4th Letter(about) 26th September 2010

Dear friends and family
Let me begin with thanks and appreciation to the Lord, and to all those who have in some way contributed to me going to Malawi, whether it was in prayer, in kindness, in friendship or financial or any other way. (The Lord uses a myriad of ways to shed His blessings!) This thank you is insufficient to equate or describe the magnitude of blessing I have acquired through this whole experience!
To God be the glory great things he has done!

THE(bald)EAGLE HAS LANDED
Well after just less than 3 months, I have arrived in Cape Town via road by car with K. and H. and M.. We go tonight to collect C. and M. from Cape Town Airport where the family will be re-united again after a long but blessed journey from Blantyre.

ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL
Well this 3 month experience was a very colourful one.
Some experiences were bright and some were not so bright, (but such is real life) BUT all were good, as they were all ordered by an amazing good God who never tires of doing us good. His goodness follows us all the days of our lives and he exercises His goodness towards us with all His heart and with all His soul! What a God! Wonderful is His unfailing love! (Ps23v6; Jer.32v39-41)
All that K. had hoped for me to experience, I did- and more;

ALL CREATURES GREAT A-A-AND SMALL
For the first 3rd of my time, there were many exciting new experiences in ministry life- as it is now developing to be, as well as several introductions into the lives of several missionaries and Christians who stand together for each other and the Lord in a foreign land not their own. Then also, came the peace of heart to believe that I could commit to serving the Lord here along-side Keith and under his mentorship- for the 'internship' period, at least- which should be about 3 years long.
The 2nd leg was spent with a lot of practical jobs and with the company of Andrew and Julie- a Team-leading couple from the U.K who were staying with us and preparing for the arrival of their team among us. That included it's own challenges, and blessings too.

ALL THINGS WISE AND WONDERFULL
The 3rd and last leg was probably the most significant, and definitely the toughest.
It began with the Lord starting to work on deep issue's in my life which were painful, and here the Lord taught me allot about myself. Then there were times of great blessing with the team out in the village and good fellowship- not to forget the peculiar challenges such as a Malaria evacuation (By car) of the team-leading couple and a re-shuffling of leadership roles and responsibility. How the Lord brought everyone together and closer as a result, was a blessed sight to behold!
Then, once they had departed there was the countdown to wind things up at the base, in order to return to S.A. During this time there were some deep valleys and fluctuating feelings of uncertainty with regards to my future direction.

THE LORD GOD MA-ADE THEM ALL
Before I left S.A, I thought that although I would honour the decision and council to only make a decision about Malawi once settled back home again, that I would most likely know in my heart what the Lord wanted me to do...
Well I believe I do have that answer now, but oh, it did not come easy, my own heart and flesh have thrown up their resistance.(Ps73v26 and Prov.20v24) it came in such a way that, I think is clearly a sign and display of God's power and awesome control over the hearts of men to sway them and shape them to suit, and carry out His purposes! By example; I have observed my own heart swing in 180 degree's under the waves of tumult and bewilderment and contemplation of my own sinfulness and weaknesses, to a place of peaceful, quiet assurance. "...He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul.."(Ps23v2b- 3a)
I will still be submitting my way before the Eldership and the council of many and watch how God leads and directs me into the next season of my life.
On my return I have a job to return to and several offers of accommodation. God is good!
I will be arriving back on Friday the 1st and am excited to be joining the congregation in corporate worship to our great God(Lord willing) on Sunday the 3rd!
Pray for the M.rs as they prepare for the arrival of number 4 baby, and enjoy a long awaited rest in a country which has become more strange to them than Malawi and which is a more hostile one than what they are used to whilst living among the peaceful, gentle Y.
All glory be to our God.
Dave.