I will lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.... The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
Psalm 121: 1,2 and 8
Dear Friends
Most countdowns end 3,2,1 but we are conscious as we enter the last five weeks of our time here that the best way to count down is by holding onto the promises of Psalm 121. We have just returned from a short break by the Lesotho border and as we looked over the beautiful Maluti mountains, we prayed together with hope for the weeks ahead. As we reflect on how God is watching over our going out and our coming in, we are particularly thankful for:
1. The wonderful provision of a home for us in Oxford
As we mentioned in our last prayer letter, we prayed one evening for God to provide more than we could ask or imagine in terms of a home in Oxford as we couldn't work out how to finance one. After praying with Joseph and Zoë, Glenn went to check his emails to discover that a house in an amazing location, with more space than we ever imagined we could afford was likely to be available in August and was ring fenced for someone doing international student ministry At the end of May we discovered we had been granted it. Alleluias could be heard around St. John's and JBC that morning.
2. The provision of a wonderful home for Ginger in Johannesburg
This may seem too high up the list for some of you, but re-homing our old loyal semi toothless hound had preyed on Lizzy's mind. A colleague of Lizzy's came over for some handover and he persuaded her to adopt him. He goes to live with Jenny and Dev at the beginning of August.
3. Heartfelt goodbyes at JBC
Glenn finished lecturing at JBC in the first week of June. There was a sense of the closing of a chapter and the opening of a new one in Soweto when on June 15th they had a vision and prayer evening for the campus that is being built in Soweto. God has generously provided nearly all the funding for the new site and there are weekly developments on the site.
4. Expectation and excitement at Emmanuel Christian School
On June 16th Lizzy led the staff inset via Skype on next term's theme, 'Detectives' and last Monday presented her vision for the year ahead to the association. The body of a well-resourced library has been provided and there is a tangible sense of excitement about the new opportunities September will bring.
As we look to the hills ahead of us, please pray particularly that:
1. God will provide a buyer for our house
We have repeatedly told the children that during our married life, God has always provided generously for us at just the right time, but this is going particularly close to the wire. We thought we were close to an offer last week only to discover the 'buyer' was a hoax and while he gave his details to put in an offer, his friend stole Glenn's laptop. Please pray for a more than we can ask or imagine provision. The movers arrive on July 12th and pack the container on the 13th. We fly on the 7th August.
2. God will enable Lizzy to end well at St. John's
School continues to be a sad place where many staff are disillusioned by a legal process which has been pursued against a colleague which appears to be a cruel and manipulative abuse of power. Please pray for Lizzy to know when to speak and when to stay silent, and particularly that her leaving speech would speak hope into a very painful situation.
3. God will give us strength as we say goodbyes
All of us process change differently. Zoë is convinced she is going to live with us until she gets married and then only move around the corner. So as long as she is with us, she is joyful and excited about the future. Joseph is more circumspect and processing particular losses more deeply. Both Glenn and Lizzy find tears tiring! Please pray for all of us to say goodbyes which will bless and encourage those we have worked with, played with, and shared life with.
We look forward to being in touch when we land in the UK with stories of God's 121 countdown. In the words of one of our favourite hymns:
So Spirit come, put strength in every stride
Give grace for every hurdle
That we may run, with faith to win the prize
Of a servant good and faithful.
With much love
Glenn, Lizzy, Joseph and Zoë
--
Glenn B Nesbitt
11, First Avenue
Melville
Johannesburg
South Africa
2092
(h) 011 7266250
(w) 011 8300820
(m) 072 8833244
Psalm 121: 1,2 and 8
Dear Friends
Most countdowns end 3,2,1 but we are conscious as we enter the last five weeks of our time here that the best way to count down is by holding onto the promises of Psalm 121. We have just returned from a short break by the Lesotho border and as we looked over the beautiful Maluti mountains, we prayed together with hope for the weeks ahead. As we reflect on how God is watching over our going out and our coming in, we are particularly thankful for:
1. The wonderful provision of a home for us in Oxford
As we mentioned in our last prayer letter, we prayed one evening for God to provide more than we could ask or imagine in terms of a home in Oxford as we couldn't work out how to finance one. After praying with Joseph and Zoë, Glenn went to check his emails to discover that a house in an amazing location, with more space than we ever imagined we could afford was likely to be available in August and was ring fenced for someone doing international student ministry At the end of May we discovered we had been granted it. Alleluias could be heard around St. John's and JBC that morning.
2. The provision of a wonderful home for Ginger in Johannesburg
This may seem too high up the list for some of you, but re-homing our old loyal semi toothless hound had preyed on Lizzy's mind. A colleague of Lizzy's came over for some handover and he persuaded her to adopt him. He goes to live with Jenny and Dev at the beginning of August.
3. Heartfelt goodbyes at JBC
Glenn finished lecturing at JBC in the first week of June. There was a sense of the closing of a chapter and the opening of a new one in Soweto when on June 15th they had a vision and prayer evening for the campus that is being built in Soweto. God has generously provided nearly all the funding for the new site and there are weekly developments on the site.
4. Expectation and excitement at Emmanuel Christian School
On June 16th Lizzy led the staff inset via Skype on next term's theme, 'Detectives' and last Monday presented her vision for the year ahead to the association. The body of a well-resourced library has been provided and there is a tangible sense of excitement about the new opportunities September will bring.
As we look to the hills ahead of us, please pray particularly that:
1. God will provide a buyer for our house
We have repeatedly told the children that during our married life, God has always provided generously for us at just the right time, but this is going particularly close to the wire. We thought we were close to an offer last week only to discover the 'buyer' was a hoax and while he gave his details to put in an offer, his friend stole Glenn's laptop. Please pray for a more than we can ask or imagine provision. The movers arrive on July 12th and pack the container on the 13th. We fly on the 7th August.
2. God will enable Lizzy to end well at St. John's
School continues to be a sad place where many staff are disillusioned by a legal process which has been pursued against a colleague which appears to be a cruel and manipulative abuse of power. Please pray for Lizzy to know when to speak and when to stay silent, and particularly that her leaving speech would speak hope into a very painful situation.
3. God will give us strength as we say goodbyes
All of us process change differently. Zoë is convinced she is going to live with us until she gets married and then only move around the corner. So as long as she is with us, she is joyful and excited about the future. Joseph is more circumspect and processing particular losses more deeply. Both Glenn and Lizzy find tears tiring! Please pray for all of us to say goodbyes which will bless and encourage those we have worked with, played with, and shared life with.
We look forward to being in touch when we land in the UK with stories of God's 121 countdown. In the words of one of our favourite hymns:
So Spirit come, put strength in every stride
Give grace for every hurdle
That we may run, with faith to win the prize
Of a servant good and faithful.
With much love
Glenn, Lizzy, Joseph and Zoë
--
Glenn B Nesbitt
11, First Avenue
Melville
Johannesburg
South Africa
2092
(h) 011 7266250
(w) 011 8300820
(m) 072 8833244