April 7, 2012

From a young missionary:  A year ago, I boarded a plane to East Africa to work with university students.   Now one year later the Lord has blessed me and taught far more than I could have ever imagined. God can do anything (Ephesians 3:20) – far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us. 2012 has much in store and I am ready to take it on. My prayer this year is not to just survive but to THRIVE in Christ.

April 6, 2012

Update from East African university students “On Mission Spring Break” (April 3rd Nudge):  “I guess we brought the rain with us.  Our first day was hindered by the much needed rain... we visited several coastal families and at two young men decided to become followers of Christ!  Many more heard and received the message but wanted to think about this life altering decision which can affect their ability to marry, live in the village and even receive inheritance.  Our second team saw 5 people decide to follow Christ… praising God for allowing us to be a part of His Kingdom expansion... looking forward to our second day of Gospel sharing.”

April 5, 2012

What does a missionary do?  Yesterday, one had the honor of speaking at the Memorial Service of one of the first East African Baptist Home Missionaries.  He had the joy of representing many of his earlier IMB/FMB co-workers who worked with this man.  Praise God today for the International Missionaries and East African Home Missionaries who invested their lives in sharing our Father’s Good News in the early days of work in East Africa (1956); Missionaries who didn’t always see results – those who were “like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season.” (Psalm 1:3)

April 4, 2012

From a Journey(wo)man in South Sudan:  "After returning from telling Bible stories in the village, my eat-popsicle-and-rehydrate-time was interrupted by two little friends at the fence.  Letting them in, we offered water and popcorn and peanuts.  The Spirit prompted my heart...get out the Story Cloth again. I did!  Our God, who spoke His Word in the first place and created every language, enabled me to share 21 stories with them in Toposa!  (Well, there was also lots of drama involved!)  I cannot believe they sat through 21 of my weakly put together stories in my horrible Toposa. BUT they did!"
*** Photo shows what happens when ALL the village kids want to be the first one to shake hands with the missionary!

April 3, 2012

Like students around the world, a group of Kenyan college students are heading to the coast for Spring Break!  Representing five Baptist churches in the Nairobi area, they are eager to enjoy the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, but their hearts’ desire is to share water filters and stories of the Giver of Living Water with a coastal Unreached People Group!  Pray for good health and boldness for the students.  Pray that those receiving the filters and hearing the stories will have receptive hearts.  Pray also for safety and only GOOD SURPRISES as the students travel tonight (April 3rd) by bus!

April 2, 2012

Special ‘Church Family’ blessings experienced by a missionary on Palm Sunday:  Get a big hug as a pre-teen proudly announces that she is now taller than you; meet the baby of friends who have recently returned to East Africa; joke with the friend who always sits behind you, but is in front of you today;  smile as a young  friend beams as all our invited to her Easter weekend wedding; and laugh as the son of your own son’s high school classmate is confused when his sisters and other kids stand and sing in the choir’s spot!

April 1, 2012

Special "On Stateside Leave" episode of “The Real Missionary Kids of East Africa" – First scene:  An MK chooses cookies on the family’s first trip to Walmart - TOO many choices!  Second scene:  An equator-born MK climbs out of the snow while skiing with a church youth group.  Next:  A teen rushes home to announce (via Facebook) to his MK cousins in East Africa - He has his driver’s permit! Fifth scene: Two MK’s comparing the questions they‘ve been asked about their African life.  Ending:  An older MK guiding his younger brother though the art of winning a prize at the State Fair!

Note from the proud Missionary Mom who took this photo:  "And they did win...one of those brown creatures."  For the first 'proposed' episode of this new reality show, check out the March 18th Prayer Nudge from East Africa!