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29 October 2007

Hallo to all my dear Friends around the World.

Safely back in Africa after a very long flight - as some of you know full well - we first of all thank our heavenly Father for the way He allowed us to minister to people. All praise - all honour, all glory to Him. It is good to be back with Hanel who is working here in the Cape Town area as a beauty therapist - and a very good one at that. Not only because she is my daughter but people just love having her working on them. She says that she ministers more to people now than when she was actually in the mission field. Hano - one of the twins - is working in Scotland - in the catering line of business and loving it. He is the one that was on the farm with Danie when we were forced off our land - so thank you to those who continues to pray that He will find his destiny. He was so happy and fulfilled on the farm - but our Father never makes a mistake - I believe that he has an even better place and plan for him in store. I can't wait to see where God is taking him. Nicolaas is still flying in Namibia and loves being a pilot. He has flown to many countries in Africa and as soon as he has enough flying hours behind him - he would like to venture out to the bigger Airlines. So you see - this mother can fill many hours a day praying for her children.

A special "hi" to all of you that I have seen last week in the States and all the new friends I have made. It was a God appointed and arranged trip! After we had all the arrangements and bookings sorted out - I met all my flight plans, arrived safely and on time at each and every place. I was in America from the 8th of March - until the 24th of March.

I landed in Atlanta and got on to the next plane to Dallas where my dear friend Brenda Siewert met me. She arranged wonderful accommodation for the two of us - so we could have time to reminisce. We were talking and rolling with laughter - from the moment we met. We have known each other for many years playing and singing at the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem for the International Christian Embassy. I will always be grateful towards the ICEJ for taking me around the world - years ago - and today I get invited all over the world - often through connection I made through them. God does have His outstanding networking! Better than any booking agency! This is how it works for me. From the word go we had fun - it just comes so naturally - we can just say something and the other one would understand the jest of it. I was supposed to sleep for a while - just to recover from jetlag. But what is that? I was too excited to see her and we talked and talked and prayed together. That night we had dinner with her son Sean and his fiancé. A lovely couple and the four of us ended up praying back in the room before they left us.

The next day it was on to Midland, Texas where big John Burke and his lovely wife Liz and son John Wesley met me - taking me further into New Mexico - to Carlsbad. It is a flat and a very interesting area. I realized that this is the most extraordinary landscape I have ever seen - much like the Karoo - semi desert in South Africa but without any sign of ridges or mountains. It made me want to write about God. Such vast uninhabited areas colored gold and the sky changes to purple and orange and pink, and the whole landscape takes on a different perspective. These precious people put me up in a wonderful Hotel. The first night we had a good time talking and discussing many things about our lives and what God is doing. I also got to know John through the ICEJ where he was one of the lead tenor voices in the choir for many years. I believe we had a good time and I trust that John and his family heard what God has in store for them - if they are not excited about what lies ahead - well then I am. I will continue to watch for God performing His Word in the lives of those precious people. They have gone through much - even sickness in John's body and many other setbacks - but that season is over and I praise God that they did go through that valley - for now they can appreciate all that will come so much more and handle the bigger responsibilities with so much more wisdom and understanding. While there, we took four wheelers and went wild in the desert - kicking up much dust, as John jr. and I had some fun in the open spaces of Carlsbad. It was great! Thank you John Wesley.

Next day - it was on to Dallas and then on to Washington where my friend Evans Gilmore awaited me
faithfully. I stayed the night at her place to get a good nights rest and fellowship. Before noon we were on our way to Tom and Priscilla Florry who lives on a beautiful farm - called Providence in the Maddison (Virginia) area. It's beautiful! From my room on the top floor I overlooked the farmlands, paddocks, clasps of trees and then further away the Blue Ridge Mountains. We got to know the Florry's again at the Feast in Jerusalem and then they were in South Africa where I was singing at Newlands Rugby Stadium - for Transformation Africa (2003) where about 45, 000, 00 people attended and she recognized my voice. We connected by phone a month later in Washington and only at the end of last year did we see each other again when I was singing at a ladies conference here in the Cape South Africa. It was so cool - Tom was the only man amongst about 560 women!! How about that. The next Sunday I happened to sing at a holiday resort where they were staying and they came to the church meeting. It was then that they met my husband Danie - and invited us both to definitely come visit them while on our tour in March. And there we were! It feels like we've been friends all the years of our lives. When God connects He does a beautiful thing! Now remember this is my husband's very first trip to the States. And he has never ministered with me before. God has such a sense of humour and He also knows our husbands so well that He arranged that Tom Florry was to be the first guy Danie met on arrival. Tom being a known and great golfer in the States had Danie fascinated - who also plays a bit and knew most of the people that Tom talked about. So they hit it off well. Priscilla and I - we were just having fun knowing God is arranging everything.

Now remember that we live in Africa - our land and everything that was in our possession for 5 generations has just been taken away from us - without any form of compensation. Some of you have heard our story so many times - yet some find it not possible to comprehend. And who would be the people that the Florry's invite for the very first night that Danie arrived - The Turners - they have been in the area also for generations. He is sort of the main guy in the area - if any newcomer needs to know how and what to do in that community - you go to Charles Turner. That evening he and his wife Loan and son arrived. In Danie's own words - "I just felt such love for those people - I could not describe it." There they stood - a black American couple and their son. That evening we chatted and fellowshipped as if we have known each other for years. God did an incredible thing in Danie's life -right there! Try to understand, it was a black government that literally kicked us off our land to leave with only our furniture. Our farms in Africa are huge - we are not talking about small holdings we talk about thousands of acres. There could have been animosity or bitterness or even hatred towards a different race - even though it is so absolutely crazy to even think that way. But we have and still see so many twisted people because of racial hatred. And if that was God's way to even wipe away the last bit of anger in my husbands heart - He did it so well - please rejoice with me - as this is a tremendous testimony that can help so many people. In the natural Danie had so much reason - I do not say right - I say reason to be angry - as it was not only land that was taken away - it was animals, implements irrigation systems, tractors vehicles etc. So often we replace or even transfer our anger on other innocent people that have nothing to do with your situation and you are playing with fire as you are the one - loosing all the way. Now we are free - we have a responsibility to show forth sincere love. Show it - not just talk about it. The world and the people around us seek answers to a lot of question... they yearn for true peace and happiness in their lives. They are seeking Hope - a reason to live - a solution to the whirlpool of problems threatening to drag them along. We are the ones to show that God can change lives and that it will take the whole church - the whole gospel - to the whole city - and to the whole nation - and to the whole world. Sooner or later we have to realize that we have to become colour -blind - we have to get past the epidermis. Because God has commanded us to love one another - our towns and nations our world are waiting for us - the real church of Jesus Christ to finally stand up. The world will not know us by our fancy cars or degrees or houses - no but when they begin to see us love each other. So that second night - where do we preach? In a small Baptist church where Tom and Priscilla were placed by God - I think they are the only white members. We were the first White visiting preachers from Africa!!!! I love God's sense of humour. We had a great evening with God. There will be great things happening in that community - because of that group of special people who will influence great many other special people in that area. They know it and I am excited about what is awaiting for them. The pastor and his first lady - they are so humble yet very strong in the Lord and just the right guys for such a time as this.
I don't have the time and space to tell about different ladies meetings - those are always such incredible happenings. Will write about that some other time. I want to take the opportunity now to thank those who held up our hands in intercession - those hidden intercessors - those courageous warriors on the battlefield. I learned that God is the One fighting the battles that He sends us to - and He never looses a battle. I am going to quote Sister Gwen Shaw: "He just gives us the honour of being present at His "show of Power letting us think that somehow by our own skills and wisdom and strength we are doing something". The matriarch of the Turner family has told us that we have a choice as we have been accepted into their clan - that we either call ourselves from now on Danie and Hanli Turner Slabbert or Slabbert Turner!!!! And one day I went for a long walk and got lost in the area. After walking 12 miles - all of a sudden I recognized Turner Drive! - Then I knew I was close to Tom's farm - called Providence Farm. Where did we end our tour in Atlanta - our address was Turner Rd. What is God saying? Restoration - Transformation -Reconciliation - I could go on and on as I know what I am talking about. I do not have the right to talk about anything - I have a privilege to do so - for His Glory.

Then we moved on to Winchester where we preached at past Lee and Jacky Prock's church. It was so good to be back with them. Sincerity - is what comes to my mind thinking of them. We had lunch with Dr. Tom and Nancy Daugherty - together with Evans and Lee and Jacky. What a day. Again Danie and Tom were friends and Danie was shown around his place before lunch. Nancy is a wonderful intercessor and I would have loved spending more time with her. Thank you Nancy for your prayers - they are precious. Dr. Tom took Danie and me into his office before lunch and asked me where I have been singing over the last year. I gave him my answer on which he replied. "Yes you were singing there but you sang in Eng. the East - in Europe... and I immediately knew what he meant. I was not there physically - but he took some of my music there and it was played either to the people or for him to be encouraged to minister to the people there. Then he presented us with a wonderful CD player with ear phones. It is great - I used it on the plane and you hear no disturbing sounds. It is such a blessing.
I believe we will be ministering with them again - God arranges so many beautiful occasions. I do not want to be anywhere - if it is not in His plan.

Then followed ladies meetings with my dear friend Betsie West. How good when people from different nations work together for His Kingdom. She is doing wonderful work amongst woman in her area - she is showing them - pointing them to live lives in victory - and help them to see that it is His will that is to be done - His Kingdom to come - here now and in our lives.

So glad we could meet with Tom and Sue Brunner - true friends - I always come away from them richer! So did we briefly meet Mike and Becky I'M Brian. How they blessed us in every sense of the way. I love it when God - through the years - put people together and there is a mutual trust and respect - that is what should be seen and experienced throughout the church - not so? In the mean time Evans is our perfect hostess and took us everywhere we need to be. We spent a delightful evening with Evan's Mom Mrs. Gilmore (the wisdom that comes out of her - accompanied by great wit and humour - oh it is invigorating!) and her sister Janie - lovely lady. It is so comfortable in her presence - a joy to know her.

Lastly we ministered at the Church of Northern Virginia - with dear friends Pitts Evans and his charming wife. It is a palace to visit when you are in the area. The man is so secure in Christ - he knows who he is in Jesus and I love seeing this in the ministry. We are just overwhelmed by the love and care we received in the States. My husband is totally impressed by your warmth. Sorry anyone reading from another country. Hopefully he will say the same from your country - as we as Christians should be law like that. As long as it is sincere and not just a motion - but we were touched by the warmth and helpfulness. I believe God loves America - because of the many prayers going up for your country - please do not get weary of doing that. You are a blessed country and I rejoice with you. Yes many things are not right and you are a leading nation in the world - setting the pace on many issues. But you have a tremendous tool in your hands - His Word- and go fulfil His purpose in your life.

We went on to Atlanta where we spend 3 days with Danie's brother - who now lives there with his wife Jenny and three married daughters. They have been there for 8 years. It was a good time together we praise God for that as Danie has not seen his brother for such a long time.
We are safely back in Africa. I was supposed to be operated on yesterday. But all along I felt not at peace about it. Everything was booked and ready when I developed a soar throat and flu. All the doctors agreed that such an op is definitely off. Now I have peace and it will be done in two weeks time. Nothing big - just some things in my breasts to be removed which should not be there. I will go in on the 12th of April. Thank you for your prayers. Now Danie can be with me where as he would have been in Zimbabwe. Again God knows what He is doing. Glory to Him.

I will be working on a new CD - either African Music - Just Worship songs - or a combination of all the languages and music I like. I will appreciate your prayers in this regard.

If you are reading this letter and do not have this relationship with Jesus as I have and you also want that "secure" thing in your life - I tell you it is the only secure thing in one's life - then stand right there even better kneel and tell Jesus you want Him to be in control of your life and that He be the One to guide and lead you. Ask Him to forgive you for having ignored Him for so long and allow His Holy Spirit to fill you life. Thank Him for that and now I pray that you will experience the peace that surpasses all understanding - that which you have longed for so long. We ask this in the Name of Jesus. Go read the book of John in the New Testament. Just have fun. I have seen it a couple of times on this tour - how people just came running down the aisle - hungry - eager to get saved NOW - where as I still wanted to help pray with other people these people were serious and wanted to know that they are saved NOW. I have learned such a lesson by just those incidents.

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