Memories of today….
Posted on May 21, 2017 2 Comments
May 21 – conjures a lot feelings, and memories for our family.
May 21, 2004 I woke up with high hopes of having our second baby. I mowed my parents yard, and timed my contractions at 4 minutes apart and convinced Rob to take me to the hospital. We stopped at Arby’s on the way, Rob had remembered how long and drawn out Tate’s labor was, so he wanted to have some food for the long night ahead. Less than 3 hours later Austin (aka AJ) entered this world with no regret!!
13 year later you will catch Austin (if you can) on the soccer field. We have so enjoyed watching him grow into such an amazing young man.
May 21, 2008 our world was rocked with the tragedy of Avery’s death. Our community remembers 2008 as the year of the ‘floods’ but we are forever scarred by the sudden death of our daughter. We had her for such a short amount of time, and wished it would have been longer!!
Our world just stopped, while everything kept moving around us.
That trial in our lives proved to be one of the hardest things we have ever had to endure. 2 little boys, who watched the accident unfold before their very eyes, wondered why. We all asked the hard questions, felt that horrible, horrible pit in our stomachs that seemed to permanently not go away. The endless amount of tears, the up’s and down’s of our emotions. We regrouped as a family, pulled together and looked at what was really important in our lives.
Avery’s death put us on a journey that has been anything but normal.
Which brings us to today.
May 21, 2017. Thirteen years after Austin entered this world, nine years after we said good-bye to Avery we are heading to Chicago to pick up Nathi. 24 years of age, (turning 25 soon) we consider him our son and the boys consider him their older brother.
Today we cherish the moments we have together as we celebrate Austin’s entrance into the teen years. Nathi’s first trip to the US and just being together again. I feel like our family is whole when all 7 of us our together. Thank you Lord for Austin and for bringing Nathi into our family in the most unusual of ways.
God has done so much in our lives these past 13 years!! He gives and He takes away….and we know and experienced it first hand. But with all of the trails we have faced, our Heavenly Father has been faithful. We look forward to the day of meeting our Savior face-to-face. We look forward to being reunited with Avery….and we also look forward to finally understanding the whole picture.
Lastly, thanks to everyone who have reached out to us upon returning to the states. We are glad to be here and look forward to where God will have us. For now, Marion is home and if you are ever in the area please touch base.
Love, The Kochan’s
Merry Christmas!
Posted on December 25, 2016 1 Comment
Jesus entered this broken world as a ‘normal’ child, to save us all with His extraordinary life, but Jesus’ life was anything but normal. He was sinless, he healed the sick and raised the dead, and his wisdom was more than most could comprehend. You would think someone with this kind of power would have a castle, an entourage of people to always keep him in the spotlight, and endless wealth. As we know from scripture he didn’t have a house to call his own, he didn’t have a group of assistants and bodyguards surrounding him at all times, and he surly didn’t have tons of money in his bank account.
As we pause and celebrate the birth of Christ Jesus do we truly understand the significance of His life?
He came for us, He came to save us from our sin, He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and He intercedes for us. He never sleeps, He isn’t surprised by our circumstances, and He knows our thoughts before we even think them.
Today we have joined together to celebrate Jesus’ life. All 11 of us come from very different back grounds. We speak different languages, we represent very different family units, and we eat different foods but we are all saved by just one Savior. God gave us this family today to give us a glimpse of His amazing love. Thank you Lord for putting these 11 people together for this 2016 Christmas season. It happened in the most unusual way, and never could have been planned but praise God he works in ways that don’t make sense to us. He knows best, and this Christmas we are blessed to sit around the table and share a meal with our african family.
Merry Christmas!!
Love – Xolani, Nathi, Karabo, Bayanda, Chris, Rob, Jeanie, Tate, Austin, Tanner & Hudson
Our hope is built on nothing less…
Posted on December 10, 2016 Leave a Comment
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
This old hymn reminds us of our past two years. Often times we didn’t understand our circumstances, but as stated in line 4, we wholly trust in Jesus’ name. As you know from previous posts, our visas will expire in February of 2017 and our 2-year commitment with J-life will conclude. After prayerful consideration and guidance from our elder team, we will be returning to the US in January for a few months to determine our next step.
Recently we were asked to join the team at Door of Hope, an orphanage we have partnered with in the past, and help with the construction and development of The Village. As we seek the Lord for guidance, please continue to pray with us. Also, please pray for the people who we consider ‘family’ but inevitable will have to say good-bye too. Our hugs already seem to be a bit tighter, and my eyes are already filled with tears.
THANK YOU SO MUCH for your commitment to the Lord and His work in South Africa these past two years. As we stand in awe at all of the amazing opportunities we were given, we fully understand the tangible acts of service were a extension of your hand. As we moved forward, we will update the blog and continue to post on instagram. We are excited to see where the Lord will lead us, and are grateful for His amazing love and grace each and every day.
Thank you again for serving with us in South Africa.
Rob, Jeanie, Tate, Austin, Tanner & Hudson
We did it!!
Posted on November 30, 2016 Leave a Comment
Thank you for helping us meet our goal. Last year we were able to assemble 80 Blessing Baskets, and this year we received funds for over 110 Blessing Baskets!! Praise God. Below is a picture of the Blessing Baskets being assembled and delivered by 18 of our friends and family from Grace Community Church. These particular baskets were given to a group of elderly in Jacksonville. All of these people live in appalling conditions of poverty and neglect. For us to see their daily realities, was shocking and left most speechless.
Nathi was able to share God’s word with them, and sing a few songs. It was so moving to watch this group praise God and thank the Lord for this gift. They were SO grateful for each and every item in the basket. Most of us would look at those items and not think twice about praising God for them, but there was pure joy flowing from their hearts as they expressed their gratitude.
We have been very busy with the group. Each day is packed full of different activities and exposure to daily life in South Africa. If you would like to see more of their pictures, click on their blog to get a glimpse.
*Also if you want to follow us on Instagram search for heavenishomeforus
On the Verge of a Miracle
Posted on November 14, 2016 Leave a Comment
The power is out again, our ceiling fan isn’t spinning on high, and it is hot. It is 3 AM and I am sitting here wide awake pondering the last two years of our life here in South Africa. I am not sure why, but God often talks to me most frequently in the middle of the night. I was thinking back to the days when we first got here – I would often head up to the mountains behind our house and ask God why? Why did you bring us here? Why did you take us away from everything we know? And many times, it would end with me finding peace from the song by Rich Mullins, Verge of a Miracle. I couldn’t help but picture the BIG things we wanted to see happen while we were here. For example;
- An AMAZING after-school program in extension 23.
- HUNDREDS of people coming to know the Lord.
- God would change ME, and I would become an unbelievable teacher for J-life.
- That we would be a HUGE assist to Camp Eden.
- I would BUILD homes for the orphans at Door of Hope.
- And the list can go on and on…
As our original 2-year commitment comes to a close, you can conclude that we were total failures. Nothing that we wanted on the list above was accomplished!! We pushed doors so hard and they continued to CLOSE and CLOSE and CLOSE again.
As I lay in bed awake, feeling completely defeated, God spoke to me (not audible), but clear enough for me to get the point. “Rob, you fool – look around you?”
This night is like most weekends in our home, every place we have room for someone, it is occupied. And God went one-by-one showing me the miracles.
- Laying next to me is my wife of 16 years, Jeanie. Five years ago, she viewed our house and family time as off-limits to others. She looked at both of them as sacred, and often didn’t allow people to interrupt our schedule, unless we were given at least one weeks notice. Now our family of 6 meal time, often changes at any given moment and normally we have 12-15 people sitting around our table.
- Currently in our bedroom we have an 11-year old girl, named Thobile, who curls up and sleeps at the foot of our bed with her sleeping bag and pillow. When we met her, she had just lost her parents, and she wouldn’t come near our house. Now she is a regular in our house, you will find her cooking or baking in the kitchen with ‘Aunt Jeanie’. She has a big smile, and a big heart – and she loves Jesus.
- In the next bedroom are Tate and Tanner. Both have faced many fears and challenges over the past two years. They have grown in the Lord in ways I never could have taught them in the US, what joy we have had with them!!
- In the next bedroom are Siyabonga, Austin and Hudson. Hudson is our little fireball who rolls with anything. He doesn’t have a clear memory of our life prior to the chaos, so he is always just waiting for the next person to wrestle. Austin has been the most affected by our move. Christ has given him an amazing heart for the people we are surrounded with, and his life will never be the same because of it. Siyabonga (Thobile’s older brother) didn’t like the farm, and often talked about his life prior to the move. Now he also loves the Lord and often times you will find him and Austin discussing the differences between the two cultures and the circumstances that brought the two of them together.
- In the extra bedroom is Xolani. We found him curled up on a street corner, addicted to heroin, and abandoned by everyone he knew. As most would say, he was a reject who was just hustling to get the next high. Now he is living in our house, doing Bible studies with us. He is going on 4 months sober and he loves the Lord with all of his heart.
- On our couch is Nathi. A guy who was put in our path because he was lying to himself and everyone in his life. Now he is truly a son to us, and we have the privilege of serving alongside him daily as we continue to be obedient to the Lord.
- And lastly, there is me. A man with a plan, I had ideas about how God wanted me to change Africa but I wasn’t completely surrendering to Him. Now, thanks to the Lord, I can truly see the miracles are His people and not the list of projects. Not only are we on the verge of a miracle, but we are all miracles that believe in the one true Christ. Thank-you Jesus for showing me all the miracles. Now I just don’t know it intellectually, but I believe it with all of my heart.
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Psalms 127: 1-2
AMEN
Blessing Baskets 2016
Posted on November 8, 2016 Leave a Comment
Above is the new Blessing Basket for 2016. Please let me know, via e-mail, if you would like to buy a basket for $50 to bless the people of South Africa. Each basket is individually packed and hand delivered.
We decided to do a 50 liter oval basin (that can be used for washing clothes or taking a bath). Below is a list of items in our basket for this year. **We added candles and matches since many are without electricity.
Mayo, toilet paper, tomato sauce, sugar, flour, vinegar, coffee creamer, oil, salt, juice concentrate, rice, washing powder, jam, spices, baked beans, peaches, powder custard, tea bags, baking powder, bar of soap, vasaline, sweets, candles and matches.
We also wanted to give an updated on the social project that many of you have heard about. After 8 months spent trying to negotiate with the city, and being told over and over again…”No problem, no problem!” along with many other concerns that we have seen, we are sadly convinced that God doesn’t want it at the extent we were originally thinking. After spending many months working and discipling alongside the people of the township, and hoping to obtain leaders to run it and have it be sustainable – we just don’t feel at peace that we have the correct individuals in place.
As you know from previous posts, we were able to help put in place some things that will assist the community to disciple their youth. A team from the UK installed a swing set. A giant chess board with pieces were added, a brick patio, extra chairs, as well as, exterior benches, picnic tables and trash cans (pictured below). Please continue to pray for the believers of extension 23. That they will continue to be a light in their community and see their example from the perfect leader, Jesus.
As we look forward to the team from our church coming in less than a month, we will be doing work in extension 23, Camp Eden (J-life), and Door of Hope. While Rob has been working with Door of Hope to get things in line for our team, we have been made aware of many of their needs as they begin working on The Village. We love Door of Hope and admire their commitment to South Africa. At the heart of their organization, they have a undying passion to save abandoned babies and help to provide a safe and loving family environement, while meeting the pysical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Lastly, we still have not renewed our visas, and are praying about that decision. We feel like we have learned a lot these past 2 years, but we want to be obedient as we move forward – and we don’t know where that will be. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to process all that is ahead!!
Thank you again for all of your love and support.
Blessing Baskets 2016
Posted on October 23, 2016 Leave a Comment
It is that time of year again, and I am starting to organize our annual Blessing Baskets. These baskets are assembled and hand delivered to the people of South Africa. They were such a HUGE blessing last year for so many who were struggling to make ends meet with what they have.
This year the ‘basket’ will be a larger plastic tub that most people can use to bath in, and the items inside will be very similar to last years. As soon as I get the first one put together I will post again.
Last year we assembled 80, this year we are hoping to do 100 baskets!!
If you would like to sponsor a basket for a family this Christmas it will be $50.
Please e-mail me and I will give you further instructions.
Below is a short video that Rob’s sister, Chris did of Blessing Baskets 2015.
Passport2Purity….
Posted on October 15, 2016 Leave a Comment
for all of you that follow us on Instagram, you knew that Thobile and I did Passport2Purity a few weekends ago. It was a time to get away, and look at what God’s word says about many different topics, and openly discuss anything she had questions about. We had a lot of material to cover, but in between the different audio sessions we did some fun object lessons and a few crafty things too. We also went out for dinner, Thobile got her nails done, and I got my toes done.
Thank you for all of the people that were praying for us. It was God glorifying, and I felt privileged to be able to be the first person in her life to discuss some of these awkward topics. I think it was a perfect time to present this material to her. In this culture, it seems, the youth are exposed to things at a very young age. I have heard stories that make my stomach turn, and my eyes well with tears. The innocence of these kids seem to be robbed at a very young age.
I love spending time with Thobile, she is so sweet. She is also very, very quiet but now that I have spent longer amounts of time with her, I see a side of her that shows her beautiful personality, her innocent giggles, and her kind demeanor.
Rob and I still haven’t completely figured out what God’s plan is for us, and this February marks the end of our 2 year visas. We are currently taking all of the steps necessary to renew our visas (the list is very long). Please join us in prayer as we continue to seek Christ and where He wants us to be.
Creative ideas…
Posted on September 24, 2016 Leave a Comment
that have blessed our ministry greatly. While we were back in the states, we were invited to the Morlan’s house for a 5-course mexican dinner. This family invites people into their home (groups, families, & couples) and prepares a wonderful meal for them to enjoy. Whatever is given to the Morlan’s for their scrumptious meal is then passed along to us. We all know the time and effort that goes into pulling together a meal, let alone a 5-course meal!!
Our 5-course meal consisted of:
- mexican beef stew
- beef and cheese quesdillas
- chicken taquitos
- fish tacos
- mexican chocolate milkshake
This was a very enjoyable night for our family, and we continually feel blessed to have so many people support our work in South Africa.
Thank you Andy, Darlene, and Tyler for inviting us into your home and spoiling us with awesome service, and amazing food. If anyone is interested in doing dinner at the Morlan’s house, you can contact them directly to schedule a date, I promise you – you won’t regret it.
We also had 3 kiddos from our home church – Forest, Willow and Asher throw a joint birthday party (all 3 celebrate June birthdays) and request that in lieu of gifts, people could donate to us!!
These 3 kids raised $175.00!! I thought back to when I was that age, and I have to be honest, it would have been hard for me to forgo birthday presents for someone else’s benefit. At a very young age, these kids understand the true meaning of giving and selflessness. How blessed they are, and so they wanted to be a blessing to others.
Thank you Forest, Willow and Asher!!
Even though we are on the ground, and are constantly aware of the needs of people around us, we would never be able to meet the needs of the people that we minister to without your prayers, monthly partnerships, and other financial gifts.
Love you guys!!
Looking back is always good…
Posted on September 3, 2016 Leave a Comment
it makes us appreciate how far we have come with relationships, and adjusting to a totally different culture. But most importantly we can look back and see all that the Lord has provided for us, and in ways we never expected. We can also see how much the Lord has taken away from us, and in ways that don’t line up with our logical thinking. Does God love us less when things don’t go our way? NOPE – he loves us more then we can ever imagine, and so He is just simply putting us back on track when we get derailed.
We have loved watching the boys grow and learn so many new and different things, and how much our worldview has changed and widened. I believe, if we aren’t growing, and learning new things and exercising our minds in new ways, and constantly pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones – we become stagnate and worthless for the kingdom.
I got pulled over yesterday at a traffic stop and the women instructed me to, “activate my hooter…..” I thought that was a very odd request, and really, what did it mean?!? I really thought she was saying to “turn on my water” – which would also make absolutely no sense…but as I continued to smile and look at her as if she had just landed from another planet, she reached into the car and tooted the horn a few times and said, “this is activating your hooter!!”
Like I said before, always learning new things…….
On another note, we still haven’t heard anything from the city in regards to the extra lot, but we are continuing to move forward. The chess board was completed this past week, Meshack and many others worked hard to level the ground, lay the tiles and install a cement boarder to hold it in place. Rob was able to work with men in the community to install a patio area at the front entrance of the church, a great outreach opportunity. Lastly, a group from the UK were here and able to get the new jungle gym assembled.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for being a part of giving this community and these children a safe place to play and an opportunity to hear about God’s glory.
A few prayer request:
- If the extra lot is in God’s plan for Ext. 23 – for us to get it.
- As we continue to work with the local community, that they see their need for Christ.
- To find 2 people that would be willing to help with the ‘after-school’ program that we would like to start January 2017.
- The on-going discipleship with men and women in Ext. 23.
Below is a short clip (sorry – the lighting is a bit off) of all that is currently happening at Ext. 23. Less than a week after the jungle gym was installed, Rob caught a glimpse of Nathi playing with the kids, and stood in amazement at how many little ones were there. May they all come to know the Lord, and see their need to be a change in their own community.
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