Hi again,We would like to start by wishing all of you a fantastic new year:). We have returned to the much more moderate Escondido after a teeth-chattering white Christmas with our family in Reno, Nevada.
The best news is that we managed to trade our 'very very humble' abode for a much bigger place (a palace to be frank) with a separate bedroom...yeeha! The future now looks so much brighter:). The novelty of being able to prepare lunch while taking a bath or to get a beer from the fridge by just sticking out your arm from anywhere inside the apartment very quickly wore off. The best of all is that you would now be able to visit us in pairs without having to worry about finding someplace else to sleep.
The other big item on the agenda is that we will be kicking off properly this year with our preparation to return to South Africa along the road that we believe God has set out for us. Bella is working hard to gain experience in nursing and I will God willing commence with my first year of theological studies at Westminster Seminary. I have already had many meaningful conversations with fellow students and lecturers and I can simply not wait to start...
'We have a mission!' and we are thoroughly excited about it all. We found that very few things can compare to the joy of living toward the purpose for which one have been so thoughtfully engineered and lovingly put together. Not that everything is always dandy...we are constantly reminded just what we had gotten ourselves into:). We miss all of you dearly and the uncertainty about where we would find the resources to see us through my years in seminary invariably returns to try to scare us away:).
The most wonderful thing is to experience first hand how God keeps one's flame burning in spite of the pressures that arise when having to leave your comfort zone and sacrifice things that you hold very dear in order to taste the fulfillment of His promises. We look back on countless times when He has pulled us through the mud...and it serves as great motivation for us to look ahead with less doubt and more trust.
We have received good news from the orphanage where Bella volunteered during her time in South Africa (http://www.botshabelo.co.za). Quite a few of the children found good homes since we left in September. This is truly amazing news when one realizes the brutality these little kids have to face. We would appreciate your prayers for Botshabelo.
I have still not received word regarding my visa, but the time is ripe and I run to the mailbox every morning with great anticipation:).
Thank you for all of you who sent us cards and snacks during the Christmas holidays. It seems the dogs at USPS have some difficulty smelling biltong through vacuum sealed plastic...yippee!
Till next time,
Jac & Bella
