April Update

Greetings friends,

We trust that you are all well and had a blessed time over the Easter holidays.

Since we last wrote, Candace and Murray had a lovely week showing Candace's parents and sister around Cape Town. We have also submitted round one of our US spousal visa application to the United States Citizen and Immigration Service. (U.S.C.I.S.) This is currently in the initial review stage. This process could take longer than two months to be accepted - so we're very much in a waiting stage at the moment. We have most of our paperwork ready for round two of the process, with the exception of Murray's unabridged birth certificate which we are still waiting for from the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria. Murray has also applied for his police clearance certificate from the South African Police Service. This also needs to go through Pretoria and therefore may take two to three months to get back. It seems every important document has to go through Pretoria - which makes sense since Pretoria is the administrative capital of South Africa.

While we wait and pray during this process, we will be heading to the Eastern Cape province to continue working alongside Mercy Vision and the Eastern Cape Department of Health at Zithulele Mission Hospital. We will be involved with the eye team providing eye glasses and cataract removal surgery to the people there. We drive up there tomorrow and will be there for a few months.

This time in South Africa has certainly been one of challenge and growth for both of us. Since we left the ship last November, we have packed and unpacked 20 times and have been living out of suitcases for a fair amount. There had been times when we didn't know whether we'd be in Cape Town or the Eastern Cape in the next week. This can be quite frustrating - since we both thrive on stability and routine in our lives. God is definitely teaching us to trust in Him!

Please keep us in your prayers! Prayer points:

• Safe travelling mercies up to Zithulele. We leave early Tuesday and will arrive during the course of Wednesday afternoon.

• Productive, fulfilling work for both of us in the Eastern Cape. Work that makes an impact on people's lives for the Kingdom.

• The US visa process and patience as we wait for approval to move on to the next step - as well as patience (and speed!) for the other South African documents coming from Pretoria.

• Candace's grandmother on her mom's side has been ill for a few weeks and would appreciate your prayers.

• That God would be glorified through our marriage and everything we do!

Thanks and may God bless you richly!

Much love, Murray & Candace