It has been a while since our last blog update, but to be honest it hasn't been the easiest of times for me and Kriek. We started the year at full throttle and so many things happened. We also experienced a few disappointments at the same time and we realized that the 2 of us had to re-evaluate if we could continue in the ministry and if we were still able to go on at the pace we were going. Somewhere we have to start looking out for ourselves, our emotional health and our marriage, but also still be effective in the ministry God has called us to.

In this time I again realized that one of my biggest strengths is also one of my biggest weaknesses. I know, and I am proud of it, that I can do a lot of things and handle a lot at the same time. But then the weakness is that I do most of the things out of my own strength and the first thing that gets left behind is my time at the Source. During our time of re-evaluation I spend a lot of time with Scott Borg. He made it clear to me that spending time with the Lord is one of the most essential aspects of our relationship with the Lord and of being successful in ministry. It does not matter how much needs to happen on a daily basis; our time with the Father should be a non negotiable. The funny thing for me is that this is the first thing you learn when you become a Christian, but it is also the easiest (and maybe the first thing) to neglect.

So the Lord came and emphasized it again to me. Two weekends ago I went to the Mighty Men Conference were 260 000 men worshipped and prayed together. It was amazing!! The preacher at the conference talked about how important it is to spend time with the Father and how he will spend more time with the Lord the more his responsibilities gets. So again I am back realizing how important it is to keep our eyes on the Lord. Rest is very important, but even more important is our time with the Lord and resting with and in Him.

So for now ... I am done reflecting on my lesson that I have learned numerous times, but fail to implement the way it should be. With God's grace I am trying to implement this time thing with the Lord again.

On the ministry side it is going well. So far this year we have been able to care for around 2700 children and we have even been able to provide some food, clothes and shoes to other areas in need that we are not working in yet. I am not even going to mention all the building and water projects that so many great people have donated to that is happening to make life easier in the communities. (Thank you!)

One of the greatest things in life for me is a thankful person. It touches my heart to see the tears in a lady's eyes because the Lord has used some of you to provide funds to build her a new house. Now she and the children she is looking after no longer have to fight the elements or criminals in her mud and stick structure. They can lock their door, they are safe, warm and dry. It is amazing to see.