8/06/2008
Subject: Meeting Mrs. Mugoni

Perhaps five years ago I was driving through Zvishavane, Zimbabwe, and a man flagged me down. "Are you the one giving out these booklets?" he asked. Replying in the affirmative he proceeded to tell me that his brother had received a booklet some months before, and since then he had wanted to meet me. His name? Grinwell Mugoni.

Grinwell does just that; he "grins well," and since that time we have kept in contact, preached for him, and supplied him with gospel literature. He was schooled in a Baptist school in Zim which is affiliated with the Southern Baptists in the states, if I am not mistaken. While he has some differences still he is a good man and is seeking to serve the Lord in the midst of the mess in a land where it would be difficult for us to serve.

The picture is his wife. She is a school teacher who walks six miles one way to teach each day. On Sundays Grinwell and the family preach in Zvishavane and then walk nearly five miles one way to hold services in another village.

As you know, food is scarce where they live, so when Grinwell called me a couple of weeks ago to see if I could sponsor him into South Africa, I responded this way, "No, I can't sponsor you in, but if your wife (who holds a legitimate passport) can get to Messina I will load her down and send her back."

Last night, Mrs. Mugoni walked six miles home, found transport, was stuck at the border for seven hours, but managed to arrive here in Polokwane a little past 9 o'clock this morning. As promised we loaded her down with NT's, gospel tracts, 200 correspondence courses, 25 What Standard DVD's, and food for her family and for some church families. We then took her to the bus stop where the Zim bus had yet to leave. With your prayers she should arrive back in time to walk six miles back to school Monday morning.

I told her to tell the believers in Zim, "Christians in America make this possible."

Thanks for making this possible,

Brother Wilhite
South Africa

We have been in South Africa long enough now to apply for permanent residency. Besides documentation several other procedures are necessary--medical physicals, police checks from both countries, photos, chest x-rays, along with letters and details from friends in the country.

Just to get x-rays necessitated going to four different places around town. And fingerprints? They took prints of ALL ten fingers plus the two palms.

If you tried to call and didn't get through, we were either out running or still washing our hands (smile).

Now days, this process takes 21-24 months. Hopefully we will have the police clearance reports back within the next three weeks so we can file immediately. If you think about it, would you join me in prayer that we might be accepted and have these visas back in 6-12 months? For various reasons I do not think it prudent to be out of the country until we have them in hand.

For your information, 7900 more pamphlets went to the post office this morning destined for boxes in several other areas. It costs a whopping 1 cent to send each of these offers for a free correspondence course.

Multiplied thousands of post boxes dot this province. Your prayers for this ongoing project are appreciated.

Brother Wilhite
South Africa

8/06/2008
Subject: Paper Provision

What do you do when you've exhausted your supply of 5000 tracts which were used around town? Of course, you get some more printed.

I wanted to develop a different one and maybe print it ourselves on our high-speed duplicator, but wanted to get a good quality paper on which to print these new tracts. Sometimes it's just as easy and cheap, though, to have a print shop do the job for you.

So, stopping at a print shop I saw Johan, showed him the master copy, and asked him what it would cost to have him print it on glossy paper. Instead, he said, "What if I get you the paper and you print it yourself?" He showed me a really nice linen paper and the next thing I knew he was making up an order and getting ready to call the guys in the back to begin cutting it to the size we needed. "Wait," I said, "tell me what it costs before you have them cut it." Shaking his head "no" he gave the order and in about 15 minutes two people walked out each carrying a box of at least 5000 sheets.

"No charge, have a nice day," Johan said.

...and I'm having a nice day. Praise the Lord!

Brother Wilhite
South Africa

8/08/2008
Subject: Simple Sandwich Sign Stirs Souls

Every morning Albert puts a sandwich sign board out in front of the pre-school where we meet for Sunday services here in town.

A few days ago Temba saw the sign, talked with Albert, called me, and we met yesterday. He had come from an area past Tzaneen (1+ hr distance) to meet us...and...to take care of details regarding his own mother's funeral. We talked, gave him some gospel booklets, prayed and parted offering to help preach the funeral tomorrow if needed.

This evening Temba called. "Moruti, we had to postpone the funeral...can you come and preach for us next Saturday?...also, I passed out those booklets and several people are interested in doing the correspondence courses..." Now that's a BLESSING!

But here's a BIGGER BLESSING. Brother George Hammett (home on furlough) left behind a good man named David. David lives in Tzaneen. Well, not really Tzaneen, actually a little past Tzaneen in a place called Nkowankowa, the EXACT village where the funeral is to be held. Now, I've never been to Nkowankowa, and believe me, if you don't know where you're going in these townships you can look around all day for a specific location.

Now, here's an EVEN BIGGER BLESSING, David speaks the local language down there and is more than willing to interpret for me. He even said he would make contact with Temba and go find the house this next week.

But an EVEN BIGGER THAN BIG BLESSING would be if David can set up to do some studies with these who are interested.

God can do so much with a simple sandwich sign.

Brother Wilhite
South Africa

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8/16/2008
Subject: Now and Never

Despite the economic tailspin, the situation in Zimbabwe is currently at an impasse. The sides were talking, and now the opposition is "reflection/consideration" mode.

Due to that I really sensed that the Lord was leading me to go and make a quick visit of the brethren, take up some supplies, and see for myself what was happening.

So, Wednesday a.m. we awoke and left with Jared by 2:30 a.m. Our bakkie was full of Bibles, J/R's, and food for the hungry believers.

Arriving at Mchete Village at 10:30 we found Deliwe (Never's wife) walking along the road who told us where we could find her husband, Reuben and Agatha (Reuben's wife). Very bumpy roads having been washed out by earlier rains and years of neglect led us to Reuben in one village and Never in another. Actually Never was in a village where I have never been ministering to a man who walks 2-3 hours one way to get to the church in Sgoveni.

We finally left the villages around 3:30 p.m. and arrived back at the Zim border at 6:30 p.m. Getting out of Zimbabwe was a snap; getting into South Africa was not. The line was long, in fact, five hours long. Yes, five hours! When we finally departed the immigration office, we noticed that the line had probably doubled and widened. It seems that NO ONE wants to stay in Zimbabwe.

We cleared the border at midnight arriving back home at 2:30 a.m.--exactly 24 hours from our departure.

I would ask you to pray for Never. The place where the church in Sgoveni is meeting is temporary; they have been given land; and they are really going to have to trust the Lord for a building. Pray that they will learn to pray. Beg God that they will learn to beg God, not man. Distressful times often reveal who a man's god really is. Never really needs to grow in this area; it is difficult for both of us, and the parting of the ways is never easy.

Brother Wilhite
South Africa

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8/19/2008
Subject: Trying the Travelers

We're going to try something this evening and we would appreciate your prayers for this endeavor.

Many busses come directly through Pietersburg to stop, drop, get and go. These busses are bound for several countries north of us such as Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia and perhaps others.

Jared, Jonathan and Derek are going to take some English tracts (stuffed with offers for correspondence courses in them) down to this location this evening. They will also be taking some courses with them to give to people on the spot if they register for a course.

Thanks ahead of time for any who pray about this,

Bro Wilhite
South Africa

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8/20/2008 Prayer Letter Update
Subject: Trying the Travelers - Take Two

Thank you for your prayers. The Derek, Jared and Jon put out tracts on ten busses that came through town last night. A real blessing is that they came back with ten response cards too. Nine of the busses had 69 passengers each; one was about half that size.

Jon reports that he got on one bus and found a lady who said, "You don't care about us Zimbabweans; you just hand us this stuff and leave; you don't have a church up in Zim, etc. etc."

Thankfully Jon could reply, "Lady, I've been to Zim ten times--Masvingo three times, Bulawayo seven to eight times, Esigodini several times. I personally know Reuben Moyo and Never Mlilo. I helped bury a preacher in Bulawayo and threw dirt on his grave. We have two churches up there and..."

A few minutes later, from 100 feet away, the lady stuck her hand out the bus window hollaring for Jon to come over and get a correspondence response card on which was her address requesting a Bible study.

Doesn't that just stir your heart? It does mine. Praise the Lord Jesus Christ!

Bro Wilhite
South Africa

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8/25/2008 Prayer Letter Update
Subject: PowerPoint Presentation Possibility

I just returned from the University of Limpopo where we issued a written request for a venue in which to show a special power point presentation.

My son-in-law, Jared Spangenberg, has designed a one-hour lecture with approximately 200 pictures/charts refuting even the remotest possibility of evolution. Earlier this year he showed it on the campus where his own brother attends in Penna.

Upon reading our request and having his questions answered the man in charge said, "I think you will have a very good response to this." As is typical in Africa, he had to get authorization from his superior. Honestly, I don't have much faith, but I do try to walk through what I believe to be open doors.

I'm sure your plate is full of prayer needs, but as you think of us, could you please usher this to the throne of grace? There are 5000 students on this campus, the same campus where we had two dozen students enroll in our correspondence school on Saturday. In seven years we have never been able to make much of a dent among the university population, but perhaps the time is now.

While there two men in two different locations saw the magnetic sticker on my bakkie and asked how they could be part of a Bible study.

BTW, we had six more cards in the post requesting a cor. course. Last week alone we had around 45 requests for a course. God is stirring some hearts here obviously due to your intercessory involvement.

Oh, yes, Grinwell Mugoni from Zimbabwe called this morning. He is also in need of more courses for the people in his area. This is an entirely different area from where I usually go in Zim. He also requested that we come preach for him 2-3 days. Anybody over there got some extra time they can lend us (smile)?

Brother Wilhite

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8/26/2008 Prayer Letter Update
Subject: 3 Updates

We didn't take much. I guess we (I) lacked faith. Taking 250 DVD's and probably 300 Good Person tracts/cards we went out to the University of the North late this a.m.

Now I sit here with 24 response cards from curious students. One man just sent me a phone text to say he wanted to come with me to Dikgale tomorrow morning for church, another wants to join our Wednesday evening study, and a gal who lives near our Sunday evening studies in town says she will come. Time will tell how serious any are, but at least there seems to be a stirring.

As I was talking with another fellow, I asked from where he came. When he told me, I told him about the church in Mothiba. "Oh, do you know David...?" David is the most faithful, dedicated African believer I know, and was I ever happy to give him a glad "yes" to his question. This fellow was full of questions, and as I answered them, it wasn't long before four other young men gathered around to hear me "preaching."

Did I tell you that on Wednesday in town we were distributing booklets and three different men in two different places ALL from Venda territory signed up for the course. One man chased me down, saying, "Tell me about this," as he held a card, "I've been wanting this."

Just yesterday we posted 32 lessons, and this does not include the ones that I hand deliver to Dikgale every Sunday.

Your prayers are appreciated,

Brother Wilhite
South Africa

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Yes, it's true, Deanna (our second born) just had baby Madelyn in May, but this last week she became a grandmother...well...sort of.

One year ago May, Deanna led Merriam to the Lord. This past Saturday Merriam led Vivian to the Lord, so Deanna is a spiritual grandmother. I believe this is the first time an African lady in our midst has done an entire Bible study with another African lady with the result of her accepting Christ.

Merriam is in 12th grade. She leaves home at 6:30 a.m. to walk to school by 7:30. After studying at school until 5 p.m. she then goes home and takes a 2 hour nap. She then arises at 8 p.m. and studies until 3 a.m. Going back to bed she sleeps for a couple of hours before getting up to start the day all over again.

...and she still is soul-conscious enough to find time to do a Bible study with her friend. Kind of puts us to shame doesn't it? What's your schedule like? Do you have time to tell others about Christ? Sounds like Merriam doesn't TAKE time; she MAKES time.

Humbled in Africa,

Bro Wilhite

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Some of our dearest missionary friends live in Bloemfontein eight hours south of here. Yesterday we met in Pretoria and Brother Norberg was telling us of some of the Lord's work there among the believers.

On the way home, we felt impressed by the Lord to help Bro Norberg by giving him some gospel DVD's and Good Person tracts. The DVD's (250) and the tracts (2000) are laying here waiting for shipment.

We also hope to print some gospel booklets for him to take into Lesotho after some translation is done.

How can this be done? Through your gifts and prayers.

Thanks from both missionary families,

Bro Wilhite

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8/30/2008 Prayer Letter Update
Subject: Hospital Highlights

Albert and I went to the private hospital here in town this afternoon to pass out some gospel tracts. What we found surprised us for we met folks from all over the province who had come here for medical care:

• Louis Trichardt--1 hour distance
• Venda land--1.5 hours distance
• Jane Furse--2 hours distance
• Tzaneen--1 hour distance
• Potgietersrus--.5 hour distance
• Maputo, Mozambique--6 hours distance

Of course, this also means that several different languages were represented. Our English books were okay, but we could have used books in other languages too.

On the way out of the hospital Albert said, "I learned something today." He had never gone into a hospital to pass out tracts and pray with folks. I learned something too; I need to learn about six other languages.

Keep us in your prayers,

Bro Wilhite

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9/03/2008 Prayer Letter Update
Subject: Busy Bibles

We have not gotten a positive or negative response from the University regarding a venue for a creation/evolution expose', but tonight at our Bible study out there, we had 10 adults, not counting Derek and yours truly. Jamhal, Desmond, Sambo, Sello, Amanda, Emily, Maumee, Rejoice, Aunt Johanna and her sister. The folks were busy following along in their Bibles. Jamhal had spent some time in Philadelphia, so hearing his American accent sure was interesting.

Unfortunately, I didn't have enough study sheets OR Bibles. They rounded up a hodge-podge of various ones which made teaching quite interesting.

Meanwhile, back in Mothiba, my wife was teaching Samuel's wife and Gloria (remember the sick one?) in English, while Albert and Jon taught five teenage boys in Sotho. Julianna was here holding down the fort.

BTW, over 5000 postal box offers went out in the mail yesterday.

Also, I think I have everything in order to submit our application for permanent residency. Keep this in your prayers. We needed an important document, and today the envelope arrived, but it was opened. I was sure glad that the contents were still on the inside.

Thanks for your prayers,

Brother Wilhite

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9/09/2008 Prayer Letter Update
Subject: Correspondence Courses

This is a lot of work!

With Dyanna gone for the past two weeks it has taken three of us to cover her bases (no, I'm not implying that she is fat--smile). No wonder she is always asking me for a salary. I've probably doubled hers a hundred times.

In July/August we added 163 new students to the correspondence school. So far this month we have added 26. The sources are several--referrals, signage, gospel booklets, post box advertisements.

Praise the Lord for hungry souls, but I would ask you to pray for understanding. I'm sure much of it is the issue with language, but some of it is spiritual blindness too.

Brother Wilhite
South Africa

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9/19/2008 Prayer Letter Update
Subject: Licensing a Learner

Five years ago Albert Mashimbi was saved. Two years ago he surrendered to the ministry. This past Sunday night our home church, Lehigh Valley Baptist, voted to license him to preach, and our assistant pastor, Ron Hammett, flew over to issue him the license.

Here are a few pictures from last night's licensing service for Albert Mashimbi. The others were too dark to send.

Pic #1--Albert with his license

Pic #2--Albert's sisters and brother (he actually has nine siblings)

Pic #3--Albert and your's truly.

Brother Wilhite
South Africa

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9/21/2008 Prayer Letter Update
Subject: Finally Finished

Over two years ago we began a project of having a J/R translated, proofed, printed, collated, bound, and shipped to Zimbabwe in the Ndebele tongue. Today we finished collating and binding the last of 10,000 copies. There are probably 2500 in Zimbabwe with the balance waiting in line for their trip up there.

Thanks for your prayers and provision for this project,

Brother Wilhite
South Africa

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Maps? I love 'em.

Nearly seven years ago I saw a large map hanging on a wall in a shop shwoing all the villages of the Northern Province. It was not for sale, and neither was the one I saw in the Tribal authority some months later. I haven't found one since in any shop anywhere for sale.

With my 50th b-day up-coming, Jared and Johanna wanted to do something secretly for me prior to their return to the states, so on Thursday afternoon Jared and Jon left early to go pick up Albert for church. Little did I know they were going to hunt all over town to try and find a map that I have wanted all these years. After following several leads they ended up (of all places) in the Provincial Premier's office (like a governor). They walked right past security guards, up an elevator to the fourth floor, past more security guards, and down some hallways until they bumped into five smartly dressed officials of some sort who pointed them across the hall to the office of a secretary who JUST SO HAPPENED to have the exact map that they wanted on her computer screen. All this happened AFTER 4:00 when most offices are closed or closing, AND with Jon habitually carrying a knife in his pants pocket.

"Come back tomorrow and I'll have one for you. What's your phone number? I'll give you a call when it's finished."

"Yeah, right, we've heard this before," Jon thought, but call she did, and Friday they went to pick up the map. Of course, this time Jared and Jon weren't dressed up for church and looked like a couple of bums strolling into the Premier's office ready to take over the place. Using the gal's business card they managed to get to the place where the rolled map was awaiting them, then they hurried to a print shop in town that does laminating.

Walking into the laminating shop they asked if they could get this large map done, and when the worker saw that it said "Office of the Premier" in the upper right hand corner, she shoved a big stack of other materials aside, laminated it for them on the spot, and charged them $11. By the way, the secretary at the Premier's office charged them nothing, though the boys left her a note and a gift certificate to Mugg & Bean.

Friday I was down with the flu, but when I did manage to crawl out of bed and drop myself on a stool in the kitchen, I heard the whole family singing "Happy Birthday" and walking in carrying the map--the map I've wanted for many years, the map with a thousand villages on it, the map that grips my heart revealing how very, very little we have accomplished in our time here, but the map that spurs me on to be about the Master's business.

Brother Wilhite

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9/23/2008 Prayer Letter Update
Subject: Visa Visit

Debbie and I had our interview with the office of immigration this morning.

Promptness, organized paperwork, Sunday dress, and a South African lapel pin all helped to impress the official we think. The officer was a little shocked about homeschooling and the fact that we don't have a TV, but she went around the office afterward showing some of her peers and what appeared to be her boss the file we had amassed and assembled decently and in order.

Of course, it is not in her hands to make a decision; she sends it on to Pretoria for their stamp of approval.

There is one glitch we must pray through. Two to three months ago they gave us a medical form to complete which we did. Recently they received an application BACK from Pretoria rejecting the same medical form. A phone call to Pretoria did not go through, so we don't know why they in essence said, "Fill out this form that we are going to reject," but hey, TIA!

Now we sit and pray and wait and pray and work and pray and wait and pray and sit and pray and...

Thanks for holding the ropes for us,
Brother Wilhite

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10/01/2008 Prayer Letter Update
Subject: Baby Blues

Friends, Family, and Fellow-laborers,

Last week Wednesday, our oldest daughter, Johanna, along with her husband and 16 month old son land on terra firma back in the U.S. after being here nine weeks.

Little did they know that a few days later, Monday to be exact, Johanna would deliver another little boy, 10 weeks prematurely!

The little guy so surprised every one that he has not been given a name, but the Lord knows who you're praying for. Anyway, the little guy was 2 lbs 14 oz, and a bit over 15 inches long. He is in the NIC unit in perhaps the best hospital near our home church, so he is receiving the best of care. Of course, there are issues, especially with his lungs. While the doctors are optimistic about his future, there is the likelihood that he will be in the hospital up to two months.

Any prayers you send heavenward are gladly appreciated on this side.

Grandpa and Grandma Wilhite
South Africa

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10/02/2008 Prayer Letter Update
Subject: Fine Finances

As missionaries we are often prone to tell you how bad the financial picture is on our side of the big pond, so I thought I'd give you the flip side of the coin.

About two weeks ago, as I understand it, the SA government helped to subsidize the petroleum companies forcing gasoline prices down.

In addition, the exchange rate seems to be climbing again in our favor. It has not been this high for us in five years, for which we are grateful.

2001­8 rands/1 dollar
2002­10 rands/1 dollar
2003­6 rands/1 dollar
2004­6 rands/1 dollar
2005­6 rands/1 dollar
2006­7 rands/1 dollar
2007­7 rands/1 dollar
Today­8.4 rands/1 dollar

Brother Wilhite
South Africa

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10/5/2008 Prayer Letter Update
Subject: Ballot Bullets

Four years ago we received our absentee ballots a day or two before the general elections; well, two of the four eligible voters did. My wife and a daughter are still waiting for theirs (smile).

Today we received our ballots in the post. I have completed mine, sealed it in the envelope and plan to post it tomorrow to speed its way back to PA. I certainly hope you will fulfill your God-given responsibility to do whatever it takes to vote. While we love South Africa, we still love our homeland and plan to do what we can, where we are, with what we have. God help you if you don't get out and vote. It really didn't take much to go online, apply for our absentee ballots, get them, fill in one little oval (smile) and send it back.

I'm not going to tell you how to vote; I just want to know, are you going to get out there and go to the polls? R you going to fulfill your civic responsibility? R you going to vote? Just remember, the way you vote has a direct bearing on your missionaries. Voting the wrong way; voting contrary to Biblical principles ought to grieve your heart; it probably does God's. Praying for the right folks to win!

Brother Wilhite
South Africa

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10/06/2008 Prayer Letter Update
Subject: Mentioning Men

Folks,

God gave us a good day yesterday in all three locations with visitors with better than average attendances. Of course, our goal is MEN, and faithful men at that, but these are not always easily found. Aside from my older boys I believe there were about five adult men in each location, though the attendances were around 40, 40, and 25

On Saturday we went to Turfloop and tried to visit some men from our Wednesday evening Bible study there with university students. We had stopped for a couple of weeks, but it seems there is still interest there. In fact, a new male correspondence student from that area has contacted us and wants a Bible study too, so we're trying to round him up for this week's study.

If you would, please pray the next couple of days for Johannes. I visited him on Saturday, and was he ever full of questions. I suppose we sat there for two hours answering his questions from the Bible. It is at his house where we have the Wednesday studies. He is not a university student, but is in his mid-late 20's. Pray that Lord would soundly convert him. He could be a really good prospect for ministry material I think (we'll know in 5-7 years­ seriously smiling).

Last Tuesday evening we went back up to Dikgale and had an outdoors Bible study with 9 men/3 ladies. After that we went to Pete Matete's house (70) to begin a series on Why We Do What We Do (Baptist Polity). I took Albert, Jon, and two other guys from town­one of whom is not saved, one of whom has made a profession.

Lord willing, Thursday Julianna and Jonathan will accompany me to Zvishavane, Zimbabwe, where we are slated to hold a Th-Sun a.m. meeting. Jon has been asked to preach to the young people there, so keep him in prayer as this will be his first opportunity to preach in that country, and I think the Lord might be pulling his heart there in the future. Sunday afternoon we will be heading over to Esigodini where I believe there are some baptisms scheduled. We can only stay there through Monday noon, since we have to get back here.

Please pray that Caleb and Ethan would hurry up and grow, so they can come over here and help Grandpa preach.

Brother Wilhite
South Africa

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10/07/2008 Prayer Letter Update
Subject: Redeemed Rahab

Eighteen months ago we began some Bible studies in Dikgale, specifically at Abram's house whose wife is Rahab.

Initially she was very resistant to the Word, but over time she began doing some correspondence studies, and of course, has been at all the Sunday services still being held at her house.

This afternoon, Abram came to our afternoon Bible study near his house where 7 men, 2 ladies, 6 children, Albert, Jon, and I met for an outdoor study. Afterwards, Abram said, """"My wife got saved and she wants to tell you," so off we went to her house. Upon entering she told us in Sotho, "I'm not saved, but my sins of adultery, anger, etc., etc., are really bothering meI want Jesus to save me."

So Albert proceeded to share some verses and then have her pray. I thought it was interesting what he did too. He had her tell the Lord her sins, so she prayed and did just that naming them one by one. After that he shared some more truth and then led her in a prayer of committing her life to Jesus Christ, so she prayed twice.

The whole time Abram (who is still lost) was serious and quiet as a mouse.

God is at work up there. There have been four adult ladies saved, and as you can see above, several men are showing an interest in the things of God. Pete (70) was so glad to hear of Rahab's salvation too. He would come to the studies, but it is quite a distance for him to walk. I suppose that each Sunday he walks nearly a mile to come to church. We go over to his house and do some pastoral type studies each Tuesday evening too.

Rejoicing in the Lord,

Brother Wilhite
South Africa

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10/14/2008 Prayer Letter Update
Subject: Zeal in Zim

Dear Pastors,

Get your resignation letter written and get over here and enjoy the blessings!

Jon, Juli, and I arrived home last evening after a full five day journey to Zimbabwe and back. In all we ministered to folks from seven villages baptizing 20 or more.

The zeal of the Zim folks amazes me.

Grinwell (38) pastors two smaller churches but walks 5 miles one way to hold services. While there are issues he needs to deal with his dedication to the Lord is apparent. He quit a mining job several years ago and gave up a 7 bedroom house to live in a small four room house that is in dire need of care and repair. This was Jon's first opportunity to preach in Zimbabwe, and Grinwell gave him two opportunities. On Saturday Jon walked back to Zvishavane with some other young men, a distance of 6-7 miles.

Never (37) walks to Embogeni, Sgoveni, and Wilsgrove. Each are 6 miles from his home. After a longer service where we gathered for the baptisms, we were going back to Mshede Village, but our bakkie was full, so Never and Jon walked the distance. That was Sunday. Do you think Jon got his exercise there?

Reuben (67) walks 8 miles one way to Esigodini on Wednesdays, puts up there, and walks home on Thursdays. He lost a son two years back due to HIV, and his brother just died due to the same. His son called me a couple of weeks ago from a different location here in South Africa and reported that he has the same disease. Life is not easy for Reuben who still plows with a yoke of oxen in a hot climate and suffers from kidney problems. His wife walks quite a distance just to get water in some pretty intense heat.

Prior to my leaving his place, Reuben jotted a brief note to Debbie, and he closed with this request, Pray for me as I try to plant a new church in Esigodini. I wonder how many pastors get an e-mail that goes something like this, "Pastor, I won't be in church tonight because little Johnny has a sniffle, and I have to help my wife wipe his nose. Please pray for us." I don't think too many folks know what it is to really sacrifice for the Lord like Reuben. Remember, he has only been saved for four years. When I arrived at his house Sunday afternoon he said, "I want to be born-again." Now, he wasn't talking spiritually, it's just that he wishes he had another life to give to the Lord. He has been teaching on baptism in his house church for the past two Sunday and four adults surrendered to be baptized. He is excited to see what the Lord is doing.

We would have had more folks baptized, but there are some family issues we want to address first, so we are making tentative plans to have our first Bible conference in Zimbabwe in April.

Humbled again,

Bro Wilhite
South Africa

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10/19/2008 Prayer Letter Update
Subject: The Boy Roy

Roy is 18 and has been coming to Ga-Dikgale for several weeks. It would be a real joy to see Roy the boy saved. Pray toward that end. Today, he:

1) Brought a visitor
2) Jumped up immediately to interpret
3) Has been keeping track of the offerings in a notebook on his own in excellent handwriting.

Four other men joined us in the Bible study there, and one (Tinos--35) asked prayer for himself to be saved. It is at his place where we are doing Tuesday Bible studies. This past Tuesday I think there were 7-8 men at the Bible study. In addition to the men today, there were several ladies plus some children.

The attendance was good in Ga-Mothiba despite some recent issues there. Albert's family is in a mess (to say it lightly), and I'm sure he would appreciate your prayers for him as he grows in his walk with the Lord and preparation for ministry. I may have him preach in Ga-Dikgale this coming Sunday. We are busy installing a water line and building a baptistry for the church there.

Tonight in town the Lord gave us seven first time visitors, but several regulars were missing. Had they been there we would have had all the chairs full. A couple visited us, Chris and Sue, whom we met last December. They have been out to our house several times, so the children call them Uncle Chris and Auntie Sue. Finally, they came. Also a lady named Mama came with two of her children. Audry, Michelle, Mikala, Alvin, and Alfred were all absent, but are usually in their places.

The mailbox outreach continues to net precious souls requesting correspondence courses. We sent out over 50 courses this week, many of them being first lessons. We have also received word that several more response cards are on the way from curious students in Botswana. I finally broke down and started to "pay" Dyanna for all her computer work. I think she's making about $2/hour. I told her to be glad she is a girl, if she were a man she could be a preacher and make $1/hour (smile).

As for other news, my birthday welcomed many e-mails, cards, or phone calls. Hard to believe I am entering my sixth decade. Jon had a music test on Friday through UNISA; Derek and Jeremiah have theirs tomorrow. We enjoyed our first rain of the season Friday evening. In town they actually had some hail. The exchange rate is unusually good, as it topped 10 rands to the dollar late this week; however, it is not expected to stay there. It has not been this high for five years.

Thanks for your continued prayers,

Brother Wilhite
South Africa