Hi there Jip, its me again!Well, I have good news and bad news today... Those who have been praying for Stjoppa, thank you, you don't need to pray for him any more. He has gone to be with the Father last week. The Dr said the vodka and wine was just to much for his body to handle. About a week before he passed away one of the ladies in the church asked him why he doesn't stop drinking... He said "I love Jesus very much, but I just can't stop drinking!" Please pray for the alcohol abuse in this area! I asked my mother to type something again... Before I left S.A. everyone warned me about the cultural-shock that awaits me. And yes, things are different and some things are very different and some are "way-out-man" Here they tie dogs up with a plus-minus 2m chain,the dog-box is placedwithin that radius so the area in which the dog can move, is cut even smaller Bobby, a 10-12 year old dog was tied up when he was a puppy. That means that for 10-12 years he has been confined to a 2 metre area. About 2 months ago his chain broke and he was free!! BUT It took Bobby more than 5days to realize that he can step away from "his world" and that nothing is holding him back. After another week he started to explore but still he never went further than 5 - 10m. Now I am happy to say, he loves chasing the cat, the birds and he knows every little corner of the garden. On Sunday Albert's sermon was on Gal 5 : 1 "For freedom Christ has set us free" I could not help bus think of the superstition that forms such a big part of the Ukraine culture. The Christians are set free, free to worship God in spirit and in truth but they are like Bobby, too scared to move away from that which had them tied up for so many years. It is so sad to think that Jesus died on the cross to set them free and they can not, because they do not know how to, enjoy the freedom. Please pray for the Christians in Plavni, that they may enjoy the freedom that is theirs. Now I am sure you are curious about the things they belief which is part of the culture 1. A gate must always be closed except when there is a funeral otherwise bad spirits will enter and cause trouble 2 When you want to give someone flowers, you have to be very sure that there are an uneven number of flower, because an even number brings "bad-luck" or opens the door for bad spirits to enter. 3. In Church, you have to stand to worship, you have to have a scarf on your head, etc etc etc.............. lots of little petty laws forgetting that Jesus fulfilled the law. So, PLEASE pray for the Christians in Plavni. Pray for Albert as he has to be sensitive about the culture without compromising the Truth Thank you for all the prayers that support us. And last but not least, thank you for the e-mails and sms's. It is wonderful to get an e-mail or sms from SA if you are "vaal en sielig van verlang" May God bless you with His love and mercy. Jeanette