tony & Laurie-ann copple: Iris missionaries,
Oupa/oom & Ouma/tante to discouraged latch key kids & teens
Welcome to our website, Copples in Western Cape. We (Tony & Laurie-Ann) fell in love with the Western Cape area of South Africa while we were there on an extended mission in August 2016 (after Iris Harvest School 24). We both had a series of dreams connecting us with the Rainbow Nation, as well as having a deep heart-connect with many of the local people in Robertson and Worcester. Some of those dreams were posted on our dreams page so you can know more about our story.
While we connected with 'latch key' kids whose parents (usually single moms) are working to make ends meet, we also volunteer in Brandvlei prison, Boland Hospice, various kids clubs (Riverview, Iris WC in Vinkrivier, My Father's House Worcester), Mailbox Clubs, disciple teens (My Father's House Worcester) run CWCP Radio, Homeless Church, ChangeMakers (for a season) and Legacy Relay in Worcester Primary School. L-A has also produced two prophetic colouring books called "Colouring with Jesus, " and "Colouring with Jesus 2." Look for the art drop-down menu and click on colouring books. They were published March 2020, and July 2021 and are available through Legacy Relay in Worcester, and Le Roux and Fourie Vignerons in theRobertson area of Western Cape. They are also available online on the Takealot site only in South Africa).
We believe in family and the love of the Father, the grace of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit to transform lives. He does this through relationship, he does this through family. Included in this is our support of our Iris Western Cape family and leaders Johan and Marie Fourie. While in South Africa, we represented Iris Ministries Canada, also part of our local Iris family.
Please explore our site as it chronicles our ministry in Western Cape, and some of our journey beyond in Canada. We arrived in Cape Town November 10, 2017, stayed in a Worcester guest house from November 13 - December 13 and in a second place until January 2nd, 2018. We moved into our own rental home in the Hooggelegen Retirement Community January 1st, 2018, and are connected to various Worcester-based ministries, as well as to the nearby Iris Western Cape base near Robertson. We tried to move back to Canada, but due to corona virus measures around the globe, our flights were cancelled multiple times. The closest Canadian flight to get 'home' was in Morocco and we weren't able to make it before strict lock down in South Africa. We were able to negotiate staying in our rented home until September 2020, and moved into a central Worcester apartment later that month. We were trying to return early because L-A was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer in August 2019. After 5 months of chemotherapy, supplemented with prayer and cancer fighting supplements/foods, the PET/CT scans showed there was no longer evidence of the tumour! Still, we were to return for surgery and other followup. We received medical visas so we stayed until May 2021, and re-applied again to carry us until our departure on December 18, 2021.
We were again delayed, on the very day we were to fly to Canada. We both had PCR Express tests at Indalo bio lab outside of Pointe Mall in Sea Point, Cape Town. They guarantee fast results (although sometimes the email with attachments comes later than we liked). We tested positive for covid! We had no plan, so our kind friend Kevin Daly took us in for a month. We isolated in his rural Worcester mountain home over Christmas (while he went elsewhere to spend the holidays with his family). We stayed an extra two weeks or so, and cooked for him. He was a blessing. Other friends rose up to help, whether to bring food and pharmacy items, print our airline tickets, take us for testing, arrange internet so we can upload info to the airline and the ArriveCan app, and so much more. We were completely reliant on God and that's how it should be.
Our journey back to Canada was rough for one plane and not too bad for the longer 16 hour flight. The wheelchair assistants in three airports were a real blessing. The last one in Toronto even called L-A's cousin to pick us up. And we had favour with all officials: SA Home Affairs (not banned due to our expired health visas -covid delay), not thrown into quarantine jail/facility by PHAC officials due to our recent covid recovery (and double vaxxed), and we had a comfortable stay in our quarantine hotel after our arrival. The first thing we needed were new SIM cards - it was difficult to even order groceries or take-out based on our hotel landline. The SIM cards were to arrive in 5 business days. We had them in ONE. That is favour. We've been working through the hurdles, one by one. It's taking time, but there is almost always a solution. The theme song of this season is "God will make a way, where there is no way." We are seeing this come to pass. We hope and trust that this will be the same with Tony's health. L-A's dad's situation is serious (in needing live-in care). We needed to return to Canada for him, but also for Tony to receive medical care that we could no longer afford. We've already funded a lot of L-A's cancer journey bythe generosity of God through caring friends and family. Thank you to those who have blessed us. You helped save L-A's life. Now we need your prayers for Tony. We still reach out online to the teens we have mentored, and we encourage the relationships we have built during our time in South Africa with our colleagues and friends.
We finished our fourth year of our ministry with an extra two months. We were part of My Father's House Worcester, GIG club, Worcester Christian Church (Kinderkerk and Media Team), Teachers of the Nations, Riverview Kid's Club, Mailbox Club Africa, Brandvlei Correctional Spiritual Care, Alpha South Africa, Boland Hospice Volunteers, Legacy Relay (at Worcester Primary School) and other outreaches in both townships and neighbourhoods. We were part of Change Makers for 18 months, teachers at MasterPeace Academy for two years, and various kids clubs. We also did pastoral care visiting in our retirement village. Our ministry was to be three years or more, but we tried to return in April 2020, due to L-A's cancer surgery and the health of Laurie-Ann's dad. Her mom died in January 2020. And then the covid-19 era hit. Ironically, after we we found we could not leave South Africa, all breast cancer surgeries in Ottawa General Hospital were cancelled. We continued with our work, although it looked very different. Some ministry closed it's doors, and others are intensified. L-A had her surgery and radiation in Worcester and Cape Town, rather than Ottawa. We know this saved her life. Tony later developed TB, which was discovered when we had chest x-rays that we needed to have new volunteer visas. (Over a year later, a CT scan revealed an egg-shaped tumour in the lining of Tony's left lung, which is in process for care through Toronto General Hospital). We switched to apply for medical visas, which were granted. We applied for an extension to carry us to November 2021, although Home Affairs were very slow to process our visas (nearly six months to process a six-month visa). Both of us are weak, tired and healing from various cancers, eye issues and a tumour (Tony) and cancer treatments (L-A). But we trust for healing, and we are thankful that we persevered on the mission field and as family carers while ill. The faithful and carrying power of God was shown that He does not abandon us in our time of need. His grace is sufficient.
This was not been a short-term mission trip, so trips 'home' are only when they have to be (including missing L-A's mom's funeral due to L-A receiving chemotherapy). We were in South Africa until January 17, 2022. We have been welcomed back to return, whether in Worcester, or elsewhere at another base. We will always love South Africa and her people. God has such a plan for them. And our friend and colleague Mella decreed over us that we would return. Perhaps. We will see how the Holy Spirit leads. But first, Canada, regaining L-A's health, healing for Tony, family care, and resettling into our Ottawa condo. Then, a future season where we have visits to the UK.
While we connected with 'latch key' kids whose parents (usually single moms) are working to make ends meet, we also volunteer in Brandvlei prison, Boland Hospice, various kids clubs (Riverview, Iris WC in Vinkrivier, My Father's House Worcester), Mailbox Clubs, disciple teens (My Father's House Worcester) run CWCP Radio, Homeless Church, ChangeMakers (for a season) and Legacy Relay in Worcester Primary School. L-A has also produced two prophetic colouring books called "Colouring with Jesus, " and "Colouring with Jesus 2." Look for the art drop-down menu and click on colouring books. They were published March 2020, and July 2021 and are available through Legacy Relay in Worcester, and Le Roux and Fourie Vignerons in theRobertson area of Western Cape. They are also available online on the Takealot site only in South Africa).
We believe in family and the love of the Father, the grace of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit to transform lives. He does this through relationship, he does this through family. Included in this is our support of our Iris Western Cape family and leaders Johan and Marie Fourie. While in South Africa, we represented Iris Ministries Canada, also part of our local Iris family.
Please explore our site as it chronicles our ministry in Western Cape, and some of our journey beyond in Canada. We arrived in Cape Town November 10, 2017, stayed in a Worcester guest house from November 13 - December 13 and in a second place until January 2nd, 2018. We moved into our own rental home in the Hooggelegen Retirement Community January 1st, 2018, and are connected to various Worcester-based ministries, as well as to the nearby Iris Western Cape base near Robertson. We tried to move back to Canada, but due to corona virus measures around the globe, our flights were cancelled multiple times. The closest Canadian flight to get 'home' was in Morocco and we weren't able to make it before strict lock down in South Africa. We were able to negotiate staying in our rented home until September 2020, and moved into a central Worcester apartment later that month. We were trying to return early because L-A was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer in August 2019. After 5 months of chemotherapy, supplemented with prayer and cancer fighting supplements/foods, the PET/CT scans showed there was no longer evidence of the tumour! Still, we were to return for surgery and other followup. We received medical visas so we stayed until May 2021, and re-applied again to carry us until our departure on December 18, 2021.
We were again delayed, on the very day we were to fly to Canada. We both had PCR Express tests at Indalo bio lab outside of Pointe Mall in Sea Point, Cape Town. They guarantee fast results (although sometimes the email with attachments comes later than we liked). We tested positive for covid! We had no plan, so our kind friend Kevin Daly took us in for a month. We isolated in his rural Worcester mountain home over Christmas (while he went elsewhere to spend the holidays with his family). We stayed an extra two weeks or so, and cooked for him. He was a blessing. Other friends rose up to help, whether to bring food and pharmacy items, print our airline tickets, take us for testing, arrange internet so we can upload info to the airline and the ArriveCan app, and so much more. We were completely reliant on God and that's how it should be.
Our journey back to Canada was rough for one plane and not too bad for the longer 16 hour flight. The wheelchair assistants in three airports were a real blessing. The last one in Toronto even called L-A's cousin to pick us up. And we had favour with all officials: SA Home Affairs (not banned due to our expired health visas -covid delay), not thrown into quarantine jail/facility by PHAC officials due to our recent covid recovery (and double vaxxed), and we had a comfortable stay in our quarantine hotel after our arrival. The first thing we needed were new SIM cards - it was difficult to even order groceries or take-out based on our hotel landline. The SIM cards were to arrive in 5 business days. We had them in ONE. That is favour. We've been working through the hurdles, one by one. It's taking time, but there is almost always a solution. The theme song of this season is "God will make a way, where there is no way." We are seeing this come to pass. We hope and trust that this will be the same with Tony's health. L-A's dad's situation is serious (in needing live-in care). We needed to return to Canada for him, but also for Tony to receive medical care that we could no longer afford. We've already funded a lot of L-A's cancer journey bythe generosity of God through caring friends and family. Thank you to those who have blessed us. You helped save L-A's life. Now we need your prayers for Tony. We still reach out online to the teens we have mentored, and we encourage the relationships we have built during our time in South Africa with our colleagues and friends.
We finished our fourth year of our ministry with an extra two months. We were part of My Father's House Worcester, GIG club, Worcester Christian Church (Kinderkerk and Media Team), Teachers of the Nations, Riverview Kid's Club, Mailbox Club Africa, Brandvlei Correctional Spiritual Care, Alpha South Africa, Boland Hospice Volunteers, Legacy Relay (at Worcester Primary School) and other outreaches in both townships and neighbourhoods. We were part of Change Makers for 18 months, teachers at MasterPeace Academy for two years, and various kids clubs. We also did pastoral care visiting in our retirement village. Our ministry was to be three years or more, but we tried to return in April 2020, due to L-A's cancer surgery and the health of Laurie-Ann's dad. Her mom died in January 2020. And then the covid-19 era hit. Ironically, after we we found we could not leave South Africa, all breast cancer surgeries in Ottawa General Hospital were cancelled. We continued with our work, although it looked very different. Some ministry closed it's doors, and others are intensified. L-A had her surgery and radiation in Worcester and Cape Town, rather than Ottawa. We know this saved her life. Tony later developed TB, which was discovered when we had chest x-rays that we needed to have new volunteer visas. (Over a year later, a CT scan revealed an egg-shaped tumour in the lining of Tony's left lung, which is in process for care through Toronto General Hospital). We switched to apply for medical visas, which were granted. We applied for an extension to carry us to November 2021, although Home Affairs were very slow to process our visas (nearly six months to process a six-month visa). Both of us are weak, tired and healing from various cancers, eye issues and a tumour (Tony) and cancer treatments (L-A). But we trust for healing, and we are thankful that we persevered on the mission field and as family carers while ill. The faithful and carrying power of God was shown that He does not abandon us in our time of need. His grace is sufficient.
This was not been a short-term mission trip, so trips 'home' are only when they have to be (including missing L-A's mom's funeral due to L-A receiving chemotherapy). We were in South Africa until January 17, 2022. We have been welcomed back to return, whether in Worcester, or elsewhere at another base. We will always love South Africa and her people. God has such a plan for them. And our friend and colleague Mella decreed over us that we would return. Perhaps. We will see how the Holy Spirit leads. But first, Canada, regaining L-A's health, healing for Tony, family care, and resettling into our Ottawa condo. Then, a future season where we have visits to the UK.
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ABOUT The copplesTony & L-A don't believe in 'retirement' but believe in using all your skills where ever you are. Holy Spirit blesses people of all ages. No one is ever past the age of being useful to God. We plan to still be doing kids' ministry under Legacy Relay, a not for profit company from Worcester, South Africa. We will be their Canadian arm. We are also part of the Harvest Family Network - a community of pastors, leaders and missionaries based around the world under the guidance of Brian and Valerie Britton.
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the father's house discipleship school at iris western cape
(near robertson)
Twice a year (in South African autumn and spring), the Iris Western Cape base hosts The Father's House school. This year, there is only one school. The Father's House School 11 was June 24 - July 29, 2019, which included some outreach in Robertson and the Garden Route. Father's House School 12 was to be February 15 - March 29, 2021 but this has been postponed due to covid travel issues. The schools will start up again after the pandemic is over. If you're considering a missions-discipleship school, this one is excellent. We have made some good friends through the past few schools. Watch the news on the Iris Global website under mission and global schools. We will be back in Canada for that one, but you can still come! Here's the link:
Bottom video - Iris Western Cape Father's House Discipleship School 10 - by David Tan, alumnus of that school