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