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| Tomorrow evening I will be leaving on a great big jet plane headed back to the States. It's so surreal at this point; all my things are packed, I have said most of my goodbyes, and I am doing laundry like a mad woman, but for some reason it still hasn't registered in my brain that I am leaving, leaving...for good...tomorrow. God has blessed me so richly these past two years, and I praise Him and thank Him for His wondeful mercies and the marvelous plans He has for all of us and for the opportunities He has provided to serve Him. I will miss this place more than I can possibly put into words, but I am very excited about the next chapter of my life. I plan to attend Seminary in North Carolina with future plans to serve our God in full time ministry on the field. PLEASE PRAY as I seek God's will for my life and as I strive to follow Him with all of my heart and with all of my soul. PRAISE Him with me for the many many blessings and mercies He has provided over the past two years. Speaking of praises.....The volunteer team had a wonderful time of ministry during their stay in South Africa. Six people from my home church in Lewisburg, TN came two weeks ago to work alongside me in Freedom Park. We made home health care kits to hand out to terminal patients with AIDS in the squatter camps and the townships. We worked hand-in-hand with the local home health care workers to pass out the kits and to mister to those suffering with AIDS. We went to the hospice to visit and pray with patients dying of AIDS. We prayerwalked and distributed tracts in the new area of Freedom Park, Phase 2. The guys in the group worked on one of our churches to do some repair work and to re-work the support beams of the church. We visited creches, the orphanage, and my supervisor's ladies Bible study groups. It was a very busy 10 days, but we were continually blessed with work and opportunities to share the love of Christ. PRAISE God with me for a wonderful volunteer team. PRAY for future volunteer teams to the NorthWest Province; that they would be called with a purpose, that missionaries here would have wisdom in knowing where volunteer teams fit with overall strategy. John, Bro. Paul, Tom, and Daddy (Doug) working on the church:  
 
Phase 2 of Freedom Park:  
Hospice and Home visits:  
Ladies Bible study groups:  
Morning Assembly at the Schools:  
Freedom Park Creche:  
Thlabane Baptist Chruch Service:  
The group:   Me and Daddy :)  Stacy and I took one last trip this past week. We went to Blyde River Canyon, located in Mid-NorthEastern section of South Africa. The canyon was so beautiful and it was a wonderful time of rest for both of us.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
Thank you so much for all of your love, prayers, and support over the past two years. You have all truly been with me in ministry as you have prayed with me and encouraged me and loved me during this time. I love you all and thank God for you! PLEASE PRAY: - for my flight; that it would be as comfortable and restful as it can be; that my back would be able to tolerate the stiffness and soreness of a long journey well; for everything to go smoothly (customs, passport control, and such)
- for my time in Richmond as I debrief on my Journeyman experience and spend time with friends
- for my re-entry into the States; that I would adjust quickly and with grace
Please continue to PRAY for the Tswana people and the missionaries here who strive to reach them with the Gospel of Christ. In Him, Kristy | | |
| “Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples.”
-Psalm 96:3
Today, six people from my home church are departing Nashville, Tennessee to come and work alongside me in Rustenburg, South Africa. Many, many plans have been made for their time here, and I honestly cannot think of one more thing that needs to be done in preparation. However, throughout this process I have been constantly reminded GOD’S many, many plans for this team and their time here. I can worry and stress out as much as I want to, but in the end, it really doesn’t matter. God has made this trip possible and these six people willing to come, and no matter how many plans I have made, His plans WILL come to fruition.
PLEASE PRAY:
• For safe travel for the team
• For luggage to arrive safely and intact
• For God to truly prepare their hearts and minds for the tasks ahead.
Psalms reminds us that we are all called, whether on the mission field or at home, to “declare His glory” and tell of “his marvelous deeds”.
PRAY:
• That the team would be reminded of this calling amid possible frustrations and culture differences.
• That God would guide their steps as they visit in squatter camps, prayer walk, and distribute tracts in new areas of Freedom Park.
• That God would use this experience to enhance their passion about missions and to touch their lives in a truly unique way
Recovery Update:
I am still recovering very well. I still have muscle stiffness in my legs that limits my range of motion, but my physical therapists are very pleased with my progress. Pain is extremely manageable and I am feeling very good.
THANK YOU for your prayers, love, and support throughout this healing process.
THANK YOU so much for your prayers as the team is here and ministering to the people of South Africa.
Love in Christ,
Kristy
We recently had a team meeting of all the missionaries who work in the Northern Province of South Africa. There were 21 people in attendance....such a huge praise for such a large team!
We had a costume party...this is everyone...
This is everyone again...in normal people clothes.....
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| Well, I just wanted to give everyone an update on my recovery. My surgery went very well and everything looks good and the doctors are well-pleased. My hospital stay went well, with the exception of a bad reaction to Morphine...yeah...
I had a few really good days right after my hospital stay, but then I had a few really bad days, but now I am back to good days, so all-in-all, it's going pretty good! I am up and walking around and doing physical therapy exercises, and my pain has been very manageable.
I do have some muscle soreness in my legs. The muscles are stretching to accommodate the new disk height in my spine and the doctor said this should last for 3-4 weeks.
THANK YOU for all of your prayers and love. I truly cannot express how much it helps to know people all around the world are praying for me!
PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY:
-for complete and successful recovery
-for pain to continue to be manageable
-for the stiffness and muscle soreness to ease
Again, THANK YOU so much, for your prayers, encouragement, love, and support!!
In Him,
Kristy
I'm going to place self-dignity on the line and post a picture of my hospital stay....
Those things you see dangling from my neck happen to be the 5-port central line in my neck!! I think that officially qualifies me as HARD-CORE!!
And a HUGE PRAISE....my mom got to be here with me for my surgery!!! So here's a picture of us after surgery!! (on a one of those good days, mind you...)
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| So, as usual, it has indeed been a long time. I'm just gonna jump in here......
Back in mid-May, my back "went out". I have had back problems in the past and as such I have been seeing a Physiotherapist and she was getting concerned, so she referred me to a Neurosurgeon. He ran an MRI, which showed degeneration in my lower lumbar disks. He then ran a discogram (word for scary spine test where they insert big needles into my disks to induce pain to see how bad it is...). After this, he suggested disk replacement for 2 of my disks. The people in JoBurg wanted a second opinion, so after another doctor appointment, another test, and a lot of waiting...the doctors in JoBurg have concluded that I do indeed need a disk replacement of my two lower disks. SO...in conclusion, I will be getting 2 new disks in my lower back on July 29th.
PLEASE PRAY:
-for the doctors to have wisdom and skill during the surgery
-that my nerves will be calm about going into surgery
-that my pain would be manageable before, during, and after the surgery
-that recovery would be swift and complete
-for God to be glorified through this whole process
PRAISE God and THANK Him with me for the people He has provided to take care of me and to encourage me during this time!
I was blessed to be able to go on Family Holiday with Stacy and the Putman's back in June. We went to St. Lucia (no, not the one in the Caribbean...the one on the coast of South Africa...). St. Lucia is an estuary (where ocean meets fresh water) and a coastal forrest. So, we stayed in a forrest on the beach. It was great! For those who love random facts...St Lucia is home to world's 2nd tallest sand dune!!!
WARNING...My beach hair is about out of control in these pics.....
Jack had a great time.... (he's in my mask..hehe)
 
The beach....
 
 
 
the beach/forrest....
 
 
I like to call these....I'm too sexy for my snorkel...
 
and we build a sand sea turtle...because I was bummed out because it was past sea turtle season....
 
The hippo lake...we never saw any hippos here....but pretty, yes??
 
 
The Estuary cruise......
 
 
 
 
 
the whales are always with us.....as the cruise ship reminded us....
The nature reserve....
Kudu...my favorite of the antelope family....
 
Rhino....
 
We got up really (REALLY) early to see the sunrise on the beach......
We didnt see the sunrise, because it was so foggy, but we saw this one day, which is pretty...
and this sign was at the place where we were staying.......
yep..thats right....BEWARE Elephants, Crocs, and Hippos.......and for all the BEWARE signs....you would think we would have SEEN some if these where we were staying...but NO...
However, there was a controversial moment involving a "sea snake" and the reason why I don't enjoy snorkeling around scary rocks....
As always, thank you so much for your love, PRAYERS, and support!
I Love you all!
Kristy
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| WOW…once again…it’s been a while! Here goes…
Mya’s Birthday Party. We had a party for Mya’s 9th Birthday the Thursday before Easter. As usual, good times were had. There was spaghetti and cake and musical chairs and twister and balloons and streamers and presents and a unicorn piñata; which, I find, is a pretty good recipe for a pretty good party.
 
Easter Conference. The conference started with the True Love Waits rally on Friday. The rally went very well and 80 people from ages 12-25 made a commitment to remain sexually pure until marriage. PRAISE the Lord with us for these young people and their commitments. PRAY with us for these young people; that God would provide strength and courage for them to keep their commitments and to help others around them see the benefits of waiting for sex.
Churches bringing in their banners
 
The rally begins (with dancing, of course!)
 
 
 
Easter Sunday was a great time. We had some rockin’ worship and some very excellent food immediately following…..good times, oh yes! PRAY for the churches of the NorthWest province of South Africa; that they would remain firm and strong in the faith; that they would be beacons of light for their communities; that good, strong leaders would rise to guide them.
Annual Meeting and Single’s Retreat. These meetings were a great time of fellowship, worship, and learning with other missionaries and friends. PRAY for the missionaries of Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa. PRAY that God would grant us wisdom and discernment. PRAY for the Holy Spirit to cover us and to guide our every action. PRAY that we would be used in many ways to show others the amazing love of Christ.
The J-Girls
 
 
My surrogate family!
 
Phyllis and the Girls.....and Mina and I have a random moment with the unicorns....
 
Abby and I race with the unicorns....
 
fun at warm-baths...yes, thats really what its called...
 
Isnt it pretty??
VBS Camp in Taung. Camp went very well and we had a great time. We had about 20-26 kids every day. Each of us taught a different topic; I taught an overview of the Bible, Stacy taught Doctrine, Paul taught Discipleship, and Lesley taught Character Studies from the Bible. The kids were very attentive and asked a ton of really good (and difficult) questions! Lesley hopes to continue a relationship with these kids through discipleship groups. PRAISE God with us for a successful camp and for the opportunity of discipleship groups. PRAY for the kids in this area; that they would seek God earnestly; that they would continue learning through the discipleship groups; that God would protect and guard them from false doctrines and teachings.
Me teaching bible...notice the completely impressive chart....
 
Paul teaching....Lesley teaching
 
Stacy teaching..........kids!
 
 
Day out at the blue pools
 
and just in case you've ever wondered how a got scratches his leg.....
After camp, we returned home and began talking to schools about Term 2. We have had timing issues for this term, including three public holidays, but I have been able to begin teaching full time this week. PRAISE the Lord for His faithfulness to provide opportunities and open doors in the schools. PRAY for this term as we use new materials during and after school. PRAY for wisdom and guidance as we address sensitive topics and make decisions. PRAY for continued positive relationships and experiences in the schools.
We have a new missionary to Rustenburg. Mary Rhodes arrived April 19. She will be working here for 2 years as a replacement for Stacy and I. PRAISE God with us for Mary and her calling to Rustenburg. PRAY for Mary as she adjusts and as she begins 2 weeks of language and culture. PRAY for God’s will about a ministry partner for Mary.
We also have been blessed by a visit from Stacy’s friend Angie from the States. Angie is here for 3 weeks, to go around with us and do ministry with us. (and to visit, of course). PRAY as Angie’s time comes to a close and as she travels back to the States. PRAY that her time here is full of sweet fellowship with her friend.
Drakensberg. Two weeks ago, we headed to the Drakensberg Mountain range in the South of South Africa, on the border of Lesotho. The plan was crazy. Go to the middle of the range, camp for one night. Travel to the top of the range the next day, camp for one night. Travel back to Rustenburg via Lesotho. As we all know…the best laid plans often go astray…and they did! Note to all…camping in the winter = COLD! So, we didn’t realize, but you can’t just drive to see the places in the mountains and take a quick walk to the cool scenery…oh no…you have to park at the bottom and take a 13K HIKE to the cool scenery. We all know how much I loooove to hike. It was like that all over the range. You would have to hike A LOT to get to anything cool. So, I just chilled out, while Stacy and Angie hiked. They had a good time, so I’m glad. Plans to go through Lesotho got nixed because the “road” to the border was “unpassable” so we took a different way home that took….9 HOURS…..yep…suffice to say, we will not easily forget that drive home! The view was nice though…
a tinsy bit of car trouble...but JP comes to the rescue!
 
The campsite
 
 
The HIKE
 
the VIEW
Last week, we taught Jen’s Bible study group how to make paper beads to help supplement their income. PRAY for these ladies as they struggle to leave behind old ways and immorality.
This past weekend, we took Angie and Mary to Swaziland to visit two other Journeymen that live there, Kimber and Julia. Swaziland was fun and enjoyable and it was great to visit with friends. Swaziland is known for its glass factory, candle factory, and grass weaving, so we had a nice time at all the factories and even took a mini-hike to a pretty waterfall.
 
Rustenburg. I was really excited to get back into schools this week, so that’s a huge PRAISE. Angie leaves tomorrow (Friday), so PRAY for safe travel as she and Stacy go to Jo’Burg for her flight.
Pretty sunflower field in Rustenburg.
Thanks for all the love and prayers! I love you all so much!
In Him,
Kristy
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