It is now officially winter here in South Africa…though we still have days in the low-mid 80’s! Yesterday really felt like winter and was awesome! The mornings start pretty chilly and we wear coats, then change into a light jacket, and by afternoon; no jacket at all. It’s still a little strange to us to have the seasons opposite of what we are accustomed to in the States, especially it being summer during Christmas.

May was a fun and packed month! Mother’s day at Soweto was a great blessing as many mama’s came and received picture frames, and one first time visitor made a profession of faith after the service!

We also held a Pastor’s banquet to honor pastors and to show preachers in training that we want to honor these men of God that give their lives to serve Jesus! It was a great time of fellowship with these men, and we were able to hear some awesome practical ministry lesson from Pastor Austin Gardner via video!

On the language front, we are in the final chapter of our language school curriculum and looking forward to our next steps in the language. There is still MUCH learning to be done!

I have a special prayer request that I would like to share with you all…by January 2018, it is our desire to launch out and start our first church! This means that we must continue making strides in Xhosa, decide on a location (praying about Walmer township where there are currently 0 churches with our team), and begin now surveying the area to make contacts that we will be able to work with! Its very exciting and also very nerve racking, BUT THIS IS WHY WE ARE HERE!!

I want to thank you all for your faithful 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