Dear Friends,
It was lovely for me to be able to make a short visit to the UK this year, after quite a long time away, and to reconnect with some of you again. To be able to thank you in person for your kindness in supporting me in the work that God has called me to. If we did not meet, then I am truly sorry.
This year we have seen a couple of changes in personnel at Emmanuel Press. After a year of volunteering, 2 days a week, with us, Douglas Boyce left in April. In September Karin Siepker moved to Johannesburg, as her husband was transferred by his employer. She had worked in the office with me for 3 years. She and her husband lived on site in one of our flats. He is a skilled handyman and was a help to me in some of the maintenance issues on the property. I do miss them. Anélle has now taken on the work that Karin was doing. She is on the left in the photo above.
Our two main printers have had to be replaced this year. One of the old printers had developed a fault and needed a new part, which was no longer available. The skilled and inventive technician, who looks after our machines, was able to keep it working using well-placed Blu Tack. This solution held for a surprisingly long time, but the printer has now been retired and replaced.
In September the annual Conference of “A Arca de Esperança” in Mozambique was held, this year in Caia, which sits on the banks of the Zambezi River, in the middle of the country. Our Korean friend, Jungkil Kim, was once again the speaker, though this year he was not accompanied by his wife, Yongsook.
In December of last year, the Kims returned to South Korea for a visit. Whilst there they went for a routine medical which uncovered that Yongsook had stomach cancer. She required surgery and follow up treatment. She was only able to return to South Africa this August. We are happy that she is back with us, but she was not strong enough to make the journey to Caia.
Domingos travelled through to White River to accompany Jungkil to the Conference. They first stopped in Maputo and then took a more than 30-hour journey by bus to Caia. The Conference was well attended and was a success. Jungkil’s teaching was well received. Thank you for your support which enables us to hold this event.
Unfortunately, the long journey by bus caused Jungkil to develop severe pain in his knee. To return by bus was not possible for him. He managed to get on a flight to return
to Maputo. From there another Korean missionary, Pastor Lee, kindly drove him back to White River. On arriving here, Pastor Lee visited our offices and was happy to discover how much material we have in Portuguese. He signed up to use our courses amongst his congregations, and we prepared a box of lessons and tracts for him to return with.
This photo shows Domingos in our Maputo office. When we first opened this office, we bought a wooden desk from a second-hand furniture shop in White River, which was then taken through to Maputo. Recently someone broke into the property and the desk was stolen. Emmanuel Press was able to send money through to purchase this new desk, and to improve the security of the building, which is also Domingos’ home.
This beautiful photo shows a Graduation Service for Emmanuel Press students held at the church of Pastor Thomas Nwayila in Saselamani, Limpopo,
South Africa.
With thanks and love in Jesus,
Gillian Harris