August 2007 newsletter
Posted on August 3, 2007 - Filed Under Newsletters |
STATESIDE PREP
After all the issues with backs, I am happy to report we are well and done with that. I (Sandra) still have some numbness in my toes, but the neurologist in S. Africa has said there is nothing functionally to worry about. His tests were very thorough and we are completely satisfied with the results. We praise the Lord there was no need for surgery and thank you all for your prayers during this time.
We are now into our final month of preparation for Stateside Assignment. We are scheduled to leave Kenya on September 6th. Sam will stay with us for a few months in Dallas before leaving for University in January. Pray for all of us to make the most of the time we have left in Maralal. We have lots to do as we sort and pack our things for storage while we are gone. We are able to leave the big things in the house, but must sort things to sell, store, give away, etc. It is time consuming and tedious, to say the least. Why do I have all this stuff anyway? I think it may be genetic. Mom? (just kidding)
We are also trying to make sure we have “good good-byes”. This is so important in a culture where relationships are priority and nationals have seen so many “wazungu” (westerners) come and go. There always seems to be a fear that you will leave them and not return. Pray for them to remain encouraged and faithful to the task God has given them.
MINISTRY NOTES
There have been some interesting opportunities for ministry lately and it just shows you never know what God is going to bring your way. Charlie is still trying to get to Sononi in the mountains to see who is there and what is happening. From the problems with his back to the rains to talk of everyone moving away from there, it has been some time since he has been able to visit. We are in the process of trying to move our things from there as we do not want to leave them in the house for the 6 months we will be in the States. The rain has prevented Charlie from being able to drive there to get them, so he has been talking with someone about loading the things on donkeys to move them down the mountain. Talks are going very “African” which means that every time he talks to the guy, a new piece of the puzzle gets put in. Things here seldom go as planned, but we are hopeful that one way or another, we can get this task completed. (In an effort to bring good news, the guy says another goat has given birth and now we have 6.) Charlie does hope to visit Sononi before we leave. Pray for that.
A small group is still meeting weekly for prayer at our friend’s home who lives in the Turkana section of town. Although she is Samburu, many of the Turkana have opened up to her and she has had great opportunity to pray and witness. Some have made professions of faith. Pray for this work of God to continue and for her to have favor with these people. We consider her to be God’s missionary to the Turkana.
Along that line, we also have a friend who is a Samburu elder and has been having meetings with some of the Pokot. While the fighting and cattle raiding continues, our friend attends the “peace meetings” and preaches to the men who come. He has had a burden for the Pokot for some time and we are grateful for God’s providence in bringing them near so they can hear His Word.
And as if we couldn’t do without another surprise, a young Muslim man has sought out Charlie’s help with a project. He is part of the youth leadership committee at a local mosque. Although Charlie refused to help with the project, he still invited Charlie to come and speak with his group. Charlie was very plain with him and told him if he came he was going to “preach Jesus”. “Fine”, the young man replied, “the Koran teaches that Jesus was a good man.”
“No,” insisted Charlie, “I will preach that He is God, as the Bible teaches.”
The invitation stood and Charlie sat on the ground in front of the mosque with eleven young Muslims and gave them the message of the Gospel last week. They were impressed with his knowledge of their religion and his easy and understandable way of teaching. The imam was also in attendance. Today, we saw the young man in town and he told us the imam was also pleased with Charlie’s manner and method. And then, an amazing thing happened. He asked Charlie if he would be able to come again and this time, meet with some elders! Pray for the many doors God is opening and that we will be wise and faithful to boldly walk through.
PRAYER AND PRAISE
* Pray for believers to be faithful to all the opportunities God is opening up to share the Gospel.
* Pray for us to do all that God intends as we finish our final 4 weeks in Maralal before leaving for the States. Pray that His priorities will be our own.
* Pray for the believers to have confidence in God and depend on Him to meet their needs and equip them for His work.
* Praise God for Sam’s 5 years of joy and service in Maralal and for his last month to be just as joyful as he says “goodbye”.
Our Vision
By now, I hope you have noticed the vision statement listed at the top of each newsletter. This was given to us as we prayed and studied for 3 weeks in September during a Strategy Leader training seminar. We realize it is a God-sized task and can only be accomplished as workers are obedient to tend the harvest fields. Ask God to provide the workers needed from among the Samburu. Pray for us to be open to creative ways of reaching the thousands of unreached people and effectively discipling those who choose to follow Christ.
God’s Promise
“But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently for it, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.”
Habakkuk 2:3 New Living Translation
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