Yesterday, Kriek and I explored some new territory. We
traveled on paved roads, then dirt, then through sugar cane fields, and then
some four wheel drive territory – with crocodile and hippo warnings! Not your
ordinary drive!
Our destination was a very remote, seemingly forgotten
place. We were with one of the local pastors, who is working at another
carepoint, and he wanted to introduce us to this community. There were 116 homes in the area, and
it truly reminded me in some ways of looking at parts of the Appalachian
Mountains. Scattered throughout the hills were little houses everywhere. The
pastor explained that these people in this VERY rural area don’t have water,
access to medical care, schools, or even a church. I have to say, out of the
places that I’ve been able to visit so far, this was pretty rough conditions –
even for Swaziland. We hope to be able to share food with this new place, and
“stretch the soup” a little more.
We are very grateful to you guys for being a part of this
with us with your financial support as well and your prayers. Several of you have expressed an
interest in sending us a financial gift for the first time, and I wanted to
mention how to do so. On this
site, just click on the “support marius and jodi” link and choose “One-Time
Gift”. With 2008 drawing to a close it would be a great year end donation, (for
tax purposes for you) and it would help us make up a small deficit that we
still have for our 2nd year to be funded. To our faithful supporters we say THANK YOU, and to those of
you who are just keeping up with our stories-we genuinely thank you for caring enough
to read our blogs, and hope you find some inspiration along the way.
love from Africa,
Jodi and Marius
PS. Marius will celebrate his 37th BIRTHDAY on Friday, if anyone wants to send him a quick birthday email. thanks, jodi
Happy late Birthday Marius! Its COLD in North Ga but Summertime where you are,Stay cool love you Guys and think
of you often .Our prayers are with you. stay safe
Love Don&Jerry
Jodi, What a wonderful thing you guys are doing! You guys are such an inspiration to us all. It’s great to hear from you and good luck!!
Hey Guys,
They opened up a new coffee shop in the Foothills shopping center.
I am sitting here drinking a cup and thinking of the next time I drink an organic bean with you all.
Actually, I am just preparing a bit for Sunday and there is too much interruptions at the church for me to have consistency.
Last week was the first week of advent and we lit the first candle. My goal is to enjoy the advent season to give us time to reflect on Christ’s Incarnation before the busyness and the market place mentality overruns everything sacred as it always seems to do.
Nice pictures….I love the swing set. It is amazing to see that it can still be used.
God’s Best to You!
Jodi,
Sounds as if you are getting alot of things accomplished in a world so far away from Florida. Stay safe and I will keep you in my prayers.
Joe Nacchia
Homes and Land
Not sure if you received my last E-Mail or not? Just wanted a little information about a way the Whitefish Foursquare people
could help you this Christmas? We are very excited to be involved with helping with a water well of other ideas you may have. God bless you both and hope to hear fro m you soon.
Your website is a great help!
Love ya all! Happy late B-Day Marius! The Despain’s
Happy Birthday to Marius. Be sure to stop long enough to smell the flowers on your special day and reflect how good God is.
I fell off a standing still bike while on vacation in Hilton Head and broke my femure at my hip. Back in surgery, and back in physical therapy again. All happened on the leg that had just had two surgeries, and so the knee has been acting up a bit. Hope Jodi’s health is goooooooood! We all miss you both. Love, Jill
What an adventure! You are really doing what God has called you to do……..going to the ends of the earth and making deciples of all nations/people. I know the children love having you visit them. They feel love radiating from both of you, and it doesn’t get any better than that. Please know that Jerry and I support you in prayer daily. We will be thinking of you and wondering how you will be spending Christmas Eve and Day. It will definitely be done in a much different cultural setting than ours. YOUR Christmas sounds so exciting to me. You both have so much love to give to the children, and God will honor all that you do. We are so very proud of what both of you are doing for God’s Kingdom. I tell people about your work on a regular basis. I thank you for your willingness to serve God in the way you do, and the place that you are in for this season.
Love,
Virginia
Happy Birthday Marius and Khisimusi Lomuhle to the both of you!
Akekho Ofana no Jesu,
Elysa Mac
Jodi and Marius,
We are so proud of you two and the wonderful work you are doing “In His Name”. The pictures are so special and it feels like you are next door rather than a world away. We continue to pray for good health for you both and a covering of His Grace to handle any situation.
Happy Birthday Marius! May you be allowed two minutes to be spoiled as befits your advancing years (just kidding!)and take a couple of minutes to count your blessings.
You are never far from our thoughts and prayers,
Dave and Susan
Jodi and Marius,
Thanks so much for the blogs, it is wonderful to hear about what you are doing!! Happy Birthday, Marius and Happy Late, Late Birthday, Jodi!! We miss you and think about you all the time, (especially now that we ripped out our kitchen and are working on a new one, ohhhh all the yummy meals we’ve had with you two!)
Love, Sara, Greg, Lily and Dizzy
Wishing you a blessed Christmas and New Year. Would of sent a card but wasn’t sure where to send it. Loved the picture. Keep up the good work. Enjoy your blogs.
Hope you’re enjoying the warmth there. It’s really cold here in MT.
Lots of love.
hi Muis. Happy Bday. Mis jul. Mag d Here Sy aangesig oor j lt skyn. Mag j sy @woordgheid ervaar elke oomblk. We love u guys. Enjoy your awesome work.
I wanted to let you know how proud I am of both you and Marius. I think more and more about the sacrifice you both have made to do God work. I admire you,love you both and miss you all at the same time. Email me when you get an opportunity. I want to update you on all the good stuff going on in Mine and Randy’s lives.
I am sending all my love to you both. Hugs and Kisses
Sandra Saxon