Slice of Life- by Patty Spykstra

Lately I’ve paused and reflected on the fact that I’ve lived in South Africa 4 1/2 years. There have been countless miracles ONLY God could have accomplished. I decided now was a good time to share a few highlights of our journey.

July 2019 Oceans Ministries purchased a property in Fish Hoek. A contract with a CA university to rent twice a year for a study abroad program was agreed upon and this would cover costs to manage the building and staff.

January 2020 After much prayer Tim and I packed our bags and moved into a flat on the property in Fish Hoek. Later on that same day on January 4, Mike Verkaik arrived with a team of students from Michigan. Together we hit the ground running and joined serving in both South Africa and Lesotho.

February 2020 What an amazing group from the US assisted to: clean, paint, reorganize, trim trees, plant flowers, pour cement, and whatever else was needed to get the building and grounds of the retreat centre spruced up. Then this group gathered together along with the Oceans’ board members, my dad, my uncle and aunt, and Tim’s mom & stepdad to dedicate Oceans Retreat Center. Such an amazing time!

March 2020 Then on March 27 President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a lockdown in South Africa. What? We were now living in a foreign country during a world pandemic!

Yes, that was the beginning of our move to South Africa. If you have followed any of the blogs or instagram posts over the years, you already know much of the story. Masks. Strict restrictions. Sewing new curtains as material could be purchased. Lockdown extended. Canceled contract for study abroad program with the university. No guests or groups on campus. Quiet. Very quiet expect for the winter winds off the ocean and mountains. Cold rain. Unable to buy warm clothes as not essential. Sorting. Cleaning. Labeling. Prayer meetings. Learning. Listening. Waiting. Gift of a coffee shop for $1. Asking for more faith. Believing. Trusting. Then lots of inquiries for groups as people began to travel. Numerous ministry opportunities and people met.

God certainly changed “our plans” and pruned and provided. We had no choice but to adjust and trust and believe that His plan IS the best plan for the future. Since Covid and Omicron Tim and I have done our best to balance ministry in the community and townships, welcome Kingdom Encounter Teams, and host groups from missionaries from US, Germany, Holland, France, Zambia, hired the conference room for day retreats to non-profits in South Africa, continue to oversee staff, be frustrated with load shedding/no electricity and flooding and be apart from our kids over the holidays. Yet, we are so thankful for Monday night prayer times and the many amazing kingdom- minded believers we have met along the way. I like to say, “we haven’t been bored yet!” And here it is already 2024. The days have flown by!

January 2024 Time to renew our SA Visas. With ALL the paperwork submitted we eagerly drove to Cape Town airport to pick up our daughter Anna and her husband Hunter. What a wonderful belated Christmas gift! Then on the 31st granddaughter Eva was born to Sarah, Nick and big brother Owen.

February 2024 Tim and I continued the busy pace of life in SA and to seek God for what may be ahead as we knew a change was needed, perhaps we were getting old. The last several years have been very full with managing Oceans Retreat Center, overseeing groups from US and abroad, and with our hearts breaking over the endless poverty and brokenness of so many. We prayed that the meetings about a school being established on Oceans’ campus may be the answer to many prayers.

March 2024 Returning to the US is always a joy as we miss our family. This trip was a bit different as our “housemates” Anna and Hunter were expecting a baby and moving into their own place. Tim and I believed now was the right time to sell our home and buy something easier to keep up. It was stressful with packing and sorting and at times we didn’t know how all the details were going to work out and yet somehow they did.

May & June 2024 Two more grandchildren: Crew born to Elisa & TJ and Esther born to Anna & Hunter. More meetings and paperwork in South Africa and a Kingdom Encounter team from Michigan led by Mike & Dawn. Yes the days were full!

July & August 2024 Wow God! After over a year of meetings, thank you for answered prayers. It happened, a tutoring center which started over 20 years ago to partner with Oceans to become a Christian High School.  Much work was involved to make this all happen and not without spiritual warfare along the way. Yet we trusted God’s timing as also during this season Tim battled some health concerns and an emergency room visit resulted in many tests. We are thankful Tim’s health is improving, however the cardiologist strongly advised making some lifestyle changes. We are still trying to figure out what those changes may be moving forward, but taking a day at a time.

September & October 2024 For now, what a joy to see and hear students on campus each day. The shared campus is both exciting and an adjustment as we let go and plan for the next Kingdom Encounter team. The ministry aspect in SA will remain the same with teams helping out at Ocean View Care Center, providing meals in Jim se Bos, attending Monday night prayer, and supporting local township churches. But many of the day-to-day tasks such as plumbing repairs, making things “better than it was,” and over seeing accommodations outside of the Oceans Teams will no longer be our responsibility.

So here we are with an amazing opportunity on Oceans’ campus to MAKE THE LOVE OF THE FATHER KNOWN to 60 plus students. Not sure what the next days, weeks, months, or years may hold…..but continue to trust and pray!