March 22, 2007

Dear Friends,

Post-furlough greetings from half-a-world away!

After six months, traveling 38,000 miles, sleeping in 36 different beds, preaching in twenty different pulpits, having well over one hundred personal meetings, eating in innumerable fast food joints and greasy spoons ad nauseam (pun intended), and making hundreds of phone calls and e-mails, furlough 2006/2007 came to an official end last Friday morning when I arrived at Cape Town International and was joyously reunited with my family!

For the last six days I¹ve been in a jet-lagged stupor. I even preached in this surreal state last Sunday. I¹m still unsure about what I said, but staying tethered to my manuscript helped me stay the course! God seemed to bless in spite of the presence of the dysphonic state I was in. The flock here showed their appreciation (fortunately before I preached) for my safe return by presenting Debbie and I with a gift certificate to our favorite restaurant‹think Ostrich steak here!

As Debbie and I reflect back on the furlough that was, we are most grateful for all that was done for us to make this stateside sojourn possible. Apart from the generosity of Community Bible Church (Vallejo, California) and so many others, furlough would not have been possible. To all who contributed, prayed, and or encouraged us along the way‹we say a heartfelt ³Thank You²!

From my side, I can¹t thank Grace Community Church enough for making it possible for me to conclude furlough by attending ³The Shepherd¹s Conference² two weeks ago. It was an indescribable blessing to end six months of travel and suitcases on such a high note! I saw hundreds of friends and supporters from all over the world!

Now the real work begins as we seek to put our hand back to the plow of Living Hope Bible Church. Please pray for us as we make the adjustment and transition back to life in South Africa and the ministry God has called us to. Just this-morning two women were held up at gun-point not one hundred feet from our home as they took their kids to school. Adjustments like this are only made possible by your prayers!

Once we are settled and have a pulse on the ministry here, we will write in greater detail about ministry matters. Until then, please pray for much fruit this year as we labor in the vineyard for His glory!

Yours For the Master¹s Use!
The Christophers
Mark, Debbie,
Janelle, and Micaiah

P.S. Also, a big ³Thank You² is due Kilwa and Nicole, who held the fort while we were away! Kilwa and Nicole have decided to pursue another ministry opportunity in another part of the vineyard. We wish them well as they follow God¹s leading in this!