Greetings.
 
We trust you are each doing well!
 
Following is a brief update on a few things that have been happening in ministry and personally.
 
Ministry: New ways… 
 
South Africa has just recently moved to what they are calling Level 1 of lockdown which is opening up more of the country for commerce. Level 1 has also brought some international travel, but American’s are not allowed entry at this point. On Level 1, our partner churches are just beginning to hold services in person with very strict restrictions on attendance, social distancing, and sanitizing. We were able to attend our first church service since March 15th this past Sunday. Needless to say, ministry in 2020 has been very different during the lockdown levels than we had wished. Despite it all, we have been able to build great personal relationships with leaders and pastors digitally and by one-on-one meetings. The Healthy Pastor/Church initiative is moving forward with plans for smaller group teachings going into 2021.  
 
Personal Update: Our STL vehicle was stolen…

Recently we attended a South Africa missionary team meeting. On our way home we stopped for lunch with another missionary family. When we returned to where we had parked our Speed The Light (STL) vehicle we were met by a guard who informed us that our car had been stolen. Very sophisticated car thievery is a huge problem in South Africa and has only increased since the COVID pandemic lockdown has ended. It is usually an armed car-jacking. This was not the case for us, and we were safe. We had personal belongings from the trip in the car but fortunately we had taken our passports with us when we went to eat. It shook us up a bit, but we are grateful no one was hurt. We have not heard from the police about any recovery and don’t anticipate hearing anything.
​ 
Prayer Requests:
 
THANK YOU for the prayer coverage many of you supply!!

1. Wisdom as we continue to process through insurance from the car theft and replacing the car.
2. Continued safety and protection as we live and minister in South Africa.
3. Healthy Pastor/Church initiative teaching sessions.
4. Family – everyone is healthy and doing well.

 
Thank you for your continued financial support! Your faithfulness during this pandemic has been a BIG blessing!!

We say THANKS!
After 66 days of a very strict lockdown in South Africa, June 1st brought a new level (3) of navigating Covid19. More of the economy is opening up and churches of less than 50 can now meet in person with strict guidelines to follow. We know many of you have had to navigate different Covid19 “levels” in your personal, ministry, and professional life as well. Despite all of this, your monthly financial support has stayed faithful, we say a BIG thank you! May God bless and enrich your life, family, church, business, etc. THANKS!!
A couple of prayer requests:

1. Please pray for our two-year-old granddaughter. Little Kaya had a playing accident last Friday and fractured the tibia in her lower left leg. She goes to the orthopedic doctor on Tuesday. We are praying for complete healing.
2. Please pray for the churches in South Africa as they start to meet in person again. Pray that they will see a harvest of souls while ministering to the needs of their communities

Greetings to each of you. We trust you are well.
 
A BIG thank you for your continued financial and prayer support. Your heart for missions is greatly appreciated!
Itineration and Financial Update:We have been visiting as many as possible since arriving back in the States. It is always fun to renew friendships and build new ones during itineration. We are currently at 94% of our needed monthly commitments. As soon as we have 100% in signed commitments, we will be cleared to begin our return to South Africa.  Right now, we only need $450 more per month and $14,000 in cash. If you are a church or individual who has been wanting to join our monthly support team, need to renew, or wish to give a one-time offering, please consider doing so now. A link to our website to help lead you through the process: https://www.kirkmarlenespain.com/giving.html
 
We are grateful for new partners and are thankful for our faithful supporters as we strive to reach our 100% goal.
 
**Request – Automatic Monthly Credit Card Donations
In recent months we have noticed some monthly commitments lapsing. One reason could be because of expired cards. We were notified by AG Contributor Services that they do not notify the cardholder when a card expires, changes number, etc. and the monthly amount is not processed. Link to our giving page: s1.ag.org/kirkspain Thanks!
Ministry Update – Change on Return to South Africa:When we return to South Africa, we will be changing our ministry focus. Our primary focus will move us away from working at the Bible School. Although still teaching some, we have been asked to lead a team of missionaries in partnering with the International Assemblies of God (IAG) in what is being called Healthy Pastor & Healthy Church. Our focus will be on building relationships with pastors, churches, and districts to partner with them for continued church health for church planting. Our vision is that there will be a viable, healthy, Pentecostal church within walking distance of every South African. Healthy pastors lead healthy churches that plant NEW healthy churches. Please pray with us as we partner with the IAG national leadership in this initiative.
 
If all goes well with finishing up our monthly commitments and cash offerings, we aim to be back in South Africa by August 2019.
Prayer Requests:

1. South Africa visas – Be able to get our visas in a timely manner without problems
2. Finishing up our itineration and financial goals
3. Family – as we leave our kids and granddaughter
4. IAG Healthy Pastor/Church initiative on return to South Africa

 
Kirk and Marlene Spain – AGWM South Africa – kirk.spain@agmd.org 

Happy Thanksgiving!
 
As we head into the holiday season there is much to be thankful for this year. We hope that each of you finds joy with family and friends.
 
First, we want to say a BIG thank you for your faithful financial and prayer support each month, we are blessed!!!
 
God is good! We are thankful to Him:

1. That we get to spend this Thanksgiving with our kids and new granddaughter, Kaya Ann!
2. For travel protection with over 13,000 miles driven and 8,000 miles flown since the beginning of itineration in July.
3. That we have been able to visit with many of you. We look forward to seeing many more of you in the coming months.
4. To be a part of a great team of missionaries in South Africa and AGWM Africa that strives for an increasingly redeemed and transformed Africa.

Marlene, Kirk, Kealy, Kyle, little Miss Kaya, and Kaylee Spain

Connect with us via –
Website:  www.kirkmarlenespain.com
Facebook: kirkmarlene.spain
Email: kirk.spain@agmd.org

2018 New Student Orientation - 
The week of January 22-26 2018 brought the start of a new school year for Southern Africa School of Theology - Main Campus (SAST - MC). It is always exciting when new students (and returning) come through the front gate and join the "family". New student orientation is a time to welcome and introduce the students to life at SAST - MC. (Please see pictures below).

We want to say a BIG thank you again for your partnership in helping train the future pastors and leaders of the church in South Africa!!

Please pray for the new students who have joined us as they adjust to the classroom and to life on campus. Also, pray for the faculty and staff as we invest in the lives of some awesome people.

Blessings,

Kirk and Marlene Spain