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Reflections on a bucketlist trip

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In July we embarked on a 'bucketlist trip, places Judy particularly wanted to visit one last time.  Ian's brother, Stuart, kindly offered us his motorhome for the journey. What a gift!  It was a landmark birthday for Ian's eldest brother, Donald, who lives in White River, so we started there, and were blessed to have all five siblings and spouses together. It was a really meaningful time together. Back: Linda and Stuart , Judy and Ian Middle: Isobel and Donald , Joy Front: Alan and Dawn (siblings underlined) From there, we went to the Kruger National Park. At least July is warm in that part of the country! We had some nice sightings. There were 2 resident fish eagles just outside Berg-en-Dal. Their distinct call has a special place in our hearts. We also saw hyena, wild dog, rhino, a lioness, an owl in the day.  We did a sunset game drive and saw a hippo in the bush, a civet and a genet (both related to the mongoose). But we realised game-watching is not prime time for u...
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I&J BACK in JBay

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I am back - what an adventure!  Judy and I have been home now for a week and I'm starting to feel I can focus on evaluating the past five weeks, and how to look forward to the next season of adventures and realities. Thank you so much to those who prayed faithfully for me throughout. During the US trip, I felt I was walking on a path that had been paved in preparation for me. In Birmingham AL, I worked with Grace Klein Community , raising support for  Beats and Books , an NPO I have been involved in here in Jeffreys Bay. I only had to mention Cornie and Prima Ngosa, the local founders of Beats and Books, and I was welcomed as one of the family. They were unable to get their Visa approved because they are Zambian.  In Pontiac Michigan, Cameron of  Zera Ministries had prepared meetings for me in an amazingly thoughtful way.  Birmingham Alabama - Grace Klein Community - FeedBHM  The pace was something to experience. I arrived Sunday evening, the 5th of...
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And he's off!!

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Ian's trip to the USA So Ian has landed in the USA. The purpose of Ian's trip is twofold: firstly to raise support for  Beats and Books  in conjunction with  Grace Klein Community  in Birmingham, Alabama. Soon after we arrived in JBay, Ian and I started a parenting journey with Cornelius and Prima Ngosa. They have become very close friends and we have been able to draw alongside them with the health of their marriage and family.  Cornelius is the founder and CEO of Beats and Books,  which  helps  children from under-resourced communities thrive musically, intellectually, and spiritually. Grace Klein has been instrumental in the support of Beats and Books for many years, and they have facilitated a full itinerary for Ian to connect with potential partners. We are so grateful. The Ngosa family He spends three weeks there, and then to moves on to Pontiac, Michigan  to help train student leaders at R ochester Christian Un...
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The next chapter

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It feels like a new chapter for us, with a different focus in ministry for both Ian and Judy.  Dr Seuss with Olivia and Emily  We are co-leading a course called Life Plan for Couples, which is proving to be deeply impactful for the participants. We continue to  mentor a few  people  and couples.   The beautiful couple in the picture below, Andre and Elze, asked us to prepare them for marriage. What a privilege. We attended their wedding in Bloemfontein in early January and will continue to walk a journey with them. Beats and Books One of the local ministries to the under resourced is Beats and Books , headed by friends of ours, Cornelius and Prima Ngosa. The journey we have been walking with them as a couple has expanded into Ian spending a lot of time assisting with the reshaping of the ministry for 2026.  Ian feels the need, in this case, to move from hands-off mentoring role to the practical assistance of building capacity.  In line with their ...
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