October 25

(This letter is addressed specifically to the Church Ladies Group who are praying for Christina & Mariko,
but you will appreciate this update as well!)

First of all, we'd like to thank you again for your continued prayers and emails! We are so grateful to have
women like you supporting us. We hope you are all doing well and had a good Thanksgiving. We missed not
being home for that!

Sorry we haven't been in more regular contact, email is a precious commodity here. It's very difficult to not only find the time to email but also to find internet! So let us give you a breakdown of what's been going on in our lives here in Joburg...

We've been busy at Oasis as there are now 10 babies under the age of one and four toddlers... so you can
imagine what that means for us: lots of diapers, bottles, immunization trips, cuddling, and general baby
stuff. Working here is like taking a crash course in babies... if you can believe it, we feel like having twins
now would be a piece of cake!

It was great to have a bit of a break and drive out to Durban with a couple of friends! The beach treated
us well... and reminded us a lot of home! It was also cool to see fields of sugar cane blowing in the wind, small African villages, the Indian ocean and the Drakensburg "mountains".

During the past few weeks things have been changing in our hearts and minds. It is apparent that we have
been filling a real need here in the lives of the kids we're working with. There simply aren't enough people to
hug and hold and love these babies. As well, at church we have been integrated into the young adults
group and have been really encouraged by a fantastic Bible study group that we meet with on Wednesdays.
They even want to come and help at the two kids homes that we work at!

(Chris) It has been so good to be back in SA this year and I feel God's approval and smiles raining down on
what I'm doing. The wonderful times in life are when you can honestly say "I know I'm exactly where God
wants me to be right now. It's the right time and the right place and the right people!" The work with the
kids at Oasis of Love and Acres of Love (10 boys who just lost their American house parents after accepting
them as "Mom and Dad") is accompanied by such a sense of purpose and a fulfillment of the work I feel
called to do.

I am planning on doing graduate studies at UBC next fall in Women's Studies, but until then, I have no
immediate life focus... except what I'm doing here. For that reason, and because of all the needs I've just
mentioned, I have decided to stay here in Johannesburg until April. When I considered that my life at home
revolves mostly around me and that my life here revolves around trusting God for my financial, emotional,
and spiritual provision, the decision was clear. And although it means missing Christmas with my family, it
will be so special to spend Christmas with these kids and to make little stockings etc. for them!! I will be
seeing most of my family in Indonesia in a few weeks time (yes!!), so that makes everything easier.
However, I won't be seeing my Mom, so that is disappointing. But maybe she'll consider coming out here for
a bit??!! (she'd probably come home with a little baby!)

So now you know what I'm thinking/feeling from God and I will share more as it transpires. I will be working
on a power point presentation to be shown at the church at some point about what we're doing here so
that you can all see a visual representation. I just want to thank you all for your active work in this ministry
along side us. I feel close to each of you.

(Mariko) As I said in my last letter, I really didn't enjoy being in Joburg at first. I actually was profoundly
disturbed by the state of things here... how unsafe it is, how much poverty there is even in the
financial/industrial capital of Africa, how dry and empty it seemed, how people seem to be driven by money
and the dream of wealth, how race and colour impact so much, how it could be possible for people to leave
their newborn babies abandonned on the street... I couldn't wait to leave. But over the past month God has
been opening my eyes to what can't be seen through first impressions.

I wrote of my friends; the only beautiful things here are the people. Everyday I interact with Godly people
who challenge me to live for God wholeheartedly, who challenge my ideas not only about Joburg but also
about my life. I have grown to know and love the kids and I feel that my role in their lives is purposeful and
needed. Despite the fact that I am heartbroken by their situation I know that I have this ministry through
God's mercy, so I don't lose heart.

It has been truly amazing to be here, where life is difficult, and to experience God's faithfulness in specific
ways... safety, finances, accommodation, transportation, friendships etc. My faith in God and his provision
and protection has become a daily reality, as I have nothing else to stand on.

Unlike Chris, I am not certain that God is calling me to stay here for a few more months. However, I am very
willing to consider it. I know that God will continue to work through me in tangible ways if I stay here, but I
also know that no matter where I am God can use me if I'm available for His purposes. And I am wondering if
the plans I have for myself are God's plans as well. I am conflicted knowing that I miss my family greatly but
also that I don't often have a chance to live completely by faith caring for orphans who need so much. All I
want is to be where God can use me most.

Please pray for me as I struggle with this decision. Pray that I am seeking God earnestly and listening for
his guidance. I remember you all as I fast and pray.

May God's grace be sufficient for you and may his light shine down on you all. May God bless you greatly
for your ministry to us!

love in Christ,

Mariko and Chris

Note from webmaster: Since this email, Mariko has discussed the situation with her parents and
have received their blessing for her to remain in Jo'burg. So now it looks like Mariko will stay.