Dear Friends
It’s hard for any news from South Africa to be more dramatic than the shock of the Brexit vote, the election of a new Prime Minister or the intrigues of the Labour Party. The last three months in the Nesbitt home have seen a number of changes too, with characters departing and staying, leaving and remaining. Here, in diary form, is a snapshot of life since the last time we wrote. April We thanked God for the success of Lizzy’s Africa month at school and were grateful for a break from routine Glenn remained in Johannesburg while Lizzy and the kids left for a holiday at a farm in the Free State. They had a wonderful time with a German family from church, eating delicious food and going on walks, which Zoë tackled with gusto. Lizzy finished term satisfied, but exhausted by the Africa month of events she had organised so it was the switch off she needed. Shortly after their return, Zoë celebrated her fourth birthday with a party themed around butterflies. April also saw some major changes to our garden. We felled a number of trees with invasive roots and replaced them with indigenous ones. Whilst Joseph cried as the fig tree tumbled, we have since enjoyed watching sunbirds visiting our new aloes. May We were encouraged by a visit from an Oxford friend and sad to say goodbye to a faithful companion By the beginning of May, JBC term 2 was in full swing and Glenn had a packed schedule teaching some extra classes. These went well and the students continued to work hard and grow in their faith. We enjoyed a visit from Richard Weston from Oxford and Glenn quietly planned a camping trip to the Pilanesburg for Joseph. Glenn only informed him of it on the morning they left, in order to avoid the scenario of him packing seven bags two weeks in advance and then wondering why he had no clean clothes. Our last letter also mentioned the lack of ‘be-doomp’ in Jaiva’s heart and, while Glenn and Joseph were in the Pilanesburg, her heart finally gave out. With the help of our lodger, Adam, Lizzy dug a deep hole, and on the campers’ return, she was laid to rest with Ginger looking on. She had been with us for seven years and there was not a dry eye in the house at her passing. Eventually we’ll find a tree for the grave and a new friend for Ginger, but meanwhile Zoë can eat her food without it being snatched out of her hand. June We gave thanks for five great months with Adam and a new opportunity for hospitality At the beginning of June, Adam, who stayed in our cottage, returned to the UK after a fulfilling five months serving with a local church. We appreciated his maturity, initiative and energy and wish him well for what comes next. As he was leaving, the Irish rugby team arrived (in SA, not to us), but hopes of a series victory departed in the last five minutes at Ellis Park, leaving Glenn slumped in his seat at the final whistle. While most of us were still coming to terms with the news of Brexit, Ginger was adjusting to the immigration of three imposters to his house: Boris, Coco and Cadbury. Boris is a cat with poor diplomatic skills whilst the other two are large black Labradors. They belong to a colleague of Lizzy’s who is staying in our cottage while an acrimonious divorce is settled. We’ve encouraged Ginger, in the spirit of hospitality, to take down the ‘Leave’ posters from his basket, but a few angry woofs still exchanged (Ed. Unfortunately that joke has to stay). In June, JBC hosted an excellent conference looking at the different stories South Africans tell each other and how the gospel can bring transformation and hope. We also praised God for the news that the new home for the Soweto campus has finally been purchased. The site, which previously belonged to a church, needs considerable renovations so please pray for the building work to begin soon and the remaining funds to be raised. Glenn also passed a course training him to be an assessor, in anticipation of JBC offering courses accredited by the South African education department from next January. July We look forward to a trip to the UK and pray for Home Affairs to grant Lizzy a new work permit Glenn flies to the UK on July 18th to visit a number of churches, and Lizzy, Joseph and Zoë will join him on August 6th. Our itinerary is below and we look forward to seeing many of you while we are back. Lizzy has just applied to the Department of Home Affairs for a ‘waiver’ so that her current work visa can be extended. She has a good case, but the bureaucracy can be hard to fathom, so we would really value your prayers for a speedy and successful outcome. UK Itinerary
During our time in Oxford, we hope to host an Open House, but will update Oxford supporters nearer the time about the details. Please pray for:
With love and best wishes Glenn, Lizzy, Joseph and Zoë Oatridge Prayer update Summer 2016 Serving with ACORNCAMPS in Hungary Time flies by ... First, many thanks to many of you who replied to David. He was delighted to hear from you. I don't think it rained on Mondays and there have been definite times where David did manage to study without too much fuss. We're sorry to say that it's back to the parents writing now. However, the September edition should be something special to look forward to. The summer is upon us. Today is David and Réka's last day at school and Emily's last day at nursery ever. It's one of those moments in life when you realise kids grow up so quickly. David will move from lower school (yrs 1-4) to upper school (yrs 5-8) This means a new form teacher and separate teachers for different subjects. Emily is all excited about 'becoming a big girl' and we're so delighted that she'll have the same teachers (for 4 yrs) that David had. And so as the school year ends and most people wind down ... we gear up for the busy season, and we'd certainly value your prayers for us all ... Praise God for …
1st First day of school for Emily, Réka & David! 3rd Andy and brothers in law running Mission day for Lutheran churches in Balafon region. 9-13th Andy, Zsófi & Réka in UK for trustee meeting and wedding. With lots of love
David, Andy, Zsófi, Réka & Emily Special edition by: David Árpád Oatridge (10) ... Daddy asked me to write this letter. I'm not sure why? Maybe he's too tired? I'm enjoying living in Hungary, the school is good and I would like our house to be finished and not so messy. We've just had a new cousin born "Benny-boy" can't wait until the summer holidays which aren't far away so I can go and swim in the Balaton. Church is good - I like it, I'm sure the girls like it too. I miss England, my family and would like to go there soon. Thank you for praying for us ... we sometimes pray for some of you at tea time. Praise God for …
Peeking into June 2016 ... 12th I'm going to the Anglican church because Daddy's preaching 15th My last day of school! 25th Acorncamps are starting. With lots of love
David, Andy, Zsófi, Réka & Emily Thank God for Easter and Spring ... Easter Sunday was probably the 'coldest' and 'hottest' we've ever had in March. Coldest, as we sat on wooden pews in 6-7c in an Ancient Lutheran Church near the Balaton (see below). Then warmest as we enjoyed lunch outside at Zsófi's parents' house in 21c at Zsófi's. What was great, was that in the cold and the warm we could remember again the greatest event ever in human history and be warmed and encouraged spiritually. Thanks as always for your prayers and support ... Praise God for …
Please pray for …
Peeking into May 2016 ... 1st Andy preaching and leading at Anglican Church Budapest 5-8th Potential camp with 16yr old teenagers from Miskolc Reformed School. With lots of love
Andy, Zsófi, David, Réka & Emily Dear friends
Some big decisions will be made in the months that lie ahead: Should the UK Remain or Leave? Will Trump or Clinton be the next President? Is Leicester or Spurs the safer bet? Should I enter X Factor or Britain’s Got Talent? Closer to home, here is a brief overview of a few key deliberations in the Nesbitt household, followed by some prayer points. Zoë: Which book should I get Julia Donaldson to sign? Zoë and Joseph had quite an adventurous start to the New Year. Along with some exciting visitors from the UK, we discovered that Julia Donaldson (author of The Gruffalo) was in town doing a show. We duly went along and loved it! Zoë queued patiently with her parents so Julia could sign her copy of Zog, a wait livened up by her dad helping Julia’s husband Malcolm sing ‘Stick Man’, her favourite song. Zoë loves listening to stories and shows incredible interest in the details of our days. She is often overheard lying in bed recounting various tales to ‘friends’ on ‘her’ mobile phone. Lizzy: What crafts would work for the next All Age Service? At church this year, we have tried to bring new life into the All Age Services, which had become a little stale. Using some of the ideas from ‘Messy Church’, we have pioneered making some small crafts to reinforce the main message and help make things more interactive. Feedback has been very positive, but many of the families we have hoped would come have been absent with other commitments. We continue to trust God with those we have been given, including the German family who are now good friends. Please pray for a growing core of families who are engaged deeply by the gospel through their time with us. Joseph: Should I pack my bags to go to a game park two weeks or one week in advance (leaving myself with no clothes for that period)? Shall I pack two bags or three or four or five or six? Joseph decided he wanted to study game reserves at school this year, and we eventually weaned him off this onto the broader topic of Africa. He is very excited about a trip to the Pilanesburg Game Park with an old friend from nursery, Sean, who now lives with his family in Slovakia, but is visiting South Africa with his dad. Part of the extensive preparations have involved writing lists and producing maps. As a result, his handwriting is good! He’s also reading happily, including an old encyclopedia he was recently given, which goes to bed with him. Glenn: Do we go for these plans … or these plans … or these plans for the new JBC building in Soweto? The plot does not officially belong to JBC yet (there are still a few more hurdles to be negotiated with the municipality), but the senior staff have been working on what the new building might look like with the architect and are pretty excited by what they’ve seen. Meanwhile, classes at Soweto have gone well this term, with ten new students attending consistently and the second and thirds years producing some great work on Mark’s Gospel. Please pray that they would all be back again after Easter and that term two would be as fruitful. Zoë: Shall I say ‘hello’ to Ben Stokes, or play shy? Ten days after the excitement of Julia Donaldson, our joy reached new levels at Johannesburg airport. Walking into the terminal to say good bye to Lizzy’s sister Mary, Zoë, Joseph and Lizzy bumped into the whole England cricket squad heading home. Zoë made straight for Ben Stokes, aided by her mother. Since his famous knock in Cape Town, she has hailed him as her favourite cricketer (Jospeh has remained loyal to Joe Root) so, using that as an excuse, Lizzy suggested he might like to have his photo taken with us. Zoë enjoys doing (or pretending to do) everything Joseph does, whether it’s cricket, playing in the rain or building secret hide-outs in the living room. Lizzy: Where should we put the boundaries between work and home? Lizzy has been busy at work organising something called ‘Africa @ our feet’, a cross curricular study month for Grade 9 boys. It has been energising and exhausting at the same time, particularly navigating through some of the individual staff agendas. She continues to run the staff ‘Friday Forums’ and led a seminar at a recent conference on ‘Creating a Culture of Growth amongst staff in independent schools’, which was well received. The head has approached her about a role which would consolidate some of her staff development and cross curricular work. While the post is appealing, she has deferred any decision making until some of the politics surrounding it has been resolved and the job has been defined clearly in a way which uses her gifts, but not too much of her time. Please pray that if this is a positive move, God would open the door, and if not, Lizzy would keep serving faithfully and effectively in her work at school. Joseph: How much medication will Jaiva need? Joseph has shown a lot of interest in the health of Jaiva, our female cocker spaniel, whose heart is so dodgy the vet can no longer hear the classic ‘be-doomp’ (sic.) noise it is meant to make. While Joseph was talking sensitively about the dog, his parents were simultaneously, but unknown to each other at the time, pondering where the beast would be buried should the fateful day arrive sooner than they expect. Glenn: Should JBC pursue accreditation or not? Senior staff meetings this term have been dominated by discussions about whether JBC should be government accredited and, if so, what this might look like? Although tiring, these have been stimulating and could open a new chapter for the college. Please pray for wisdom and good advice. Praise God for the large number of first year students at Auckland Park, most of whom did OK in their Gospel Assignment. We also have 15 Diploma students, who are fun to teach, but a few could do with taking their studies a little more seriously. We’ll leave you to decide when and where you pray for the following, but thank you for your support. We really appreciate it. Please pray for:
With love from the Nesbitts Glenn, Lizzy, Joseph and Zoë Happy belated New Year ..Yup, it's true, we're late with our prayer update ... sorry! But, hope that you are well, many thanks for the prayers over the last few months - we really feel like God has been looking after us and giving us the strength to keep going. Praise God for …
Please pray for …
Peeking into April 2016!! ... 9 Farnad (Slovakia) Lutheran English Youth Day 18 AC Trustee Meeting 22-23 Camp planning Weekend (Sheffield) With lots of love
my grace is sufficient for you ... (2Cor12:9)Thanks for your prayers. As some of you know the illnesses have continued and now as I write Emily is with Zsófi in the lung hospital after having not atypical pnemonia like her siblings, but a bad case of bronchitis which continued to get worse after two sets of antibiotics. Emily is okay and we're hoping she'll come home tomorrow and we're waiting for the day when all three can be in the car for the school run.
Paul's words to the Corinth church have been proved true as we've battled on since October with at least one child not being at school - and plenty of trips to doctors / hospital. We've realised - we're weak, fragile and our lives are in God's hands. We are generally very blessed with good health, but often take it for granted. Not a bad thing to realise we're weak ... even if not the easiest. Praise God for …
16 Trip to Sajogömör (Slovakia) with Shepherds 22-24 Andy & David on Dad's and lad's camp (ssshh it's a secret for David!!!) 25-28 A&Zs at youth conference (High Leigh) 28 AC Trustee meeting With lots of love Andy, Zsófi, David, Réka & Emily We have sung our songs of victory We have prayed to you for rain We have cried for your compassion To renew the land again Now we’re standing in your presence More hungry than before And we’re on your steps of mercy And we’re knocking at your door How long, before you drench the barren land? How long, before we see your righteous hand? How long, before your name is lifted high? How long, before the weeping turns to songs of joy? Dear friends
We have thought about this Stuart Townend song several times over these past few months as a drought is gripping parts of Southern Africa. Many farms are in a perilous state and as many as three million cattle may be culled to prevent further financial losses. Although Johannesburg’s supply is OK, we have had some water disruptions and are being careful in how much we use. On top of all this, university students caught the government flat footed when they protested over fee increases, the President has ordered an expensive new VIP jet and the economy is not really growing. Many people are apprehensive about the future. The song has also reminded us that the physical needs of this country point to the deeper spiritual issues, which only the gospel of Jesus can meet. At the beginning of November, 32 students graduated from JBC and although this feels comparatively small, we pray that God will use their preaching of the gospel to renew the land again. Eight of those graduates were from Soweto and we praise God that the Moravian church finally signed the contract allowing JBC to purchase their building. It has been slow progress, but one more hurdle has been overcome. Please pray for the municipality to process the transfer so that building work can begin early in 2016 with the aim of launching morning classes in 2017. The team is working hard at recruiting students for both campuses and strengthening relationships with pastors and ministry leaders. Next year promises to be action packed with JBC classes, Diploma teaching, a building project and possible course accreditation. At church we have enjoyed learning from our series in 1 Peter and how, as aliens and strangers in this world, we have a living hope in the midst of life’s ups and downs. We are all too aware that we need this perspective to anchor what we do as we try to stand firm in the true grace of God. Joseph turned six at the end of October. His party theme was ‘game rangers’ since he has enjoyed a number of camping weekends and two longer breaks at the Pilanesburg Game Park. His party reflected the friendships God has given us throughout the year and, despite it not being for her, Zoë declared afterwards that she had never been happier! Joseph loves reading and a series by the Children’s Laureate, Chris Riddell, about a girl called Ottoline, has further fuelled a parallel universe for him and Zoë to explore. As did a visit to an exhibition about the Titanic, which has been followed up by numerous google searches. A new telescope has made bedtime a little later as we wait for the moon to glow and observe its craters. His enthusiasm may have something to do with taking this year’s John Lewis Christmas advert a bit too literally. We’re encouraged as we listen to his prayers by his confidence in his heavenly Father and his concern for others. Zoë’s comment after Joseph’s birthday party gives a snapshot of how much she enjoys being with her older brother. This is seen in the fact that she too loves Ottoline, the Titanic and pretended to appreciate the Rugby World Cup. The Head of the Biology department at Lizzy’s school has lent us various bones and (plastic) body parts to explore and Zoë has loved taking them apart to observe them. Lizzy was taken aback one morning when Zoë asked, “Mummy, when are you going to get a brain?” Amused by the insult, Lizzy twigged later that she was really asking for the next anatomical model. Next year they will continue with school at home where both of them are happy and content. We enjoy watching them flourish together. When we last wrote Lizzy was about to go to a conference in Cape Town. The week was unusually sunny and her talk was well received, but she was glad to come home. She has since repeated it to a group of journalists in Jo’burg who found the content stimulating and may publish it. The staff ‘book and blog’ group has been well attended and a skype chat with an author in the UK stimulated fruitful conversations and constructive outcomes. The Friday Forums, which she has facilitated this year for staff, have also been well received, one in particular prompting some honest intereaction about racial transformation (or the lack of it). There are lots of openings for Lizzy to serve at school, but please pray that she would be wise about what she does and what she leaves undone and that amidst the internal politics, she would make it her ambition to please Christ. Glenn loved Japan’s last gasp victory over South Africa in the Rugby World Cup and also the actual final, but he couldn’t watch as Argentina scored their fourth try against Ireland in the quarters. Although a full teaching timetable kept him busy at JBC, he already misses the classroom and is giving some thought to improvements for next year. All of us are looking forward to relaxing over the holidays and the visit of a best friend in December. Prayers for the next few months:
With love from Glenn, Lizzy, Joseph and Zoë autumn leaves fall ... the work goes on ...
Thanks for your prayers. It means a lot to know that as the nights draw in, the temperature drops, the work continues ... that there are friends and family members praying both for us and the ongoing work here in Hungary. Looking back: October seems to have flown by, we had a lovely visit from Sheffield friends, visited Romania during the school break (stayed at an inspirational place for orphans set up by Christians - www.caminulfelix.org), and spent lots of time nursing children with illnesses (David: Pneumonia & Bronchitis, Réka: bad cough and chest) then helping them catch up with school work. Excitingly our church has appointed new elders who have brought renewed energy and enthusiasm with ideas of restarting a 'family monthly group' and adapting the 'mens' group'. Looking forward: November seems to be a busy month with lots of exciting things in the diary - we just hope and pray that the kids stay well, (at the time of sending we've just found out that Réka has a mild form of pneumonia and will be off school for at least a week!) and that we can use our time wisely. Praise God for …
... we hear Christmas is coming ... With lots of love Andy, Zsófi, David, Réka & Emily |
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