September 2012

 September saw the start of spring in a slow way!!  We excited for Summer to be arriving soon the boyz are so super keen to SWIM!












TROY's OUTING
Troydie had a school outing this month - big day visit to the loacl FIRE STATION.  What a special time he had.  They got to climb in and around about the huge FIRE TRUCKS and learn all about saftey in the case of a fire.  Then a highlight for them all was to have a ride up into the air (about 3 stories high) in the FIRE TRUCK'S LADDER BUCKET what a fun time was had by all.

TWINS are 4 TODAY!!
Yes, 4 can you believe it - WOW feels like the other day that they were born what precious little bundles of big JOY they are.  They had a super fun birthday party to celebrate turning 4 - a TREEHOUSE PARTY.  We are praising Jesus for the space in the manse garden and the blessing of a LARGE TREE!! thier pressie for thier birthday was their very own treehouse.  Baba and Daddy has many busy evening to get the whole house built you should have heard all the orders being made, must have a ladder, and a firemans pole and has to have a door with a roof !! :)

We had a lovley party with all our friends to share in the fun of playing in the treehouse, playing catch in the garden, participating in a treasure hung, swinging on the swing and eating cake pops.  We packed little hobo party packs and each one received a telescope to survey the land from up in the treehouse.  Tan tried her hand at baking - their treehouse cake was a hit!!

 

The treehouse now serves as a great place to eat our lunch after school each day.  We have had many play days and the boyz so enjoy the jungle gym, hammock and treehouse - Praise the Lord for this outside play place.

MINISTRY
Ladies ministry event - this month was the Ladies event for this term and they had the theme "BEING A NEW CREATION"  the hall was decorated with loads of green palms and lots of big painted butterflies.  The afternoon consisted of a "market" where ladies from our community and church were able to host a booth to sell or promote thier businesses.  We had a lady doing make overs on 3 of our church ladies - they all looked beautiful.  We had 3 ladies share their personal testimonies and Tan was able to share the gospel in her devotion.  In all God was made big in this event, we had many attend and lots of visitors.  This deffinately was one of our best outreach meetings.  Praise the Lord for confidence to share the Gospel.

Mom's Group - This month the moms Bible Study has been going really well with about 9 attending each time.  On our outing afternoons we as moms and kids have enjoyed a bike ride along the beach ending with milkshakes, a spring hat parade where we had a CAPTAIN, a COWBOY and a SHERRIF and outing to the local park to enjoy the jungle gyms and open spaces together.

As we reached the end of the month we were able to head up to Johannesburg to visit with Trent and Ambz so that Mark could attend the Baptist Assembly.  In all the week of meetings went well all Glory to God.  Trent and his band lead the worship which was a huge blessing to many as he blended all the African cultures into one what an awesome time of worship was had by all of us.  Tan was able to attend the Pastor's wives lunch and be encouraged in her position of service as Pastor's wife.

We end September with a much needed rest - Praising the Lord for our 3month Sebatical.  Please be in prayer for us as we rest, recreate and regroup as a family.  We will be out of town for one lengthy holiday down to the Eastern Cape.  One or two short trips over weekends to enjoy the mountains and the beach.  One of our main reasons for this break is to kick start Mark's Masters Degree.  With having to carry the full church ministry load over the last 6months his degree was put on hold.  Please pray with us that he can make a big dent into the bulk of the programme and that he will have the energy and discipline to contine when we return to regular routine in 2013.

Thanks again for your much needed prayers and support

With much love

The Wilby's

June-July-August 2012

All on the Wilby home front is grooving along!  We keep ourselves busy with craft time in the morning for the twins, Troydie gets out of school over lunch time and most times we picnic lunch in the garden or on the jungle gym.  Two arvies a week we have an outing planned or a play day with friends.  Friday is Library day - and the Wilby boyz are just loving being apart of our local library and all the books they have to offer.  Friday is also movie day - we camp out in the lounge that evening as a family with movies, chocolate and popcorn.  GREAT FUN had by all - a memory that will last a lifetime J

AMBZ and EMIE to visit – we had a super week of family time as Trent was on a mission trip and Ambz and Baby Emz came to stay.  Troyd just loves her to bits and the twins are scared of her J We had such fun making photo collages for Fathers day!!

 

PACK PACCK PACK PACK… PACK SOME MORE

Yes we moving again!!! The start of July saw us pack up our home in La Lucia for a move across 3 suburbs to the church house.  We were all both sad to leave our little home but thrilled to have bigger space, newly painted smartly completed kitchen and huge garden with space for a tree-house J  In all we had mixed feelings of moving to be neighbors to the church – Troydie was telling all his friends at school that we were moving to the church!! I had several moms ask if we were okay? It was only until we drove in the drive way of the new house did he realize that we were living separate from the church J 
Well, you could say now that we are seasoned movers as we have moved 4 times in 6 years – God has been gracious – Mark says it adds 40 years to your life every time it is definitely NOT for the faint hearted.  Pray for us as we settle in our new space and make it home.  We are really excited to be able to use our home for ministry pray we will have loads of opportunities to share Jesus with others in our home.

I did take us all of July to feel AT HOME – so much to do, so much to unpack and with having more space the boyz are feeling a little far away from us at night so it has been like we have newborn babies  in the house all over again as they venture out of bed in the dark to lose their way down the passage – we now have night lights throughout the house J

 

Mark had a wonderful birthday – the boyz so enjoy birthdays that we cannot celebrate unless there is cake and candles – Praise Jesus for health and strength for Mark as he ministers for Jesus.

Ministry

NEW SENIOR PASTOR – John and Liz arrived safely and have taken the month of July to find their feet in ministry and home life.  It has been great to get to know them both and we are all excited to be involved in ministry together at Durban North Baptist Church.

YOUNG ADULTS WEEKEND AWAY –We had the opportunity to join with all our young adults down at the beach on the south coast – Hiberdene.  It was a lovely weekend of fellowship and fun as we got to know each other better, disciple, encourage, support and work together.  Mark lead the devotion times and the boyz so enjoyed all the attention.  We praise God for the way that he has build this group up from no one to 30 in the short time we have been serving at DNBC – praise Jesus for spiritual and physical growth in this age group of our church.

 

 

LADIES DAY SEMINAR – this was the first time Tan was invited together with her mom to be the guest speakers for a Ladies Day Seminar.  Their theme for the day – “Mountains thru Scripture”.  They had a very special time studying God’s word together.  The Seminar also included worship, craft, drama, and worship drama and prayer time.  In all it was a fantastic opportunity to share Jesus with others - God is great!

In all God has been good - Mark has continued to preach several services each month, lead 2 bible studies, speak at several Youth events and also lead worship for several morning and evening services.  Our lives are full, busy and exciting - we are so enjoying serving the Lord together and praise Him for this special opportunity to shine for Him.Thanks for your love, support , care and prayer for us – God bless in Heaps

Mark, Tan and Troyd, Treyson and Tryston

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