Its just a journey typing this manny letters!

Hello to all. I am sorry that it has taken me so long to update yet again. Unfortunately the computer is in very high demand so I havn't had as many opportunities as I thought I might have. The last week and a half have been quite eventful. Unfortunately my busy schedule has once again contributed to me being ill once again. I have gone over 39 ideas in my head on how to pull my tonsils while I am down here, but every single one of the possibilities seem offer more pain than just sticking out another episode of throat infection. For some reason it dropped into my sinus's this morning which sadly prohibited me from attending Greek this morning. I am hoping to kick this thing in the next couple of days. But, I know that God never will give me too much to handle which I am thankful for. Today hasn't been all bad times though. My parents sent me a package 2 weeks ago that contained my drivers license/advil/throat lossenges and today it arrived! Everyone was telling me that it would probably be 6 weeks or so until I would recieve my care package, but God was gracious in delivering the meds..and a valid drivers license. The truth is that not many drivers here have drivers liscense's but since my the pigmant of my skin is different than almost 85 percent of the people that live in South Africa, it would not be out of the realm of possibility to be thrown in jail for not having a licsense that is current. So I am very grateful to my parents for sendin me the package and grateful to God for the speediness in which it was delivered. Ok so updates...Last week was a bit different for everyone here, as it held something that the last several weeks didnt...RAIN! If you guys think it is dry in Santa Clarita, come try living in Polokwane. I tell you the truth my friends, that farmers were probably doing irish jigs when they saw the clouds move in. Rain here is so essential. Water bills can be exceedingly expensive due to water shortages in the area. Also I don't care where your from, you have never experienced anything like an African Thunderstorm. Lets just say that I was literally knocked off my feet by one of the strikes. Not by shock, I saw the flash of light, but the literal sound shook me to my core and I just fell helplessly to the ground. I saw a lightening bolt literally strike 15 meters away. So those are always exciting. We also experience blackouts quite frequently...this is due to a total goof up from the energy provder "eskom" The president of that company should be flogged publically for his decisions...thats right, publically...and that wont even be as severe as a punnishment as he deserves!

Ok so now that you all think I am on the borderline of having sin in my heart towards this man, let me continue. I began Greek last thursday and so far it has been a wonderful experience. It is so much easier than Hebrew (in part because hebrew looks like a bunch of different flower pettals) and the Vocab is so much easier to memorize. We have charts that have like 32 different ways to identify the articles an, a, & the...and those are just about frustrating enough to want to pull your hair out, even when you are lacking in the area...you get the point. We have our cumulative quiz tommorow before everyone heads back to their homes, and the 1st and 3rd year students come back and we once again look at flower peddals together :).. I am excited though that I will be moving into the hostle next time the 2nd and 4th year students come. That will be a total blessing, and I am sure I will be able to identify with the students better after living with them...that or I might be kicked out, when I ask to take a shower....enough said..

I am also very excited because I found out that I will be heading on a survey trip up to Gesesho, Mozambique in April. I am excited and scared at the same time. All the people at the church tell me that this trip will be the most sobering thing I have ever done in my life...Now villages down here are depressing and complete poverty envelops them...but they said that is nothing to Mozambique. Aparently we also have to be careful driving there...I found out via the wonderful internet, that Mozambique has the most Landmines of any country...and yes we will be driving through fields that have been covered in mines. Thankfully there is a road! Yes a Road that drives through the only safe zone between the border and Gesesho. Now I am sure if my parents have read this, I will be getting a phone call very soon..however to put fears to rest. The mission team that I am going with has literally taken this trip too many times to count times. It is very routine for them, so they know the road very well. But I am very thankful that God will give me this eye opening experience.on the entertainment side of things, I was recently able to visit a bird and reptile park. It was beautiful! Birds that I could only dream about ever seeing anywhere, are just flying around freely. It is a truly amazing exhibit. I also got to look at the worlds deadliest and dangerous snakes. I have a video on my cell phone of one of my friends infuriating a King Cobra, and the Cobra lunging with all its might at him...thankfully there is a layer of 2 inch plexiglass in between my dear friend Michael and the fierce slithering beast. The best part of the day was when I was turning a corner and I saw my favorite animal! Meerkats! Never in my life did I think I would ever be able to touch a Meerkat, and yet just 1 1/2 months into my venture in Africa, I was able to stroke the head of a very cute kalaharian Meerkat. Next sunday after church we will be going to the Polokwane game reserve, where I will see Rhino's Girrafes and other African wildlife. Every sunday after morning services I go with 4 of my friends on a day filled with fun activities. In a few weeks we will go to Kruger National Park to see "The Big Five" (Lions, buffalo, leapords, baboons, Cheetahs) So I am looking forward to that as well.

On the ministry front...I am continuing to lead worship for the High School Youth group here in Polokwane, even though last week I didnt sing and I wont this week either due to my throat. The group of musicians I get to play with are a total blast to worship with. The songs are a lot different here but Its an enjoyable experience none the less. I also taught sunday school last week which I will again be doing in the next couple of weeks. We are also preparing to take a retreat in the beginning of April with all the youth, so please be praying for that. I am also getting to have a lot of bible time with a guy named Wesly. He is a great kid with a wonderful heart so having time to share with him is a blessing. Please be praying for other opportuntities of fellowship and dicipleship down here. Getting to be with the students is a great learning experience as well. And of course Mr. Beakley is continuing to teach me and educate me in all different fields which has been a wonderful time. Mrs. Beakley and Mr. Beakley have been so incredible to me and have given such great advice...It is such a privledge staying here. I am currently involved in 4 bible studies which is such an incredible experience, being in so many different books at the same time...and then I have my own bible time. I am currently in Matthew and chapter 7 had such a great impact on me as it is so easy to become judgemental in a place where you seem like a "spiritual giant". So please keep praying for diligence in staying in the word as well as having a humble heart.The last update I have for you is that I will be in Jeffrey's bay from February 24th till March 4th visiting the Ferreira family and serving them for a week. I am very excited for this opportunity because I havn't seen any of them for over 10 years. I am sure that many of you who are reading this, are very excited to hear from him. He sends his love to all those back home at LHEF. I am so grateful for the opportuntity to meet different missionary families all over South Africa. The last thing I would like to do before sharing picture with you, is to post a song I wrote last week when I just had time to reflect.

"An Undeserving Love"-By Benjamin Pierce Coussens

You died for me

When you knew that

Trampling on your bloodIs all that I'd Do

But you showed me your love

And you gave me your son

When I had nothing to offer you My God

Your forgiveness flows in everlasting waves

And I am so thankful to you

That you give me life that you give me breath

When all I deserve
Is death and separation from you

But you stoop down and rescue me

You paid the price

So that I may have life
You suffered shame

Even though I defile your name

But you still show me love

Something I am so undeserving of

And you forgive a debt I can never repay

To you my God

Your forgiveness flows in everlasting waves
And I am so thankful to you
That you give me life that you give me breath
When all I deserveIs death and separation from you
But you stoop down and rescue me

Oh for all the things I've done
And all the trials I've come through

I still never give you the credit

But I see now
and I want to give you all the glory

Give you all the glory My God

Have a great week everyone. God bless and may glory be to our Great God!

This is Serabi. She is called a Boreabull. Her head is about the size of a bowling bawl and her paws rival that of a Kangaroo! Her breed is estremely aggressive and sadly is literally trained to attack black people. However Serabi is a house dog and an affectionate one at that. She is an incredible guard dog still even though shes been trained to be a sissy...But the one thing we cant stand...SHE DROOLS LIKE CRAZY! when she wants to say hi she gives you a Serabi "bath"...Shes a sweet dog though and she makes the family.

This is Baruk "Blessing" in Hebrew. Baruk was hit by a car going 40 miles per hour about 2 years ago but God graciously allowed him to survive. He is by far the cutest dog that I have ever been around and by far the smartest. He can balance himself on his hind paws for a 30 seconds while standing up and especially when food is involved... Unless you are not human, you are saying awww...when you look at this picture...which is why...

...I gave you another picture of him. I have videos that I can't post but they would have you on the floor. Baruk once saw me in the kitchen wearing a hat that covered my face, but because he didnt recognize me...he barked at serabi and serabi bared her teeth at me and charged me...she got closer and realized who it was and skidded to a stop...Baruk knowing that he had started the whole mess...came up to me and extended his paw to me as if to say "my bad". I am not joking...he literally strolled up to me and put his paw in the air, shook my hand, and walked away..hes a cutie and a smarty.

This is a Staff Elders Braii...A Braii is like a bbq except it takes about 2 hours to get your food done, and everything is done by hot charcols. This is at our senior pastors house.

Well I hope you enjoyed the visuals. have a great week.

Benjamin Pierce