July 2008 Newsletter
Posted on July 3, 2008 - Filed Under Newsletters | Leave a Comment
SNAKES AND PAILS AND SCARY TALES
If you checked out the blogsite, you may understand the title here. This month while going out to fetch a pail (for laundry), I was confronted with a snake in the driveway. No one was around to rescue me, so I was forced to kill it myself. You can read the entire tale here. Otherwise, we are okay. This is a private joke as our friends here never want to leave us discouraged, even if they have to give us news of their personal troubles. One man we know will always end his story of various trials and family problems with this saying. Actually, Charlie is quite ill as I am writing this and Im not sure what he has, other than about 102 temperature, aches and nausea. Im praying it may only be a 24 hour thing, but Ive no idea. Joseph and I are well and he has begun his Kindergarten studies in earnest. He has persistence for school work that is surprising for his age. His attention span is much longer than I expected. So, it seems the teacher has become the student as he shows me what a 4 year old is capable of doing. Sam is enjoying his summer in Texas, working at Camp Tejas and Travis is planning a vacation somewhere in the area of Tennessee and/or Virginia. Please continue to pray for both of them to grow into Godly, wise, obedient young men.
(see some new pictures here… sorry – no snake pix!)
MINISTRY NOTES
Charlies study in Revelation continues to impact the pastors he is teaching each Tuesday. They are learning things they have never known and more than that, they are acting on the things they are learning. One of his other groups has fallen off as they were not committed to showing up regularly each week. Pray that this opening in his schedule will be filled with the opportunities God has ordained. The other 3 groups are continuing ahead and you can join us in prayer in the following ways: Lchenei: These people are currently facing trouble from rival tribes. One familys garden which was looking to produce a good crop was entirely eaten by zebras. Many of the men have gone with cows, leaving women and children to make it on their own. This is not unusual in this semi-nomadic culture, but we do ask you to pray for their safety and provision as outsiders threaten. Pray for the church to show their strong faith in the community and demonstrate their dependence on God. Maralal town group: Praise God that recently another woman from this group made a profession of faith in Christ. Pray that others will continue to be drawn to the Lord and that we will also be able to share the Word with Turkana speakers in this area. Forest: These people continue to come to hear the Word. Pray that it will have an impact on their lives and they will be obedient to what they hear. Several women seem to be responding very positively and catching the truths in the stories.
GODS OPPORTUNITY
As you have prayed with us about helping us see where God would have us to work, He has been faithful. A couple of months ago, we asked you to pray about ministering to AIDS patients. Earlier this month, as Charlie was meeting with the pastors in town, they saw a man waiting outside the church yard. He never called out. He just waited. When they began to talk with him, he explained that he was a community health worker (this is an unpaid position) and asked if we could help with some food for patients with HIV/AIDS/TB. He had a list of approximately 30 patients who live in an isolated area at the rear of the hospital compound. Many are very ill. The treatment drugs are harsh and need to be taken with food. It seemed God had answered our prayer. Charlie bought the food that afternoon and arranged to distribute it the next morning. Four pastors and 2 women went with us. They told these folks how God loved them and wanted to bring them hope. After a story of Lazarus and a couple of testimonies, they gave them an opportunity to be saved. Our co-workers counseled individually with any who were interested and in the end, 18 prayed to receive Christ. We were so proud of the care and concern these Samburu Baptists displayed. There was a unity of purpose that we have rarely seen. It was a day that glorified God and encouraged all of us. We pray it will continue. In addition to food for everyone, we also bought a wheelchair for one of the women. Some of the people were too weak to even carry their food home, so we transported it for them. Pray that these people will feel welcome in our churches and that our pastors and others will continue to reach out to them.
YOUR EFFECTIVE PRAYERS
After the story about me killing the snake went public, I received several emails. In fact, we got more response to this than anything weve ever sent out. Anyway, one of our colleagues wrote that I should be sure to share this with one of our prayer networks as who knows who was praying for you that day. It really struck me. As Ive thought about it again, Ive realized that while I was keenly aware of an immediate danger, I wasnt thinking about deadly consequences. In my mind, I only allowed myself to go as far as oh no, I have to kill this because I cant let it get away and have it hanging around threatening us. Thank you so much for continually asking for Gods protection over us. Another item that is always the topic of conversation when missionaries come together is health, or rather illnesses. In our short 6 years on the field, it certainly seems that good health is a real challenge on the mission field. And lastly, we are receiving answers as you request with us for Gods wisdom and direction in ministry. Pray also for us to remain encouraged and not be bothered by circumstances beyond our control. God bless all of you. We count you as our faithful partners.
But these things I plan wont 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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