Crazy, disjointed and unorganized

I know it seems crazy but it would seem that all we have been able to do is sleep and eat....
Well, I mean that we have really not been able to get into a routine. So things seem very disjointed.
We are hoping to get things filing soon.
Howard has had several of his dr appointments and has only a few left so I guess that is progress, but we have not been able to set any go our project for the season.

Our reunion

We left from Sunbury on Wednesday afternoon and began the journey home. It struck me that in the 1920's when Howard's Aunt left for the mission field her trip was months long. I wondered at the stamina that these first missionary had and the dedication they showed to the work God place before them. I am in awe of their sacrifice. We have been told that people think the same of us but for us it is really so much easier. Being able to fly instead of traveling by ship not to mention all the amenities that are available now. Anyway........
it is now Sunday and I want to let you know we look better than this :-)
This was the end of the trip, Thursday.




The trip was Only 24 hours and I must tell you it was bitter sweet for me.
I felt as if I was leaving home with the possibility of never returning. Now if I was actually headed to my eternal home that would joy, but that was not the case. My heart is now divided between these two earthly places and the new family I have there.

We came back to the joyous faces of our little grands, Micah was there too, and oh yes so were Adam, Erin, Amy and Dale. As you can see we had wonderful welcome home pictures.





It was great to have all the hugs and kisses that had been saved up for the last nine months. There were stories and pictures and stories and more pictures. They spent a lot of time preparing for us. We were thrilled. They have grown so much and some have become a little more outgoing.




We will be leaving St Louis a week from today to head to Zion, our first home, and hope to be there for about 6-8 weeks. You know we have to share our time with all the kids and at this point the St. Louis group feels a little slighted.

We aren't sure what is ahead for us and are praying that God will show us what he has for us in the way of service. So with that said I would like to ask you to continue to pray that We will see Gods guiding hand in our lives and answer, "Yes Lord Yes to wherever He leads."

Whew !!!! What a weekend

On Friday Greg and Carlene arrived back at Sunbury, about 12 noon, and began to prepare for the second wedding. Next on Friday Luanne Kuehl arrived to help with the catering for ZEBS, which also began arriving about 4:30 that same day. Well if you think Friday stopped there.....nope.... The Bishers arrived with two trailers and began the move into Emoyene that was about 7:30 and of course there were the transport runs to pick up the students. All in all a very hectic day. But believe it or not saturday did arrive.

Six o'clock the ladies arrived to begin preparing breakfast and clean up from the meal the night before, this was not my job, Luanne took care of all that. Of course then there was lunch and tea and supper. All I had to do was finish five skirts and make one Zion robe. Yes I did get it done. This morning I put the button holes and buttons on. It is now in the hands of its owner. Oh let's see at 10:30, now this is Sunday??? Yes, Yes it is, the ladies were again in at 6:00, but were done by 9. Then of course the students had to be returned to the various transport areas. Now let me see... We picked up the ladies from their homes at 10:30 and headed to Gateway Mall (the biggest in the southern hemisphere) to let the ladies have a chance to say they had been there and while we were there we celebrated Ntombifuthi's birthday!! We let her choose the restaurant.... she chose Spur. Most of them had ribs and chix wings. Two of the ladies just had chicken. A little more shopping and then off to Amy and Rhyns second wedding. It was a great day we shopped, ate, shopped, ate, and danced. We got home at 8:30. I would say that counts as a full weekend.

Tomorrow we will finish tying up a few loose ends, show the Bishers around, they need to buy a stove, I'll do a little baking for tea on Wednesday with the ladies, and begin laundry so we can pack on Tuesday.

Tea on Wednesday morning with my ladies :) and off to the airport about 12:00 noon, I think our flight leaves around 4. Then we just sit back and try to rest so we won't be so tired when we get home (28 hours give or take and hour).

Thursday morning we come into St Louis airport and we are home. Then that rat race starts there, but that's another story.









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Final Days & Final Projects

Well it is true that there are only a few days left for us to tie up all the loose ends. This is the last of the big projects. Carlene had decided that there needed to be a little more storage in the library, you know for those thing that really shouldn't be open to the public. The decision was made to add doors to the existing shelves. Sounds easy enough..... But we know better than to rely on that. The library was all done in oak plywood. It is lovely, however we were told, after the decision was made and Carlene had left for the states, that they were not importing oak plywood at this time. There was really no explanation just no we can't get it.
What to do, what to do. Well we could get a composite covered with light oak Formica. That is the route we took and as you can see that they are not bad. You can see where they are different and maybe the other doors can be changed at a later date, after all it is only 8 drawers and 4 doors :) There just isn't enough time this time around. All the boxes you see in the various pictures will be behind closed doors. It will look much neater and be more accessible.
As for me I have only a few thing to wrap up. Let's see, I have three skirts that need waist bands, two skirts that need to have a piece added because the fabric shrank way to much, and one Zion robe to finish. Oh yes and one more shopping trip to finish up the housekeeping supplies for August and September. I almost forgot... there is the second wedding of Ryne and Amy on Sunday. I think that is all, well besides packing. Then we are one the plane headed for the good old USA.
God has been good to us and we have been thankful for the strength and support He has provided. Once again we must tell you how much your support has been appreciated, not only by us but by those who have benefited by the work. We pray that God will bless each of you richly.












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We had a great weekend

The Omega Worship Centre was here for Friday evening Saturday and Sunday morning. WOW what a great group of God lovers. If you can't tell they are an Indian congregation. Now I don't know about you, but I have always thought of the Indian population as a Muslim and Hindu group. I think that is the background but...... let me tell you these people praised God with lifted hands held high. What a joy to be with them and serve them, although I think they served us more that we did them. Do you know how spicy Indian food is? not to them but to this little American gal-- hot stuff. On Friday evening they invited us to share their meal I explained that we were not use to hot food and the at curry was not our friend, if you know what I mean. On Saturday at noon as I was checking to make sure all was ok the gave me a small pan with chicken currie in it...

"Don't worry", they said, "we have made this especially for you it has no spice and no curry."

How kind. They were cooking for 50 and took the time to fix something for us. I tell you this so you will have some idea of how they Loved. As I spoke with Gloria she reminded me that we are all, as the bible says, Gentiles, but God extended his love to us. We are to love one another in the same way, so that makes us sisters. I probably spoke with half of them on an individual basis and it was true we were family.

We went to the Sunday morning service, the pastor spoke from his favorite book in the bible Philippians (background). This group had called and canceled their camp last month with really no explanation I found out that they had several deaths and also a number of serious hospitalizations and just felt under the circumstances they couldn't manage the trip. Three of the families that had deaths were here being loved on and one of the sick people was released form the hospital on Friday and was here on Saturday. The sermon, short version, "we have been given the privilege of trusting Christ and also the privilege of suffering for Him, we are in this together. " A clear reminder that we will go through struggles...the key word is through, and not alone. You can't even imagine the testimonies that people gave that had just gone through the loss of someone close and are still walking through. He reminded us that we must press on. Anyway, it was good and touched many hearts, including mine.




I am in awe when I think of the dual ministry there is here at Sunbury. Looking back at the past years schedule Sunbury has had about 50% Indian camps, 40% Black and 10% White (that's just a guess) and that isn't even counting ZEBS or the Zion camps. Since January, we have had about 1000 campers again not including ZEBS or Zion camps. I have watched as people have been refreshed, renewed and some touched for the first time. This is a great place to be if you want to see God at work. I know that ZEMA is primarily about the Zionists, but God is about everyone and He's using Sunbury for His purposes. All I can say is Praise His Name !!

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Thank you for your faithfulness.

Can you remember the big green machine (tractor ) that we asked you to pray about? Well then you will remember that God answered us by letting it die for good, no more to be fixed! Then you partnered with us in praying for a replacement? GOD is good, all the time!

Here is the answer to that prayer :) we are thrilled and thankful. It was delivered yesterday. Why is it that we are always surprised when God listens to us and grants our requests and yet in His answers we are strengthened in our faith. For the longest time, with the tractor, we began to think His answer might be no, use what I have already given you, fix it again. But through His love and your prayers we now have something that will, hopefully , stand the test of time.

Finances have been advanced to us for the purchase, and we are looking forward to seeing the rest of our prayer answered, I think we have now raised about $3,000 toward the purchase price, only about 12,000 to go. Isn't it exciting to see God at work through His children. I hope this will strengthen you, as it has us, in the knowledge that He will supply our needs at His good pleasure.



Home sweet home.




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Laundry Room

Do you remember a while back I told you, I think I did anyway, that Carlene had decided to turn the old laundry room into a break room for the ladies? Well I have finally taken a couple of pictures for you to see. There is still chair rail to put up but other than that it is complete. I know it looks grayish in the first picture, but it is really a deep brown more like the bottom picture. The ladies have really been enjoying it... Well, only on the weekends they don't takes breaks during the regular work week. On the right in the picture, you can see there is a two seater sofa and on the left side of the room there are two chairs. Usually there are only three ladies on the weekends, it's nice for them to be able to get out of the kitchen when the camp cooks are busy. It was a very thoughtful idea... Thank you Carlene from all the ladies.



As you can see the back half is still used for storage of the extra supplies: blankets, duvet covers and innards, pillows and pillow cases and the monthly cleaning supplies as well. Needless to say it is a well used area.



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Sobonan ( good morning or afternoon which ever the case might be)

Well there isn't really anything too photo worthy happening lately, sorry : ( I have been doing very un noteworthy things: laundry, sewing, washing tables, In general, just trying to help out the ladies. It's really for me not them, they don't need me not one little bit, but I just like being with them.They are trying to teach me a little zulu, I emphasize trying. I'm a slow learner and the clicks and clucks I just cannot seem to get. Well something good is coming from it ...they get a good laugh.

As for my beloved he is, of course, always busy. One of the camps, somehow, broke the wooded barrier, we had to keep them from parking in between the dorms. So of course, Howard got right on it. The pix below will give you a glimpse of what he came up with. A metal post, filled with concrete surrounded by concrete. It should fill the bill, just a little painting to finish up.




If you look near the roof you can see that there was once an awning over the concrete pad. It was held up by two post but when Howard tried to attach the chain to the post it fell and the awning came with it. Fortunately Howard has, yes I did say it, a hard head ( n more ways that one). He is fine and had no lasting injuries. He was able to find a yellow florescent paint and a red reflective tape for striping. It looks pretty good for an old man :) if I'm not mistaking this is the oldest building on the grounds. One of the men that came for a camp told me that when he was a boy he went to school in this building and then it was a clinic for the area. He said it was very nostalgic for him. I believe it was then the original chapel for the camp years ago before it belonged to ZEMA.





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pix from our trip

I thought you might like to see a few pix from our trip to Imfloze. We all had a great time. Maria is the one who saw the elephant, she yelled out, "Stop Stop There is a big rock moving!" They were so excited to see the animals. I forget that we have it so good in the states. There are plenty of zoos for us and our kids. These ladies had never seen any of these animals before.




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Sorry it's been so long but Internet has been ???

We now have a new company and things are much better. Anyway, Zandi called me one day last week, I think it was Wednesday, and asked me if I would sew something for her, I have offered to do some repairs for the ladies so I thought it was something like that. When she arrived here she was with her fiancé and handed me a bag of fabric. I was a little taken back, her fiancé needed a new Zion robe before Friday. oh my, you might not know this but they don't use patterns here and I am definitely a pattern person. They did bring me his old one so I asked if I could take it apart and use it to make the new one, they agreed. I told her I wasn't sure if I could do it, "I have faith in you," Well that made me feel good, but it didn't convince me that I could do it. The old one had a small cross maybe an inch and a half... But this time they wanted a larger, much larger cross, and two stars one on each shoulder blade. Well I did my best and here is the result.








They were very happy with it and I'm now making two more. One more for Xolane and one for Maruis. I am still a little nervous but at least I know it is possible .
Our time is passing quickly and there is still a lot to do we only have 36 more days until we leave!
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Emflozi Game Reserve

On Monday we had the opportunity to take the ladies to the Emflozi Game reserve. As they said, "this is a once in a life time for us". As you can see they were thrilled. Our original Intention was to make it a day trip, it was 3 hours each way, but the ladies asked, "can we get overnight accommodations?" well since it really was a once in a life time trip for them we called and were able to get a cottage for them and a chalet for us. They were lovely accommodations. They were thrilled. (On the down side Monica was not able to make it because of a death in the family.




As we entered the reserve we saw zebra right away and then giraffe, that was before we even went through the gate. After we entered the gated area there were warthogs every where, and I do mean every where even in the picnic area and the gift shop. It was amazing you walked past the just like you would your family pets at home, although we were told that are not pets and can act wild.

Anyway I digress, we dropped our thing off at the cottage and had a bite of lunch befor beginning our drive thought the reserve. This was the best part of the trip the ladies are quiet most of the time but they learned very quickly to say, "STOP. BACK UP" This was one of those times, Marie yelled out stop stop stop. And Howard did however we didn't see anything....

"what do you see Maria ?"

" a big rock is moving"

As we looked closer there was an elephant in the bushes so close that all you could see was a gray rock! The first picture I took was so close that all the camera could get was his hind, well not quarter probably mor like eighth. This picture was after we moved away probably 40 feet. We were only about 20 feet away at first. It was great fun.




This picture was the next morning as we were leaving, at 7 am, hoping to get a glimpse of a lion or a leopard, Some kind of deer was in the front yard of the cottage and the back yard had zebra. To Cool!




All on all it was a fabulous trip. They saw animals they had never seen before zebra, giraffe, elephants, water buffalo, Nyala, kudu, Blue wildebeest, rino white and black, wart hog, bush pig, and a baboon. We didn't see the wild dogs or the hyena but we did hear them at night. We loved it too it's very different seeing them up close and personal. I'll put a few of our favorite pictures on the blog tomorrow.

Hope you enjoy them

The young girl in the leopard print is Lena

She is the youngest of the ladies here at Sunbury. Her responsibilities
Consist of rooms 2,3,and 4 as well as the library . She works only 2 1/2
days a week. She lives with her mom,uncle cousin and her two children.
The little girl in the blue T is Lena's little girl. Lena is the most fluent in english and is used as the interpreter for bible clubs. Well for those of us that don't speak Zulu, and that is everyone but Carlene :)



And last but not least at all is Zandi, her intended and their children. The oldest child is actually Zandi's daughter the other two are her sisters two little ones that were left to her. When I asked her about taking a picture she seemed a little embarrassed for me to come because of her house. I told her that she was the reason for the picture not her house. God provides for us all in different ways and I showed her a picture of our little caravan. I think it made her feel a little better knowing I didn't live in a big fancy house. Zandi is also a Zionist and her intended is a Zionist Pastor. Of course I will say that that does not mean that they have a relationship with Jesus. I don't really know where her heart lies.... She knows the Christian lingo but if it's more
than that I don't know.




Please remember all or f the ladies in prayer as they are brought to mind, only Gods knows their hearts.

You do know that there are six ladies..

This is Ellen. I had a little trouble getting her family all together for one picture, as you can see. What can I say about Ellen... Well she is a Zionist and also a widow. Obviously she is the sole provider for her family. You can see that she was just out of church, this is one of the uniform the Zionist wear to church. It always amazes me that they are able to keep them so very white, and they sparkle white. These two boys are her youngest and as you can see she is very proud of them. The picture was taken in front of there home.

As we walked along we found her daughter, what a beauty she looks like her mom don't you think?

Finally we found her oldest, a son, he is the only one that is out of school at this point. Hmmm maybe he helps with the income. I can't remember if she told me that he had a job. Regardless she has a big job raising her family alone.

Ellen also works for me, yes indeed, she cleans for me once a week. Let me tell you if it was this cheep in the states everyone would have a cleaning lady.  She gets R 50 for half of a day, that is less than $5.50.  Yep it true. It's great for me but I do feel a little guilty :/. Ellen doesn't speak a lot of English, but you can tell what she is thinking by the expression on her face. She has a beautiful smile and winning personality. She is trying to teach me a little Zulu and I do mean a little. Angazi (meaning "I don't know") its a good word for me because I can use it often.

Please pray for Ellen and her family. I don't really know where she stands with Jesus, just because one is a Zionist doesn't mean they follow the teaching of the Bible.

Number 3

I told some one recently that there is a definite pecking order and number three is where Maria is. Dorm three is her dorm, and I do mean her dorm. Each lady takes great pride in their dorm and how neat and nice their rooms look. Dorm one is one of the dorms that was upgraded with new duvets and pillow covers along with the new draperies that Laurel made. I will tell you that this is one of my favorite pictures of Marie, it is not always easy to get her to smile. Marie is not Zulu, I can't remember what she said she is, and as far as I know she does not profess to be a Christian. If you think of her please pray for her salvation.

As you can see she has a beautiful family. This picture was taken in her front yard it was lovely, as you can see, and very private. It always amazes me how much every one here loves to have their picture taken even though they don't necessarily get to have a copy.  I asked the other day if she had a camera to take pictures with, "yes on my phone" so of course I asked her how she had them copied, she looked confused for a moment and said , "I don't, they just stay in my phone". I thought of how we take for granted the little things, we can have pictures of our families as well as places we go when ever we want as often as we want.... We are really spoiled and don't even realize it be cause it has become so every day for us. 

More introductions

Monica Kunene
Monica is the lady in white along with her mother in blue, her two daughters in red and green and her three grands. In the lower picture is her 1st  born, a son, her youngest son is not pictured. All told she has 5 children. Monica is most definitely the número uno around here, although Nutonbifuti makes most of the decisions Monica can and will overrule if she is not happy with the decision. Monica has been at Sunbury since the before ZEMA acquired the property. Dorm three is her domaine, the end suit rooms, each room sleeps 5 and has a bathroom, there are 9 rooms in her building. Theses are the most used rooms on camp. Monica is one of the cooks for ZEBS weekend as well.

Monica is busy and serious about her work but when she lets loose she is very funny and can even pull off a gotcha when least expected.

introducing...

I thought it would be fun if I introduced you to the ladies I work with.  I was privileged to be able to go to San Susi, the small village where the ladies live, and take family photos of each of their families.  Well let me back up just a bit...  I had asked the ladies if it would be alright for me to come one day and take their pictures with the family , after a little Zulu between them I was told I could.   Sometimes my brain is non-functional and this was one of those times. The ladies work every weekend. It has been weeks since I asked and finally we had a camp free weekend so we set it up- Mothers day!    It was great :)

This is Ntumbifuit (the "n"  is almost silent), her husband David, her granddaughter and a neighbor boy.  She and David were just married over new years.  They had a big fancy wedding, 250 people. I would estimate that they have been living together about 25 years, give or take, waiting for the labola money to be earned.  They have a grown daughter that lives in Durban but their granddaughter lives with them.

Ntombifuti is in charge of dorm 2 and very particular about how it looks. She also is one of the gals that gets the kitchen ready for the weekend camps, and one of the cooks for the ZEBS weekends. She is the number two lady here at camp and believe me there is a pecking order.

I have found her to have a lovely spirit, an infectious smile and a great sense of humor.  She loves to sing, she is great!  Best of all she loves the Lord.  She is a joy in my life.

I feel so grateful to have the opportunity to get to know her and hopefully become a friend as well as a sister in Christ.

what's left

As I told you the day after the fire the workers would be busy and so they were.  The fire was on Thursday and by Saturday afternoon this is all that was left...

All cut by hand.  It's an amazing sight. I wish I had a picture of them cutting - high boots, clay rubbed on their faces to keep from getting sunburned and long sleeves

Hot! Hot! Hot!

 The cane was moved across the road.  Well, I say that with young in cheek, it's the road we use for camp but it is a one-laner. Sunday the loader filled the massive trucks to transport the cane.  Today it's all gone.  Soon it will be on the store shelves

just life in the cane field

We we just sitting having a nice supper when we here the sound of heavy rain, very heavy rain.  BUT there was no rain to be seen.  The sky was blackened and the sound was so loud that we went outside to see what it was.  

Behold, a fire was raging.  So close and bright.  Snapping and crackling.

Yep, it was the cane field ablaze.  We have seen it before just not so close.  The ash floats like a soft fallen snow just not as much.  It's really was something to see!

The fire moves very quickly and is over just that fast.  We actually got in the Bucky and drove down to get a closer look but it was gone.  That is how quick it moves.  It couldn't have been more that a half a mile away in that first picture.

 This is how the cane looks after it is done burning.  Only the dry leaves are actually burned.  You can still see an ember or two.  Tomorrow they will start harvesting the cane.  There will be all kinds of men and women in the cane fields cutting tomorrow.  I've been told that they don't burn the cane that is used for seed only the cane that will be processed. I don't know why :/

This cane below is, I'm told, going to be used for seed. It is really interesting, the cane will actually come up from the root for years but according to what Carlene says on the seventh year the land is put to rest and then it will be reseeded.  Sound familiar?


The Israelites were told to let the land rest every seven years, I think it is called the year of jubilee.  And it is still important today.  Imagine that.

Seems like God must have known what he was talking about, don't ya think :)

Just a bit from our life to yours.  

Have a great day and just look and see what God has to show you today.

a life changing day

This picture is of Zandi and two of her three children.  Some months ago her one of her sisters died and she became "little mother" to those two children.  It is part of the culture to take your relatives children if they are left orphaned.  Hmmmm.  Seems like there is something about that in the Bible : )

Zandi looked so nice today, so I told her I thought she looked to pretty.  I couldn't really put my finger on it- I thought that maybe it was that she was dressed up a bit.  But that wasn't it at all.

Anyway today was a life changing day for Zandi.   Her boyfriend was able to pay the labola, that is to say her bride price, now they can be married.  She was radiant as she told me about it.  "I am pretty today because my boyfriend paid the labola, We will now be able to be married."  I asked her If she would be married before I left,  "Oh no, but in October I will be engaged"  I can't really tell you what joy there was in her voice that finally she would be able to be married to the man she has shared much of her life with. It will take another year to save the money to be married.

I told you on the Easter blog that paying the bride price is still an important part of their lives here but I am amazed to see how it all works and how happy they are when at last they have the money to pay her father, even after all this time has passed.

We have been able to see two of the ladies set free to marry since we have been here.  And I love it.

So what about us?  Christ paid the bride price long ago for us and one day we will be caught up by him at the marriage feast.  Can you just imagine the sheer joy we will know when we are with Him.

saying goodbye

Well, as I told you the tractor is no longer a viable way to mow.  Today we said our farewells.  A scrap metal company came to disassemble and remove the big green machine.  It was actually a little sad to see the beast go - at least it now has a little value, per ton that is :)

Soooo,
Greg and Howard have been shopping and found that the commercial mowers are all comparable in price which is more than I originally mentioned in one of the blogs.  It would seem that the John Deer is the mower of choice, the other brands are not as highly recommended. The other benefit to John Deer is that the dealer is fairly
close while the others are in Durban, a considerable distance for maintenance.

All of the large mowers are imported, wouldn't you know, from the good old USA, and are priced accordingly..... Which is not so good.  We are looking at around 110,500 rand (approximately).  Oh yes, and the government wants their share here too.  Tax is a whopping 14%.  So as you can see we are looking at a great deal of money- close to $16,000 American.  A big chunk in any country.


Once again I would ask you to pray for God's generous provision for Sunbury.  This is His camp used for His glory to change lives and increase His kingdom.


Thanks for praying!

encouragement in unforeseen places

Well today we went to church in Ballito.  If you look to the right in the next to last window on the 2nd floor you will see the sign for our church.  Howard and I have hosted camps for the last two weeks so we have been unable to attend church.  Our pastor, as I have said before, is a young Pastor but boy does he love the Lord and his messages are solid. We are beginning a study on Nehemiah, it looks to be enlightening, but this post is not really about church other than the fact I was there.

After church I went across the street to a small shop, Towel Haven, to check on some prices for camp.  The owner was there sitting at the register.  He greeted me and offered some assistance.
When I told him what I was interested in and where it was for he told me he'd give us a good price. All that said for this.... Frank, that is his name, told me that he loved the Lord and wished to help Gods ministry any way he could .  The conversation continued, it was great- all about the Lord and how he uses our trials to encourage others and that we are to be stewards of all God gives us not just financial but spiritually, physically and emotionally.  He went on to say we, as Christians, need to stand up fearlessly for the Lord and His truths.  We need to be spent for Him like He was spent for us.  We need to teach our children and show them what it means to have a loving God and to love Him.

When was the last time you went into a store and had a loving conversation about our Lord ?
Thank you Lord for the encouragement you set in my path today.  You alone know how to lift my spirit.

By the way, on Thursday Frank will be in the hospital for some cancer treatment, I believe it is radiation.  He has had many treatments and surgeries on his ear and face. He says he lives with pain but knows that it is nothing when he thinks of what Christ suffered for him.  If you think of it please pray for Frank as he overcomes one more trial, that through this he will find one more way to glorify his Lord.

a great desire

This is the gate as you come into the drive at Sunbury (it really means no honking.)

The gate is closed most of the time, but when the workers are needing to come and go to clean the fence or take care of the plants outside the gate or take the garbage to the dump the gate is open enough to walk in and out. 

On this particular day I was cleaning in EMOYENI and happened to come out to get some supplies I think :/, anyway, I heard a voice saying, "sorry, sorry" (that means excuse me) As I looked toward the gate I noticed that a car was parked just outside There were two people walking thought the gate, which is very unusual.  Most people wait to enter until you address them. But, they were walking in so I greeted them and asked how I could help them.  Their reply, "We want to know about the bible- is there a school?  Can you tell us how we can learn about the bible?" 

WOW!   Can you imagine people with such a burning desire to know about God that they would come and ask you to help them? Well, I went and got Carlene who, in turn, found Greg and their questions were answered. 

I'm amazed, stunned and in awe that the field here is so open and a desire blazing in their hearts, Oh, that we would see that same desire at home.  God is on the throne and is working in this place. I wish each of you could be here to see it for yourselves.  It is almost to hard to believe but it is true. 

Please continue to pray for the ministry to the the AmaZioni as well as the camp ministry. I think we will all be shocked when we are in glory and we are greeted by all those who have come to Christ through your prayer and financial support.  I'm looking forward to meeting them :)

from beginning to end

This project was actually started 4 years ago. That big empty room now has water, a mop sink, electricity, three washers, one dryer and a table for folding linens. There is a ceramic floor, an extractor fan and plenty of shelving. The ladies are thrilled.

In the old laundry room there were only two washers and no folding table so now they will be able to get the dorms turned over quicker. It is also right next to the clothes line, only about five feet, so it is not such a distance to carry the wet clothes.

Sometimes I sit in wonder to know that God, in His wisdom, knew when Howard was just a boy learning from his dad that he was being preparing for such a time as this. In this place- serving these people.  Truly what a mighty God we have!

the big green machine

Well, the tractor has officially made its last pass on the Sunbury grounds.  Yes indeed, it has died and there is no hope of repair.  So now your prayers are more necessary that ever.  

The tractor did the majority of the mowing, when it was working.   So now what?  Well the counsel has agreed to allow us, those at Sunbury, to try to raise funds for a commercial lawn mower. I'm not sure what they cost in the US but here we are looking at 70,000 rand here (that's $10,000 in U.S. currency.)  

So now you can see that this will take the hand of God working through his people.  I know that He is able and willing to provide. In the mean time we, the men, will be mowing with the small mowers (we have 3, two electric and one gas, not self propelled either :().   It is overwhelming, the grounds cannot be completely mowed between camps and the grass is still growing way to fast.   

So once again we ask for your prayers, we are told that the fervent prayers of the righteous accomplish much we have seen this to be true over and over again. It will be this time as well.

Anyone feeling led to assist in this project could send their check to :
ZEMA
PO Box 727
Zion, Illinois 60099

Any donations should be marked "Sunbury-lawn mower"

an easter celebration like no other

It was another busy weekend here at Sunbury, upwards of 250 Zionist. It was a family affair. We had a fellowship of Zion Churches here to celebrate what Christ has done for us. As you will see in the pictures they wear blue and white robes.  I'm not completely familiar with the meaning of the robes, but it does have to do with their ties to C.C.C. Zion USA. Even the children wear the robes.  It is a sight to behold.

They began arriving on Thursday and continued to arrive even as late as Saturday morning. There were many meetings and much joyous singing.  Not as much eating as we do but it didn't seem to be a focal point. One meal on Friday and two on Saturday I'm not sure what kind of a turn out we'd have if people knew the eating schedule :/

They baptized about a dozen or so people, a triune baptism, straight down three times and as they left the pool there were pastors that prayed with each of them.   Oh, yes and there was music, always music.  Two ladies on the drums and harmony like you have never heard.


After the baptism there was another meeting. Then they march!   Everyone marched young and old alike it- was so cool.  I spoke with Pastor Shebede about it, here is his explanation:

"We march as they marched to the cross behind our Lord and when people ask what we are  we are doing we tell them about our Lord." 


And of course they sing.  Sorry I didn't get a picture of the first march :(

After another meeting  the ladies march.  Only the ladies- and again to the sound of the drums and music. Why you may ask?   Well, they are going to the tomb to anoint Christ,  but HE is not there.  So to the sound of the drum and their melodic singing the march back to tell the disciples, "HE IS RISEN !!"

Of course the disciples are amazed and in disbelief they march to see for themselves.  Their song is joyous, "Christ has paid the highest price for His bride".  That is what one of the ladies told me the words meant in English.   It is  interesting to me, as I think of relating to the lives of these people, that In this culture they themselves have to pay a price to have a bride and it may take twenty years for them to be able to get the bride price together.  They are familiar with the concept...but CHRIST has paid the HIGHEST price, and praise God
these people know it.


Please remember to pray for the ongoing ministry here at Sunbury, so many more may know the  Savior in a personal and might way in their lives.

We hope your celebration of our Lords sacrifice for our redemption was one that honored HIM.