Brian Alexander of the USA Water polo team

In case you needed a better picture of my pillow from the first couple posts about flying to Africa and getting"stuck" next to one of the members of the USA water polo team. This is a pic of the whole team (who were on the plane) and Brian (remember the one who's arm I fell asleep on) in action in the pool. Look at those pipes!

The Mozambique team

There is a map of Mozambique at the beginning of the Africa posts if you need to refresh in your mind where Moz is check there. 4 days after Candi and I returned home, the Zak-pack (excluding the kids and Krista S.) left for Mozambique. Below is a picture of the entire group which consisted of the Zak-pack, a group from South Carolina, and a group from South Africa. See if you can find: Mr. and Mrs. Zak (down front), Rebe G (2nd row, blue shirt), Reb N (2nd row, grey shirt, red shorts), Mike H. and Jason S. (on the truck red and white shirts), and Amy N. (ok, I never met her, so if you find her let me know)

Benjamin Todd Quiring: Enjoying the presence of Almighty God

1985 - Benjamin Todd Quiring - 2006

Benjamin Todd Quiring age 20 of Slayton, formerly of Westbrook, passed away Friday, June 30, 2006 as the result of a plane crash near Slayton. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday at the Walnut Grove Community Center. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am Wednesday and will continue until the time of the services at the community center. Interment is in the Walnut Grove Cemetery. The Westbrook Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Benjamin Quiring was born on December 12, 1985 in Shakopee, MN to Todd & Melodie (Wesselink) Quiring. The family moved to Brownton, MN, where Ben attended 1st and 2nd grade. The family then moved to Westbrook. Ben attended Westbrook Christian School, and graduated from Q-Acres Christian Academy in 2004. Ben became a licensed pilot prior to his graduation from high school. Ben then went to work full time at Page One Printing in Slayton while taking Bible Courses, Spanish, Business and Real Estate Classes on line. He went on to become a partner in real estate- property investments. Ben had a great personality and always had a warm smile. Ben was baptized after he accepted Christ at the age of five. He was a member of Heritage Baptist Bible Church where he was active as the choir director, as a song leader, and also in the youth group. Ben loved flying ever since he was a child. He enjoyed music, computers, studying the Bible, and spending time with his family and friends. Ben had a love for learning, and always enjoyed helping people. Benjamin is survived by his fiancée Candice Viancourt of Wyoming, MN; parents Todd & Melodie Quiring of Westbrook; brother Mitchell Quiring of Westbrook; sister Hannah Quiring of Westbrook; grandparents: Louise Quiring of Mountain Lake, and Dannie & Elizabeth Wesselink of Rock Hill, S.C.; and many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his grandpa Donald Quiring.

Just look up....

Have you ever sat down to post and stared at the computer wondering what to write? That is where I am right now. Ben's funeral was a blessing. 10-15 people were saved because of it and the memorial service. Many other people were stirred on or back to the Lord. I have had many witnessing opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Candi: She's doing alright. I guess as well as could be expected after the loss of her love of 4.5 years, her goals, dreams free time, phone calls, etc. She is optimistic and has her bad days, but the Lord has given her amazing grace and people around her to help her heal.

Me: Struggling. Its hard to see your friend hurting like this. Its good to be home. I dont know where I am going to live til school starts. The first team just got back from Mozambique and had a wonderful time. Its hard to see your friend hurting like this. Its so great spending time with my nephew. We found out that the tickets home werent paid for and we both need around $2,000. I got to work with my mom again on an estate sale, she's so fun. I have alot of decisions to make concerning the future. My family is getting along very well and is very supportive. My step-sisters and I have had some really good talks.

As you can see, I am struggling. My heart desires Africa, yet the Lord has me here. I think it was the right decision to stay, yet every day is hard. The Lord is blessing me, but I am weary.

Encouragemet: "I will praise You in this storm...I lift my eyes unto the hills; where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."
"He gives and takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord."

God's will is not always easy, but it is ALWAYS BEST...

Day 29 -
We all had plans to get up and do some errands this morning before the man came over to fix the old geyer (hot water heater). I however, was sick, surprise surprise. Ben (Candi's fiance) called and we had a nice chat. He just bought an airplane and wanted to let Candi know. It was 3 a.m. his time, but he just got off work and was so excited he had to call her. She was gone so I told him call later. When the "fam" got home, we all worked on the benches. It is amazing how God melded (is that a word) us all together. I really enjoy working with Jason, Mike, Nathan, Reb (she hammered!!), Rebe, Candi and some of the kids. After lunch we all went back to town to go to a farmers market type thing called Montana's Traders Market. Candi bought Ben's wedding ring. Its pretty cool. We got home and started supper and the neighbor brought his horse over. We took turns riding around the ostrich field. Ben called and talked to Candi for awhile. We sat down to dinner.......then the phone rang. For the next 3 days I have been in a blur. Ben, Candi's fiance, died in a plane crash, so we were on the next plane out of South Africa. We spent the next 24 hours on planes to come home. We arrived in Mpls on Sunday at 1:30pm. It was a blessing to see Joanna and Judy Hedrick, Ashley Julien, My mom and sister and Candi's family at the airport. But it was very hard to not see Ben, just 2 days earlier we had made the weekend plans for when we came home in August. What next? Please pray for Candi as she needs to make decisions about her future. Please also pray for me as I seek to accomplish the Lord's will. I feel as though the work I started is not done in South Africa and Mozambique. However, God's will may have been to see and change the things about me He revealed there, and then to bring Candi home. I've asked the Lord which path to take. If He provides the money for tickets to return and the blessing of my mom I will finish what I started in June. If not, I will seek his will here in Minnesota for the remainder of the summer.

Day 28 -
Ok count em up! How many days have I been sick over here? I think it could be the drastic change in weather from morning to afternoon to evening. Or it could be that I am eating a lot of dairy products and sugar. You cant really be picky when you are at someone elses house. Or it could be that it is going around. All I know is last night through the service I hurt all over and was freezing. This morning I felt awful as well. Mrs. Zak took Mike, Jason, Krista and Kim to Bela bela to go horse back riding. Reb and I were going to go with to buy souveniors. But I felt just awful this morning. So once again, I was in bed half the day. I did get up enough energy to help Candi make one bench and walk back down to the scrap yard with Jason to get more wood. Today was also Mikes bday - he is 20. The girls also sang around the piano for awhile - what a blessing, while the boys entertained the kids on the trampoline. Well, their all having family time watching Rigoletto so I better go join! Love you all!!!

Traditional African dresses and 2 guys

Day 27 -
Today Jason Smith and Mike Havlik arrived. Sarah dropped Nathan, Rebe, Cortney, Jacob and I off at holiday Bible club and went to Jo-burg to get the boys. I got to help Mpho lead the giraffes. I think a kids got saved today, but I am not sure. It was fun to help and play woth kids from many different African tribes, Afrikkaans, English, German, Korean, Indian, and other ethnicities. Central is very diverse. When we got home Mike, Jason, Ben, Candi, Caleb, and I went to the scrap yard down the road to see if they would like to donate some wood so we could make benches for the Onderstepoort church. They did, after a wild goose chase, and we all carried home an old palet. Then we all went to Jo-burg to see Erin and David Debrain (and the baby), have dinner and visit their church. Erin is originally from Prior Lake and married an English South Africaner. Krista, Kim and Erin had a lot to catch up on and hold baby Jack. Erin's husband is the pastor so we went to their Wed. nite service.

Day 26 -
This day was so long, and frustrating, but also fun! We got up early and drove up to Soupan to get Salome and Komotso. We were going fabric shopping! Salome knows how to sew dresses and skirts of each of the traditional tribes and she wanted to sew for us if we bought the material. At first it was really fun bc we got to buy fleece pieces and make tie blankets (for about $10-this is way cheaper than the states) Then we went downtown Pretoria - watch your purses!!!! To the place where all the black people shop. This was supposed to be a very fun experience, but you all know me and shopping and you all know me and coordinating colors. I was ready to leave when we were done!! Even with the watchful eye of Reb Nelson, I got flustered, but at the end of the day she approved my choices. :) After shopping we took Komotso, Salome and Gladness (Salome's daughter) to the Ludwig Rose gardens to walk around and eat lunch. They dont get to go out to luch very often. It was a blessing to be able to treat them. When we got home I washed Salomes clothes. She recently had a sugery and had trouble washing all the clothes by hand so we did them in the machines. While I was washing, Reb was teaching Salome and Komotso how to bake a chocolate cake. They only have paraffin stoves to cook on. I really enjoy spending time with these people. Some let you know how rich you are and make you feel guilty, but some love you for who you are and make great friends. Today I was kind of bummed. The dog got ahold of my camera when we were shoveling yesterday. I thought another girl took it in the house, until later when I couldnt find it. Its pretty chewed up, but praise the Lord it still works!!

Phone-jacking, baling hay and being un-African

Day 25 -
Today we dug a trench, well we started digging a trench. We have to uncover the wires to the pool and pool lights so that they can be fixed. Dont worry mom, all the electricity was shut off. Later we went to the mall. I dont think I go to the mall as much in the states are I do here. The phone has been giving us trouble so we couldnt get the email so we had to go the cyber cafe at the Kolonade mall to check messages. When we got back Candi, Rebe and I helped the neighbor, an Afrikkaans guys and his Tswana servant bale hay. It was very primitive - just pitch forks and a wagon - but fun. I guess he is going to come by later this week to let us ride his horses. When we were getting home the Afrikkaans man was driving his Massey Fergusen tractor into the yard. I greeted him in English and then the black guy in Tswana. You should have seen the look on the white guys face! Sarah said it is very un-African to greet the black hired labor, ooops, oh well.

Day 24 -
I love Sundays!! However, there was not Sunday School and there werent very many people there due to holiday. The schools here go all year-round so they get breaks every couple moonths for a few weeks. We found out that not all white South Africans are Afriakaans. We told the people our age that we wanted to hang out with them and see the Afriakaans culture, Bradly (British descent) and Z (Zulu) I think were kind of offended. I guess the Afrikaans and English dont always get along. They let us know quite quickly they werent Afrikkaans, but said that we could all hang out sometime. We found out that the guys finally made it into Zambia yesterday. The border patrol gave them a hard time and stole their phones, then they were allowed to go in. They were all many different churches this morning preaching. AND they got to eat dinner with the Chambers last night. I was jealous - the Chambers are the family I lived with while in Zambia. Mrs. Chambers needs some good inspirational cards, aloe vera juice, and olive leaf extract if anyone wants to donate it they can send it with Bethany Harrington when she comes in October. I guess you cant get these items over here or its very expensive.That night the Soupan church came over and we all sang around the piano, ate banana bread (panana boroto) and played games. I love these people!

Rugby and power outages

Day 23 -
Today Krista and Kim (her mom) Smith came to South Africa. Sarah, Nathan and I went to get them. Krista had visisted SA last year with her church and decided to come a stay for a year with the Zaks. Nathan and I had a good time being silly next to the "pilots", watching the planes and getting snacks. We got the girls home ate lunch and went to the mall. I got some pretty cool wire figures and Reb got her tree. It was a fun day! The power went out 3 times because the dryer, Mrs. Smith's heater, the freezer, frig, and oven were all on. too much for these power boxes.

Day 22 -
Rebe and Candi went into Central to paint today for the holiday children's group while Sarah ran errands. Today was the last day of school for the kids. Reb made lunch and I deep cleaned the house and did laundry. When they got home we did a few projects then went to McDonalds!!! Then to my first rugby game. The Pretoria team is the Blue Bulls (Blou Bulles), they won 18, 16. The rest of the family went to Friday night youth group.

Guns, Zambia and cookies with kisses

Day 21 -
I cant remember what we did this day except watch soccer, try to learn some Tswana songs and stand on our heads....literally. Oh and I went running with Caleb - a whole 3k!

Day 20 -
When I woke up early this morning I felt a huge headache. I decided to take some vitamins and go back to bed. When I actually got up I felt horrible, achy all over. I decided I was going to work anyways. So I went outside and painted the interior wall of the pool area. I told Josiah, the gardener I would help him today since yesterday I was feeling a little tired and spent the time reading. After about 45 minutes I was worthless help. By this time Candi and Rebe had come to help. Josiah told me to go to bed. So I did. I slept until 4:30ish. What a wasted day, the painters got all the outside walls done, and I ...slept. If you think to pray for me please do, I dont know why I am getting so sick lately. Mr. Zak, Dr. Casey, Tim, the guy from PE and many other men left very early this morning to do Pastor's conferences in Zambia.

Day 19 -

Today was Cortney's bday! We did little jobs around the house, then got ready for her party. After her party Tim, Nathan, Ben and Candi had a air-soft gun war. Candi was totally the victor! There was a man here from Port Elizabeth, he will be going into Zambia with the guys. Muli Bwangi!

Carnivores: Everybody in!

Day 18 -
Today was a real treat. We drove north to Hartebeesport. This is a port city where a lot of rich people live. It was absolutely beautiful to see the houses up the mountain. We didnt get very good pics, sorry. When we got to the markets we were overwhlemed with people with goods. I decided to be talk only in sign language. This, although I realize now was decietful, was very funny. It also gave me time to figure out how much I was spending on each item. When you barter and begin buying things you get surrounded and overwhelemd by the people trying to sell you things. When you cant hear what they are saying to you, they leave you alone. It gave me time to think, a few good bargains, and I did feel bad afterwards. After bartering we went to a restaurant called Carnivores. Here we ate: crocodile, pig, cow, blesbok, lamb, kudu, antelope, and others meats. It was all very good. I took pictures of every course. Then the long trip home.





Day 17 -
I love Sundays!!!! HAPPY FATHERS DAY! In the morning we went to Central in Pretoria as usual. I love the young adults here! They are very fun! I wish they would ask us to hang out with them. I met a girl named Mpho, she is hilarious! I also got to talk to a family from Zambia. I exhausted my Nyanga knowledge in the first sentence. I also met a guy from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. That night we served soup to those who were in the service. The gardener, Josiah, came to church!! He is not saved, he goes to a ancestral worship church called ZedCC. It was very fun to listen to Dr. Casey preach and Pastor Mnaka interpret and then to spend time fellowshipping with the people. I love these people. Then, Dr. Casey packed in with the Soutpan church to go home - 24 in the Combie!!