The Laughrens,

Pete, Fran & Denzii

Winter, Spring 2005 - Vol. 15, No. 3 & 4

Trip to the U.S.A.

Due to our being gone from South Africa for ten weeks, and our trying to get caught up after our arrival back here, this newsletter will comprise two letters in one. The first part we would like to share with you is about our trip to the
U.S. for, as it turned out, ten weeks.
We left South Africa on October 17 to be at Fran's

for Christ of how things should be done. We pray for them God's richest blessings and for a long life together. On the 7th of November, after the couple had left for their honeymoon, the rest of the family spent one last night together and we said our good-byes as they headed back to
Texas and we headed m

sister's wedding in Bethel, Missouri on November 6. Sonja married Dale Hawkins and we were glad to be able to return for that joyous event. We arrived in Georgia on the 18th and, after two nights there, flew to Texas to be with Fran's family. When we got to Texas, her other sister, Karen, had also just arhved with her family for their furlough and Itmade for a great family reunion. But the reunions were only starting. Fran went with her family to Missouri from Texas while I flew back to Georgia for two nights to pick up a vehicle for our trip back to Georgia. The plan was to join all at the wedding and, after the wedding, while Fran's family would head back to Texas, we would head back to Georgia and spend three weeks there before flying back to South Africa
on the 30th of November.

to Georgia for three | weeks. On the way |

home we stopped for a I

night in St. Louis and had a great meal with
mostof the interns from 2004. We met

IF..
, ,

The wedding was beautiful and itwas a grand occasion. To have the whole family together for the week preceding also special as that family does not get together
much since we

fithewdingwas
world. We saw a

fellowshlpped

for

several hours and it

was great to be with

thPm anain and rpha;h During our travels in the U.S. we had tnemagain renasn ^ ^004. memories from their Pabarcus, from the Ferguson
thp. They were a great church in Missouri, was a great help

group to have in South

lastsummer. Want to come andhelp

live in the four corners of the

lotof people there

that we had not

Africa. Thanks must go to Stacy Garner for setting the evening up for us!! We spent two nights in Mt. Vernon, Illinois with special fhends Don and Claudia Dorris and, after a great time of visiting, we headed south to Georgia for the remainder of our time with my side of the family. We arrived in Georgia and, during the first week there, we spoke at the mid-week services of Berea Christian Church in Hampton, GA. Later that week, after weeks of illness, my sister, Lisa Andrews, had surgery related to an illostomy of 8 years ago. During her time in the hospital, Fran spent several nights there helping where she could, and taking turns at night with Lisa's husband, Mark. We were glad that
she was able to return home on the 29th of November after

seen in a long
time and we

enjoyed

our

selves tremen

Mr. and Mrs. Dale Hawkins

dously. Dale and Sonja Hawkins are a very happily married couple and an example

10 days in the hospital. During the last few days of her hospital stay, we were encouraged by several people in Georgia at the Berea church to consider staying on through Christmas since we had honestly not had much time to visit or adequately prepare for our return trip. We had not had time with family as we planned and, after much prayer, thought and negotiations with the airlines, we changed our tickets to return on the

30th of December. We changed our six-weektrip intoa tenweek trip. This is where the plans got tricky. On the evening of

I flew to Texas on the 21st and we shared Christmas

with all of Fran's family for the first time since 1990. We

had a great time together and it makes us appreciate family

even more when we are so far away. Her sister and husband

the 3rd of December, my mother, Flo Blackmarr, fell and

broke her hip requiring surgery on the 4th. For the next 16 days we spent most of our time going back and forth to the hospital in Griffin, Georgia or to the rehab center in Jackson, Georgia. We were very thankful that we were able to be there and to be of any help that we could be. If we had not changed our tickets, we would have already been back in South Africa by the time of my mother's fall and we would have felt helpless. But that is one of the things that we know beforehand about working overseas -- sometimes you cannot be where you would like to be during family times. But, in this instance, we were glad to be stateside and hopefully to be of help in some way. I have told people the story that after we changed our tickets for a later return, several people asked us if we would then have some free time to visit. I remember_one instance that we were asked the question and we replied that since my sister was now home from the hospital and on the road to recovery, we would then be able to visit during the remainder of our time in Georgia. It was in front of that house less than 5 minutes later that my Mom fell. Sometimes it is best to not plan things too far in advance. I am glad to say that both my sister and mother are recovering well as this is written and I am glad that they are regaining their
health.

flew back to Missouri on the 25th and, after two more days, we headed back to Georgia for our last three nights in the
U.S.

After saying good-bye in Georgia to my side of the family on the 30th we boarded the plane inAtlanta and headed back home to South Africa. We flew to Paris, spent 12

hours on a layover, and then flew the last 12 hours to George,

arriving mid-day on the 1st of January. (From the air, it was an amazing sight to see the Eiffel Tower at midnight on New Year's Eve all lit up!I) Other than Denzil being sick for the entire flight withfood poisoning due to his last supper stateside (we will not name the restaurant), we had a good flight and we were glad to arrive home safe and sound. To say that our trip to the U.S. was eventful would be an understatement. Fran tells people that, during the trip, we experienced many events except for a funeral and we were not going to hang around waiting for one of those to happen. We had a wedding, a birth, helped with two hospitallzations, and had Christmas with family which was an added bonus and blessing that we had not planned on.

another month, we decided to spend

Christmas with Fran's side of the

Since we changed our plans for

.

%^
/
'

family in Texas. Fran and Denzil flew

to Texas on the 12th of December.

Fran's sister, Karen, was due to

deliver her fifth child on the 15th of December and Fran flew to Texas on

the 12th hoping to be on time for the delivery. She made itby fifteen hours and was in the delivery room with
Karen on the 13th when she delivered

her son, "Joshua. Mother and baby are doing fine and we were real glad
that Fran was able to be there in Texas '

to share in this special time.

rni. was th. nr^t time for all of the Hamiltons to be together for Christmas since 1990. This the first

Denzil with his cousins, Sara and

Fran and her sister, Karen Nguyen

Michael Andrews

Thaniis to my great friend, Bill Stanley for all of the Tuesday morning breakfast meetings at Waffle House!!! I'm already looking forward to the next one.

We are thankful that the wedding went well; thankfui that the patients are recovering: and thankful for Karen's and
Toai's new life to take care of. We are thankful for traveling
mercies and we are thankful to be home in South Africa.

I saw the 50 men there was that I sure wished that many

men would come for Bible study and not just for meetings. But the people here love their meetings and they love long discussions. Please pray for them as they try to work their problems out. It seems to be a never ending theme among the churches here, but we work with them to guide them to
stand as autonomous churches that can work their own prob
lems out. After we left Port Elizabeth I traveled to Graaff-

January throuqh March

After arriving back home on January 1st and adjust ing to the change in seasons (it was the middle of summer upon our arrival), the last three months have seen us busy with different things. There is always a iull this time of year
as workers take 6 weeks off for Christmas and the schools

do not start until the third week of January. When the schools re-started, we re-started the weekly Bible studies and Sun day Schools here in George, i have preached every Sun day here in George except for the couple that we have been out. We visited the church in Knysna and, as they are a struggling small group, it gives us and them encouragement when we visit. We try to visit there once a month as Andrew Caivert is their minister and, unless we take him there, he is
not able to visit them.

Reinet to meet with the church there for a Sunday evening and then headed back to George on the following Mon day. One joyous occasion that we had in January was the baptism of Denzil. He had been contemplating a decision for a long time and he told us that he really wanted to be baptized. That morning I preached from Acts 2:38 on the
Plan of Salvation. I told him beforehand that one of the

We made a trip to Port Elizabeth to visit a church there that was having problems internally. While I under stood what they meant in their letter that was sent to me, I stressed to them that I was not the "higher authority" that they needed to come and solve their problems. One of the setbacks over the years in South Africa has been this atti tude of always having someone solve your problems for you. This has carried over into the local churches. If you have a problem, cail someone and get them to make the decision for you. During the meeting Istressed to them that they were grown men, that they needed to stop looking at

points that Iwould be making was the idea of what age to be baptized. Many parents here will not let their children be baptized until they are adults. They say that they are too young. But then it is often too late. I told Denzil that, by his example, some of the kids who had been wanting to make a decision might do the same thing following his example. We were very pleased that not only was Denzil baptized,

each other's faults, and they needed to start looking at how they themselves should change. I felt before I went to the meeting that nothing would really be accomplished, and I was right. After three hours of discussion, nothing was solved. I urged them to all go home that night and look at themselves and see what they could do themselves to make the situation better and to pray for forgiveness. When I walked into the meeting, the first thing that Imentioned when

We are very proud of Denzil for his decision to be baptized

and live for the Lord.

Andrew Caivert preaches before the baptismal sen/ice.

Besides Denzil, there were four of the youth baptized in January. We are really proud of Emile, Sonja, Stella and Jody. Please pray for them as they start their new life.

Before you move, please send the mailing labei with a copy of your new address to
MISSION SERVICES ASSOCIATION, PO Box 13111, Knoxville, TN 37920-0111.

Non Profit Org.

39750-9998

Mission Services Association PO Box 13111

Outreoch International
Addresses:

Knoxville, TN 37920-0111

U.S. Postage Paid

Knoxville, TN
Pemtiit #374

Return Service Requested

Pete & Fran Lauqhren

P.O. Box 10421

George, 6530
South Africa Phone: 011-27-44-873-0448 Fax: 011-27-44-873-0548

e-mail: laughrn@mweb.co.za

Forwarding Agents:
Mark & Annette Tuttle PO Box 81462

Conyers, GA 30208
770-929-8539

sp!>i +0017 qi!M

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mije

^npe Whittles
GEORGE, SOUTH AFRICA t
Fall 2005 "Vol. 16, No. 2

The Laughrens,
Pete, Fran & Denzil

Conference 2005
Greetings from South Africa!

George, Upington, Kimberley and Queenstown. All in all, there were about 300 people in attendance during the five
days. We had classes for the men and elders, the ladies, and five divisions of youth. We have always felt that the youth were many times left out and over the years we have had the youth divide up into many smaller groups, thereby eliminating the one youth group that went from ages 13-40. Ithas worked out a whole lot better to do it this way and we
have seen some results.

Our annual preaching and teaching conference took place at the end of September inthe town called Douglas. When we first arrived in South Africa many years ago, we
were told by Al and Jean Zimmerman, the missionaries who retired when we arrived, that the annual conference is,

to some, the highlight of the year. This year it was held in the remote town of Douglas in the northern Cape. People asked how to get to Douglas and I jokingly say that you must go to the middle of nowhere, and turn right. It is just down the road on the left. It actually is a very beautiful little town situated at the convergence of the Vaal and the Orange rivers in the heart of the arid region known as the Karoo. The hospitality of the local church was very good and the whole time together went well. The week started with the evening service on Wednesday night and ended with the morning service on Sunday. People came from all over South Africa from such places as Cape Town, Graaff-Reinet, Port Elizabeth,

We were blessed to have overseas help this year in the form of Brian and Pam Leonard of the Eastpointe Christian Church near Columbus, Ohio. They were here for 10 days and traveled with us to Douglas and did a great job in teaching and preaching. Brian taught a class to the elders and preached while Pam taught a class to both ladies and children. They blended very well with the people and we were really pleased with their input. Thanks, Brian and Pam for coming and sharing In the work. Other missionaries in attendance for part of the
conference were Phil and Roxana Smith of East London

and Steve Caulley of Kimberley. Conference is a good time to see fellow co-workers and we were pleased that
they were able to be there.

Brian

and

Pam

Leonard

of

Andrew Calveri stands with the l<itchen crew at the conference

in Douglas.

From the hoof to the table in a matter of hours...

Eastpointe Christian Church in

Blacklick, Ohio.

Fran taught a ladies class

and some children's classes and

I preached and taught twice. We always enjoy conferences as we

get to be with fellow Christians and spend quality time with them. For the past two years I
have served as the chairman of

the planning committee for the

annual conference, it has also

been my pleasure to do this for many years before this specific two-year term. But since the terms are two-year terms, and we will be starting our furlough at the
end of 2006, a new chairman was

These 6 men will lead the conference for the next two
years.

Brian also preached at the Youth Worship at Conference.

elected. I am very pleased that all six officers of the planning committee are now filled by the local brethren and Iknow that they will carry on very well. I have complete confidence in all of the
brothers elected.

Plans are already under way for the 2006 conference to be in the Eastern Cape town of
Queenstown. church The last time the hosted the there

conference was in 2001 and they will do a fine job. Please be in prayer for the 6 officers of the planning committee and for the church in Queenstown as they make their plans for next September. Thanks for your prayers for this year's conference. It was a great success.

Fran and Pam taught the Sunday School children at the Conference.

2005 Missionarv Gatherin

The first week of August saw most of our missionary co-workers from around South Africa come to George for our annual Missionary Gathering. We always look fonward to these times because, for some, it is the only time that we see them during the year. The week is

Wayne Shaw delivered some great sessions while he was with us at our gathering.
2

Janet Shaw from Lincoln Christian Seminary with us for the full time. l Wayne and Janet taught the morning ^ii
classes while Wayne also preached

were very blessed to have Wayne and

'/ V /fc

"

M M

Fran taught the missionary kids during the gathering.

every evening. They were such an encouragement. In our work

here it seems that times of

spiritual refreshment are not as readily available as they are for stateside workers (such as conventions etc.), so these times of refreshment with people like the Shaws are very valuable
to us all. All in all there were 25

k.

of us in attendance and the week

went very well. Between the class times, we did some sight seeing and had some good times of fellowship. We were very pleased with the number that attended and we are looking forward to the gathering next year that will take place in the Johannesburg area.

We had a great time here in George during our Annual Missionary Gathering.

Other Activities durina Julv, Auqust and Seotember

When we are in George we participate inthe local church by preaching, and by leading the Sunday School, BibleStudies and Youth Group meetings. But it also seems that we are gone much of the time to other places. During the last three months, we were several places for various reasons. The day that the missionary gathering ended, we had visitors from Euless, Texas arrive and they were here for 10 days. Mark, Janet and Jaeger Layman literally arrived 20 minutes after the gathering ended and we had a great time together. We took them to see a lot of the local sights and while they were here, Mark preached and taught at the church here in George. The next week, we went to Gape Town and Mark preached at the
church in Mfuleni and we also witnessed 10 baptisms that morning before

the service. Thank-you Mark and Janet for coming to visit. We really enjoyed our time together and we really appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness. They were an encouragement to everyone that they met. Three days after they left, two local brothers and I went to Douglas for our usual "pre" conference visit to make sure that everything was in order. We want no surprises during the week of conference, so I feel that these visits to the sight of the conference beforehand are very important.
The church there was ready and we were pleased that we made the trip to
confirm their readiness.

Marf< Layman preached for the church here in George during their visit.

In September I went to Graaff-Reinet to teach for a week and the attendance there was good. I averaged between 25 and 35 students each night and I was encouraged. When we go to Graaff-Reinet, the people are always eager to leam and itdoes our heart good to teach those who are really interested. 1have two more trips planned for there before the end of the year. Andrew Calvert and I also visited the church in Knysna. We try to get there once a month, but that is not always possible. We got there in August and they are still a small group, they are faithful. We have supplied them with many lessons and Sunday School materials that hopefully will
encourage them in their work.

We enjoy living in George as it is centrally located and gives us a good place to travel from to these various places. Please pray for us as we try to minister in these various places in every way possible.

Cape Town in August.

We were very pleased to witness 10 baptisms in

Before you move, please send the mailing label with a copy of your new address to
MISSION SERVICES ASSOCIATION, PO Box 13111, Knoxville, TN 37920-0111. Mission Services Association PO Box 13111 Non Pro 39750-

Outreach International
Addresses:

Knoxville, TN 37920-0111

U.S. Postc
Knoxvill

Return Sen/ice Requested

Permit

Pete & Fran Laughren

P.O. Box 10421

George, 6530
South Africa Phone: 011-27-44-873-0448 Fax; 011-27-44-873-0548

e-mail: laughrn@mweb.co.za

Forwarding Agents:
Mark & Annette Tuttle

PO Box 81462

Conyers, GA 30208
770-929-8539

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