We have applied for full membership to serve as SIM missionaries and our SIM application is progressing well. The SIM application progress has been intense and vigorous with multiple documents, questionnaires, and checks. Their membership application process is the most thorough that we have ever encountered! We have had to complete doctrinal questionnaires, get health […]
SIM Application Progress Read More »
The rural pastors gathered early in the morning at the ‘lodge’ which Pierre had prepared as the lecture room, this would be a brilliant opportunity for making significant friends. I was really looking forward to meeting these Luvale men as I had heard so much about their ministry in difficult remote areas. These men have
Making Significant Friends Read More »
Follow our journey from Cape Town to Lusaka via Botswana. Enjoy the elephants and the ‘Smoke that Thunders’ with us. We’ve been in Lusaka for 3 weeks. We left Cape Town on 24 January and arrived in Lusaka on 7 February. We’ve been stuck here since. We need patience whilst we push on through the
Video: Cape Town to Lusaka Read More »
We left Cape Town about a month ago heading for Chavuma, but now we are stuck in Lusaka. It’s been 2 weeks since we arrived here. Philip (our Zambian clearing agent) initially told us it would only take about 3 days to process the importation of our vehicle. Why is it taking so long? A
On Monday (7 February) we woke up early for the 7-hour journey to Lusaka. But first we headed to the famous Mosi-oa-tunya (Victoria Falls). What a magnificently exhilarating morning! The Smoke that Thunders The falls were quite full (it gets fuller around April); the mist was rising up (“raining from below” as Renée put it);
To Lusaka from Livingstone Read More »
Reluctantly we left our amazingly beautiful accommodation in Senyati at around 10am on Sunday morning (6 February) as we would be crossing into Zambia. The serene morning offered peaceful scenes by which we did our devotions as we read from the Bible among the beautiful wildlife. The long complicated day demanded this peaceful start as
Crossing into Zambia Read More »
Our journey to Senyati (near Kasane) surprised us with elephant sightings and downpours of rain. On this stretch of fairly good road we encountered only a few potholes which we dodged effortlesly. However, there are numerous animals on the side of the road and often right in the middle of the road. We dodged them
To Senyati from Palapye Read More »
488km travelled – 9.4km/lt – 68km/h average speed. Our journey to Palapye had one or two surprises, but was quite pleasant nonetheless. We left Maryke’s home in Pretoria at 7:30am and it was raining. We had such a lovely time with Maryke it was hard to say goodbye. The road from Pretoria to Mokopane is
To Palapye from Pretoria Read More »
249km travelled – 8.6km/lt – 81km/h Thursday (3 February) was quite a hectic day of trying to find a lost parcel, purchasing tents from two different stores, and getting our Covid tests done. By the end of this day, we were really tired and needing a nice cold drink to cool us down. We found
Secunda to Pretoria Read More »
After spending some quality time with Renee’s family in the Durban area, we headed back to Hillcrest and spent Saturday night and Sunday night with Steven and Kanyo Mabugana. We were lavishly spoiled with warm hospitality. On Sunday, we (together with Kanyo) attended Christ Church Umhlanga (CCU) where we met Sinen Majola, Balan & Christine
Hillcrest to Secunda Read More »
The distance from Hillcrest to Durban North is merely 46km, so we left later in the morning (Wednesday, 26 January) after getting some admin done. We had a very comfortable stay at Steven’s home. I went to school with Steven on the mission school in KZN. We have been friends from our childhood. It was
Hillcrest to Durban North Read More »
Distance travelled: 588kmAverage fuel consumption: 9.2km/ltAverage speed: 86km/h Tuesday 25 January we woke up refreshed in the home of Ray and Roxy Beckman. We were ready for the next leg of our journey and departed from Bloemfontein at 07h45. Michael was feeling anxious about our monthly newsletter that was not out yet so we started
Bloemfontein to Hillcrest Read More »
Distance travelled: 954kmAverage fuel consumption: 8.9km/ltAverage speed: 89km/h We left our home in Marina da Gama, Cape Town at 04h55 on Monday 24 January. The vehicle was heavily loaded and straining under the load. We were mildly anxious to see how it would handle such a heavy load. After about an hour on the road,
Cape Town to Bloemfontein Read More »
We used our maintenance skills to repair some well-used items. This repair will extend the life of these tools for another 10 years. They are important tools in our missionary work in rural Zambia.
Extend the Life of Tools Read More »
Good news! We just heard last night that my work permit has been approved. Yay! 🤩 Renée’s spousal visa is attached to my work permit, so as I understand things, we both have visas to live in Zambia and serve the Luvale people of Chavuma for the next two years. We can now get going
Earlier this week, we heard back from Zambia Immigration regarding our visa application. They seem to think that we are currently still in Zambia. We’ve had to show proof of our departure by sending pictures of our exit stamps in July 2021. The Zambia immigrations department sent a communication stating that we need to attach
Immigration Confusion Read More »
The export process can only begin once I get a work permit. The whole process is on hold until we get approval from Zambian Immigration. We hope to hear good news in this week. I have been in communication with 3 different clearing agents in Zambia to determine what is required to get the vehicle
Export a vehicle to Zambia Read More »
We’ve had a slight setback with regard to our visa application. I heard back from the Zambian Immigration department and unfortunately they reverted my application back to me because they require a “Business Endorsement Stamp” from my ’employer’ (Waymakers) in Zambia. Since Waymakers Zambia has only recently registered in Zambia, they were not able to
Expensive Visa Complications Read More »
What an exciting, sad, and touching day it was. The wind was blowing, clouds in the sky threatening to cast rain upon our celebrations, and the sun peaking through the clouds every now and again. The weather seemed to echo the turmoil in our hearts. Today was a sad day for us and yet it
Commissioning and Farewell Read More »
On Sunday 28 November at my ordination service held at Tokai Community Church I was made a deacon in our denomination (REACH-SA). It was an inspiring and beautiful service. I was super encouraged by the missionary theme that the whole service had – all the songs, the sermon, and even the ordination itself inspired me
Ordination: A new chapter Read More »
