the Foster family journals

It's been a long time

2009-05-18T19:08:00.000-07:00

I just realized that I haven't posted anything since 2008. Scary! If anybody actually reads these or wants to keep up with a little of what is going on in our lives and ministry, I guess I should post more often. Sorry! I will try to better. You can thank tonights post to insomnia as it is 4 in the morning. I will be heading to school in a few hours anyway.

Well, this year I have taken over as principal of Good Hope Christian School. This is new for me as I have been use to just being teacher and church planting assistant. Now, I get the title "principal". Unfortunately, there is no extra pay involved. He! He! I was a little apprehensive as I am a bit of an easy going person and not the kind of authority that inflicts fear in the students. However, things have gone well and there have been no problems. We really do have a great bunch of students.

I am excited about some outreach events planned. One is a movie night in June (showing Fireproof) where we will invite the community to the school (and church) and have an opportunity to give the gospel through Fireproof and encourage marraiges. I was just really impressed with this movie and think it is a great way to get the gospel to people. I also plan to buy several copies to give out to friends with whom I want to witness.

Also, we are moving. This means a whole new set of neighbors. I have trapsed around our current neighborhood several times inviting them over to our home, hosting Bible studies, ect. The last time was a little discouraging as we had nobody show up to the Thursday sessions we were wanting to have.

Although, we have established relationships with some of our neighbors and are praying for their salvation. For example, a German girl Briana's age accepted Christ through her witness but we are wanting to reach her mom and dad.

But, now that we have new neighbors, this provides new opportunities to establish relationships with people and give out the gospel. Please pray for our new and old neighbors that we would continue to have opportunities to witness and know how to approach them. It seems one of the hardest things in our neighborhood is to help people to realize they aren't saved just because they are white and attend church occasionally and know who Jesus is. It seems everybody is a Christian in name but very few in practice. Also, people tend to keep to themselves and take time warming up to "these strange Americans."

Well, I will post more later.

Jim

Biggest Bike Race in the World!

2008-03-15T14:13:00.001-07:00

Well, after completing a marathon 18 months ago and a traithlon 3 months ago, it only made sense to participate in the biggest cycle race in the world held right here in Cape Town. With very little time to train (as I was just overwhelmed with new responsibilities in our ministries), I decided to go for it despite the fact that my brother John (who had registered and hoped to ride with me) couldn't join me.

What an experience! Over 31,000 cyclists take part in this 109 kilometer cycle over very mountenous and beautiful terrain on the Southern Peninsula of South Africa. I was one of the last groups to start (at 9:42) with a group of about 800 other cyclists. Each group of approx. 700-800 cyclists takes off 5 minutes apart from the city center starting at 6:45 in the morning. Never having spent more than 2 1/2 hours on my bike at a time (and 50 kilometers being the furthest I have ridden), I set out to complete the 109 kilometer course.

The start of a race is always exhilerating with the anticipation and excitement in the air. The first 20-30 kilometers were enjoyable as I just took it easy knowing I would need my energy for some tough hills later in the race. Then, towards the middle, I started to realize that the seat of my mountain bike was just not built for comfort. Ouch! Talk about saddle sore! Then, on the third ascent of some very tough climbs, I also realized that my legs were just not used to so many loooooong hills! That 5 minute climb up the hill to our house -where I trained - was a bunny slope compared to these 20-30 minute climbs.

About three hours into the race (and only halfway there), I started to wonder if I was going to make it. Each kilometer just crept by as my bottom just became more and more sore and my legs grew increasingly tired. However, I was enjoying the beautiful scenery along some of the most beautiful coast anywhere in the world, which helped me to forget about the soreness. I was also kicking myself that I had not bought the gel seat at the mall two days previous. Cheapskate! That is what I am. But I was paying for it now!

About 60 kilometers into the race, I started to notice cyclists just falling over as is somebody had pushed them over. What must have been dehydration (as it was a warm day of about 80 degrees) or just fatigue was taking its toll as I must have seen 6 or 7 cyclists succomb to the fatigue.

Several times, I noticed the ambulance speed by to pick up one of the many cyclists who needed medical attention. In fact, I read later that 65 were hospitalized and 3 were seriously injured during the race. I also noticed a van going around picking up cyclists who had admitted defeat or were unable to continue (about 1,000 were unable to finish the race). What a temptation to hitch a ride! But I just kept telling myself "You can do this! I will finish! I will finish!" Even if it takes me all day.

About 4 hours and 65 kilometers into the race, I came to Chapmans Peak! This ascent up the cliffs along the coast was both breathtaking and an exhausting 30 minute climb. But, reaching the top was a fantastic reward as I stopped to take in the scenery and enjoy my accomplishment. On my way up each hill, I just kept reminding myself that the downhill was coming. And what a blessing the downhills were!

When I reached 75 kilometers, I noticed that many cyclists were stopping for the free physios (leg rubs for cramping legs), and finally gave in because of my cramping, aching legs. By now, I had been on my bike for almost 5 hours and I needed something to get me through the last 30 k's. After a short leg rub, I was back on my bike with new determination to finish.

The last major hill, Suikerbossie, was a dreaded hill and many cyclists were forced to just walk their bikes to the top. However, I got my second wind and sped to the top knowing there were no more major hills before the finish line. My bottom by this time was almost completely numb so I didn't even really feel the pain any more.

In fact, I managed to really pick up the pace for the last 10 k's or so and finish faster than I started. Although I finished in a very slow 6 and 1/2 hours, I was just happy to have enjoyed the day and make it to the finish line. After all, it wasn't about winning but finishing. And it really was an enjoyable day! Come join me next year if you are looking for an adventure!

Preparing teens to serve the Lord!

2008-02-09T08:12:00.000-08:00

With the Cropseys (the couple who started Good Hope Christian School 7 years ago) leaving the field, I was given the new responsibility of running the learning center for 21 students in our ACE High School. School begins in January and runs year round with breaks after each quarter and a 6 week break for Christmas.

It is my desire to see these young people serve the Lord and be the future missionaries, pastors, and church leaders in South Africa. For example, one 7th grade student who lives in a little one room shack a 5 minute walk from the school has been attending the school for 4 years now. He has an interest in missions and has developed a wealth of Biblical knowledge and seen some growth in his spiritual life. Although he has a long way to go, I am praying God will use him in a great way in missions.

Another young lady, a 11th grade Xhosa girl, came to our school three years ago and has expressed an interest in mininstry as well. I have asked an American couple starting a ministry to Xhosa people to mentor her as we seek to develop an interest in ministrering to her own people. Please pray for these two students and others as we seek to encourage them to serve the Lord.

Many times this year already, I have been challenged by the knowledge that I am just not smart enough to help these students in all the areas where they need academic help. For example, one student needs help in Trigonimetry while another in Biology. A 12th grade students needs help in writing a good research paper while another is working on Physics. Other students have learning disabilities and really struggle just to keep up!

HELP! I am in over my head! I am praying that God would send a dedicated high school teacher -preferably qualified in the higher grade subjects(10th-12th - I am more of a 7th-9th grade teacher) and experienced with ACE - to help run our learning center. As our school grows, we will eventually need to split our high school learning center into 7-9th grades and 10th-12th grades. Can we find someone by 2010? In the meantime, we do what we can with what we have here on the mission field.

I will never forget my first year teaching 9th-10th grades in Manaus, Brazil back in 1997-1998. I didn't get much sleep that year as I had to prepare to teach every subject to 9th and 10th graders in the heart of the Amazon region of Brazil. But, what a blessing it was as I had an opportunity to see what a difference a Christian school can make in the lives of young people. Well, I have rambled on long enough.

I hope this blog is helping some of you keep better informed of our ministry here. Please send an e-mail if you get a chance just to let me know you are out there praying.

In His Service,

Jim Foster and Family

New Christians in the New Year

2008-01-11T10:43:00.000-08:00

Each Sunday, we pick up children and youth for church. Today, we had an activity with eight of these teenagers attending. These young people come from a poor area of town where there is very little for them to do.

In fact, many of them are looking forward to going back to school next week after our 6 week summer break. This it not because they love school so much but because they are tired of sitting around with nothing to do. It reminds me how blessed we are as a family as our school holiday was filled with fun spending time together and going places.

These teenagers had a wonderful time swimming on a hot summer day and a enjoyed watching "Evan Almighty". Afterwards, I talked about the real story of Noah and shared the gospel with them. Two teenagers, Toya and Andre, gave their hearts to the Lord. Toya had tears in her eyes when she shared with me about how she gave her heart to the Lord and will be moving away in just a few days.

A new Christian for Christmas

2007-12-23T09:46:00.000-08:00

Well, this Sunday's Children's Church at Faith Fellowship was truly a blessing! As I was teaching about the birth and death of Christ and the true meaning of Christmas, I noticed a 12 year old boy closing his eyes to pray during my lesson.

Later, I asked him what he was praying about and he told me that he was asking Jesus to save him. You see, Dean has never been exposed to church or the gospel message and had been staying the night with a friend in my SS class. He was so very receptive and took everything in like a sponge, and even agreed to pray with me about his family before he left church. Wow! Please pray with me for Dean Jameson and his family.

We also had a good attendance of over 40 in church. Another new development is that there is the possibility of a new building on the property of the church to be used for the school and SS classroom space. Please pray for wisdom as the missionaries in the Cape along with the school would be making a committment to raise quite a large sum of money to make this addition a possibility. It is both scary and exciting at the same time.

Breaking out of jail!

2007-12-18T07:43:00.000-08:00

What an experience! First of all, it was pouring down rain just about the whole time. I had, fortunately, been able to secure a wetsuit at the second hand shop, which helped with the swim.

However, the swim was much harder than I anticipated. After training for months in a swimming pool trying to get my breathing and stroke down, it was all out the window when I got in the dam and tried to swim with 150 other people in choppy, murky, cold water.

I just couldn't get the breathing down without swallowing a bunch of water, and ended up doing most of it on my back. But, I made it in about 30 minutes and was the second to last person out of the water, and just happy to be back on dry land without drowning. Although, I was feeling quite lightheaded and quite tired.

After a few minutes to get my bearings, I was on my bike and off to start my 50k cycle race. The bike section was the most exhilerating with beautiful scenery even in the pouring rain (which felt like pins on my face). Every once in a while, I would be passed on my mountain bike by a rider on a nice lightweight road bike doing the second lap of the 100k race that started about 40 minutes before ours. Wow! Some of those riders were really flying! Every time I was passed, I would pick up the pace just a bit to see if I could keep up, even if for only a short distance. But it was to no avail as I was left in the dust and amazed that anyone could go so fast on a bike. Regardless, I finished the bike portion in just over 2:15 minutes and was feeling quite good, much better than I did after the swim.

Now, it was time for the 12.5 k run. I plodded along at about 6 minutes a kilometer pace (or about a 10 minute mile), and actually passed some people for the first time since the race started. My knees started to hurt a bit and I was quite sore, but I actually managed to jog the entire distance finishing the triathlon in about 4 hours. When I got to the finish line, Elise said , "Daddy, you won 3rd place." What she didn't know was that I was finishing right after the 2nd place guy in the longer race (twice my distance) and probably about 150th in the shorter race. But, it didn't matter what place I finished. I just wanted to go to someplace dry, and was thankful the race was over.

It is still my desire to raise funds for GHCS and I am praying this triathlon has somehow helped to make more people aware of the need. Our school provides a wonderful education, discipleship, and an environment where kids are encouraged to serve the Lord. You can still give towards the school. Please e-mail me if you would like to donate funds.

Preparing for my triathlon

2007-12-13T07:58:00.000-08:00

In just a few days, I will be doing my first triathlon. For the past several months, I have been training and am feeling somewhat ready. With school, church and family, it has been difficult to find the time to train. However, I have trained enough to finish, although I anticipate a middle to the back of pack finish. Regardless, the kind of physical shape I had to get into just to do the race has been great!

I have been seeking sponsorships through e-mail and from people here in South Africa to raise money for our school (Good Hope Christian School). Although, I have been somewhat disappointed that I have only recieved about $275 worth of sponsorships. I was hoping for $2000 or more, but there are still a few days before the race and I could also get some after the race. Regardless, it will be fun and an experience.

The race is at the Blandvlei Prison. Thus, it is called the Jailbreak. I am breaking from Minimum Security by swimming 1.1k, biking 50k's and running 12.5 k's (in that order). The swim is in the Blandvlei Dam and is what I am most concerned about. This is partly because the water could be fairly cold and I don't have a wetsuit, and partly because I have a bit of a phobia of swimming in open water. So, it will give me a chance to face my fear. I am also going to the second hand store tomorrow to see if I can get a cheap wetsuit. This would help as I don't really relish the idea of swimming in cold water.

For the bike race, I have a mountain bike I recieved as a birthday gift from my parents. I had road tires put on it and it will be interesting to see how I do. In my training, I only had time to get up to a 40k ride so a 50k ride after a swim will be interesting. If there is stong wind, and if it rains (which is forcast), it should be an interesting ride.

The running should be the most comftorable for me, as I did a marathon last year (although, I pretty much died after 18 miles - or 30 k's or so). But, at least this is only a 12.5 (or about 8 mile) run. But, after swimming and biking, I have no idea how my legs will feel. I did some training with swim, bike and runs at the gym but never at race distance. Regardless, I am excited and will post my face results sometime next week.