Happy New Year and Furlough 2019!
When I look back on the goodness of God over the last (nearly) 6 years, I cannot help but stand in awe! In August 2013, I came to South Africa to visit my friends on the mission field. As soon as Ashlee picked me up from the airport she said, “we’re going to South Africa as missionaries, aren’t we?”
Two days after that, Eli, who is now 5, was born! We started deputation January 2014, Neyland was born April 2016, and we arrived on the field August 2016! Basically, I turned around and 6 years has come and gone!
We are looking forward to a great furlough! I am excited to report all that God has done on our first term in South Africa as we finished language school, worked in a church under a veteran missionary, started a mid-week bible study in a gospel needy area, saw some young men saved, faithfully attending church, and are preparing to serve the Lord in full time ministry!
If you would like to schedule our family to come by and present our ministry, it would be our honor! I am currently making calls (considering the 7 hour time difference) to schedule meetings for 2019. You may reach out to me via email at sunderwood52@gmail.com as well which will help me tremendously!
I would like to ask you all to pray with me for a couple of serious prayer requests:
- Jeremy Hall’s Family. Bekah, Jeremy’s wife, gave birth to their 6th child, James Siyabonga “Bo” Hall on December 12th. He was a few weeks premature and had some complications but is home now with his family! He is just precious! We are praising the Lord for His goodness!
- Soweto Baptist Church. This is the church Ashlee and I have served in under Jeremy and Bekah since arriving on the field. I was privileged to fill in for Jeremy while they were on furlough last year. We are invested and love this church family very much! They will be organizing in February and we are excited to be a part!
- Jeremy and I have a special unspoken request concerning a young man that we have tried to invest in during the last 2 1/2 years. Please pray for him and for wisdom to help during an uncharted time.
- Please pray with me for a very good friend of mine, Command Sergeant Major York. He deployed to Afghanistan recently and has two sons and a daughter also serving. Pray for God’s hand of protection on him as well as the troops that he leads. CSM York was and is a mentor and a man of God in my life. He has been a tremendous encouragement to me during difficult times and I know he will very much appreciate the prayers of God’s people!
Thank you all for your continued love, prayers, and support of our family!
Your Missionaries to South Africa,
Stephen, Ashlee, Peyton, Eli, and Neyland
The Underwood Family
Acts 20:24
southafricamissions.com
We will be praying