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2010 Email Updates

Latest Issue - February 2010 - "We're back home, safe and sound."

The last month has been pretty hectic. We decided to take a crate so we collected some books and equipment to take back to South Africa . We were staying at my sister and brother-in-law’s home, which has a heated garage, so we built a crate there and got it packed. We closed it up on Thursday evening, February 11.We had contacted a shipping agent who said we should deliver it to a business place, where it could be collected by a trucker to begin its journey to South Africa . They were not open on Friday afternoon so we delivered the crate on Monday morning, February 15. That was cutting things a bit fine, but we have since learned that it is safely on its way.

We delivered the car to the buyer on Monday at noon . Fortunately, the new owners let us use it until we left. In fact, they delivered us to the airport in it at noon on Monday!

The journey home was long, but uneventful. We flew from Minneapolis to Atlanta at 2:00 p.m. on Monday afternoon. At Atlanta we went from the arrival gate to the departure gate and boarded the plane. The next leg was a 14 1/2-hour flight to Johannesburg . The flight was good and we managed to get some rest. In Johannesburg we went from the arrival gate to the departure gate and boarded the airplane for Durban . Fortunately, that was only a 1-hour flight. There was a thunder and lightning storm in Durban and, apparently several planes were delayed or cancelled. Our pilot announced on the way that he would check and see if we could land! Fortunately, the storm cleared and we made it safely to Durban . Sean Thorncroft, our son-in-law, met us and took us home where we were met by the rest of the family. It was late, but they let us wake the grandchildren up so we could see them. What a joy to see everyone again. For those of you who are wondering, Dina’s baby did not arrive before us. We are all ready and waiting now – Dina more so than anyone else.

The heat and humidity are a bit overwhelming, but we have had some rain and clouds today so it hasn’t been too bad. We went to bed quite late last night, but I couldn’t sleep so I got up and read until about 5. Then I slept until 11! Michael slept when he first went to bed and was up about 8. We know it will be a few days before we are back on schedule.

The suitcases are unpacked and we are enjoying our home again. We have heard from some of our friends and fellow-workers. Now we are busy sorting out the mail and trying to get our feet back on the ground.

We had a great furlough and were glad to see so many of you. Pray for us as we begin our work here again.

Caryl and Michael

January 2010 - Wrapping up US visitation and reporting to churches

Time is flying by and we will be retuning to South Africa soon. Our departure date is 15 February. Between now and then we will still visit two churches in South Dakota and I will speak for a ladies’ group in Minnesota .

We have had a good furlough. We have traveled safely and enjoyed our visits with churches in Ohio , Indiana , Illinois, Oklahoma , Nebraska , Iowa , Wisconsin , South Dakota and Minnesota . We have renewed old friendships and made new ones.

About two weeks ago we decided to send a crate back to South Africa . We didn’t originally plan to do that, so we have not been collecting items along the way as we usually do. In the end we decided that we needed to get some heavy parts to repair some equipment in South Africa and we needed to replace some old items. Since we are sending a crate, we decided to also get some books for the ministers and some communion trays and cups, which are not readily available in South Africa . We have put a bit of pressure on the Christian book store to get the items in time for us to get them and get the crate packed and shipped before we leave. Any contributions toward paying for the books, equipment or shipping would be appreciated. Check should be made out to South Africa Church of Christ Mission and sent to P. O. Box 18531 Minneapolis , MN 55418-0531 .

We are looking forward to getting back to South Africa . It will be good to be in our own home and to see our family again. Sean, our son-in-law, went to Umzumbe Bible Institute recently and there has been more vandalism and destruction on the campus. We are planning to do some repairs and then re-establish our out-reach program to the youth in the community. Pray that we will get good cooperation from the church and schools in the area.

Pray for us as we finish up our speaking schedule and as we pack and get ready to leave. Pray especially for good weather over the next 2 weeks so we can make the necessary trips to the churches. Pray for safety as we travel back home on February 15 and 16.

Caryl and Michael

2009 Email Updates

December, 2009

We have visited some churches over the past few weeks. It has been really nice to see so many friends and supporters. Now we are into the Christmas season and most churches are having special programs. We have been able to attend some of them and have really enjoyed that. We are also spending quite a bit of time with Diane while she is in the USA for a few weeks.

Dawn and JP celebrated Chayah's first birthday this week. We were really sorry not to be able to be in South Africa for that. The school year ended early in December so she is now at home being a full-time mommy, which she really enjoys.

Dawn has not been able to share a lot about the problems at her school as it is under investigation. She applied for teaching jobs for next year at two schools and was very disappointed when she did not get either one. Today we learned that a teacher resigned from one of those schools and she has been offered the position. She is really excited about that. Thank you to all who prayed for her and for those who wrote and encouraged her. It means a lot to us.

Dina and Sean are both working and the girls are out of school for this year. They seem to have worked out a solution for caring for the girls, but I wish we could be there to help take care of them. Dina will be taking some time off from her nursing position next year as she is expecting a baby in February. We are hoping that we will arrive back in time to be there for the new arrival.

We will be speaking at churches in Wisconsin, South Dakota, and Minnesota during January and February. Our plan is to leave for South Africa in mid-February. Pray for us as we travel and for the work in South Africa. We know that there will be a lot of work to do in regard to the position of treasurer. Also we will be involved with the churches in KwaZulu Natal and with the work in the schools.

We wish you all a blessed Christmas. May all of our celebrations truly honor Christ.

Michael and Caryl

Late November, 2009

Unfortunately, I do not have much information to share with you. The meeting that was scheduled for Thursday did not take place. It has been re-scheduled for the end of this week. We do not know much of the situation, except that it involves abuse of children by a member of the staff at her school. Please continue to pray that she will maintain her Christian witness through all of this. Diane has arrived in Minnesota so we are enjoying being able to spend time with her.

Caryl and Michael

Early November, 2009

Please pray for our daughter, Dawn. She is facing a very difficult situation at the school where she teaches. She will be involved in a meeting tomorrow. Pray that she will be silent when she needs to be silent and that God will give her the words she needs to say when she needs to speak.

Michael and Caryl

October, 2009

It is Friday evening and we have just returned from the Conference business meeting. Actually, there have been business meetings everyday. However, today they dealt with the most serious issues. First they gave the financial report. It is the first real meaningful financial report in about 7 years. Several people worked day and night during the past few days to get it done and there are still problems, but it is a real step of progress.

The elections for the Executive Committee of the Church of Christ Mission were held late this afternoon. Michael was nominated for President (chairman), but the incumbent president (Elijah Gontsana) won by a large majority. The deputy president is a man who served as chairman of many of the meetings this week and seems to be very capable. The incumbent secretary was re-elected - also by a majority. The deputy secretary is a man who takes copious notes so will probably also be able to do his job well. Michael and two other men - one the incumbent treasurer and another who has been involved in the finances of the Church - were nominated for treasurer. Michael won a majority of those votes and the previous treasurer hardly got any votes! The Director of Building and Evangelism is a young minister in whom we have a lot of confidence. The Executive Committee consists of these men and representatives of the six areas of South Africa. It looks like these will be men who will work well together. One of the comments Michael said he heard often as the church people congratulated the new Committee, was "We trust you." Praise the Lord for that. Thank you for all the prayers you have prayed over the past few days. We really believe that God's hand was in the elections. Pray now that these will do the jobs they have been chosen to do. Pray especially for Michael. There is a lot of work to do and some of it will be very difficult.

Michael will be teaching his lesson tomorrow (Saturday) morning. After the church service on Sunday we will drive back to Kimberley to visit a friend before returning home on Monday. Pray for us and all the other people who will be traveling back to our homes over the next few days.

We were not able to send this out on Friday night as planned. In fact, we are now home after a long day on the road. Saturday did not go as planned. They reorganized the schedule so the Farewell Service for Alice Fishback could be on Saturday morning because some of the people left for their homes on Saturday afternoon. Then the Executive Committee had meetings for most of Saturday afternoon. In the end Michael taught his class in the evening. There were about 80 people there and several commented on the good lesson. One man said that Michael should teach his class on the first day of Conference when more people are there.

Pray for us. We have a busy week ahead as we take care of business and prepare for our return to the United States next Monday. Hopefully, we will also be able to spend some time with the family here before we leave.

Michael and Caryl

September, 2009

We would like to ask you to pray for us specially this month. After much prayer and thought we decided to return to South Africa for the annual church conference, a gathering of church members from all over the country. Pray that some major decisions will be made and some of the on-going problems can be resolved at this year's conference.

There are some people who want Michael to be elected as treasurer at this year's elections. Financial issues constitute a major part of the problem. Pray for God's Will to be done in regard to this matter. Pray for us - for wisdom and guidance as we meet with the church members and church leaders. We really do not know what to expect.

This week we will be preparing to leave for South Africa. We will fly out early on Thursday morning and arrive in Johannesburg South Africa on Friday evening - after 19 hours on planes and 8 hours waiting to change planes in Atlanta. We will stay overnight in Johannesburg and fly to Durban on Saturday. Dawn, JP and Chayah will meet us at the airport. Unfortunately, Dina and her family will leave early on Saturday morning to visit Sean's parents for a week and Diane will be busy with something for work.

After a week at home we will travel across South Africa to attend the annual church conference. After the conference we will return home to spend a few days with our children and grandchildren before returning to the United States to continue our furlough.

Michael and Caryl

August 2009

It has been a really busy month. We arrived in the United States on the 14th July. We went to stay with my younger sister and brother-in-law in the Minneapolis St. Paul area. I ended up going for some emergency medical care the night after we arrived. I had done something to my back and was in a lot of pain. Fortunately, it didn't last long after I got some medication. Then I got a bad sore throat. I was beginning to wonder if I was ever going to feel normal again! Now I am fine and Michael made the transition from South Africa to the United States without any problems.

For the first week we didn't have a car, so we either walked or took my sister and brother-in-law to work so we could use their car. Fortunately, by the second week, we were able to buy a 2000 Buick Le Sabre. We have been very happy with our purchase.

During the first few weeks we were involved in a lot of family activities. My extended family had a reunion so we were able to see some cousins we haven't seen for many years. Michael's sister also came from South Africa in July so all four of the siblings were able to be on one side of the ocean, which doesn't happen very often. We were all able to be at Michael's nephew's wedding. The four siblings and three spouses went on a short vacation to Chicago and we really enjoyed our sight-seeing which included a dinner cruise. Michael and I rushed home from Chicago to participate in the Stillwater Minnesota Relay for Life. My older sister organized two teams so we really enjoyed that and were able to raise money for cancer research.

From there we went to my sister's house to wash clothes and pack so we could begin a month-long trip to Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. We will be returning to Minnesota at the beginning of September. We traveled to a Stanley family reunion in Pennsylvania, where the Minnesota ancestors came from in the mid-1800's.

We have spoken at one church and visited one church in Minnesota, visited a family from one of our supporting churches in Wisconsin, spoken at one church and visited another church in Ohio, and spoken at two churches in Illinois and one church in Oklahoma. We are on our way to Nebraska to visit two of our supporting churches. As we travel from place to place we are visiting friends and family.

In addition to our church visits over the next few weeks, we will also be making preparations to return to South Africa. Originally we had planned to return to South Africa in September, but realized that we would not be able to visit many of our supporting churches by then, so we decided to stay until February. However, the annual church conference in South Africa is at the end of September and beginning of October and Michael feels that he needs to be there for the conference. We are praying that some major decisions will be made. So we will be returning to South Africa for a few weeks in September and October. We also found out that if we are out of South Africa for 183 days during the tax year, we are not subject to South Africa income tax - which is quite a lot of money.

We have been keeping contact with the family in South Africa by email and text messages. Technology is certainly great for us!!

We are looking forward to seeing many of you over the next few months. Please pray for safety for us as we travel. Also pray for our trip to South Africa and especially for the annual church conference and for the decisions that will be made there.

Michael and Caryl

July, 2009

As I mentioned in the last email, it was the anniversary of Mac's death on June 9. Diane invited the family and a few friends to a special service at Oribi Bible Camp. Her minister led a short time of memories and prayer time and then Diane scattered Mac's ashes from the top of the water tank stand - a favorite place of Mac's. The three nieces released gold helium-filled balloons at the same time. After a time of meditation, we all went to Debbie (Michael's sister) and Lynton Neethling's for soup and fellowship. It was a special time and another milestone for Diane.

The 7th of June marked our 40th wedding anniversary, but we were all busy so the day went almost unnoticed. Michael and I went to a church service where the people from one of the older congregations in this area are starting a new church. They meet in a hut now, but have land and are hoping to build soon. After church we went to Diane's and all of our children were there so we enjoyed a short visit with them.

Michael traveled to Kimberley in mid-June to attend the South African Bible Institute Board of Governors meeting and the annual general meeting. (I was not able to go as I had agreed to do a doughnut demonstration at a women's meeting.)

At the end of June we made our monthly trip to Eshowe. Originally Michael planned to attend a men's meeting on Saturday, but it was postponed. We went up on Friday night and he attended a funeral on Saturday. The place where we usually stay was already full, so we stayed in a new place this time. It is outside of town and is very quiet. (They don't even have a tv!) I was there by myself on Saturday, but I kept busy. Michael had cut wood to make a new sign for the church, so I sanded and painted the undercoat on it. Now the church will have to take it to a sign-writer to complete it.

A lot of our time is being taken up with getting ready to return to the United States in a few days. Our grandchildren are on vacation and our daughter, Dina, is on night duty so we have the children for a few days. We are still trying to work out if their presence is a help or a hindrance to our travel preparations. We have found a single man who is a Christian to stay in the house. We will store our vehicles and leave the Umzumbe Bible Institute property in the care of the Umzumbe Church. Fortunately, right now it is winter and our dry season so the grass and weeds won't be growing very fast. We moved a few things out of the buildings yesterday because we are worried about burglaries.

Just before we leave South Africa, we will go away for a couple of days with all of our children and grandchildren. We are not going far, but we will all be able to stay together so we are really looking forward to that. Our plan is to play games, visit and just relax together. We just need to be sure the overseas suitcases are packed first! Pray that we will have a good (and productive) week.

Looking forward to seeing many of you over the next few months.

Caryl and Michael

May, 2009

Where did May go? I missed sending out a message for the whole month. For most of April we spent a lot of time at Umzumbe Bible Institute. We had decided to have the Magog grade 7 Life Skills camp at the beginning of May, so we allowed those who wanted to work their way to camp to come after school to pull weeds, cut grass and work on the road. There was great excitement when they had finished and the bus came to take them to Oribi Bible Camp for four days.

Scripture Union helped us organize and run the camp. It was a great camp. Michael was very busy as he presented some of the sessions and also worked with one small group of boys. Mr. Nala, a teacher, helped with Michael's group. Last year he wasn't even sure he wanted to accompany the students; this year he participated in everything and commented to Michael about how much he appreciated the camp! Michael also led the hike one day. They have the students take a sack lunch and walk out into the nature reserve. I was the chief cook which involved being in the kitchen for about 15 hours each day to prepare meals for about 65 people. I had 2 or 3 helpers, but still had to take the major responsibility. We both came home quite exhausted.

Recently two of the Scripture Union girls started running a girls' friendship group at Magog for grade 6 and 7 girls. They meet each Tuesday after school for games, refreshments and a Bible story. We are hoping to be able to find a young man who would be willing to do a boys' friendship group. The boys are feeling quite left out.

Michael has attended a couple of committee meetings with a group of people from the churches in KwaZuluNatal over the past two months. They are discussing the future of the churches in our province and trying to solve some of the problems in the churches. He has also been dealing with some disagreements between the elders in the Eshowe churches, where we visit once each month. He has made some extra trips there and stayed longer on the weekends. Pray for continued wisdom for him as he deals with these men.

In mid-May we decided to make a trip to George. Michael offered help sort out some of the financial problems in the national church. We decided to travel by Greyhound bus. It took us 18 hours each way to make the trip.(If we had driven, we would have spent two days and one night on the road each way.) While we were in George, we stayed with fellow-missionaries, Pete, Fran and Denzil Laughren. We had a very good visit with them. Michael went to see the treasurer one day, but he refused the help. That was very frustrating for Michael.

Dina, who is a registered nurse in the private hospital maternity ward, has had to go onto night duty for a few months. As a wife and mother it is a difficult transition, but she didn't have a choice. The rest of her family is doing fine.

Diane is not looking forward to next week as it will be the anniversary of Mac's death. Please pray for her. She has been very busy at work and is feeling quite exhausted. She has organized two programs with her new job as national training coordinator of Scripture Union and she really enjoyed that. Pray that Scripture Union will be able to find a regional director to replace her as she is now doing both jobs.

On April 19, Dawn and JP had a special service to dedicate themselves to raise Chayah in a way that honors God. Their cell group stood with them during the ceremony. The minister spoke and then Michael prayed for Chayah, Dawn and JP. JP's family came from Empangeni and the family gathered at our home after church for a meal and photo session. It was great fun!

We are beginning to get things ready to be away from our home for two months. We will be flying to the United States on July 13. We are scheduled to return to South Africa in September, but that could be extended.

Sorry about the delay in getting word off to you. Will try to do better in the future.

Caryl and Michael

April, 2009

It seems that I completely missed out an up-date from us in March. My apologies.

We visited the children who were injured in the accident several times. The girl had a broken arm, but no other injuries. She was released from the hospital in less than a week - in time to attend the funeral of the girl who was killed. The boy was in Port Shepstone Hospital for about 4 weeks and then he was moved to Durban for reconstructive surgery.

We attended the annual Ministers' Week in Barberton at the beginning of March. Michael preached one day and I led a Bible study for the ladies on two days. The theme for the week was "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Messages and lessons included responsibilities of husbands, wives and parents. We were very impressed with the preparation and presentation done by the ministers. We also enjoyed the fellowship. Unfortunately, there are still problems in the executive committee. Continue to pray for a revival in the lives of those leaders.

From March 23 until April 3 Michael and I taught at the South African Bible Institute in Kimberley. Michael had one student in the first year class (Christian Decision Making) and I had three students in the second/third year class (Establishing a Sunday School). We provided lunch for the students nearly every day while we were there. They welcomed the food, but that is not the whole story. When we arrived the kitchen was filthy and it was overrun with ants. We bribed them into cleaning up with the threat that there would be no food if the kitchen was dirty.

While we were in Kimberley we stayed with Michael's friend, Roy, and visited with Steve and Brenda Caulley, fellow missionaries. The weather was quite nice while we were there. Kimberley can be extremely hot in summer and extremely cold in winter (especially since there is no central heating in the houses.) This was a good time of year to be there.

Now we are getting ready for the special services that will be held this weekend in Gingindlovu - nearly 100 miles from here. We will go up on Friday morning. During the day the men from the various churches will preach on the Seven Last Words of Christ from the Cross. Michael has been asked to teach a combined class for men and women and I am to bring a lesson for the women. That will be on Saturday. There will be a service on Sunday and then we will return home.

The family is all well. Rebecca and Gabriella have finished the first term of school at their new school and they are very happy there. They are having a short break now and Dina and Sean are both working, so the girls have come to stay for a couple of days. Dawn is getting ready for school as she will be returning to her teaching job in mid-April. Chayah will have to go to a day-care center. Chayah is growing and beginning to charm us all with her smile! Diane is almost finished with the sewing for the wedding on Sunday. I went to her house a couple of times and helped cut and pin bridesmaids' dresses. The bridesmaids' dresses are all done except one hem. The bride's dress still needs a hem and some beading, but will definitely be done. It has been pretty stressful, but she is doing an absolutely beautiful job!

We enjoy getting responses from you. It's always good to hear what you are doing. Pray for the meetings this weekend and we will be thinking of all of you as you celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.

Caryl and Michael

March, 2009

It has been a hectic couple of weeks since we sent out the last message. We went to Umzumbe church the first week of February, expecting to have the usual few people. We thought we could go and then rush home for a family gathering to celebrate Rebecca's birthday and Dawn and JP's anniversary. That day we had the biggest group at church that we have had in a very long time. The message Michael preached had an impact on some of the people who then wanted to give testimonies. It was a long service, so by the time we got home, lunch was ready and the family was waiting for us. We are so blessed that people were touched and I really did try to remember that it was what we had been praying for!

In the afternoon we enjoyed the time we were able to spend with the family. We got out an old jigsaw puzzle and several of us worked on it. We also ate, watched t.v., ate, visited and ate. (Michael and I finished the puzzle later in the week and found that 2 pieces were missing!)

The next weekend, we traveled to Bloemfontein so I could attend a women's workshop, where I was asked to represent the Umzumbe Church. The wife of the minister in the Durban area went with me. It was a very good workshop with sessions on our responsibilities as Christians in a world where gender-based violence is so wide-spread. We had good fellowship and worship times.

While I was at the conference, Michael traveled on to Kimberley to attend the South African Bible Institute Board of Governors' meeting. It was a long trip, but we both felt it was worth-while.

This past Friday both Michael and I were involved in shopping for special events. Michael and one of the young ladies from Umzumbe bought food for a meeting on Saturday. The ministers of KwaZuluNatal met with Elijah Gontsana, the chairman of the mission, to plan for the annual conference. It is a national meeting that is to be held in KwaZuluNatal later in the year.

I bought food for another Scripture Union camp, which was held at Oribi Bible Camp. I went up on Friday and cooked supper and then stayed over to cook breakfast for about 25 people. The leaders said they could handle the rest of the meals on Saturday and they had another cook for Sunday.

After I left the camp, I went to Diane's house to help her sew. She is making a bride's dress and three bridesmaids' dresses for a wedding in April. One of the dresses needed to be done before Sunday because the girl was here for the weekend. I helped cut and pin. I left before dark to return home and learned on Sunday that she finished the dress about 3 a.m. Hopefully, she won't have such time constraints on the rest of the sewing!

Sunday morning Elijah Gontsana, Michael and I left for church at Umzumbe. Less than a mile from the church we were met by a group of people who were carrying some children. We learned that the children had been riding a bike and were hit by a car. I started making phone calls to get police and ambulances while Michael assessed the children. Unfortunately, the youngest girl (age 10) had already passed away. The other girl (age 13) was sitting up and talking to those around her. The boy (age 11) was in very serious condition. His scalp had been torn loose over about half of his head, he had severe head injuries and he had a broken leg. Michael stayed with him until the ambulance took the two children to hospital. Fortunately, the boy remained conscious and was able to talk to Michael and answer questions. Michael suggested I take some pictures, so I was official telephone operator and photographer.

We took Elijah on to church and he preached and ate lunch there. Michael and I went into town and went to the hospital as quickly as we could, but we were too late to have them admitted to the private hospital, where someone had to be present to guarantee payment. However, we were assured by the ambulance personnel that they were better off at the provincial hospital as they are more experienced with trauma cases. As soon as we felt that they were in good hands, we left and spent the rest of the day with our children and grandchildren. I think we needed that after the traumatic experience we had been through.

Yesterday we went in to the hospital to check on the children. The girl is in a ward. Her arm is in a cast as she broke her wrist. She is complaining of pain in her leg, but it doesn't seem to be broken. The boy was in ICU, though they were getting ready to move him to a ward. Michael went in again today and found out that they have not completed setting his leg yet. Both the femur and tibia are broken - compound fractures - and he will have to have plastic surgery on his head. Michael understood that they were to operate on his leg later today and then move him to a hospital in Durban for the plastic surgery.

All three of the children attended Magog Primary School, where we visit on a regular basis. The boy obviously knew and trusted Michael. We spoke to the teachers today. The older girl is in grade 7 and the other two were in the same class in grade 4.

The funeral for the little girl will be Saturday. Unfortunately, we will not be able to attend as we will be leaving on Friday for the annual Ministers' Week in Barberton.

Pray for us as we travel to Barberton. It is a long journey and we probably won't be able to leave until about noon, so will only arrive in the middle of the night. Pray for the conference. I will be leading a ladies' Bible Study on Tuesday and Michael will be preaching on Thursday morning. Pray for the others who will also be involved in the teaching and leading.

Michael and Caryl

February, 2009

It is long past time for me to get a message off to all of you. My apologies for missing January completely!

We were helping Diane move into her new house on the 29th of December, when we received a call asking us to meet the next day with Simphiwe's father and the social worker. When we got there her father, grandfather, step-mother, step-grandmother, and another lady were there with the social worker. We found out the other lady was Simphiwe's mother's sister. After a long discussion between Simphiwe, her father, her aunt and the social worker, we were told that they had agreed for Simphiwe to go to live with her aunt on the north side of Durban. The shock was that we were to take her home to pack and she was leaving immediately. She requested to see two people before she left - a counselor and a friend who had taken her on a couple of outings. We have visited her once since she left and we have talked to her on the phone. She is very happy and settled in school there.

Recently we were called in the middle of the night by another girl from the Umzumbe community. She felt threatened so Michael went out and stayed with her.

She spent the next few nights in one of the rooms at Umzumbe Bible Institute, but Michael called Child Welfare and she has now been taken to a place of safety. She is an orphan who was supposedly being cared for by an aunt and uncle. They were, apparently, not doing a very effective job and had recently thrown her out of the house. Unfortunately, there are a number of girls in similar situations in that area.

Diane had a rough three weeks around Christmas with a lot of "firsts" without Mac -Christmas, New Year celebration, their anniversary and her birthday. The move from the house she and Mac built came in the midst of that and that was also very difficult for her. She is now settled into her new home and busy with her job again.

We visited the Eshowe congregations again in January. Michael met with the men and they had a good discussion. There are still problems, but there seems to be more co-operation.

Michael preaches at the Umzumbe Church most of the other weeks. It is a small congregation and we have become very frustrated with the lack of Christian commitment and integrity. Pray for wisdom for us.

We have resumed our visits to the high school where Michael leads in devotions for the students each Tuesday morning. He tries to choose some item of current news and bring a Christian challenge related to it.

Last week I cooked for a Scripture Union conference. There were 70 to 80 people there from Monday breakfast until Friday brunch. I had two helpers for 8 hours during the day and then some volunteers came in to help in the evening. After cooking 13 meals and being in the kitchen for about 15 hours each day, I was exhausted, but I did enjoy it. I spent much of Saturday in bed - I needed the rest, but I also had a 24-hour flu bug!

We have had a lot of rain and some very hot weather so the grass is growing very fast. Michael uses his lawn tractor and a bush cutter to cut the grass at Umzumbe Bible Institute. School boys often come to rake the cuttings and help to clean up afterwards.

The family is all well. Mom is much the same. Visiting is getting harder as she isn't very talkative. Dina likes her job at the private hospital. Rebecca and Gabriella have settled in well at their new school and it is so good to hear them say they like school. Rebecca turned 11 yesterday. Diane is in Cape Town for a week for a senior staff conference. JP has just returned to work after a long leave (The office closed for the December holidays and he had requested his annual three-week leave for January since the baby was due in early January. Then Chayah arrived early so he was able to be home until she was nearly 6 weeks old.) Dawn is on her three-month maternity leave, so is enjoying being at home with Chayah. Dawn and JP celebrated their 4th wedding anniversary today.

Caryl and Michael

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