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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 UPDATE
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Hello Friends,
2019 has begun in a whirlwind! Term 1 of school is in full swing, so that means that Terrah is back in the three schools she was teaching in last year, and she has more students than ever! Levi and Chloe started back as well. Levi is now in Grade 1 at Knysna Primary School...how did that happen? He is enjoying the larger class and the new opportunities that "big school" affords. Chloe is now in grade RR (equivalent to K-4), and absolutely loving it!
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We have resumed our life group at our house, and it has now grown to 4 families. We are doing a study in the book of John, and enjoying growing together in our understanding of who Jesus is and the impact that knowledge must have on our lives as we seek to build redemptive relationships in our community.
Terrah's a cappella choir, Resound, is back into the swing of things as well. We've been given an incredible opportunity to hold concerts as fundraisers for local Hospice facilities across the Garden Route and even into the surrounding region later this year. So we are learning a wide variety of music from numerous genres, revolving around a theme of the journey of life. So we are on a musical journey called "Stages." We are singing about youth and age, love and sorrow, life and death, both about the past and about the future. Please pray with us as we learn many challenging pieces from a musical perspective, and as we assist in helping raise funds for those who are experiencing one of their last stages of life, and usually a difficult one at that.
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The Embark youth group and the Embark Girls bible study are in full swing as well. Our teen group is growing steadily, and we are so grateful for the new teens that have joined us in the last few months. Last year we explored "The 5 Big Questions of Life." Questions like: Where do I come from? Who Am I? What Am I supposed to do? Having now attempted to lay the right biblical foundation, we are moving into a new topic: Taking the Next Step. In this journey through Philippians, we are looking at what are the next things we must all be learning and applying in our daily life. How do we study the bible? How do I share my faith with others? How do I pray? So please pray for us and our colleagues the Hunters as we together lead this group of teenagers to take the next step in their walk with Christ.
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Speaking of teenagers, we are in full-on planning mode for our upcoming 3rd annual Garden Route Youth Camp, coming up on 18-21 March. As you may remember from the last two years, we have taken about 30 campers to a guest farm about 45 minutes outside of Knysna for 3 days, having an amazing time learning about God through preaching, personal devotions, and small groups; playing crazy games; eating awesome food; and spending time outside in God's beautiful creation. This year, we plan to grow the camp to 40 teenagers, introduce some new speakers, and incorporate more scripture memorization into the program. This event is one of the highlights of our year, and one of the most intense logistical undertakings as well. It would not be possible to pull off without our Knysna Hope and Garden Route team, fulfilling crucial roles in making camp a success. But additionally, part of the success of the camp depends on you! First, will you begin praying for us, our team, and the campers that will be with us? We may plan the most incredible few days ever, have the greatest games, and most wonderful food, but it is the Spirit of God that will open the hearts of the teenagers that will hear His word. So please pray that God will move powerfully in our camp. And second, as you probably remember, at least half of our campers will be coming from economic circumstances that prevent them from having the financial resources to pay the camp fee. Would you consider sponsoring a camper? It is $65 to send a teen to camp. Just click the link here for more information about sponsorships; we would love to have you be involved in this tangible way! Below is our promo video this year's camp, enjoy!
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GRYC19 Promo Video!
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We are also rejoicing that our friends and future teammates (well, not so far into the future now!), Brett and Brittni Stowe and their son Isaiah, last week received their 3-year volunteer visas! We look forward to their coming join our team full-time in just a few weeks! We are so thankful that God has provided for their family during the fundraising process and now through the visa application process. And we look forward to seeing how God will use them for his Glory in Knysna and the Garden Route!
Thank you for your continued prayer and support of our family. It is a privilege to serve and minister here in Knysna, but we know that it is only through the sacrificial financial support of so many of that we can be here. So we thank you, and we pray for you often. We love you all!
-Caleb, Terrah, Levi & Chloe
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As you remember, in our update last October, we outlined our additional support-raising needs and plans to visit the US later this year (if you missed it, read it here).
From our last update in early January, we are unchanged in our projected support, remaining at 53%. As you know, we have a limited time in the US to raise the remaining support for us to stay here in South Africa. So would you please pray about coming onto our monthly support team now? Or if you already are, would you consider increasing your monthly financial gift? Growing our support now is critical to reaching 100% by the end of our visit Stateside. Just click the "Support Us" button below!
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Leveraging business and music for the glory of God among the nations in Knysna, South Africa!
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