We have safely arrived in Nelspruit, South Africa. Leaving the people of Thulwane was difficult but we know that us leaving is not the end of the story! Our hearts have been wrecked - however, thank the Lord, we are very committed to long-term compassionate action.Last night was a very special night. We were able to be active participants in the Baptism of Cassie and Allison. Jumbo led us thru a very heart-felt communion and then we witnessed what had to be one of the most powerful Baptisms ever! Literally, as the sun set behind a gorgeous mountain-range, the world around us came alive! Absolutely amazing...
We ask for your continued prayers and support as we prepare for the long journey home. We also ask that you, as we have, reflect on the love God has for us. For the people of Thulwane. For the world. Additionally, Steve and Alexis are feeling a little under the weather so we ask that you lift them up, as well. Nothing serious - just a little stomach bug. They are on medication.
We will be checking the blog when we get to Amsterdam - so if you get a chance, please post a comment. I cannot tell you what a joy it has been to all of us to read your replies!
God bless and we will see you soon! We love you!
Posts
28 comments:
It is great to hear from you. We are looking forward to your return. Crystal, I have combined all of the posts and comments at this time into a Word document and have 34 pages to give to Ms. Ruby at church tomorrow! I will give her a big Squeeze for you tomorrow. You are in our prayers. We can't wait to hear about what God has done in your lives and the lives you touched while you were away...
In HIM,
Dawn Hooper
We've been praying everyday.
The picture is amazing, but I'm sure it does no justice to the the moment - I am absolutely moved. I am sorry to hear about Alex and Steve. As a mom, I'm heartbroken to hear that Alex is sick and so far away that I can't hold her. Daddy, please take care of our baby. I will be praying for a speedy recovery for both. I am missing you more than ever now, and I can't wait to see all of you in Atlanta! Prayers for safe travel are being lifted up continuously. I can't wait to hear about everything. God is so good, isn't He? Counting down the minutes...
I love you,
Ashley
Mommy and Daddy,
Have a good trip home. We will be glad to see you. I want to hear all about your trip.
I love you!
Madeline
Mom & Dad
I am FINE! I will be glad to see you. (Mimmie and Papa say that I have been eating REAL good). I love you!
Love,
Emma & Dolly
Great to hear from you. I know that you are all drained... emotionally and physically. Take care of yourselves and have a safe trip home. Look forward to hearing all about your trip.
Love Ya
Kim
p.s. Allison and Mark.... Please hurry... the kids are getting water-logged and "tanned" buns.
Hey! I hope you all are doing well and I hope you loved the safari!
Love Chris
Hey mommy did you take the camera,if you did I'd love to see them.Hoped you loved the trip love you.
Matthew
I miss you and love and hope the children get some more alot of shoes
love Mikel
I love you mommy I love to go to school and I love to go to the dog park.
love Joshua
daddy!!!!! love Graceson
Hey Kristi, I love and missssss you alottt! Things have been fine here hope you have spent alot of time with Jesus. This is a beging of God's work in your life and HE is faithful to complete the work HE has started. I love and miss you safe and speedy return is our prayer.
Love Hubby
Sorry had a type'O beging should be beginning
Love Brian see ya soon
Natalie,
We miss you so much and have been praying for you and for the team continuously that God would work in and through you to be His hands. Hope you had a great time on the safari today. We can't wait to see you Monday night and hear all about the trip. Everyone at church has been asking about you and praying for you, too! Really happy for Cassie and Allison and hope Steve and Alexis are better soon.
Mom and Dad
MS KRISTI :) We love you and we are so exited for your trip and we are going to take good care of your Chris :) Or maybe he will take good care of us :) either way! Do not worry :0 LOL. MUCH LOVE TO YOU AND CAN'T WAIT to HEAR ALL (A.L.L.) about it! Stay out of trouble :) Give your self some "reentry grace" and remember REVERSE Culture Shock is always harder than the "trip" culture shock. Give yourself some time ;)
Miss you so much :)
Love
Ms. Jenn
Ms. Jenn :)
"Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
Mark, Allison (and Team)!
You are in my prayers as you make your journey home! I am so proud of the work that has been done through your efforts at Thulwane and pray that the Lord will bless you with some much needed rest on the way home! I cannot wait to see you and hear about everything (so let me know when you are rested and I'll have you over for dinner!!!) Also praying for Alexis and Steve's meds to help FAST and a hedge of protection for the rest of the team to stay well! I love you! Amy
God is so Good!!! We Love and Miss you guys and we are praying for your safe return home. the work you have done while there most of the world will never find out about it but because of Gods grace, one day in heaven we can sit and talk to the people who you touched and who God touched through your willingness to go out and spread his love. God bless you and we can't wait to see you again.
Love
Terry ans Marie
Yeah God! It has been such a joy praying for you guys and hearing what God has been doing. I am sure the baptism was a treasure you will hold close to your hearts for the rest of your lives. Crystal and Squeaky I am sure the breath Africa tatoos have even more significance now. We look forward to hearing all of your stories when you get home.
love you all,
page and les
hello everyone,it looks like the fellowship is great there .i can tell god was in the crowd.moving from one to the other.god is a awesome god.he is great.not only has he touched your lives but he has touched the lives of others that has even seen the last photo you sent.oh what a sight to see.god was there and he is here.i was so moved in what i saw.i can't wait for you'll to get home so i can see more.larry,kristi and alex you are so blessed there and at home.i can't wait to see all of you just to hold you tight and welcome you home.i am sure you'll have been blessed every step of the way.and he is still walking you and holding your hands.isn't he great?babies i am extremely proud of you'll.larry you took a photo of a liitle boy with the reflect of you in his eyes.you three are in the reflection in my eyes.and god is really shinning his light on you.i am so proud of you'll babies.you'll would make any momma and grandma proud.alex,i sure hope you feel better baby.i will see you soon.kristi i sure do miis you.girlfriend,you better get home to your momma.larry,you know how i told you you were within arms lenght.bud i can,t reach you come home please safe and sound.i miss you all and i will see you soon,i love you three.very much.tell the team to keep on keeping on.it looks like the are doing a good job at it.god bless and i love you all ruddie vann,mom and maw-maw
Hi everybody! I am the type o king but I know that does not matter yo you. I wanted to let yall know how much we are looking forward to ya'll returning home. God is good!!! "HE" has a really big heart and each of you has been the lifeline for it in these past coupe of weeks. I know it has been a hard and exhausting journey but well worth it in the long run. The lives that you have touched through Jesus Christ has been numerous and a bit overwhelming. Thank you for your relentless passion for the word of Jesus ya'll have done a workman like job. I know it will be tough to leave the life that ya'll have lived for two weeks and we will be praying each and every day for you to be strong in "Him" We love yall and cant wait to see ya'll.
Gog Bless
Ken
Hi Gang
You are contantly on our minds and in our prayers. God is surely blessing your faithfullness.
We love ya'll. Look forward to seeing you on Monday night.
David
Savannah!
I am so glad your days in Swazi were great! I love reading the blog and seeing what God has blessed ya'll with! I hope you have a great trip home and I hope to hear all about it when you return. I love you!
Carson White
Mark, Allison and Team,
God bless you all..we know by now you are exhaused but remember where you get your strength and lean on HIM..He will never fail you. You have been in our prayers constantly. We can't wait to see you and to hear all about the trip and the wonderful work God has done through you.
We had a ball SKYPING with Mad and Emma Fran from Amy's and Lesley's. Know they have missed you and can't wait to see you.
Love you lots,
Dad and Donna
Mommy,
Hey mommy!!!!!!!!!!!!!! how are you doing? I hope you have a safe trip home. Ilove you . Did you see lions and tigers and bears? OH MY!!
Skyelar
Hey momy!
I wanted to say hello. Ilove you and I hope you have a fun time on your way back home. from Melody
Hey beautiful,
The picture says a MILLION words. I am so excited for You and everyone there. We will be praying for all stomach bugs to go away and for a safe trip HOME.
we LOVE you!!
Jason
Hey Team! The picture speaks volumes . . . God is amazing! I am praying for safe travel home, restored health and rest for everyone. As you prepare to return to your families, lives and jobs, I pray for your peace and for you to find your "new" normal. Allow God to continue to use you for His purposes.
Cassie - I talked to your Mom this morning and she has had difficulty getting to this blog. She can't wait to see you!!
Crystal/Squeak - Ms. Ruby is doing fine. She is so excited to read the updates and can't wait to hear all about Africa!
Small group will be meeting as you guys are leaving Africa . . . know that we are lifting you guys up continually.
We love you guys!!
Paula D
Hey Team
We are lifting up the prayers in a BIG way as you are leaving a piece of you behind.
Crystal and Squeaky- Madalyn, MaryDee and I took Ms. Ruby to eat lunch today,& she is SO excited to see you and hear all about your trip- as we all are!! We have missed you terribly but we have also loved knowing that your dreams of being in Africa and touching and loving those babies was actually happening. We love you!
Mark and Allison- Know that I am in total awe and amazement of you both. Mark... Ms. Ruby was bragging on you today!!! Allison, Ashleigh was bragging on you today!!! We love you both tremendously, and can't wait to hear all about your experiences!
Steve and Amy- We have talked and visited with your babies, Ms. Bev.& Bill and they are all well, happy and enjoying themselves. They miss you so much, Katie has done so well! You will be so proud of her! :) We have missed you very much, Ken is in a state of depression with out Steve. We can't wait to see you, hug you and hear all about your amazing adventures!
Cassieyour strength and commitment has been an inspiration. You are leading by example, and your family is so blessed to have you. I love you!
Larry and Alex- your family loves you so much. They miss you and are very thrilled to see you. I'm excited to hear the stories, cause I know there are going to be some awesome ones!! Take care, and know that we love you so much!!
To the rest of the wonderful team.... We have been praying constantly and we are continually praying as you all begin to realize how God has changed you.
Steph
Dad I'm so sorry you and Alex got the stomach bug. We are all praying for ya'll. We got a kennel for Angel! It fits her perfectley! We got it a a grage sale for one dollar. We are going to Cracle Barrel when Aunt Kelly wakes up! Missy and Krista and Jaylen & Jaxon got here Friday! Kika and Jaylen & Jaxon left about 3:00 this afternoon. Jaylen fell on the bricks by the driveway and was bleading a little bit!
Love,
Katie,Maggie,Ellie
P.S. See Ya'll SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!
Well, I guess you have left Africa by now... I am sure you are all filled with mixed emotions. Psalm 145:2-3 says, "I will praise you every day; I will praise you forever and ever. The Lord is great and worthy of our praise; no one can understand how great he is."
Crystal/Squeaky - I gave a copy of the posts and most of the comments to Ms. Ruby this morning at church. She was so excited! I gave her a BIG SQUEEZE! She is looking forward to your return!
Mia - I came back by to see Ms. Ruby after the 9:30 service and she said your Mom was reading the posts and comments. She has been on pins and needles waiting for your return. She was thrilled to be able to read a smidge of what has been going on while you have been away...
We pray that Steve and Alexis are feeling better. We are praying as you travel back to your friends and family. We look forward to hearing how God has touched each of you in a life changing way...
God Bless You,
The Hoopers
Julie and team
We have been praying for you and the team. We will continue to pray for all of you until you all reach home safely. I am sure you all are tired but we all can't wait to hear about what God and you all did with those precious childern and the other lives that were touched! The kids are fine! We all played on the lake! Rachel was so brave this weekend! She had a ball and I have never seen her ride the tubes like she did! She didn't want to go just straight! She had a great time! We Love you and will see you soon! DeeDee
Hey everyone! The team has landed in Detroit, is going through customs and will be headed towards Atlanta in about an hour and a half. The vehicles are in route or will be shortly to meet them in Atlanta. Pray for safety for the final leg of their journey!!!
Paula D :)
Hey everybody! I'm glad you will be home soon! The pictures of Cassie and Allison took my breath away. I am so proud of all of you and the way you touched so many lives in Thulane. I am in awe of the mighty and merciful God we serve!!
In His Love,
Shannon Ladnier
Hey families! FYI - The flight from Detroit was actually delayed - they took off at 6:02 our time. The scheduled arrival in Atlanta is now estimated at 7:40 p.m. our time. I'm tracking the flight and it looks like they are flying around the line of storms in that area now. Hopefully this won't delay their arrival any further! I'm updating Ashley and Bobby since they are already in Atlanta. They will be home soon!! Paula D
Today is the 10th so you all are probably home but I just wanted to say that I love you mom and I'll see you when you get home.
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