Land!

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We arrived home yesterday after a long month of being in the states.  Actually, I was the only one in the states for a month, but my family joined me for the last 2 weeks.  The Lord blessed in an incredible way during our time.  Individuals and churches went above and beyond helping our family during the difficult time of losing our grandparents.

As I started language school again today, I was definitely regretting being away so long.  My brain was locking up, and it was difficult remembering some of the basics of Xhosa.  No worries though! I believe we will be back to normal in a few days.

After about 8 months of planning, working, and searching, I was surprised today by news from one of the pastors.  Pastor Sipho Bonga located a piece of property for the new church, and was able to get the papers signed for the purchase.  He secured the property price which after lawyer fees will be around $8700.  It was great welcoming news to say the least.

We were hoping to start this church back in February, but because of the difficulty to find property, or even a place to rent, we kept moving the startup date.  Lord willing, after this week, we will be able to make a more educated guess to when that will be.

The money has come in for the purchase of this property, but we are still in need of money to build.  The first building which will include a small auditorium and a prophet’s chamber for the pastor and his family will be around $6000.  Pray this comes in soon.  We have enough to get started, but won’t be able to advance without more assistance.

Coffey Family April 2014 Prayer Letter

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Prayer Request

  • Our family, as we are dealing with the loss of 3 close loved ones in the past 9 days
  • Safety for our family as we travel to and from South Africa
  • New Life Baptist Church- We were hoping to have an Easter service, but still haven’t obtained a place to start.
  • Extra unexpected expenses for traveling

Highlights

  • My grandmother went to be with the Lord on Easter morning.  I was on a plane to the US 6 hours after hearing the news.
  • Allison Clapp, a close family friend, went to be with the Lord on April 28th.
  • Amy’s grandfather went to be with the Lord on April 29th,  Amy is flying from South Africa with the kids this week.
  • Missionaries Brent & Selina Bergey arrived in PE for their survey trip.  They plan to start an orphanage in the next few years.

On Easter morning I received a phone call from my mom from the states, and immediately knew my grandmother had passed away.  She had suffered a brain aneurism a week earlier and we were told it was just a matter of time.  My cousin Kevin Hall and I caught a plane and flew back to the states for the service.  

A week later, we received very unexpected news of a dear lady from our home church passing away, Mrs. Allison Clapp.  Mrs. Allison was like a second mom to my two older boys, Tyler & Chase, especially since the loss of their mother a little over a year ago.  

Thinking the hardest of the news was over, yesterday as I was walking into Hamilton Medical Center to see my wife’s grandfather before his surgery, my father-in-law let me know that “Pappy” was already gone.   

As I spoke with my wife, who was still in South Africa, we weren’t sure what to do.  With neither of us wanting to leave the kids in South Africa without a parent, we decided to have them all fly back to the states to attend the funeral.  They will arrive on May 2nd, and we are all set to fly back to South Africa on May 19th.  

Today, Chase, our second to the oldest, is having wires removed from his ankle from his break last month, and tomorrow, May 1st , Amy and the kids jump on a plane to head this way.  Please pray all goes well, and please continue to pray for our family during this time.

In the States

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On Sunday morning I was getting ready for to celebrate Resurrection Sunday at Madiba Bay Baptist Church in Port Elizabeth.  After a phone call from my mom, everything I had planned for the week changed a bit.  My grandmother had passed away, and I began looking for flights back to the states.  Our family was able to make it to the morning service and at 2:45pm South Africa time I was on a plane with my cousin Kevin headed for Johannesburg.  By 6:45am Monday morning (est), we were in the Atlanta airport.

On Tuesday, Kevin and I were privileged to conduct the funeral service for my grandmother Sue Webb.  We both had the opportunity to share the Gospel with many lost family members.  Please continue to pray that the seed of the Gospel will take root in their hearts and they come to Christ.

We will be in the states until May 6th.  We are staying a couple of weeks so we could schedule some meetings and try to recuperate some of the expenses of the trip.  The Lord has blessed and about half of our expenses have been covered so far.

Please continue to pray for my family who are still dealing with the loss of my grandmother.

Coffey Family March 2014 Prayer Letter

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Last week, Missionary Kevin Hall, taught on the priority of training and mentoring during our weekly Sunday afternoon Bible Institute Class.  With about 15 guys sitting around the tables, my heart was stirred thinking about the potential these young guys could make here in South Africa.  I’m grateful I have the opportunity to work with like minded missionaries who know that trained young men are the future of any great work that will be accomplished here in South Africa.

God is growing our South Africa team.  Jason and Ashley King from Victory Baptist Church in Loganville, GA started deputation for South Africa this past month.  Jason was one of the guys who went with me on the mission trip to South Africa in 2011 that lead to my decision to come to South Africa.  It’s neat to see how God brings things together.  Please pray this great family will be able to get to the field soon.

Please continue praying for our tract distribution.  Great contacts have been made every week.  We are almost out of the 10,000 tracts we had printed so another order will be needed soon.  We will continue trying to find a more economical way to print them.

The kids are extra happy to have my mom with us this month.  I’m glad she was able to get away for a couple of weeks for a visit.

Prayer Request

  • For Amy and I to learn the Xhosa language
  • Location, location, location.  We need a location to start New Life Baptist.  It has proven much more difficult to find a place to meet in the higher class part of the township.  We’re hoping to have the first service no later than Easter morning.
  • Summer Mission trips and internships to be fruitful
  • Opportunity of another new church plant may become available this next month.

Highlights

  • Someone willing to match up to $3800 to purchase land for Wells Estates Baptist- $1000 already committed.
  • My 14 year old, Chase, broke his ankle during the first day of Rugby tryouts.  One pin and two wires later….
  • ProjectSouthAfrica.com website & blog are back on line.  I apologize for the delay.  Thanks to my Brother-in-law, Trent Cornwell for helping me get it back on line.

Need

  • I plan on purchasing a small pickup truck in the next few months for around $5000.