Dear Loved Ones,
We woke up to some rain this morning! Strange...and its been a cold weekend. Our attendance was down today but still blessings along the way. We continue to watch new believers coming and growing and experiencing the blessing of being in a family. We had youth today but for the first time we were way down. There were only three girls today. We had a fun time together, talked about the greatness of God.
Steve’s sermon today challenged them to think past the temporal things of life to the eternal. So they have a lot to meditate on as they read the word this week.
We would like you to pray this week for an opportunity we have to host on our campus a lady by the name of Pam Stenzel. She is an abstinence speaker and author of the book Sex Has a Price Tag. We have used her videos in our youth group in previous years but she will be here in Botswana and we have the privilege of having her speak Wednesday. We have invited our church youth and their parents. Also we are encouraging a parent from every family in the school to be represented and in order to be sure the students make it for the meeting, we are having a cookout and a movie after school for them on Wednesday. Please pray with us that as she comes, her message will not only be timely but culturally accepted.Thank you for your continued prayers for our family.
This week I heard Charles Stanley via podcast. In the sermon he said, “the greatest asset someone can have is someone praying for them” I immediately thought of each of you who pray for Botswana and God’s work here. Thank you for praying for strength and creativity for Steve and I.
Thank you for praying for our children, Amanda, Derek and Devin, who are really no longer children but still need the prayers of God’s people every day.
Continue to pray for the Southern African region. You may have seen on CNN the violence in South Africa towards foreigners, Zimbabweans in particular. We pray the South African government will make a stand against this sort of behavior.
Please continue to pray with us for wisdom and stamina to do the work that is before us each day.
Reaching the Unreached,Steve, Pam, Amanda, Derek and Devin
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Back to school....
Dear Loved Ones,
It’s way past my bedtime, but I wanted to get a report to those of you who have been praying this week.
Helen’s husband, Craig, did get the job last Monday – in fact, he got a better job in the same company. Pray with us that he will keep this job and some of their financial difficulties will ease. We praise the Lord for answered prayer on Helen’s behalf.
Our friends came in on Tuesday, and it’s been a whirlwind ever since. We had an elementary chapel each day starting Wednesday, and then a middle-school, secondary chapel.
We are thrilled to report that ten students, one staff member, and a teacher accepted Christ this past week. Thank you for praying! We are praising the LORD! Great way to start a term!
Pray with us that these will grow in the Lord as we continue to work with them. Friday evening, we had a youth meeting and interestingly, the lesson directly paralleled Steve’s recent sermon series. We had a great time playing Apples to Apples and Spoons – both favorites with our youth. Saturday noontime, found us together eating lunch and then we separate devotion times for the men and women.
Our attendance was great and we had a wonderful time together. Unfortunately, something disagreed with almost everyone that came and some were unable to attend church today.
Today we celebrated Mother’s Day and recognized all our wonderful mothers with special gifts like many of you do. For those of you who have prayed through the last years for Anne, she attended the first Mother’s Day service since the death of her baby today. It has been amazing to watch God heal her heart! She said, she wanted to just stay in bed, but she said, no, I’m going no matter what!
We have a special request tonight for a young man, aged 21, named Thabo. He is the brother to Ruth who has attended the church since the beginning. This week his mother found a small box in his room that he had made into a coffin shape and put his picture inside and “Rest in Peace” They do not know why he would do such a thing and it has been very alarming to them. Thabo is unsaved. Pray for Ruth to be able to talk with him and tell him about the Lord Jesus who alone can heal whatever hurt he is experiencing.
Also, some may remember Mmapula who was saved at the airport as we left to take Devin to America a couple of years ago. Although we have known all along that she is HIV positive, this week she was told that they will start her on ARVs (anti-retroviral drugs) next month. She is afraid. I had opportunity to pray with her just after she heard that news at the clinic on Friday.
I hope you will remember to pray with her, that she will find her strength and comfort in the word of the LORD.What God has done and is doing here still amazes us every day. We thank Him for giving us the opportunities we have each day. At present, each day is both challenging and exciting.
We are so thankful that so many of you are praying for us every day. We know our strength lies in the Lord’s answers to your prayers.
Reaching the Unreached,Steve, Pam, Amanda, Derek and Devin
Monday, May 5, 2008
April 20. 2008
Dear Loved Ones!
Earlier this evening, we sat down to watch a mystery show on television and our little daschund gave a strange growl. When Steve got up to investigate there was a snake slithering around in the dining area! That makes number 29 that we have killed since coming to Botswana. We don’t live out in the bush anymore, but right in the middle of town! It is getting cool and I suppose it was coming in to find a warm place.
We were thrilled to have 97 this morning and it wasn’t even Easter! So thankful for what God is doing here.
This week, we and four of our young people spent the week with a group of children with HIV/AIDS. Three were selected to be overnight counselors. Many of these children are orphaned. One comment heard this week was from a young girl. She had overheard another girl saying that she lived with her mother. “How old are you – how can you be living with your mother? Mothers die before you are ten!”
We are thankful for these opportunities to share the love of Christ with those in our country who many times have no one to care for them. Thank you for praying for us. Today our youth studied about forgiveness. There is a song on the popular charts that says “it’s too late to apologize.” So we talked about if it is really ever too late to apologize. One young adult who is an orphan told me he struggles with forgiveness because his uncle who raised him spent all the money that his father had invested for his education. He said, “It is like you knew exactly what we needed to hear today.” So thankful that God directs our lessons and our lives.There is something you might be able to help us with.
Since we are in the capitol city and we have a mixture of nationalities, our services are conducted in English. Our school is an English Medium School meaning that all the classes are done in English, except for the Setswana and French classes. If you have Christmas or any other programs or musical programs you have done and would like to pass them on to someone who will put them to good use, please consider this ministry. You can send them directly to us, or via the missions office in Springfield. Even choir or kids choir music would be great. At this time, God has not sent any musicians to our church so we are happy to use CDs!
Our address here is P.O. Box 45159, Gaborone, Botswana.....the missions office is P.O. Box 191 Springfield, MO 65801
We still have two more weeks before school starts back. On May 7th, we plan to start with a spiritual emphasis, please join us in praying for that.
We plan to have some special guest speakers come and we ask that you pray for them as well.We are thankful for your prayers, for ourselves and the people we love here in Botswana.
Reaching the Unreached,Steve, Pam, Amanda, Derek and Devin
Earlier this evening, we sat down to watch a mystery show on television and our little daschund gave a strange growl. When Steve got up to investigate there was a snake slithering around in the dining area! That makes number 29 that we have killed since coming to Botswana. We don’t live out in the bush anymore, but right in the middle of town! It is getting cool and I suppose it was coming in to find a warm place.
We were thrilled to have 97 this morning and it wasn’t even Easter! So thankful for what God is doing here.
This week, we and four of our young people spent the week with a group of children with HIV/AIDS. Three were selected to be overnight counselors. Many of these children are orphaned. One comment heard this week was from a young girl. She had overheard another girl saying that she lived with her mother. “How old are you – how can you be living with your mother? Mothers die before you are ten!”
We are thankful for these opportunities to share the love of Christ with those in our country who many times have no one to care for them. Thank you for praying for us. Today our youth studied about forgiveness. There is a song on the popular charts that says “it’s too late to apologize.” So we talked about if it is really ever too late to apologize. One young adult who is an orphan told me he struggles with forgiveness because his uncle who raised him spent all the money that his father had invested for his education. He said, “It is like you knew exactly what we needed to hear today.” So thankful that God directs our lessons and our lives.There is something you might be able to help us with.
Since we are in the capitol city and we have a mixture of nationalities, our services are conducted in English. Our school is an English Medium School meaning that all the classes are done in English, except for the Setswana and French classes. If you have Christmas or any other programs or musical programs you have done and would like to pass them on to someone who will put them to good use, please consider this ministry. You can send them directly to us, or via the missions office in Springfield. Even choir or kids choir music would be great. At this time, God has not sent any musicians to our church so we are happy to use CDs!
Our address here is P.O. Box 45159, Gaborone, Botswana.....the missions office is P.O. Box 191 Springfield, MO 65801
We still have two more weeks before school starts back. On May 7th, we plan to start with a spiritual emphasis, please join us in praying for that.
We plan to have some special guest speakers come and we ask that you pray for them as well.We are thankful for your prayers, for ourselves and the people we love here in Botswana.
Reaching the Unreached,Steve, Pam, Amanda, Derek and Devin
Monday, April 7, 2008
School's Out! School's Out!
Dear Loved Ones,
We are finished with our first term at school! HOORAH! God helped us through each day and we are so thankful for the opportunities we had daily to proclaim His name.
Today Steve and I are headed for Johannesburg and off for a few days rest. We have been going non-stop for quite a while and need to refresh our minds and spirits. Pray for our safety and that God will renew us while we are gone.
Our service today was great. We are having more men come than we have ever had before. We thank God for this.
For those of you who have been watching the headlines, you know that Zimbabwe continues to be a big mess. Please pray for the wonderful people of this troubled country to our east.
Pray that peace would reign and that the dictatorship of Robert Mugabe would come to an end.
Next Sunday afternoon, we will begin with the camp for the children with HIV/AIDS. Please be praying with us regarding this.
God bless you all, we thank you for the prayers, Steve, Pam, Amanda, Derek and Devin
Monday, March 31, 2008
New President and Family Fun
Dear Loved Ones,
A most interesting thing happens in Botswana this week. President Festus Mogae the third president of Botswana steps down and his vice-president, Ian Seretse Khama will become President on Tuesday and that is no April Fool’s joke! So far, each transition in Botswana has been peaceful and we praise the Lord for the opportunity to live in a stable African country.
We cannot say the same about our neighbors.Zimbabwe held its elections yesterday. The opposition are suggesting a Kenyan like answer if the vote is tampered with. Of course, no one who has watched the politics of Zimbabwe in recent years, believes the vote will be free and fair. Pray for Zimbabwe in the coming days. Its people are really hurting and fleeing the country in order to put food on their tables.
Pray with us for Ian Khama. He is the son of the first President of Botswana and has a wonderful heritage of patriotism for this wonderful country. Pray that he will turn to the LORD GOD for wisdom.
This weekend we held a Family Fun Day for the school and it was well attended. We are so thankful that we have the opportunity to work with Hindu and Sikh families and that the children are learning about the true and living God. Since Kenya, Steve and I have had a special place in our hearts for people of India and we are every so thankful that he has enabled us to keep a ministry with them. Schools here are on a different schedule from American schools. The school year starts in January, they go three months and have a month off. SO, we are looking forward to April.
Church attendance was not what is was on Easter, but we had a wonderful service with a guest speaker who spoke on true worship and that true worship carries on into our work week and our entire lives. We are so thankful for God’s work here. Please keep praying for souls. Pray also for our strength and creativity to do ministry in an effective way in this ever changing culture.
Reaching the Unreached,Steve, Pam, Amanda, Derek and Devin
A most interesting thing happens in Botswana this week. President Festus Mogae the third president of Botswana steps down and his vice-president, Ian Seretse Khama will become President on Tuesday and that is no April Fool’s joke! So far, each transition in Botswana has been peaceful and we praise the Lord for the opportunity to live in a stable African country.
We cannot say the same about our neighbors.Zimbabwe held its elections yesterday. The opposition are suggesting a Kenyan like answer if the vote is tampered with. Of course, no one who has watched the politics of Zimbabwe in recent years, believes the vote will be free and fair. Pray for Zimbabwe in the coming days. Its people are really hurting and fleeing the country in order to put food on their tables.
Pray with us for Ian Khama. He is the son of the first President of Botswana and has a wonderful heritage of patriotism for this wonderful country. Pray that he will turn to the LORD GOD for wisdom.
This weekend we held a Family Fun Day for the school and it was well attended. We are so thankful that we have the opportunity to work with Hindu and Sikh families and that the children are learning about the true and living God. Since Kenya, Steve and I have had a special place in our hearts for people of India and we are every so thankful that he has enabled us to keep a ministry with them. Schools here are on a different schedule from American schools. The school year starts in January, they go three months and have a month off. SO, we are looking forward to April.
Church attendance was not what is was on Easter, but we had a wonderful service with a guest speaker who spoke on true worship and that true worship carries on into our work week and our entire lives. We are so thankful for God’s work here. Please keep praying for souls. Pray also for our strength and creativity to do ministry in an effective way in this ever changing culture.
Reaching the Unreached,Steve, Pam, Amanda, Derek and Devin
Monday, March 24, 2008
HE IS RISEN!
HE IS RISEN!
We are so excited this evening! We started the morning with a great celebratory time of worship in song and watched as the Lord brought 103 people into the service!! We were so thrilled. Steve got so excited, he almost forgot to dismiss the children for Sunday School!
Last Friday, Steve got a call from an editor of one of the national newspapers here. They requested that he write an article on what Easter means to the church. On Thursday, we were shocked to see a full page article – nothing else on the page – not even an advertisement. What a wonderful opportunity the Lord gave us! One man brought his family to church today as a direct result of that.
More good news came on Friday this week. We had a wonderful service and followed it with a church fellowship. Spencer and Marilyn announced their engagement and Marilyn told us that Spencer accepted Christ a couple of weeks ago at the end of the service! Thanks for praying for him. It is so great to see them come every single Sunday.
Needless to say, we are tired tonight and Steve seems to be coming down with a cold. We appreciate your prayers. We have so many things to be thankful for and are greatful to serve a RISEN SAVIOUR.
Reaching the Unreached,Steve, Pam, Amanda, Derek and Devin
We are so excited this evening! We started the morning with a great celebratory time of worship in song and watched as the Lord brought 103 people into the service!! We were so thrilled. Steve got so excited, he almost forgot to dismiss the children for Sunday School!
Last Friday, Steve got a call from an editor of one of the national newspapers here. They requested that he write an article on what Easter means to the church. On Thursday, we were shocked to see a full page article – nothing else on the page – not even an advertisement. What a wonderful opportunity the Lord gave us! One man brought his family to church today as a direct result of that.
More good news came on Friday this week. We had a wonderful service and followed it with a church fellowship. Spencer and Marilyn announced their engagement and Marilyn told us that Spencer accepted Christ a couple of weeks ago at the end of the service! Thanks for praying for him. It is so great to see them come every single Sunday.
Needless to say, we are tired tonight and Steve seems to be coming down with a cold. We appreciate your prayers. We have so many things to be thankful for and are greatful to serve a RISEN SAVIOUR.
Reaching the Unreached,Steve, Pam, Amanda, Derek and Devin
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
March 9, 2008
Dear Loved Ones,
Thank you for praying for us this past week, it was a hard one. Steve was able to get the hall finished where we meet for church, we even have a platform....we’ve never had one of those here. We are praying for 100 by Easter. Today I think we were somewhere between 75-80.
We had a nice group of youth today for our lunch and Bible study. We talked about “if you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto me.” It was interesting to hear that sometimes when they try to help someone, the person the are trying to help gets offended because they don’t want people to know they need help! In our prayer time, we had some good requests, pray for these young people. We usually have between 12 and 20 and they are all in varying stages of Christian growth - some are still unsaved. Pray for us as we teach them, that we will communicate effectively.
This week, Steve and Devin were invited by a young man to go on a fishing trip – Easter weekend. I said to him, “ well, you know, Easter is pretty big at church.” His reply? “oh, REALLY?” It has burdened my heart all week. Easter here is typically a vacation time and his response is not unusual. Pray for us as we work to motivate believers and unbelievers to be in church as we celebrate the greatest event in history.
Please also continue to pray for our chapels at school. We desire the Spirit of the Living God to move in hearts at our school. Probably 90% of our students are not yet saved. Many hearts are hardened, we pray for fertile soil for the Word to be sown in.
We continue to be overwhelmed at what God is doing. We want to be found faithful, abiding in Him in every circumstance. We treasure your prayers.
Reaching the Unreached,
Steve, Pam, Amanda, Derek and Devin
Thank you for praying for us this past week, it was a hard one. Steve was able to get the hall finished where we meet for church, we even have a platform....we’ve never had one of those here. We are praying for 100 by Easter. Today I think we were somewhere between 75-80.
We had a nice group of youth today for our lunch and Bible study. We talked about “if you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto me.” It was interesting to hear that sometimes when they try to help someone, the person the are trying to help gets offended because they don’t want people to know they need help! In our prayer time, we had some good requests, pray for these young people. We usually have between 12 and 20 and they are all in varying stages of Christian growth - some are still unsaved. Pray for us as we teach them, that we will communicate effectively.
This week, Steve and Devin were invited by a young man to go on a fishing trip – Easter weekend. I said to him, “ well, you know, Easter is pretty big at church.” His reply? “oh, REALLY?” It has burdened my heart all week. Easter here is typically a vacation time and his response is not unusual. Pray for us as we work to motivate believers and unbelievers to be in church as we celebrate the greatest event in history.
Please also continue to pray for our chapels at school. We desire the Spirit of the Living God to move in hearts at our school. Probably 90% of our students are not yet saved. Many hearts are hardened, we pray for fertile soil for the Word to be sown in.
We continue to be overwhelmed at what God is doing. We want to be found faithful, abiding in Him in every circumstance. We treasure your prayers.
Reaching the Unreached,
Steve, Pam, Amanda, Derek and Devin
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
March 3, 2008
Dear Loved Ones,
We thank the Lord for another week in His service. I was reminded this week of how the Lord has blessed me in ways that I don’t often think of. A lady came to my office to apply for a teaching position. Her husband had died of a heart attack a couple of years ago. I was again thankful for the 5 years Steve has had since having his heart attack. Then a friend’s husband died this week while driving to Lobatse. When we arrived here, we drove to Lobatse every week day. The traffic is crazy and dangerous. We are just thankful again for the many miles we have traveled safely.
This week our focus was on getting the church hall painted and carpeted. Work was still being done late yesterday afternoon, but this morning, it was beautiful in there. Everyone was excited to see the changes. We were excited because we had five visitors before church started this morning! Two were teenage Batswana girls! It’s the first time any of our Batswana youth have brought their friends to church. We can’t wait to have them at youth meeting next week. Also a family has moved here from Uganda and they have two sons, so we are building the youth guys again.
Our attendance remains right at 70 – so at our prayer meeting we are praying for 100. Spencer continues to attend and today Helen Mey’s husband attended for the first time. She was saved a few weeks ago. They are white Africans and are really struggling in the new Africa to find good jobs.
Kwame and Thabo have not been there for a few weeks. They are a young couple, contemplating marriage that were recently saved. When we talked with Thabo this week, they have apparently had a breakup. They really need to be in church. Pray that they will both be back in church soon. We have been unable to reach Kwame for the past three weeks, so pray we can reach him and connect again.
Please continue to pray for our strength, our communication skills, and for wisdom for every part of our ministry. Pray that we will keep our priorities straight and always choose God’s way for our lives and ministry. We thank you for praying, we know many of you pray daily for us and we treasure that gift.
Reaching the Unreached,
Steve, Pam, Amanda, Derek and Devin
We thank the Lord for another week in His service. I was reminded this week of how the Lord has blessed me in ways that I don’t often think of. A lady came to my office to apply for a teaching position. Her husband had died of a heart attack a couple of years ago. I was again thankful for the 5 years Steve has had since having his heart attack. Then a friend’s husband died this week while driving to Lobatse. When we arrived here, we drove to Lobatse every week day. The traffic is crazy and dangerous. We are just thankful again for the many miles we have traveled safely.
This week our focus was on getting the church hall painted and carpeted. Work was still being done late yesterday afternoon, but this morning, it was beautiful in there. Everyone was excited to see the changes. We were excited because we had five visitors before church started this morning! Two were teenage Batswana girls! It’s the first time any of our Batswana youth have brought their friends to church. We can’t wait to have them at youth meeting next week. Also a family has moved here from Uganda and they have two sons, so we are building the youth guys again.
Our attendance remains right at 70 – so at our prayer meeting we are praying for 100. Spencer continues to attend and today Helen Mey’s husband attended for the first time. She was saved a few weeks ago. They are white Africans and are really struggling in the new Africa to find good jobs.
Kwame and Thabo have not been there for a few weeks. They are a young couple, contemplating marriage that were recently saved. When we talked with Thabo this week, they have apparently had a breakup. They really need to be in church. Pray that they will both be back in church soon. We have been unable to reach Kwame for the past three weeks, so pray we can reach him and connect again.
Please continue to pray for our strength, our communication skills, and for wisdom for every part of our ministry. Pray that we will keep our priorities straight and always choose God’s way for our lives and ministry. We thank you for praying, we know many of you pray daily for us and we treasure that gift.
Reaching the Unreached,
Steve, Pam, Amanda, Derek and Devin
Monday, February 25, 2008
February 25, 2008
Dear Loved Ones,
It is hard to believe we are into the last week of February.
Thank you for praying for Devin this week. The medication seemed to not bother his system and he has seemed to have a little more energy this week. He has another day on the meds and then we see the doctor next month again. We thank the Lord for what he did this week.
Several of you have said you are praying for Spencer. He was in church again today and came on his own. We continue to pray for his salvation. Joyce, the lady who was saved two weeks ago stood to give thanks to the Lord today for what He is doing in her life. It’s great to see things like that happening.
There are so many things to thank the Lord for we cannot name them all, but we praise Him. We thank Him for people who care enough to pray for us daily and others as God lays us on your heart.
Every once in awhile we have someone come in from Zimbabwe. So many are looking for jobs and are really destitute. Pray that God will intervene in Zimbabwe and its people can have jobs and food and health care again.
We have three students that are headed for the University of Botswana later in the year. It’s a great opportunity because the government pays for their education, but UB is literally a deadly place for many of Botswana’s youth. Pray with us for our youth that will be freshmen this year, that they will set their heart of God’s ways and His plans and they will be a shining light in a very dark place.
We do not know what this week holds for us, but our God does. We are working on refurbishing the hall where the church is meeting. We hope to have it ready for next Sunday, Lord willing. Pray for our physical strength as well as for creativity and passion in our ministry.
We appreciate your continued prayers for each member of our family. God knows each of our needs and we trust Him to work out His plan for our lives.
Reaching the Unreached,
Steve, Pam, Amanda, Derek and Devin
It is hard to believe we are into the last week of February.
Thank you for praying for Devin this week. The medication seemed to not bother his system and he has seemed to have a little more energy this week. He has another day on the meds and then we see the doctor next month again. We thank the Lord for what he did this week.
Several of you have said you are praying for Spencer. He was in church again today and came on his own. We continue to pray for his salvation. Joyce, the lady who was saved two weeks ago stood to give thanks to the Lord today for what He is doing in her life. It’s great to see things like that happening.
There are so many things to thank the Lord for we cannot name them all, but we praise Him. We thank Him for people who care enough to pray for us daily and others as God lays us on your heart.
Every once in awhile we have someone come in from Zimbabwe. So many are looking for jobs and are really destitute. Pray that God will intervene in Zimbabwe and its people can have jobs and food and health care again.
We have three students that are headed for the University of Botswana later in the year. It’s a great opportunity because the government pays for their education, but UB is literally a deadly place for many of Botswana’s youth. Pray with us for our youth that will be freshmen this year, that they will set their heart of God’s ways and His plans and they will be a shining light in a very dark place.
We do not know what this week holds for us, but our God does. We are working on refurbishing the hall where the church is meeting. We hope to have it ready for next Sunday, Lord willing. Pray for our physical strength as well as for creativity and passion in our ministry.
We appreciate your continued prayers for each member of our family. God knows each of our needs and we trust Him to work out His plan for our lives.
Reaching the Unreached,
Steve, Pam, Amanda, Derek and Devin
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
The Results are in
Dear Loved Ones,
Not many people rejoice over a positive blood test but today we did. We heard from the doctor in Johannesburg where the microbiologist was successful in finding something in Devin’s bloodwork that has defied all other tests. In fact, they found 3 types of bacterial infections.
Q-fever, mycroplasma and rickettsia. There is no indication of how long these have been at work in Devin, but we know that he has been sick off and on for at least three years. There is a treatment prescribed that has been successful in other patients.
Devin will begin tomorrow on a course of two antibiotics along with three other medications. These should work on the bacteria and make him feel pretty miserable. We will see the doctor again in a month and he will tell us what to do from there. From what we are reading, treatment can be anywhere from three months to two years, with most people being treated for eight months. Pray with us that Devin’s body will respond to this treatment. We would, of course, like to see the minimal timing on this, but we will trust the Lord for His direction.
Thank you for praying with us. We had a good week and Sunday 90 people were present to hear a message on God’s love. Please continue to pray with us that Spencer will be saved. He is drawn to the message of Christ and has already brought a friend to church with him.
Reaching the Unreached,
Steve, Pam, Amanda, Derek and Devin
Not many people rejoice over a positive blood test but today we did. We heard from the doctor in Johannesburg where the microbiologist was successful in finding something in Devin’s bloodwork that has defied all other tests. In fact, they found 3 types of bacterial infections.
Q-fever, mycroplasma and rickettsia. There is no indication of how long these have been at work in Devin, but we know that he has been sick off and on for at least three years. There is a treatment prescribed that has been successful in other patients.
Devin will begin tomorrow on a course of two antibiotics along with three other medications. These should work on the bacteria and make him feel pretty miserable. We will see the doctor again in a month and he will tell us what to do from there. From what we are reading, treatment can be anywhere from three months to two years, with most people being treated for eight months. Pray with us that Devin’s body will respond to this treatment. We would, of course, like to see the minimal timing on this, but we will trust the Lord for His direction.
Thank you for praying with us. We had a good week and Sunday 90 people were present to hear a message on God’s love. Please continue to pray with us that Spencer will be saved. He is drawn to the message of Christ and has already brought a friend to church with him.
Reaching the Unreached,
Steve, Pam, Amanda, Derek and Devin
Thursday, February 14, 2008
February 14, 2008
Dear Loved Ones,
I just returned from Johannesburg where we met with a specialist doctor who is doing some blood work for Devin. We will not know the results for a week. The doctor’s specialty is chronic fatigue. He is determining if Devin has some sort of bacterial infection which is causing his immune system to be depleted. Devin says he expects them just to say “we can’t find anything” like they have so many other times, but he is also a little nervous that they might find something! The doctor said those are normal feelings for someone who has been chronically ill.
Steve was unable to travel with us this time. Little did we know that God had other work for him on Monday. One of our school parents had begun attending our services immediately after we moved to the new property. They had been unchurched up until that time. Monday, she came to speak with Steve concerning a problem – potentially very serious- that she is having. In the course of their conversation, Steve led her to the LORD! We are just overjoyed at the fruit God is bringing.
Another item of praise is a long time prayer answered. Some of you have also been praying that God would raise up servants to serve in our church. Sunday after service, a lady who helps to write the budget in Botswana, came to me saying that now the budget has been presented, she is free and ready to serve and could she help in SUNDAY SCHOOL!!!! Oh, I was rejoicing all the way to Johannesburg that day. This is the first time I’ve had an adult volunteer to help in the Sunday School.
It is so wonderful to partner with you in prayer for souls in Botswana. God is a prayer answering God and He is at work here. It is a privilege to join with Him. Please continue to pray for us to have strength, creativity and the heart of God as we work here. Thank you for continuing to pray for our adult children.
Reaching the Unreached,
Steve, Pam, Amanda, Derek and Devin
I just returned from Johannesburg where we met with a specialist doctor who is doing some blood work for Devin. We will not know the results for a week. The doctor’s specialty is chronic fatigue. He is determining if Devin has some sort of bacterial infection which is causing his immune system to be depleted. Devin says he expects them just to say “we can’t find anything” like they have so many other times, but he is also a little nervous that they might find something! The doctor said those are normal feelings for someone who has been chronically ill.
Steve was unable to travel with us this time. Little did we know that God had other work for him on Monday. One of our school parents had begun attending our services immediately after we moved to the new property. They had been unchurched up until that time. Monday, she came to speak with Steve concerning a problem – potentially very serious- that she is having. In the course of their conversation, Steve led her to the LORD! We are just overjoyed at the fruit God is bringing.
Another item of praise is a long time prayer answered. Some of you have also been praying that God would raise up servants to serve in our church. Sunday after service, a lady who helps to write the budget in Botswana, came to me saying that now the budget has been presented, she is free and ready to serve and could she help in SUNDAY SCHOOL!!!! Oh, I was rejoicing all the way to Johannesburg that day. This is the first time I’ve had an adult volunteer to help in the Sunday School.
It is so wonderful to partner with you in prayer for souls in Botswana. God is a prayer answering God and He is at work here. It is a privilege to join with Him. Please continue to pray for us to have strength, creativity and the heart of God as we work here. Thank you for continuing to pray for our adult children.
Reaching the Unreached,
Steve, Pam, Amanda, Derek and Devin
Monday, February 4, 2008
February 3, 2008
Dear Loved Ones,
Today we had to do the “slide over some” routine so everyone could find a seat! We had 80 chairs out and we think we had 75 today. Wonderful! One lady called this morning from the school where we used to meet to find us. When she arrived we discovered she was someone who had first visited with the TIME team was here a few years ago. She had been working in another city and now that she is back, she wanted to get back to church!
Best of all, Mookeetsi who has been here from Northern Botswana visiting his cousin, was saved during our youth meeting today. Our lesson was about God’s one rule. Love Christ and obey him in every area of your life. After the lesson, each person was saying how things were going in their life. When it came Mookeetsi’s turn to speak, he said, I really want to follow Christ. I was excited but wondering to myself exactly how to handle it because we always like for Steve to deal with the men, young men and boys. Almost as soon as that thought went through my mind, Steve walked in the room. He grabbed a Bible and led Mookeetsi to the Lord. It was so exciting for all of our youth to see that happen.
Our friend, Larry Davis left this past Thursday with a heart full of Africa. We were so thankful he was able to come and join in what God is doing here in Botswana. He led our chapel service on Wednesday and did a wonderful job.
Please continue to pray for all our loved ones in Kenya. We heard again from Isaka this week. Thankfully, where he is things are not as bad as in the town where we used to minister. We heard on the news yesterday of another church burned down in that area.
This past Friday, we were back at the Botswana Baylor Clinic for children living with HIV/AIDS When we visited there earlier in the week, they invited us again to be a part of their camp in April. Pray with me as I prepare for this opportunity. It’s just amazing to us how God placed us in that place and gives us the opportunity to witness as we are there.
We are so blessed to have such wonderful financial and prayer support, we thank you always for your faithfulness to us. We are thankful for your prayers for our family, Amanda, Derek and Devin, as well as for our ministry to reach the lost in Botswana. Someone asked us why we include the names of our grown children in our letters. They still remain a part of our ministry. The boys are with us and they often help us in the day to day things, and Amanda is on that side, helping with supplies, etc., but mostly mobilizing prayer for us. They are a vital help to us, each in their own way.
Reaching the Unreached,
Steve, Pam, Amanda, Derek and Devin
Today we had to do the “slide over some” routine so everyone could find a seat! We had 80 chairs out and we think we had 75 today. Wonderful! One lady called this morning from the school where we used to meet to find us. When she arrived we discovered she was someone who had first visited with the TIME team was here a few years ago. She had been working in another city and now that she is back, she wanted to get back to church!
Best of all, Mookeetsi who has been here from Northern Botswana visiting his cousin, was saved during our youth meeting today. Our lesson was about God’s one rule. Love Christ and obey him in every area of your life. After the lesson, each person was saying how things were going in their life. When it came Mookeetsi’s turn to speak, he said, I really want to follow Christ. I was excited but wondering to myself exactly how to handle it because we always like for Steve to deal with the men, young men and boys. Almost as soon as that thought went through my mind, Steve walked in the room. He grabbed a Bible and led Mookeetsi to the Lord. It was so exciting for all of our youth to see that happen.
Our friend, Larry Davis left this past Thursday with a heart full of Africa. We were so thankful he was able to come and join in what God is doing here in Botswana. He led our chapel service on Wednesday and did a wonderful job.
Please continue to pray for all our loved ones in Kenya. We heard again from Isaka this week. Thankfully, where he is things are not as bad as in the town where we used to minister. We heard on the news yesterday of another church burned down in that area.
This past Friday, we were back at the Botswana Baylor Clinic for children living with HIV/AIDS When we visited there earlier in the week, they invited us again to be a part of their camp in April. Pray with me as I prepare for this opportunity. It’s just amazing to us how God placed us in that place and gives us the opportunity to witness as we are there.
We are so blessed to have such wonderful financial and prayer support, we thank you always for your faithfulness to us. We are thankful for your prayers for our family, Amanda, Derek and Devin, as well as for our ministry to reach the lost in Botswana. Someone asked us why we include the names of our grown children in our letters. They still remain a part of our ministry. The boys are with us and they often help us in the day to day things, and Amanda is on that side, helping with supplies, etc., but mostly mobilizing prayer for us. They are a vital help to us, each in their own way.
Reaching the Unreached,
Steve, Pam, Amanda, Derek and Devin
Monday, January 28, 2008
January 27, 2008
Dear Loved Ones,
We have always been busy in our missionary life, but seems like at least we had time every week to take a breath. Those times are rare right now. School is in full swing and our church is growing – it is amazing to see what God is doing every day.
This week I (Pam) started teaching our high school students a class in doctrine. I was amazed that they did not know how many books are in the Bible and could not say the books of the Bible. I pray that when they are finished with this class, they will know much more than that. There are four Hindu youth in that class, one Sikh boy, and about five Chinese students, plus all the Africans. Please pray that all who are not yet saved in this class will be drawn to the Saviour and the TRUTH of God’s word.
Steve has been busy with school finances, and preparing materials for the church building’s refurbishment. But on Thursday evening, he had the joy of leading two souls to Christ. Thursday morning, he left his Bible at home and while he was out felt the Lord saying, go back to the house and get your Bible, something is going to happen today. He obeyed but most of the day was just day-to day stuff until he got a call from Kwame saying he and his girlfriend would like to meet with him. They came in and as they talked, their need for a Saviour was so pressing, they did not wait any longer to call on the name of the Lord. After they were saved, they told Steve, they had really come to talk about their struggles with alcohol and how could they get help, “but”, Kwame said, “Now we are SAVED!” This morning, it was a real joy during our prayer time for Kwame to raise his hand and announce to the whole church that they have given their lives to the Lord. It is VERY unusual for a man to do something like that in Africa. Tears of thankfulness just rolled down our faces. Pray for them as the Lord changes their desires that He would strengthen them and use us and our church people to encourage them. Kwame was one of the men mentioned in our update last week.
This morning Steve’s message was on Salvation. He used several people as “props” during his illustration, and apparently the message was crystal clear. One lady who has been coming for about three months now was saved! It has been such a pleasure to watch as Christ has gently drawn her to himself. Now we want to pray for her husband Craig. Also pray for them. They are white Africans and work here is very hard to find for that particular people group. They need God to provide a good steady job for Craig.
Three souls in four days! How we are rejoicing in the Lord! Plus, we have had a friend from the States out for a visit. It’s so nice to have someone to talk to that cares and with whom we can share the burden the Lord has given us for Botswana. He will be here til Thursday, so please pray for continued safety and that God will bless and use him while he is here. He is a lay person who specializes in children’s ministry. We look forward to chapel this week as he speaks.
We are so thankful for your prayers. We say that often, but it is so true. ONLY GOD can do what is happening in Botswana right now.
Reaching the Unreached,
Steve, Pam, Derek and Devin
We have always been busy in our missionary life, but seems like at least we had time every week to take a breath. Those times are rare right now. School is in full swing and our church is growing – it is amazing to see what God is doing every day.
This week I (Pam) started teaching our high school students a class in doctrine. I was amazed that they did not know how many books are in the Bible and could not say the books of the Bible. I pray that when they are finished with this class, they will know much more than that. There are four Hindu youth in that class, one Sikh boy, and about five Chinese students, plus all the Africans. Please pray that all who are not yet saved in this class will be drawn to the Saviour and the TRUTH of God’s word.
Steve has been busy with school finances, and preparing materials for the church building’s refurbishment. But on Thursday evening, he had the joy of leading two souls to Christ. Thursday morning, he left his Bible at home and while he was out felt the Lord saying, go back to the house and get your Bible, something is going to happen today. He obeyed but most of the day was just day-to day stuff until he got a call from Kwame saying he and his girlfriend would like to meet with him. They came in and as they talked, their need for a Saviour was so pressing, they did not wait any longer to call on the name of the Lord. After they were saved, they told Steve, they had really come to talk about their struggles with alcohol and how could they get help, “but”, Kwame said, “Now we are SAVED!” This morning, it was a real joy during our prayer time for Kwame to raise his hand and announce to the whole church that they have given their lives to the Lord. It is VERY unusual for a man to do something like that in Africa. Tears of thankfulness just rolled down our faces. Pray for them as the Lord changes their desires that He would strengthen them and use us and our church people to encourage them. Kwame was one of the men mentioned in our update last week.
This morning Steve’s message was on Salvation. He used several people as “props” during his illustration, and apparently the message was crystal clear. One lady who has been coming for about three months now was saved! It has been such a pleasure to watch as Christ has gently drawn her to himself. Now we want to pray for her husband Craig. Also pray for them. They are white Africans and work here is very hard to find for that particular people group. They need God to provide a good steady job for Craig.
Three souls in four days! How we are rejoicing in the Lord! Plus, we have had a friend from the States out for a visit. It’s so nice to have someone to talk to that cares and with whom we can share the burden the Lord has given us for Botswana. He will be here til Thursday, so please pray for continued safety and that God will bless and use him while he is here. He is a lay person who specializes in children’s ministry. We look forward to chapel this week as he speaks.
We are so thankful for your prayers. We say that often, but it is so true. ONLY GOD can do what is happening in Botswana right now.
Reaching the Unreached,
Steve, Pam, Derek and Devin
Thursday, January 24, 2008
The first harvest
Today as Steve left for the school, the Lord prompted him to go back home and get his Bible that he had left behind. The Lord seemed to say, “I’ve got something for you today.”
The day was full of just stuff. Samaritan’s Purse began to offload their containers at the school today and the truck (semi) got stuck in the mud....just normal stuff. Then he got a call from Kwame and Thabo, the Batswana couple we wrote about Sunday. They wanted to see him.
They came about 5:30 and before they left they were both SAVED! They are 27,28 years old and their big struggle, what led them to church was that they like so many young Batswana are basically alcoholics. They said, well, we came to ask you how we can stop drinking, but now we are SAVED! Pretty great. Steve said, “I guess that’s why God wanted me to take my Bible!” First two for God’s harvest on the new property.
It is unbelievable what God is doing. We found out today that our books are still 30 days out but there are enough to copy or use until the big supply gets here. We have done some dumb things, like I ordered 0 teacher’s books. But, God is blessing, every day there is a new student. I teach all of our secondary students Bible Doctrine. They do not even know the books of the Bible. Today I asked if anyone knew any promises of God and one girl said that he promised to make us heads and not tails........(prosperity stuff I believe) I told her she would have to show that one to me... But anyway... Just wanted you to know we are thankful for His work and acknowledge that without Him we can do nothing.
It’s a lot of work, but remember we prayed that God would establish us here soon. - He is answering and we are just walking by faith.
Love you,
Pam
The day was full of just stuff. Samaritan’s Purse began to offload their containers at the school today and the truck (semi) got stuck in the mud....just normal stuff. Then he got a call from Kwame and Thabo, the Batswana couple we wrote about Sunday. They wanted to see him.
They came about 5:30 and before they left they were both SAVED! They are 27,28 years old and their big struggle, what led them to church was that they like so many young Batswana are basically alcoholics. They said, well, we came to ask you how we can stop drinking, but now we are SAVED! Pretty great. Steve said, “I guess that’s why God wanted me to take my Bible!” First two for God’s harvest on the new property.
It is unbelievable what God is doing. We found out today that our books are still 30 days out but there are enough to copy or use until the big supply gets here. We have done some dumb things, like I ordered 0 teacher’s books. But, God is blessing, every day there is a new student. I teach all of our secondary students Bible Doctrine. They do not even know the books of the Bible. Today I asked if anyone knew any promises of God and one girl said that he promised to make us heads and not tails........(prosperity stuff I believe) I told her she would have to show that one to me... But anyway... Just wanted you to know we are thankful for His work and acknowledge that without Him we can do nothing.
It’s a lot of work, but remember we prayed that God would establish us here soon. - He is answering and we are just walking by faith.
Love you,
Pam
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
The Flu, School, and Church!
Dear Loved Ones:
What a week! Steve woke up Monday, the first day of the new school year here with a terrible flu that kept him down and out until Thursday. Thankfully, he is much better and the Lord blessed today’s message mightily in people’s life. When I asked one of our youth, how the message was, she said “ummmmm” I said, “was it not good?” She said, no I was trying to think of a word much better than GOOD!” We have also heard from others that God really moved in their hearts during the service.
As usual, God has gone before us in our work with the school. People just keep on coming to enroll their children. Friday’s count, we were at 297 students. We had our first chapel on Wednesday. We need you to pray on Tuesday evenings before bed for our chapel service. We really desire to see souls saved and lives changed for HIS glory during this year. We know how important prayer is and we are thankful we can call on you to pray.
Today, people began to come back to church after being away for Christmas. Those of you who have been praying for men, God is answering that prayer. Eric who had attended our church but had a financial reversal and lost his transport, lives closer here and he has been in church again for the last two Sundays. He is SO happy to be back at our church. Another couple has begun attending, they are Batswana and seem excited to have found a church like Desert Streams. Spencer has also visited the last two Sundays. We are excited about these three men joining into fellowship with us.
Please continue to pray that God will burden our people to serve Him and sacrifice their time and efforts to do so. Every Sunday our attendance grows a little more. We have not yet even put up a sign because the building needs refurbishing before we have a “Grand Sunday”, yet God is bringing visitors each week, and they are staying!
So many things to praise Him for. We thank Him for allowing us to serve Him. Thank Him for the strength each day brings. We are thankful for the skills Derek has been bringing to the set up of the school. Plus he can cook and often has a nice dinner prepared for us when we come home late. We are thankful for his loving care of us. Devin is doing okay, he is still tired a lot and we hope to get into a doctor that can really help him. We are so glad he is here with us. Thank you for praying for our children. Amanda is also doing well in Dallas. We praise the Lord for His watchcare over her.
Reaching the Unreached,
Steve, Pam, Derek and Devin
What a week! Steve woke up Monday, the first day of the new school year here with a terrible flu that kept him down and out until Thursday. Thankfully, he is much better and the Lord blessed today’s message mightily in people’s life. When I asked one of our youth, how the message was, she said “ummmmm” I said, “was it not good?” She said, no I was trying to think of a word much better than GOOD!” We have also heard from others that God really moved in their hearts during the service.
As usual, God has gone before us in our work with the school. People just keep on coming to enroll their children. Friday’s count, we were at 297 students. We had our first chapel on Wednesday. We need you to pray on Tuesday evenings before bed for our chapel service. We really desire to see souls saved and lives changed for HIS glory during this year. We know how important prayer is and we are thankful we can call on you to pray.
Today, people began to come back to church after being away for Christmas. Those of you who have been praying for men, God is answering that prayer. Eric who had attended our church but had a financial reversal and lost his transport, lives closer here and he has been in church again for the last two Sundays. He is SO happy to be back at our church. Another couple has begun attending, they are Batswana and seem excited to have found a church like Desert Streams. Spencer has also visited the last two Sundays. We are excited about these three men joining into fellowship with us.
Please continue to pray that God will burden our people to serve Him and sacrifice their time and efforts to do so. Every Sunday our attendance grows a little more. We have not yet even put up a sign because the building needs refurbishing before we have a “Grand Sunday”, yet God is bringing visitors each week, and they are staying!
So many things to praise Him for. We thank Him for allowing us to serve Him. Thank Him for the strength each day brings. We are thankful for the skills Derek has been bringing to the set up of the school. Plus he can cook and often has a nice dinner prepared for us when we come home late. We are thankful for his loving care of us. Devin is doing okay, he is still tired a lot and we hope to get into a doctor that can really help him. We are so glad he is here with us. Thank you for praying for our children. Amanda is also doing well in Dallas. We praise the Lord for His watchcare over her.
Reaching the Unreached,
Steve, Pam, Derek and Devin
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
News from Kenya
Dear loved ones,
You are aware that the first years of our overseas ministry was spent in Kenya. We have written about our pastor Isaka Wachiye and his faithfulness for 20+ years. The recent news from Kenya has touched our hearts because a lot of the violence was in our own town of Eldoret where we lived for the time we ministered there. We have heard tragic stories from many friends, but also have heard of God’s protection. We wondered how it was for Isaka. This week, we received the following letter from him. We he mentions the food stores – he could possibly mean groceries stores and/or stores of grain kept by their huts. Should God move your heart for this need, we will forward the monies to him as soon as we receive them.
*Note: Isaka is our pastor of over 20 years, of the church in Kabuchi, Kenya (near the border of Kenya and Uganda). This was my parent's first work and sweet Isaka who started as our gardner began to pastor this work about 2 years or so after it started. He and his family have served faithfully since then. As you can see from the letter below he is a man of great faith and wisdom. His letter here refers to the damage of the recent political clashes in Kenya.
Dear Br Workmans,
> Receive our greetings in the mighty name of our Lord
> Jesus Christ.We hope that you are fine and doing well
> in his service.
> Thanks be to God for enabling you and the church to
> reach the new year 2008.
> For us we've seen a new year but through struggle, and
> hardship that came following elections that was
> contacted in December. This led to the fighting
> between people of all races, some being killed, others
> injured, housesd being burned, looting people's
> properties, no transportation, no visiting of the
> shops for shopping. Some of our family members were
> butchered while in their house - Father, Mother and
> their children.
> For us the gang came and carried away everything that
> was valuable to them, it is now difficult for us to
> send children to school for life has come back to zero
> and it needs new plans.
> This is just to inform you about it and for you to
> know that we are alive through God's grace. We
> earnestly request for your prayers, for us and our
> country to have peace. Pray that God may provide for
> us our needs.
> Truely life has become hard for us.
> We are writing this in fear without freedom.
> The church is doing well, but some4 members have been
> displaced by the chaos. Others lost a lot of their
> properties, and some are still staying in the police
> station. As the church this is the burden that we are
> carrying for now both spiritually - evangelization and
> material provision to these families, but it is not
> enough. Some of the food stores were burned.
> Pray brother that things may change to normal. For now
> the situation is improving for we can move around and
> some of the offices are opened for service.
> God bless. Amen.
>
> Yours faithfully,
> Pastor Isaac.
You are aware that the first years of our overseas ministry was spent in Kenya. We have written about our pastor Isaka Wachiye and his faithfulness for 20+ years. The recent news from Kenya has touched our hearts because a lot of the violence was in our own town of Eldoret where we lived for the time we ministered there. We have heard tragic stories from many friends, but also have heard of God’s protection. We wondered how it was for Isaka. This week, we received the following letter from him. We he mentions the food stores – he could possibly mean groceries stores and/or stores of grain kept by their huts. Should God move your heart for this need, we will forward the monies to him as soon as we receive them.
*Note: Isaka is our pastor of over 20 years, of the church in Kabuchi, Kenya (near the border of Kenya and Uganda). This was my parent's first work and sweet Isaka who started as our gardner began to pastor this work about 2 years or so after it started. He and his family have served faithfully since then. As you can see from the letter below he is a man of great faith and wisdom. His letter here refers to the damage of the recent political clashes in Kenya.
Dear Br Workmans,
> Receive our greetings in the mighty name of our Lord
> Jesus Christ.We hope that you are fine and doing well
> in his service.
> Thanks be to God for enabling you and the church to
> reach the new year 2008.
> For us we've seen a new year but through struggle, and
> hardship that came following elections that was
> contacted in December. This led to the fighting
> between people of all races, some being killed, others
> injured, housesd being burned, looting people's
> properties, no transportation, no visiting of the
> shops for shopping. Some of our family members were
> butchered while in their house - Father, Mother and
> their children.
> For us the gang came and carried away everything that
> was valuable to them, it is now difficult for us to
> send children to school for life has come back to zero
> and it needs new plans.
> This is just to inform you about it and for you to
> know that we are alive through God's grace. We
> earnestly request for your prayers, for us and our
> country to have peace. Pray that God may provide for
> us our needs.
> Truely life has become hard for us.
> We are writing this in fear without freedom.
> The church is doing well, but some4 members have been
> displaced by the chaos. Others lost a lot of their
> properties, and some are still staying in the police
> station. As the church this is the burden that we are
> carrying for now both spiritually - evangelization and
> material provision to these families, but it is not
> enough. Some of the food stores were burned.
> Pray brother that things may change to normal. For now
> the situation is improving for we can move around and
> some of the offices are opened for service.
> God bless. Amen.
>
> Yours faithfully,
> Pastor Isaac.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Diary of the Desert - January 2008
Dear Loved Ones: First, our apologies. It has been a long time since we have written, and unless you have reading our weekly e-mail updates you may not know what has been happening in our ministry.
Now, an explanation for our apology. Without a doubt, Pam and I can’t think of a busier, more stressful time in our ministry than the past several months. In July we received one of those telephone calls that only God could orchestrate.
As I answered my cell phone the voice on theother end said, “This is John Rawlings.” Dr. Rawlings was looking for another missionary who had been using my phone for a while, but was gone. In the course of our short conversation Dr. John asked me if there were any camp or Bible training facilities in Botswana. When I told him therewere none in our country he told me to look around and let him know if I found any that might be for sale since his foundation, the Rawlings Foundation, worked with missionaries to develop such facilities. When Pam got homelater that afternoon she reminded me of a Christian school in the middle of Gaborone that was for sale. It was a 30 acre property with ten classroom buildings, an athletic field, a swimming pool, and - ready for this?! - a 1500 seat auditorium. It had been started by some missionaries who were ready to retire and wanted to sell the property to a Christian organization who would use it for the glory ofGod in Botswana.
In August Herb Rawlings paid us a visit to take a look at the property first hand and was very impressed by what he saw. They agreed to buy theproperty, giving our church a permanent home, continuethe school ministry and begin holding youth camps and training programs. Thus began a two month process of negotiating and closing the sale between two continents.
The owners asked Pam and I to begin training to take over the school and we agreed. To us that meant we would beon campus, listen to their instructions, ask questions and take notes. But, to the owners this meant that they would give us the keys, introduce us to a few people and throw us into the deep end! Ten days after the agreement to buy, theowners left for a trip back to the US, leaving Pam and I in charge of a K3-high school of 350 students! Our “training” turned into 12-15 hour days trying to figure out what we were doing and trying not to mess things up too bad.
In the middle of all this we received a call from Devin’s doctor in Lynchburg telling us he was not doing well and recommended that I make a trip to check on him. If you remember in our last letter Devin was struggling withhealth problems and they had continued to deteriorate. Thetrip ended with us packing Devin’s belongings away and bringing him back to Botswana to continue his recovery.
On November 19th, Pam’s birthday, the sale was completed. The first Sunday in December our church moved from the school auditorium where we had met for more than three years to the new property - our new home! Our church people could not believe what God had donefor them! The next Sunday we had a celebratory dinner and everyone walked through the property to see what God had given us to use for His glory. We are already growing and gaining new people.
In the last three weeks we have had over twenty visitors. The property is located not far from the center of town in a growing middle class neighborhood. The school is well known in the city and willbe a great evangelistic tool to bring people to Christ. Some might ask if there is any financial gain for us in this, and theanswer is no. But, there will be incredible eternal rewards through the souls that are saved in the years to come!
We are still in a state of unbelief over what God has done. On the other hand, we serve a God who can do more than we could ever ask or imagine. As BBFI missionaries our great desire is to use these facilities to reach people for Christ, build His church and train young people to carry onthe work of the gospel. We want to thank the Dr. Rawlings and his foundation for their vision in purchasing this property for God’s glory. Please pray with us that we will use this wonderful gift from the Lord to its fullest.
And thank you for your patience as we have gone through this time. It has been both thrilling and trying for our family and we need your prayers and God’s strength and wisdom.
May God bless you all and may 2008 be a blessed year for each of you.Reaching the Unreached,The Workman’s. ..Steve, Pam, Amanda, Derek & Devin
Now, an explanation for our apology. Without a doubt, Pam and I can’t think of a busier, more stressful time in our ministry than the past several months. In July we received one of those telephone calls that only God could orchestrate.
As I answered my cell phone the voice on theother end said, “This is John Rawlings.” Dr. Rawlings was looking for another missionary who had been using my phone for a while, but was gone. In the course of our short conversation Dr. John asked me if there were any camp or Bible training facilities in Botswana. When I told him therewere none in our country he told me to look around and let him know if I found any that might be for sale since his foundation, the Rawlings Foundation, worked with missionaries to develop such facilities. When Pam got homelater that afternoon she reminded me of a Christian school in the middle of Gaborone that was for sale. It was a 30 acre property with ten classroom buildings, an athletic field, a swimming pool, and - ready for this?! - a 1500 seat auditorium. It had been started by some missionaries who were ready to retire and wanted to sell the property to a Christian organization who would use it for the glory ofGod in Botswana.
In August Herb Rawlings paid us a visit to take a look at the property first hand and was very impressed by what he saw. They agreed to buy theproperty, giving our church a permanent home, continuethe school ministry and begin holding youth camps and training programs. Thus began a two month process of negotiating and closing the sale between two continents.
The owners asked Pam and I to begin training to take over the school and we agreed. To us that meant we would beon campus, listen to their instructions, ask questions and take notes. But, to the owners this meant that they would give us the keys, introduce us to a few people and throw us into the deep end! Ten days after the agreement to buy, theowners left for a trip back to the US, leaving Pam and I in charge of a K3-high school of 350 students! Our “training” turned into 12-15 hour days trying to figure out what we were doing and trying not to mess things up too bad.
In the middle of all this we received a call from Devin’s doctor in Lynchburg telling us he was not doing well and recommended that I make a trip to check on him. If you remember in our last letter Devin was struggling withhealth problems and they had continued to deteriorate. Thetrip ended with us packing Devin’s belongings away and bringing him back to Botswana to continue his recovery.
On November 19th, Pam’s birthday, the sale was completed. The first Sunday in December our church moved from the school auditorium where we had met for more than three years to the new property - our new home! Our church people could not believe what God had donefor them! The next Sunday we had a celebratory dinner and everyone walked through the property to see what God had given us to use for His glory. We are already growing and gaining new people.
In the last three weeks we have had over twenty visitors. The property is located not far from the center of town in a growing middle class neighborhood. The school is well known in the city and willbe a great evangelistic tool to bring people to Christ. Some might ask if there is any financial gain for us in this, and theanswer is no. But, there will be incredible eternal rewards through the souls that are saved in the years to come!
We are still in a state of unbelief over what God has done. On the other hand, we serve a God who can do more than we could ever ask or imagine. As BBFI missionaries our great desire is to use these facilities to reach people for Christ, build His church and train young people to carry onthe work of the gospel. We want to thank the Dr. Rawlings and his foundation for their vision in purchasing this property for God’s glory. Please pray with us that we will use this wonderful gift from the Lord to its fullest.
And thank you for your patience as we have gone through this time. It has been both thrilling and trying for our family and we need your prayers and God’s strength and wisdom.
May God bless you all and may 2008 be a blessed year for each of you.Reaching the Unreached,The Workman’s. ..Steve, Pam, Amanda, Derek & Devin
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)