22 February 2018

Mark 10:29-30 NASB

Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there isno one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother orfather or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, [30] but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.”

On the day God asked us to give up a geographical closness to our family and friends in the USA we could not imagine how He would ever fill the gap. However after conducting a short survey ten years later, we can see how truly faithful our God is to fulfill His prommises. When we moved to Durban, South Africa we only knew one family. With the many social and cultural differences it was quite a challenge to form close relationships in our area. We had been working with a group of refugees to South Africa from the Congo and starting to see some fruit from this little bible study, but we still longed for close frienships.

Near the end of that first year God began to move on our behalf when one of the ladies at a church we were attending invited me to a ladies bible study. About the same time Rodney was invited to a local businessmen’s fellowship. From those two meetings the floodgate of friendship was opened up and soon people not only came for prayer but stayed for coffee!

There have been ministry opportunities we would have never even dreamed of in our local community and friendships we will forever be greatful for. The group of friends God has given us here on the Noth Coast of South Africa are amazing people. They expect us to join them on holidays and family celebrations. We are Aunty and Uncle to their children and stand in grandparents for school events. We even have several children named after us! Our own kids and grandkids in the USA now are able to video call us several times a week. How amazing is our God?

Jesus said we will recieve many times as much as we give for Him and our life is a testimony to that. We are extremely blessed to have family and friends all around the world and the blessings He pours out on us daily are overflowing. We gave God our life and He gave us back so much more. What will you trust God with today?