Blog Post 13

September - October

I realize that  some of you may still feel out of contact with me so I am considering to send out more regular updates on my blog, so if that is something that will benefit you, please follow my blog and you will receive the blogs as I write them. I will still continue with my two monthly Newsletter updates which I send out by email as per request.

In updating you about the nursing , I have some rather exciting news. It is with a grateful and thankful heart that I can say "I passed" my final exam. I am now waiting for my certificate which will officially make me an Enrolled nurse. I am also in the process of being employed by Netcare(which means that I will be receiving a salary).Please pray for the finalization of the paper work. I need to be added to the list by the end of this week for the next student intake.The registration for bridging to become a registered Nurse is on the 1st of October. Netcare Vaal Park have voiced that they are happy for me to continue with my studies while I work.Lord willing if I am accepted and my certificate is ready in time I may be able to start with the November intake, if not it may delay my entrance into the course, meaning that I may only be able to start studying again in January.Please pray for that, pray that the Lord's will be done and that I remain patient and calm as I wait.

Also about a month ago, my family received news about my granny,we were told that she was not well. Yaya is 83 and has a chronic heart condition,my younger brother offered to fly us over to go see the family and to spend some time with them. The last time I was in Cyprus was 19 years ago, before I became a Christian. So as you can imagine, it was very different being back there. I am thankful to the Lord for the visit and for His perfect timing in the visit. We were able to see my dad's uncle Stellios and his family. It was such a blessing to me, he went in for a hernia operation the day after we saw him and there were complications in the recovery room in theater. He had a stroke and has lost 50% of his brain function, he is still on life support and there has  been no new updates with regards to any recovery. Thank you to those of you who were praying for me and the family, your prayers and the Lord's grace is what has carried us this far.

In my last newsletter I also mentioned that there were some possible ministry opportunities here in Sasolburg. We have since been able to visit Matwala and the children were able to have their first lesson in Sotho. Other than that the ministry at Katherine Robson continues. We have not seen much visible fruit from our labor there.However we were encouraged the other day when the housemother told us about what the Lord has been doing in her life, in her heart and how her faith is being strengthened. Please pray with us as we continue with this ministry and also for those who need to teach every week, that they would be faithful to God and His word. Unfortunately there has not come much out of the ministry in Zamdela, if anyone would like to be involved in equipping the church there with some sort of a children's ministry please contact me. The Pastor would like to get to a point where they themselves can run a program for the children in that area but need help in getting a structural program in place.

I was also able to go on the short terms mission trip to Zimbabwe last month and it was a wonderful opportunity to see what the Lord is doing in His church. There is a small body of believers who are dedicated to being faithful to God's word and despite the challenges they are facing remain steadfast and grounded in the truth. Please pray together with me for the church and the various church plants, that the pastor will continue to disciple faithful men who can teach and equip others for the work of the ministry.

The Lord really challenged me, helped me to realize that I do have limitations and that with man nothing seems possible. BUT with God anything is possible. The great commission still stands, shall I be faithful with the resources that I have , with the gifts God has given , will I be thankful for what I do have? Do I have a grateful attitude?
Just recently the Lord has been challenging me to review my walk with Him. To talk the talk and walk the walk. This certainly does not come naturally, when the heat gets hot and the metal bends, what is being formed. At times I notice my heart hardening and find my heart drifting away from my Lord and at other times I notice my dependence on God change my ever hardening heart to willingly submit and obey. And it is in those moments when I rejoice and my fellowship with the Lord is sweet.I am reminded over and over again of God's grace, God's irresistible grace! What would I do without the Lord,where would I find my ever wondering heart?

Let our eyes behold our Sovereign Lord, let our hearts know this love!

" My God, the spring of all my days.The Life of my delights. The glory of my brightest days,The comfort of my nights.In the darkest shades if He appear, My dawning is begun.He is my souls sweet morning star.And He my rising sun.The opening heavens around me shine,with beams of sacred bliss 
while Jesus shows His heart is mine and whispers,"I am His"

I know that much about the future is uncertain but this I know for sure my God is faithful and His plans and purposes never fail.