Happy days!  These past few months have been filled with family and friends.  As you can see from the picture above, we were together as a family here in South Africa! It was our first time together since Ana and Frenchie’s wedding in Dec of 2022!  Although we were expecting Ana and Frenchie, Isaac’s trip was a surprise, or was supposed to be, at least!  (I found out a week before.)  We had an amazing time together cooking great meals, making coffee (Isaac’s specialty), and playing games.  My heart was full, but then felt crushed when the three of them returned to the US last week.  Sigh!  “Thank you, God, for such a blessing, and thank you that Margaret is still here!”  Understandably, it’s been a tough readjustment for Phoebe to be without her older siblings once again.

Prior to their visit, we spent the month of July in the US.  It was wonderful seeing some of you again and feeling your love and support.  Reconnecting with you and meeting some lovely new people was definitely a highlight for us, and balm to our souls.

One of our goals in going to Boston was to take Phoebe to various appointments at Children’s Hospital.  We had an all-time high of 14 appointments!  Some of these appointments were routine for kids with Down syndrome or Diabetes, and some addressed areas of concern for us.  The most helpful appointments were Urology and Developmental Medicine.  Urology revealed that there are some physical reasons why Phoebe is unable to be properly potty-trained, so we will be working with a pelvic floor specialist here in Cape Town.  Developmental Medicine provided a psychological evaluation of Phoebe that we need in order for me to apply to become her guardian when she turns 18 next May.  This later appointment was overwhelming not only in terms of highlighting Phoebe’s deficits, but also in inundating me with paperwork and resources to help navigate the legal process, hopefully culminating in a court appearance granting me guardianship.  As her guardian, I will be able to continue making all (medical, legal, financial) decisions regarding her care.  So, it seems that Phoebe and I will need to return to Boston when we get a court date.  But, one step at a time.

Another highlight of our time in the US was attending Family Camp with our Spanish-speaking brethren through the First Baptist Church of Washington, DC.  We have known some of these dear friends since Alberto and I met, so it is always a sweet time of fellowship with them.  This year, I shared two devotionals from the Book of Ruth, which was not easy in Spanish!  When we put ourselves in a situation where we need God’s guidance, though, He is always faithful.

Other highlights included staying with my parents and seeing my brother and nephew who flew in from the west coast.  Alberto was also able to spend some time with his family in El Salvador.

In between traveling to the US and receiving family here, the busyness of daily life and ministry continues.  Alberto has been attending meetings with Hope Prison Ministry and following up with folks.  He also jumped back into soccer ministry and has started attending the church plant in the prison again.  Yesterday’s sermon was on the “Father-heart of God,” which elicited a lot of tears from the pre-sentenced young men.  Seeing God as a father is complicated, as it addresses issues of abandonment, but also touches our very core of needing to be seen and loved by our Creator.

While we were in the US, a team from Colorado came and stayed in our home (with Margaret).  They participated in a Restorative Justice conference at Pollsmoor Prison.  Their presence in our home was a blessing, as it was a safety concern of ours to leave Margaret home alone.  (She could not travel with us due to her college classes.)

I have been busy submitting taxes in South Africa, which are due in October.  (And yes, we have to file in the US as well.) Ministry-wise, I continue to lead our twenty-member YWAM core group.  I have been invited to join the staff services and care team, so I am praying about this and talking to people about what it would entail.  Phoebe and I have continued with the church plant at the bottom of our street, which, although convenient, is a challenge for Phoebe.  I’m still praying about what to do about this.

In other exciting news, Margaret turns 21 next week, and Isaac turned 25 yesterday!  Phoebe received her first-ever birthday party invitation from a friend at school.  Her school continues to be amazing, and we are so grateful she can attend.  Her aide, Leigh-Anne, has sadly given us notice though, as she has her eyes set on an overseas job.  Please pray for God’s blessing on her desires, and that we could find another equally amazing person who can love Phoebe, help her at school, and manage her diabetes.

Attached are pictures of dear people, taken in chronological order top to bottom, starting with our time in the U.S.

Thanksgiving

* A wonderful time of reconnecting with friends and family in the US and Alberto’s visit to El Salvador in July.
* The many helpful appointments at Children’s Hospital.
* A full house with Ana, Frenchie, and Isaac.
* Leigh-Anne’s work with Phoebe at school.
* Isaac’s and Margaret’s birthdays and God’s mercy and blessing in their lives.
* The end of the coldest, wettest winter on the books in Cape Town, which included snow on Table Mountain!

Prayer Points

* The men, who recently gave their lives to Jesus in the recent Restorative Justice conference, to walk out their new calling in the face of great challenges.
* A new aide for Phoebe starting in January, successful pelvic floor therapy, and God’s blessing on her newest therapy, Spelling 2 Communicate.
* Guidance in the guardianship process I am pursuing for Phoebe.
* A new car for Alberto, who has been car-sharing with Margaret, and/or accommodation for Margaret closer to her school in downtown Cape Town.
* A job for Margaret.  She has been unsuccessful in finding work in our area, so restaurants in downtown may be more promising.  (With a 33% unemployment rate, it is VERY hard to find work here, especially for non-Africans.)
* Isaac’s career pivot into the coffee market.
* Ana and Frenchie’s full ministry schedule this fall.
* Mercy and help for all those whose homes have leaked during the recent rains.
* A church for us where Phoebe is welcome.
* Restoration and healing at Park Street Church.