Personal Update – February 2018
I have so many to thank for their hospitality and kindness during this last furlough. Matt Love and all the personnel at Lake James Christian camp were wonderfully accommodating and helpful. Some even contributed to the Bible collections. Gene sand Janet Warstler put up me with me for the summer in their upstairs room and I never wanted for anything. They were more like family than kind helpers.
I managed to see my sons and grandkids before I left despite Hurricane Irma bearing down on Florida while I stayed with Walt and Bea Mielke. My middle son, Kyle, married his girlfriend, Ferlin)a Chinese Christian), while I was based at camp and although I couldn’t make it for their nuptials, I flew out later and stayed with them for a few days. They are very happy together. Also, my eldest son, Kent was supposed to be away assessing the clean-up of tornado damage in Albany, GA but worked like a demon to finish early so he could spend time with me. Kent works for a FEMA-contractor and was called away urgently to Houston after a few days.
I spent quality time with my grandkids, Jen (Kent’s s wife) and her mother, Jane. Walt called a few days before I was to return to inform me that every seat out of Hilton Head and Savannah was full of people clearing off before Hurricane Irma. We agreed to hire a car, which he did, and to my surprise, when I picked it up, a bright red V-8 Dodge Challenger was ready! I headed south on I-95, across the I-10 to I-75 down to Tampa. All lanes heading north were jammed full of cars. Every town’s fast food joints, gas stations and roads were full, too. I kept the Dodge pointing south and arrived at the rental office in good shape, having manages to find one filling station that had gas!
There are so many generous Christians to thank for their help and hospitality from New Mexico to Florida, Michigan to Illinois. I wasn’t happy spending time away from my wife and sister but the Christian family of believers made it a lot easier!
Due to an accident in our area, our landline, DSL, wi-fi and internet have been inoperative for the past two months with to repair date in sight despite my complains and badgering. Telkom is the government owned phone company and they appear to be in no hurry to fix it. I can still receive e-mails via my wife’s data on her cell and I pray this situation is resolved quickly so the work can move forward. [Note: since this writing the problem has finally been fixed]
Thank you, one and all, God’s blessings.
Steve Zimmerman
Cape Town
Short Term Mission Update January 2017
Heather (Springfield OH) and Sydney (Fremont, IN) arrived in Cape Town on Cot 12th 2017. I met Sydney while she worked at the Lake James Christian camp where I was based on furlough for the summer.
She immediately responded to the invitation to come to South Africa. I also met Heather there during the Mission’s week at the end of July. She was already planning to do mission work in Africa and I asked her to come to Cape Town to gain experience and see where the might fit in. Both women did such wonderful work and made good contacts with TLC/Ingwe Care, the various children’s ministries, as well as local churches. Both taught classes in the Cape Bible Seminary sessions and also spoke to the youth and on Sunday worship services.
Heather is gathering support to return full time as an African missionary.
Gospel 101 Team Update – January 2017
It has been over four months since I returned on furlough to Cape Town. So much has
happened so quickly.
Without me being present to help, the Team organized and conducted a Youth Seminar in Philedephlia, a 20 minute drive outside Cape Town to the north. Young Christian men and
women attended and were encouraged to take part in ministries within their own communities.
The follow up was hosted by Roger Dickson in the northern suburbs of Cape Town shortly after
I returned. Heather Burton and Sydney Spurgeon on a short term mission were also able to attend the large gathering and meet with the various churches, community works and youth. The Team is planning new events for 2018.
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