Good news, and some pictures.

Hey everyone,

How is everyone back home? Hopefully good, we are very jealous seeing all the pictures of snow lately. It may be hard to believe, but we miss that white stuff! We had a couple of stressful weeks, but in the end everything worked out. We are back up in the village as of yesterday, and our visas were sent out. After 5 trips and 9 hours in the Home Affairs office they finally accepted them. They still have to go to Pretoria, but should come back all accepted. So on both accounts we really can give thanks to God! Other than that it has been a regular couple weeks. Have a great rest of the month!

At first

Framed up.Wood is expensive, a 3m 2"x3" is about $10

Boarded

Taped in

No bead. Hope this works.

Somebody who was lucky enough to get boots!

New cleats!

Rylee climbing to the top!

Hot Saturday, had a water fight. Some would say I lost.

Hanging out on a Saturday

Rylee playing.

Half way through our 17 km hike in the Drakensberg mountains.

Our hiking crew.

Rylee sampling some rocks out of one of the streams.

A Change in Plans...

Hello everybody,

We have had a very challenging few weeks down in South Africa, we have had to make a few big decisions. We have really had to think about our plans for the upcoming few months due to a change in our immediate ummm family structure. Courtney is currently about 9 weeks pregnant, which is very exciting! That being said however, does come with its challenges. It was recommended to us by SIM and especially the team in Mozambique, that it may not be the best choice to bring a toddler, and a pregnant woman to. The healthcare is extremely limited, and it is the worst season for malaria, so we decided in the interest of health we would stay in South Africa the end of February, at Lily. We have built up some great relationships here, and think it would be most beneficial to just stay put for a few extra months, rather than try start fresh somewhere else. That all being said our whole plan hinges on whether or not we can extend our visa. As it stands our visa expires the 20th of Nov. We need birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other things that are going to be very difficult to get a hold of. We are really trying to look at all the options so that we can prolong our stay here, and are praying that at least one of them works out. We just aren't quite ready to leave. So please keep us in your prayer for the next little bit, that if it is His will we can stay, even just a bit longer.

Other than being potentially kicked out of the country, things are going well. My bathroom is nearing completion, as well as the kitchen and just the house in general. For Courtney it has been business as usual, even while feeling a bit nauseous. We have moved down to the conference center, and out of the children's village for a few weeks, due to an outbreak in German Measles. We have been immunized for it, but it was suggested to us, and the conference center has showers, so we did not argue! We have begun to give out the boots, and have made a few boys very happy, and continue to give them where needed.

Hopefully everyone back home has been dealing good with the cold that is on its way. It is very odd reading the calender, and not seeing any changes! Have a wonderful November and God bless!