31^st December 2016

It is just a month ago that we packed up everything in Hazyview and moved to Scottburgh. After storing everything safely in our flat we drove up to Pretoria.

We have settled in really well here at B’sorah – the home of Alex and Natalie Durr. The farm is situated near Broederstroom. As you can see from the photos God has once again blessed us beyond anything we could have imagined or hoped for.

We have been busy sorting out problems and technical hitches and just getting used to the caravan and tent setup. Yesterday Tom decided to tackle the tap in the bathroom which has been giving trouble. He had to take the whole basin setup apart and with the help of Carla (Nicolas Durr’s wife) they manufactured a part which had totally disintegrated with age. Carla is an excellent carpenter and did a lovely job. Tom has not quite completed the job yet but is almost there. This morning we used the “kitchen” basin for our ablutions. That tap is working well. When Tom opened the door to the bathroom he found that when you use one tap the other one pumps as well. While using the kitchen tap the bathroom tap which is still stripped down pumped as well and filled up the floor of the bathroom with water. Another lesson learned the hard way. Fortunately there is a drainage plug in the floor and Tom was able to drain most of the water that way. Well you live and learn.

May God bless you and your loved ones with grace and peace in 2017. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

A lot has happened since our last post.

With time running out at Kiepersol, preparations & modifications had to be made to the caravan while the whole house had to be packed up for removal to Scottburgh.

On Saturday 29^th October, the Church held a farewell function for us. What a blessed and Christ centred occasion it was with many who had been in the Church over the years coming back to share remembrances.

Fond farewells were said.

On Sunday 13^th December I had to do a farewell service at the NG Kerk in Hazyview that I had to deliver in Afrikaans. That was a real tester but it all worked out well & we had opportunity to bid farewell to all our Afrikaans friends.

Our final service was on Sunday morning, 29^th November. It was a lovely service with all three musicians playing together for the occasion. It was a great surprise and a wonderful success.

And so our ministry to the people at Kiepersol came to an end. People who will forever be remembered for their love and generosity. We tried very hard, from first to last, to keep them pointed to Jesus Christ & living lives that were characterised by Scriptural holiness and love.

The next few days were hectic but productive in that we were able to get all our possessions packed, moved to Scottburgh, and unpacked into two bedrooms and a portion of the garage of the flat.

On our way down to Scottburgh, we stayed over with a dear friend Gill Dyer in Nottingham Road. She received us like royalty and spoiled us thoroughly.

With the move complete, we returned to Pretoria & spent a few nights with Peter & Elaine. On Monday 5^th December, Peter and the children accompanied us to the Durr’s farm at Broederstroom & helped us to position and level the caravan on its site here.

Two days later, Lynette and I set about erecting the tent and making our campsite home.

We made really hard work of it, making many rookie mistakes but we kept at it and by evening all was ready & welcoming.

On 12^th December we received the wonderful news that Neil’s wife Jeanine delivered a very healthy baby son who has been named Thomas. The Lord is so good to us.

Neil, Jeanine, Jenna and Thomas plan to come to South Africa in February so that we can meet our newest grandchild. We can’t wait.

We plan to spend a week with them at Mabalingwe Game Lodge in mid-February. Soon after that we will take to the road and tour.