Marius and I had such a great trip to the States. I got to be a part of my friend Schramm’s Montana wedding, which was wonderful. I got to be with my family lots, and I was able to speak at Whitefish Foursquare and Trinity Evangelical and connect with many friends there. Our church in GA had a baby shower for our sweet little girl, and I was so blessed. So many people came and gave generously –clothes, money, diapers, etc. It was really, really sweet!
I had a bit of a rough start with getting a flight out of South Africa. I was supposed to fly standby with a buddy pass, but after waiting 6 days and Delta not letting a single standby passenger on, we finally bit the bullet and bought a ticket at the last minute on SAA. Thanks to some very generous friends (Stephan and Janene, Randy and Sandra, Jay and Cindy, Christy and Gilbert, and Tommy and Velma), we were able to not go into debt for the airfare. THANK YOU GUYS!
Marius spent time at AIM headquarters where he participated in training, and attended several meetings regarding his new position here in Swaziland. He is now overseeing all the AIM short-term teams that come through Swaziland – logistically, arranging ministry opportunities, hosting, transportation, etc. He is enjoying his new responsibilities, and I am also getting a chance to get to
know the teams, and be there for the leaders when they need input.
This past weekend we hosted a “sleepover” for the AIM team that is currently here. They are here for 3 months, and there are 19 of them, and they’re an all-girl team. They’re working at Nsoko with the carepoints there – playing with the children, teaching Bible stories, visiting several homesteads, and taking care of some desperate needs in the community. They’re also really roughing it – with bucket showers.
We made homemade chocolate chip cookies, brownies, hot fudge sauce for ice cream sundaes, and we grilled burgers and had a baked potato bar. We also made homemade pancakes with maple syrup and bacon for breakfast. Best of all for them was the face that everybody got to take their first hot shower in a month! I think that was their favorite part. They were blessed and we really enjoyed getting to know this team. This is really right up mine and Marius’s alley to make food and have a home to host people and bless them. We love it! We have had a sweet girl from Alabama staying with us for a few weeks. Bailey was not feeling so well, so she came to the Deetlefs’s B&B for some rest and relaxation, and we just love her.
We are getting really close to our due date – just under a month away. We leave next week to spend the last 2 ½ weeks in South Africa (so that we’ll be over the border in plenty of time before I go into labor. Please pray for us in these last days of preparation, and pray that by the mercy of God it be a labor and birth without complications. I am so blessed that my mom and dad are coming to hang out with their little granddaughter for a few weeks, and Marius’s mom will also come spend time with us. We are very excited to meet this sweet girl!
There is much more to say, but for now please know how grateful we were to see you in the States, and thank you so much for supporting us here in Swaziland. We love you and promise to keep you posted on ministry and “baby” news!
Lots of love from Africa, Jodi and Marius
Gwen, the kids and I will be praying for the safe arrival of you precious baby girl!
I can not believe how fast time flies…less than one month!
Blessings,
Jeff
Hope everything goes great, please let us know when the baby is here.
Matt and Delisha also have just about 2 weeks, we all are getting excited.
Matt had sinus surgery Tuesday, so hope the baby waits just a little while.
Camden said da da yesterday
Loved hearing all your news! As a former single missionary, I know how much it means to be invited to stay with a family in their home…even if it’s just over night or for a weekend. Y’all are a huge blessing to the Swazi children and the Swazi missionaries and I’m excited to hear about Marius’ new position.
Praying for y’all right now and looking forward to hearing all about that new little baby!
Salani Kahle,
Elysa
Can’t wait to hear of your baby news! Best wishes and lots of luck with the delivery! My prayers are with all three of you! 😉
Hey, sweet couple. Wish I could’ve had a hamburger with you and be a substitute Granny for these girls. You sound like you are feeling good. Thank God for that. Can’t wait to hear the news and see pictures.
Were you guys in Gainesville, GA and I didn’t even know it? I would have loved to have seen you. Our sisterhood group will pray for 3 tomorrow. I so want to visit Swaziland again. Love, Robin
I meant to say we will pray for all 3 of you.:)
I can’t wait to meet your sweet baby girl too!
Keep us posted! We love you guys and already miss you!
Chris and Becky Ridler
We love you and can’t wait to see the pictures of your new baby girl! HUGS!
Thanks for the wonderful update. It’s nice to be able see into your home and your ministry. We love you guys!
Great to catch up with you sweeet people. Our prayers continue for a safe and happy birth of the new arrival, and we know that you will have your socks blessed off by the gift you are about to receive.
Be covered in His amazing Grace!
1
It’s that time already? Seems like only a few days ago that you were here. God Bless you guys and the new arrival of your daughter.
Hi Deetlef family!!!
So glad to hear you made it back home. I’m still can’t believe that you’re almost to the due date! Gosh, this has flown by hasn’t it?
Blessings before, during and AFTER the labor. Can’t wait to see her.
Just wanted to pass on the link to the Newspaper article the AJC ran on me yesterday.
My “100 pound” party is next Saturday; I can hardly believe it! I’ve made such incredible contacts lately, it’s so WILD! I’ll have to send an email to you to update you. Anyway…check out the link.
Love you guys~
Erika
http://www.ajc.com/health/erika-hayes-34-of-161498.html
Hey, Marius & Jodi,
Glad to hear and know how you guys are doing. Sleep-over for a team reminded me YWAM days 🙂
So happy to know that your both parents can come to see you on your labor day! My family are so excited meeting your baby, too. We had a prayer meeting at my house today and we all prayed for you.
Love in Him,
Juri
thank you for loving on our girls there! what a blessing you guys have been both to them and us! i’m thanking God for you guys!
We really miss you guys. And can’t wait to see the new little girl coming