The Cullie’s were blessed with a trampoline by the generous gifts of Mr. Keith & Miss Martha and Miss Sue of the Berclair congregation in Memphis, TN. The kids have been enjoying it immensely, spending time on it in heat and cold, and when dry or wet.

Here you can see some of ‘em on it. At this point Dustin was still a wee little thing–even wee’er than he is now–so he wasn’t out there with the bigger ‘uns. Now for the sad, even if expected, news: Dad gets wiped out on that thing in two minutes flat. His thirty-something years have been hard on him, apparently! And the kids say he jumps funny!

This blog update is the first one I’m doing here, so it’s a test. Not too bad, eh? The previous posts were done for us by Barbara at Sunset. There has been very little action on the blog because we’ve not been feeding her any information, even though she’d been asking for it all along–so, it’s my fault there’s been no action all these months. But Barbara has now finessed me the information on how to do the updates myself, in meticulous detail because that’s what I needed. (She’s probably had enough of getting ignored by me.) So, now there will be just as few posts as before!

Actually, looking forward to communicating more frequently via this blog. With all our love,

Rod, Lande, and kiddies

Our family recently was impacted by the fallout of the mistreatment of mainly foreigners at the hands of South Africans.  A couple with a three-week old baby, along with a cousin, ended up stying with us for a few nights after they were chased out of their home in Du Noon, a suburb close to where we live in Table View, Cape Town.  Here are Michael, the cousin, holding Roony, and Melissa, Roony’s mommy.  Melissa’s husband, Solly, was at work.  Some of the other Christians in the congregation, like Craig and Saldri, stepped in to help by purchasing some necessary items such as diapers and formula (in picture) and baby clothing.  Other families around here also took some people in. 

We praise God that their little shack (literally-this is not hyperbole: Solly and Melissa and Roony live in a wooden shack not much bigger than our bathroom) remained intact, and all their possessions were there.  They had removed some electronc equipment, which they managed to get stored somewhere else. 

They were really thankful for the help they got from the various folks here.  While Solly hadn’t yet returned from work after his night shift, Melissa invited five friends (all from Zimbabwe) to join us for the assembly at Vic’s house the Sunday after they had moved back into their home.  The Zimbabweans were happy to meet Mark, our friend who is staying with us currently, because Mark grew up in Zimbabwe and cna talk their language.  While the nature of the assembly was no doubt different to what they are used to, we hope they were encouraged by their visit.  Again we look forward to God’s sovereign work to save people, no matter what the circumstances.  god is always at work-may all of these folks end up spending eternity with God! 

The reality of Acts 17 comes in sharper focus in this kind of situation-God has determined the boundaries and times of nations, so that they may seek him.  These five found themselves displaced from their country because of the horrendous things going on there, and therefore were here in this area at this time to be invited to join with a protion of God’s church. 

And they might one day-finding themselves saved-head back to Zimbabwe, to their own people, and tell them what great things God has done for them (Mark 5).  And so their movements can be used by God to save people.  As another biblical writer put it: they are here “for such a time as this.”

 In the meantime, South Africa has to look at itself:  Why, if this is supposed to have been xenophobia, are 21 of the 62 people who lost their lives (sorry, were murdered), South African?  Indeed, the family staying with us are from the Northwest - they are not foreigners!  May God heal and transform us!  May we pick up more effectively this ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5), and let God restore and heal all our relationships.

OUR MISSION

Having been blessed with much growth over the past decade, a decision was made by our sponsors, 
Sunset Church of Christ, in Springfield Missouri, that rather than becoming a mega-church, with God’s help the goal was to plant as many new congregations as possible. And now after much hard work by the Cullingworth family, and thanks to the receptive hearts of the people here in South Africa and God’s grace, the Good News of Jesus is spreading in the Cape Town area.