Back to Magaliesburg

Monkey outside our room who stole our bananas.

It is a familiar place to return. The trees, mountain side, and friends who have become like family. I was greeted this morning by a monkey at the window. No doubt he wanted in the room to pillage for any food.  Oh there goes one racing across the roof. It reminds me that I am in Africa.

I met with Buyela last night for the first time. The opening session began with a group tired from a full day of activities but there were six hands in the air when I halted the discussion over two hours later. The appetite for God’s Word is so strong. Their questions literally jumped from Genesis to Revelation. Few of them read the Word every day because it is so confusing or they are so tired. Standard answers too often given by busy Christians today.

I walk the grounds of Cyara and remember former students and prior events. I sat and talked for hours with one student last year over on this bench. I watched teams dance and practice over here.  African young people were repeating lines in German in preparation for a year of performances around Europe. Faces race through the pages of my mind. Students who have become like my own children as time has passed. Weddings being discussed by those who have been serving for over two years. God has finally led them to a lifelong commitment of ministry together.

Four members of Buyela are repeating their year of service again. Snowey, Kekeletso, Clubby and Malcolm are familiar faces among the group. But there are new members to greet and get to know. Hadley, EJ, Thurston, Jarize, Emelda and Kaylin come from Cape Town to Nelspruit and various other communities throughout South Africa. There are bright young hearts hungry for knowledge and understanding.

I see Freddie, Warren, Joe and Lolo who are training these young missionaries from over Africa and Germany. Freddie is repeating his year of service with I-Themba. The stories seem endless as they came up to say that I need to talk with you.

There is one major difference this year. Cathy is at home while I am here. This is the first time we have been separated by the eight thousand miles of the Atlantic Ocean. We started Deeper Still Missions over three years ago. When I talked with her last night (it was lunch for her) she was feeding our grandson Ben.  Gosh do I miss his smiling little face also. But the impending excitement of our third grandson’s birth is exhilarating.  Zach is to be born in just a few weeks. Pray for Letitia as she prepares.

I am thankful for your prayers. We will begin drilling into the Word of God and seeking the face of God today. Now begins several weeks of love below the surface in the hearts of many missionaries and Pastors.

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Danny and Freddie Symons of I-Themba.