Hardships Amidst Exciting Times


The Lord is at work in South Madagascar!  Here are a few things going on this month:

11 students are attending THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION BY EXTENSION courses here in Fort Dauphin

4 students are attending SEMINARY in other parts of the island and will be returning soon

3 Malagasy students are attending SOUTHWESTERN Seminary and will return to lead their fellow countrymen

80 Malagasy partners will be TRAINED by Southwestern Seminary this month

8 were BAPTIZED in Tsihombe

16 are awaiting TRAINING ON BAPTISM around Tranoroa

2 groups are ready to BECOME CHURCH PLANTS around Tranoroa

3 NEW MISSIONARIES are headed to serve alongside us from USA and Ecuador
When we sit back and look at all the Lord is doing we are amazed! 
We have been in Fort Dauphin for 3 years now and it blows our minds how much the Spirit has moved, how many have been saved and how many are serving the Lord whole-heartedly now.  Lives have been changed, churches have been planted and the Word of God is spreading!  This doesn't come without hardships and struggles.  We returned in early April from medical appointments and a meeting.  We had a few ailments that we needed to get checked out and then were refreshed at our cluster meeting.  Some health issues returned a good report, while others brought more concern.  The biggest news is that Adam will need to have back surgery.  He will have a disc replaced and another fused.  The doctor is amazed at all Adam has been able to continue to do despite the degenerated and prolapsed discs, but gave him the go-ahead to wait on surgery until October.  Suzie will also have a less serious procedure as her great sephanous vein is no longer working.  She will get radio ablation frequency to collapse the vein and hopefully prevent further varicose veins in her left calf.  Fortunately, Suzie's procedure is also non-urgent and will be done in October.  Both surgeries will be in South Africa.  We'll keep you posted on the outcomes! Other hardships are in the hands of our nationals.  With the drought, lack of financial support and spiritual warfare, some of our partners struggle daily to stay the course.  Pray alongside us that they would "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called them heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 3:14)
Praises:
*God is moving!
*Phoebe and Emma had a good break and are working hard to complete their third and final term of this school year. (Finish in July)
*Baylee will finish 5th grade this month
*There has been some rain in Androy!  Some crops were replanted and should yield a small harvest.  Pray for at least one or two more good rains to ensure a plentiful harvest!
Prayer Requests:
*Health concerns
*Perseverance for us and our national partners
*Plans for new missionaries to fall into place
*Details of volunteer teams to work out
*Southwestern trip and training to go well
*Travel mercies for volunteer teams and national partners coming into Fort Dauphin for the training
 Baptism in ocean
 Celebrating with those who were baptized
 (Above and below) Family Vacation

 (Above and below) Pastor's and Wives' Prayer Retreat

Childcare for the Pastor's and Wives' Prayer Retreat

Comments

  1. UnknownMay 3, 2016 at 12:54 PM

    So encouraged to hear about all God is doing! Thanks for updating all of us and allowing us to be a part of the journey!

    ReplyDelete

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