Your Word was Joy and Rejoicing

July 5, 2016 


It was a full and active month of June and I am just now getting out this update. Thank you for praying! God worked in our midst.



ISU Navigator Team 


The ISU Navigator team experienced how the Word of God brings joy and rejoicing to our hearts. (Jeremiah 15:16) They spent a lot of time reflecting on and sharing from God's word. Forrest, one of the team members, used this passage when sharing about scripture memory and it stuck with me. Tyler, who returned to Zimbabwe after spending all of last summer there, told me he how good it was to be back, soaking in God's word and enjoying the fellowship in Christ.

Forrest making friends.

Tyler showing the colors.

Alex, on her first cross-cultural mission trip, is ready to be used of God wherever He wants. She is experiencing reverse culture shock, missing rich time spent with people hungry for God and His word. Ben, another first timer, was able to share a gospel illustration with a student who prayed to receive Christ. That was a first time experience for Ben. He is pumped to return to ISU in the fall and continue sharing Christ with his peers.

Alex talking to a student after her workshop on quiet time and journaling.

Ben, a true servant, digging a water line ditch.

 

Audrey was able to experience another culture, after a previous Indonesia trip, and continue to learn about the challenging circumstances so many live in throughout this world. She graduated in May and hopes to work in rescuing women from human trafficking. Matt returned to Africa after a summer in Namibia last year and did a great job assimilating. He and Forrest are still in Zimbabwe fulfilling international internship requirements. I look forward to reconnecting with them on my next trip (July 6-22).

Matt (right) teaching Donnell a card game.

Audrey, and adventurer, made it through a tough Africa obstacle course.

Co-laborers in Christ

Haiti Experience 

On my return from Zimbabwe in mid June, I joined a team from my home church in Haiti. We served with United Christians International, a ministry that Overflow Thrift Store supports. I have been hearing of the good work they are doing and wanted to experience it first hand. It is a testimony of what God can do through people who prayerfully and courageously trust Him to bring God's kingdom to a very dark land. They have sought to transform a community, and it is happening. It certainly stimulated my thinking about community, economic and agricultural development in Chinhoyi. 

Examining agricultural plots in Haiti.

With the medical students Overflow Thrift Store supports.

Missionary Speakers 

Julie & I had the fun opportunity to be the missionary speakers at the Raccoon River Bible Camp from June 20-24. Our daughters were attending with cousins, and it gave me the chance to be with them since I am returning to Zimbabwe on July 5. It was a joy to see the eagerness of children to learn about what God is doing in another part of the world. I know God will use these young ones to keep advancing His kingdom in the years ahead. This opportunity gave Julie and I a chance to work together as well. Julie may have had a little too much fun with her microphone props as she interviewed me throughout the week.

Julie interviewing Mike with one of her microphone props.

Mike, in African attire, teaching some Shona words and customs.

Sharing the "Bridge" illustration. Teaching the kids to be missionaries, wherever they are!

Thank you for your support in these missionary adventures!