerful way, which is really exciting. But we’re trying to press in to see if His heart for this town matches up with His heart for us. We would ask for you to join us in this “pressing,” including discernment and patience for us, as, selfishly, we had been hoping the Lord would speak a little faster than He is. But we know that He has incredible things planned for us and so we praise Him for that in the midst of the search!
That’s a rundown for us in the past month. For a quick look ahead, we leave for debrief on Friday (is it REALLY already the end of the semester??) and the students leave on the 14th. We’ll be spending the holidays here in JBay again this year, along with the thousands of tourists that have descended upon this town for the season. But we think of all of you in the northern hemisphere as we’re getting tanner and laying on the beach while singing “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas.” Gotta love Christmastime in Jeffreys Bay!
Dear Chris and Christina,
Thank you for your obedience to the call of service for Him. I am thankful you both were there to guide and direct the kids at Jbay. I read many of the blogs faithfully and having been praying for work there. My daughter surprised the socks off of her parents when she announced she felt called to South Africa to seek the Lord.In reading her blogs He has been working in her life for which we are thankful.
We will be praying for the Lord’s direction in your life as a couple.
In Christ, Katie Ely’s mom
Hey thanks for the update. Sounds like thanksgiving what fun. Cant imagine all the food. 3 turkeys that is crazy. I will be praying for you guys. Oh and enjoy the beach on Christmas for you and I will enjoy the snow for you guys. Chris I am excited for you and Marko. That is awesome. You guys are doing the Lords work and I thank you for that.
Chris & Chistina,
Barb and I are praying for you. We trust God will give you the desires of your hearts whether that be in JBay or some other part of the world. Thank you for your heart for God’s will and desire to service others. Jenny is so blessed to be there and benefit from your wisdom and obedience to God. Have an awesome Christmas of fun and renewal. God’s Richest Blessing! Russ