PRAISE THE LORD

This month started with school holidays – YEY Troyd got to stay home and enjoy with all of us!!

We had several outings out on our bikes to get the little boys used to peddling round and round and Troyd used to his BIG BIKE.  Lots of fun in the beautiful April weather in Durban.

EASTER – It was a full busy weekend with Good Friday service where the Youth did a worship drama to “The Wondrous Cross”.  Tan had loads of fun teaching and training the group and then decorating the front of the church with a cross and tomb.  It was hard work but a huge blessing to be working with the youth investing time into their lives.  The drama was a huge blessing to everyone. 

Sunday was full with church services and early sunrise service on the beach – the boys loved the outing in the dark to watch the sun rise. BEAUTIFUL

Not to mention all the chocolate that the Easter Bunny brought the boys loved our Easter tradition to do an egg hunt in the dark with torches (flashlights) – they had a blast searching all over the garden for hidden treasures!!  We also had a special family day with Marks folks in Pmb and the boys had loads of Easter treasures to hunt for with Grandma and NanaJ

NEW SCHOOL – TREYSON AND TRYSTON had their interview for school for 2013.  We are so proud of our special little men.  WOW time has flown we cannot believe that they start at school next year.  We had a super interview and they are very excited to be joining Troyden at his school.  Please pray for us as we try to make our ends meet financially to be able to send them.

HOLIDAY TIME HOLIDAY TIME HOLIDAY TIME

It was time for our annual pilgrimage down SOUTH to Kei Mouth.  We planned a 2 week holiday to our favorite place.  We spent one night with Grandma and Granddad in Pietermaritzburg and that night Troydie lost his first TOOTH! J  So the tooth mousy had to visit!!  He had a very full slipper and plenty monies to spoil himself and his brothers with chocolates.

Our holiday at the beach was super super busy and full of outside fun.  Troyden did a holiday scrapbook as he missed a little bit of school he was going to miss the teacher explaining “occupations” so Tan be creative planned activities for him related to various different occupations eg. Fireman, doctor, diver, farmer.  His book turned out great and his teacher loved it – he was so proud of all the work he did.  The boys got to do some fishing but didn’t catch much. 

But we have put some pics here of thier BRAGS

Troyden's catch

Trystons catch

Treysons sand shark catch

We did a lot of sand dune climbing, collecting of shells and sticks and rocks etc. on the beach and hike up to the cross on the hill. 

Waving at Dad and Baba from the top of the hill in the speck of a boat down in the river mouth!

We had an outing to the “tree house” café in the forests and the boys loved the jungle gym and ‘chocolate mud pie’. 

Emie enjoying the Treehouse too!

Tan and Aunty Amber sewed – yes we made the kids tracksuit pants, tops and PJ pants.  Then we tried our hand at fabric painting and made ourselves our very own ‘PANT’ we had so much fun. 

our 'PANT'

In between we ate lots, rested when we wanted to did a little bit of reading and even did some long walks.  A special for us was for the daddy’s and mommy’s to go out on a ‘date night’ – the grandparents watched the kids and we went into East London for dinner and a movie.  This was a very special memory and hope we get to do that again.  In all we had a great rest from the usual busy pace of life.

Beach Babe Mommies :)

Boyz hiking the 'Jungle Path'

Family Riding outing - Baba got onto his bike - First time with the NEW KNEE

Ministry

LADIES DAY SEMINAR – we hit the road running a little when we got back from our holiday.  Tan together with the ladies team planned a ladies day seminar around the theme of “The Tabernacle”.  What a blessing we had over 50 ladies attend for the full day, we included time of worship, prayer, craft and extensive teaching from scripture on the Tabernacle.  It was a super event – the ladies even laid out the hall as the tabernacle would have looked back in the Old Testament.  We had a wonderful time in God’s word together. PRAISE JESUS

NEW SENIOR PASTOR – the church call committee have found a pastor from the Cape Town area that we interviewed in the middle of May.  They are a lovely couple and subsequent to that the church decided on calling him to co-pastor with Mark.  We are excited to have them join the team at Durban North Baptist Church and looking forward to working together with them both.  Our portfolio doesn’t change too much and we hoping we will overlap and together in our areas of giftedness meet all the ministry requirements needed at the church.  Praise the Lord for answered prayer.  Following their decision to come we have been asked to move home to the church house (manse).  We are excited and a little overloaded with yet another move!  All going according to plan and provided that the house is renovated and cleaned on time we hope to be in by the 1^st July 2012.  The Kitchen is being redone and a few little odd alterations to make the home a little more livable.  Yes the pressure is on so we start the big pack pack pack.  One blessing is that the house is nice and big with large garden so the boys will have space to ride bikes, build a tree house and run and play in open space.  Thank you Jesus. 

YOUNG FAMILY’S CAMPING TRIP –We had our annual camp out in the mountains this May and the families all so enjoyed a wonderful weekend of camping, bonfires, braai, tennis, fellowship, and friendship building.  It was a great time to connect us as a group and what a blessing to have 15 adults and 16 children all camp together.   The children just loved the play ground, riding bikes, collecting acorns, diving in the leaves.  Mark lead the devotion time while Tan played and entertained the kids it was great fun.  Special memories made with special people.  THANK YOU LORD!

We are praising Jesus for wonderful memories made, for super time of discipleship, teaching and encouragement.  This past two months have been a great blessing and challenge to both Mark and I and for this we thank Jesus for answered prayers. 

Please be in prayer for us as we get moved and settled into our new home, keep on in the ministry that God has called us to and connect with the new Pastoral couple (John and Liz).  Please also pray now that they settle into their space in the ministry at Durban North Baptist that Mark will be released to continue with his studies as of the 1^st August 2012.

“Thank you Jesus for all you have done and continue to do for us – your grace is sufficient!!”

 

Thanks for your love, support , care and prayer for us – God bless in Heaps

Mark, Tan and Troyd, Treyson and Tryston

March 2012

Marvelous MARCH!!

BABY EMMIE - Wow the year is flying by and can’t seem to quite keep up to date with all that is going on.  Poor Baby Emmie is not doing so well and battling with Colic!! So Aunty Tan flew to Joeys to help for a weekend.  And super dad Mark kept the 3 boys by himself.  Oh yes it was a trying and testing time in many ways but what a super dad he was and what specially behaved little men we have – THANK YOU JESUS for family and the support we can be for each other.  Tan so enjoyed the time to chat and encourage Amber yey another sister and she just loved getting to know her better.

It was great to help out where she could to ease the load on the new parents we made small victories each day, Emie hates the bath water, is very cute and just love the fashion mommy ambz is dressing her in - look at the shooz!! :)

Sorry couldn't get it to rotate right - isn't she cute!!!

We made some special memories together. - Love you all very much!!

SCHOOL GALA – Yey!we all dressed in gumboots and armed with our umbrellas as we set off to the gala.  Yes, it decided to rain the day of Troydie’s school gala but as they were all going to be wet anyway the gala was set to happen.  What a great time we had big boy Troydie did so well on his race he had to jump in with the kicker board and kick like mad to get across the school pool.  We all cheered so did the family of ducks that had visited for a quick swim!

NEW HAIR – Tan had a spoil from a very special friend to have a new hair style so off to the hairdresser and look she stepped out the SALON!! Too fun!! _ see the two looks - short curly or short straight!!!

Ministry

@TAP COFFEE SHOPPE – we have a little coffee shop that is on our church property that serves part of the community center.  It has a lovely playground with all sorts for the kids to enjoy.  As of the start of the year the new manageress has implemented some renovations and Tan together with another mom were asked to paint the murals on the walls.  It was a huge job of tracing, drawing and painting that continued for most of the month of March.  Many an hour in the hot sun painting while the kids played.  The end result was great – what a testimony to others as they come to the coffee shop and are surrounded with pictures of bible characters.

The Wendy house is painted as Noah's ark with animals on all four sides

Jesus calms the storm

Jonah and the Big Fish

LADIES PRAYER BREAKFAST – The ladies ministry started their year with a prayer breakfast and it proved to be a huge blessing.  The early morning was perfect to meet to fellowship over a continental breakfast and then special structured prayer time was planned out.  Tan shared a short devotion on prayer and all the ladies were greatly encouraged after meeting together in this way.

FUTURE MINISTRY – we as a couple have spent special time in prayer for our future ministry at Durban North Baptist Church.  We underwent an interview and presentation regarding the Senior Pastors position and both of us felt that we are not the right people for this specific job at Durban North Baptist Church and decided after much counsel with our mentors that we withdraw our names. We praise the Lord for his leading in our lives and know that the Lord will lead the call committee to the right man to come alongside Mark to lead Durban North Baptist Church.  Please pray for our church, call committee and us as we seek to do our best as we lead the church in the interim.  

Family

BIRTHDAY TIME – for Tan!!! We planned our weekend off over Tan’s birthday and headed north to visit Trent and Amber.  This was the official meeting of the cousins and what a special time we had as a full family. 

We got to enjoy the outdoors of Joeys, we camped in Trent’s garden – the boys loved that!!! We had a visit to Botanical Gardens where Baba (Tan’s Dad) was able to walk the fullway to the waterfall on his “new “ Knee Praise Jesus all is coming right there – slowly but surely.  Troydie especially liked the tortoise! :)

We planned an outing to the Zoo and that was super special to all have this time out “in the WILD” together.  The Polar bears even swam for us.  We got to watch them feed the cheetah and enjoy lunch with the Chimps - too fun!! It really was a very special weekend to make memories and celebrate birthday time together.

Thanks for your love, support and care of us – God bless in Heaps

Mark, Tan and Terrific T’s

February 2012

It's LOVE all around !

The month of LOVE as they say…. God is LOVE!!!  And we all feel so special – our Young Families threw a SUPER DUPER Couples dinner.  What a special evening of fellowship and spoiling.  The table was set with red and white table runners, roses, balloons and chocolates.  Each mom supplied part of the meal and we were able to have a 4 course sit down meal together all 15 of us.  It was a super special evening all dressed in Red and white.  What a blessing to share the love of Jesus with each other.

Another Love moment …. Our first baby NIECE arrived in the world this month – welcome to Emmie Belle Eayrs.  We are super excited to meet, love and get to know you.  Congrats to Daddy T and Mommy Ambz – We love you lots.

February is one of our HOTTEST months in the year so we had many a visit to the Beach and pool excitement.  Troyden is swimming nicely and quite water safe – he just loves to jump in and be a dolphin!!

Fridaynight CAMP OUT night has become a family special each week.  We carry the matrasses downstairs and camp out in the lounge together.  Movie, popcorn and chocolate are added to the PJ fun – the boyz cannot wait each week for FRIDAY!!!

RIDING FUN - YEY Treyson is riding too now - round and round so our outing to ride as a family is more of a RUN for daddy and mommy looks like we will be investing in bikes soon to keep up with our riding boyz!! YEY a special treat for learning to peddle was tea out for WAFFLES!! YUM

Ministry

MISSIONS – Mark was able to help Macedonian Ministries and do a quick 3 nights up to Northern Zululand and into Mozambique.  He had a wonderful time catching up with all the pastors in that area.  Delivering medicine, literature, food and clothing.  Mission is always a blessing in so many ways and he so enjoyed the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with all that he came into contact with.

KHULANI HAVEN - we as a church support and help where we can an orphanage in our area.  The ministry team for this ministry arranged a garden tea party.  It was a lovely afternoon to wear your hat, play crochet and try to hit the  Piñata - lots of fun had by all!!

CHURCH MINISTRY – Mark is the Interim Pastor at Durban North at present as they wait on the Lord for leading as to who to call as the Senior Pastor.  He has increased his preaching load to almost double and carrying the full load of the whole church ministry.  We have found it to be a huge challenge and incredible blessing to be stretched in this ministry opportunity – please continue to pray for us.  During the month we have had 3 family dedications and a baptismal service – What a blessing to see God’s children grow!  Due to our busy church schedule we have had to put his studies toward his Masters on hold for a while as to pace ourselves properly pray with us as we apply ourselves to the ministry at hand.

Thanks for your love, support and care of us – God bless in Heaps

Mark, Tan and Terrific T’s