A Work In Progress…

LIFE:

Hello Everyone!  I’m happy to tell you all that we are enjoying our Swahili lessons…again.  We were without a language helper for about a week and a half because she went back to university to get her teaching degree.  During that break, we hosted our future co-workers for a few days, and we took care of some overdue business like checking our medical insurance, making appointments with doctors and dentists, and preparing for Shelbyanne’s schooling.  We asked several of our friends here to help us find a language helper, in addition to all the prayers you and I have been raising up.  Well, the Lord again answered those prayers in a blessed way. We met with a friend of a friend and talked all about our program, training, purpose, families, etc.  We felt that we connected well and we feel that she understands why we are here and why we need her so much.  Her name in Swahili is Malaika, which means “Angel“!  (I think God wanted to remind us of His sense of humor here!  Anyone else agree?)

MINISTRY: So, we are progressing and it feels so good to be back on track and learning so much.  It is very difficult to gauge our progress at anything right now.  But we know we are learning the language.  And we know we are ministering to those around us as much as possible.  Only the Lord knows the hearts of those we are ministering to here.  We know we are bringing the love of Christ.  Even this month, which is a special month in another prominent religion here in Tanzania, we are trying to minister to those around us in appropriate and loving ways.  Sometimes that means giving them extra food, sometimes it means not even offering food to them.  We are learning.  It is a work in progress.

PRAYER: The Lord is at work here.  We know He has a plan for the people of Tanzania.  We are excited to be a small part of it.  And thank all of you for your part as well.  I love our team, this team. Please continue to pray for one of our workers, “Harrold”.  I am convinced that our lives here are making an impact on him and we are praying for the day that we will be able to share Christ with him.  Pray for the Lord to be preparing his heart and the hearts of his family.  Thanks.

Also please continue to pray for our financial support.  The Lord is providing for us in truly amazing ways.  We are at about 95% of the support we need each month, so we do need a few more monthly supporters.  God will put it on the hearts of people, pray that they respond.  Thanks again.

We miss all of you, very much.  But we are happy to be here having this experience and being used by God in this way.  So, what is God doing in your life these days?  We’d love to hear from you!