Lisa: Duncan and I had just gotten engaged, and went on a working, adventure holiday, something we wanted to do before we got married. While living in London we were invited to church by a young couple who were also engaged. We were baptised together on 7 June 1991. We were blown away by what we learned in the Word of God, and finding out how God wanted us to live as his disciples. We were also so inspired seeing the diversity of the London church. We had never experienced black and white people being together and being friends.

We led the mission team that started the Durban church in December 1994. In October 1998, we left the farm where Duncan was working with his dad, and entered the full-time ministry. This took us to Joburg for eight years, and we returned to Durban in December 2006. The church had gone through a lot and was limping. God continues to strengthen us, as we pray and work hard on our vision to be an awesome family at a church that is diverse and deep in relationships. 

Duncan: It's very sad that this epic race has had to be cancelled due to Covid. I've run the Comrades marathon twice, both “Up” runs from Durban to Pietermaritzburg which has many hills to climb! Two major spiritual lessons I have learnt: Firstly, life is an ultramarathon, not a sprint. The journey is full of ups and downs, twists and turns and learning endurance is a necessity. Secondly, the Comrades marathon levels the playing fields in that it is all cultures, races, classes, ages, occupations and both genders and the common goal is the race. You are there to get through and encourage those around you to make it. The finish is particularly thrilling to watch because it embodies the spirit of Comrades, as participants pull each other over the finish line in their desperation to get to the end before the gun goes off. This is the journey in Christ, a common goal and helping as many people as possible.

I started studying Counselling because I saw a need to grow in how to help people navigate the emotional ups and downs of life. As disciples I noticed over the years that we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be “fine” and “ok“ all the time. We worry about what people will think if we tell them we are falling apart. The reality is that even as disciples we cannot be fine all the time, we struggle and we are meant to struggle! Mental Health and Grief recovery are particularly close to my heart as I've had to navigate these issues personally. 

In 2 Corinthians 1:4, the Bible says, “He comforts us in our affliction, so that we might be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 

This scripture has truly come alive for me and I'm passionate about helping people in and out of the church navigate mental health and grief. It is especially a need as we navigate this time during a pandemic. Mental health issues have risen remarkably and dealing with grief and often multiple grief scenarios is a reality. Christians can help each other by sharing vulnerably, not being afraid to get help, and then helping each other to look to God in the situation.

We are very privileged and blessed to have both our grown daughters who became disciples since they were 16. As parents, we wanted to show them God by our example … in the good and the bad! That meant we had to own our mistakes/sin and ask for forgiveness (we encouraged them as they got older to point out our faults …. and they did!); and it meant loving them unconditionally when they made mistakes/sinned. We worked very hard at being emotionally connected as a family and creating a home of vulnerability and safety while having a lot of fun in the process.

A new wonderful stage for our family is that our youngest daughter, Shelley, got married to Jade, so now we have a son! (in the picture below).