October Update

The last half of our GAP year is flying by.  On October 8, 2012, the students will begin their last quarter at GAP. 

Eleven of the students have been busy with applications for university and most have been completed and submitted.  We encouraged them to apply to more than one university as it is very difficult to be accepted at the universities here. 

During the last quarter, the GAP students did job shadowing.  It was a hectic time each morning departing by 6:30 a.m. delivering students.  Students were assigned to different places:  a hospital, a school, the SPCA, a B&B, electricians, plumber, construction firm, engineering firm, radio stations, a police station, a farm, fashion design, and the Department of Treasury.  Most of them had really good experiences.

The third quarter is always a difficult one as students become tired of school and abiding by GAP rules.  We were saddened to have two students decide they did not want to finish the GAP year.  We pray that they continue to remember what they learned in their months at GAP, their commitment to Christ, and will continue to grow spiritually. 

When discouragement comes, it seems like God always gives encouragement.  Two weeks ago, one of last year’s students came and spent the afternoon with us.  Lawrence met daily with this young man last year as he didn’t like to submit to authority or rules.  At the end of GAP, he started stocking shelves with a grocery chain and proved himself so well he has been promoted and now doing managerial training.  He thanked us for our loving him, teaching him, and disciplining him.  He said he wouldn’t be where he is today without God’s direction and all he learned from us and other GAP leaders.  He told us that he is certain that God sent us to South Africa last year specifically for him.    

Pray for us and the students during this last eight weeks that university acceptances will come and job opportunities will open up for those not starting university in January.  

Gap activities in South Africa

It has been quite some time since our last blog so will try to catch you up with some highlights of  activities at the GAP in the last few months. 

In April twelve of the students were baptized and it was a great event here at the GAP house swimming pool.  What a blessing as we watch the lives of these students change. 

In June we took the students to a camp ground for four days for a time of fun, relaxation, and special times of worship and Bible study.  Despite the cool temperatures and rain most every day, we did get good weather one morning to play games on the beach.  At the end of camp, students left for their three week winter holiday. 

Thanks to those of you who have contributed to our TYW 06 ministry account, during the winter holiday we were able to have some much needed electrical work done at the GAP house and two bathrooms were renovated for our male students.  They were so excited when they returned from holiday and found that they now have two showers instead of one.  Donations from people here in S. Africa made it possible to purchase a new refrigerator and get better tables for the dining room.     

July 16^th began the second semester of Gap.  Besides the routine of our usual classes, we had two life skill classes that focused on Peer and Family Relationships.  We also watched the movie “Courageous.”  This is a powerful movie for so many here who do not have fathers.  Many of the issues we face working with the GAP students are due to parental rejection or death of the parents.  Pray for us as we try to “step in the gap” and make a difference in these students lives. 

In July, our friend and co-worker Leo O’Connor lost his 10 month battle with cancer and went to be with our Lord.  Thank you for all your prayers for Leo’s family.  His service was truly a celebration of his life and ministry lasting 3 hours with about 700 people in attendance.  There was worship, tears and laughter as many shared about Leo. 

The last semester really focuses on career choices and preparing them for life after they leave GAP on December 1.  The next few months we will be working with students on university applications and/or job placements.  Some have already started the process of filing university applications.   Please pray for the right opportunities to be found for our students.   

Thanks to each of you for your interest and support of our ministry with the GAP Youth Mentorship Program.

Greetings from the GAP campus

It is a very warm day here in East London at 88 degrees.  It is hot but the wind is blowing and that helps.   Classes are going well and students will be taking exams soon for the end of their first 9 weeks.  The year is flying by quickly.

Saturday was “family day” at the GAP, and despite the rain we had 20 visitors here for a “cookout” which is called a “braii” here in South Africa, making 42 of us for lunch.  Not all students had someone to come but they had a good time anyway.    We were so proud of the students as one young lady MC’d the program, some of the students put on a skit that had everyone laughing, and the student body sang the GAP song as well as worship songs.   It was a good time for all and despite our concerns as we were the only adult staff here, God worked out all the little details that earlier in the week looked insurmountable.

Praise for great sharing with the students this week.  One of our young men shared what a miracle God had performed in his life since his decision to come to GAP and how that brought about his salvation experience and a real change in his life.  Another young man has been meeting with Lawrence daily and shared that even though he knows he is saved , he has lots of questions.  So they are going through some portions of the Bible together.  Sunday, one of our young ladies accepted Christ at church this morning.    

Praise that no one was hurt Saturday evening when we had a freak accident occur.  One of the guys had walked our dog “Sunny” and then was playing with her in the front yard playing chase.   It is a straight run through the front porch of the house to the back patio.  Sunny went flying through at a dead run but didn’t realize the patio door was shut.  She hit it full force and shattered the entire sliding door.  Thankfully no one was hurt from the flying glass and Sunny only had a minor cut which is amazing. 

Pray for successful job shadowing for next week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday).  This is done twice a year to help students get a feel for a certain type of career they might be interested in. 

Continue to pray for Leo O’Connor.  He is scheduled to speak at this week’s chapel on Friday.  Pray for bodily strength that he will be able to share his story with our students.

Thanks for your continued interest and support of our work here.

Louise and Lawrence

February 11, 2012

Saturday Feb. 11th

Finished our first full week with the students.  Everyone seems to be settling in.  We now have 18 students and 2 student leaders.  Today is Saturday and Lawrence has walked with the students to the beach.  Yes, the beach is within walking distance (long walk) but good exercise.  Many students have begun to share with us and is good to be able to get to know them and hear their story.  We shared our testimonies with them on Monday evening and it opened up lots of dialogue as they had many questions.  Most South Africans will say they are Christian because they believe in God, but we found last year that the students didn't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and knew little about the Bible. 

We were able to purchase a vehicle yesterday and thank those of you who helped make that possible.  It is a 2009 Toyota Avanta that seats 8 people which will help with student transport.  All but front seats fold down flat so lots of room for Louise to transport groceries.  We praise God for His leadership in directing us to just the right vehicle.  It is in great condition with low mileage and still under warranty.

Continue to pray for Leo O'Connor.  We miss him so much this year as he was such an integral part of the program.  We know it is difficult for him not to be here.  Pray as he battles the cancer with ongoing radiation and chemotherapy.  The treatments made him quite ill last week but he continues to be in good spirits and gives God glory and praise no matter the situation.

Thanks for your continued prayers.

Lawrence and Louise

February 4, 2012 thoughts

Feb. 11, 2012

Feb. 4, 2012

Greetings from South Africa,

We have been here for about a week and a half and time has flown by.   We appreciate those of you who have sent emails of encouragement.  We apologize that our responses have been slow but we literally have been working from approximately 6 am to 10 pm at night preparing for the students’ arrival.  They arrived on Wednesday, Feb. 1^st, even though the house is still a work in progress.  The owners were slow in moving their belongings out of the house and we ended up packing their things and placing it all in one room.  There was a lot of cleaning to be done but we had many church members helping each evening after their work day. 

Late Wednesday afternoon we were able to move into our flat.  It is actually much smaller than our cabin last year but we do have a nice bathroom and hot water.  The doors were too small to get our loveseat  or chairs into the area so we will be doing reading and lounging in our free time on the bed.  We have internet going now (sometimes quite slowly) so let us hear from you.  Haven’t tried skyping as yet but Pastor Richard was able to get through to us on our McKinney skype number.   

We have 17 students plus 2 student leaders.  Not all came that were enrolled.  We are spending lots of time getting to know the students.  They have been very willing to help with cleaning and cooking.  They seem to be enjoying the meals that Louise has cooked.  Not a bite is left after each meal so guess that speaks for itself.  Cooking is definitely a challenge and quite time consuming.  This week has been mostly orientation, but classes begin in full on Monday.  Lawrence has been busy creating English literacy and Math skills tests to give in order to determine their level of understanding. 

Praise and Prayer items:

1.       We are thankful for safe arrival and for Pastor Marius Gradwell and his wife Linda who opened up their home with such good hospitality.  We had many good talks late at night and got to know each other well.  Thankful our jet lag seems to be over or maybe exhaustion has hit.

2.       We praise God for the students that He has sent us and the openness they have shown thus far, and a good start despite all the little inconveniences (like flooding from heavy rains on Thursday).

3.       Pray for Leo O’Connor who began radiation and chemotherapy this week.  He is in Durban (about 5 hour drive from East London) where he is undergoing treatments. 

4.       Pray for a suitable used vehicle will be found soon for us to purchase.  At present we are driving Linda’s vehicle but this puts a strain on their family transportation.   

5.       Pray for our students.  Many of them come from an undesirable background but seem to really desire to change which is only possible through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Thanks for your prayers and continued support.

Louise and Lawrence

Departure Date to return to S. Africa

We are departing to return to South Africa on January 23, 2012, to again minister in the GAP Youth Mentoring Program.  We have had a great time visiting family and friends but looking forward to the new class of students which begins on February 1st. 

Back Home

We left S. Africa on July 28th and was able to spend some time with our son in Washington DC prior to his deployment to Iraq.  We returned to McKinney on Aug. 9th and has been good to be with family and friends.  We will be sharing about our mission experiences in several venues at First McKinney including BFG's, Ignite, and Baptist Women on Mission during the months of October and November.  We are preparing to return to South Africa to work in the GAP Youth Mentorship Program in January. 
Prayer Requests:  Remember the GAP students in your prayers that they will feel God's leadership as they graduate from the program in early December, and that they will continue a close walk with Jesus as they step out into the secular world in jobs or further education.
Pray for us as we prepare to return to minister in South Africa in January.
We also ask for prayer for Leo O'Connor, GAP director, for divine healing of his cancer and restoration of his health.