Looking Back: Highlights and Encouragements
Looking back: 2021 was a year of uncertainties and changes but also of highlights and encouragements:
COVID - We all survived covid twice – firstly in June 2021 lasting 2 months for Helen and Adrian, and then again for 2 weeks before Christmas more mildly because we are all double vaccinated.
GOOD FAMILY TIME – due to lockdowns, we did Bible studies together, did practical work around the house, played lots of Catan (a board game) and went on hikes.
JOSHUA’S BAPTISM was on 5th December. Before his baptism, Joshua gave his testimony and many of the congregation shared encouraging and prophetic words over him.
DISRUPTIONS TO SCHOOL –A 2 week delay to the start of the school year in January, with alternate days in school progressing to 4 days a week. Minimal sporting matches, social distancing and daily mask wearing.
CANCELLED TRIPS AND HOLIDAYS – we were unable to fly to the UK in June 2021 as South Africa was on the UK red list, and due to covid we sadly had to cancel our December holiday to Durban to see Adrian’s family.
MINISTRY – we have needed to be more creative in connecting with people online, supporting people in crisis, and rethinking ministry in covid times.
ONLINE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES - Covid has encouraged more accessibility on online platforms. During the year, Adrian and Helen were able to participate in various online leadership and member-care training.
JOSHUA – he participated in Youth Alpha between the covid waves, started being a leader at children’s church, was in demand playing the drums in church, and played soccer and hockey at school
SOPHIA - she is progressing well in learning the flute, swimming like a fish and loving any other sporting options like netball, hockey and ultimate frisbee
ONLINE WORLD PRAYER MEETINGS - We give praise for a full year of online meetings praying for the nations. Thank you to those who joined us monthly from different parts of South Africa, England and other countries. The online platform has been so accessible for people to join from anywhere and for presenters from various nations to also expose their work to us. We continue now in the new year, and presenters like Jason Mandryk (Operation World) have agreed to join in the calls. Please do contact us for the zoom link to join us in prayer!
January 2022: Harrod family in Cape Town South Africa, serving with Operation Mobilisation
Looking ahead for 2022:
• We pray that we will be able to visit the UK in June/July 2022 for a month as long as borders remain open.
• The new school year restarted on 19th January. Praise God that this year their schools have gone back fulltime and we do pray that there will be less disruptions in 2022.
• Ministry: Adrian continues to organise the monthly world prayer evenings online. He is also seeking to mobilise more of the African majority church into missions’ involvement, as well as organising missions events and gatherings. He has been re-elected as the missions elder for another 3 year term at our church.
• Ministry: Helen continues supporting South Africans serving overseas with OM. When they are on furlough this entails more regular check-ins, coaching and debriefing.
Thank you for all your prayers for us as family as we do life together, as we minister to those around us, and to those in the OM community.
We hope to see you later this year in the UK!
Blessings from Adrian, Helen, Joshua and Sophia