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.
The LORD is so patient to teach us heh?
We miss you guys and trust we will see each other soon.
You are in our constant prayers.
Yes, I know and also say “amen” on this first priority in our lives of spending more (much more) time at and with the Source!!
Lots of love
Dolly
Wonderlik om te lees hoe Vader aan jou uitwys dat Hy jaloers is op ons tyd met Hom, Jumbo. Raai, ek moes dit juis vanaand lees, want soos jy tereg opgemerk het, is dit omtrent die eerste area wat ons verwaarloos terwyl ons vir Hom arbeid. En dis wat Pa vanaand ook vir my sê … ek kon nou nie vanjaar by die MM wees nie, maar presies ‘n jaar gelede het Hy by die MM dieselfde vir my gesê … en ek het geluister … maar hier is ek alweer en ek weet ek het my verhouding met Hom begin afskeep … Ek moet gereeld hieraan herinner word – dis duidelik vir my. So, Jumbo, dankie dat jy gedeel het – jy was gehoorsaam!
Mag die Here jul seën met die bediening verder. Ek bid vir julle hierdie kant. Liefde en groete ook aan jou Kriekeling, my wonderlike kleinsus! Johan
Why is it so hard to rememeber to sit at our Father’s feet…that that is when He renews us, and strengthens us??
I am praying for you two to have this time each day…and now to make sure I do it! LOL!
Love you both dearly!
See you in a MONTH!!
And thanks for the pictures…beautiful way to start the day..
Love,
squeaky and crystal
Lk 18:29,30 – Truly I say to you, “there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times as much at this time and in the age to come, eternal life.”
You guys are living this out – and I pray you have the faith to keep believing it no matter what comes.
Thank You! Thank you for taking time out and just spending time with the Lord. Thank you for continuing to listen to His calling. Thank you for being Jesus to the people of Swazi. Thank you for being an example of a married couple who are passionate about the Kingdom of Christ.
May you continue to see the blessings of our King. And may you have wonderful times of rest and intimacy with the Lord and each other.
Our spiritual growth sometimes require that we face many challenges. Sometimes the test or trial is so great that we think that we can’t make it, but we have reassurance of the one who said” Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden…for My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Continue to cast your burdens to The Higher Power, you have already stepped out in an AWESOME Ministry of serving others as God has led you to do.
Let go and let God. Continue to remember that God is THE SOURCE and everything else is just a resource.
Jumbo and Kriek, I thank God that you are an example of God’s love and compassion. May God continue to bless you as you continue to be a blessing to others.
Believing in God and His Promises,
Rosia
Thanks for being transparent with us Jumbo. Thanks for admitting your need for the life of Jesus daily and for your renewed surrender to walk by the Spirit. I am right there with you.
Looking forward to doing it together!
we love you and are praying for you. There is a time and season for pushing on and for rest. Even Jesus had to withdraw from the crowd to be with his Father. Please know you are loved
you are my hero Jumbo, not because of all you are able to do, but because of your tender heart towards the Lord, and your faithfulness to widows and orphans, you are a stud my South African brother, I miss you,
love,
lisa
Hallo julle twee,
Jumbo jy bevestig net weer hoe ons besig wees met die dinge van die Here ons wegtrek van die Here van die dinge. Laat my dink aan wat Martin Luther gesê het; “Ek het vandag soveel om te doen dat ek vanmore ‘n uur langer by die Here moes vertoef.”
Waar, maar nie maklik nie en dit kom beslis nie vanself nie.
Mag Hy jou die balans gee tussen stil wees en besig wees.
Liefde.
May the peace of Christ be poured out you more abundantly than ever before.
It is our wish that we were there to be another family able to share in your work load. As the Lord has not seen to make that his timing yet, we stand with you from here, sending the prayers for your strength and discernment in choosing what work must get done, and what must be left aside.
The one who sits on David’s throne calls you one of his Mighty Men!
K
Thank you for sharing both your news and your heart. Praying for y’all and asking God to show us even more ways to effectively support y’all and the ministry God has given you and your team.