Dean and Paula Finnie - South Africa |
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Prayer Update February 2007
Dear Friends
It was so lovely to see some of you when we had a surprise holiday back to the UK over Christmas time! This was a great time with family and the boys took no time at all to reacquaint themselves with Grandad, aunts, uncles, cousins and Godparents! We find that these times are special and all too short - the type of thing that good memories spring from!
We are now back home in Somerset West enjoying really sizzling summer temperatures!! It is the time of year the boys love best - no clothes or shoes required as often as possible! Joel started back into Reception in January and is settling in so well. He seems to have really grown up in many ways and is far calmer, controlled and is enjoying being with old friends as well as making some new ones. His new teacher from Zimbabwe seems very nice and we are looking forward to his progress this year - particularly as this is the year he will actually learn to read the words in his books - yippee!! Eli also started back at his Play Group 5 mornings a week and immediately ruled the roost. There are about 8 2 year olds - his poor teacher! - and he spends his mornings running around playing football, in the paddling pool, climbing on the jungle gym and doing play dough. He doesn't stop talking and also seems to have really grown up overnight. He had his second ever haircut last week and the he aged overnight!!
Work in Chris Nissen Park has also started off at a fair running pace(!). Dean was thrilled and encouraged to have 7 men at his Bible Study all of whom seem to want to learn and grow. The HOPE home based care team have done an admirable job whilst Paula was away. They faithfully carried on visiting patients and spending time together. They too are eager to learn and to grow this year and Paula is very excited about this. Unfortunately, 1 of our patients died before Christmas, but we are seeing encouraging progress in others. One is having speech therapy following a stroke; another is being visited daily by a nurse from a local NGO to help our ladies with the heavy practical care he requires. Another with TB is going daily to the clinic to collect his medicine and is doing so well - even attending Dean's Bible study for the first time! Paula's mentor also wants to help in a more practical way this year and Paula is busy working out a practical and spiritual teaching programme to run bi-monthly for the carers so that they can grow and pass on what they learn.
Dean is very busy strategizing for the expansion of our work into 2 other marginalised communities. This is a huge task and he is busy breaking it down for the coming 12 months. We are also busily planning our mission education tour in June/July in the UK when we hope we will see many of you. As soon as we have confirmed dates from our churches we will let you know when we are going to be where!
Other things in the pipeline are Afrikaans conversation and lessons for the 2 of us - much needed!! - as well as the potential for Paula to run an English conversation group for Afrikaans and Xhosa speakers. This would work out as our payment for our lessons, so we are very pleased about this! Dean would love to set up a mercy trip to Zimbabwe later this year to take much needed supplies and to encourage one or two friends up there - so watch this space!
Thank you so much for your prayers - we are uplifted by them and know daily strength because of them.
Much love
Paula, Dean, Joel and Eli
XXX