The African Report

Newsletter: Jerry V. Hogg, 462 Amanda Circle, Knoxville, TN 37922SKYPE Number: 865-223-5717 8 US Cell: 865-809-4603

Email: jvhogg@charter.net Jan-Feb-Mar 2017

Sponsored by: Sunset Church of Christ, Sunset International Bible Institute, 3723 34th Street, Lubbock, TX 79410

RECOVERY TIME The last three months, first quarter of this New Year has been spent visiting doctors’ offices and just trying to get back into the swing of things – following the hectic holidays of 2016. Never before have we been so listless and unexcited during the holidays as we were in November and December of 2016! We did as little shopping as possible, and had no special holiday dinners at home. With Ann still unable to do the cooking, we did not plan any special meals! We felt fortunate to just be with family & friends and enjoy their company. On Christmas Day, which fell on a Sunday this year, Ann’s niece, Terrie Huff Warren, and her family invited us to their beautiful home in Chattanooga for Sunday lunch. Their oldest son, Bo, was home from his position as a chef in Denver, Colorado and young Hank home for the holiday break at Lipscomb University in Nashville. Suzanna is their only child remaining near home. As a fashion model and manager of a chic-boutique in Chattanooga, she had a bit of bad luck recently when a car driven by a young lady plowed through her front display window. Fortunately, no one was injured, but lots of structural damage which proved to be costly. The gal just lost control of her car. Terrie has well survived the treatments for her bladder cancer last year but must be checked every 3 months for the next 3 years or so to make sure there’s no sign of its return, but she felt well enough to decorate their home so beautifully and the main meal (turkey and fixings’) all were underway. Everyone pitched in and brought a dish or two for the meal. It was all simply delicious and the day turned out just fabulously (weather-wise)! We had a most wonderful time and stayed all afternoon. Of course, the rest of the family were there, her mom & dad: Bob & Arillia, older sister, their daughter, Diane Huff, and youngest daughter, her younger sister. Angela got the day off from her nursing job in Knoxville and joined us. It was special just being altogether as a family.

That gathering had never happened like that before – we all had a fine time - eating, laughing, exchanging gifts and catching up on family news -- a most joyous occasion! MOVING INTO THE NEW YEAR In January, we made the long trip to Lubbock, TX to attend Sunset’s Annual Workshop for three days. It was uplifting and inspiring to attend lectures and classes taught by various ones. As usual, Ann and I stayed in the home of our good friends --Truitt & Kay Adair. He has been the President and head of the Sunset school for many years now, succeeding Cline Paden (now deceased) a few years ago. Of course, we enjoyed visiting with our long-term friends once again. Last October, Truitt had come to visit us in South Africa for a few days and spoke on our annual SABC Lectureship. He was impressed by what he saw here and learned much about what we’ve been engaged in for many years now. In 2016, we at the Southern Africa Bible College celebrated our 50th year of training men to preach the Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ in this part of the world! Truitt presented some of the Solar Players to our students here and many others at the Lectureship. Tim Burow, Sunset’s Dean of Int’l Schools, also came and gave out some of the solar players he had brought to share with workers in other places in Africa. These are such valuable tools especially in remote areas. We are grateful for such useful, valuable gifts! Both Truitt & Tim spoke on our SABC Lectureship. Thanks, Guys. ANOTHER MILESTONE On February 22nd, I reached another birthday and became a really OLD man – 76 years old! Ann is still a youngster at 75, but walking with a cane, mostly to keep from fallin’. Otherwise, she does pretty good getting about. It gets us the best seats on the plane and special treatment, too.

Whew! Where did all those years go? Time just seems to fly when you’re having fun, doesn’t it? And, before you know it, you’re an old man! MARCHING RIGHT ALONG A few days into March found us planning our return trip back to South Africa. I called the travel agent in Houston and she booked our flight, as usual, through SAA–flying from Knoxville through Wash DC direct to Johannesburg as usual, It seemed the right thing to do, but in reality, there were many delays. Through their mess-ups, we missed our first scheduled flight from Knoxville to Wash,--then was routed through London. There was smoke in the cockpit on that flight and we had to return to the terminal to change planes which caused us to actually get to Jo-burg a day later than originally planned. As we taxied down the runway, about 10-12 fire trucks were beside our plane. The firemen came aboard to check out the cockpit, but no fire was found, only the black smoke. We disembarked and got another plane to go on our way to London. No more trouble, but we were happy to get here and join fellow-workers, Al & Donna Horne who “collected us” (as they say here), at the airport. Neither Al nor I teach classes regularly at SABC these days - but still love to be part of the scene here, speak in chapel on occasion, and encourage the teachers and students. Al & I helped train most (if not all) the present faculty, and now preach and/or teach special seminars or classes, as needed, and serve the Lord in other ways. Everyone tells us that just our being here is encouraging to the school and the church, so we keep coming back as often and for as long as we can. The Bible College is finishing up its first term of the year, and, as we follow the local school schedule, will be “on holiday” for three weeks in April. During this break, our students mostly will return home, to the bush or wherever they call home, and return to school the 21st of April to begin the second semester. Please pray for them (as we do) as they travel for a safe and joyous visit with their families, and a profitable work with their home church. I’m sure they’ll have many good stories to tell us upon their return to school. FUTURE PLANS We don’t know all that will transpire during our stay here this year, but we will work wherever we are needed as opportunities come our way. There are several congregations in the vicinity and I have worked with most of them over the years in one way or another. They know I am willing and capable of helping teach and/or preach on most weekends, or at

special times, when needed. My main task, though, the next few weeks will be to get our annual SABC Lectureship organized, assigning topics and speakers from among our graduates, missionaries in the country, specially-invited guest speakers and others, and share the final schedule with all congregations throughout Southern Africa. It is not an easy job, but one I have enjoyed doing for many years now. I will also continue in writing my study materials and our life story, “The Green Grass of Home.” OUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME We (Ann and I) are getting settled into our flat (apartment) on the SABC campus. It is small but we have adequate closet space with some shelves plus hanging rods to hold our things. The kitchen items, pots & pans and dishes are just as we left them in their respective places last October in our small but convenient kitchette. Upon arriving, we welcomed our queen-sized bed and Ann promptly brought out the new set of queen-size sheets she had brought, and we made up the bed, ready for our afternoon nap soon after arriving! It was a long and tiring three days of traveling to get here. GRATEFUL RECIPIENTS It is with thankful hearts that we are able to return to our work each year due to the financial generosity of so many brethren and congregations-- most of whom have been with us a long time. Unless you’ve had the task of “raising money” for your own or another mission effort, you’ll never know how devastating it can be IF you struggle to get the support needed. I thank God every day for my dearly-departed friend, Larry York, who worked so diligently setting-up my speaking schedule and getting so many brethren interested to raise funds, then he would always travel with me and encourage folks to give. He was such an encouragement to all. Ann goes with me now, but she cannot do the job quite as well as Larry did. Not that I’m complaining, but you get my drift! I do miss him so much. Thank you, one and all, for once again making it possible for us to be here in South Africa, doing our part to encourage everyone and reach out to many in this part of the world and tell them of our Lord. You are sooo special! ********** Until next time, remember the “Hoggs of Africa” in your private and public prayers, and let us hear from you often. News from home is always welcomed, good or bad. Of course, we want to

know of your prayer needs, when you or a loved one is hurting, but we also want to rejoice with you in the good things, too. God bless each one who receives our reports. – Jerry & Ann Hogg

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