Back in the US, Back in the US, Back in the US..A

Just a play on an old song title to see if anyone catches it.

We landed at Dulles Airport a little after 6AM on the 31st of July. Our processing through baggage claim took a while as Isaac's bag is lost and we had to file the claim and fill out the forms. Shawn's parents picked us up and drove us home. SO with a stop off for breakfast we were home before noon. Jetlag and the time difference began to settle in and by suppertime we were ready for bed.

Our last week in South Africa was awesome. The service on Sunday July 26th in Tembisa township was a real blessing to all of us. Pastor Vincent Mathews and his wife Cheryl and 8 of their 10 kids (missionaries from Detroit) minister at Tabernacle COGIC Church. They have a permanent building for offices and Sunday School and a big tent for the sanctuary. It's easy to preach in a setting where everyone is full of life and energy and praisin' Jesus!

That evening we were treated to a variety of Indian food as guest's at the home of a family from Acts Christian Church. It was fabulous and their hospitality was amazing! They gave us generous amounts to take home as leftovers and then made another dish we hadn't tried and delivered it to us on Tuesday!

The last week in Krugersdorp and Leeukop prisons each of the groups were special. Men came forward to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, men shared testimonies of how their lives had changed, new men joined the groups and stated "I had to come and see what was going on when I saw how much these guys had changed!", and one man shared his vision for taking the From Addict to Disciple group approach back into the communities when he gets released! The officials at Krugersdorp have agreed to take some pictures of the group and email them to me.

On Friday the 24th of July, Jordan and Isaac ministered in another preschool in Tembisa township. What a delight for me as their dad to watch them share their love for Jesus, a skit, a song, several stories and a craft with 35 smiling and laughing young children loving every minute of it!

On Monday and Tuesday we checked out two Christian schools in the area and toured their facilities. This was very helpful as we have a real understanding of options for Jordan and Isaac in case we move there.

On Tuesday evening group at Acts Christian Church had a braai (barbecue) where we all got to share Afrikaan boerwors (sausage). One man's mom brought some Indian food and all the guys brought a variety of snacks and beverages. It was a great night of fellowship and ended with sharing of testimonies.

Wednesday evening we had a wonderful meal and family time of fellowhip with Pastor Vincent and Cheryl and their family at their home. It was a fitting ending to our month to spend time with an American missionary family who had lived their for 5 years. We got to ask many of our questions about long term visas, health insurance, etc. as well as compare notes on American sports with a family of Detroit Lions fans!

We have so many people to thank for how they blessed us during our month in Midrand, South Africa. Rod & Sharon, Gerard and Tiana, Pastor Peter, Pastor Vincet & Cheryl, Kyle, Mark, Dhaneshree's family and all of our new friends at Acts Christian Church, Tabernacle COGIC Church, and at the prisons. Also thanks to all of you who have been faithful prayer warriors for us as we have been in South Africa.