Hugo's Highlights

BOURNEMOUTH, UK

2012-01-29T02:36:00.000-08:00

Friends and missionaries to Malawi, Dennis and Sheila, are hosting us presently. Here we are at the village of Swanage.
Corfe Castle

Mark, J and K peering out at the English channel.

Please continue to pray for Barbs mom... latest news is that the doctors don't want to operate on her carotid arteries until her speach improves a bit more. The therapists are suggesting assisted living and no driving. Pray for Kevin, Barbs brother, who is trying to sort out arrangements for her. Pray also for us as we leave for SA tomorrow (arriving teusday), as we decide what to do and when.

ALASKA IS AWESOME

2012-01-29T02:06:00.000-08:00

A good friend from Multnomah, Marc, hosted us in Anchorage. It was great catching up with him after 14 years and with his daughter Anna and her husband Luke. What a joy to share in their world.

Anna, organised a ice climbing trip. What a incredible experiance ice picks, cramp ons, hand warmers under 2 pairs of gloves. Alaskans say 'theres never bad weather, just bad gear'
Kara and J enjoying the joys of snow and ice... tho this time only at -13 celsius.

The shop at the Alaska Wildlife Sanctuary. An only in Alaska comment I heard there ... sorry the toilets are frozen, the closest toilet is 15 minutes away.

Game viewing is a little different to what we're used to at -25 celcius. Awesome tho.

The kids made snow caves in the back yard.

PORTLAND, OREGON

2012-01-29T01:48:00.000-08:00

The second family we stayed with in Portland were Rod and Sheila (left). Their daughter and son in law, Heather and Tim, and their 11 children were also staying with them. What a wonderful time we had and also were so blessed to be part of the workings of a large family.

Reuniting with folks from Multnomah is always a huge encouragment. Here we are with old friends and profs and staff from Multnomah.

PORTRAIT OF PORTLAND

2012-01-16T15:16:00.000-08:00

We're so blessed to reconnect with friends, teachers and ministry who go back so many years. We feel so surrounded by love and reminded of HIs extravagant love for us, His people. Lents Baptist Church is our home church in Portland. We have just a few days left here before we head further on our trip and the Lord has blessed us again with experiancing snow fall.

PORTLAND, OREGON

2012-01-16T15:07:00.000-08:00

Our first few days in Portland were spent in the home of the Reeves family. Again the kids could build on friendships started over 8 years ago and we could meet their new daughter Ester.

CHRISTMAS IN COLORADA

2012-01-16T14:51:00.000-08:00

While we were in Colorado, we spent time with the Wolfs, Homokis and Krutsches. The Lord provided a snow fall the day before we arrived so we got to enjoy snow without too much cold. The Wolfs had us overrun their home. Wonderful time, even tho 3 of us went down with a tummy bug.

DISNEYLAND

2012-01-16T14:17:00.000-08:00

LAST DAYS IN LOS OSOS

2012-01-16T13:40:00.000-08:00

John and Kathreen pastor our church, Baywood Park Community Church, in Los Osos... our home away from home. Very hard saying goodbye.

MOM UPDATE

2012-01-14T21:14:00.000-08:00

Thanx for praying. Mom will be moving to a rehab facility on monday. The hope is to have her calm down for 2 weeks. Then they want to do the surgery. Sooner than originally planned as they are concerned about more strokes. Folks say that we shouldnt change our tickets yet. And.should mom stay stable, I shouldi be in SA by moms surgery.
Please continue to pray for the details and for moms health.
Pray also that she would know- Him more deeply through this time.

please pray

2012-01-09T22:11:00.000-08:00

We heard this weekend that Barbs mom had a mild stroke. She is in hospital and a friend id trying to get her into a resthome once she is discharged from hospital. She eill need carotid aryery surgery in the next 3 months. Her speech is improving and we have been afvised to not change our travel plans yet.
Pray for Barbs brother who is taking full responsibility in our absence.
Pray for us as we are gar from home during this time. We are scedulef to arrive bach home JAn 31.dd5

SUNSET AT BAYWOOD PARK, CA

2011-12-20T12:56:00.001-08:00

Our friend, Brian, took these photo's as Mark and Kara were shipwrecked in the Bay while canoeing at low tide. Enjoy the beauty of God's creation thru Brians camera.

LOS OSOS, CENTRAL COAST CALIFORNIA

2011-12-14T20:02:00.000-08:00

Jeff, Rachel, Micah and Grace drove to see us from Fresno. We were at Multnomah Biblical Seminary together 16years ago. We enjoyed Montana de Oro Nature Reserve together.

A friend from church, Burk, took the guys sailing on the Pacific Ocean.

While they did that, Val took Kara and I to the ballet to see a professional presentation of The Nutcracker.
The Bay just down from our house has seen the Hugo's kayaking on a regular basis. JJ and Mark even saw a stingray. Seals right next to the boat are a norm. So wonderful. Mark and Kara were also shipwrecked when the tide went out. Provided all sorts of excitment for the locals.

J and K with CJ and Fiona.

SAN FRANSISCO,CA

2011-12-14T19:17:00.000-08:00

Home of Christ of Saratoga treated us to a night in a hotel downtown in San Fransisco right near the Fishermans Wharf. Enjoy these pics from that day...

The Christmas tree outside Macy's.

The San Fransisco cable car. We took it to China town and then walked back to the Wharf.

Golden Gate Bridge in the background. Prize if you can make it out :)
JJ and Kara found these cool Angry Birds hats while we were there. Kara's even has a scarf/mittens built in.

Alcatraz in the background.

The crookedest street in the world way back at the top of the picture.

CALIFORNIA CONTINUED...

2011-12-14T17:35:00.000-08:00

One of our faithful supporting churches has been Home of Christ in Saratoga. We so pleased to share in their Thanksgiving sunday service when both the english and chinese bodies met together. It was fun to speak with an interpretor again, this time in the USA. This picture was taken with some of the members of the home cell group that we're assigned to.

Kara joined the childrens church while Mark, J and I joined the adult service. She shared her testimony for the first time and made 2 friends who also then gave her a special blanket that they had made.

Kara gave her first testimony about being a MK at Saratoga Home of Christ. She also made 2 special friends who gave her a blanket they had made.

USA LOS OSOS, CALIFORNIA

2011-12-06T17:53:00.000-08:00

Sunset over the Bay in Los Osos. We lived here when we lived and worked in CA. Our church here, Baywood Park Community Church, have rented us a house for a month must 5 blocks up from the Bay and a street away from where we lived when we worked here.

This is the house that has been rented for us.

Brian and Val, J and K's grandparents in California, had us over for Thanksgiving. We share much in common, including a slightly similar accent as they are orginally from the UK.

USA NEW ORLEANS

2011-12-06T17:29:00.001-08:00

While in New Orleans area we stayed with Ed and Laurie and their family. We met them via friends from Multnomah (Mike and Suzanne) and they have become very dear to us. Their family is growing as their kids meet life partners etc. Thanx guys for a wonderful 2 weeks.

Mark and J played football etc at the shore of Lake Pontchetrain (spelling not correct). I took this picture for the spanish moss hanging from the trees which holds such memories of New Orleans for us.

Cool guys don't watch fires burn... they just walk away...
After raking leaves on the Miltenbergers property, they had great bonfires.

Here Ed and Laurie are at the back. Jim and Cristie are with us on the couch. They were responsible all those years ago for bringing us Berean Bible Church in New Orleans where Mark was saved.
Its been so great connecting again with some of the folks from Berean who came on a shortterm missions trip to us this past term.

Kara enjoying the chatting after Barb shared her testimony of this past year with the Berean Ladies at their Thanksgiving banquet.

USA HOUSTEN

2011-12-06T17:15:00.000-08:00

We spent 4 wonderful days with friends, Lou and Gerrie, in Housten, Texas. We actually we appointees together over 15 years ago with AEF (which later became SIM).

Lou and Gerrie took us to the Housten Space Centre which was so interesting.

UK Stevenage

2011-11-07T04:06:00.001-08:00

We've had a wonderful 2 weeks with the Powers and Longmeadow Evangelical Church. Wanted to share a couple of pics before we head to the USA on wed. Thank you for your prayers. Would ask for added prayer for wisdom in 'going slow' as I'm (Barb) finding I'm getting more tired than I expected to.

Here we are with the expanding Power clan (though Chris and Sarah and girls are 'on' the telephone serving on an island off southern Africa). Dave and Liz lead Longmeadow Evangelical Church. What a blessing to spend time connecting and also experiancing the growth of the families and the church body.

Kara makes friends everywhere she goes. Here with 2 new friends from Longmeadow.

The originally African folks from Longmeadow organise Africa Days from time to time. We were fortunate to be around for one of these afternoons. This pic is of some of the folks who dressed for the occasion.

Time with the Powers always means sightseeing of some sort. Here J is with a statue at Cleopatra's needle in London.

A trip like this would not be OK for a homeschooling mom, without something of educational value:) Here J and Kar are each side of the Greenwich meridian. What a priveledge.

Another awesome event (hopefully the kids will grasp the awesomeness of it at some future time:)... Dave, Mark, J and Kar at a mosaic that is over 2000 years old. This was near a Roman ruin we visited near Stevenage at the place of the first British Christian martyr. We also saw the ruins of a Roman amphitheatre where gladiators would have fought. Pretty cool.

UK with Gill and Allard

2011-10-26T02:44:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics taken during out time with Gill and Allard near Birmingham, UK. A wonderful week of kuiering and catching up. Its 4 years since we were last with them.

On Sunday, Mac and Carla and Chris came over for lunch. What a lovely time of reconnecting after so many years.

These next couple are in Stratford-on-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespear.
Top is Gill and the kids enjoying the main drag outside Shakespears house.
Bottom. Gill and I enjoying the Avon part of Stratford-on-Avon.

The Walkers and Hugo's hit London.

CAPE TOWN

2011-10-19T22:57:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics from our time in Cape Town. We loved hanging with friends and fzmily who we love...

The beautiful Cape.

With the Browns (Craigs absense clearly felt), the Tebbuts and some of the Hyslops.

With the Frieslaars, Todds and James. The guys all ran together when we were all at University. They were known as 'the pro team'.

Supper at Aunty Col and uncle Murray with mom, dad and Tracey. Uncle Bob and aunty Edith wer visiting from Joburg.

BLESSED..

2011-09-25T22:04:00.000-07:00

This past month our SIM SA director, Sigfried Ngubane, visited us for a few days. Besides having the chance of getting to know him better, we enjoyed sharing a ZEBS with him (see picture. We have also been blessed by having a few days with another SIMer, Ruth Maxwell, who came to Sunbury to do our end of term review. She even got to come to one of Kara's competitions and worked with Mark on our review inbetween watching Kara.

Tomorrow we leave for our traveling furlough time. In the last 3 weeks, we have also been blessed to share locally in our home church in Ballito (Community Connection) already, at a church in Tugela and yesterday in friends and old SIMers (Wessel and Lome Cronje) church in Durban. We've visited with friends in preparation for being away, see doctors and dentists today and fly to Cape Town tomorrow. Life is full and we are blessed.

Pray we'd be a blessing and an encouragment.

Pray for us as we prayerfully consider where and how the Lord wants us serving in our next term.

KARA MADE IT...

2011-09-04T06:45:00.001-07:00

We're so excited that Kara's hard work over this past year has been rewarded by her making the KZN team yesterday at her regional competition. She came second under 11 level 4. So now its off to Nationals in Cape Town the first week of October.

Pray that she'd be an encouragment to her teammates and that they'd be caused to think of who made them :)

Pray for healing for her left hip which has been giving her trouble these past few weeks.

KZN SIM FAMILY

2011-09-02T22:47:00.000-07:00

We have been blessed these past 4 years to get to know other SIMers serving the Lord in KZN. This year we had the joy of organizing our annual SIM spiritual life conference together, meaning regular times together planning. We have decided to continue meeting each school term for fellowship and prayer. This past Sunday we enjoyed one of these times. We are a wonderful mixture of cultures – English, Canadian, Australian, South African, Taiwanese and German.

Pray for SIM South Africa and our new director, Sigfried Ngubane and the new structure he is facilitating.

HOLIDAY JULY 2011

2011-07-31T11:35:00.001-07:00

July has been school holidays but also we took a 2 week gettaway. We took school with us but did it and other things to the sound of crashing waves. The Lord provided amazingly for us to be close to the childrens sport classes but also be away from Sunbury. Here are some pictures to enjoy.

The last week we were in Umhlanga Rocks. It was a lovely quiet time of the year to be in this timeshare given to us. Kara loved the activities program and JJ got his share of Discovery channel in. It was great to sleep late every day.

The first week of our family gettaway was in Ballito. This is the view we had. And, ja that is Mark and Kara on the wall of the tidal pool.

The first half of July, Marks sister Tracey and her daughter Candice came to visit. Candice made the western province provincial field hockey team under 16. The interprovincial was played just 2 hours from us. WP won the competition! We were all so pleased for Candice. In this picture Kara and her are practicing rythmic gym. Candice is level 6 while Kara is level 4.

Tracey and Candice enjoyed playing lots of squash and basketball. They also enjoyed our afternoon walks/cycles in the sugarcane. It was lovely to share Sunbury with them.

HOLIDAYS

2011-07-08T02:09:00.000-07:00

Hrithik is right of Kara and ``nikisha is next to Hrithik

THE GORGIOUS SIM SA MKS

With chemo done for the moment, we’re enjoying just being a family with normal activities again. Last week we went to our annual SIM spiritual life conference. It was a very special week. We had a new section where each person shared about the past year. This enabled us all to connect at a heart level. What a privilege to share in the life challenges of others amidst ministry. God is at work in South Africa there is no doubt. And His servants are not exempt from their share of personal challenges as well.

We’re also happy to be back to normal work schedule. Marks hosted some camps. What a relief its been a relief to do so without worrying about aftereffects of chemo at home. He is also doing maintenance again. I have done some gardening this week which has been a blast, thanx to Bongani and Themba’s help.

Kara has been at our churches holiday bible club with 2 of her friends (sisters) from gym who are Hindu. Marks sister, Tracey and her daughter niece are up in Pietermaritzburg at the National field hockey tournament. Candice is represemting Western Province U16. We we’ve been up and down a bit. They both come to Sunbury next week to send the week with us.

Pray for Hrithik and Nikisha (and mom and dad, Janie and Naven).

Pray for one of our workers Themba. He is planning to resign and move away from our area. Mark has given him a months unpaid leave so that he can be sure the move is what he wants. Pray he’d know His wisdom in that choice.

Pray for our a clear PET scan on August 2.

BIBLE TEACHING IS A JOY

2011-06-04T23:17:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken a couple of months ago when Bonambi was translating for Mark. He is so fun as he really gets into it.

Through this year of chemo and radiation, Mark has continued to teach ZEBS at Sunbury each month. It has been a source of stability and encouragment as the ZEBS students have so faithfully prayed for us. Last weekend he was also invovled in assisting Greg in organizing the annual ZEBS graduate weekend of training. Coworkers and friends of ours Wessel and Lome Cronge did the teaching on Islam and a colleague of Gregs did the sessions on Shembe.

Pray for the Lords continued open doors into the lives of the Zionists of South Africa.

Pray that the graduates would be passionate about teaching the TRUTH of the bible.

J AND KAR PROVING NERD IS COOL

2011-04-29T10:42:00.000-07:00

SOME OF THE PRESENT BEAUTY AROUND SUNBURY

2011-04-29T10:02:00.000-07:00

The boganvillia out the front of our house is in full bloom right now.

The cycas near the conference hall gave us 2 flowers this year.

The red hibiscus near the pool

One day recently this flock of cranes made their way around the property. Aren't they gorgeous.

MARK AND THE GUYS

2011-04-29T09:27:00.000-07:00

Mark, Sibo, Bongani and Themba working on paving a very washed away front driveway to Sunbury.

Our dog Jamie, becoming known as Wonderdog, is supervising the men as they work from the front seat of the Sunbury bakkie (pickup truck). She's also making sure Mark doesn't go off somewher without her.

One of the ways Mark loves best to do maintenance, is having all the guys working near him. Here Bongani is working on the gardens while Mark, Sibo and Themba pave the driveway leading up to the main gate of Sunbury. This gives good quality time to hang out and chat about each others lives. Doing this he learned that Sibo has tried going to the Zion church here in San Souci (our local village). None of these church members are presently coming to ZEBS. We also learned recently that Zandi, another employee of Sunbury is also a Zionist. She seems interested in coming to ZEBS.

Its been such a joy to me to see the relationships grow between Mark and these 3 men over the years. To see them being trained in more and more skills and to see them become so self starting. There are ups and downs as in any work situation, but overall its great to know that they 'see' what needs doing and when Mark is low they step up and fill in.

Pray that the local Zionists around Sunbury would hear that they too are welcome to come and learn the Bible at the Sunbury Bible School the first weekend of each month.

Pray too for the young men of San Souci... for an openness to want something different for their lives.

ZANDI'S TRIBUTE TO HER SISTER

2011-04-29T08:30:00.000-07:00

Zandile Xulu works for Sunbury once a week and in our home once a week (during our cancer treatment). She recently started caring for her sister who passed away 2 weeks ago. This is her memorial.

IN MEMORY OF

MOKOSAZANE NELLY XULU

My sister was 30 years old when she died. She was born on August 2, 1980. She was the mother of 2 children, Nothando 10 years and Ntokozo 20 months. She was born in Empangeni KZN. She was one of 6 sisters. She finished grade 12 at Siyabonga High School in Empangeni.

We are 5 now. She was a lovely person. She loved to take care of the children, her own and other peoples children. That’s why she volunteered at Father Gerard Hospice. There are orphans staying there and she helped take care of them for 3 years. She had to stop serving there when she got sick.

I will remember the times when she would make us all laugh in the house. She was a quiet person but when she spoke she made everyone happy.

I only found out about her HIV when I started looking after her in February. I wish I had known earlier so I could have helped her more. But she was afraid to tell the family. She thought she was the only one. And she thought we might not accept her. I am glad that she knew the family still loved her when she died.

I think she started believing in God on New Year last year, because that is when we noticed her on her knees praying.

Please pray for my husband and I, that we might raise her children well.

KARA TURNS 10

2011-04-06T21:44:00.001-07:00

Kara's choice of birthday celebration was ice skating with her friends. They had a ball. Her one friend, Lydia, couldn't make it but has blessed her with a 3 day sleepover instead (she comes from Pietermaritzburg). Which also meant her mom, Anne, came with so we\re all having a wonderful visit.

JJ TURNS 12

2011-04-06T21:21:00.000-07:00

J celebrated his birthday with a Tron theme this year. Which meant lots of boy action. Pool basketball, cycling to the Tugela River and braving the crocs, soccer and then the highlight, cycling and Jboarding in the dark with the white light, luminus paint to follow and smoke.

Just can't believe he is 12 already.

ITS CURRENT AGAIN...

2011-04-06T13:22:00.000-07:00

In March, Mark joined our ZEMA field director, Tim Kuehl, on a scouting trip to Lesotho. A friend and fellow SIMer, Dave Stearn, joined them. Mark was so encouraged by this time. Seeing the Zionists in this new context and trying to discern the need and burden for bible training. There also seemed an interest in knowing how best to respond to social need. It is early days yet.

Pray for wisdom and discernment for the Lords leading and timing in this potential new field of ministry for ZEMA.

Following the all night service in Lesotho, Mark and Dave, drove through to Bergville in the Drakensburg to run one of Greg Segher's Zion Bible Schools ZEBS (our team leader) for him as he took a well deserved break for the week. They were both encouraged greatly by the Zionists desire to know Gods word and apply it to their lives.

Pray for continued open hearts to process the Truth. Also pray for safety as Greg travels many kms each month taking the bible school out into the rural area's of KwaZulu-Natal.

August Higlights

2008-10-21T09:20:00.000-07:00

The Frislaar family came from Cape Town to visit with us for 10 days. We had a ball drinking tea, catching up, reminising, going to the beach, looking for crocs in the Tugela river, slip and sliding at Sunbury and such fun things. Always a treat to spend quality time with good friends. thanx guys.
I've added this pic of the Frieslaar and Hugo children taking a dip in the Indian ocean, cos maybe it'll prompt you to come and see our beautiful part of the world for yourselves.

We had a ball, some of the time the 3 kids from the farm next door joined us. This outing we drove down to the Tugela river with Lungi, Kyle and Jarod. Pray for these 3 prescious people.

July 2008 New Orleans comes to Sunbury

2008-10-21T08:45:00.000-07:00

We were very blessed to have 15 folks from our church in New Orleans come and minister with us for 2 weeks. This is supposed to be just a family news blog, but it truly was a special time for our family. The kids were so blessed by the time. Here J and Kar are with Katie, one of the girls. They loved everyone. 5 adults, 5 high schoolers and 5 young adults came. God is good.

For fun we went to the beach. took them to a Zulu cultural village for a night and went to the game reserve near St Lucia. We saw buffalo for the first time... jay!

JUNE 2008 CATCH UP

2008-08-01T07:42:00.000-07:00

Since our last pics on the blog, it seems like so much has happened. Eye surgery taking a huge chunck of that time. Will add a few pics of life amidst the chaos of stuff and ministry.

Kara and her little guinea pig, Marble. This little rodent is perhaps the cutest ever. And, certainly gets a lot more attention than many people in the world. Mark also created the best double story cage for her. So on nice days we put her on the grass and she climbs down the ladder. And, at night or during rainy times we pull up the ladder and she's on the veranda safe and dry. We didn't realise how vocal guinea's are...

JJ and Mark were very excited to find a remote control airplan strip and school just 15 minutes drive away in Mandini. Someone has even offered to teach them how to fly. Mark has a trainer plane and is building another. But note, he has been building it since he was in standard 7 tho. JJ gets him at it more often, tho not often enough for JJ. The plane in this pic with JJ is not ours tho.

Mark folks came to visit us in May. It was their first visit to Sunbury, so its nice to know they 'know' where we are. They had a good rest and we loved having them. They had just put Marks sister and their other grandchild, Candice on the plane to New Zealand. So we are all still getting used to them not being close anymore.

Kara's 7 year birthday celebration was held amidst Rock Stars (as seen above) with much noise, crafts, tea and cake, pizza and a guitar cake.

We also had J's birthday party at Sunbury this year. Hot wheel racing car cake, fear factor candy and a flour and water bomb fight with the dads being the fun of the day. The families of Sunbury finished it off with a braai by the pool.

School continues. As evidenced in this photo, we can see that Kara learns best in color. All their skills are progressing nicely. J continues his judo and Kara continues her rhythmical gymnastics.

The sugar cane farms around us have been cutting cane. Before they do so, they burn it first. The fires around Sunbury have been unbelievable. Up to 3 stories high just about right up to our electric fence. But it all seemed so well controlled that the animals didn't even seem concerned.

We have painted the walls of our lounge (sitting room). Its our first time ventureing away from white.

Sadly, Barbs dad, George Engler, died suddenly a week after recieving a leukemia diagnosis. We all miss him dreadfully and are struggling thru figuring out life without him here. But, we are thankful for the many blessings he brought into our lives.

Barb - 'my dads life showed me thru his example, that my Father in heaven loves me regardless of what I do, that he loves me so much that He would die on the cross to save me and that He is committed to me thru the ups and downs of life'. Thank you Lord for dad.

STILL KICKING

2008-05-23T10:06:00.000-07:00

Just so that you know we are still here and trying to blog. For some reason our page comes up without icons on to include photo's. So working at it whenever I get a chance. This weekend we have a ZION Bible school alumni training weekend. JJ is at his first sleepover and Kara is organising the funnest night ever so that she doesn't miss out anything. We're all well. Barb has her new glasses so is now just waiting to scedule her next eye for surgery later this year. The Lord is good.
Photo's to follow as able.

OUR HOME

2008-02-01T10:09:00.001-08:00

Mark and the kids sitting on the step of our back veranda. Its so good to be settleing and making the place home. Working on the house, getting the garden cleaned up and expanded etc. Barb is actually loving working on and off all over the Sunbury gardens. She is very spoilt in that most of the hard work is done by the maintenance team. But its fun to see things growing. Things grow really well.... especially the weeds. The back of our house looks out over toward the indian ocean the the Tugela river mouth (on a clear day Mark can see it, Barb imagines it). The other side looks toward the Drakensburg once you caste your eyes over the pool, fence and sugar cane farms outside. Both are glorious views. We are so blessed.

CAMPING AT MTUNZINI KZN Jan 2008

2008-01-30T11:11:00.000-08:00

If this pic doesn't entice a feeling of want ot visit SA, then.... The zebra was 2 m away from me as I took rather a few pics similar to this. Pretty amazing. We camped near this river (which Mark told me afterward, still sometimes gets sharks or crocs) and the zebra roamed around freely. They took to sleeping around our caravan. We saw reed buck, nag apies, mudskippers, a variety of different crabs and the kids caught shrimp with little kiddies nets. It was pretty fun. Good to get away and hang just us for a while.

JANUARY 2008

2008-01-27T09:05:00.000-08:00

THE SUNBURY KIDS. The Seelhammers joined us at Sunbury in Dec. They expanded the kid population by 4. The little brown haired chap is Kyle, who belongs to the Seghers. Swimming forms a big part of their lives during the summer.

One of the fun things about watching ones kiddo's start sport, is seeing just how adorable they look in their outfits. I just love this pic of our little judo guy, who is now proudly sporting a half yellow belt.

Kara loves her rythmical gymnastics. she has mastered spinning the hoop on her finger on each hand. Practise time meant mom diving for cover at the drop of a hat as the hoop came speeding straight at her head sometimes

JJ and Kyle with their judo instructor, uncle John. The lessons are held at Kyles school about 40 min drive away.

Our miss flexible.

PTL WE'RE BLOGGING AGAIN

2008-01-08T07:12:00.000-08:00

Thanx to the wonders of wireless, we are now up and running for internet without being dependent on the landline, which is so often down. Its still somewhat slow, but was impossible the other way. So I'm including some pics of the kids for you to enjoy. We have arrived safely in Sunbury and are feeling very settled. It does take a while tho. We're feeling more on top of how Sunbury works and developing relationships, amidst the uncertainty of our support not being where it needs to be. We are considered still 'not on the field'. We have been encouraged by a number of folks wanting to join our support team or by increasing their support. This and the Lords constant reminders that He will take care of our needs, have kept us keeping our eye's up. We will let you know as soon as we hear our support is in. We are confident in our spirits that this is where the Lord wants us for this next season. If you want more ministry info, please let me know. This is supposed to be a family update site.

Kara is living in a male dominant world now. Her brother and 4 other boys being her constant playmates. She does however from time to time make things work her way. Here JJ gladly did ballet. And yes she is actually on her toe. Says it doesn't hurt, but thats just a thin carpet in our lounge and underneath, just hard tile!

We have had a wonderful reuniting with our pets, SMudge, Cat and Jamie, dog. But our family has grown to include guinea pig, Marble and fish (of numberous names, none of which I can remember. JJ owns the fish and Kara the guinea.

The kids and Kyle with the kids from the nearby farm (sugarcane) who are with their dad every other weekend. We see them from time to time. All from nonbelieving homes, but lovely children. Our sunbury family has now also expanded as the Seelhammers arrived in Dec with 4 children - pics to follow.

And yes we have had numerous snake sitings. PTL none of the kind we would not like. We're getting somewhat blaze about them, tho I do a lot of stomping and shouting when I approach gardening of any kind. JJ LOVES learnging about snakes...

I must go and finish supper, so I'll end here. Nice to know that we can put pics out there again. More soon. Have a blessed day. In Him Barb

CHRISTMAS 2007

2007-12-26T09:35:00.000-08:00

Jay we now have wireless. PTL. Mark set ours up yesterday, so my first order of business is trying to sort out our blog. Having trouble figuring out how to get pictures into the mix. But will here we go.
Trust you had a wonderful Christmas time celebrating the birth of Jesus and remembering His wonderful gift of grace to us on the cross. We celebrated at Sunbury with Barbs folks on Christmas Eve after a lovely church service in Ballito. Then with a party of 26 on Christmas day after family time of pressie opening and all.
The kids are well. Loving holiday time at Sunbury which is youth camps galore at this time of year. Bikes, swimming, hide and seek, tree houses, lego, guinea pig and fish being some of the fun. God is good.
Our prayers are with each loved one as we contemplate what the Lord wants to use in each of our lives in 2008. Our prayer is to be vessels which are willing to be used.
Have a blessed new years celebration. Our church is spending the night at sunbury to see in the new year. Hopefully photo's to follow.
In Him Barb for the H gang

SAFELY AT SUNBURY

2007-08-18T00:03:00.000-07:00

Just words again, sorry to all those visual people. But amidst travels, house set up and the never ending computer challenges... Promise that some will follow. Just wanted to let you all know that we're safely in our new home, Unpacked largely and looking foreward to a week of sniffing around the house and property. Kids are settled, pets are settled and mom and dad feeling rested. We had a good 4 days in Cape Town, connecting only with family and close friends as we were so tired. Then traveled half way by car stopping over for 2 nights with Barbs folks. Then last leg to Sunbury. Ended up being 10 andhalf hours each trip with no real walk around stops as it was cold and raining so the kids didn't want to get out the car. WE also saw the Lords hand of protection as we had a potentially bad accident - but He protected us. No harm to precious cargo, just the body of the car and even then it was miraculous. God is in control - we are not? PTL.
We start our orientation in the running of Sunbury soon, so pray for us as we do that. And, most importantly as we develop relationships with fellow missionaries as well as the Sunbury staff who we will be responsible for. Thanx a ton. More later...

SAFELY IN CAPE TOWN

2007-08-02T12:33:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note to let you know we have arrived safely in Cape Town today. After a long but good trip to England (where Dave and Liz met us at the airport and took us to Windsor for a few hours,lunch and hanging out time in the park. The Lord also blessed the time with remote control airplanes for us to watch). - then back on the plane thru the night last night. The kids did superbly - little troopers really with about 4 hours of sleep in 48 hours. JJ crashed this afternoon and was not rousable until dinner time. Kara was a little energy chattering ball till she hit her wall during super and literally fell asleep as her head hit the pillow. Needless to say JJ is wide awake and planning how he will make a remote control boat... We leave Cape Town on sunday morning early, stop over with Barbs folks half way for an afternoon on the river and a nights sleep, then up early again on monday morning to reach Sunbury by early afternoon. Please continue to pray for safety as we make our last 2 road trips. Its good to be home, with our hearts full ove love and our minds full of wonderful memories of good times with precious friends and church family. We are truly blessed.
Will post pictures when I can get Mark to connect the wires etc so I can get busy. Hopefully before we leave Cape Town but can't make any promises.

CALIFORNIA TO PORTLAND

2007-06-30T15:35:00.000-07:00

No picutres as yet. But just to let you know we have arrived safely. The trip went smoothly and the ocuple of shakey moments were dealt with with a little break here and there. We saw good friends on route for 5 days but felt like we didn't get enough time with any of them. Pictures to follow.

MARK IS NOW A PASTOR...

2007-06-30T15:24:00.000-07:00

Mark was ordained at Baywood Park Community Church in California on June 17. It was a special time for us. It was at this church we were baptized and then also as members sent back to SA as missionaries. It was so special for Mark to be recognised in this way by men of God he admires and a Body who know us so well. Thank you Baywood for giving this gift to us.

LOS OSOS AND MORRO BAY - THE PROMISED LAND?!

2007-06-30T14:18:00.001-07:00

Our church, Baywood Park Community Church, blessed us immeasurably by allowing us our own space as a family. They rented a house for us. But also putting us just 5 minutes walk from the beach. This photo was taken a ways off from Morro Bay when we took an hour long walk along the beach one day.

Getting back from that walk we relaxed a while at Morro Bay harbor.

This is the house the church rented for us for our almost 6 weeks in California.

One of JJ and Kara's favorite mountains to climb was Black Hill in Morrow Bay. I think its cos they felt of top of the world.

John, a fellow low vision friend from church, introduce Barb to these glasses that fit over ones regular glasses at take out UV and glare. Amazing, but no fashion statement. Mark calls us Batman and Batwoman.

The view at Cambria beach walk.

OUr visit to Disneyland started with a bit of a wobble (2 tired parents and 2 chidlren a long time away from their regular enviroment) but ended up well. One cannot do justice to the wonder of Disneyland with our photo's unfortunately, but just to show a couple. The teacups was Barbs worst ride. It looked so peaceful and wonderful watching those before us go. But alas with 3 wild riders (Mark, JJ and Kara) wanting to spin more and more and more.... Barb almost lost it ... the next folks even had to wait a bit while I composed myself. They are pretty tho.

The parade was lovely. Kara got to see all her favortie princesses in the flesh. And, the rest was lovely too. That is Kara on her dad's shoulders.

Star wars and rocket power were the flavor of JJ's day. Needless to say after 4 rides into space we didn't have time for Peter Pan, Pirates of the Caribean or some others. The rollercoasters even I (Barb) mananged to get rhough. The other 3 really loved them. I really loved Winnie the Pooh.

Kara did ballet lessons while she was in CA. Here she is with her teacher Kathreen who is also our pastors eldest daughter. Kara loved her lessons. Thank you Kathreen for blessing our little girl as you did.

Here she is in her outfit just before heading on stage for her first recital. She was 'not even scared' as she told mom to stay in the dressing room, she was OK. Mark said she waved and blowed kisses at the audience. Our little baby is growing up.

In the audience was Kara's cheering committee in the Tiffin and Bailey families. Kathreen Senior (right) blessed our little ballet dancer with roses while Val joined in the fun.

We cannot put photos of all our loved ones on the blog cos we'd be here all day. We felt so loved on and are so thankful for our family in CA. Here are some of the new people we met this trip from our church.

John is our pastor, here with his beautiful wife, Kathreen.

The Morrow family came to visit us all the way from Fresno. We all met at Multnomah some years back. Here the kids are all enjoying Morro Bay Strand together.

OH dear.... look what happened to Mark in California....

Brian and Val (who have become JJ and Kara's grandparents in California, tho they are originally from England) took us on a train trip. The kids were beside themselves with excitement. A fair amount of snacking and chatting happened on the trip and after. Thanx guys. We cherish our memories of that day.

The Baldwins from church (also new friends made) live on a farm. And their one son took Kara on the horse ride of a lifetime. Thanx so much guys. Her other son took JJ fishing at the same time but alas only a dead fish was caught this trip. Sometimes you catch and sometimes you don't.

Mark had the priveledge of marrying the son of friends of ours. Brad and Laura were married on the beach and the Lord provided the perfect morning for such a special event.

JJ still as cute as ever.

COLRADO TO CENTRAL COAST, CALIFORNIA

2007-06-30T13:58:00.000-07:00

We could not resist one last visit to the Garden of the Gods before heading north away from Colorado Springs...

Colorado the beautiful. This was taken while traveling. The snow was too high so we had to take another route. This is Twin Lakes.

Crossing the continental divide the kids got to play in the last snow of a closed ski resort. We thought is was wonderful.

We spent the night with Chileen in Junction City. We met at Multnomah. She BBQed shrimp for us. Kids were facinated.

One of the many stark and beautiful views on the road in Utah.

The beauty of Zion National Park met all our expectations.

We spent the night after Zion in Vegas but our camera died... so no pics to show.

PRECIOUS MOMENTS IN COLORADO SPRINGS

2007-05-29T16:38:00.001-07:00

We spent our time with 2 wonderful families from our time together at Multnomah Biblical Seminary. Here are the Hugo and Wolf children.

Kara and Caitlyn were born a week apart, just on different continents. But adore each other, which is a blessing to their mom's - who adore each other too....

BBQying at the Valley of the Gods with the Wolfs and Homoki's.

Hugo's and Homoki's.

Jim teaches at the Airforce Academy and took Mark and JJ real close to this special plane helicopter aircraft that visited there. Needless to say all the guys were very excited.

Kathryn Homoki teaching JJ to iceskate. Barb was with Kathryn's parents when she was born :)

Kara attempting her first sleepover with KAthryn and Emily.

CAN YOU GUESS WHERE WE ARE?

2007-05-29T16:35:00.001-07:00

FISHING IN TEXAS

2007-05-29T16:24:00.000-07:00

Willis Texas. Lou Schaefer helped JJ catch the biggest catfish in history. Did you know they have NO scales. We spent 2 nights with Lou and Gerrie on route West from New Orleans.

ON THE MOVE AGAIN

2007-05-04T16:38:00.000-07:00

We have spent 3 lovely days an hour from New Orleans in Covington with the MIltenburgers. We leave tomorrow morning for Texas where we'll spend 3 nights with the Schaefers (who we went thru our initial orientation with AEF with). From there we head on to Colorado Springs for a week. Will attach more photo's when we have access to another computer. God Bless.

APRIL 2007 NEW ORLEANS

2007-04-26T16:25:00.000-07:00

Mark and the kids getting friendly with the sting rays at NO Aquarium. It was amazing. Could only get the kids out of there after 3 and half hours. The jellyfish and seahorse displays are also amazing.

JJ AND KARA WITH NEW FRIENDS

2007-04-26T16:19:00.000-07:00

JJ and Kara with old and new friends in New Orleans area. Smaller friends Logan and Jordan. Bigger friends James and Walter.

Safely in New Orleans

2007-04-23T07:49:00.000-07:00

After leaving Chicago we headed to New Orleans getting here Thursday. We are staying with Mike and Susanne who are friends from Multnomah Biblical Seminary days. We haven't seen each other for 10 years, so these weeks are a special blessing. Meeting their 2 boys Logan and Jordan has JJ and Kara very busy. Mike and Susanne are also fulltime missionaries with CRM. We are still getting our hearts around the distruction here. Having lived here a year, we have a connection emotionally to this city. The house that Mike and Susanne bought just last year, was under 4 ft of water for 6 weeks after the hurricane hit. Many houses are still boarded up and people living in trailers until they can move into their homes again. Many have not returned to NO after the hurricane. It is heart breaking. But the Lord is at work in lives and the body of Christ has huge opportunities to serve to human need.

We are involved at our church, Berean Bible Church who are hosting their first missions conference since Katrina hit. Pray people would be encouraged as all their missionaries pass through the conference this week.

Kara rediscovers cheese goldfish crackers

2007-04-22T15:00:00.000-07:00

JJ shoots off his first rocket

2007-04-22T14:57:00.000-07:00

Katie prompted this experiment. You may know JJ's love for rockets, planes and space, so now we need to figure out how to get explosives to SA to work it there on our return...

BACK IN THE USA AFTER 4 YEARS

2007-04-22T14:49:00.000-07:00

We flew into Chicago and bussed to South Bend, IN to visit with Katie. We met in Mogwase while she was with the US Peace Corps. We also had the priveledge of meeting the family she is living with.

Glasgow by bus

2007-04-22T14:47:00.000-07:00

After an open topped bus tour of Glasgow, some lekker pizza in our tummies we headed to the airport to return to England. After a tearful farewell we almost got onto the wrong plane. Thankfully the flight attendent noticed as we boarded the plane that we should be headed to Luton Airport and not Bristol.

Beautiful Scotish countryside

2007-04-22T14:45:00.000-07:00

Just 5 minutes from Gill and Allards home.

HUGO'S VISIT SCOTLAND

2007-04-22T14:42:00.000-07:00

Gill and Allard kindly flew us up to Glasgow to see their new home. They moved there from SA a couple of years ago. Gill took time off work to show us around and introduce us to the wit of Scotland.

Oz and Nadia

2007-04-22T14:34:00.000-07:00

Oz is now married to Nadia. Here we are braaing with Dave and younger brother Joel. The sun shone the whole time while we were in England - maybe folks there just talk about bad weather so that more people don't move to live in England :)

Chris, Sarah and Izzy

2007-04-22T14:32:00.000-07:00

Chris is now married to Sarah. And, the Lord has blessed them with little Izzy. Aunty Kaz loves her dearly and JJ and Kara had to have timed turns holding her.

Mark and Kara meet the Knights

2007-04-22T14:27:00.000-07:00

Furlough 2007

2007-04-22T13:58:00.001-07:00

We spent 2 weeks with the Power family in Stevenage (a half hour NW of London). Their twin boys Chris and Oz, served with us for 6 months our first term in Mogwase. The whole Power family has been to Mogwase to serve with us now. Dave pastors Longmeadow Evangelical Free church. We were so blessed by the depth of seeking of folks after the Lords will for their lives. We felt like we were part of the Body there. Thanx for the many blessings... A lovely home to be in due to wonderful fellowship, likemindedness, good food, comfi beds and a lovely mix of accents as Liz is originally from Germany. In this pic we're preparing to watch jousting at Knebworth Park. This was an unexpected blessing. JJ and Kara love playing Knights (Thanx to the movie A Knights Tale). The backdrop was a lovely English castle home.

Welcome to our latest stint in improving our technology...

2007-04-22T13:42:00.000-07:00

Just in case you forgot what we looked like.
April 2007