The month of May brought many blessings & only the 1st bit was spent in Grabouw due to trips to London & Johannesburg. All sponsored I might add.
We said farewell to George & Joan originally from the UK but now living in the West Indies. They were both a wonderful addition to our Life Group & after most of us spending quality time with them realized that they were a gift from God in many different ways, & to many different people.
Community News
We are still battling with rehabilitation centres due to the absence of Social Workers. A young man who is heavily relient on at least 3 different types of drugs is trying hard to kick the habit & needs a lot of support so please pray for doors to open & for favour. I have met up with him since returning & he seems positive. We continiue to fight for a place for him in appropriate facility.
Also, while we were away, the jungle gym was completed by the Dutch Students & a couple of local men. I am told that the kids have hardly been off it. A huge thank you to the students for their hard work & funding. Now we just need to make a fence so the stray dogs stop using the area underneath as a toilet.
Leslie Ann, one of the young ladies who is helping us in the community kept the homework Clubs & Girls Mentorship going while we were away. She has done a great job & we will continue to work alongside her, guiding her towards her dream job in Social Work. This place needs her x 10.
One of the ladies that needed a CV & interview assistance got a job while we were away. Thank You Lord. She is one of the few that has completed school so we hope this will encourage some other people.
Friday Night Youth
Although we were away, Maruis (another youth leader) still collected the children & a great time was had by all. Apparently the older kids are starting to attend now, which is great news.
Five of us leaders met before we left to plan the new term & there are loads of exciting things planned…. Whatch this space.
UK Visit
An old mate of mine finally tied the knot, & planned the wedding for middle May, but in the Isle Of Mann. For those of you who are geographically challenged, it’s between Liverpool & Ireland in the UK. I was asked to be one of his best men but had to turn it down due to financial constraints. A couple days later another friend from Boys High who was also a Best Man said that he wanted to buy me a return ticket as a present to the Groom. WOW, what a blessing. I won’t mention names in case people start calling them, confusing him with a Travel Agent. Thank you so much my friends.
The Groom wasn’t aware of anything & we surprised him going into the church for a rehearsal….Ticket = £700, Ferry Ride £25, Hiding in the backseat with a baby’s blanket over your head - free….seeing your mate cry with surprise…Priceless
What a great wedding. Now move back home & bring the ‘Manx’ (that’s what people from the Isle are called) back with you!
The remaining time was spent running around like a chicken without a head. I spent no more than two nights at each place & visited many old friends, work -colleagues, & old haunts I used to frequent. So many memories … & slipped back into London life quickly.
I attended a ‘Mens Day’ just outside of London arranged by Every Nation Hammersmith, which was great fun & re-bonded with the guys from the old church. What a place, mountain biking through a forest, shooting cans & chocolate with sling shots & a meaningful sermon on being a man & how to treat your better half, Gods way. And the weather held up, how’s that for a miracle?!
I managed to raise some partnership but as I look back, the main reason for the trip was to encourage others & build relationships. Gods ways are not our ways!
I did not manage to see all our partners & friends but hope that we will soon.
I had an amazing trip & loved every minute of it but I can say with confidence that we are in the right place & I am very happy to be back with my family.
Thank you to all the great friends who made it an absolute pleasure! We cant wait to host you when you come down south.
Lees’ Jhb trip
Lees & Seth were blessed with tickets to Johannesburg & stayed with family while I was away. At different gatherings she managed to show the video on what we are currently doing so we will see how that goes in the future. The video is on my facebook page & will hopefully be on the blog soon.
Seth loved being with family again & playing with his cousins & has come back with an entirely new vocab….some words we will have to alter.
Its cold & windy in the Cape but there’s no place like home
May God keep and bless you all always
Love the Muirs
