Today was another day in the line of days where we go up the mountain, down the mountain, up the mountain, and down the mountain, over and over again. Between picking up electricians, plumbers, visitor, and then taking them back down - it was very motor-vehicle sort of a day.
After 2 days of being without electricity, we ended up spending a lot to get an electrician to come and put in a new cable to the SEB (Swaziland Electricity Board) power box. It was dark by the time it was installed, and I actually had to drive our car outside the gate so we could get some light. After that was done, we went to SEB to inform them that the cable was ready, and to please do the finishing touches. Whilst they did not come out that night, around 10am today, they arrived and got the power back. Praise God!
The next thing that we have been dealing with is the water tank. It seems that we have a leak. In the last 4 days we have had 18,000 liters of water delivered... today we realized we are almost empty again. Ugh... So now it is back in the morning to hook up another tank and hopefully that will work. Please be praying for this.
The great news is that we did manage to have some fun today with our new student, Mariana. We had a great family meal all together, and afterwards had a time of worship and then prayed over the entire house in anticipation of students arriving tomorrow.
Speaking of which tomorrow marks arrival day for all of our students! We will be picking the first one at 11:15 am, then at 1:00 pm, and the other will be arriving around 4 pm. Planning on having a big family night, and then come the morning DTS officially starts!
Blessings!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
It Comes Down To This
Today was a very stressful day as we are running around putting out fires with very little time to do so. : *stretch* *big sigh* --- it's good to come home after such a day - even if it is 8:00 pm by the time you make it there.
So it comes down to this: We met with the lawyer who is responsible for the property whilst the owner is out of the country. He alerted us to the fact that the Swaziland Government has made an offer on the same property - however, because they have not been able to contact the owner, nothing has been moved forward (this is good for us).
Today, the lawyer finally contacted the owner and has left a message for him to contact them and share his wishes for the property. Basically, does he want to sell the property to the government, or does he wish to allow us some sort of concession, or opportunity to purchase. It is coming down to this.
We need prayer. We are walking into the key moments of our miracle. I feel somehow as if we are walking on a precipice on which one side is fear and terrible failure, and on the other is faith and victory. We believe that it is on God's heart that YWAM starts in this location. It is certainly on ours as well. We need to pray for the miracle and keep praying for it. I believe it's going to happen.
As you read this, we would appreciate your stopping and saying a quick prayer. Thank you.
So it comes down to this: We met with the lawyer who is responsible for the property whilst the owner is out of the country. He alerted us to the fact that the Swaziland Government has made an offer on the same property - however, because they have not been able to contact the owner, nothing has been moved forward (this is good for us).
Today, the lawyer finally contacted the owner and has left a message for him to contact them and share his wishes for the property. Basically, does he want to sell the property to the government, or does he wish to allow us some sort of concession, or opportunity to purchase. It is coming down to this.
We need prayer. We are walking into the key moments of our miracle. I feel somehow as if we are walking on a precipice on which one side is fear and terrible failure, and on the other is faith and victory. We believe that it is on God's heart that YWAM starts in this location. It is certainly on ours as well. We need to pray for the miracle and keep praying for it. I believe it's going to happen.
As you read this, we would appreciate your stopping and saying a quick prayer. Thank you.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Transformation
The base is quickly transforming. With our first student arriving in 2 days, we have had to put in the extra effort. Matt & Jim spent the majority of the day putting together bunk beds, and Elizabeth cleaned the kitchen spotless. Meanwhile Lisa, and Hlengiwe shopped to make sure there would be food at the base (our heroes!). Tomorrow, a YWAM team from Heidebeek will be coming to help with the final touch of scrubbing all the walls. Their help is going to push us to reach our goal of finishing by tomorrow night. After that?... We will have our first staff party! Dinner, PopCorn, and a movie! :D
I've added some photos of the transformation of the base.
Before
Before
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Property: It Must Be Official
Today was a great day as we moved in all of our YWAM belongings that had been in storage for the past 9 months. It was fun seeing all the things that make our base our base again. Elvis' (one of our first students) tambourine was hung on the wall with great ceremony, the DTS books were all placed on the bookshelf, and the flags of the nations were rediscovered and poised for hanging around the lecture hall. It was truly a homecoming for us all.
Tomorrow will be the first night that staff will be staying at the base again, and thus marks the official beginning!
In other news: Jim twisted his ankle 2.. count them 2 times today. Thank the Lord we also discovered all the crutches we have (and don't know why we have so many of). :D
Photos to come!
Tomorrow will be the first night that staff will be staying at the base again, and thus marks the official beginning!
In other news: Jim twisted his ankle 2.. count them 2 times today. Thank the Lord we also discovered all the crutches we have (and don't know why we have so many of). :D
Photos to come!
Monday, July 13, 2009
YWAM Property - The Cleaning Process
Today marked day two of the cleaning/preparation of the new property. And with it we have had a rather large mercy from the Lord as almost all of the power to the main house still works. As I mentioned in an earlier post, no-one has lived on the property for the last 5 years. Which means that not only has time degraded things, but vandals have come and stolen cabling, roofing, and anything else they can scrap - in fact, 3 of the 4 houses have no electricity due to theft. However, the main house we are using is still in tact. Praise God!
The next great thing: Not only did the electrician come out to see the house, but the water man came as well... along with the locksmith... along with the carpet cleaners. Count them, 4 crucial services that all came out on the same day when we needed them. Now, for many of you this might not seem like a big deal, but let me tell you... some days if you can just get ONE person to come out when you need them it is a coup. Today everyone came.
Tomorrow will be a big day for us as well as we are moving in the YWAM furniture. Our "stuff" has been in storage for the last 8 months in a friends garage. We will be spending the bulk of the day transporting these things. Once into the house, we can officially say we've moved in - just in time for our first student who arrives on Friday.
Prayer Points:
- Please keep praying that we will be able to transition into a long-term agreement. Right now we are on the property temporarily as the owner tries to contact his lawyer (a seemingly impossible task) and can make a more formal agreement.
- We've heard that there is at least one other interested buyer. Let's pray we can come to a quick agreement so we can "lock down" the property.
- Our section 21 (non-profit status) STILL has not gone through.
Jim & Lisa
YWAM Swaziland Property - It's a go but still need prayer!
We received word tonight that YWAM can move onto the property! Just in time... we have exactly one week till the school starts. :D From tomorrow we will be working every day to get the electricity, water, housing sorted out. There is A LOT to do. Please be praying for us. :)
As for the arrangement, the owner said he is still trying to contact his lawyer to sort out a contract and so we are moving there on a "temporary basis" until it is sorted out. Please continue to pray with us that everything will work out well so we can stay indefinitely, and that God will open the way for YWAM to own the property.
Lastly, Lisa and I are planning to leave our house and move to the property once we can assure we have the property for good. We will need to give one month's notice soon, so the sooner we hear the better. Appreciate prayer here as well.
THis is it guys! The Lord is opening doors and staying true to the words He has spoken to us a base!
Thank you for your CONTINUED prayers, and the prayers you have been throwing out already. This is a great move for YWAM Swaziland.
With blessings,
Jim & Lisa
As for the arrangement, the owner said he is still trying to contact his lawyer to sort out a contract and so we are moving there on a "temporary basis" until it is sorted out. Please continue to pray with us that everything will work out well so we can stay indefinitely, and that God will open the way for YWAM to own the property.
Lastly, Lisa and I are planning to leave our house and move to the property once we can assure we have the property for good. We will need to give one month's notice soon, so the sooner we hear the better. Appreciate prayer here as well.
THis is it guys! The Lord is opening doors and staying true to the words He has spoken to us a base!
Thank you for your CONTINUED prayers, and the prayers you have been throwing out already. This is a great move for YWAM Swaziland.
With blessings,
Jim & Lisa
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Please Pray - YWAM Property
These next few days are crucial for YWAM Swaziland. We have been in discussion with the owner of a property which we would like to use for YWAM. He is supposed to get back to us tomorrow or the next day with his answer.
Please pray that his response would be favorable and that he would let us use the property rent free, or just give us the property.
Thanks!
Jim & Lisa
P.s. the land is on "4k Road".. how prophetic is that? :D
Please pray that his response would be favorable and that he would let us use the property rent free, or just give us the property.
Thanks!
Jim & Lisa
P.s. the land is on "4k Road".. how prophetic is that? :D
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