For the past three weeks we have been helping Marius’s mom,
Toekie, move. She just retired after working for the last 27 years, and living
in the home where Marius grew up in the town of Kathu, on the edge of the
Kalahari Desert. As you can imagine, it was an emotional time boxing up
memories, selling things, and moving cross country to this new chapter in her life. Marius’s dad died when he was just a
boy, so his mom has been a “single mom” throughout most of her life. We were so
blessed to be able to be a part of this move with Toekie, and to help her
through this transition. Marius’s brother and sister were also there helping,
so it was a time for all of them to say Bye Bye to their childhood home and
town of Kathu.
We felt guilty at first for being away from the orphans in
Swaziland for so long, but we both agreed that not only was it a blessing to
have the ability and time to help his mom move; in God’s economy, He is no
greater pleased with His kids when they are feeding orphans, helping their
families, or for that matter, just enjoying Him.
While we were in Kathu we celebrated my 35th
Birthday and our 3rd Wedding Anniversary, so it was quite an
eventful few weeks. We’re back in
Swaziland now, and gearing up for Christmas parties for the orphans. The first
one is this Saturday, and I look forward to sharing pictures with you and
telling you all about it. Please know how very much we appreciate you and your
being a part of all of this. It’s such an awesome thing to know that we are not
alone, and we are joining hands with about 150 people to be able to do what we
do here. We don’t for one second take this for granted. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Love
jodi and marius
What a blessing to see your faces and hear your news!
You are greatly missed but know we are praying for you
daily and send love and hugs across the way!
PS – HAPPY BIRTHDAY JODI!!!!!!!
Good to hear from you all. You were obeying the 5th commandment – honoring your father and mother – so the Lord was taking care of the orphans. and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JODI!
Happy Birthday, Jodi! And…Happy 3 years of togetherness 🙂 Enjoy sharing Christmas with the children, I’m sure they will ‘love up’ on you plenty!!!
Happy Birthday Jodi! Happy Anniversary as well. Take Care
Happy Birthday! and Congratulations on 3 years!! You both look great and I know that God is blessing you and the work you are doing. Have fun with all the Christmas parties! Love you both!
Just seeing your names on my email brought a smile to my face.
Happy Birthday Jodi! And Happy Anniversary to you both!
I know you were a blessing to Marius’ mom. Widows and orphans are dear to God’s heart, and yes you are honoring her as well.
We are still ordering the bread from Bread Beckers. Thanks for telling us about it. Have fun at the parties. Don’t work too hard. Give each other a hug for me!
Happy Birthday and Anniversary!
We trust all is going well with you and keep you in our prayers, specifically not to get overwhelmed and discouraged by the incredible needs around you. Also, that you TWO will take the time to nurture your marriage in the midst of taxing responsibilities.
Are you drinking Nescafe or do you get a better blend 🙂 Do you have Nutella there? I finished all the Stroopwafels. I look forward to seeing you in the Father’s timing.
Do Afrikaans speakers sing “Langsam se Leben in dem Gloria?” This is Dutch, but I did not know if it was similar.
Many blessings!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JODI! YOU ARE IN OUR PRAYERS! AND HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO YOU BOTH.
Great to hear from you again and to see new pictures. We love you and miss you but our loss is South Africa’s gain. How’s the well drilling part going Marius? Bless you both in the great work you are doing and don’t forget to pause and have a day of Thanksgiving – that is such a cool idea for a holiday that the American’s invented.
Paul & Lita
I was thinking about you guys the other day! I love you and miss you tons! Happy Birthday sweet girl and I hope you have been able to reflect on the sweet time God has given you guys together. I will be going to Zambia at the end of Feb. so I’ll let you know if I’ll go thru S Africa or not. I continue to pray for you and how God is working there!
Wonderful to hear the news from you guys. Happy birthday. Praying for both of you and the children. I know you guys are blessing to them!
Hey Guys,
Happy b-day & Anniversary!!
I’m not sure what pastor Jeff said, but cheers to that?Q?Q
Praying for your safety & happiness.
Love & Blessings,
Lupi’s
Hey Guys,
Happy b-day & Anniversary!!
I’m not sure what pastor Jeff said, but cheers to that?Q?Q
Praying for your safety & happiness.
Love & Blessings,
Lupi’s
Going between such extremely different cultures has gotta make you stop and ponder. Glad you are doing well and God is providing. These are very interesting times and a wake up call for Americans. May God continue to bless you both. Will look forward to the pictures.
Jodi and Marius:
Congratulations on yet another year of marriage. May God continue to bless every breath you both take throughout the coming year…..and every day forword.
Happy Birthday, Jodi.
It doesn’t hurt, does it? Each year God places more seasoning on His created masterpiece. God is good!
It was great to hear from you again!
Love to both,
Jerry and Virginia
Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary! I thought of you on your birthday October 16th. You and Marius are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you. God has blessed me by knowing you.
Love in Christ,
Theresa and Bill
Greetings to you both! Belated birthday and anniv. wishes to you. We’ve finally got the computers all set up so I’m trying to play catch up. Good to see new photos of your sweet faces. Ray has retired and closed up his business (HUGE job…) and we are still moving stuff although we are in the new house at this point. So glad that you could help Marius’s mother. She was pleased no doubt. Blessings to you both!! Miss you.
Happy Birthday Jodi!!!! It is nice that you both could help Marius’s mom and had a birthday party, too 🙂
I am always wondering how you are doing and my heart is with you in Swaziland as I love to be there and hug kids there.
I am wondering how your real life there. Hardship, joy, challenges I like to hear your daily life with kids and daily work.
May God give you all your needs each day.
Juri
Hi you guys. It was wonderful to see you guys and visit with you during your stay here. Jodi you are very “sout” for not telling us that it was your birthday while you were here!! Congtats!! May the Lord’s blessings and His peace rain down on you. Thanyou for my gift @ Olive Tree. I appreaciate it a lot. Lover you and miss you. Is there a e mail adress where we can contact you or only on the blog? Love Ya