Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Life in Congo
Here are a few pictures of our time here in Bunia and Nyankunde so far. As you can see, we're having great times of ministry and great times with friends.
Sue making friends with a lady in a village.
Speaking to theology students and faculty at Shalom University at their annual retreat.
Dr. Dana Witmer seeing a patient in the hospital.
Ted and Dana Witmer in front of their home in Bunia.
Ruth Dix on her ATV with Rich following behind (always laughing!)
Girl talk.
Sue making friends with a lady in a village.
Speaking to theology students and faculty at Shalom University at their annual retreat.
Dr. Dana Witmer seeing a patient in the hospital.
Ted and Dana Witmer in front of their home in Bunia.
Ruth Dix on her ATV with Rich following behind (always laughing!)
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Sunday Evening
We've been in Congo now for three days and are finally able to post. We've been having internet and electrical issues, so we've been a bit out of touch for several days. We arrived in Bunia on Friday afternoon where we were met by Ted Witmer. We've been having a great time with Ted and Dana, seeing their work here at Shalom University and talking endlessly about anything and everything.
Saturday, we were at an all day retreat with the theology students and faculty of the university where Tom gave three lectures on spiritual formation. Nothing like jumping right into a full day of ministry our first day in the country! God was gracious in giving us both strength and stamina for a long day of lecturing, questions, and conversations with these students.
Sunday morning we attended church, came home for lunch and naps and then took a drive out to the countryside with one of the theology students to see his work with AIDS affected people. Huge shout out to Dana Witmer. She really owns the road in her four wheel drive Pajero! (Note to Janna: Yes, Sue hiked through the mud, though she would NOT let me take a picture of it!)
Tomorrow we'll visit the hospital where Dana works, see some more of Bunia, and then have a late afternoon meeting with the faculty at Shalom University talking about the integration of faith and learning in the classroom. Tuesday we leave Bunia for Nyankunde to spend a few days with Dixes.
We'll post more later, with lots more details. For now, thanks for your prayers. God has given grace, strength, and great joy in our service here. We are LOVING our time here!
Saturday, we were at an all day retreat with the theology students and faculty of the university where Tom gave three lectures on spiritual formation. Nothing like jumping right into a full day of ministry our first day in the country! God was gracious in giving us both strength and stamina for a long day of lecturing, questions, and conversations with these students.
Sunday morning we attended church, came home for lunch and naps and then took a drive out to the countryside with one of the theology students to see his work with AIDS affected people. Huge shout out to Dana Witmer. She really owns the road in her four wheel drive Pajero! (Note to Janna: Yes, Sue hiked through the mud, though she would NOT let me take a picture of it!)
Tomorrow we'll visit the hospital where Dana works, see some more of Bunia, and then have a late afternoon meeting with the faculty at Shalom University talking about the integration of faith and learning in the classroom. Tuesday we leave Bunia for Nyankunde to spend a few days with Dixes.
We'll post more later, with lots more details. For now, thanks for your prayers. God has given grace, strength, and great joy in our service here. We are LOVING our time here!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
A Word before We Go . . .
Sue and I are grateful for the many emails, phone calls, texts, and visits over these past few days as we're preparing to go. We're now in the final packing stage. Just a few more hours and we're off to the airport for two days of travel. Here's a brief overview of the next couple of days:
Wednesday, 9:20 p.m., depart LAX.
Arrive in London, Thursday, 3:25 p.m.
Depart for Entebbe, Uganda, 9:15 p.m.
Arrive Entebbe, Friday 7:45 a.m.
Noon, fly with Missionary Aviation Fellowship from Entebbe to Bunia, Congo where we will divide our time between Bunia and Nyankunde.
On Saturday, Tom will be speaking four times at Shalom University on the topic of Spiritual Formation. On Monday evening, he'll be speaking to the faculty on the integration of faith and learning. Obviously, we need to be ready as soon as we hit the ground. Pray for strength, clarity of mind, and good opportunities to think, pray, and study on the plane. It's nice to have something meaningful to do on those long plane rides.
We'll hope to post on Friday afternoon from Congo. We're grateful for your prayers and your words of encouragement.
Wednesday, 9:20 p.m., depart LAX.
Arrive in London, Thursday, 3:25 p.m.
Depart for Entebbe, Uganda, 9:15 p.m.
Arrive Entebbe, Friday 7:45 a.m.
Noon, fly with Missionary Aviation Fellowship from Entebbe to Bunia, Congo where we will divide our time between Bunia and Nyankunde.
On Saturday, Tom will be speaking four times at Shalom University on the topic of Spiritual Formation. On Monday evening, he'll be speaking to the faculty on the integration of faith and learning. Obviously, we need to be ready as soon as we hit the ground. Pray for strength, clarity of mind, and good opportunities to think, pray, and study on the plane. It's nice to have something meaningful to do on those long plane rides.
We'll hope to post on Friday afternoon from Congo. We're grateful for your prayers and your words of encouragement.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
An African Adventure
Wednesday evening, June 22, at 9:00, Sue and I will board a British Airways flight bound for Entebbe, Uganda, via London. This is the beginning of our month-long African adventure. Our purpose this time is to visit four families serving in three different countries. First, we will be with the Dixes and the Witmers in Congo, then on to Chad to visit Margit Moody, and finally on to Guinea to spend time with Kris and Ruth Altmiller and their kids.
As you follow our travels, please spend time daily praying for us. First, that we would bring encouragement and care to these four families. Second, that we would walk at all times in the Spirit, drawing wisdom and strength from Him. And third, that we would be open to every opportunity the Lord presents us with in speaking His word, ministering in His name and extending His love.
We hope to post regularly as time and internet connections permit. Thanks to the many of you who have already been praying and encouraging us as we prepare to leave. It is our desire to bring encouragement from the Lord and greetings from our church family to those who serve so faithfully in hidden and out of the way places.
During our years of overseas service, Sue and I have desired to live out Paul's words to the elders in Ephesus:
"But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God." (Acts 20:24)
Please pray that we will be faithful to the ministry He has given us, that we would take no account of ourselves but that we would be useful in His service.
God be with us, among us and between us until we meet again.
Tom and Sue
As you follow our travels, please spend time daily praying for us. First, that we would bring encouragement and care to these four families. Second, that we would walk at all times in the Spirit, drawing wisdom and strength from Him. And third, that we would be open to every opportunity the Lord presents us with in speaking His word, ministering in His name and extending His love.
We hope to post regularly as time and internet connections permit. Thanks to the many of you who have already been praying and encouraging us as we prepare to leave. It is our desire to bring encouragement from the Lord and greetings from our church family to those who serve so faithfully in hidden and out of the way places.
During our years of overseas service, Sue and I have desired to live out Paul's words to the elders in Ephesus:
"But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God." (Acts 20:24)
Please pray that we will be faithful to the ministry He has given us, that we would take no account of ourselves but that we would be useful in His service.
God be with us, among us and between us until we meet again.
Tom and Sue
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