Have you noticed how good articles and blogs usually builds up to a climax… the whao moment, the paragraph that stays with you all day long, which defines the essence of the book? Wouldn’t it be nice to read a blog where the author gives you the WHAO moment upfront? You don’t have to scroll down and see how the blog ends etc. This is going to be THAT kind of blog, right now. Ready for it?
In our last blog we gave you an update on Jodi’s health. She had a staph infection in her bladder and we were seriously concerned about her health, especially fearing more cysts on her ovaries. She was very tired and felt bad most of the time. GREAT was our surprise when the gynecologist told us that the “cyst” had a heart beat. Ha-ha. We were SHOCKED.
Jodi and I are doing very well. Actually, to tell you the truth, we have never been any better. We have decided to make our marriage our priority, to place it above any expectations, above people, above what we believe God has called us to do here in Africa. Our foundation is stronger, more secure and I can honestly tell you that I love my wife so much, that I am in love with her and that I cannot wait for God to write this new chapter in our lives. It is amazing when we understand that God’s economy is so much different from our own. It has brought Jodi and me freedom, life, abundance and exuberant amounts of love.
We will be back in Swaziland very soon. Please pray with us for a house. We are still on a waiting list as house #7 fell through. I will be in Swaziland next week looking for a place for us…again.
Jodi and I would like to acknowledge Ragie Venter, Stephan and Janine Greyling and my bother, Tinus and his wife Lynette. These people have opened up their hearts and homes to us while we were here in South Africa recovering. We are in awe of your generosity. Thank you.
Marius and Jodi
Wow! Congratulations, Jodi and Marius!!! We are so very happy for you both! We were just talking about you this weekend, and were worrying about Jodi’s health! I am so glad to hear such blessed news! That is truly wonderful, and may God bring you peace, health, happiness (nd a home!) as you embark on the journey! You will both make wonderful parents!
All our love,
Bon, Padgett and Hayden
As everybody else has said……WOW!!!! How awesome is our God! Our prayers CONTINUE to be with you each day and may your search for a house and your return to Swaziland be in His perfect timing. How we love you and celebrate with you!
Blessings,
George and Bonnie
I am sooooo happy for you both. It will be an amazing journey.
Satan knew the exact time that this baby would come so I would expect he had something to do with the illnesses and stress that you may have had. I will continue to pray that you see Gods hand in molding , purifing and refining you two individually and as a couple, for the perfecting of His will for and in your family. That can be difficult but the blessings will be uncontainable. He knows your hearts and works His will according to His purpopses.
I love you all three-and will keep the prayers going
PS Josh is expecting in November alsothey can be friends or if one is a girl and one is a boy, they can get married.-It’s never to early to pick out a spouse for a grandchild!!!!!!!!
Donna Kennedy
Congratulations!!! We are so excited for you guys and will continue to pray for you and your ministry.
Congratulations! We are so happy for you both! I’m sure Jodi has a beautiful glow about her! I can’t wait to hear more updates about the amazing work you two are doing and more pictures of the little one. You guys are going to be wonderful parents. What a blessing!
Love and miss you!
Diana and Ronnie
WOW!!! That is an awesome medical discovery!! Praise God that you have an even bigger miracle than not having a cyst!! I am so happy for you and will be praying that you find a place and that you remain healthy!
We love you!
Wendy & Steve Lowe
Jodi & Marius,
WOW!!! I am so excited to hear this news!!! Congratulations and best wishes to both of you and the future “Baby Deetlefs”!!
The cyst had a heartbeat! Wow! Congratulations to you both, you will be great parents.
Wonderful news! God bless the three of you. Lots of love.
Gerald & Mary Jane
I am SO excited for both of you! God is so good…ALL the time!All the time God IS good! Continued Blessings on all 3 of you.
In Jesus Love,
Tricia
Oh My Goodness!
I am THRILLED for you guys! What a miracle huh?! God is so good! Keep us up to date as we will be praying for the two of you and for the new baby!
Blessings,
Chris and Becky Ridler
Oh my goodness, that’s so exciting! I’m so glad to read the update from you and hear that you’re doing well. Praying for you! 🙂 Much love, Griffin
That is wonderful news!! What a joy!! And your entire blog about your renewed priorities. God has a way of pruning us down. And then we are more fruitful. And what better than the fruit of the womb. Love you two dearly!!
God does work in wonderous ways. Congratulations! Your Dad has kept us posted about your health at our mission meetings, and we remember you in prayer. Be healthy and well in your new house that God will provide. Love, Jill
PS I am better, but not quite finished with this battle yet, but victory is mine!
That is so exciting! We will certainly be keeping you in our prays. We wish you the best!
~Marian, Josh & Lilli
I just love it!!! Doesn’t OUR God have the
most wonderful timing? I could just picture
Him smiling as you learned the joyful news!
We are so very excited for you both and can’t
wait to hear how He will provide the perfect
home back in Swaziland. Hugs to you both!
We love you. Wendy and Frank 🙂
Congratulations. We are celebrating with you and will be praying you through this pregnancy.
P & A O
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I’m so excited for you guys!!! I wish you all the best. May God bless all three of you!
Hi julle 2!! dit is sooooooo awesome! annet my gisteraand gese, maar ek nie geweet of ek mag weet of se nie!!! sooooo gelukkig vir julle!! sing en dans!! sing en dans!!!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxlotsoflovexxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxdie gouwsexxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Wohoo, wonderful news Marius and Jodi – this is so exciting!
Congratulations!
I’m so thrilled for you, can hardly wait to hug you in person 🙂
Praying for you, for Jodi’s and Baby’s health, and for #7!
See you in 61 days, hopefully.
Hugs,
Dani.
awwww – how very wonderful!
To have a new life growing inside of you is the most amazing feeling. Enjoy every minute of your pregnancy and these months with your loving hubby! Praises to our Lord the Creator of ALL living! He is so very good, all the time He is so very good!
Be well and take it easy!
Praying for the housing issues.
In Him is life!
What wonderful news! When I read about your health, Jodi, I’ve been praying and thinking of you often. What an answer to prayer!!! Me and Zach rejoice and pray that He will be with you in every step of the way of this pregnancy.
Annika
Wonderful, Wonderful news! Our Sisterhood group will continue to pray for you. Love you both; what a blessed baby!
Congratulations! I will be praying for wisdom, knowledge and discernment for both of you as you begin your journey of “Parenthood”. God will provide all of this for you as you learn what to eat, how to cope, and how to pace yourself. You are both strong in your faith and I know you will both lift up each day to the Lord, for guarding and guidance. I will be waiting for updates and progress reports. God knows you need a home, and His timing is perfect. He is never late.
I continue to pray for your adventure and peace in Africa.
Love to both,
VA
Wow! I am so excited for you. God really does have a bigger plan for the two of you! This is such a wonderful surprise. Enjoy this most precious time. May God give you good health.
Praise to our God,
Marty
What an exciting WOW! I will be praying for health and a house. God is so good.
Blessings in Christ
Janice
This is exciting news. I call Pat & Debbie Stancil and let them know your good news. Your due date is Debbie’s birthday. May God continue to bless your ministry and bless you with house and good health. Love you guys, Thomas & Rebecca
Congratulations. God works in mysterious ways. May the Lord Bless your family and provide for all your needs in Swaziland. We will continue to keep you guys and your needs in our prayers.
Love ya
Dee & Jerry
YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH!!!!!!!! Oh my GOSH! I can’t get over this! I just can’t wait to see the little tyke!
We have sooo much to catch up on and I’ll probably send an email when the time allows for me to catch you up on our lives here in the big ATL.
I can’t tell you how excited I am for you guys! Blessings to the Deetlefs FAMILY!
We love you so much,
Charlie & Erika
I love that one line – the cyst had a heartbeat! CONGRATULATIONS!! Take care of yourselves and enjoy each other!
Fred
Congratulations!! What a special blessing!! WE will continue to pray that all will go well. I am sure that grandpa and grandma Stancil are over joyed. God bless you all. Love Larry and Gwen
Dit is wonderlike nuus! Baie geluk. Mag dit net goed gaan verder met die 3 van julle. Ons bid vir julle en dat jul sommer gou ‘n huis sal kry. Prys die Here. Herman & Hester.
God is awesome!!! Doesn’t He just delight in surprising us. I am so happy for you. A baby just brings a whole new perspective on life, right?
Love you both, Hallie
Congratulations to you both! We have been praying that God would bless you with the joy of His perfect will for your lives. I trust in Him and know that His timing is perfect and He holds you both and the baby in His hands. We pray that a house will become available for you soon and that Jodi’s health continues to improve. All our love to you both!!
Congratulations, Jodi and Marius. I am so excited for you guys and I will keep praying that God is going to continue to bless you both.
Lucky baby! Lucky you! Congratulations to you both.
Lucky baby! Lucky you! Congratulations to you both.
We are so happy for you both. What fantastic news after some challenging times. We are always amazed about how much you give to others. Now it is being repaid to you with this addition to your family.
We miss you guys and all the luck to you through this next adventure.
There’s not much more I can say that hasn’t been communicated in the previous emails. FANTASTIC!!!!!
I am so excited for both of you! My children have made such a huge difference in my life, I can’t wait for you to experience it. Children really are little miracles. Congratulations! Love you and miss you!
Wow wow whohaaaa GOD is BIG !!!!!!!!!! this is the best news ever !!! In all He is amazing !!! I’m reminded of a promise in Zech 9: 11-12..
Enjoy this wonderful new season as a family of 3 !!
Blessings,
Annelie
Yay Jesus!!!!! Congrats to you two!
Jesus, we just ask for more – more of those glorious riches you have stored up for Jodi and Marius. We pray for an open heaven in this new season for them. May they experience Your presence in a new and fresh way as they celebrate and experience the miracle of this life.
Love you guys!
Awesome! Wonderful! Congratulations!
How sweet He is! Praise Him! From the lowest valley to the highest mountain peak He is worthy of all our worship. Bask
in the lavish love of our Lord Jesus, dance with exuberant joy!
We are celebrating with you!
Jay and Cindy
p.s.
This kind of news requires lots of exclamation points!!!!!!!!
Hello from Montana! Congratulations! May God continue to bless you both for your hard work in His Service! Many blessings of joy and great health for all 3 of you! God is faithful! Hallelujah!
Praise God! I’ll be passing on the good news to those who have been praying for you here in my little corner of the world.
Continuing to pray,
Elysa
What great news, I am so happy for you two and three!
Grace
Baie geluk julle twee. Dit is wonderlike nuus.
Nou ja dan maak ek die lang lys se 50ste gelukwensing!! Ek sal so graag wil kontak maak. Kom kuier want die baba sal die eerste surflessons in Jeffreys moet kry!!
May the baby turn out to be as great as the two of you.
Harry
Congratulations and God bless you as you prepare to welcome a little one into your family! Prayers for strength, health and provision!
Praise God for your recovery to good health Jodi, and happy congratulations to both of you about the baby! Yea God!