We give thanks to God for his goodness to us. In the last newsletter Louise shared about how time had flown by. This year has been no different, Easter weekend was upon us before we even realized it.
ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS.
Ministry has been good over the past four months. We have a number of new students at our ZEBS class. Nearly half of the students will be finishing their fourth year this year. This is the largest class graduating since before covid.
The class continues to be a good time of interaction and exploring God’s Word.
One of the young guys that attends the Monday morning Bible study asked if we would baptize him. Barry and Mfundisi B baptized him in a local river. What a privilege to witness this baptism while the business of life carried on around us.
Two of the men that attend this Bible study are unemployed. The one guy is 43 and the other in his early 30’s. They have never been employed full time both have been actively looking for employment this year. Please be praying with us for these young men to find a way to make a living.
WHAT LIES AHEAD.
This season in our life is a little bit upside down with Louise not having her normal capacity. In all of that God is still opening doors for us to speak into people’s lives. In our own strength we would not be able to do what we are currently doing; it is all by His strength and grace.
We have been asked to open a ZEBS in Plettenburg Bay. Timon Stiener has offered to see if this will work by teaching a This We Believe course there. We are praying that the timing will be right and there would be opportunity to teach God’s Word through a ZEBS in Plett.
Barry was also asked last week if we could open a ZEBS in Kamvelihle, just a few streets away from where he was hijacked. The idea we have is to teach a “This We Believe” course and then to start a new Bible study. We are trusting that Louise would be able to be part of this, as the group would start off being all ladies.
GOD’S GOODNESS ALWAYS
Louise’s tests in Dec and Jan came back clear and there is “physically” nothing wrong with her heart. So, the diagnosis is “burnout”. The end of last year was the tipping point for her and her body has said “I’m done”. All her symptoms were exactly those of a heart attack, it was a very scary experience. So, with the advice of the professionals who are working with her, we are working hard at preventing a nervous breakdown. She is currently seeing a life coach and a therapist.
She has commented that it has been really hard work figuring out how to stop, listen to her body and Jesus and rest, when life is really hard most times, and her body really does not have energy to do much of anything. It has been baby steps in the right direction.
The university that Peta-Jade attends relocated at the beginning of this year, and this has been a real challenge. Both our children do not cope well with change. There has been so much change this year. Peta-Jade’s fibromyalgia has been flaring and this is made worse by the pressure and the workload as well as a difficult lecturer. She set her heart on becoming a clinical psychologist since she was about 13 years old, and we would like to see her being able to fulfill that dream as she helps other people. She has so much to give. Please join us in continued prayers for her.
Nathan has been working on his computer programming skills and making short videos for his channel. His exercise routine is going well, and it ends up being a time where he and Louise spend chatting about life as Louise counts the reps and encourages him.
Barry was supposed to go for rotor cuff surgery on his right shoulder after Easter but that is now on hold for now, so that we can give Louise some time to heal.
The fall was a blessing in disguise. When he went to the orthopedic surgeon for his checkup the Doctor commented about Barry’s cholesterol.
Barry does not have high cholesterol according to the health checks for medical aid. The surgeon commented that one can only see the arteries in the arm on the x-ray with someone who has high cholesterol and so he warned Barry that he is a high risk for a heart attack or stroke.
Barry saw the cardiologist in Jan, and he has calcification of the arteries.
They are now able to help prevent these life-threatening things from happening.
We do appreciate the sacrifice so many make to help us do what God has called us to do. We appreciate all who partner with us.
Lots of love
Barry, Louise, Peta-Jade and Nathan Adkins.
Giving in South Africa:
Bank details.
Standard Bank Current Account; Acc name: ZEMA; Acc no: 081047401;
King Williams Town; Branch no: 050419; Ref: “Your name/ Adkins