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Dear friends and family,

Life out here is seldom with a dull moment. And I give thanks to God and my soul rejoices in Him for his abundant supply of grace in every circumstance as He is teaching me to be content in, with and through Himself in every circumstance! (Col.4:11-13)

Since my last news posted on my blog at the end of July I have been blessed by a rich mix of experiences and ordeals that our great and wise Master and Lord and Shepherd has seen fit to lead me through, And how I love Him for it!

Some Highlights beginning from the end of July to early November (in consecutive order):

• Through my brief and intermittent experience in Theological study, I have already gained some wisdom in the interpretation and careful use of scripture and the importance of substantiation. (and that was not in my syllabus) 
• On the 19th June I started meeting with two young believing men in their twenties from a neighbouring village to discuss the bible together. I have enjoyed walking the road with them and meeting most Sundays with them for study and fellowship ever since. We have now moved the meeting time to a Saturday so that it does not interfere with their church commitments.
• I have had more prolonged back trouble this year than ever before, bearable though.
• I have also had regular stomach and bowel discomfort this year.
• We had a blessed time of two teams visiting one-after the other. I so enjoyed ministering to them and being encouraged by them as well. The first team was made up of mostly young people and the second were middle aged on average.
• I have escaped the Malaria parasite by God's grace and have not got Malaria even once yet.
• I have read three great books this year; Passion and Purity by Elizabeth Elliot, Eternity in their Hearts by Don Richardson and Toyi-Toyi by RT Lambert. 
• On the 19th August I first journalled considerations to go study Theology full-time.(My reasons will follow in a separate exert entitled, "Reasons to go study full-time")
• Travelled by local transport to Blantyre and back on the 12th September including a ride from MG. on an open bakkie with twenty people on plus some bikes and luggage!. Experienced large set-back in Blantyre regarding duty costs recently added being 85% of the purchase amount which prevented me from obtaining the hoped for vehicle.
• Saturday night on the 17th September at 12:30am I was rudely awaken from a dead sleep by three armed thieves who forced themselves upon me to take my money and valuables from me. I lost about R9000 worth of stuff, including my Lap-Top with my study notes and back up drives, as well as all my Passports (British and S.A), I.D book, drivers licence, bank cards etc.  
• The following week, whilst staying at home alone, dealing with fear and faith I had a most blessed experience with God through His word and by His presence.(See Journal entry for 17th July in Blog)
• On the 9th October I had the privilege and joy of leading the fellowship bible study on the topic of, "Satisfaction in and with God". It was received well.
• On the 17th October I attended a local village church for the first time and took my friend along with me, a rich experience.
• From the 25th Tuesday afternoon of October till Wednesday afternoon the following day I waited 28 hours for diesel in the vehicle and the fuel ran out before my vehicle got to the bowser. It was 50 degree's inside the vehicle on Tuesday afternoon!
• I had the privilege and joy on Thursday the 28th October of fellowshipping and sharing a meal with two missionary ladies who had gone through a traumatic ordeal such as mine and we were able to encourage one another.
• We are just about ready to pour the concrete slab for the new suspended garage floor, a great learning experience for me to be involved with.
• The rains are just holding back enough so far and we are hoping to get all the many bags of cement up to the school so that we can pour the foundations for the first two blocks of classrooms before the rains really hit, as the moisture will rapidly weaken the potency of the cement and hinder access up to the village itself.

Thank you for all the prayers and support.

Please take note that my blog address has changed and is redundant now, this is my new address: hisothersheep.blogspot.com/

Here you should find most of my correspondence and news. 

In His service

Dave.