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Hello From The Hornes
January 31, 2004
THE BEST LAID PLANS OF MICE AND MEN: As some of you already know, our
departure for Africa was delayed by two weeks. Unfortunately, Al suddenly became
ill and was sent from Kerrville’s Emergency Room straight into the hospital. He
was dismissed three days later, but at the same time was cautioned by the doctor
not to travel until his condition had stabilized. This meant that we were late
flying out of Houston for Africa by two weeks, but time was not wasted. It gave
us an opportunity to pack up (and take to Houston) 43 boxes of donated religious
books and furniture for our proposed SABC Library. We were also able to pack
several hundred glass communion cups which had been donated for Africa and, even
as we speak, those boxes are all at a warehouse in Katy, Tx.,, awaiting
shipment. The extra time also afforded us the opportunity to care further for
Donna’s mom, who had earlier come down with pneumonia. Finally, we were off for
Africa! Other than having our attention drawn to the beautiful snow-drenched
Swiss Alps far below us, the most amazing thing about our journey home was that
there was almost no security when we boarded the plane to fly down the length of
Africa. Donna nervously asked why not. She was told that the Amsterdam Airport
imposes strict security measures regarding flights that go directly to the
United States, but that there was virtually none for flights going to Africa.
Strange.
HOME AGAIN: We’re glad to report, by the way, that the Lord blessed us
with such an uneventful trip home, because when we arrived home we “hit the
ground running.” You know how it is when you’ve been away from home for any
length of time…Donna’s car wouldn’t start, our washing machine wouldn’t work,
our email service provider had shut down, our printer had dried out and wouldn’t
work, and we had a backlog of three months of mail to go through and process! In
addition, Al preached that first Sunday so exactly one day after our midnight
arrival, he was “back in the saddle again.”
TWENTY-FOUR SEVEN: In this past week, we have been busy with hospital and
home visitation. Al is teaching the adult Midweek Bible Study and is speaking at
the Bible College Chapel. Added to all of this, we had a marriage counseling
session and also hosted an elders’ meeting in our home. Drop-in visitors were so
numerous on Thursday, you would think that this was the “Horne’s Hotel” or
“Donna’s Diner.” That’s because Al kept putting in his order, “Donna, can you
please make us some more tea?” So, there went Donna again, tripping the light
fantastic!
SABC’S NEW SCHOOL YEAR: We have 22 new first-year students in this year’s
intake, with one coming from as far away as Tanzania in East Africa. One of his
fellow-countrymen, E. Mwasinyanga, didn’t make it, though. He wrote an
illuminating letter as follows: “It is most concerning. I was the one of your
candidate who was suppose to join on your school, but due to the resource above
my level, among of them was family consequence, made some difficulties on the
date of reporting. Therefore, I take this opportunity to apologies you with all
of your government for any unconvinced happened due to the above disturbance.
Due to the invitation, I hope that if God with to offer a good health and life,
I will join to the school immediately on the coming year, still I like school.
So in the presence of God, I will be there in the name of Christ Jesus.” From
this letter, we can see that in E. Mwasinyanga, we have someone to look forward
to meeting next year! Meanwhile, this intake of “first-years” hail from the
following countries: Zimbabwe (2); Zambia (2); and Tanzania (1). We also have
three Congolese (DRC) refugees enrolled. South Africa is also well represented
by the first-year students: Venda (3); Brakpan (2); Empangeni (1); Port
Shepstone (1); Cape Town (1); Daveyton, which is part of Benoni (1);
Hammanskraal in the Northwest Province (1); and Duduza, near Alberton (1). Three
are married and all the rest are single. We anticipate another good year of
teaching and preparing those who want to be in church leadership.
BACK ON LINE: As you have already read, we have changed our email service
provider here in South Africa, and this, in turn, necessitated a new email
address. Please make note in your email address books. Of course, you could
always phone us by calling “Jungle– Tree-Tree-Tree!”
alhorne@discoverymail.co.za
OUT OF AFRICA WITH LOVE,
AL and DONNA HORNE
Your missionaries at South
Africa Bible College
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