Dear Friends,

In my prayer request two weeks ago I asked you to pray about a men's conference I would be attending in Kwa-Zulu Natal. At that time the number of men expected to attend was 30,000. The registrations were coming in so fast, at one per second the week before the conference, that the server crashed at 50,000. The actual count on the Saturday , estimated by the amount of meals served, was 65,000 men. It is hard to describe what God was doing during this historic event at the largest Christian gathering of men in all of African history, meeting in the largest tent in the world. Let me just put it this way:

Sixty five thousand men called apart by God, to listen, take in, and respond to His powerful Word,

Came together from every walk of life, some for the first time the true Gospel clearly heard.

People from every South African race group, camping, eating, singing and praising God as one,

A miracle of grace, for a people with a history of separation, where atrocious things were done.

Men with cultural and language barriers, admitting resentments yet uninhibited in crossing the floor.

Yes, truly a miracle of grace, the beginning of a renewal like this country has never seen before.

A victory won but a battle front opened, an onslaught for the hearts of men, to close this open door.

Angus Buchan spoke at all the sessions and one of the first things he said to us was “Men, the tent is paid for so is all the food, I don’t know how it happened but our God has done it again, so relax” The amazing thing about the whole weekend was that it was free except for the registration fee of a R100 which went to pay the farmers who didn't plant crops in their fields but put down grass so we could camp. No appeal for money was made, we were told that there were boxes if anyone wanted to give a donation so it was faith building to see God putting the whole conference together. Getting to the actual conference site at Angus’ farm was the biggest challenge for most people. It took us almost four hours to go the last 10 kilometers. The interesting thing about the whole traffic jam experience was that no one on the road got mad, people were walking together talking, sharing food and drinks, and generally getting to know one another while waiting for the vehicles to move. The police, who I am sure have never had such a potential logistical nightmare were very relaxed and enjoying the experience.

The conference theme was “Dying to live”. The challenge was given for the men to deal with the issue of pride. To be willing to put things right in their families, businesses and live as Christian men should. Angus’ messages are so down to earth and as a farmer turned preacher he is able to relate so well to the realities of the struggles that men face. So his messages:

Exhorted to take God at His Word, be obedient forgiving and take back ground that had been lost.

Being willing to model godly principles at home, in the workplace, no matter what the personal cost.

To allow God to speak into their lives, learning to listen to Him through the Word and no other voice.

Claiming back their wives and families, being faithful and fair, starting anew by making godly choices

To live the life God intended them to live, and in the process bless this country and change it ‘s course.

One of the thrilling things for me was meeting men from a number of other African countries. There were people from Angola, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique Botswana and Namibia.

Thank you for praying for us it is going to be very interesting to see what God does in the future in South Africa through the impact that this gathering had on key people’s lives.

Roy Tibbit

Yesterday it was airline tickets, an extended wait at the bank to pay some doctor’s bill,

Rose stripping beds, washing sheets for an influx of guests, then getting a prescription of pills.

That was followed by bookkeeping to keep a track of all the money spent to date,

Threw in a fast market trip for visitors wanting souvenirs, so arrived home a bit late.

All part of being a service to missionaries without putting too much on our plate.

Lets see today I need to buy sinks, long bolts, some glue to stick down a floor,

Camping gear, medicine, dress material, fabric paint, and I guess a whole lot more.

A computer drive, cassette tapes, cheese, a tyre, bulbar and racks for a Hilux van,

Then there is a list of unmentionable things I’ve given to Rose because I’m a man.

But hey, this is just another very full day in Africa doing the best job that we can.

Tomorrow, who knows, but it could be a wonderful surprise or maybe an added glitch,

There may be a call for car parts; an evacuation for someone sick, or another hitch.

I know there will be people coming to the door for food, money or with items to sell

A friend may pop in for prayer, share a blessing or someone has a sad story to tell.

All part of the Tibbit’s day, doing what we can, while sharing that with God, it can be well.

So our role is a balance between accurate records, while buying the right brand,

Taxi-ing and housing colleagues, and others, and learning how to patiently stand.

Listening to stories about God’s provisions while also hearing about the many tests,

In short; a mixture of the urgent and not so, but enjoying what we both do best.

The supporting of others, so that they can get on, keep well, be content, and get rest.

Roy Tibbit

August 2007

The joy of our work is not so much in our situation, the country or even the task,

But in meeting the missionaries and hearing; how with God, their vision was cast.

Listening to stories of hardship, disappointment, sickness and at times little fruit,

Mingled with testimonies of lives being touched, of God’s Word taking deep root.

Rewards of faithfulness; counting the cost, planting, and then watering new shoots.

Roy Tibbit

Dear Friends,

For a change I am going to give you a very tiny flavour of some thoughts from an African view point. For many years I have been interested in different cultural ‘world views’. How people view their world in relationship to others. It is always interesting to find out how other cultures look at us foreigners and what they think about our customs that seem so strange to them. I have also been amazed at how resourceful people are when faced with difficult situations.

Note: Azungu is a term used for foreigners in most of Southern Africa.

Azungus are very strange. They spend all day in their house. What are they doing in there? Here in Africa a house is for storing things in, or sleeping in during the winter. But everything else is done outside. Did you know that Azungus actually eat inside their house? And they relieve themselves and even take a bath inside the house. Such practices are bizarre and unsanitary to Africans. This makes us wonder if they are doing secret things in there.

Another thing that is strange is that their houses are gigantic. Most Africans build a group of small buildings in their yard. One is for the husband and wife and small children. Another is for the teenage boys. Another might be for storing grain or other things. But the Azungus build one gigantic building for everything: everyone lives together inside, sleeps inside, even socializes inside. Maybe this is a practice that has been imported from the cold parts of the world where for several months of the year it is dark and the ground is frozen. Here in Africa it is almost never too cold to go outside and how are you supposed to socialize with your neighbors if you’re hiding in your house?

We landed in Pemba, Mozambique at about 7.40 pm and after some time were asked to board. As we sat waiting in the plane, the captain announced that the flight would be delayed because the Nampula airport runway lights were not working. We disembarked and waited in the Pemba airport departure lounge. About two hours later we were asked to board again. I saw the fuel truck pulling along side to refuel the plane, which they had already done earlier, but I thought nothing of it. Then the captain announced that we were ready for take off, “Nampula runway is ready with “mínimas condições” (with minimal means)”. I thought to myself, “goodness, what does that mean?” But we took off and were on our way. The landing just before midnight in Nampula was smooth and uneventful. However, as the plane was slowing down and I looked out of the window, I saw something that I just could not believe at first! I looked again, and what I saw was that the actual runway lights were not on at all, but next to each light was a large oil lamp with a bright open flame flickering in the wind! One lamp after another, all the way to where we turned into the taxi way. At first I was amazed, then quite amused . Then the force of it all hit me . The amazing feat the Nampula airport authorities had just pulled off. They could easily have said, “Sorry passengers, see you tomorrow morning at sunrise”. That would have been a very reasonable response to the failure of the electrical system. But no, they had a plan, a rather elaborate contingency plan. It was a plan thought out ahead of time, because they had more than a 100 oil lamps, with enough fuel and matches stored in some place for this type of eventuality. Just imagine the flurry of activity that night. After trying to find the electric problem and failing, they activated the back-up plan; to get out the 100 oil lamps, round up a group of 10-20 men and put the lamps all along the 1,7 km runway, and light the lamps, 50 “candeeiros” on each side. ………...

All of this was done within the two hours we were flying. They pulled it off in such a way that those flickering lights had enough oil to keep them burning until the large Boeing 737 could take off from Nampula for Maputo an hour after we landed safely. Then I thought about the extra fuel they put on in Pemba just before take-off? It was certainly part of the plan. If for some reason rain or a gust of wind blew out the oil lamps lining the runway, the plane could still abort the landing and aim for the nearest airport. They had thought of everything.

What I appreciated about this contingency plan was that it didn’t stop with what modernity had to offer. When modernity with all its gadgets failed, they fell back on antiquity, and their final back-up, the unfailing open flame. They still believed in it and it worked. It was a massive joint effort, but they did it.

As I was lying in bed trying to fall asleep in the early hours of the morning, I could not help but think of one of Jesus’ parables where five wise girls also had a contingency plan. They were ready at midnight when the bridegroom came along unexpectedly. My next sermon was forming in my mind as I fell asleep.

Two ants do not fail to pull one grasshopper. This Haya proverb of two little ants pulling a grasshopper demonstrates how the unified power among brothers and sisters can be very strong. The meaning is that they control it together and both of them will eat it. "Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

A debt is not a loss once one knows the debtor. The Batembo people of the Democratic Republic of Congo say that the one who lends to you is the one who values you and puts his confidence in you. In the same way, a farmer entrusts the seed to the plowed soil instead of eating it. The one who gives out his goods to his fellow in need knows that he is not losing; but in the exercise of generosity and sharing, his act will be reciprocated. “Give to everyone who asks you, and do not ask for your property back from someone who takes it. …And if you lend to those from whom you hope to get money back, what credit can you expect?” (Luke 6:30, 34)

Our colleagues shared a story that we just have to pass on to you. The Koti are predominately Muslim. The last few years have seen a lot of people come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. One man who is now heavily involved in the church there used to be an important Muslim leader. One day he borrowed a bicycle from one of the Bible Translators, Jose. He was stopped by the police at one point and because he didn't have the documents for the bicycle, he was arrested. There was a man who was being held in the same facility who was very ill. This Muslim leader decided to pray for healing in Jesus' name for this man because he had seen his friend Jose do that. So he did, and the man was instantly healed! The police were so amazed they released him and gave him the bike back. Out of that miracle, a new Christian leader was born! Praise God for his faithfulness and the ways in which he chooses to work.

Rejoice with us in what God is doing in this small corner of His world. You are a vital part of it through your prayers, financial support and encouragement.

Thank you

God bless.

Roy & Rose Tibbit

June 2007

Dear Friends,

So many of our friends in North America find it hard to believe that it gets really cold in the area of South Africa that we are living in. The other morning we woke to below freezing weather. When I looked in the garden I noticed that some of the less hardy plants were dead from the frost. We, on the other hand have been able to put on extra layers of clothing and have been lent an electric blanket and portable gas heater. What we have found is, that although our home is an ice block, we can go out during the day and sit in a sunny sheltered spot and get warm while we do paper work.

Enough about cold and something about warmth. We have had a number of our fellow missionaries and other guests stay with us in the last two months and it has been such a heart warming experience for us. I calculated that since the 5th of April we have had 77 guest/nights. Some people stayed a number of days and others just an overnight. We also had a medical evacuation from Mozambique, but are so thankful that the lady is fully recovered and back home again with her family. Every one of the missionaries has a unique story about where they met God and how he has brought them to this point in their lives. It is so thrilling for us to see the power of God working through ordinary people who have opened up their lives for him to use them and their gifts to bless others. It has also been humbling to hear about the many struggles with health, personal safety and the sheer logistics some of the missionaries face living in isolated communities. Below I have included a photo taken during the last conference of the group of missionaries we are serving. Pray for protection for their children, their marriages and good working relationships. We are a multinational group and come from England, South Africa, Sweden, Finland, USA, Canada, Angola, Holland and Germany.

Having family here in South Africa has made our transition so much easier and we enjoy every opportunity we have to get together with them.

Recently one of Rose’s brothers and his family came over for a holiday so all of us went away for a weekend to my niece and her husbands farm in the Drakensburg mountains. It was such a special time enjoying each other and getting to know the children of our nephew and nieces. We went for walks, played games, talked up a storm and of course enjoyed a lot of good food.

While in South Africa, Rose’s brother and his wife sorted out a storage unit they had and we were the recipients of a lot of useful things which included furniture, kitchen items and knickknacks that have made our home so much nicer. Friends also given us a couch, two arm chairs and a dryer, the latter will be a wonderful help during the rainy season.

Thank you for praying for us that means a lot and makes us effective in our ministry. Thank you to those of you who so faithfully support us financially Is is encouraging to see our needs being provided in so many ways. We miss our family and friends but are aware that here in South Africa is where God wants us right now.

God bless.

Roy & Rose Tibbit

May 2007

Dear Friends,
Rose and I want to thank you for your prayers for us as we have settled into our new assignment and living situation. Living in South Africa has one striking similarity to how we lived in Colombia, South America. The bi word in both places is “SECURITY”. In Colombia we lived behind steel gates and were always vigilant about locking doors and keeping out of known areas for risk of kidnapping.

Here is South Africa the problem is crime that affects every area of society so we once again are learning to be very watchful, which is hard at times as we lived for the last few years in a small Canadian town where we never locked the front door of our home. Actually it doesn’t matter where you live, our real security is not in locks, sirens, gates or guards, it is in knowing and trusting God with our lives and being in the place He wants us to be. God on the other hand has given us brains and common sense to do what we need to do by not putting ourselves in unnecessary danger. I am sure there is a balance as to how you live life to the full in dangerous situations and not be foolish, so if you know that balance please let me know.

Rose and I were so fortunate to take over our current responsibilities from Jerry and Kathy Haasdyk. They were both such good teachers and patient with us oldies. Pray for them as they settle back in Calgary, Canada after being in South Africa for twelve years.
We are now deeply immersed into our jobs and keeping very busy. During the last month we have had a number of visitors and have enjoyed getting to know each one.

Some folks are here short term and one family was here for a number of weeks for medical reasons. Another family came back from furlough in the US and intended to leave the next day for Mozambique but were delayed due to car trouble. In the picture they are packing their trailer making sure the load travels well over the very rough roads. After they leave us it will take them four days to travel to their place of assignment in Nampula, Mozambique.

Rose and I are doing well and enjoy getting together with extended family , but are missing our children and grandchildren. We thank God for the vonage phone we have which allows us to connect with them regularly at a very reasonable cost.

Since we have been here we have become very aware of the vital role we are playing in helping our colleagues in Mozambique and the task of Bible translation in that country.

When you think to pray for us please ask God to give us clear minds so that we will remember all of the requests for help we have received and prioritize our time between work and rest.

Thank you for your prayers, financial support and for being there for us.

Roy Tibbit

Over the years Rose and I have become aware of how different parts of the Scriptures appeal to different groups of people. In northern Mozambique the Mwani people relate so well to the earthly life of Jesus, as their lives are similar in many ways. The fishing dhows (boats) they use are very much like the ones in Jesus’ day and so are their handmade nets.

As you walk along the beaches you see fishermen fixing their nets with homemade needles. Sometimes the fishermen use a dhow to take one end of a net out into the sea a little way and then bring the other end back to the beach where a number of men will pull the net in from two sides and see what they can catch. Jesus said, “Now go out where it is deeper and let down your nets, and you will catch many fish” * I am sure the Mwani would think that Jesus was a great fisherman to even know where the fish were. Like fishermen in Jesus’ day, the Mwani are a poor people and many are illiterate, but God is at work in a unique way. Technology is opening new doors to reach the Mwani, and exciting things are happening as God's Spirit works among these people!

Imagine someone being so excited about the stories he's hearing that he walks more than 10km to share them with friends every week ...

And consider another young man coming with great expectation to ask for an MP3 player with Kimwani Scripture, so that he can take it back to his island and share these new things with his people ....

And picture an old man sitting every day behind the school, with his MP3 player and tattered copy of the Taureti (books of Moses), listening to Scripture being read in his language, and checking that it is the same as in the book ...

And hear the young Mwani lady, barely literate, but the proud owner of a cell-phone, saying to a friend, “please sms me the first two lines of the Lord's Prayer so that I can learn them ....”

Yes the harvest is ripe, so lets pray for the missionaries who are working with these people and thank God for this beginning response.

We also need to pray for new people to become part of the team. Then prayer is needed for the other groups in Mozambique who are still waiting for the Scriptures.. Like the lady in the picture they are carrying heavy loads but are unaware of the freedom faith in Christ brings.

Keep on praying for us as we serve the Mozambique missionaries, that we will be sensitive to their needs and do a good job as we serve them.

Thank you so much for partnering with us

Roy & Rosemary Tibbit

* Luke 5.4b

Mozambique Trip March 2007

Dear Friends,
Like most of Africa, Mozambique is a land of great contrasts. It is a country with diverse people groups speaking unique languages and rich in culture. It boasts hundreds of miles of wonderful coastlines, vast tracks of land covered with thorn bushes and baobab trees and then the huge unique rock formations that we saw around Nampula. We found the people warm and friendly even though so many of them were struggling to make a living.

Mozambique has had a very traumatic history but is now on the upswing and those living in the country are quick to point out the improvements and accomplishments of the last few years. Coming from South Africa with such a strong infrastructure we did notice some of the disadvantages the country is having to deal with. In contrast to South Africa we also felt so much safer in Mozambique.
We traveled from Johannesburg to our Translation Centre in Nampula via the Missionary Aviation Fellowship plane. At the Centre we met many new colleagues that we will be serving and it was so good to finally put faces to names and to get to know the ethos of what is being done through these people. We traveled up with June Dickie, a translator who has worked for many years in a Muslim group of people called the Mwani. From Nampula we traveled to Pemba with June and were able to see where she was working and meet a number of the Mwani people. It was such a privilege to visit these people in their homes and to get to know some of the key ones that June has been working with in the translation process. Pray for June and the Mwani people. A lot of scripture and other Christian materials have been recorded and are being very well received by the people. Megavoice recorders (www.megavoice.com) are used and given to the people to listen to God’s Word. The church in Mozambique is growing but there are many very small congregations who need good leadership. There is a picture of one such church that I visited.
As we traveled around the country we were able to visit other missionaries and find out how God is working through their outreaches. Some were working with orphans, others in remote communities. One couple were doing the scripture recordings and having Bible studies and another lady was reaching out to the children.
With only two weeks left for the Haasdykes to orientate us to our new responsibilities here in South Africa we feel we are cramming for an exam trying to make sure we really know what to do after they leave. The Haasdykes have been wonderful people to take over from and we would like you to pray for them as they make their transition back to Canada.
Thank you so much for your prayer and financial support. Do write to us by email at roy_tibbit@sil.org or snail mail at SIL Box 4245 Kempton Park, Gauteng 1620, South Africa.
God Bless,
Roy & Rosemary Tibbit


.

Sinifesela Ukhisim usi Omuhle

'Merry Christmas'

Dear Friends,
We do want to wish you all a Christmas season filled with God’s peace and joy as you celebrate our Saviour’s birth. Thank you so much for all of your encouragement, your prayers and financial support this past year. We do appreciate all of you so much. May you all experience God’s blessings in this coming year.
With our departure to South Africa only weeks away we are finding that time is rushing by at a giddy pace. Thank you for praying about renters for our home. We are glad to let you know that our prayers have been answered and the renters take occupancy in January.
The mission’s committee at our church have arranged a farewell for us, so any of you who are able to, please come. It will be a potluck supper held at Auburn Bible Chapel, Saturday January 6th at 5pm. We will be leaving Canada on January 15th.
Rose and I want to give thanks to God for many blessings and answered prayers in these past weeks.


Friends have offered to help with packing and in many other practical ways.


Derry O’Byrne, has offered to oversee our home while we are away.

Our mission’s committee arranged a fund raiser movie night and the upcoming farewell supper for us.

Betty Anne Woods, who helps Rose with a neighbourhood Bible Club will continue to have contact with the girls.

Funds are coming in for our trip and we are thankful for two new financial supporters.

Our involvement with the Trent Christian Fellowship was a wonderful and encouraging experience for us both. Please pray for these young people living for God at the university. We are thankful that another couple is willing to take on the mentoring role.

There is a potential new home for our dog Sebastian, so we hope that he will settle well once we make the transfer.

We will begin our time in South Africa by visiting Rose’s family in the Johannesburg area. We will then be doing a lot of traveling so would appreciate your prayers for our health and safety. Our first trip will take us to Cape Town to visit my sisters and their families. Then we will travel east, along the coast, to visit with relatives from Rose’s side of the family. Finally we will go into Mozambique to connect with our colleagues in Nampula. It will be the rainy season so will probably make travel in Mozambique difficult. Pray that we will not be hindered by washed out roads, damaged bridges and that we will be protected from malaria.
We are going to miss all of our precious family and friends here in Canada very much. Please pray for us and our family during this time of separation. We would like to pray for you to so please send us your prayer requests.
Our love and God’s blessings on you all.
Roy & Rose Tibbit