Jan. 2014 update

 Trust your christmas and New Year was filled with wonderful memories of loved ones... and also wonderful reminders of our Fathers love too.  
We spent our holiday at home this year.  Tho we missed family and friends elsewhere, we were also very aware of His provision of family and friends here too.  We slept late, did fun things, worked on the kitchen and started on JJs room.  

K gymed some of the holiday which she enjoyed and we all had an encouraging time at the annual ZEMA conference soon after new year.  We were excitied to see Kara and Tanya (meet below) lead the childrens program (grade 1 - 6).  Tanya led the bible time and K organised the games (and they assisted each other).

After that, Barb  her 6 monthly followup with her oncologist.  We're thankful to the Lord that all blood work was clear.  We know this extra time is a gift of His grace.  Pray with us for more good news from Julys PETscan and tests.  

Now we're back to school, Umlazi ZEBS has started, Marks classes at Durban Bible College start next week, Marks started a weekly zulu class and normal extra murals are up and running for the chldren and Barb.  
Our drill of figuring out scedules and activities is no different to yours (other than the one driver scenario I suppose:).  

Update on Godfrey....  We'd asked for prayer for this young man from Uganda we'd met at church.  Its been amazing to see the Lord working so obviously in his life.  The very dangerous living situation has resolved, he has employment (probation period ends at the end of Jan), his spirits are lifted, he is dating a lovely young lady and is in contact with us again.  He says he's adopted us as his family... which we're very humbled by.  To include someonw so brave, kind, thoughtful and full of integrity into our lives...  are we not the most blessed.  So meet Godfrey and Irene (below).  

One of Js friends, Andile, had sad domestic issues this holiday.  We were priveledged to provide a safe place over the holidays while Kerry (below) housed him.  Please pray for his moms health and that he would stand strong in his adoption as one of the Kings kids.  

The start of the year is always a financial streatch for everyone with so many activites all starting at the same time.  But, it has caused us to look again at the setup of our support... realising that we will need to make some changes in our next term to meet the needs of expanding expenses for the children and the cost of living.  We aren't wanting to place further burden on our existing support team.  We know that these are tight times financially so are praying for creative ways that we can meet any shortfall.  We'd value your prayers with us in this.

As we look ahead at 2014...  we're excited to see how the Lord unpacks it.  We're content to make Durban our home for now and are thankful for the 'brighter' place we find ourselves at 'inside'.  Cancer sure has repercussions for years after the treatment is done...  and we're always aware of the reality that 5 years is still in the future for us.  But, we have joy in living again and can handle more of the unsceduled things of life.  Thank you Lord for bringing us to this place!   We look foreward to hearing how He unpacks your 2014.

We're aware so often of been held and surrounded by prayers of our loved ones.  Thank you for that.  God is good, Jesus holds us always and the Holy Spirit is ever present regardless of the path of the journey of life may take us.  

In Him and for Him
Mark, Barb, JJ and Kara