October 27, 2020     Dear Friends,   Crossroads is described in the Oxford Dictionary as “a point at which a crucial decision must be made and will have far-reaching consequences.”  The Genesis University South Africa project is at such a point!  For the last two years we have been busy starting up a non-profit corporation, creating policy, working on government regulations, and developing curriculum.  Our first phase target budget of $640,000 has been raised, and now we are ready to present final applications for accreditation to the government of South Africa.  These are exciting times!   There is one more very important piece of the puzzle that

November 18, 2020     Dear Genesis Friends,     Warm greetings from chilly St. Louis! Recently, we told you about an amazing opportunity to purchase an existing school campus. This facility would serve as a government approved educational site to begin Genesis University South Africa classes!   In the last few days, another exciting opportunity has providentially come our way. I received a call from a South African man named Jonathan Klimek.  Jono (as he is known in South Africa) is planting a church in the Fourways area of Johannesburg.  This is the same location where the school is

November 18, 2020     Dear Genesis Friends,     Warm greetings from chilly St. Louis! Recently, we told you about an amazing opportunity to purchase an existing school campus. This facility would serve as a government approved educational site to begin Genesis University South Africa classes!   In the last few days, another exciting opportunity has providentially come our way. I received a call from a South African man named Jonathan Klimek.  Jono (as he is known in South Africa) is planting a church in the Fourways area of Johannesburg.  This is the same location where the school is

  October 27, 2020 Dear Friends, Crossroads is described in the Oxford Dictionary as “a point at which a crucial decision must be made and will have far-reaching consequences.”  The Genesis University South Africa project is at such a point!  For the last two years we have been busy starting up a non-profit corporation, creating policy, working on government regulations, and developing curriculum.  Our first phase target budget of $640,000 has been raised, and now we are ready to present final applications for accreditation to the government of South Africa.  These are exciting times! There is one more very important piece of the puzzle that needs to be

October 2019 Dear Friends, Hallo!  Goeie dag (good day) from South Africa!  We trust this update finds you well.   First of all, thank you for supporting and praying for the Genesis University project!  We are grateful to have you on our team. And please know you are needed now more than ever! The Spencer’s arrived in Johannesburg at the end of August, just in time to celebrate the one-year anniversary (September 1) of Genesis South Africa.  Much of these early days comprised of learning how to navigate crowded and crazy highways. People in South Africa drive fast! And a special

Monday, October 14, 2019   Bec Bartlett arrived from Malawi today.  Pete and Bec Bartlett are from Australia, but were working with us in Malawi.  They are truly wonderful people, and have three daughters.  Bec was traveling back to Australia, but decided to spend a few days with us!  She also brought two fresh packs of Tim Tams (Australian cookies that taste amazing dipped in coffee!).   Started filling out the application for registration with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).  The application is about 13 pages long, but includes at least 50 “annexure” or administrative actions.  Many

Wednesday, September 25, 2019   Spent the day working on documents for Eddie Brown.  Eddie is our educational consultant.  He’s busy finishing up another project before he takes on the Genesis project.  So much of our success is centered on the ability to be granted accreditation.  We need to be praying!!!!   The kids are doing homeschooling and it seems to be going well.  I’m helping Stephen with Bible.  Both kids are tackling this new adventure.  I know they miss school and friends, but they seem to be very mature in understanding what God has called us to do.  We

The Genesis Journey, South Africa   The following are snippets, edits, from a weekly journaldetailing events and experiences of the Genesis journey.  The purpose of these posts are to record significant happenings, highlight people of impact, document important dates, confirm the Lord’s calling to South Africa, trace meaningful experiences for our collective memory, testify to the amazing grace of God, and give Him all the glory!   The other purpose of recording these episodes is for you to join us on this amazing journey.  Now you can see the progress, hear the stories, understand unique cultural experiences, feel our excitement, laugh when we’re happy, encourage us when we’re disappointed, cry