Thank you so much for all of your support over the past two years and for actually wanting to read my posts! Please continue to read and pray with us on our new journey together!

Truly yours,
Stephanie

Well as the title states, today is a snow day. Which means I have all the time in the world to post some updates. Praise the Lord for this day because life has been running a million miles an hour since I returned home from Africa and I am blessed to be trapped in my apartment for a day with food in the fridge, heat in the rooms and my amazing husband to keep me company.

Snow outside my window at our apartment

Where should I begin. Well I believe my last post was an outcry of prayer that Roelof would get his visa. Well I am very pleased to report that he got it! What a blessing! He arrived in Amarillo on September 29, 2009. After all the craziness of the visa and then some more craziness at the airport when he arrived and some lost luggage on top of that, it was good to have him here….finally. Four months is a long time to be separated from the love of your life! Now I do realize that it could have been much longer and for that I am thankful.

About a month after Roelofs arrival I began searching for a new job. Working at the bank was not my cup of tea…..oh speaking of tea, the kettle just boiled!….ok now where was I? Oh yes, the bank. Working at the bank was not my cup of tea. I hated sitting in front of a computer screen all day and having a phone permanently fused to my ear. For some people it works, but definitely not for me. So I began searching and was offered a job working for Child Protective Services here in Amarillo. I started there on December 7th (I decided to hold off on my start date so that Roelof and I could go on a honeymoon! More about the wedding in the next paragraph). I have to admit that this job is much better than the last. However, it is an incredibly emotional and stressful job and I know that the Lord has me there for now for a reason, but I won’t be there forever. Roelof and I are daily praying about God’s plan for our life and seeking Him in everything. Please join us in prayer as God reveals His plan to us little by little. Our hearts are for missions and we are so excited about one day going back into the mission field. We have a lot to do before we can go and an enormous debt to pay, but we are relying on the Lord to provide and we know He will.

Today's cup of tea

Now for the good stuff. Roelof and I were married on November 21, 2009!!! It was an incredible day, one we will never forget. The week before the wedding is another story though. The Saturday before the wedding I drove down to Dallas for my bachelorette party. But on my way there I began to feel really sick and I had just enough anti-nausea medicine to hold me through the first two hours of the party. After that I was in bed, sick as a dog. Thankfully the next day I did not have to drive myself home. One of my bestest friends in the whole world was here from across the ocean to drive me home! Kim got to be here for a whole week to help me with the wedding and we got to spend some precious time together. So during that week I just felt worse and worse with each day. I went to the doctor on Tuesday and he told me I could have a mild case of H1N1!!!! Swine flu?!?! The week before my wedding?!?! So needless to say I spent most of that week in bed, sick to my stomach and coughing my head off. On Thursday of that week Roelof also started coming down with the same symptoms, so we both took a trip to the doctor and got a steroids shot. By Saturday afternoon we were both feeling great!!! Which is a good thing because I didn’t want to be coughing down the aisle. However, I did end up losing my voice, so it was tough to say my vows. I pretty much just had to whisper them, haha. Everyone thought I was overcome with emotion, but it was just my voice, sore from days of coughing.

As for the wedding though, it was perfect! We couldn’t have asked for a better day. My aunts came up from Odessa on that Tuesday to help prepare and I don’t know what I would have done without them, Kim, Brooke, Jenn & Blake, and the rest of my family that helped out that week. And most importantly my Mom and Dad who spent endless hours helping me plan the wedding, comforting me when I was upset about Roelof’s visa, and celebrating with us when he arrived! I don’t think I would have made it to November 21st without them!

After the wedding we were blessed with a week in Pagosa Springs, CO for our honeymoon. Some friends of ours gave us their time share for the week, otherwise we wouldn’t have been able to afford to go! We got to go skiing, sit in the hot springs, go to the spa, play in the snow, go sledding, hike up to a frozen water fall, and much more. We had a blast that week and it is a vacation we’ll never forget!

Roelof and me at Thanksgiving lunch on our honeymoon

Skiing at Wolf Creek on our honeymoon

Well I guess that just about wraps up this edition. Sorry for such a long wait, but as you can see we have been quite busy the last few months. Roelof and I have decided to combine our newsletters into one, so from now on this blog will be written by both of us. Please continue to join us in prayer as we seek Gods will for our lives, for Roelofs work permit and green card, for Roelofs future job, for our financial situation and student debt. Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer and friendship as we journey through some somewhat tough times. We value your prayers and we are grateful for them!

-Stephanie BEETGE

Thank you all so much for all of your prayers and support during this roller coaster of a ride we’ve been on lately! I am so thankful for all of you!!!

Speaking of soon-to-be husbands, we have had some complications with the visa process. On August 10th our petition was approved, yay! (which is the first half of the visa process). Then on August 17th we found out that the rest of the process may take a little longer than expected. And then today, August 31st, we found out that we have all we need to finish the process and we can schedule an interview for the beginning of October, HOWEVER, we are missing one document (which we had no idea we were going to have to have) and it can take up to 3 MONTHS to obtain. This particular document is called a ‘full birth certificate’. What’s the difference between a ‘full birth certificate’ and a ‘regular one’? Well I’ll tell you. A ‘full birth certificate’ has the birth certificates of each parent of the applicant and some more information about the applicants birth, yada yada yada. I’m not going to rant and rave about why the heck the American government needs to have an in depth look into the birth of my fiance, it’s not like he was born of a virgin or something, he’s not Jesus, so why does it matter? Anyway, so tomorrow morning we are going to find out if there is any way to expedite the ‘full birth certificate’ and see if the embassy would be willing to work with us in some way to get this taken care of. We have followed every procedure to a tee and we’ve submitted everything else we need and paid for all of the government fees. WE HAVE A HUGE PRAYER REQUEST! Please pray for a miracle in this situation. The government is not easy to deal with and we are literally helpless in this situation. There really is nothing we can do (unless we get a senator involved and we don’t have those kind of connections). The only thing we can do is trust in the Lord and pray that He will provide a miracle for us. Specifically pray that the birth certificate will come within a few days and we will be able to schedule an interview before the end of September.This is very important and we fully believe that the Lord will provide! We are expecting to see miracles! The verse that keeps coming to mind over and over is this: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. This process has been long and very uncertain, it has come with more trouble than anyone can believe, but we are taking heart! And trusting in the only One that has overcome the world.

PLEASE PRAY WITH US AND EXPECT TO SEE MIRACLES!

I just want to take this time to tell you all thank you for your support over the past year. The Lord has done some mighty things while I’ve been here and it has been an incredible experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything!

I’m excited about going home and at the same time I very sad to leave. Africa will always have a special place in my heart and I’m sure this won’t be my last trip to the area

I can’t wait to see you all when I get home! I praise the Lord for all of you and your prayers!

This past weekend I went to Mozambique for the last time. I took in every moment of it as if it were my first trip. Everything seemed so special: the sound of the people singing, the taste of hot coffee on a cold morning, and the excitement of playing with the most precious kids! Leaving Mozambique this time was a sad occasion for me despite the fact that I got sick in the middle of the trip and I do have to admit that I was very happy to see the comforts of South Africa. But saying goodbye was difficult because I don’t know when I’ll be back again, only God knows my path and only He knows when or if I’ll return.

This trip was unlike any other. We had our normal Samaria Mission team plus one couple from the States. They wanted to come and see the people in the village of Salani. This couple has been to Mozambique several times before and made a special connection with the people in this village. They told me that their purpose for this trip was just to come and tell the people in Salani that they were still praying for them everyday and that they think about them often. What and incredible connection! We were only there for a few days, but what an impact they had on these people! I was truly touched by their willingness to come just to bring such a simple message. We were able to share the Gospel on many occasions and we just pray that the message will make even more of an impact.

In other news, we are still waiting on Roelof’s visa to be processed. We have been told that we can expect to wait 3-5 months from the time we sent in the paperwork (which was on March 17), so we could hear something as early as mid-June or as late as September. But nonetheless, right now we are just playing the waiting game. We have put this visa in God’s hands and it is in His control so all we can do is just sit back, relax and know that the creator of the universe is sorting it out!

Please join us in prayer for:
-the people in the Salani and Mbuzi that we were able to share the message of the Gospel with
-the many outreaches that will be taking place during the months of June, July and August
-the Samaria Mission team. They will be very busy during the next few months with very little rest. Please pray that God will provide strength and perseverance for them to fight the good fight!
-safety in traveling for all the teams coming out from the States and from South Africa
-peace of mind as we wait for Roelof’s visa
-Roelof’s visa to be processed quickly and correctly

Praise the Lord for:
-the time He has so graciously given me here in South Africa
-His providence in everything
-continued support from family and friends
-Roelof, an incredible fiancé and friend

The application for the fiance visa is very long and stressful. Last week we sent the first part of the paper work (the application is a two part process) to the attorney. He reviewed it and then sent it to the USCIS. Now we are just playing the waiting game until we hear back from the USCIS (probably will be several months). We are praying that Roelof receives his visa by September. Please pray with us for a smooth and speedy process.

During the first week of March we took some seminary students on an outreach in the northern part of South Africa. It was in a village called Tschota (sounds like “Chikota”). There we did door-to-door evangelism, children’s ministry, evening services, and cleared a field for the new church building. The church services are currently being held in a big tent. They have a worship team and a sound system, but they don’t have a building to worship in (not that that is the most important thing, the most important thing is that they are worshiping!). But they have a field and soon they will have a building. It was incredible to go door-to-door and share the Word of the Lord, and then see those faces again that night at the service. Praise the Lord for the work He is doing in Tschota!

I have been involved with junior youth and working in the nursery at CBC. One week I got to lead the Bible Story time with the kids. We learned about David and Goliath. I had a blast with the kids! They were so much fun and they absorbed every word of the lesson.

I am happy to report that there is a new little miracle in the world and his name is Broderick “Brody” Wayne Brasher. He was born on Monday, March 2, 2009. I haven’t met him yet, but I’ve seen pictures and he is definitely in the top 3 of the cutest babies in the world (along with Jacob Brasher and Madison Brasher, my other nephew and niece). Praise the Lord for such a great blessing! I can’t wait to meet him when I get home!

He's smiling He's a happy baby!

Please pray for:
-Roelof’s visa. Pray for a miracle, that his visa will be processed faster than expected and he will get his visa. And that he will get it before September.
-The village of Tschota. Pray that the work that was done will continue with the church and that we made a long lasting impact.
-The junior youth at CBC. Pray that they will continue to attend the youth and grow and learn in the Lord.
-My new nephew Brody and his happy parents Stanton and Kristen Brasher.
-Mine and Roelof’s continued support financially. We have a big year ahead of us and a lot of financial responsibilities.

Praise the Lord for:
-His faithfulness in everything.
-Bringing Roelof and I together. I am so blessed to have him in my life!
-A healthy little baby for my brother and his wife.

I was out and about town that afternoon, running errands with a friend. When I got home I came in through the back door. Earlier that day I had promised Sharyn (the lady of the house) that I would help her with various baking projects that she had to do that afternoon. When I came in I rushed through the door and told her I was going to go change and I’d be back in the kitchen to help her. Before I got past the doorway she told me to put my stuff down and then meet her at the front door before I change my clothes. When I got to the front door there was a trail of letters waiting for me. There were 9 in total and they went all the way around the garden (South Africans love to have big beautiful fancy gardens). I started with the first one closes to the door. Inside the envelope was a special picture of us with a message on the back. Each envelope contained something similar, a different picture/memory with a message on the back. I made my way around the garden and when I got to the last one I discovered a secret garden. Now I’ve lived at this house for a while now and never knew this part of the garden existed, haha. That’s why it’s called the secret garden. When I walked around into the secret garden there was Roelof all dressed up, hiding in the bushes. With him was one last letter he had written for me. He greeted me with a kiss and then got down on one knee and popped the question! It was perfect! After I said “yes”, he gave me the letter to read and we spent some time hanging out in our new secret spot. He also had for me my favorite flowers (pink Gerber Daisies). It was so sweet.

Our plans at the moment are not for sure yet. We want to get married in October in my hometown, Amarillo, Tx. Right now we are working on getting him a visa. He is going to try to get a K-1 Fiancé Visa. This visa takes 6-7 months to process so he should make it to the States just in time. We’re planning and praying that he will be there by August 14. Please join with us in prayer as there are so many details to work out and the fact that he is not guaranteed a visa. This application process is very long and expensive so we are going to hire an attorney to handle our case so that it will be done properly and efficiently.

If everything goes according to planned, then we will get married on October 24, 2009. We are so excited and can’t wait to see what the Lord is going to do.

Please pray with us:
-as we seek the Lord for our future plans
-for finances for the visa and plane ticket
-for our continued work in Mozambique and South Africa
-for my plane ticket (whether it be in May or in August)

Engagement Pics

Below is a copy of Roelof’s latest newsletter. This gives you all a chance to get to know him a little better!

Roelof’s newletter

Me in front of a waterfall in the Botanical Gardens in Nelspruit

During the month of December I was blessed to have a whole month to rest and relax. Instead of relaxing I used my time to travel and see more of the country! Wow, was it awesome. Seeing the variety and diversity of the landscape here is just another reminder of how big our God is! The month long trip started off on Saturday December 5^th.

We traveled about 4 hours down to Nelspruit and the Mpumalanga area. This place was amazing! It was beautiful beyond what I could ever imagine. There were mountains and hills and trees and rivers and waterfalls, all working together shouting out the glory of the Lord! I truly have never seen such a place. When we reached our friends house in Nelspruit we took a day or two to rest because of course we had been extremely busy up until the moment we left on the 5^th. We needed a day or two to sleep in After we were rested we started doing some sight-seeing. We went to the Botanical Gardens and The Potholes (this is a particular spot in the river where the water spiraled out a pattern in the ground that looks like a bunch of huge potholes. It’s interesting because in some places you can actually see the water at work on new potholes!). One day we took a self-guided tour around the area looking at waterfalls. It seems like there are hundreds of them in that area. On my birthday we went hiking and came across this cliff where you can look out and see for miles. It almost seems that if you look far enough you can see the curvature of the earth, haha. Then we hiked down the mountain to the bottom of a waterfall. It was the first time I ever went swimming in a waterfall pool AND the first time I ever went swimming on my birthday! That was quite interesting. On one particular day we went to Kruger Park and stumbled across a couple of rhinos taking a mud bath. They were so close to the car I could reach out and touch them! Kind of scary.

Fun Things To Do In Africa:
1. Boulder jumping. I have the pictures to prove it.
2. Swimming-anywhere, everywhere, south Africans LOVE it.
3. Cliff jumping….well I actually didn’t get to do this, but I hear it’s incredibly fun!
4. Game viewing. Especially when they are close enough to run over your car…literally!
5. Grocery shopping. It’s a world of unknown treasures.

After a full two weeks of adventures we packed up and headed over to Joburg. There we went to visit Roelof’s family and spend Christmas with them. African Christmas is an interesting thing, even among the white families here. It’s very different from Christmas in the States. It’s not driven by gifts or decorations, it’s driven by the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ! I did enjoy Christmas in Africa, even though I missed my family greatly, and it is one I will always remember.

The day after Christmas we packed our things and went for a camping trip with Roelof’s family. We spent a whole week relaxing by the pool and getting a tan (yes, even I got a tan!). On New Year’s Eve we had plans to count down to midnight while taking a late night swim and watching the fireworks as we brought in the new year. Unfortunately we were rained out and we all ended up in the caravan playing Rummikub, haha. But we enjoyed it!

After our week of camping we spent a few days getting ready to come back to Polokwane and start the New Year. We had a great holiday and vacation. At times not very relaxing, but definitely time well spent.

Now I congratulate all of you who made it through this marathon of a newsletter, haha. It’s been a while since I’ve written so there was a lot to catch up on! I just want to say thank you to everyone for your prayers and support over 2008 as I prepared to come to Africa and after I got here. It has truly been a year I will never forget!

P.S. There are a few albums on facebook that have plenty of pictures of all the fun things that happened this past month. The links to the albums are below. Enjoy!

Summertime in Africa

My 23rd Birthday

Roelof’s Family