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