Dear Honeyridge Family,  

This is the last Buzzz Newsletter for 2020, and what a year it has been! Whether you thrived under the freedom which Lockdown afforded you in working from home, or whether you struggled due to the isolation and economic pressures… my prayer is that we can all look back over this past year and see how God has been at work and be amazed at His faithfulness.  

We had hoped to end off our year with our newly renovated building being the home for our regathering as God’s people for Sunday Worship services, but God has chosen to delay that in His own good purposes. While we are disappointed at the ceiling collapse at the church and the mess and delays this has caused, we continue to be thankful to God for His protection over us in the past, and the opportunity this gives us to fix what may well have been a future danger.   

If anything, our one Sunday back as the church was a reminder of how much we have missed being able to gather as the Body of Christ in this past year, and an even greater desire to come back together in God’s perfect timing. Let’s keep praying for this!  

So as we head into this Christmas season, let us all be thankful for Jesus Christ, and that despite us not always understanding His ways and His timing, that our God is perfect in all His ways and His timing is never amiss.   

Galatians 4:4–5 — 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (ESV)  

May you know the very special blessing of adoption in God’s family this Christmas as we find our rest in Jesus and His completed work of salvation.   

Your brother in Christ,

Clinton.

It has been a tough year for me as for most. Nicole only spent two months of her first year at Stellenbosch, I had to give notice on my salon lease after five years and my father had a bad fall, was admitted to hospital and there contracted Covid-19, passing away eight weeks later. Only six weeks after that I moved with Nicole and our dog leaving Wynand and Julia behind to join us at the end of November. (The De Winnaar family is relocating to George).   

In all these trials, I must say the loss of my dad was and still is the heaviest burden in my heart. I am still coming to terms with the loss as it has only been seven weeks. I must share though that in the darkest hour regarding my father’s passing I received such grace and strength which truly surpasses all understanding. I can witness to the fact that God had prepared my heart and my spirit for what was coming and that He dictated my responses and my actions on the day and for weeks after in such a wonderful way that I am at peace and closer to God than ever before.

Let His name be praised! Ek kyk op na die berge. Waar sal my hulp vaandankom? My hulp kom van die Here wat Hemel en aarde gemaak het! [I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2]

Greetings to all Honeyridgers  

Building materials removed during the church upgrade were loaded onto a trailer and taken down to the Senekal Baptist Church where they are involved in their own building project.

Harold Twine, Felix Rohner, Fred van Den Heever and Pastor John Ndhlovu enjoyed a great time of fellowship during the 600km trip and were hosted for lunch by Pastor Martin Seliane.

You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Psalm 139:5,6

This past month we’ve been camping on the above mountain peak verse, looking over the scenery of our 2020 journey, and seeing signs of that scripture’s truth at work all over; the amazing way the Lord wrapped us in unbroken, detailed care throughout a year of uncertainties, changes, and new challenges. It’s a “wonderful” truth, too big to fully grasp. What we see of His protective, tender nurturing of our lives is only a part of the picture. His kindness at work has been much bigger than our awareness of it.

Different, but good

This year’s cancelled Wingspan ministry trips/conferences have been rescheduled into the next two years. Our year has been different, but good. The re-arranged calendar opened space for us to progress in things that would have had to wait, including…

More input to the Thai church

Our teaching focus has been on grasping the significance of 2 Cor 1:20 and allowing the Spirit to shape heart and mind for the breakthrough of God’s promise (personally and for the nation)...at a level that will best serve His plans for Glory in our time.

Against the news backdrop of ongoing protests in Bangkok, it’s encouraging to have news (almost weekly from Kingdom Life Church home groups and its network churches in other provinces) of new believers and of healings (physical, emotional, family relationships). Keep asking for the growth of Christ’s Kingdom, changed lives and the increase of His peace from the heart outwards (Is 9:7, 1Tim 2:1-3).

Thai translation of Shaped for Prayer Enjoyment

Praise the Lord with us for provision of printing & publishing costs. We were particularly touched by the generous gift from a Thai pastor couple wanting to have a part in getting the book out. After some delay, we’re now into final editing. Please pray ahead of publication for the impact of its message in the nation.

Update on Sandra's eye

In October, the specialist greeted San with great news: no injection needed as no further signs of fluid leakage under the retina. However, the examination a couple of weeks ago revealed two tiny holes in the retina which they plugged with laser therapy. Next appointment, 18 Dec. We value prayer for protection of the retina. San is grateful to be able to read but paces herself with regular eye rest. We’re still talking to the Lord about full vision restoration.

We’d also like to ask prayer for Dave’s sister, Janet, diagnosed with ovarian cancer last month. She has just had an op and further treatment is needed. Resting in the Shepherd has become a very intimate truth for her over the past weeks.

Back to our Psalm 139 peak. We turn from 2020 to look at the new year and see a view filled with the same truth that marked the past one: the certainty of being wrapped in the Lord’s full, unbroken and detailed care. Whatever the uncertainties, changes, and new challenges in 2021, with you we celebrate that His lovingkindness will again be too wonderful to fully grasp. Thank you, Lord!

Thanks so much for your love and for being an important part of our journey through the past year.

Blessings in Christ

Dave & Sandra Macmillan