Recent letter update:
Dear Praying Friends, January-March 2025
I’m so embarrassed that it’s already April and this is my first prayer letter of 2025. I hope that reading the contents of this letter and hearing how busy we have been that you will have some idea of why it is we have been so long in communicating with you. We can only ask your forgiveness. Normally, Janet compiles the information and gives it to Herb, who writes the letter and formats the pictures, but Janet left Knysna on January 8 to take Noah to Bible College and did not return until February 27. Let me explain.
Noah came home to South Africa for a couple of weeks during the Christmas holiday. He wanted to see his friends before he left for Bible College and he took the opportunity during his holidays to renew friendships with many of his friends - 5 of whom travelled to Cape Town with Herb to pick him up when he arrived on Christmas Eve.
Janet was planning to return with Noah to Iowa to help him get settled in at Faith and to reconnect with our daughter Megan and with Azola who is also there. Please pray for our children at Bible College (and Azola) - we are hoping they will thrive while there and learn as much as they can. For her part, Janet enjoyed a few days with our “college kids” before journeying on to Athabasca, Alberta, to visit our eldest son Caleb, his wife Juleah, and (of course) our grandson Raymond. Raymond was scheduled to have surgery to repair a partial cleft palate on January 29th, and Janet arrived on the 14th, hoping to be able to help manage his care during her stay. She was scheduled to return to South Africa the first week of February, but shortly after landing in Alberta, Caleb and Juleah were informed that Ray’s surgery was delayed by a couple of weeks and not scheduled to happen until February 12th. So, we changed the return date for Janet’s ticket and she did not return until February 27. She was glad for the time with Raymond, Caleb and Juleah. She spent most days singing to Raymond and teaching him animal sounds. Unfortunately, the long travel and different sleeping arrangements resulted in a bulging disc in Janet’s back, which is still giving her pain. Even with regular physiotherapy and chiropractor visits, she continues to have pain. Please pray for her full recovery.
We are pleased to report that Raymond has made a full recovery from his surgery and is a happy one-year-old boy. We are grateful to God that Janet’s travels were safe and that Ray’s surgery was a success. Rejoice with us!
While Janet was gone, it seemed as though Herb’s workload only increased. Even though it was the holiday season, or perhaps because of the holiday season, there was an increase in people seeking the help of Biblical Counseling. During the period of Janet’s absence, Herb dealt with a suicidal teenager struggling to deal with how her grandparents treated her (she lived with them for a few years). As Herb opened the scriptures, she saw God’s love for her, and her countenance changed! Thankfully, she grasped the truth of who she is in Christ, rather than who others have told her she is. With her identity firmly established, she has gone, as they say in South Africa, from strength to strength. Please pray for L as she continues to grow. She is being mentored by Lina, the lady who referred her to Herb and who accompanied her at each of their sessions. Please also pray for Lina and her husband, who came for counseling just a few days ago.
Janet’s absence meant many dinner invitations for Herb. One evening, while enjoying dinner at a friend’s house, Herb was able to share the gospel. Pray for H and J, who need Christ. Their religious background and their “good” work in the community have blinded them to their need. However, the seed has been sown. Pray for opportunities to water the seed of the gospel that was shared with this couple.
Late last year, a generous gift was given from a church in Michigan that was closing. We were able to use that money to help My Father’s House Baptist Church in the Township community in Knysna to renovate a house to use as a church. On January 18th, at the end of a weekend conference, the building was dedicated. Herb spoke and had a chance to rejoice together with the church family in how God had uniquely provided to meet their needs. Herb and George use the church building there to host the Teen Boy’s Bible Study each week, so it was great to see this project completed. Pray for the ministry of My Father’s House Baptist Church (which has been renamed Concordia Baptist Church) and Pastor Nicholas Mfecane as they reach out and share Christ in their community.
As often happens, along with blessings come difficulties and disappointments. Jared, who has served as our church intern for the past couple of years, has decided to take a step back from the duties we asked of him. He is struggling to keep up with the demands, and his wife is unsettled about a move into full-time ministry. Rather than damage their relationship, Herb and George encouraged Jared to take a step back and take the time he needed to make certain of the Lord’s leading into ministry. We have missed our regular meetings with him, he was like a Timothy to Paul. While they still attend at Knysna West, we have removed Jared from the preaching schedule and now George and I share the load at Boy’s Bible Study. Pray for Jared and Shené as they wrestle with God’s calling and pray for us as we have increased responsibilities as a result.
Two of the young men from our church, who faithfully attended our Boy’s Bible Study, have headed to George to attend Foundation Theological Institute. One of the young ladies from our Rheenendal Bible Study, Lily, is also attending, although she is living in town, and not on-site. This one-year intensive program is designed to deepen their biblical understanding and to grow their faith. This happens through classroom instruction and one-on-one discipleship. Pray for Hlumelo, Likhona, and Lily. They would be grateful for your prayers. If anyone would like to send a gift to help cover the $2200 for their room, board, and tuition (for the year), I also know they would be grateful. They come from families who do not have excess money for school, and they have entered the program in faith, believing God will provide! Simply designate a gift to “FTI” when you send it to Baptist Mid Missions to our account (#702823).
At church, there have been a few more inquires about membership and so we have had meetings to hear salvation testimonies. Lord willing, we are hoping to add another 3 people to the church later in April. Also, one of the people I am counseling, a young lady named Anja, has started coming to church. Then, while Janet was away, she was unable to give Matthew a ride to church, and the van is too full on Sunday to take him, so his parents started bringing him and stayed for church as well. Now his parents, Brendon and Suzani are enjoying the fellowship and will also stick around, we hope. Pray for all of these opportunities to touch lives with Biblical teaching and Christian fellowship. We still need a building!! Don’t forget to pray for that need, too.
After Janet arrived home, Dr. Bob Jones and his wife were visiting Knysna and so we enjoyed a service with them, then a time of singing, and dinner out together with them and the Knysna Hope team. We are encouraged to see folks still being faithful after many years.
Janet had fun distributing the gifts she brought for people from Canada, bringing delight and smiles to many faces. She even brought back the 5kg of candy that Azola passed on to his siblings! Between Fuzzy Peaches and Swedish Berries, there was much feasting!
In the middle of March, just two weeks after Janet returned home, a team arrived from Meadowlands Baptist Church in Edmonton to visit us. We’d love to tell you all about it, but we are out of space for this letter! Stay tuned for another letter at the end of April and we’ll share some of the blessings from that experience. For now, know that we love you and are thankful to God for you.
Only by His grace,
Herb and Janet Hunter
Dear Praying Friends, January-March 2025
I’m so embarrassed that it’s already April and this is my first prayer letter of 2025. I hope that reading the contents of this letter and hearing how busy we have been that you will have some idea of why it is we have been so long in communicating with you. We can only ask your forgiveness. Normally, Janet compiles the information and gives it to Herb, who writes the letter and formats the pictures, but Janet left Knysna on January 8 to take Noah to Bible College and did not return until February 27. Let me explain.
Noah came home to South Africa for a couple of weeks during the Christmas holiday. He wanted to see his friends before he left for Bible College and he took the opportunity during his holidays to renew friendships with many of his friends - 5 of whom travelled to Cape Town with Herb to pick him up when he arrived on Christmas Eve.
Janet was planning to return with Noah to Iowa to help him get settled in at Faith and to reconnect with our daughter Megan and with Azola who is also there. Please pray for our children at Bible College (and Azola) - we are hoping they will thrive while there and learn as much as they can. For her part, Janet enjoyed a few days with our “college kids” before journeying on to Athabasca, Alberta, to visit our eldest son Caleb, his wife Juleah, and (of course) our grandson Raymond. Raymond was scheduled to have surgery to repair a partial cleft palate on January 29th, and Janet arrived on the 14th, hoping to be able to help manage his care during her stay. She was scheduled to return to South Africa the first week of February, but shortly after landing in Alberta, Caleb and Juleah were informed that Ray’s surgery was delayed by a couple of weeks and not scheduled to happen until February 12th. So, we changed the return date for Janet’s ticket and she did not return until February 27. She was glad for the time with Raymond, Caleb and Juleah. She spent most days singing to Raymond and teaching him animal sounds. Unfortunately, the long travel and different sleeping arrangements resulted in a bulging disc in Janet’s back, which is still giving her pain. Even with regular physiotherapy and chiropractor visits, she continues to have pain. Please pray for her full recovery.
We are pleased to report that Raymond has made a full recovery from his surgery and is a happy one-year-old boy. We are grateful to God that Janet’s travels were safe and that Ray’s surgery was a success. Rejoice with us!
While Janet was gone, it seemed as though Herb’s workload only increased. Even though it was the holiday season, or perhaps because of the holiday season, there was an increase in people seeking the help of Biblical Counseling. During the period of Janet’s absence, Herb dealt with a suicidal teenager struggling to deal with how her grandparents treated her (she lived with them for a few years). As Herb opened the scriptures, she saw God’s love for her, and her countenance changed! Thankfully, she grasped the truth of who she is in Christ, rather than who others have told her she is. With her identity firmly established, she has gone, as they say in South Africa, from strength to strength. Please pray for L as she continues to grow. She is being mentored by Lina, the lady who referred her to Herb and who accompanied her at each of their sessions. Please also pray for Lina and her husband, who came for counseling just a few days ago.
Janet’s absence meant many dinner invitations for Herb. One evening, while enjoying dinner at a friend’s house, Herb was able to share the gospel. Pray for H and J, who need Christ. Their religious background and their “good” work in the community have blinded them to their need. However, the seed has been sown. Pray for opportunities to water the seed of the gospel that was shared with this couple.
Late last year, a generous gift was given from a church in Michigan that was closing. We were able to use that money to help My Father’s House Baptist Church in the Township community in Knysna to renovate a house to use as a church. On January 18th, at the end of a weekend conference, the building was dedicated. Herb spoke and had a chance to rejoice together with the church family in how God had uniquely provided to meet their needs. Herb and George use the church building there to host the Teen Boy’s Bible Study each week, so it was great to see this project completed. Pray for the ministry of My Father’s House Baptist Church (which has been renamed Concordia Baptist Church) and Pastor Nicholas Mfecane as they reach out and share Christ in their community.
As often happens, along with blessings come difficulties and disappointments. Jared, who has served as our church intern for the past couple of years, has decided to take a step back from the duties we asked of him. He is struggling to keep up with the demands, and his wife is unsettled about a move into full-time ministry. Rather than damage their relationship, Herb and George encouraged Jared to take a step back and take the time he needed to make certain of the Lord’s leading into ministry. We have missed our regular meetings with him, he was like a Timothy to Paul. While they still attend at Knysna West, we have removed Jared from the preaching schedule and now George and I share the load at Boy’s Bible Study. Pray for Jared and Shené as they wrestle with God’s calling and pray for us as we have increased responsibilities as a result.
Two of the young men from our church, who faithfully attended our Boy’s Bible Study, have headed to George to attend Foundation Theological Institute. One of the young ladies from our Rheenendal Bible Study, Lily, is also attending, although she is living in town, and not on-site. This one-year intensive program is designed to deepen their biblical understanding and to grow their faith. This happens through classroom instruction and one-on-one discipleship. Pray for Hlumelo, Likhona, and Lily. They would be grateful for your prayers. If anyone would like to send a gift to help cover the $2200 for their room, board, and tuition (for the year), I also know they would be grateful. They come from families who do not have excess money for school, and they have entered the program in faith, believing God will provide! Simply designate a gift to “FTI” when you send it to Baptist Mid Missions to our account (#702823).
At church, there have been a few more inquires about membership and so we have had meetings to hear salvation testimonies. Lord willing, we are hoping to add another 3 people to the church later in April. Also, one of the people I am counseling, a young lady named Anja, has started coming to church. Then, while Janet was away, she was unable to give Matthew a ride to church, and the van is too full on Sunday to take him, so his parents started bringing him and stayed for church as well. Now his parents, Brendon and Suzani are enjoying the fellowship and will also stick around, we hope. Pray for all of these opportunities to touch lives with Biblical teaching and Christian fellowship. We still need a building!! Don’t forget to pray for that need, too.
After Janet arrived home, Dr. Bob Jones and his wife were visiting Knysna and so we enjoyed a service with them, then a time of singing, and dinner out together with them and the Knysna Hope team. We are encouraged to see folks still being faithful after many years.
Janet had fun distributing the gifts she brought for people from Canada, bringing delight and smiles to many faces. She even brought back the 5kg of candy that Azola passed on to his siblings! Between Fuzzy Peaches and Swedish Berries, there was much feasting!
In the middle of March, just two weeks after Janet returned home, a team arrived from Meadowlands Baptist Church in Edmonton to visit us. We’d love to tell you all about it, but we are out of space for this letter! Stay tuned for another letter at the end of April and we’ll share some of the blessings from that experience. For now, know that we love you and are thankful to God for you.
Only by His grace,
Herb and Janet Hunter