1 June 2009

Winter, Friends and Blessings!

Winter has started to become more noticeable here in Kavuzi, especially early in the mornings and in the evenings. During the day, the temperatures are still short-sleeve warm, unless the cool breeze convinces you of the need for warmer clothing. In fact, the seasons are quite confused here, because you can see some peach trees in full blossom! By and large everything is still green as in the summer. What we do miss is the lack of any evidence of autumn. There are no trees that give us the magnificent display of the autumn colours, as we get in SA. As you can see on the picture, everything around us is still green. The arrow indicates where our house is.

Since our last newsletter, we have had a couple of opportunities to visit with new friends. We are very thankful for this. We have met 2 missionaries who are working with YWAM. Betsie has joined a group of expat women who meet on Thursday afternoons. The group is represented by people from places such as the USA, Alaska, Tibet, England, Scotland, India, and off course South Africa. It is a pleasant international afternoon tea, normally with something sweet to enjoy with the conversation. Neville uses the opportunity to get to know Mark Beckett from Farming God’s Way better, and the children use the time to play with Mark and Ronel’s children, Sasha and John-Mark. Neville is also looking forward to a men’s breakfast in June, when he will get to know more Christian men from the surrounding areas. We can therefore truly bring thanks for the precious gift of friends, together with whom we can worship our Lord.

Unfortunately we have also had some trouble on the Campus since our last newsletter. For the third time, a theft was reported from the first year students. Pastor Baulen, our assistant, had a talk with the first year students regarding the thefts that had taken place among them. After this, one of the students ran away in the early morning hours, after leaving a note for Pastor Baulen. We tried to find the student in the most likely places, but failed to do so. It is a sad situation, and we hope and pray that the student will show repentance.

The election in Malawi went smoothly, and the president was elected to a second term.

We would like to tell you a bit about one of our third year students, Patricia Phiri. Patricia is a blessing to all on the campus through the example that she sets in her life. Wherever possible, she makes a difference to someone’s life, whether it is by carrying Neville’s Bible, by giving a friendly smile, or praying for someone. When we arrived here, she regularly came to encourage us by simply coming to the house to hear whether we are doing okay, and if we are starting to feel at home. She is also part of a group of intercessors who pray together for an hour every night. She lives her life to the full for Christ in thankfulness, trusting in Him for all her needs, and wants to glorify God through her actions, deeds and words. Please pray with us for her, because at times she finds life difficult because she is “different” from most of the other students around her.

Some of the students are really going through trying times, as a result of their family making their lives difficult. One of our students had to leave to go to his house because his stepmother is stealing from his family, and this is leaving his wife and children without food. We want to share this with you in order to help you understand what the lives of some of our students are like. Most of them are far from their homes, some even as far as 800km. They have to leave their family or parents behind while they come to study for three years. Those left at home mostly have to support themselves through subsistence farming, and through this also have to support the student in his studies. It is not an easy life, and the students often long for their families. Please pray without ceasing for these students, and also for their people at home.

Finally we would like make this request from everyone who receives this newsletter. We also long for our people at times, and in such times an email is worth much! Please do not stop writing, even if it is only a short letter with any news. Please also remember the children, they always enjoy their emails!

Prayer Requests:
· Pray for our relationship with the students, and also the relationships of the students toward each other, so that we may truly live to the glory of Christ and be a witness to the world
· Please pray for the students, that they may remain committed in their studies.
· Please continue to pray for our protection and our health.
· We would like to present each third year student who completes his/her studies at the end of the year with a Study Bible, as they do not have access to libraries and commentaries. Please pray that this will be made possible.
· Thank the Lord together with us for a peaceful election.

Love in Christ
Neville, Betsie, Megan en Danielle

2 Timothy 1:12 For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.

Contact Details:

E-mail:
nevillenel@gmail.com
betsienel@gmail.com
meggienel@gmail.com
danielle.nel23@gmail.com

Telephone / Cell phone numbers:
For sms only: +27824133766 (SA number)
00265995821042
00265884509653 – This number is the most reliable
002651934868

Postal address:
PO Box 721
Mzuzu
Malawi

If you know about any individual or church who would like to become involved with this ministry, whether physical, through prayer or financially, contact: Johan Pretorius: +27825517039.


5 June 2009

Hello Everybody,

Just a quick note to share some news.

We are coming to South Africa for a quick two week visit. We received news that a Toyota Landcruiser Bakkie has been donated for use at the Bible College. Praise the Lord for this gift. It is truly an answer to prayer. Please thank Him with us for this gift.

We hope to leave here on 26 June and arrive in Pretoria on 1 July. We shall be staying in Pretoria, so you are welcome to let us know if you would like to see us. We plan to start the journey back on 16 July.

Love and Blessings
Neville, Betsie, Megan and Danielle.