First days of 2013

TRAINING & EQUIPPING........

Hi there! 2013 is here, and Jodi is busy with Ithemba & will blog about that soon. I am helping to equip 36 new students to go into the Nations. Our theme is “To know Him and to make Him known!” What a privilege to be part of this chapter of their lives, knowing that they will impact many, and they themselves will never be the same.  Our first week of training started in the bush last week, where the students learned to live without their comforts. They slept under the stars,drank and bathed in the river, food was sparse & the sun was hot. Our goal was to bring them face to face with who they REALLY are.

The bush mimics circumstances they will encounter this year - hunger,eating strange food, and living in close proximity with teammates with very little privacy.This week we are focusing on “knowing” God and how we are a part of HIS story. Sunday I will teach on "Identity in Christ". Pray with me for them to have a revelation of Christ’s heart for them as well as the Nations. Our friend Joe Ewin from Scotland,  always says: "You cannot live on experiences, but only on revelation that God drops in our hearts…I pray that God will reveal more of who He is to you this week. Thanks for being on our team!      Marius

December in Jeffrey's Bay

Hi there from J-Bay,

Maybe some of you are sitting around a fireplace sipping cider and relaxing with family, but the sun is HOT and this is our busiest season here in South Africa. We just finished our two week debrief session of our teams who returned from their year-long mission journeys. It was an amazing time of hearing about the wonderful things God did in and through these students- many miraculous, wonderful testimonies of God’s power and love!  Week one was focused on bringing closure to “team” life and week 2 helped prepare them to re-enter this next chapter of their lives.

I loved the times of prayer, worship and teaching. What a blessing it is to be a part of this organization and all that God is doing in these young people’s lives. My mom heard a quote the other day that “if you love what you do, you don’t work a day in your life…”  I truly do love what I’m doing here! I thought you guys might like to see a few little clips of my teaching on “Identity in Christ”. (Click link to view teaching)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UKmnV0AREs&feature=youtube_gdata_player

During the month of December, while all of the surfers and vacationers take over our little town here, I am waitering at a local coffee shop that some friends of ours from Global own. Hopefully this will help me to pay the remainder that I owe on my motorcycle,  and our friends who own the coffee shop just had a baby last week who is in intensive care, so it helps us and it helps them.  Jodi is busy selling her Emi's Closet crafts at the Christmas markets here. She has already been to 4 markets and there are more each weekend. It's going well with Emi's Closet! God is really blessing this project, and we thank Him for that.

We are celebrating two years with Global Challenge at the end of December, which means we have been living outside the USA for four years already (Two years with Adventure in Missions in Swaziland and now two years with Global Challenge Expeditions here in South Africa). I can’t believe how time just flies by.

Jodi and I hope that you are enjoying this holiday season.  Thank you so much for your support and for helping us do what we do here. Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Blessings,

Marius (and the girls)

P.S. I will update you on Soul Adventure and Jodi will update you on her Emi's Closet Project soon so be on the lookout........

A Week of Celebrations!

First, it was Jodi's Birthday on Oct 26. We won't say which one, but let's just say that next year will be a BIG one! 

then four days later it was  Marius & Jodi's 7 year Wedding Anniversary (Oct 30)

And the very next day was our little Emi Adison's 3rd birthday. She had a princess tea party, and her friends came dressed as little Disney princesses (compliments of Ouma Cheryl). They decorated their own smiley face pizzas and their own cupcakes. They also got their little nails done and got to wear make up, mommy's jewelry, and shoes! It was sooooooo cute!

 and finally..... a huge milestone for me....
 Nov. 2nd - the launch of Emi's Closet's first clothing sale!!!

My friend Tanya who owns a local coffee shop let me use the top floor of her shop in downtown Jeffrey's Bay for my "store" at no charge for 2 days. It was a great response, and MANY moms came and shopped. 

As a result of the sale, Emi's Closet was able to give R2050 to Ithemba's Feeding Program which will feed 20 kids for a month! We are very happy and very blessed by this beginning. The next sale will be at the Happy Hippo market on Nov. 24th. Thanks to all of you who helped make this first Emi's Closet Sale possible by your clothing, fabric, and button donations and prayers!!!

I will keep you posted, but we're off to a great start!

lots and lots and lots of love,

jodi (marius & emi)

BarkBusters!

A glimpse into our work this week......

The organization we work with here in South Africa - Global Challenge Expeditions is building a new high school here in Jeffreys Bay. A 5,000,000Rand property has been donated, and we've purchased trees to build the first of 4 staff houses.

Talk about grass roots! Our staff has been out busting the bark off of these 130 trees for many days now and many more to come! It's going to be an awesome property one day with a big school, sports grounds, a dormitory, staff houses, a day-care facility, etc. Just wanted to let you have a peek at the humble start of this great school. Each day Emi asks her dad, "Are we going to the trees?"

Here is a video of Emi barkbusting http://bit.ly/ROeEof

Love,

Marius, Jodi & Emi

A Million Thanks!!

Hello from J-bay, South Africa! 

We're finally over our jet lag now. Now that my brain is functioning properly again I want to say a huge THANK YOU from the absolute bottom of our hearts to all of our many friends (new & old) who blessed us while we were home - with buttons, toddler clothes, fabrics, onesies, meals, good advice, and lots of love. We're extremely grateful to everyone who is helping to make the Emi's Closet Project a success!

I'm changing our updates as some mentioned you would rather hear less information - more often. Please let us know what YOU think.

I will send more pics of all the donations when I get them organized. Again, thank you for partnering with us to help make a difference here in South Africa!

We love you!

The Deetlefs

3-3-3

3-3-3

3 Days until Thursday, Sept 6^th  7pm - Dessert Night with Jodi at Sharptop Cove  - Jasper, GA

3 More days until Sunday, Sept 9^th – no longer speaking at church service at His House Church

3 Weeks until Monday, Sept 24^th – when Emi and I fly back to South Africa

We only have 21 more days here in the States, and we would love to connect with you before we go. Please come to our Dessert Night – this Thursday night at 7pm to see a few video clips and hear about some of the awesome things God has been doing in South Africa this year. (Directions at the bottom of this blog or call 770.608.8070)

For our out of town friends who have expressed an interest in want to send clothing and craft supplies for our EMI’S CLOSET PROJECT then you just have a few more weeks to mail them to the following address, or if you’re in Jasper and have some donations for the project then you can drop them at my parent’s house:

John & Cheryl Stancil

896 S. Main St.

Jasper, GA 30143

770.608.8070

The things we need most at this point are felt – white, brown, black…

Buttons

New white onesies in all sizes

Baby clothes (newborn – 24 months)

Gift Cards to JoAnns, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, or Wal Mart or of course cash is also welcome here  :_)

I also brought along some cute Africa stuff that me and my African friends made to raise some money for the Emi’s Closet Project. Please check them out on my Facebook page and email me at jodi@gcex.org if you’re interested in buying one. We have Africa magnets, small Africa pillows, and Africa canvas bags. We really appreciate your help with this great project that will benefit orphans and vulnerable children by helping continue to feed them healthy meals every day.

Bless you and please don’t tarry because our time here is short!

Hope to see you Thursday night. Happy Labor Day.

Love,

jodi

Directions for thursday night:

When using GPS to plan your trip to SharpTop Cove, use coordinates:

34.503334,-84.361209

Directions coming from I-75 N from Marietta/Atlanta

I-75 to I-575 N I-575 turns into 515N At third traffic light on 515N, turn RIGHT onto 53 East in Jasper (go 2 miles) 53 turn LEFT onto Burnt Mountain Road (go 0.4 miles) Burnt Mountain Road turn RIGHT onto Cove Road (by CITGO Station – go 2.3 miles) Cove Road turn LEFT onto Grandview Road (go 2 miles) Grandview Road turn RIGHT onto Windy Ridge Road (go 0.5 miles) Windy Ridge turn RIGHT onto GA Baptist Road (go 2 miles)

(go 2 miles) Grandview Road turn RIGHT onto Windy Ridge Road (go 0.5 miles) Windy Ridge turn RIGHT onto GA Baptist Road (go 2 miles)

Directions coming from Big Canoe:

Take a right onto Cove Road.

Take a right onto Grandview Road. (go 2 miles)

Turn Right onto Windy Ridge Road (go  1/2 mile)

turn Right onto GA Baptist Road (go 2 miles)

When you cross the creek and come to the T junction, take a left and follow that road all the way to the top to the Adult Guest Lodge.

Directions from Jasper:

From Main Street in Jasper take 53 East (East Church Street) to the next red light by Walgreens

Turn Left onto Burnt Mtn. Rd. (0.4 mi)

Turn Right onto Cove Rd. (2.4 mi)

Turn Left onto Grandview Rd. (2 mi)

Turn Right onto Windy Ridge Rd. (0.5 mi) 

Turn Right onto GA Baptist Rd. (2 mi)

When you cross the creek and come to the T junction, take a left and follow the road all the way to the top to the Adult Guest Lodge

Jodi is coming to Georgia Tomorrow!

I’m so, so, so excited to say that Emi and I are indeed flying home to Georgia tomorrow to spend almost a month! It’s my mom’s 60^th so my dad and Steve Kasha at SERV made it possible for us to come and celebrate with her. Thank you!!

I wanted to let you know where and when we will be around, so that hopefully we can connect on one of these days. I have been struggling with bronchitis for a few months now, so this is also a bit of a rest trip for me. As much as I would LOVE to see everyone individually, it just won’t be possible so please see if you can work one of these dates into your schedule:

**Sat. Aug 25** 25

Women of Trinity Tea at Trinity Evangelical Church

(2685 Steve Tate Hwy Marble  Hill, GA) 

**Sun. Sept 2** 10:30 am

Sing/Share Briefly at Trinity (Marble Hill, GA (www.trinityonthenet.org ; 770.893.2682)        

***Thurs. Sept 6*** 7:00-8:30 pm

Dessert & Coffee Night w/Jodi *** EVERYBODY IS INVITED! 

(Sharptop Cove Young Life Camp, Jasper, GA www.sharptopcove.younglife.org)

**Sun. Sept 9** Time TBA 

Singing & Sharing at His House Christian Fellowship

(2267 Roundtop Rd. Ellijay, GA 30540 706.276.4775)

**Sun. Sept 16**  8:30 & 11:00 a.m.

Singing & Sharing at Jasper United Methodist Church                       (www.jasperumc.org  85 W. Church St. Jasper, GA)      

      




***If you have to choose only one evening - choose Sept. 6^th. Please SAVE THAT DATE.  This is your chance to hear first-hand all the great stuff God has been doing here in South Africa this past year. It will be very casual, some nice coffee and dessert, and a short and sweet feedback evening. PLEASE COME! And feel free to bring a friend to give them a glimpse of world missions, and how you are really making a difference for eternity!

Let me know if you think you will be able to attend (either by replying to this email or calling me on my mom's cell 770-608-8070). If by chance you can't RSVP then please feel free to come anyway. Everybody is welcome. I can't wait to see you!!!!

To all of our other faithful supporters and friends in Montana and elsewhere – I’m so sorry I won’t be able to see you too – I wish I had unlimited miles and I would see every single precious one of you!

love,

Jodi Stancil Deetlefs

p.s. I am OVERWHELMED with how many of you have said that you want to contribute to my Emi’s Closet project. THANK YOU! Please keep posted for the next blog and I will let you know where and when you can bring stuff by or mail it….And I have some cute magnets and little hearts we’ve made to sell and raise money too. Stay tuned for more info!

DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO  Sept. 6th evening at SHARPTOP COVE:

When using GPS to plan your trip to SharpTop Cove, use coordinates:

34.503334,-84.361209

Directions coming from I-75 N from Marietta/Atlanta

I-75 to I-575 N I-575 turns into 515N At third traffic light on 515N, turn RIGHT onto 53 East in Jasper (go 2 miles) 53 turn LEFT onto Burnt Mountain Road (go 0.4 miles) Burnt Mountain Road turn RIGHT onto Cove Road (by CITGO Station – go 2.3 miles) Cove Road turn LEFT onto Grandview Road (go 2 miles) Grandview Road turn RIGHT onto Windy Ridge Road (go 0.5 miles) Windy Ridge turn RIGHT onto GA Baptist Road (go 2 miles)

(go 2 miles) Grandview Road turn RIGHT onto Windy Ridge Road (go 0.5 miles) Windy Ridge turn RIGHT onto GA Baptist Road (go 2 miles)

Directions coming from Big Canoe:

Take a right onto Cove Road.

Take a right onto Grandview Road. (go 2 miles)

Turn Right onto Windy Ridge Road (go  1/2 mile)

turn Right onto GA Baptist Road (go 2 miles)

When you cross the creek and come to the T junction, take a left and follow that road all the way to the top to the Adult Guest Lodge.

Directions from Jasper:

From Main Street in Jasper take 53 East (East Church Street) to the next red light by Walgreens

Turn Left onto Burnt Mtn. Rd. (0.4 mi)

Turn Right onto Cove Rd. (2.4 mi)

Turn Left onto Grandview Rd. (2 mi)

Turn Right onto Windy Ridge Rd. (0.5 mi) 

Turn Right onto GA Baptist Rd. (2 mi)

When you cross the creek and come to the T junction, take a left and follow the road all the way to the top to the Adult Guest Lodge

Call Johnny if you have any problems

  cell: 770-894-9116