A Few Steps Closer

For a few months now we have known that several things would need to line up in order for us to return to America to renew our visas.  Finances is the obvious factor, but we’ll fill you in a little more on things that have been happening here and how the Lord has answered our prayers in getting us a few steps closer to take off…..

Help on the Farm – Since moving to the farm last September, Josh has been fervently praying for God to send more people to help with the workload so that we could be present more frequently in Sonskyn Valley.  Josh has worked very hard in fulfilling his responsibilities of maintaining the farm, homeschooling the children, raising a family and loving on me (his wife).  I am proud of him and how well he has balanced his time with the Lord, work, ministry, family and having fun!

Several months ago I, too, had prayed that God would send people to help.  Naturally my thoughts wandered to what people He would send from America, but then it was impressed upon my heart that He would be sending locals from South Africa to help.  I tucked that thought away but had never forgotten about it.  About 1 month ago someone in Sonskyn Valley introduced Josh to a potential worker that would be able to help on the farm.  Josh was excited but told the guy, “You’ll have to meet my wife and pass the test with her.  She has to trust you.”

The time of meeting this guy came and went.  Something did not sit right with me about him, so after talking about it with Josh, we both agreed to not pursue him any further.  Before we gave him our decision, the Lord had already planned something better!!  In the meantime, our pastor friend, Duncan, was having some work done on his home.  Then the lightbulb went off!!  He said he didn’t know why he hadn’t thought of it before, but one of the workers there would be the perfect fit to work on our farm.  In fact, this worker is like a son to him and Amanda, his wife.  They’ve known him for 13+ years.  Josh happened to be at Duncan’s house that day so Duncan introduced Josh to him.  Josh came home that day very excited and told me all about his conversation with Duncan and this man.  He told me Duncan was going to bring the man to the farm soon so I could meet him.

Introducing Spokes – I met Spokes for the first time on March 17^th.  He spent most of his time with Josh touring the farm, but in the time that I spent with him I had 100% peace.  He passed the test!!  Many months ago our neighbors’ farm workers had told Josh that he should find a guy to work on the farm that is from the Eastern Cape because they are reliable and hardworking, unlike the guys from the Western Cape whom are lazy.  Well, it turns out that Spokes is from the Eastern Cape.  Only God!  We spent a few days talking about it, and then Josh called Spokes to offer him “the job” and a place to live on the farm rent free.  We do pay him a small wage in exchange for the work he does.  Spokes was very excited and wanted to begin work right away, but we held off on him moving to the farm until March 31^st.  He brought his 9-year old daughter, Liyema, with him that first day.  Gracie loved having another girl around.  His first night here we shared a meal together and then he asked if we would pray with him….absolutely!  We are so blessed and honored to have Spokes be a part of our lives!

One thing to note is that Spokes was considering moving back to his hometown, Queenstown, because work was difficult to find here.  However, he didn’t want to move away from his daughter whom currently lives with her mom in Mossel Bay.  When we offered him the job, he knew it was a godsend.  Now he has income and can be close to his daughter.  Restoring brokenness – just like the Lord spoke to us!

A Little About Spokes – He is a very kind, respectful, grateful, hardworking and humble man!  From the beginning, we told Spokes that he is part of our family.  Josh said to him that their relationship together is far more important than the work he does for us on the farm.  That surprised Spokes but put a smile on his face.  A few days after living here Spokes told Josh:

“My heart is happy.  I don’t know how to put it into words in English.  I know God put me here.”

Spokes is Xhosa (pronounced Kosa) and speaks 4 languages.  Afrikaans is challenging to learn, but xhosa, oh my goodness – Lord help us!  It’s a beautiful language with these “clicking” sounds, but I haven’t quite gotten the hang of it yet.  Someday…..

We’ve already introduced him to “tacos”, which he thought were delicious!  We’re going to teach him how to make the refried beans, and he’s going to teach us how to make his yummy, steamed bread.  We spent a family day at the beach and invited Spokes and Liyema to join us.  It was a wonderful day.  Spokes said he hadn’t spent time like that with people in over 10 years.  Makes my heart sad for him and happy at the same time.

Spokes and Josh have worked hard to prepare the larger garden for planting.  Someone also lent us their chainsaw so they’ve been working on gathering trees and cutting them down for firewood.  There is no heating system inside homes in South Africa and it does get as cold as 30 degrees here during the winter, but we do have a little “fireplace” in our home that we’re going to try using to burn the wood in.  It’s not enclosed so we still need to work on that, and it won’t warm up the entire house, so we’re still going to have to bundle up on clothing while inside.  The colder winter weather runs from June to early September.

Our open fireplace.

God’s Timing is Perfect – The Lord knew we’d been praying for someone to help maintain the farm, and He has answered our prayers with the perfect fit!  Not only that, but His timing is perfect and I’m thankful we did not settle for less than God’s best.  One of the things that needed to be in place before leaving for America was having someone to take care of the farm and dogs while we’re away.  Who better than Spokes!

We received another $1,500 and have been told to use it however needed – to build a fence around our garden, buy plane tickets, etc.  God is good!  So, you see, God has been at work with all the little details, and we know He is in the process of working out the finances as well!

One. Step. At. A. Time.