The Underwood Family

Missionaries to South Africa

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January 2019 Prayer Letter

Happy New Year and Furlough 2019!

When I look back on the goodness of God over the last (nearly) 6 years, I cannot help but stand in awe! In August 2013, I came to South Africa to visit my friends on the mission field. As soon as Ashlee picked me up from the airport she said, “we’re going to South Africa as missionaries, aren’t we?”

Two days after that, Eli, who is now 5, was born! We started deputation January 2014, Neyland was born April 2016, and we arrived on the field August 2016! Basically, I turned around and 6 years has come and gone!

We are looking forward to a great furlough! I am excited to report all that God has done on our first term in South Africa as we finished language school, worked in a church under a veteran missionary, started a mid-week bible study in a gospel needy area, saw some young men saved, faithfully attending church, and are preparing to serve the Lord in full time ministry!

If you would like to schedule our family to come by and present our ministry, it would be our honor! I am currently making calls (considering the 7 hour time difference) to schedule meetings for 2019. You may reach out to me via email at sunderwood52@gmail.com as well which will help me tremendously!

I would like to ask you all to pray with me for a couple of serious prayer requests:

  1. Jeremy Hall’s Family. Bekah, Jeremy’s wife, gave birth to their 6th child, James Siyabonga “Bo” Hall on December 12th. He was a few weeks premature and had some complications but is home now with his family! He is just precious! We are praising the Lord for His goodness!
  2. Soweto Baptist Church. This is the church Ashlee and I have served in under Jeremy and Bekah since arriving on the field. I was privileged to fill in for Jeremy while they were on furlough last year. We are invested and love this church family very much! They will be organizing in February and we are excited to be a part!
  3. Jeremy and I have a special unspoken request concerning a young man that we have tried to invest in during the last 2 1/2 years. Please pray for him and for wisdom to help during an uncharted time.
  4. Please pray with me for a very good friend of mine, Command Sergeant Major York. He deployed to Afghanistan recently and has two sons and a daughter also serving. Pray for God’s hand of protection on him as well as the troops that he leads. CSM York was and is a mentor and a man of God in my life. He has been a tremendous encouragement to me during difficult times and I know he will very much appreciate the prayers of God’s people!

Thank you all for your continued love, prayers, and support of our family!

Your Missionaries to South Africa,

Stephen, Ashlee, Peyton, Eli, and Neyland
The Underwood Family
Acts 20:24
southafricamissions.com

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Merry Christmas! December 2018 Prayer Letter!

Underwood Family Prayer Letter PDF Download

Merry Christmas to each and every one of our faithful prayer partners!

This is a busy time of year for our team here in Port Elizabeth. As we prepare for camp next week, continue serving and working in our own ministries, and in between, try to do a little Christmas shopping; I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Jesus!

A couple of weeks ago, I was privileged to have the opportunity to preach the Lord’s Supper in Xhosa for the second time! Soweto Baptist had a special combined midweek service with New Life Baptist, and we worshiped by partaking in Isidlo seNkosi!

The next day, roughly 40 folks gathered at our house for Thanksgiving! I smoked 6 turkeys, we had four pans of dressing, two things of the most heavenly sweet potato casserole ever, and several other trimmings! We had a great time of fellowship!

Please be in prayer with us over the next several weeks for the following:

  1. Camp Rhino. We are grateful to have Camp’s Abroad coming to help with training and overseeing our camp this year! While this will be mine and Ashlee’s third camp in South Africa, it will be our first at the Camp Rhino property!
  2. Missionvale Bible Study and Thulasizwe! As we prepare for furlough, I am thankful for a friend that desires to reach his community with the gospel and share Jesus with others! Please pray for Thulasizwe as he will be overseeing our bible study in Missionvale. He is also praying about attending the bible college at Camp Rhino in February. Please pray for the Lord’s will and direction for Thulasizwe.
  3. Our furlough! We are just under 3 months away from our departure date for furlough. Yesterday, I made the purchase of our plane tickets and we are thankful for a direct flight to the States!

In between all the other aspects of ministry, I am calling, emailing, and texting to schedule meetings with supporters and new churches alike! You can imagine with a 7 hour time difference the planning that is involved.

    I’m excited to be able to report in all that God has done during our time here in South Africa! I’m also excited about the opportunity to present our ministry in some new churches. We are praying to raise some additional personal and ministry support during our furlough. If you would be interested in hearing from us about our ministry, please do not hesitate to email! It would be my honor to schedule a time to come by and encourage your church family!

Thank you all for your continued love, prayers, and support for our family!

Your Missionaries to South Africa,

Stephen, Ashlee, Peyton, Eli, and Neyland
The Underwood Family
Acts 20:24
southafricamissions.com

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Happy Thanksgiving! November Prayer Letter

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hard to believe that we are already entering into the 2018 Holiday Season! Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holiday’s for several obvious reasons; i.e. smoked turkey, dressing, and sweet potato casserole, but also because it helps me to pause and consider just how blessed I am of the Lord!

Yesterday, we had an amazing time of preaching, and fellowship at Soweto Baptist Church’s men’s conference. Thulasizwe was with me and raved about all three of the great bible messages. I’m grateful to have a friend that desires God’s Word and a willingness to learn it!

I’m also thankful to announce, that through the generosity of God’s people, the Bond family has been able to purchase a van for their family! They are doing a fantastic work in Johannesburg, serving sacrificially, and I’m thrilled that we had just a small part in meeting a need!

I would ask you to pray with us for the following:

  1. Camp Rhino. Camp will be December 10-14 and we are expecting God to do great things in the hearts and lives of each camper!
  2. Our Church property. Due to some legal complications, the house we were looking to purchase will no longer be a viable option. Our search continues for God’s direction! Please pray with us for wisdom!
  3. Lighthouse Baptist Church in Hout Bay. They are currently without a pastor, and are doing everything they can to drive on for the Lord! God allowed me to preach a couple of Sunday’s there and we had a great time in the Lord. Please pray for them to have wisdom and direction as they continue to be a Lighthouse in Hout Bay!

As always, I want to thank each of you for your continued love, prayers, and support for our family! You are all greatly loved and appreciated!

Your Missionaries to South Africa,

Stephen, Ashlee, Peyton, Eli, and Neyland
The Underwood Family
Acts 20:24
southafricamissions.com