Dearly beloved family
in the Lord,
Another 1.5 months has gone by again, and it is incredible what has happened
in such a short space of time. The rain continued, so much so that the
jetty sunk. The worst of it is that the water is filled with thick, smelly,
gungy algae (green pea soup). We have to travel a couple of times through
it daily! (see picture!) This picture also shows how we carried the aluminum
sheeting for the roof through the slippery, slimy, smelly mess.
Charlene blessed me with a lovely cell phone. I was so pleased with it
because it has a reminder facility, and I could set it to remember your
birthdays. Then a couple of days later when I was at Hatfield mall, someone
bumped against me in Clicks (oldest trick in the book) and stole my phone
out of my bag. Only when I left Clicks did I notice the phone was gone.
When I looked up, the person who bumped against me was standing about 4feet
away looking at me (she was probably biding her time to come and get some
more from me, because I was so stupid!). I walked to her and told her I
want my phone back which she stole. She of course denied it and I told
her that God knows everything and what she has stolen from me she will
have to pay back seven fold and that every time something bad happens to
her, she should remember me. I was so upset, and questioned the Lord why
this should happen to me.
Wow, that evening the Lord convicted me! I had to repent and ask forgiveness
for basically cursing the woman. I forgave and blessed her and claimed
her soul for the Kingdom of our Lord. I believe that that cellphone was
an instrument of redemption for that woman. Praise God!
I have been searching for a specific little NKJ travel bible for more
than 2 years. One day I decided I am just going to buy a normal little
NKJ bible,
and when I went to the Lewende Woord bookshop, I found the exact bible
I wanted! I only had R340 in my wallet and that was the price of the bible,
so I bought it! Later in the day when I checked my bank account, the Lord
had blessed me with R500. I rejoiced and testified to all in the office
about my wonderful Daddy! The next day He blessed me with a further amount
and to make a long story short over 3 days my bible was paid for, three
times (and some left to bless someone else!!)
We are still watching 3 to 4 videos a day. These teachings are awesome
and I have learnt so much! There are so many areas in my life which the
Holy Spirit have revealed to me that needs attention, and I willingly submit
to His leading and teaching. I can testify that a close, intimate and personal
relationship with our heavenly Father is to be desired with all our hearts.
At the end of one of the tapes the lecturer challenged us to stand up if
we want the Lord to work in us to lay down the flesh. I stood up and as
the lecturers always says, "if you say yes to the Lord He is going
to send you someone to practice on!!" Lunch time I went to draw money
at the mall and I walked past a blind man. I felt the Lord saying to me "go
and pray for him" I said "No Lord, there are so many people around,
they will think I'm a cracy woman. I will give him money". The Lord
said "I don't want you to give him money I want you to pray for him".
So now I have this argument with the Lord on how I should pray. Should
I pray like Jesus did for the blind man, by taking ground, spitting on
it and putting it on the man's eyes, or like Peter who prayed for the cripple "Silver
or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus
Christ…". And the Lord said "just speak to him, lay your
hands on him and pray." So I did. When I walked away I asked the Lord
if the man will see now, and He said "It is not your concern, what
you had to do was be obedient, I will do the rest." Wow!
The Sunday I met a cashier at Dion's who asked me to pray for her because
she has Aids. We made an appointment to meet outside after work, but she
never came. So the Monday I went to her again and made another appointment
for after work, but she didn't show again. I guess her faith was not strong
enough, so I just kept on praying for her.
We have been visiting churches in Pta & Jhb to tell them about our
mission, and every time we do our displays and talk, people get all exited
and makes promises, but when we contact them to follow up, nothing comes
of it. Sometimes we get discouraged but we keep on holding on to the
Lord. We believe that at the right time, all the seeds that we have been
sowing
will start coming in (and there are a LOT of seed out there). We all
know that God's time is not our time and a day to Him is like a thousand
and
a thousand like one day. We keep on doing what we can and we know God
will do the rest, at the appointed (Kairos) time.
On Fridays we do maintenance on the boat and then we don't go to the
office. We have also made curtains for the cabins. We have to clean the
boat regularly,
because we are close to the land and there are gezillion, trillion "muggies" that
attacks the boat and us, then they die and stick like glue to the boat.
We have ordered custom made sides for the boat, but have not yet received
it. It is really getting cold now on the water and when we have morning
devotion on the deck, there is normally a freezing cold wind blowing.
Two guys from WMC went to do research in Tanzania and the lake to make
contact with the local church and find out what is needed for us to take
the boat there. Everything seems to point to the boat leaving for the
field by the end of June. Admittedly, that is human timing, but God may
have
a different time! Our times are in His hands, which is so great because
that means we don't have to stress or panic!
I have started feeding the fish (barber or catfish). They just l o v
e chicken, bones and all. Now they are getting so cute, they actually
come
to the boat every time they think it is supper. I have now decided that
it is time for me to start teaching my pet fish some tricks, so that
I can perhaps arrange a show (you know , like dolphins) jumping through
hoops
etc. and maybe I can charge the people and raise funds this way!! What
do you think?
On a more serious note, we have to learn and memorise scripture, and
I tell you it is wonderful to experience how the Holy Spirit just helps
me
remember these scriptures!
My only brother died in a car accident, and 2 weeks prior to his accident,
the Lord gave me such a burden to pray for him. I thank God for His wonderful
grace and mercy! I trust this testimony will encourage you all to never
give up on praying for loved ones. Thank you for your sympathy, encouragement
and blessings during that time. I appreciate you all and am so thankful
to our Father for all your love and that you are my family.
About 2 weeks ago, someone broke into my car. They smashed the passenger
window and took everything out of the cubby-hole and also my precious
little travel bible, that I waited for for 2 years! I just cried and
was so hurt
inside but I knew from previous experience I must forgive the people
who did it, bless them and pray for their salvation. I pray that the
Lord will
really speak to their hearts through that bible, and I gladly give it
up for their souls to be saved. The Lord of course once again restored
that
which the enemy had taken, for He is my fortress and my refuge, my God
in Him will I trust.
We went to Botswana on an outreach last week. Click
here to read my report
thereof.
I suppose I better sign off now. Thank you all for your spiritual, financial
(2Cor 9:10 the seed you are sowing is being distributed to many) and
prayer support. The Lord will truly bless, honour and prosper you, and
may your
storehouses never be empty.
I love you all with the love of the Lord. Joey
Child of God
PS Just heard, the sides for the boat will be fitted today!!! Praise
the Lord! Now we just need to get the jetty fixed so that we don’t
have to walk through the water anymore…….
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