June 13, 2021

Goeie dag! (Good day in Afrikaans)

Two weeks ago, the 2020-2021 school year officially ended! It was a whirlwind year with raising support, teaching virtually from Ohio for our first 4 months with Faith, transitioning to the Philippines once borders opened, and finishing out the year teaching virtually from the Faith Academy campus. Since break started we've had some time to reflect, and we are just overcome with gratitude... 

God has provided for us in every aspect! God's hand and provision has been so evident every step of the way. We are so grateful for the partnerships with amazing people and ministries that has enabled us to embark on this journey. We are thankful for support staff at Faith Academy for relentlessly working with the various government departments to secure our travel exceptions and visas, for organizing housing and even furniture for us, and for assisting us in every way. We are in awe of the kindness, hospitality, and support of the whole Faith community. We are overjoyed at the friendships that have formed between us and our wonderful neighbors, our Bible study groups, our fellow new staffers, parents, veteran Faith Academy staff members, and other members of the Faith Community. It has been encouraging to be surrounded by and minister with such amazing people. We are also blown away by the relationships that we were able to build with students this year, despite it all being online - that is definitely God's grace.

The new staffers that arrived the same weekend we did

Furthermore, we are also grateful to have time to rest and relax, and spend valuable time with friends and family in South Africa. In the past two weeks we've been catching up with Egbert's relatives, playing Spikeball with his nieces,  eating a lot of tasty home cooked South African meals, and Alyson has met some more of Egbert's extended family (this is our first trip to SA as a married couple). This week we are visiting the Kruger National Park, and taking a road trip through the rural countryside where Egbert grew up. Egbert's high school reunion is also coming up at the end of June.

Playing Spikeball

In July, we will go to Cape Town by ourselves for a couple of days. In between the sightseeing we intend to use this time away from family to cast vision for and pray into our next year of ministry, 2021-2022, and connecting with our partners, current and new. More about that in our next newsletter!

Praises:

• Finishing the school year well.
• A smooth trip to SA
• Time to rest and relax.
• Good health.

Prayer:

• To remain in good health as a new wave of COVID is flaring up in SA.
• Existing partnerships to continue as we start a new year of ministry.
• New partnerships for the coming year and beyond.