February 2010

Dear Prayer Partners,

This past month, Rod had the privilege to make a return visit to the Islands, which was our home for almost seven years. It is hard to believe that we left there 1.5 years ago. In many ways, not much has changed since then . . . still hot and humid . . . lots of garbage strewn everywhere, spiritual and religious oppression are still ever constant companions.

Yet, even during this visit, one can't miss the reality that ministry there is not a sprint but a long distance marathon race. This is true for the foreign workers who have served there faithfully over the years as well as the small fragile fellowship group of local brothers that meet regularly.

During Rod's visit he was able to visit all of the workers, several of the believers from Madagascar who live and work there, and with the local believers for fellowship and prayer. Some of you will recognize the names of Mr.T, Sam, Sherry, Mike, and Wanda as names of friends that we have shared about and requested prayer for in the past. He was able to see almost all of our friends.

Rod also met with the hospital director where he worked and was able to take the Physical Therapy department out for a Djosho (barbecue). This outing was to celebrate the ongoing quality of service provided by the physical therapy department. And also, to welcome the new therapist from England who will now be working in the same therapy department as Rod had.

Please continue to lift up these precious I$lamic Islands that are closed to the Gospel. Although we no longer live there we have regular contact with our friends and co-workers who still serve there. Together, we are believing for a future harvest that will honor and glorify the name of Jesus!

Pray for:

--Teammates, Amy and Abby, who are looking for a house on the big island.

--The TIMO team that just arrived on Mayotte, for adjustment and language/ culture learning.

--The believers that are still struggling to meet together and are facing various moral and financial problems.

PRAISE:

--We enjoyed a visit from Rod’s parents in November and Lori’s brother and family for Christmas.

--The opportunity to share the Christmas story with the two orphanages Lori helps at.

--Safe travels and encouraging times with other workers as Rod traveled to Madagascar in October for their annual conference.

PRAYER:

--Our co-workers in the regional office, the Nicks family, have decided to leave South Africa permanently. Pray for them as they pack up and prepare to return to Canada at the end of March.

--Pray for Lori’s parents as they have agreed to come and help out in the administration role in the office for four months.

--Pray that someone would be able to take this admin role on permanently later this year.

--Pray for our protection as we continually hear of armed robberies and car hijackings.

The girls enjoyed their five week school break over Christmas. We were able to go to Cape Town and stay with friends for a few days. Some of the highlights were: celebrating Autumn’s birthday on Table Mountain, swimming with penguins and picking strawberries. The girls have started a new school year and are settling in well.

Alanna: has started grade 9. She has made good friends at school and works hard. She enjoys Irish Dance and recently moved up to the next level class. She will be helping out at church in AWANA and Sunday school this year.

Autumn: has started grade 8, and high school. She is flourishing with new teachers and classes. Thank you for all your prayers last year. Her class is ten times better this year. She has been involved in several swim meets and is doing very well. She, too, will help out with AWANA and Sunday school.

Anissa: has started grade 4 and is now changing rooms and teachers for each class. We were praying for her all last year as she didn’t feel like she had a friend at school that wasn’t mean to her. A new girl arrived three days after school started and seems to be very sweet. We are thankful that God has answered our prayers.

Pray for the girls this year, that they would grow in their faith and be bright lights for Jesus at school.

This is the year South Africa has been anticipating for years--soccer’s big event: THE WORLD CUP! This will be the first time the World Cup is on African soil and the whole continent is excited.

Our church has decided to become involved in an outreach to Muslims during the World Cup, called “Kick Start.” This outreach is designed to help Christians know how to share their faith with Muslims.  This is a great opportunity as Muslims are more open to spiritual discussions when away from home.

Our church will open their doors to show games with a wide screen projector.  We will invite athletes to come and share their testimonies and possibly have a Vacation Bible School revolving around the soccer theme.

Pray: for wisdom and discernment on how best to reach out to Muslims from our community and those coming from around the world.

Pray: for Rod as he helps train church members how to reach out to Muslims.

Since we started attending Grace Baptist, Lori has been involved in the outreach to our closest township, Tembisa. The ladies go once a week to two different pre-schools that minister to kids with AIDS or who have been orphaned by AIDS. They share a Bible story, teach English, sing songs, have snack, and play with the kids. This is a highlight for Lori as she has a heart for orphans. She went last week to a new outreach to an AIDS support group. She will be involved with this group of women by sharing Bible stories and helping them with starting a small business of making paper beads for bead jewelry. Pray for these outreaches.

After all these years, Rod is going back to school via correspondence. The goal is to complete the ten final Bible classes that are needed to receive a BA in Biblical Studies from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. This degree will help Rod in ministry.

God is faithful!

Rod and Lori Kraybill

Postnet Suite #9343

Private Bag X32

Kempton Park 1620

South Africa

Home phone: (27) 11 975-1041

Cell phone: (27) 72 497-1464

Email: RLKraybill@aimint.net