One of the joys we had in the last couple of months was the addition of two team members, Latoya and Ethan McClerkin, wife and son of our senior missionary, Greg.
After the first week or two of settling in, Latoya began a
Children’s Church program on Sunday mornings. This gave the village kids
something special to look forward to and made it much easier for the adults
to focus on the Sunday Story. Latoya also took my place in teaching the
women’s devotions in order to free up more time for me in
other projects. We were so grateful for her help and presence on the compound, and we so enjoyed her company along with little Ethan’s. It certainly added a new
element of fun to have such a lively baby around. We were continually amazed at
all the new things he did…and all the new things he got into. :)
Greg worked hard to complete six building projects in his five-month stay. He was also involved in the church ministry, being an active prayer warrior and taking the boys choir on two ministry trips. Greg was a tremendous blessing to all of us in his role as an overseer the last few months, being the "go-to man" when difficult issues would arise which necessitated additional counsel and instruction.
Jeremy was such a blessing in his faithfulness to teach
the Word over the past four and a half months. He showed tremendous zeal in teaching a Christian Religious Education class to the older school boys. And he put so much time and energy into both weeknight and Sunday morning Stories. His Biblical Manhood class wrapped up early this month with the Story of the
greatest warrior - Christ Himself. The boys really got into this Story, helping
act out the parts of Jesus’ disciples and being challenged at the end to choose
for themselves between the Warrior’s Path, leading to closer fellowship with
God, or another path leading away from Him.
My days were filled with Story song recordings,
as well as continued language learning, administrative responsibilities,
relationship building, and Stories and devotions in-between.
One of our greatest joys in the last month was the sight of some of the older boys sitting under
trees or on porches around the compound, reading their Bibles in the
afternoons. My heart also rejoiced to see more spiritual growth in three of our Turkana teachers. What a blessing to see the Holy Spirit at work, despite the many obstacles faced in communicating Truth to such a confused and syncretistic culture.
Jeremy and I both arrived back in the States on Thursday, August 23rd. After resting up and meeting with some dear friends and supporters, we are now eagerly seeking God's will for our individual lives in the days ahead.
Please pray for Jeremy as he considers an opportunity to do more missions work overseas while continuing his studies towards a Masters in Theology.
I would certainly appreciate your continued prayers as I hunt for a full-time job here in Greenville, South Carolina. I am looking forward to getting settled once again and plunging back into a local ministry with internationals as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, my heart is rejoicing at God's sweet providence in my personal life over the last several months. Praying for His continued leading in a relationship which He has brought about and is blessing so richly. How I praise Him for sending a man - a missionary in East Africa - into my life who exemplifies Christ's love so beautifully and who shares my passion for serving God in overseas missions. We anticipate the time when, Lord willing, we can serve Him together on the foreign field.
The McClerkins are now in Kenya and will soon be returning to South Africa, with Greg journeying back to Sudan again after a break with his family. We are praying for
God’s continued grace and provision for the locals and for all those who minister to the Toposa people in the months and years to come. May their lives (and ours) ever bear fruit for His name!
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Lonya (yellow shirt) sharing in a church service.
Henry, one of our Turkana teachers, stands by his side to interpret.
Lonya and Lopua (pictured three photos up, wearing a green & white striped shirt)
will be sharing leadership responsibilities in the church over the next few months.
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Darah, you have such a beautiful way of expressing your observations of God's work, what a gift that is in itself. I will miss your Toposaland updates, but hope to continue to hear about the path God is leading you down.
ReplyDeleteMay He continue to work in your life in a mighty way, you are such a blessing. It was a joy to spend our short time together yet it will not be forgotten.
Thank you so much, Becky! I really appreciate your continued prayers and your faithful following of God's work in Toposaland over the last few months. It was great to meet you!
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