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There is something about Cape Town at this time of year that fills one with anticipation. It has been a long, dry summer and the Western Cape water crisis is at its peak. Dam levels are at record lows…so low that the water literally tastes and smells like pond scum. But there is the promise of winter rains…good rain has brought an end to the drought stricken areas in the northern parts of southern Africa. By God’s grace and mercy, we pray that the rains for this area will be moderate, but sufficient to stem the tide, as it were.

Politically, the country faces yet another crossroad. The current situation is being likened to the excesses of the Apartheid era. Calls for the resignation of the current President are heard throughout the land from every sector of society, including from within his own party. People euphemistically speak about this period as a “very interesting time”. Indeed.

But biblically, drought and political instability have often served to bring God’s people to their knees and the situation in southern Africa is no different. This past week, 1.7 million people gathered on cleared farmland in the Free-State area specifically to pray for the country. In churches across the land, God’s people are being called to pray…and God has promised that when His people turn to Him, He will turn to them, hear their prayers, and heal their land.

So, we are all anticipation on so many levels.

On a personal note, Louise and I are still trying to sort ourselves out as far as settling in is concerned. We do have our South African ID booklets and a place of residence, but we are still working on our driver’s licenses and getting Louise’s mum’s car in her name. Yes, we have purchased the Queen’s blue chariot. While this is not ideal for long distance travel, it does get us around the Cape area and will have to suffice until we can raise more funds.

It seems strange to talk about culture shock, as South Africa, and Cape Town in particular, is Louise’s home country, but things change over the course of twenty years and we have found that, although the country has a 1^st world veneer, the reality is a lot different. In spite of the fact that many modern things are in place, such a fibre optic cable, it takes a long time for anything to actually work. Life is also a lot more expensive than we remember and we will really have to budget carefully as we plot our course forward.

Much to my disappointment, we did not get to train the team up in Mozambique…yet…the training has been postponed for various reasons and we are waiting on the Bishop there to give us a new date. Please pray that this all falls into place sooner rather than later as the folks on the ground really want to get this discipleship program up and running!

Louise and I have moved into our new office as well. The GtC Director, Trevor and our fellow team member, Wayne have worked tirelessly in making this a beautiful and very functional environment for us. In many ways they have all spoiled us rotten! They are very gentle in allowing us to find our place in the team slowly but surely. We also have our official GtC email addresses thanks to Michael and Rae…and they are:

Johann: training@growingthechurch.org.za

Louise: leadership@growingthechurch.org.za

Note that these are not personal, but official emails, so please continue to use Vanderbijl@gmail.com for all other correspondence.

Our new snail mail (for letters and small, flat articles only) address is:

201 The Chelsea

Electric Road

Wynberg 7800

Cape Town, South Africa

For care packages or any other larger deliveries, please use:

Braehead House
1 Braehead Road
Kenilworth 7708
Cape Town, South Africa

Our South African Telephone number is: +27 (72) 958-5845

Please do let us hear from you soon! We love you and want to stay connected.

Many blessings and hugs.

Johann and Louise