And he's off!!

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 Rochester Christian University. Ian met Cameron Underdown of Zera Ministries in South Africa when he came out to go on a hunting trip. Ian being who he is, struck up a friendship, and at Cameron's request, Ian kept mentoring him online on a weekly basis. 

We have noticed quite a deterioration in my (Judy's) speech and strength in the last few months, and thought it best for me not to accompany Ian. I am deeply disappointed, but I can support him from this side. We would deeply appreciate prayer for him for this time, and for me, Judy, as I stay at home. Join the Whatsapp group with this link, Prayer for Ian's USA trip, for updates andnews of his trip, and to please pray for him.He will be away until the 11th of May.

Just a bit of a catch-up on news in JBay. 

Life Plan for couples
This course, which we co-led, was a huge blessing. We shared our journey quite vulnerably, with Judy giving a couple of talks with her cloned voice on her tablet. We had some really great feedback, an extract of which I will put here: 
"I feel seen and can relate. For me in marriage this is freeing. I know it is silly, but I have been struggling for years with the belief that our struggles in marriage are shameful and should be hidden. Your testimony helps me to be 'ok' with not seeing the full picture moving forward, but experiencing the sovereignty of the Lord over a wild and wonderful timeline." 

For the last session, we prepared places all around our home for the couples to have a meal together and share their appreciation of one another.  


Village Voices
I (Judy) had the opportunity to be one of the speakers at an event at the St Francis Brewery, called Viilage Voices. 


The theme was Endings and Beginnings. I again used my tablet to speak. You can watch the video here.

Visits and Adventures
We had a visit from Stuart, Ian's brother and his wife, Linda, and their cousin, Raewyn from New Zealand. They treated us to a Tstsikamma Canopy Tour, which was so exciting and exhilirating. We also did the walk to the Storms River suspension bridge. Judy really outdid herself with the 3.4 km long round trip, with 480 steps up and down on the way there, and the same number down and up on the way back, It was soooo beautiful.



We had a visit from Judy's niece, Monique, and her boyfriend, Dave, who have been living in the UK. We had such a special connection with them, and when they left, we felt grateful that our hearts were full.

Family news
Amy and William had a skiing trip in Italy.

We miss Heather and Nathan and the girls a lot, but they are doing well in Middelberg, Mpumalanga. Emily started Grade 1, Livi turned 5, and Abby is 8 months old already!

David and Robynne have bought a house in Gqeberha and their baby boy is due at the end of May.
 
Prayer items
  • Thanksgiving for our beautiful home in this caring community
  • For Ian to have God-ordained appointments with the right people at the right time
  • For Judy to be safe and content for the time Ian is away

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