Prayer Update

Thank you for your prayers!  There is so much happening here that it's hard to decide what to share in a short update....

While we were on holiday recently we met Pastor Desmond & Sharon Ventor & their family.  We really enjoyed getting to know them!  After they returned home to Polokwane (which is about 3 hours from here) they called to find out more about starting Word of Life Clubs in their church!  So tomorrow our whole family is going there to visit and spend the night.  The kids are thrilled at the idea of seeing their children again, and we are looking forward to both the fellowship and chance to share the ministry!

Please pray for us as we go about our second application for a temporary residence permit to stay in South Africa.  We have applied for several over the years, but when it came time to renew it this time we were only approved until January 21.  It appears that it is because Marissa's passport expires in February.  It is not usually based on the child's passport, but on the parents, so we didn't expect it.  So now, we have renewed passports and are going to apply again for a 3 year temporary residence permit.  Please pray that things go smoothly!

The children are doing well, and growing up too fast!  Mya has now been with us 1 month.  She is now 5 months old, and we couldn't imagine life without her.  She's one of the family.  Marissa lost two teeth this week, one of which she pulled out herself!  She is so pleased. :)  Brandon loves his new spelling program, and is also enjoying cricket.

Thanks, again, for your prayers!
Love,
Mary, for the fam
Brad, Mary, Brandon, Marissa & Mya
Word of Life South Africa

Brandon

We are back into cricket season again!  Brandon now has practice three times a week!  He really enjoys it.  We'll post some pictures soon.  Can you believe that one of the sponsors for the team he's playing on is GM?  Amazing, hey? Makes me think of Dad and smile.

Prayer Update

Thank you so much for your prayers over the last week!  It has been wonderful, amazing and challenging!  God continues to teach us and provide for all our needs.
Brandon's tooth is doing well, and all the pain seems to be gone.  Praise the Lord!
Brad is away tonight and we are home alone.  I don't mind being home alone, but would appreciate your prayers for peaceful sleep and safety.
All of our husbands are participating in a sports day tomorrow at KwaMhlanga.  This is one of the places we went to on S.M.A.S.H.  Please pray for them as they minister to the people that live there.  Pray for the people they are ministering to, that God begins even now to prepare their hearts to receive His message.
I am blessed to be able to attend a homeschool encouragement day tomorrow.  Christy Page will be keeping the bigger children, and I will take Mya with me. Thanks, Christy!
Mya is such a beautiful blessing to our family.  She is sweet, happy and chatters all the time!  We have all fallen in love with her, and she has slotted right into our routine and lifestyle. As I write, she is sound asleep in her bed and Brandon and Marissa are having a "sleepover" together in Brandon's room.

Thanks for your prayers!

Thank you for praying for Brandon!  He slept well, and had a good morning.  He had an appointment with the dentist at 3 pm, and it went well.  Brandon is so brave.  He has a new filling and it looks great.  I'll try to post pics soon.  He still has a bit of sensitivity to cold, so please continue to pray.

Thanks, again!
Mary, for the fam

Please pray for Brandon

About 1 1/2 years ago Brandon broke off about 2/3 of his permanent front tooth and they were able to repair it with a filling.  Tonight he fell and broke off the filling, so we will be off to the dentist first thing in the morning to have it checked out.  Please pray that it goes smoothly, and that it's not too painful for him.  He's being so brave!  We'll try to get a picture before and after to share.

Prayer Update

Dear Friends,

            We have had a great few weeks here in SA.  It has been a bit of a roller coaster ride but it is just awesome to see how God continues to bless us and the ministry.

            You all heard about our breakdown coming home from Peitermaritzburg. Well it is still not right yet and we can’t get any information from the people who repaired it.  At this point I am beginning to think we may have been scammed.  However, our car is running and we are still able to get around.

            The Page family has returned from their furlough.  Our kids were so excited to see the Page kids that it was tough sitting in the airport waiting for them to come through the doors.  Their flight was delayed by about an hour and that was just painful for the kids.  We had a great time of catching up a bit last night and hearing all that has happened while they were gone.  It is hard to believe that it is time to start planning our next furlough.  We are scheduled to come back in the middle of next year.

            There is so much more to tell you and I don’t think I can get it all in and keep this short so be sure to read the prayer request and you will see all the up and coming schedule.

Prayer Request:

1.      Group from Maine coming for visit (14^th – 28^th of Oct)

2.      On going Repair of our car ($1500 so far)

3.      Orientation at Waterfloof Baptist starts this Sunday, 10/14

4.      Orientation at KwaMhlanga starts on Monday next week, 10/15

5.      Preaching at Florida Independent this Sunday, 10/14

 

Praise Items:

1.      Page Family home in SA

2.      Mya is fitting in great with family

In His Service,
Brad Hawkins
Word of Life South Africca

Prayer Update

Things have definitely been busy in our household this week!  Tuesday we welcomed Mya Owami into our home!  Mya has been placed into our care as a place of safety. Our long term goal is to adopt her! She is such a sweet, happy baby, and we are all enjoying her! She came home to live with us on October 2.
She was born on May 28, and is now 4 months old. She coos and "talks" and smiles all day, and she sleeps all night! We are definitely blessed to have her.
Brad is glad to be back at the office, and is very busy catching up on things.  It will be nice to have the Pages back next Wednesday.
Tonight he is off to visit one of the local churches, Leondale Community Baptist.  They are using both the Olympian program and the Teen program, so he will stay for both meetings.


Praises:
Mya Owami joining our family!

Prayer Requests:
Brad Preaching at Florida Independent Baptist - Oct. 14
Orientation meetings at Waterkloof Baptist Oct. 14, 21 & 28
Short Term team coming from the US - please pray for the ministry and travel involved
Pray that all the details of Mya's adoption work out smoothly

Thank you for your faithful prayers!

Mary, for the fam
Brad, Mary, Brandon, Marissa & Mya
Word of Life South Africa