Dear Friends and Ministry Partners,

September went by so fast, and October is almost over. I feel like I have been moving fast and at the same time slow, looking at my life outside of time.

September was Heritage month in South Africa and October is Cancer Awareness and Mental Health month. Looking at the condition of our mind, body and spirit is something we women, and especially those of us who are African diaspora are finally embracing. I firmly believe that what we bring from our past effects both our mental and physical health. That is why the Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 3:13 (NLT), “No dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.”

I had asked my Daddy and my Auntie (mother’s side) to take one of those DNA tests. I would like to find out more about my family’s background before they are not here or can’t remember the stories. My Auntie is the last of my mother’s generation still alive and my Daddy and his two youngest siblings were last of his generation.

At the end of September, my Daddy went home to be with the Lord. Going through grief once again on top of the recent loss of my Granny and processing that grief, God has led me to look deeply into how our heritage, mental health, and physical health are interwoven. The Lord is revealing so many things to help me through this season. I am not waiting for this season to end to praise my heavenly Father. I thank the Lord right now for all the bad and the good things that have shaped my life so far. I also think about all the persons pouring into my life right now and I thank God.

Life and time continue though, and I continue to look to God for direction. I continue my Xhosa language study with more intensity because the heritage and pride of the Xhosa people. IsiXhosa is the first language of most of the students at Teleios Christian School. I continue to minister through tutoring the one learner at Teleios Christian School and my learner is helping me to look outside the box so he and I can learn mathematics. I continue to exercise, run or walk daily, for physical strength. I continue to read and meditate on God’s word daily and let the Holy Spirit guide me in all truth as John 15:13 (NLT) says,  “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own but will tell you what He has heard. He will tell you about the future.”

Monthly Highlights – Attended the American Baptist Churches of Los Angeles Southwest and Hawaii (ABCOFLASH) Annual Meeting Virtually on September 30 – October 2, 2021. Attended the Baptist Union of South Africa (BUSA) Assembly in Pretoria, South Africa on October 3 – October 6, 2021. On October 19, 2021, I, along with my Xhosa tutor, Shirley Zantsi, gave out bibles and prayed with the 12^th grade boys and girls at IQonce High School before they took their final exams. The Women’s Committee of Bethany Emmanuel Baptist Church annually distributes bibles to 12^th grade girls at the local high schools.

Praise Report:

• Doves are nesting on a stepladder on my veranda. Two baby doves were born. Remembrance that God takes care of the birds and He is taking care of His children. (Matthew 6:26)

• My neighbors and church family are surrounding me with their presence. Small group bible study and early morning prayer with my neighbors on the front steps

• South Africa is now on level one , this is an easing of the Covid 19 restrictions, and there is an increased supply of vaccines

Prayer Requests:

• My Family during our time of bereavement
• The South African government’s ability to get everyone vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus
• Xhosa Language studies
• Teleios Christian School Principal, Assistant Principal, Teachers and Teacher Aids
• The students at Teleios Christian School and their families
• Bethany Emmanuel Baptist Church, Project Dorcas, to continue to help women and their families during the pandemic
• Village churches and schools surrounding King William’s Town
• The ministry of letting Christ be known through Math and Science at Teleios Christian School and surrounding villages
• Our recognizing that God has brought us together to make a difference in the lives of children in South Africa as well as in your local area
• Missionary families, especially those with children
• MPT (Missionary Partnership Team) Agape
• My family in the USA while I am in South Africa
• ‘Partners’ and ‘friends’ specific prayer requests (Please email me, I love hearing from you.)