Dear Family & Friends,

Firstly, let me apologize for the delay in getting this update on paper and sent out to you.  When I write my updates, I do so as the Lord leads and on the topic he gives me.  I have patiently been waiting for this to drop into my spirit so I can write to you.  Well...as patiently as I could, with some of you covering me in prayer to get to writing.

I was thinking of all that has happened since I last wrote you and, quite frankly, the only way I can describe it is it has been a whirlwind of unsettling things.  With few exceptions, every area of my life here in South Africa, and in the United States, has been affected.

Unexpected, unplanned and yet each one has been ordained and according to the plans God has for me.  I'm thankful that all that has happened was stretched out over 7 months and not dished out all at once.

I have a saying on Facebook...L4TB...Look for the blessing.  Which is not always easy when we are riding in the storm, at least for me it isn't.  But when I look for the blessing, God is faithful to show me that he was with me all along.  The verse from Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God."  To KNOW God is God, and that I am not, is the beginning of accepting the peace that can only come from Him.  God's got this _________ (fill in the blank) for whatever is going on in your life.  He is more than able to help you through it.  There is a beginning, a middle AND thankfully an end.  Some of what I have been experiencing has reached the end, yay God!  And some I am still going through.  Some might think of my word, how awful.  But honestly, what I am thankful for is that I am still in a position to learn new things, adjust some bad thinking and kick some long time lies to the curb.  Movement, even though it is very rough seas, sometimes can be good.  It means I am not too old to learn new things and also not too old to experience new and unexpected joys.  Movement is good, stagnation is not good.  As the dust settles and I am able to, I shall share even more with you because our lessons are never just for us, but rather for our good and God's glory.

We are approaching our winter (yes I said WINTER!) school holidays, and schools will be closed for about three weeks.  So Beautiful Gate is a buzz with getting our vacation holiday clubs up and running.  We've had some changes here at Beautiful Gate, but all good and still directed by God.  But, like any change, it's a bit uncomfortable for a time because we like to do things the WAY WE'VE ALWAYS DONE IT.  Sound familiar?  Children are still being loved and taught and cherished as always, and that is a good thing.

Our prayers right now, and will be for some time, is for God to fill our dams.  We are still in a water crisis situation and our new normal will be with us for a long time.  We are allowed to use only 50 liters of water per day.  And yes, it still pains us when we watch TV and see someone open the tap and just let that water run down the drain.  Every bit of water is precious to us.  Our new normal.  But, prayerfully our winter rains will come and fill our dams to where they should be.  God is able!

In His Service,
Valeria Gail Markowski