We have had our third Christmas in South Africa and now we will begin our third New Year! Wow...praise the Lord for all that God has done in our lives! As we embark upon another year, we reflect on the past year and the blessings...we look ahead to another year that we pray will be served for our Lord and Savior! I am asking that you would join with me in prayer for the beautiful people of Africa, particularly the house help. These ladies work hard for very little and are often times mistreated. I pray that their needs would be met and that their hearts would be filled with joy! Please pray for our children as we continue to seek wisdom in their schooling. In January we have to make decisions for their upcoming school year. Pray for Maya as she takes on new responsibilities within ministry. Pray for Kyle as he starts traveling again. Thank you for giving to Lottie Moon this past Christmas as it supports us and missionaries around the world. Your support financially and prayerfully will be for His glory!

Photos of our family this past year!

A baby is born!

As I thought more about the story my father-in-law shared during Christmas, I reflected on these verses.

"A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you; Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." John 16:21, 22

As our family talked about the day when Jesus was born, we talked about the joy of seeing a newborn baby and how Jesus was bringing joy to those that experienced him even as small as He was-The awe of the shepherds, the amazement of the wise men and the joy of Mary and Joseph. We can be reminded, that even in this world we can still experience the joy of Jesus, no matter the circumstances of our lives. Maybe we have dealt with grief this year, we have felt the pain of heartache and experienced loss, but as we continue to seek the Lord Jesus again and again, our joy can be restored!

Let the joy of the Lord Jesus be your strength this coming New Year!

Trusting is continual...

Moving to South Africa was more of a stretch on my faith than moving to Ukraine, in many ways. As I saw God using different aspects of life to bring me to a place of trust and assurance, I allowed my heart to open up and embrace the wonderful place of South Africa! It is beautiful and full of beautiful people! I have grown to enjoy and feel at ease here, making it my home, yet the dangers and threats are still very evident. Since we have been here, we have had two people who work in the office with Kyle assaulted. One was carjacked and one was robbed, while they were sleeping. Other co-workers throughout the country have also had problems with crime and the vigilance is necessary still. Other non-profit organizations within our city have been robbed since we have been here. Our neighborhood has recently posted signs of warning because of the area robberies. I share this with you, NOT to bring woe or fear, but to ask for continual prayer as we (including all those who serve with us)stay faithfully where He has put us!

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you...I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." Isaiah 41:10



As for our kiddos, we have exciting news! Scotland was baptized September 30 in our church! He made a profession of faith about a year ago and the fruit of his heart is evident. He went through a thorough baptismal class with our pastor and was asked, "Why do you want to be baptized?" along with several others. He responded with, "because it is the right thing to do!" He even gave his own testimony in front of his church family and the innocence of a young child choosing to follow God was such a testimony to many that were there. Sometimes, we simply complicate the pure and simple truth of His coming...to save us, to redeem us...and it IS the right thing to do!

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” And he placed his hands on them and went on his way." Matthew 19:14,15.

Home again!

It is great to be home again! A lot has gone on since the last time I have written. As many of you know, life can be crazy! Well, to bring all of the events to the present...

Canon has started NorthStar Academy on-line. He is very content and happy with his choices of education and looking forward to his 13th birthday coming up in August! He is also disciplining his younger brother Scotland who is planning to be baptized in September! Canon is taking Taekwando 5 days a week and enjoying the challenge of martial arts.

Isaac is excelling at his government primary school in grade 3. The school is within walking distance which makes it possible with one car. He loves the social life of being around kids and making new friends. He is popular among the South Africans and his teachers find him exceptional! He is also still involved in Cub Scouts.

Scotland is doing a great job with his studies in second grade! He is responsible and enjoying the independent study with Bob Jones Distance Learning. He will start playing baseball next week, when the season starts. He just had a wonderful birthday party with lots of friends and "family!"

Eli and Anna Katharine are enjoying having mom as their teacher. Eli is so excited about learning to read in K5. In the family of multiple children, Eli is happy to have his moms undivided attention during school! His sister keeps him company and makes the learning even more fun. We collect leaves, play games and earn candy! Eli and Anna Katharine have started swimming lessons (different, individual lessons) and attend Sunday morning SS classes. They have lots of play dates with friends and the kids will be attending a Sports Day with numerous other homeschooled kids. Just this past Friday, they had a presentation day. Canon displayed martial arts, Scotland read a story he wrote and the 2 younger ones sang songs!

Kyle just returned from a trip to Senegal where he was able to work with many Miss. there on issues of safety and concern. He is working in areas of evangelism in our area and is helping in a township community.

Maya is working with another Miss. in a parenting/young woman's group that meets once a week.

So, with all that...that is the update! Dogs are good. God is good. Praise the LORD!
Prayerfully,
Maya McLane

Questions, questions...

So, why do we read really amazing spiritual books that inspire us and yet we do nothing? What is the purpose of listening to a sermon that asks us to change and yet we change so little?

These are the questions that stir my soul as I leave the United States on my way home to South Africa. They stir my soul because I do not want to be left doing nothing and changing little. I want to "be seeking" what more could I be doing for God. I want to "be willing" to change in the ways that would glorify Him. I want to "go further" with God. I am not content with what I know about God right now, but I want to "know Him even more."

I read on a plaque once, "Home is where your heart is." As I make another turn in the road of life, I realize my heart must be with God. Home is where He has led us and where He will continue to lead us. Home was in the United States, home was in Ukraine and home is now in South Africa. One day, my home will be in the glorious presence of God.

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so MY SOUL pants for you, O God. My soul THIRSTS for God, for the living God. WHEN can I go and meet with God?" (Psalm 42:1-2)

Make the pass count

I am still pondering the words spoken this morning in Sunday School. Even now, as I am working through my weekly Bible Study(funny how that happens) I read from those same verses. I write this, as God continues to let them stir my heart.

Think of a runner, running a baton-relay race. You have a team consisting of top-notch runners all working towards the same goal. The goal is to win. They each have to put forth effort, time and make their running their life. They practice, run, train, and...work together.
The picture in my mind is one of this: The first guy runs with full force carrying his baton with ease and as he takes the turn finishing his lap, he must carefully pass the baton to his teammate. The teammate does not run the same pace but each runner works to adjust their strides to coincide in perfect harmony as the baton is passed on. The second runner now takes his final lap and prepares to pass the baton to the third runner. As the second runner begins to adjust his pace to his teammates, the third runner decides to run faster and more powerful to bring himself to a place of "better". What happens is the 2nd runner can't keep up after running his lap and the baton misses the third runner. To the gasp of the audience, the teammate recognizes his fatal error. Was his glory worth the loss of the race?

Often times, we as Christians fail to see that we are running a race together. Let us pass the baton well and hear our audience, the Lord God, shout well done!

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Phil.2:4)

Life in the US

Well, we have been back in the US for about 3 weeks and we are loving it. The kids got their wish of Pop-Tarts everyday (well, almost)and Chick-Fil-A has been a regular lunch place. The part that I enjoy the most is being able to see our families and re-connect with old friends.

Being able to share about how God has been working in our lives and how God reaches people all over the world reminds me of the incredible and empowering joy it is to serve Him through missions. The chance to look back and remember the provision, the blessing and the work He has done in my life and so many others has been renewing.

The kids are continuing to work on their school assignments 3 days a week and have scheduled events planned throughout the week. Library, Baseball, Awanas...just to keep things moving smoothly! Anna Katharine was able to attend the Father/Daughter Dance with her daddy and loved it! We took a trip to the zoo recently and thought it very odd to see zebra, cheetah and lemurs in South Georgia! But, the alligators, bald eagles and armadillo were interesting and new to see!

Isaac is turning 9 the end of February and Anna Katharine turned 3 on the airplane trip over...of which was smooth sailing, Praise the Lord! I think this has been the best flight yet~I actually watched 3 movies and all the kids slept. Amazing to make a flight across the ocean without a baby on my lap, but we are finally at that point in our lives and loving it. The kids did great, thanks to modern technology (mp3,DS, and movies!)and our trip went smoothly. Thank you for your prayers!

Diligence

Recently, there are two passages of Scripture (I've only quoted parts, but read it all!) that have really made an impact in my heart. I pray that God will make His Word alive in your own hearts and that you will long to hear from Him, that you will thirst for His presence in your life, that You will never forget that no matter what your life is filled with, He is always there for you and willing to take you back and use you for His purpose and glory.

1. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways", declares the Lord...so is MY WORD that goes out from MY mouth: It will not return to me empty, but WILL accomplish what I desire and ACHIEVE the purpose for which I SENT IT." (Isaiah 55:8,11)

You can not tell me that that is not amazing!!! I mean??!! Can you believe that the God of the universe is so interested in your life that He is willing to speak from His mouth to you and WILL accomplish all the He intended by His words??! We just have to be listening.

2. "But, beloved, we are convinced of BETTER THINGS CONCERNING YOU...For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name...and we desire that each one of you show the same diligence...UNTIL the END..." (Hebrews 6:9,11)

Man, as you continue to walk with Him, sometimes you can hit those pitfalls that cause you to slow up or wonder, "What now?" But, there are even, EVEN better things concerning you!

Better??!! I cannot be used for anything better. Maybe those pitfalls have you down on your face...Oh, but yes, BETTER!!!Oh, God has BETTER in store for you.

Better??!! God, You can't do anything better! You have done so much in my life already???!! You have given me so, SO many blessings??! You have brought me through so, SO many things!! But, no..I believe that He has EVEN better things STILL!!!!


...concerning His that continue in diligence. Diligence until...until the end.

Love the Lord with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind. BE DILIGENT!
In His Mercy,
Maya

The "Different" Christmas Story

I am amazed at how God can bless us in so many unexpected ways...simple things that make a lasting impression on my heart. Here in Africa, we have now experienced our second Christmas. To give an update, quite honestly, our first Christmas was a little different having Christmas in the summer. We had arrived in our new country just 3 months prior to Christmas and we had left our home, our winter wonderland filled with many Christmas traditions...nothing really felt very warm (except the heat and sweat!) and fuzzy, even with the attention from our American friends.
This year, the warmth of Christmas shown as bright as the sunshine! I loved having children in my house making miniature gingerbread houses! Our Christmas Eve was wonderful spending the day at home playing games after a big homemade breakfast brunch. Then, on Christmas Day we were invited to have Christmas South African style. We attended church on Christmas Day morning (which is very traditional)singing the beautiful Christmas carols. After church, we enjoyed a wonderful meal of Turducken (which is Turkey, Duck and Chicken wrapped together), rice, roasted potatoes, pumpkin pie, salad, peas, ice cream, watermelon, and Christmas pudding and custard! The family, whom we spent the day with, presented the kids with a special shadow puppet display of the Christmas story and then we spent almost all the day by the pool! It was lovely. The Lord has given me much more than I could ever ask for...much more than I deserve. He's given me the Christmas Story, in a whole new way!

Returning to the Shepherd this Christmas

"He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." (1 Peter 2:24)

We talk a lot about the Baby Jesus this time of year, how He came down from Heaven and was born in a manger. I love to tell the Christmas Story to my kids. We have the books, movies, Christmas nativity, etc. and we make a point to share with our kids over and over again about the "true meaning of Christmas".

But, as I came to this verse in my study this morning, I felt I should read it over and over again...and with each time I read it, I realized something more.

Not just "HE" but "he HIMSELF" bore our sins...that we might DIE to sins and LIVE for righteousness. We have been HEALED. We were (so!) like sheep going astray, but we have been RETURNED to the ONE who is our Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.
That is the true meaning of Christmas...Jesus came for a purpose. Do you know Him personally? Do you love Him passionately? Do you live for Him purposely?

A Long Over-Due Update!

Life has certainly been hectic here, as we have hit our 1 year mark living in Africa! The 4 boys have become involved in activities outside of school and homeschooling continues to press on! We go from guitar to Cubs to baseball to Kindermusik! It won't be long before Anna Katharine will be into something. In the midst of all that, I am truly seeing the Lord at work here. It is amazing to me how faithful our God really is.
I am working through a new study called Glimpses of Godliness and what I read this morning really began to tie all the studies thus far together. "...that we give forth glimpses of godliness that are so unusual people take notice."
One of the struggles I have faced living here, is finding that part of "ministry" that God has called me to. As I read that quote, I see that sometimes even in the small things that we do, where we don't think it matters...God is glorified.
For example, I recently was very grateful to be able to participate in a Parenting Seminar our church was having. I remember one lady saying to me, "I sit behind you in church and I am amazed at how beautiful your family is and how well behaved your children are!" I was taken unexpectedly by that comment and realized that people see us and the way we live even when we are unaware of it. As we Believe, Obey, Stay Faithful and walk Courageously "Glimpses of Godliness" will appear through our lives!

To bring the life events up to date...in August, Canon celebrated his 12th birthday with a spend-the-night party! He had a few of his closest friends over to enjoy lots of cake, coke, junk and stay-up-all night movie fun! In a blink of an eye, I realize they will be teenagers! Scotland also celebrated in August his 6th birthday at an Indoor Jungle Gym Venue with all of his friends! (I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your prayers for us and for our children! Praise God for giving my children wonderful friends!)
Also all the kids survived their yearly standardized testing. Canon, Isaac and Scotland are all academically doing very well and at grade-level and above in their learning which makes mom take a breath and say "Shewww!" We will continue homeschooling as the Lord guides us and keep evaluating and making adjustments when necessary.
Kyle has had numerous and rewarding trips to various parts of the continent, including Madagascar and Capetown. His work has been fulfilling in many areas as he continues to grow in his position and build relationships throughout the areas he is working in. Kyle and I continue to grow in our relationship with each other as we walk through many adjustments and changes in our personal lives. A couple who has been married longer than us invited us to join them in a series called Love and Respect. It has been a blessing to us and we are very thankful for the friendships we have been given here as well.
As the future holds, we plan to spend Thanksgiving with many of our American friends and Christmas with some national friends! We are looking forward to some upcoming camping trips (much needed family time!) and then in February our time in the states!