From Bruce and Patsy
Bruce Boynes
November 2013 ~ NEWSLETTER
65A Moonlight Drive
Rototuna
3210 HAMILTON
New Zealand
Skype : beedaboynes
Warm greetings from ‘the land of the long white cloud’!
THANKSGIVING! It’s very difficult to put into words just how grateful to God we are for His gracious hand on us during the immigration process. In so many situations we have found ourselves exclaiming, “Lord, we see your hand”! Within 3 weeks of our return to SA. from our last holiday in NZ, the exciting news came through via email that our resident visa applications had been “APPROVED”! The speed and suddenness of this surprized us so much that we actually asked our daughter Kerry to get confirmation from the local office of Immigration New Zealand! We praise God for His guidance and provision all along this sometimes difficult road, and for His peace now that things have come together for our move. And thanks to all who have been praying for us, supporting us, and encouraging us during this time of waiting and uncertainty.
MOVING EXPERIENCES! This past year has been full of ‘moving’ experiences – geographically and emotionally. Last October we travelled to NZ for a 6 month holiday, and arrived back in SA at the beginning of April, 2013. Our first week we stayed with Brent who moved to the spare room to make us feel very much at home. It was great to be able to hug and catch up, and we also had the pleasure of spending time with Brent and his lovely girl-friend, Adeline. We then tripped to Vryheid to visit with Patsy’s 2 sisters and brother, then back to Jo’burg to enjoy time with Jared and Calla on the farm where we used to live. It was also a time to see and say goodbye to many people we love and care about. Good friends of ours had asked us to house-sit for them so that they could go to the Kruger Park, so it was off to Kaiser’s Beach for a month. From there we visited and stayed with friends in Knysna, and travelled on to Cape Town to enjoy a time with Patsy’s brother and his wife. July and August was spent at Shelly Beach on the south coast of KZN – a wonderful time of R & R with family and friends coming down to visit with us. We enjoyed Brent’s hospitality during our final week in SA, and flew out to NZ on the 8th September. Whew!
NEW HORIZONS AND NEW RHYTHMS! Obviously, we’re here, and almost settled into our wonderful new home, sweet home! It’s so good to be surrounded by familiar things again! Living next door to Kerry, Rob and Michael is the best! Our place has 2 bedrooms, a lovely, comfortable lounge/dining/kitchen area, and a garage that gives us internal access to our home – all very separate from their 4-bedroom home. Michael loves to pop over for visits and treats and fun and games, and has had a few sleep-overs already! It’s a joy for us to take him out for bus rides, swimming, shopping, etc. He’s a one-man entertainment centre! It’s also helpful that there is a well-equipped children’s playground area about 200 metres from our place where we can go for him to expend some of his impossible-to-exhaust energy resources! The other day, while travelling on a bus and playing a game of spot the car, he snuggled up to me and said, “I love you, grandpa”. Yesterday, he told Patsy that he was so glad that we had come to live with him. Thanks, Lord!
The adventure of finding our feet and place in NZ is challenging, exciting, intimidating and fun! I’ve joined a golf club (naturally!) that takes 5 minutes to get there and 12 minutes to get back home – hope you get this and smile, and Patsy plays caddie for me from time to time. We attend a church that is about 5 minutes away, and I’ve met with the pastor – his name is Bruce – for coffee and a chat. One of the things I’ve been considering doing is the Hospice course, and volunteering my time and help. It just so happened that he was off to a meeting that very day with the Cancer Association who recently asked him to pull a team of chaplains together for their institution! I see your hand, Lord?!! Bruce invited me along to the very first meeting to observe and explore, and he is open to my being a part of the team. Patsy is also looking at becoming a volunteer there where 101 jobs need to be done. Watch this space as we are trusting God to help us connect relationally with the right people, and open doors of opportunity to do kingdom work for His glory.
Whereas before we were in touch with our family in NZ via emails and Skype, now we rely on these tools to keep in contact with Brent, Jared and Calla whom we miss terribly. This is a major adjustment for all of us so please pray for the Lord’s grace to be manifest in precious ways.
THANKSGIVING! This will be our last formal Newsletter. It goes without saying that we would love to keep in touch, but we’d prefer to leave the ball in your court from here on. Before I end this letter, Patsy joins me is saying a heartfelt “Thank you!” for the privilege of meeting you, and knowing you at some level. Thanks for your interest, care, love and prayers for us – some of you have been there with and for us over many years. God has been so good to us in giving us encouragement, support, strength and countless grace-gifts through so many wonderful, faithful people. We do love and appreciate you! We will meet again!
Blessings!
Bruce and Patsy
bo...@global.co.za
Thanks for updating us and may you enjoy your time there.
Kgotso,
Trev
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