mitsCape

rOEORGE, SOUTH AFRICA

The Laughrens,Pete, Fran & Denzil Spring & Summer 2011 -- Vol. 21, No. 4 & Volume 22, No. 1

Workers Together

One of the joys of living and working in SouthAfrica is hosting teams who come to help with theVacation Bible Schools that are held in various parts ofthe country. Some years we have done as many as 5Vacation Bible Schools with one team and sometimes

done the same numberbyourselves. Thisyearwe werespoiled by having two teams for two sessions.

In May, Stacy Garner brought 9 students from St.LouisChristian College and Ferguson Christian Churchin Ferguson, Missouri. They were here for a little lessthan two weeks and we had a great time together.Stacy has always managed the group's affairs withgreat leadership and the kids were tremendous. KaraWilson and Alex Crumpcame from Ferguson ChristianChurch while Britnie Waddelow, Brittney Tepovich,

Alyssa Jake, Krystal Jones, Kyle Burks, Sandy Tateand Terah Jo Mulvany all came from St. LouisChhstianCollege, and many were taking it for a mission coursecompletion credit.

The first couple of days were taken up with craftcompletion and then we did a one day Vacation BibleSchool at Life Community Services in the township ofParkdene in George. On both Sundays that they werehere, they all took part in the local services with Stacypreaching the firstweek and Kyle the second. Betweenthe two Sundays we held a Vacation Bible School atKidstop in the township of Borgas in George. We hadless than 100 kids per day so it was a smaller groupthan usual, but it went very well. The students all tookturn giving the lessons and they enjoyed the fellowship

(L-R) Stacy Gamer, Kyle Burks, Alex Crump,Krystal Jones, Kara Wilson, Brittnie Waddelow, Brittney Tepovich, Alyssa Jake, SandyTate, and Terah Jo Mulvany. The group with Stacy did the VBS at Kidstop with great enthusiasm.

The group from McDonoughChristian Church (L-R): TojuMil<ie, Andy, Jerri, and AmyDaugherty, Ashlyn Zool<, Ste-fanie Broom, Matthew Daugh-tery, Elizabeth Mil<ie, SandyJohnston, and Wanda Brewer

Above: Since Terri was

hiding in the group picture from McDonoughChristian Church, hereshe is after getting herhair braided in the "Afri

can way."

Left: As you can see,craft time is always atime to light up faces!

n

£55^ .:v

Kids came to the VBS in Graaff-Reinet any way they could.

with the kids. Kidstop is a feeding center for theunderprivileged of the area, so the students tooktime to feed and fellowshipwiththe kids and learnof their plights. Two of the students, BrittneyandKyle, are presently working on coming back toSouth Africa next year to work in the areas ofhuman trafficking, helping these kids in theirplights and their plans are well under way.

On the 23rd of May we said our good-byesto the team. It was a short visit but it was one

of the most productive visits of a team that wehave ever hosted. Thanks to all for coming andthank-you again Stacy for coming and directing.It as a great time together. A month later thesecond group arrived.

On June 24,1 flewto Johannesburg to meeta group from McDonough Christian Church inMcDonough Ga. Stefanie Broom headed upthis trip for the group of ten that included SandyJohnston, Wanda Brewer,AshlynZook, Elizabethand Toju MIkie and the family ofAndy,Terri, Amyand Matthew Daugherty. On two separate flightsfrom Johannesburg, we arrived back in Georgeon the 25th. There was no rest for the weary aswe immediately got to work doing the finishingtouches for the Vacation Bible School that would

begin on the 27th in Graaff-Reinet. On SundayAndy preached at George and then we got onthe road in two vans arriving in Graaff-Reinet intime for their welcoming celebration that evening.

The church at Graaff-Reinet is always goodin doing their part in preparing for the work thatis done in a vacation Bible School. The week

started on the afternoon of the 27th and while

we were expecting 500 kids for the first day, wehad 723! We were overwhelmed. Needless to

say we were up late getting more than enoughcrafts ready for the rest of the week so we wouldnot be caught short again. The church in Graaff-Reinet supplied supper every evening and afterthe meal, Andy and Matthew did a Bible studyfrom the book of Matthew the first four nights.The week maxed out at 850 kids and it was a

wonderful week. The people from McDonoughfell in lovewiththe people from Graaff-Reinet andvice versa and itwas a great week of working forthe Lord and becoming friends.

After the week of Vacation Bible School

ended on Friday, we did some sight seeing on

Saturday, had a huge meal with the church onSaturday evening and the weel< ended withAndy preaching for them on Sunday morning.On Sunday afternoon, we headed bacl< toGeorge for the last two days of their visit doingsome sightseeing in and around George. OnMondayevening, after sight seeing the ostrichesand other animals in Oudtshoorn across the

mountain from George, we attended the firstnight of the winter youth camp and Andypreached to open the week for them.

On Wednesday the 6th of July we saidgood bye to the group at the airport and they allheaded home after a very productive time here.We thank all of you for coming and for helpingwith the work as you did. We and the peopleof Graaff-Reinet will never forget you and welook forward to spending time with you whenour furlough starts in 2012. We also thank theleadership of McDonough Christian Church forall that you did to make this trip happen.

Etc.* Our furlough stars in January 2012 and we are

lookingfon/vard to seeing ail of the supportersof the work and tell you in person what hasbeen happening here in South Africa. If youhave special dates in mind for us to comeplease let us know.

* I taught youth ministry for two weeks inSeptember at the South African Bible Institutein Kimberley in the northern Cape. I had 6students and it went very well.

* We have made numerous trips since our lastnewsletter to other areas for times of teaching.We have gone to Knysna and Graaff-Reinetmore frequently than other places and wehave even participated in a wedding nearCape Town.

* We had a very pleasant visit with Keith andJan Exum and Bonnie Hunt, all high schoolfriends from McDonough Georgia who cameto visit in January and February. We pickedthem up in Cape Town, attended churchthere, toured the sights of the Cape, andthen came to George via Cape Aghulas (the

Andy and Matthew Daugherty at the scenic headwaters inKnysna.

Even in modern south Africa, transportation is found in manydifferent ways.

Keith and Jan Exum and Bonnie Hunt of McDonough, GA whovisited us earlier this year.

3

OutreachInternoCional

Addresses:

PeteJ8L.EraD_LaugliLenP.O. Box 10421

George, 6530South Africa

Phone: 011-27-44-873-0448

Fax:011-27-44-873-0548

e-mail: laughrn@mweb.co.za

Forwarding Agents:Mark & Annette Tuttle

P. O. Box 22

Granville, Ohio 43023(740) 321-3377

Mission Services2004 E. Magnolia Ave.Knoxville,TN 37917

Return Service Requested

southernmost tip of Africa). On the way home we stopped andwent to a game farm to see the "big five" of Africa. After twodays in George, we went to Graaff-Reinet for a weekend ofteaching. Bonnie taught the youth while Keith did the Lord'sSupper in their services. We then visited a local farm for aSouth African Sunday meal before coming back to George forthe last few days of sight seeing. They flew back to Atlantaon the 10th. Thanks guys for coming to visit, and thanks for agreat time together.

Prayers* Please pray for our accommodation needs in furlough. God

has always provided and we are trusting in his provision.

* Please pray for my mother, Flo Blackmarr, as she has relocatedto California to live near my sister and brother in law, Lisa andMark Andrews.

* Please pray for Fran's dad, Al Hamilton who is dealing withsome medical conditions, as is her mother, Annette.

* Please pray for a good furlough in 2012.

Praises*Denzil is still making straight A's and we are real proud of him.

*We have had some baptisms in George and for that we are verythankful.

*We praise the Lord for safe travels in the last several months.

*We are thankful for good health.

May God bless you as you continue to serve Him!!

Non Profit Org.U.S. Postage Paid

Knoxville, TNPermit #374

Since our last report, we have had severalbaptisms for which we praise the Lord!

mijECapB 'SIimBS

GEORGE, SOUTH AFRICA

The Laughrens,Pete, Fran & Denzil Fall 2011, Winter 2012 - Volume 22, No. 2, 3

Conference 2011

The yearlyconference is always the highlight of theyear for the churches in SouthAfrica. People who attendconference save and workthe entireyear forthisone weekand they look forward to seeing the other Christians thatthey do not see the rest of the year from other parts of thecountry. This year's conference took place in October inEast London, which is7 hourseast ofGeorge. Having saidthe previous, imaginethe people's disappointmentwhen wearrived in East London and nothing had been planned. Itwould be like you're going to yourarea's yearly gatheringand the host church had made no plans whatsoever forthe hosting of the event. Itwas absolute chaos when thegathering started. Itwas not a good way to start.

Plans usually call forthe first evening(Wednesday)tohave the opening service and then forclasses and sessionsto start for three days on Thursday morning. The firstevening was cancelled and new plans had to be made foranother meeting place starting Friday morning. The leaderof the local church and its preparations never showed upeven forone session. Since Iam no longer in charge oftheplanning committee and everything has been turned overto the local brothers, we let the brothers take care of the

Pete preaching at Conference.

Fran, as usual, had a good time with the kids.

problem and ifthey need us to help we do where we can.Iwas real proud of the current planning committee duringthis time in that they sorted out a new school to meet at,got the kitchengoing to feed the 300 people inattendance,and with only a few hiccups after the first morning, ranconference well. AfterThursday morning, classes met ontime, preaching sessions were taken care of. and peopleenjoyed a great time of fellowship.

Fran taught the kids and women several times andas usual was great with the kids. Even when nothingwas planned for the kids, she had classes to keep themoccupied. The parents were very grateful for this asotherwise, the kids would be running everywhere. Itaughtmen's classes and preached for sessions and was wellreceived. One other missionary family, the Caulleys' fromKimberley, were there and Steve also preached forsessionsand taught classes.

Elections were held for the new planning committeeto lead the conference for the next two years and it waschaotic. One brother was elected and then declined

the office when he thought he would be elected to theassistant's position. The chairman was voted out, andthen asked to step in when the first brother was electedand then declined. Then when the vote was retaken, thechairman was voted out for the second time for someone

Fran with two dear friends, Mary George (r) from Graaff-Reinet and Rose Makwena from Upington.

Pete with Andrew Calvert from George and Patrick Janti-jies from Cape Town.

Brother John Jacobs, who is 95 years old, attended conference from Upington.

else it was an interesting conference to be sure.When it all ended on Sunday, all had a good time offellowship, enjoyed the times ofteaching and learning andhopefully all grewspiritually during the time.

We had people in attendance from Cape Town,Upington, Kimberley, East London, George, and all areasin between. Attendance was bit lower this year because ofthe remoteness of East London from other parts of SouthAfrica, but overall it was well attended. Please pray forthe new planning committee that will serve for two years.Please pray forthe churches as they work together forthekingdom and for the yearly conference so that this year'splanning was just a blip in the usual preparations and nextyear the committee gets back on track.

Jerome CalvertIf you are like me, I do not always understand why

things happen. AndrewCalvert is the ministerthat we haveworked with in George. His nephew, Jerome Calvert is oneof the best workers that we have seen in South Africa and

a committed worker in the kingdom. He is presently theprincipal of a local school after having returned to Georgefive years ago afterteaching in a townabout 1000 kilometersfrom George for five years. He attained his collegeeducation inCape Town before going away and he met hiswife, Nita, in George before he left. She also received hereducation inCape Town, and after receiving that education,she also taught inthe same school as Jerome so far away.Fiveyears into being away, they both got teaching positionsback in George and came home to do their work. Whenthey came back to George, they worked together, carriedon their romance and then decided two years ago to getmarried. They had a beautiful ceremony in November of2009. Fifteen months intotheir marriage they gave birth totheir son Ruan who is full of smiles and laughs like the restof the family. Sadly about three months after his birth, Nitawent intothe hospitalfora routine procedure and somethingwent horribly wrong. She started to lose use of hermuscular faculties and slowly got sicker and sicker, being[ ^ -] in and out of the

hospital for months.[x;—

to the hospital in

' November, shepassed awayshort of their second

anniversary and was

^

26th of November.

' It was one of the_ hardest funerals that

Ihave had to preachjp Qup jp South

Jerome Calvert and his son, Ruan. Africa. Jerome and

his son are doing as can be expected and theyhave something that a lot of people in SouthAfrica do not a strongChristian famiiy supportsystem that has surrounded them and helps inany way possible. Over the last several months,we have spent a lotof timewith him, and thoughthings are as tough as you can imagine, theyare doing well. Please keep Jerome and Ruanin your prayers as they adjust to this new realityof their lives.

Furlough PlansFurlough starts for us in the middle of

January. We hope to settle in the Hampton/McDonough Ga. area as it is a good point fromwhich to travel. As of this writing, we have nohousing plans in place and will look fora settlingplace once we arrive in Georgia. Please be inprayer with us for these plans and if you canhelp us in any way, please let us know. We aregathering speaking dates as we go, and if wecan come and present the workof South Africa toyour church, please let us know. We are willing tocome be part ofyourVB3 or camp, so please justlet us knowhow we can help. Our US telephonenumber is: 678-200-2103. Our current e-mail

address is: pwclaughren@gmail.com.

Misc.* Denzil is doing well in grade 11 and is

completing it as we travel.

* I taught 6 students at the South AfricanBible institute in Kimberley for two weeks inSeptember. Itwas the end of the school yearand keeping their attention was difficult, but allin all itwent well and was time well spent.

* As we start furlough we are starting by visitingmy mother, Flo Blackmarr in Grass ValleyCalifornia. She is in an assisted living facilitysuffering from Alzheimer's after moving hereto be with my sister and brother in law, Markand Lisa Andrews. Mark and Lisa have done

a tremendous job of making sure that Mom iscared for and Mom is doing well. Thanks forpraying for her and thanks Mark and Lisa fromthe bottom of my heart for the tremendous workthat you are doing in her care.

* In November in South Africa, Fran's sister inlaw, Dale and Sonya Hawkins from BethelMissouri visited us in George for ten days.

Cornell and Pethro George, teach- -•••••• Mers in Richmond and leaders of the Andrew Calvert's son and

youth. Denzil's friend, Emile.

We have had several baptisms since our last newsletter.

The final class gathering that I taught in Graaff-Reinet before weleft.

These are the students that i taught at South African Bible Institutein Kimberley.

OutreachInternQtlonol

Addresses:

Pete & Fran LaughrenPhone: (678) 200-2103E-mail: pwclaughren@gmail.com

Forwarding Agents:Mark & Annette Tuttle

P. O. Box 22

Granville, Ohio 43023Phone: (740) 321-3377

Mission Services2004 E. Magnolia Ave.Knoxvllle, TN 37917

Return Service Requested

Non Profit Org.U.S. Postage Paid

Knoxville, TNPermit #374

They a ccompanied us on a trip to Kimberley to visit two Pra jcOQchurches there. Dale preached in George and was well aiocoreceived.

We made several preachingand teaching tripsto Graaff-Reinetand Knysnaand other places since our last report.

Prayers* Please prayfor the churches thatwework with to be strong

bothnumerically and spiritually, but mostly spiritually. Wehave learned over the years that many churches are notgrowing spiritually and just depending on everybody elseto do the work. Most churches have only a few really * We were able to get good rates on tickets back to thestrong members thatget In and work and many thatjust US for furlough. We are trusting for the Lord's provisionsit and watch. Please pray that theywould all be willing to get them paid for.to do the work. Please prayforthe churches that we workwith in George, Graaff-Reinet, Knysna, Mfuleni, Macassar,Port Elizabeth, Kimberley, Upington, Richmond, EastLondon, Thembalethu, Humansdorp, and others.

* Please pray for the leadership of South Africa as acountry. Corruption is rife in the new government andcrime is growing unabated. People in the townships livein fear and the police do not do their jobs. Many churchmembers are afraid to go out at night and some live interrible situations. Please prayfor the Christians'safety.

* Please continue to pray for both my mother and Fran'sfolks and theirhealth situations. My mother is in Californiaas mentioned and Fran's folks are in Missouri.

We are so pleased with the new lives in Christ that wewitnessed as there were several baptisms since the lastnewsletter.

Denzil is now 17 and we are so proud as his parents ofthe fine young man he is becoming.

We traveled to Cape Town, Kimberley, and East Londonwith safety. In all of the travels that we have done inSouthAfrica, we are verythankful that we have onlyeverbroke down once.

We are thankful for the faithful supporters of the Lord'swork in South Africa. Your faithfulness assures us thatGod takes care of us.

Lastly, we are thankful to our Father in heaven and praiseHim for his guidance of His work in South Africa.

OUR E-MAIL ADDRESS HAS CHANGED TO:

pwclaughren@gmail.com The scenery in South Africa is always stunning as seenby this picture of the desert area l<nown as the Karoo.