God's Teaching in Swahili Video
Most of this week’s activities revolved around
preparation for our upcoming furlough/deputation. We actually fly
out next week but when you’re leaving for ten month’s there are a lot of items
that must be attended to before we leave. It is not as easy as
just getting on the plane. We have licenses and permits that
needed to be renewed before we leave and we have to put other items like phones
and internet on temporary hold so we do not lose these type of services.
Someone once asked me why we call our return to the USA
furlough/deputation together instead of just furlough. From my
understanding, furlough implies; rest, rejuvenation and even revival.
We do have four months of actual furlough planned where we will be in
Florida attending our home church and attending Churches in our home
state. However, we will also be on the road dragging back and
forth across our great nation for six months visiting supporting churches to
thank them for their faithful support over the years as well as visiting new
Churches which are interesting in partnering with us. There are
some churches that we have not visited with since our original deputation in
2007-08 and we want to stay connected to them. Living on the road
and out of a suitcase is hardly considered rest, rejuvenation and
revival. This is the life of the Missionary and his help
met. After reviewing our upcoming schedule over the
next few months we know we have a lot of traveling ahead of us and we will need
God to give us the strength to be able to minister to those whom we visit along
the deputation trail. In all honesty, we probably needed to take
this break months ago as we are totally spent and depleted, physically,
spiritually and emotionally. Please pray for us brethren.
One of the things that we know rejuvenates us like nothing else is seeing
our family again. Word’s cannot describe how much anticipation we
have in this regard, not only to see our children but we also have two new grand
kids that I have not met yet and grandpa needs to hold them and play with
them. For our final service on this side of the
world until next year, we visited the Landmark Baptist Church of Namarambi which
is located near the base of Mt. Elgon.
We continue
to be blessed by the young folks we see coming up through the churches as well
as those faithful few that help us start these new works.
Young People Sing at Watato
The
body says that there is much relief after the service and the long trip to Mt.
Elgon but there will always be a longing in our hearts to worship with the
people whom we love dearly and who have become such a big part of our
lives. Furlough also brings a season for the church
to continue to move forward without any foreign involvement which is essential
to their growth. Sunday School Teacher Praying
We were taught a long time ago that the test of
all teaching is practice and that the permanence of the church depends on the
members and not the missionary. Missionaries will come and go but
the church should remain and move forward for the cause of Christ without
him. This is our goal, this is our hearts prayer and this is the
ultimate test of the years of mentoring and teaching. After a
final review of these thirteen young churches we find that the Pastor’s and
leadership in place while very young, are in unity and capable of leading these
local congregations who have coveted together to keep the commands of the Lord
Jesus Christ. One of the many benefits of creating a strong team
of Pastor’s in an associated fellowship is that they also have each other to
rely on during times of struggles. We believe that
we have given them necessary tools and training to continue the great work that
God is doing in their lives and churches. While we all have room
for improvement we trust God’s people to stay totally dependent on Him alone for
grace, wisdom and His leadership. This gives
us great peace as we walk away from the work that so captured our lives over the
last four years.
Please continue to pray for the local New
Testament Churches and us as we travel the world.
God Bless,
Kenya
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