The past couple of months for Tony and Maria Verlaan have been a ‘whirlwind’ and a mixture of emotions. They are back in South Africa after their unscheduled visit to Australia due to medical issues with grandkids. The plan to return to Australia at the end of April to be there for their kids and grandkids to be a help and support.
March and April are going to be hectic and full. They will move out of the house they are renting and put their things in storage and sell their car.
During this time they have three trips for team meetings, a two-day conference (Tony is one of the speakers), a visit to another African country to meet up with ‘Word of Life’ and a number of meetings with different mission organisations.
They will also need to organise visas for returning to South Africa late Dec/early Jan 2020
A big task is to make sure all their ministries are covered: church, teaching, mentoring and overseeing of equipping.
As Tony and Maria look at all that needs to be done before they leave and all that is ahead of their family, it can feel overwhelming at times. They would appreciate your ongoing prayers with the different challenges. They know the Lord is faithful and sovereign, and they have confidence in Him.
Tony will need to return to Africa for the African Leadership Conference and meetings in June and then again in October. Pray for the South East Africa team.
In early January, Tony along with a colleague and his wife went to Mozambique to visit the different church planting teams, as well as other families that are involved in equipping Mozambican’s for cross-cultural ministries. They also had the opportunity to meet up with those involved in logistics for the church planting teams. It was an encouraging time as they caught up with each family and heard what the Lord is doing as well as hearing their challenges. This gave opportunity to pray and ask the Lord for collective wisdom, so that His name may be known amongst the yet unreached of Mozambique.
Tony was also able to catch up with some of the team in Tanzania. They had a scheduled team meeting, which gave him the opportunity to hear their joys and trials. As part of Tony’s responsibility, he also meets up with the cross-cultural equipping team who are working faithfully to get the curriculum translated into Swahili. Praise the Lord that this project is moving forward.
Pray for the teams in Tanzania and Mozambique. The government is changing visa requirements, which has caused some to leave their ministries temporarily while things are being sorted out. Pray for wisdom and favour with these governments.
Thank you for your prayer support. It makes Tony and Maria’s journey a lot easier knowing that you are upholding them!
Joshua 1:9: Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid: do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.