Baby Octopus
The Eight O’Clock
News November 2016
Ffald y Brenin – a great gift Ffald y Brenin, pronounced fal duh Brenin, means ‘sheepfold of the
King’ in Welsh. It lies atop a steep hillside in the Cwm Gwyn valley, in the Pembrokeshire National Park in Wales. This long, narrow valley runs from the little village of Newport, on the coast, for about five miles inland, along the narrowest and winding of secret lanes – high overarching hedgerows, filled with pink foxgloves and daisies and cow parsley. Quite beautiful, but daunting driving for a South African, used to wide open roads and vlaktes – every 10 metres is a deadly corner, on a blind rise or descent! The Pembrokeshire Park is a place of great natural beauty and of ancient history. Burial stones, contemporaneous with Stonehenge, and ancient worship sites, as well as the early Christian history of saints of old who brought Christianity to the British Isles, permeate the soil and valleys. I stayed on the slopes of Carningli Mountain, the ‘mountain of angels’, so-called because St Brynach saw a vision of angels dancing around the summit in the 6th century. There is an 88-mile coastal walk along the coast which is quite beautiful. The landscape is lush and a bit wild up on the higher fells, with lots of hardy sheep visible. My hosts told me it had rained for 85 consecutive days from January this year – too much even for the locals, used to weather in all its forms. Ffald y Brenin has a steep 500m driveway up the side of the valley – much is made of the ‘driveway’ in Roy Godwin’s book, and one can see why! Yet getting to the top of the hill, reveals a wide panorama of the valley and 1 800 ft hills, beyond. Ffald y Brenin was begun 31 years ago, as a place of retreat for Christians needing space to rest and hear from God. My immediate thought was of the similarities to Volmoed, in the Hemel-en-Aarde valley, 30 years old this year. Also in a valley, also born of a vision God gave ordinary Christians. Phyllida Mould was a mother of three sons at high school and university; Peter, her husband, an economic development consultant, travelled extensively in Africa for his work. They were members of John Hughes’ (well-known to us at Christ Church) church in High Wycombe. One day in 1978, in response to a casual glance at a book of Francis Schaeffer called, “How should we then live?”, she felt led to spend a day just praying and fasting, thinking about what was a provocative question for her. God gave her a vision of a place of retreat, a place of rest for Christians who were tired, a place of beauty and simplicity where the environment would be cared for, which would be selfsustainable as far as possible. (This was in 1978, a long time before the ‘green’ narrative became so familiar.) The instructions God gave to her were quite specific and detailed. November 2016 Eight O’Clock News
8 am Service, Christ Church, Kenilworth
It took six years to find the right property and 10 years for the buildings and refurbishment of what had been an old farm to be completed. The distinctive architecture is by Christopher Day, famous as someone who designed architecture that is people-sized and sympathetic. Since everything was completed in 1991, many thousands of people have streamed to this remote valley from all over the world. I was lucky enough to attend a Friends of Ffald y Brenin conference. About 140 of us from all over the world gathered in a small Jabez chapel down in the valley. These small chapels are relics of the Welsh revival in the early 1900s. The programme was very low-key with wonderful worship, often in Welsh, and some gentle and wise teaching. I was amazed how all the strands and influences in my spiritual formation came together at Ffald y Brenin, everything from John Wimber and New Wine, to contemplative, evangelical and charismatic expressions of faith, IHOP (International House of Prayer) and Bethel, and of course boiler rooms and houses of prayer. And Anglicanism and our prayer book. All seem to have a place there and are valued. In the late 90s, Roy and Daphne Godwin moved in to run Ffald y Brenin with no experience of running a retreat house. Despite an unpromising and even resistant start, God gradually revealed what He was wanting to do through Ffald y Brenin. In 2008, Roy and Dave Roberts wrote a marvellous book about Ffald y Brenin called, ‘The Grace Outpouring’, detailing what had happened as God really started to pour out His grace at this place. (A copy is in the Resource Centre. Also there is a brand new book ‘The Way of Blessing’ which was released in September.) What started and continues to happen, is that many, many people came as unbelievers onto the property (which is part of a national hiking trail) and encountered God and recognised and accepted Him for the first time. People were irresistibly drawn to Ffald y Brenin for all sorts of reasons, and thousands have received healing, both physical and emotional – all without any prayer, from anyone at all. People have come tentatively for a weekend and had powerful and life-changing encounters with Jesus. All sovereign works of the Holy Spirit with no help from anyone at all! It is what is called ‘a thin place’ – the presence of God is just very powerfully there and evident, often to the person who is not Christian. When God started moving in this unusual way, Roy and the staff at the time, were completely nonplussed. But God showed them how they were just to bless what He was
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doing. This literally means speaking a simple blessing over a person and then leaving so God can do what He wants to do. Over time they have been shown that blessing is part of the old Levitical mandate given to the Levites in the bible [a) ministering to God; b) carrying the presence of the Lord and c) ministering His blessing to others]. We, as the priesthood of all believers, have this commission as well. However, everything begins and ends with staying in the ‘presence’ of God. Now Ffald y Brenin is still a place of retreat, a sanctuary, a place of hospitality. But it is primarily a house of prayer, for Wales and their local community and beyond. They call themselves ‘contemplative activists’, a place from where people are sent out, a new monastic, prayer-based missional community. It’s a place where the ancient traditions of the Celts are followed, a community practising a daily rhythm of prayer and way of life, and a ministry of blessing, so that God’s Kingdom may come and might break through. They also have a vision to establish local houses of prayer which have a particular form. Typically starting with two/three people, they adopt a small local area for Jesus, worship and pray for the breaking in of the Kingdom of God and play their part in its release through their life and witness. Local Houses of Prayer are prayer-based and thoroughly missional. The vision of a Local House of Prayer is: ‘To see the kingdom come and God’s will be done on this particular area of earth, as in heaven.’ The purpose of Fald y Brenin to live out radical, kingdom-focussed lives that respond to the invitation of Jesus to be with Him and be sent (Mark 3:14). Within the confines of Ffald y Brenin, this is worked out through their rhythm of daily prayer, their hospitality towards guests, their
programme of events and their mission out into the nations. They have a big focus on the Mediterranean region and local houses of prayer are running all over Africa, Europe and many other parts of the world. Roy explained: ‘Ffald y Brenin is not about a programme, but a way of life. It is about capturing who God is. He is a person of emotion, as well as intellect and power. He is full of compassion. He is still looking for us – we are His desire! He is an ‘emotional’ God who is desperate for people to know Him. He is our helper, our supporter. He is still working to give us a second new start, again and again.’ Within an hour of arriving, I realised that it’s not what happens at Ffald y Brenin, that is important, but what happens where we live, at my home, my neighbourhood, my family, my work and community. One may go there to be refreshed, to have time with the Lord, but it’s all about where we are. He is the same Lord everywhere and His presence is available to us where we are. I am deeply grateful to the couple, who through an extraordinarily generous and anonymous gift, enabled me to go to Wales and Ffald y Brenin. It has been a life-changing and growing experience for me. - Alison Bourne
Sleeping on the Job
- Cat unknown Sent in by David Greenfield
Catholic Shampoo Two nuns were shopping in a supermarket. As they passed by the
beer cooler, one said to the other, ‘Wouldn’t a nice cold beer or two taste wonderful on a hot summer evening?’ ‘Indeed it would, Sister, but I am not comfortable about buying beer as I am sure it would cause a scene at the checkout.’ ‘I can handle that without a problem’, the first nun replied. The cashier looked surprised at the arrival of two nuns and a sixpack of beer at his checkout. The first nun said, ‘We use beer for washing our hair. Back at the nunnery we call it catholic shampoo.’ Without blinking, the cashier reached under the counter, pulled out a packet of pretzel sticks and placed them in the bag. He then looked the nun straight in the eye, smiled and said, The curlers are on the house!
- Origin unknown, Sent in by Belle Divaris
November 2016 Eight O’Clock News
- Sent by Wendy Gunn
Mike & Lynne Keggie The Reverend Mike and Lynne Keggie received Helen and me
with broad smiles as we arrived at their home one Friday afternoon – just in time for tea! What had brought us to them was the idea of CCK couples meeting and learning more about one another through ‘interview’ situations. It’s an idea which has caught on and we were so pleased the Keggies had been chosen for us! Beautiful seascapes of the Cape and Natal on their sitting-room walls prompted me to ask about their origins and where they had lived before. “I’m South African born, Lynne was born in the UK but came to SA as an infant, so we’re thoroughly rooted here but we’ve family in England. Also, we both had two years at the All Nations Christian College in Hertfordshire and presently have the opportunity of regular visits to the UK where our daughter, son-in -law and two grandchildren live – we have three children, Joy, Stephen and Andrew.” Mike was schooled in Durban and had been converted with school friends while attending Scripture Union camps and ‘where faith became real.’ He met Lynne, a product of Kingsmead College, at a Youth Group in Jo’burg while both were studying at Wits and Mike had an early sense of vocation regarding teaching. He did a B.Com and Lynne qualified as a social worker. They were married and Mike had a spell teaching at a co-ed school, Queens, near Jeppe Boys’ in Jo’burg. Two moves for them followed; the first between 1973 and 1975 when they went to the UK for studies in cross cultural mission and then a return to SA and to Scripture Union in ’76 and ‘77 – but in Cape Town! They had hoped or expected to be sent to more familiar territory but by now, many years on, have become very settled Kaapenaars! The Keggies had gradually become involved at CCK and David Prior invited Mike to join the Pastorate. Having completed a B.Theology through UNISA he was ordained and, though very new in the post, went to Emmanuel as priest, the start of ten years in that warm, loving community. Lynne began working in a children’s playgroup at St Luke’s, one of the churches in the parish, and this grew into St Luke’s Educare, catering for 60 children. Lynne was principal for 22 of its 24 year-history, retiring at the same time as Mike did. They served in two further parishes, All Saints Plumstead (formerly part of St John’s Parish) November 2016 Eight O’Clock News
and St Andrews (‘a lovely building in a beautiful Newlands 3 setting’) before Mike’s retirement and their move to their own home in Plumstead. Lives of Christian service are not all work and no play and their ‘downtime’ involves a good deal of tennis which they both play well, Lynne at Mayfield Tennis Club and Mike, also at Mayfield but in addition as a League player for Veterans at Western Province Cricket Club. [I heard on the grapevine that Mike is very good! Ed] Their twin grandchildren, Carl and Freya (8) Mocke in England and very young Levi and Ariella Keggie close by in Tokai, give both grandparents huge pleasure. Lynne’s eyes sparkle as she observes, in the proprietory way grandmothers are allowed, “Yes, we are fortunate that they are nearby – and we see a good deal of them!” It’s good to know that Mike and Lynne Keggie remain part of CCK, Mike assisting with the Wednesday services and occasional Sunday preaching and both attending services when they can. A good and godly couple – Helen and I were really glad to have met them! - Neil & Helen Veitch
Peppa & Best Friend, Cooper Who had a marvellous time together in Keurboom Park and then posed for their owners.
Peppa (L) belongs To Liz Michael who supplied the photograph
Judy Sewell Judy and Bill Sewell have been married for 51 years. They met at Teachers’ Training College and have two daughters, Caroline and Gail, both in Cape Town. Gail is married with two daughters and lives in Pinelands, and Caroline (in Ottery) has a family of two tortoises, three cats and three dogs. After qualifying, Bill did not teach for very long, but entered the business world, becoming a recruitment consultant instead. They lived in Durban, where Judy taught first at Kingsdown School on the South Coast, then at Westville. While they were in Durban their two daughters were born. Caroline, the older one was christened at St. Thomas’ Church, (Rob’s old church). In 1971 the family moved to Cape Town, where Judy enjoyed just being a mother to her two small girls. In 1973 Bill joined Edgars and the family moved again – to Randburg, where Judy returned to teaching at Craighall Primary. Caroline became a pupil there, but Judy never taught either of her children at any of the schools they attended. In 1975 Bill was asked by Edgars to go to Bulawayo to help oversee the management and political transformation process that they knew would be coming with Zimbabwean independence. In the three years they were there, Judy taught at two different schools, Moray Primary and Townsend Girls School. They returned to Randburg in 1978, where Judy taught at Bryan Dale, but, by 1979 she was feeling that she needed a break from teaching and decided to try her hand at recruitment consulting as well. She was not comfortable in the company she joined, and, after three weeks, when a previous pupil of hers asked her if she would do a locum at Rooseveldt High, she gladly applied, and ended up teaching there for two years, teaching Geography up to matric level. She then moved to Kingsmead, a private girls’ school, and this was her happiest teaching period. Both her girls were able to attend Kingsmead as well. Bill had always been an avid Scoutmaster, but around this time he decided to change to politics. He was elected a Town Councillor for the Progressive Federal Party in Randburg. Also during this period, The Randburg United Church held a mission, and this was when Judy, who had always been a churchgoer, realised that she needed a personal relationship with the Lord, and committed her life to Him. Bill had, by this time, joined Morkels, and, in 1984, the family was moved once again – this time to Cape Town, where they have been ever since. Judy attended the Bible Institute for what she says was a wonderful year. Both girls attended Rustenburg High, and Judy taught at the November 2016 Eight O’Clock News
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American International School from 1985 to 1987. Then, through a friend, she heard of a management position at the Lady Buxton Healthcare Centre in Bowwood Road. She applied and was accepted. She spent 10 years there, directing a staff of 40, fundraising, administering the finances, and generally facing many challenges. In 1998 she took early retirement as her first grandchild was about to be born in Munich. She was able to spend three weeks there after the birth, but on returning to South Africa she realised that she couldn’t sit around doing nothing, and prayed for a job working with Christians that would involve training. She was employed by the National Union of Educators, where the people she was working closely with were Christians, and was involved with the administration of training weekends. She worked there until 2007, when she re-retired. By this time Bill was working from home as a consultant, and Judy helps him with the secretarial and financial side of things. They were members of Rondebosch United Church for about five years, but attended some services at CCK, as they felt they were not growing spiritually. However, they did continue at Rondebosch United, where Judy served as church secretary until 2006, when they finally made the break to Christ Church, where Judy enjoys growing spiritually with the help of her Spiritual Director, and helps with many aspects of the Quiet Mornings and weekends that happen at CCK. She works in the Resource Centre one morning a week and helps with Lent and Advent Meditations. Bill attends Quaker meetings, although he isn’t a Quaker, they have evolved a good, workable compromise, where he comes to one Sunday service a month at CCK and Judy goes to one Quaker meeting a month. They have travelled a great deal over the years, often to where Bill has had to attend conferences, and really enjoy the experience of seeing different places. When at home Judy loves to read and crochet, and work in her garden, which is an indigenous delight. She admits to talking to her plants. Bill is still very active politically, training new councillors and teaching how to run elections. In 1989 he went with a group of white people to Lusaka to meet with Oliver Tambo – a unique experience. Judy feels that they are very blessed, both having good health and being able to enjoy their grandchildren, while still keeping busy themselves. - Sally Palmer
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3200-Year Old Tree
Not every tree has a nickname, but 'The President' has earned it. This giant sequoia stands at 247 feet tall in a quiet California forest and is estimated to be over 3,200 years old. Imagine, this tree was already 1200 years old when Jesus walked the earth. Its trunk measures 27 feet across, with 2 BILLION needles from base to top. Because of its unbelievable size, this tree has never been photographed in its entirety, until now. National Geographic photographers have worked along with scientists to try and create the first photograph that shows the President in all its glory. They had to climb the tree with pulleys and levers, and took thousands of photographs. Of those, they selected 126 and stitched them together, to get this incredible portrait of the President. The man standing near the trunk of the tree is a good indicator of the tree's size. (There’s another man (red jacket) near the top of the tree.) Incredible, isn't it? And what does it say about its Creator? - Sent in by Wendy Gunn
A Good Story—Praise God Let us give praise to God for thousands upon thousands of good
stories like the one below. This is one from a lady who is working with refugees in a Middle Eastern country. She wrote: Let me tell you a story. Last week, I met a Syrian family. They looked tired and sad. You could see it in their eyes, and from the way they speak, yet they welcomed me with a smile. They looked like a normal family: a man, his wife, and two daughters. Little did I know I’d tear up when they started sharing with me what they went through around six months ago. Al Nosra attacked their house, took the daughters captive and destroyed the place. It was a traumatic experience to them all. The parents had to find refuge and were terrified for their daughters. Just Imagine losing your children. Their dad kept searching for them and did not give up. He knew that as usual al Nosra sold Christian girls to Muslim men as sex-slaves and that was taking place every three months, so he grew his beard, shaved his moustache, and dressed just like one of them. When the time of the auction came, he looked just like the men who broke into his house. The girls were standing in line, blindfolded, shaking, scared. They were just a labelled item to be sold. How inhuman men can become without God. As soon as the auctioneer started, their dad stood up and said he wanted to buy them. They started shaking even more, knowing what these people can come up to; they could imagine how hopeless their situation was going to be. “SOLD”, the auctioneer said. The guards put the girls in the car, with the piece of cloth still on their eyes. They left. Halfway to their house, their father stops the car, turns around, and removes the piece of cloth. They see their dad. They start weeping. All fear was gone. Their father has paid their redemption and they were restored to their family. - Extract from Jericho Walls, 24.10.2016 Sent in by Alison Bourne November 2016 Eight O’Clock News
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Gill & Gerry Adlard I don't rest easily, and I expect that I shall intently listen to and take note of a great many more of Rob's superb sermons on the subject before I finally enter my rest. It requires, as I have recently discovered, an extended and highly subsidised trip to family abroad followed by intensive jet-lag, to induce me to rest. To my surprise, however, I loved it, and even copied in my new holiday notebook the following words by the great theologian, Dallas Willard: "Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life"! I underlined it for emphasis and quoted it repentantly to my family, but since returning I have come to fear that were I to do so I would altogether eliminate myself, or at least the person with whom my wife and I have become familiar. Gillian, on the other hand, is more restful, gentle and contemplative - in a way the kind of person that you would expect to find in a monastery. A great gift. We celebrated our 46th wedding anniversary recently! (We very nearly forgot it again!) But her rest is not simply something into which she reverently slips, for it is substantially the consequence of tri-weekly exertions on the dance floor, blessedly unaccompanied by her three-footed husband, plus the leading of innumerable guided walks around Kirstenbosch and the intermittent caring of up to eight grandchildren. Life is not simple. Nor is it boring. And sometimes it is perplexing - and on such occasions, when one doesn't know quite where to turn and God says, "You choose this time", it's nice to have a home to come back to. Hence our return to Christ Church - and to so many dear friends and fresh new faces. Who would have thought that we could get to church by 08h00? Probably only those who also can't bear the pain of staying in bed any longer. But it needs maturity to be in that position so perhaps we're getting there, "pressing on", as Paul would say. Yesterday evening [the day before I wrote this some weeks ago] we had an absolute ball at a barn dance, hurtling around the floor with a rainbow of little children, but by carefully thinking ahead we did make it to church this morning because we each took two antiinflammatories whilst putting on our cowboy costumes. However, returning to CCK is not like resetting a clock or computer and starting anew. We are 'advancing a season' by bringing something old from our experience with Jesus to contribute to something relatively fresh. On many occasions over the past nearly forty years we have sat in our lounge and helped individuals to encounter Jesus and allow Him to heal them of emotional wounds, bad memories and even phobias. Thereby we have not only witnessed much healing and liberation, but in the process have been able to see Jesus in action and in conversation. We often wished that there was some way that such ministry could be more freely and publicly available. Then on our first Sunday back at CCK we noticed an inconspicuous November 2016 Eight O’Clock News
advert for SOZO in the Parish Profile, and it didn't take long to realise that we had not only returned home, but come in time for the party. When Jesus healed ten lepers, only one came back to say ‘thank you’. The Greek word used in the Bible to describe his comprehensive healing is 'sozo', meaning 'made whole' - i.e. delivered, saved and healed. Fully restored and fully equipped. The St John's Parish SOZO team offers this ministry to everyone in the parish and beyond, and it includes everything that Gill and I have ever learned and practiced, and more. The team uses a flexible package of ministry carefully compiled by Bethel church in California - and we serve under the authority of the clergy of our Parish. Furthermore, the ministry takes place at Christ Church Centre. This is about wholeness, encountering and conversing personally with each person of the Holy Trinity, and it is for anyone who phones the Parish Office at 021-797 6332 and makes an appointment. Taste and see...! With our love, appreciation and anticipation. - Gerry [In North Carolina: Gill ,Gerry, Charlotte (4), Jack (2) and Penny (6)]
HAPPY SPECIAL BIRTHDAY To
Sheila Scheppening (19/11) I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued My faithfulness to you.
Jeremiah 31:3 (ESV)
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Encouragement Tour
skills as well as mentoring and praying with people and our ministry was different in each place. Gordon Crowther’s sermon at CCK on Luke 10 (came up a few encouragement tour to affirm and support some of the medical times on the trip!) confirmed that this was the time to go, trusting people who have felt called to serve in rural South African God to use it. hospitals. Having spent eight years ourselves at a mission We left Cape Town with a Sam, Ann, Hilary, Colleen and Samuel strong wind behind us. The wind of the Spirit we thought, and so it proved to be as God brought people into our path - people in need of Joseph receiving the bakkie encouragement, 2 some in need of tools from Sam spiritual refreshment. 4 Our first stop Joseph receiving the bakkie Jessica Joseph was Ladybrand (2) where tools from Sam Joseph Mpakanyane crossed the border to see us. We met at the home of Ed and Jessica McCarter (ex Christ Church). We were able to pray together and hand Joseph the missing tools for 3 his new bakkie (3). He praised the Lord that he had not had a puncture up until then as he was lacking the tools to replace the wheel. He asked us to pray for access to prisons once again as he had been prevented hospital in entry by the troubles. Lesotho, we After stops in the Berg, Howick (for lunch) and Pietermaritzberg had thought we with old friends, we finally made it to Salt Rock (near Ballito on might return for the KZN North coast) and set up our base to have a short period a second term of holiday with family and friends. We booked in for a month due at the end of to the favourable pensioner rates, using it as base for out KZN our medical outreach. careers. This Hilary and Colleen arrived in a massive thunder storm – we had was no longer 70mm rain overnight! Plans had to change but we all survived. possible after The following day was spent attending All Souls’ church in Sam had a Umhlali and in prayer. stroke as it put Unfortunately our son had a health setback and we left the an end to his following morning with a massive problem. We think that the Lord surgical had a purpose as we came to Bethesda hospital in need of urgent operating. medical help. We are really grateful to Patrick and Mampho We started making enquiries earlier in the year and had Rogers (son of John and Phil Rogers) for meeting our need, enthusiastic responses from the people we approached and so opening their home to us and for their love and support. They the planning began in earnest. Ali Bourne persuaded us to share really need our prayers - for them and their two lovely children our dream at the church camp in May and out of that, Hilary (Jeremiah and Hadassah) (4) with whom we spent some Murdoch felt that this was something she would really like to do ‘grandparent ‘ time. They have a great need for a teacher – any and so she and Colleen Thomas joined us for the first part of our offers? tour to Bethesda Hospital in Northern Kwazulu Natal. From there We were very privileged to stay near the hospital in the rural area we went on to Zithulele and Madwaleni hospitals in the Eastern at a cottage four km distant on a rather challenging gravel road. Cape. We went with an open agenda, offering medical training No electricity and little water held its rewards and challenges.
For some time, we have been thinking about doing an
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We saw why God had included Hilary and Colleen in the team as they could get stuck into building
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bridges with those in the local Zulu group who are serving in the hospital. We prayed with staff, went and shared in wards with them and went on prayer walks around the property. Of particular mention in this group were Xoli Mazibuko (sister tutor and an Anglican nun) and Themba (head of the Social work Dept). We felt that our time there has fostered significant relationships particularly amongst the Christian medical and hospital staff. Our last joint session dealt with spiritual refreshment through forgiveness, a very popular and necessary station, appreciating God’s very deep love and care, as well as an opportunity to bless one another. Ann did some medical teaching and Sam did some informal surgical mentoring in the wards and one on one. Sadly we said goodbye to Hilary and Colleen at Durban Airport with a deep sense of thankfulness that God had used them so much on the trip. Once again Salt Rock was our base as we carried out visits to MSF [Doctors without borders] in Eshowe (Ann) and Durban for a conference (Sam) before once again heading south. A lovely brief interlude at Oribi Gorge with Lauren Bateman’s parents was refreshing. Despite of our family challenges we decided to trust the Lord and continue south via Umtata to Zithulele mission hospital. We stayed with Ben and Taryn Gaunt and enjoyed time with their family. Other than some teaching opportunities for Ann, our role here was more one-to-ones with most of the Christian staff - we went to coffee or lunch and occasionally dinner and just listened as they shared with us. This led to times of prayer and blessing. We were asked to give our story and were rather surprised how the Lord used it in the very relevant questions about family, career and education of children. The work at Zithulele is amazing as it has involved the community in education, nutrition, community upliftment programmes and more. Key to this are people like Cath and John Young (ex Christ Church) (5) with lots of scope for volunteers. We were still dealing with health issues but decided to carry on to November 2016 Eight O’Clock News
Madwaleni. This again was a different situation with young health care staff making a huge difference in the community. There we stayed in the home of Mireille Porter (nee Malengret, daughter of Michele and Lorette) but did not get to meet them as they were away. Andrew and Katie Miller and little Ben (6) head up a team of enthusiastic mostly young medical staff. Here we did more professional training but once again we were also called on to tell our story. We had to tell it twice as the wives and others who missed it the first time were particularly interested in Ann’s story as a female medic and mother - how she brought up a family and only specialized fairly late in her career. We were particularly thrilled by a local ‘problem’ of about 40 kids and young teenagers from the local community joining their Thursday night Madwaleni church. What a challenge, and what an opportunity! We were given two spiritual pictures in Madwaleni. One was that of a sower sowing seed and not looking back, trusting the seed to God to bring the increase. The second picture was of circles surrounding us which then spread out like ripples in a pond. We have found the pictures enormously encouraging and recent feedback has confirmed them. We are grateful to God that despite the difficulties we encountered and our coming in “weakness”, He has been able to use this time for His Kingdom. A follow-up comment from Andrew Miller sums up some of how they felt about our visit - ‘We also really appreciated your excitement for the hospital and what was happening here. We have found in the past that having visitors that come and get excited themselves for what's happening here is something that reminds us of our purpose at Madwaleni, with the result usually being that we feel more settled at Madwaleni, which is exactly how we and many others have felt since your visit. Thank you’. That makes it all worthwhile!
- Ann & Sam Moore
A Reminder ... ‘You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’ 2 Chronicles 20:17 New International Version - UK (NIVUK) Editorial Team Tel. e-mail Ev Els
021 696 0336 emichael@iafrica.com
Cheryl Anderson
083 272 1530 canderson@beckman.com