Heath Family Update - Transition ahead.

There is a saying that “things never turn out quite the way you plan them in your head.”  Well 2020 turned out nothing like we planned it in our head.  When we boarded the plane in South Africa to fly to the USA at the end of February we fully expected to be returning to our home and ministries at the beginning of June.  Little did we know how the COVID-19 virus would change our world and our lives.  The USA started shutting down and then South Africa closed its borders and our wait began.  Passports and Visas, which can already be quite the task to obtain suddenly became impossible to even apply for.  As weeks turned into months and the months are a month shy of turning into a year, we waited, we watched, we prayed, and we have continued to fulfill our roles as much as we could from a distance.   Throughout the time of waiting God has been faithful, He has provided a place to stay, food on the table, a vehicle to drive, time with our immediate family, extended family, adopted family and our church families.  We have made amazing memories during these days.  

 

God has also been working and moving in our lives.  Recently we began to feel more and more unsettled.  Whenever we have been asked how long we would stay in South Africa our answer has always been until God leads us somewhere else.  There has never been a time limit.  However we began to sense that God was leading us to stay and to find ministries and community here in the United States.  We talked about it, prayed about it, talked and prayed some more and then agreed we would apply for an Associate Pastor positions that I saw that I felt might be a good fit and see how God lead.  That position did not end up working out but we were overwhelmed with a peace that only God could give about transitioning away from South Africa to the US.  After more prayer and conversation we decided to start the process of transitioning back to the states and notifying our ministry leaders and colleagues in South Africa and in the Global Church.  

 

We are sadden to be stepping away from our home and ministry since 2014.  We do not have any clear answers of where or when we will be transitioning and we still have more questions than answers but we continue to feel an overwhelming sense of peace that could only come from God in continuing on this new path.  At some point we will travel back to South Africa to pack up and sell our things as well as to be able to greet our friends and ministry partners.  We continue to apply for Associate Pastor positions in the areas of Discipleship, Connections, Community/Small Groups, Mentoring, or Outreach.  We do not know where God will lead but we know that He is walking with us and preparing the way for us.  

 

Please pray with us as we make this transition and seek to follow where God is leading us.  Pray that we have wisdom, discernment and patience.  For those in the Nazarene Church, let us know if your church is looking for an Associate Pastor in Discipleship, Connections, Community/Small Groups, Mentoring, or Outreach.  Pray for Peter as he makes this transition and has lots of questions that we have no answers to.  We know that God will lead us and provide for us, as He has already done in so many ways. 

We wanted to take a moment to thank you for your love and support over our time as missionaries.  We have been blessed to cross paths with so many wonderful people.  Thank you for being a part of our lives and ministries.  

Bloom where you are planted.

Life currently does not look anything like what we thought it would.  We should be in the midst of our second Work and Witness team after returning home from the US.  This was to be a busy year for W&W teams and for travel.  All those things are now canceled.  We still have no idea when Peter’s passport will be returned and when we will be able to apply for his Visa.  Some days that is overwhelming and hard.  Other days we are able to focus on the positives and find joy in the everyday moments. I have been reminded again and again to bloom where you are planted and make the most of the moment you are in. 

Peter finally was able to go to a local park and play.  We go to the local library every Monday and Friday to pick up a craft pack that they give out based on a book that they have read aloud on Facebook.  Peter took swimming lessons and is a little fish who doesn’t always remember to kick.  He is getting closer and closer to riding a two-wheel bike.  It is important even in times of waiting to make memories and grow. 

 

Peter celebrated his 5^th birthday and had a fun party with a couple friends here.  He was also so well-loved on by friends and family and now has a wall filled with cards and pictures from around the world.  A couple of days after his birthday he asked if his next birthday was next week.  J

We have been able to serve as a family with a ministry through one of the Nazarene churches in the area.  They sort, package, and hand out food to over 600 families each week.  On Tuesdays, our family is able to go and sort the food together.  On Wednesday Joe is able to help pass out the food.  Joe has also been able to help the local church that has blessed us with the home we are living in, with a couple of projects.   Being able to serve others is not something that can only happen in a certain country, setting, or zip code. 

We like many others continue to have lots of Zoom meetings and Whatsapp calls.  Thankfully technology allows us to do a lot from afar.  Emails find you wherever you are in the world.  J

Peter really wanted to plant a garden and so we bought a few tomato seedlings and he choose sunflower seeds and carrot seeds.  We have planted them and already they are starting to sprout and grow.  We do not know if we will get to see them bloom or not, but Peter is enjoying taking care of them and watching them grow.  Those plants for me are a reminder to bloom where you are planted.  We never really know how long we are going to be in a place, or when something will come along and change everything, however that shouldn’t prevent us from putting down roots, it should not prevent us from trying to grow and blossom right where we are at the moment. 

I don’t know where you are at the moment.  I do know that most of us have been affected by COVID-19.  There are lots of questions, there is lots of unrest, whether it be because of the virus, the racial tensions, unemployment, or other reasons, but even in the midst of that, God is calling us to rest in Him and to grow and bloom wherever we are. 

Until next time: If you really want your 5-year-old to listen to you, whisper, if you don’t want them to listen at all say their name and give a direct and clear command.  This has been proven in various settings and with various commands. 

Today we should be going home....

Today we were supposed to be going home. 

If 2020 had been anything close to normal, then today would be filled with finish packing, enjoying family time and last taste of our favorite American things.  Then we would board a plane for the long ride back to South Africa.  However, 2020 has not been normal and we have no idea when we will be able to board a plane and return to the place we call home.  Peter routinely asks, “when are we going home?”   We don’t have an answer for him.  We have applied for Peter’s Passport when we arrived in the beginning of March, but have been told to expect significant delays before we receive it.  Once we receive it we have to apply for his South African Visa.  Even if we had his passport we would not be able to apply for his Visa because the South African Consulates are closed.  So we wait.  We have relocated from Shawnee, Kansas to Tullahoma, Tennessee.  We are blessed by a Nazarene Church who is allowing us to live in a house that they currently own.  We will be here until the beginning of August.  Then we will reevaluate where we are in regards to documents and assess what travel is being allowed and steps forward. 

We have spoken in a few services since the Shelter in Place/Stay at Home orders started but mostly our days are filled with keeping an active preschooler entertained with times for emails, whatsapps, zoom meetings and so forth mixed in.  Beth is also continuing to study towards a Doctorate in Community Care and Counseling.  Joe has been able to help friends out with some construction projects.   This Home Assignment will be one we do not soon forget. 

Things are beginning to lift and we have enjoyed being able to check out a few thrift stores and garage sales.  Peter is pretty good about keeping his mask on.   Peter is eagerly awaiting the day when the libraries and playgrounds/parks open back up. 

June is a busy month of celebration in the Heath household.  We were looking forward to celebrating in South Africa but are adjusting our plans and thinking of fun ways to celebrate Joe and Peter’s birthdays where we are.  It is hard to believe that in less than two weeks we will have a 5-year-old.   

Joe and Peter’s birthday will be nothing like what we thought they would be but we are together and we be able to celebrate the blessing of another year together. 

Where in the World is Peter Heath

I am a child of the 80’s so “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego” is a show that I remember fondly.  Well over the next few months we are going to play a version of that “where in the world is Peter Heath.”  And his parents will come along as well. 

 

Tonight is our last night in our own beds, in our home in Johannesburg for the next three or so months.  Peter is saying goodbye to all his friends for a while.  And we are saying goodbye to our lives and routines here for a few months.  We are leaving home to return home to then come back home.  J   It can be a bit confusing, but we are very thankful for the many people and places that home represents. 

Over the next few months, we will be in 14 different states, drive over 7,500 miles, and speak at close to 50 services.  We will see family, friends who are like family and we will meet new friends.  Every Home Assignment we try to do something fun to make the many miles traveled a bit more fun.  This year we are going to try and go to at least one park and library in every state we are in for more than 24 hours. 

 

If you think of it will you say a prayer for Peter?  Pray for his little heart.  Sometimes he struggles with all the goodbyes and hellos in his life.  He misses the people who he connects with who aren’t around anymore.  Sometimes he longs for a bit more normal routine than we can offer.  Pray for safe travels and patience and grace for all of us, as we will be together 24/7 with long hours in the car.  Pray for the churches that we will connect with that they hear God speak through us and have the courage to respond.

 

We will try to post some photos along the way of our park/library adventures and keep you updated on where in the world is Peter Heath.  Tonight he is his bed in Johannesburg tomorrow night he will be over the Atlantic Ocean with +/- 300 other people.  Thursday night he will be at Grandma and Grandpa’s house and he is very excited. 

Until Next time:  If you want to have a little fun try explaining to a 4-year-old why it is afternoon where you are and morning where grandma and grandpa are (and where you are going.)  I am pretty sure he still has no clue why…maybe his dad can explain it to him better on the plane ride. 

Where did September go....

 This time of year always seems to go by so quickly.  It is springtime here in South Africa, the trees and grass are turning green each day and the rains will hopefully come soon.  At the beginning of September, Joe’s parents were here for a visit.  We had a great time with them showing them around here introducing them to places and people that we enjoy.   The weather if finally warm enough for Peter to be able to wear short pants, which makes him very happy.  Each morning he wakes up and asks if it is springtime, which means he can wear shorts.  Some mornings are still cold enough that he starts the day in long pants then can wear shorts, but he seems to be ok with that most days.

    In the month of September we said “see you later” to a wonderful volunteer that has been with us this past year.  She was involved in many different areas of ministry here and we will really miss her.  We also said “welcome” to another volunteer who will be working in a neighboring country for a few months.  He will be helping with a village church’s building project.   Last week Joe traveled with the volunteer to get him set up in his new country.

    The hellos and goodbyes are often hard for Peter as he misses the people that he connects with whether that is people visiting us here or when we are in the US.   Peter has been doing well in his preschool that he has been going to 2 days a week.  He is really learning and developing seemingly each day with new things such as Watermelon starts with a W.  He also enjoys rhyming words, although he still doesn’t always get it.  He often will ask about words that start with the same letter or sound and ask or say that they rhyme.  Sometimes we correct him, other times we enjoy hearing his young mind at work.

    Beth continues to be very busy balancing her studies, with work, ministry and family.  Some days are easier than others to balance, but together we always make it work and are sure to spend time with Peter having fun and learning.

    Also in September we taught a module class at the Theological College.  We team-taught and had 11 students in our class.  They are a great group of eager young people who are training to be pastors and leaders.  It was really nice to connect with them and be a part of their studies.  

    

    Until next time: 

    Going into the kitchen wearing socks is not the best way to learn that it is flooded with water from the washing machine. It is better to do that in flip flops ;)

    

W&W From South Africa to Lesotho

Today's blog is written by a friend of mine and a wonderful woman of God Rev Eunice Sedith.  She is the pastor of the Toekomsrus Church of the Nazarene.  Please read her story of the recent Work and Witness trip her church took to Lesotho.  

Toekomsrus Church of the Nazarene W&W trip to Lesotho.

In the beginning of May the Toekomsrus Church of the Nazarene, Toekomsrus South Africa, sent a Work and Witness team of 19 people to Lesotho

The team went to install a ceiling in the dormitory of the Cornerstone Nazarene Boarding School.  Toekomsrus, South Africa is a 4 hour drive to Maseru, Lesotho. The school is another hours drive into the mountains in Lesotho.

The team consisted of the congregation from the Toekomsrus Church of the Nazarene who paid their own way and as well as gave toward the ceiling fund for the school.  Some of the families had 3 family members present in the team, this is more than 2 months worth of groceries for a typical Toekomsrus family. 

We thank God because the giving was from the heart. And I know they would do it again.

As the pastor I am excited to see that we are a ‘going’ church. Full-filling the great commission of Jesus Christ to and teach all nations. The people of Lesotho Basotho were so receptive to the gospel.

While walking around the town, the team saw a school and went in. Soon all the teachers realized there were visitors and came together in the staff room and the team shared the gospel and prayed with them. Most of the teachers gave their heart to the Lord that morning. Some of them came to the revival services held that night. The pastor of the Noordgesig Church of the Nazarene joined the team and held revival services every night.

So in addition to installing and painting the ceiling, the team delivered pots, blankets, yo-yos and clothing to the school. The principal and teachers were very grateful.   

One of the team mem was a 70 yr old man in a wheelchair with 1 leg. He paid his own way, and helped around the school with various tasks, not complaining once. 

One of our team members have been delivered from drugs and he went to a local school to share his testimony.  These are regular people who are blood washed and In the words of Phineas Bresee only wanted to “share the gospel in the same manner they have received it."

Pray for us, our feet are itching and we just want to GO GO GO, because the bible says how lovely on the Lesotho mountains are the feet of him who brings good news. (okay I edited the verse a little)

We were hosted in Lesotho by our LINKS missionaries, the HORD family. They too are self-supportive missionaries, and it was our joy to join hands with them in this mission. We want to say thank you to the Missionaries, the Doctor and the advocate (all neighbors) that hosted the team for the weekend. God bless you for opening your home to us.  I also wanted to say, we just want to inspire other not to count the cost, but to just GO. it was a life changing experience for our team.  The Sunday before the team, they were prayed over by the church. The church surrounded them and said we are a team and we are supporting the team in prayer.  It was a beautiful moment.  You could really sense that those who didn’t go, were in full support of the ones who could go.  I have never experienced such a thing in my life.  I think this is how the disciples felt when Jesus said (GO in my NAME).

Written by Rev. Eunice Sedith Pastor of Toekomrus Church of the Nazarene.

Update

We have been back in South Africa for three weeks.  It is good to be home.  We are enjoying being back in our home and seeing our friends and neighbors.  We have gotten back into our routines, picked up on projects that we were working on, caught up on email, and started planning a few events for the future.   

Beth’s parents arrived last Thursday and will be here for a little over a month.  Karen will be helping with statistics and Jim will be handling several different kinds of projects.  Peter is excited about having grandma and grandpa here with us.  He has already asked to make chocolate chip muffins with grandma.  He is very excited because one of the projects Joe and Grandpa will be working on is a loft bed/playhouse for his room.    

There are several exciting events coming up that will be happening on our field and Joe and I will be a part of. 

1)   New DS training for a newly appointed DS and an interim DS.  These events are a great time for our FSC and us to connect and equip the new leaders on the team.  It is a wonderful time of fellowship.  

2)   Urban Ministry Forum– leaders already engaged in ministry in an urban setting from across Africa will be gathering for a time of equipping, conversation, growth and fellowship.  Please be in pray with us for those coming for God to be able to apply what they learn in their cities.  

3)   There are a few different W&W teams coming that we will be joining and or leading. We are excited to see how God is going to work through those times. 

4)   In September the Church of the Nazarene will celebrate 100 years.  We are blessed to see what God has done in the last 100 years and excited to see what He will continue to do in the next 100.  

5)   In November we will be having a PALCON event in Johannesburg.   

Another project we have been working on is a video training for our District Advisory Boards and Local Church Boards.  The interviews have all been completed and now we have to work on cutting down the material and adding slides and discussion questions.  We will also be developing a work book to go along with the video.  It is a big project but we are excited about the possibilities for equipping and training leaders once it is done.  

We are also working on planning on Home Assignment Time for 2020.  We will be in the states in March April and May of 2020.  We will be starting out in Florida and ending in Florida. If you are interested in hearing about what God is doing on the Africa South Field and/or want to see Peter (and his parents) send me an email and let’s talk about making it happen.  

Praises and Thanksgivings– 

·     Easy transition back into life in South Africa.  Thank you for your prayers and support during our transition home.  

·     Safe arrival of Beth’s parents to South Africa 

Prayer Request 

·     Peter has an ear infection.  Pray that he will recover quickly and that he will not need another set of tubes/grommets put in. 

·     For the upcoming events 

·     For several situations and transitions happening across our field. 

·     For those affected by Cyclone Idai and for those from our field to be a part of responding to the needs there. 

Until next time- Remember little ears are always listening especially if you think they are not. However if you say their name and a direct command it apparently activates a filter that doesn’t allow them to hear what you are saying.