A few weeks ago we took the boys to a place where they could do pottery. The center we took them to is a ministry that works with the deaf community in Dakar, but they also do some one on one sessions with kids. Our kids worked with someone who helped them make an animal of their choice and then they got to do one item on the pottery wheel as well.
The workshop 
They really enjoyed the work
The instructor let Ethan try one one his own after the first 
So in the end he had a family of turtles plus a bonus snake with the leftovers
After the work was done we left and returned a few weeks later so that they could paint their creations
As the boys hit the pottery wheel, I was reminded again of what a great image a pottery wheel can be. It is so neat watching someone shape something out of clay and the reminder of what God does to our lives. Watching the instructor worked with our kids also reminded me a little of what our ministry is like. We have just received 3 families and a single guy to our field. Our role over these next few years to is to come along side them, get our hands dirty and help them as they intentionally work to change and shape their lives to be more relevant here. The process has just begun and the end result will all be different for each of them, but we get to be there and hold their hands steady as they work. We really love being there and being able to help as they walk through this adjustment. God always does amazing things and it is neat to see how he takes each one through this process and gives them exactly what they need.
As we work with people we never quite know what the journey will bring
We have also seen how important it is to have help during the journey
Pray for us as we work closely with all these new missionaries
Pray for the changes and adjustments they are making
And that God would direct to exactly what changes need to be made for their future ministry here in West Africa
So what are some specific ways you can be praying?
We have begun looking for host churches and host families for each of these new missionaries. We hope to have these identified over the next few months so be praying that God would match each of them up with the right family and church.
Once we have families for them then we begin the process of looking for housing close to their families. That is a lot of different houses to find and a lot of details to work out It seems messy at times, but God has all the pieces in his hands!
Pray for us as we meet with them regularly to try and help keep them encouraged during these hard months of change and adjustment.
Michelle says
February 22, 2019 at 6:43 amThat’s an incredible analogy and whet a great opportunity for Ethan & Tyler. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and perspective. ❤️
Jane Van Ryn says
February 21, 2019 at 7:15 pmThat was just wonderful. Thanks again for sharing your heart with us.