Baby News!

After nearly nine months of anticipation, we finally met our fourth child!  Philia Marie Geise was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa, on the 28th of January, at 2:17 in the afternoon (South African time). At birth she weighed 3.17 kilograms / 6.98 pounds, and was 51 centimeters / 20 inches long.  The first name Philia was suggested by her Mama in honor of her Papa. Philia is actually of Greek origin, meaning "friendship." It comes from the Greek word philos meaning "friend / dear." Her second name was suggested by her Papa, in honor of her mama - Annamarie. 😊 Our desire is that Philia will be our dear friend, but more importantly, our prayer is that she will be a close friend to Jesus Christ the giver of life, love, and friendship!  We also pray that Philia will be a friend to those in need in the name of Jesus and for His glory.

2020-01-28

2020-01-29

In Our Lives... Recently.

Since our last post... we have been busy.  I (Phil) took Amrie, Priya, & Adin to stay at her parent's place (a 12-hour trip), and then Antonie and I made a three-week trip to the United States for business.  I was able to renew my Commercial Driver's License, obtain an FBI background check for South African visa purposes, meet with brothers and sisters-in-Christ, and visit family.

Together for Thanksgiving - Phil's parents and siblings

Another visit with Phil's last-remaining grandparent

Upon arriving back in South Africa, we stayed at the farm of Amrie's family, and enjoyed some time together over the holidays.  During that time Antonie and I started building a cabinet for Amrie's mother.

Getting started

Using our new Kreg Jig to make toenail holes

What we accomplished before Christmas...

After Christmas, we made a very quick trip back to Emanguzi to check on things at our house, take care of business, and meet with friends and believers.

Sunday morning service at Phil's Zulu teacher's place

We were home for only a little over a week, and then due to the nature of Amrie's pregnancy and our location in the bush, we returned to be with Amrie's parents, while waiting for the baby to arrive.  Upon our return, with the help of my mother-in-law and other helpers, I completed building her cabinet.

Project Complete!

In consultation with others, we felt it best for Amrie to have the baby at a midwife clinic near her parent's place.  So, we are currently waiting... Amrie is busy homeschooling the children, I have been working on paperwork and helping where I can on the farm.  This past Sunday we attended the Hope International Missions' Manyatseng church, and I had the privilege of sharing the Word of God.

Amrie's due date is January 29th.

We hope to write soon with news of our fourth child's arrival!

Geise Gazette Fall 2019

Away from home...

Currently, we are in the Free State Province of South Africa, on the farm owned by Amrie's parents.  Our vehicle - a Mitsubishi Pajero - has been at a mechanic's, having the clutch and pressure plate replaced, oil leaks fixed, etc.  While waiting for the vehicle to be worked on, we have been visiting family and friends, Phil has preached a couple of times at our old church here in Ladybrand, and we have been able to meet up with some of our former students of Hope Christian Academy.  Lord willing, we will be headed back to Mangusi on Thursday (23rd).

Here are a few pictures from the last few weeks..

Family Hike

Same place - Second day

Daddy Time

Priya enjoying her cousin Jane

Adin & Jane

Phil has enjoyed helping with the soya bean harvest.  Driving this old Mercedes was delightful!

He also enjoyed discing a few fields with this Landini and offset.

Amrie's parents live in a beautiful part of South Africa!  This is looking from their front porch.

Geise Gazette Spring 2019

Snapshots of the Children

You know the saying, "Out of sight, out of mind."  Well, here are a few snapshots of the children to help you keep us in your thoughts and prayers! :)

Priya enjoys picking flowers for Mommy! This is beside Lake Shengeza, close to where we live.

Adin was helping Daddy trim the grass with his own edge trimmer!

They are not always this loving to one another, but they are growing!

On January 24th, Antonie celebrated his 8th birthday.  How time flies!

Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers!  Your prayers are invaluable!

Community Outreach, Carpentry, & Mentoring

It is now summer in South Africa!  Temperatures have been getting up into the 90’s (Fahrenheit) and sweat is becoming a daily and close companion. :)  To bring you up-to-date with a few things that have been transpiring in our lives, we share the following details.

Getting Our Feet Wet in the Community

In addition to our endeavors to learn Zulu, we have had a strong desire to make contacts in the community, build relationships, and start learning more of the culture.  As a start, we visited a couple of churches in the area and even a home fellowship.  Then, on November 10th, we joined with a local church to minister to the poor and needy – including widows and orphans.  It was a very special day for us as we gave out buckets with groceries and household supplies.  We were also able to share a simple Gospel message at each home.  This day of outreach also opened our eyes more to the needs of the area to which the Lord has called us.  To give you an idea, please allow us to share just a few details regarding the life of the lady pictured below.  This lady was never married and now has no remaining family.  As a result, she has been chased from place to place, because those around here have been unwilling to support her and then go to the effort and expense of burying here when she dies.  She is at the mercy of anyone who is willing to assist her.  This dear lady cannot read, and she does not even have a birth certificate, so she cannot apply to the government for any kind of financial support.  She as well as others that we visited that day have been much on our minds and hearts… and they are just a small percentage of the needs of the greater area.

Sharing the Good News in Public Schools

The Lord is opening doors for us to be able to share the Gospel in local public schools.  The public schools are in chaos because of the lack of Christian principles of living.  Some of the principals and officials are thus open and interested in the Gospel being shared in their assemblies.  Currently, the South African school year is closing for the season, but Lord willing in January we will be able to start visiting the schools with the Good News that Jesus came to deliver them from the kingdom of darkness.  Please do pray for us, as this area is especially steeped in witchcraft.

Around the House

One of the notable things that has transpired around our little home is the addition of two new kitchen cupboards (pictured below).  It was quite a process in the bush, but thankfully, the Lord helped Phil and Antonie to build the cabinets, and Amrie - wife, mother, and cook - is so happy!  

Traveling Again

Currently, we are not in the bush… It was necessary for us to make a trip to renew Priya’s United States passport at the Consulate in Johannesburg.  We have successfully submitted the application, and now are in the process of waiting for 7-10 business days for the process to be completed.  In the mean time, we have been visiting with some family, friends, and brothers and sisters-in-the-Lord.  We also plan to do some shopping, as availability and pricing of goods is much better in the big city.

Our South African Son

You might remember a picture we placed in one of our recent formal newsletters of a young man by the name of Tokiso.  Well, Tokiso is somewhat like a son to us, in that he attended Hope Christian Academy for a number of years, and Phil specifically spent much time mentoring him.  Currently, Tokiso is attending a technical school in Bloemfontein, South Africa.  Lord willing, Tokiso is planning on joining us on our return trip to Emangusi and will be spending some time with us over the holidays.  We are looking forward to being together.  Please do pray that it will be an eternally profitable time, and that together we will grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thank you so much for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers!  The prayers of God’s people are our lifeline!  Thank you as well to each of you who so lovingly draw out of your precious resources and give so that we can be here.  May God bless you!