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Hello everyone,
First, a warning...Please brace yourselves against having a heart attack at this news!
My papers have finally been accepted for my one year visa. After 4 months of fighting with the ministry of health, a slightly illegal border crossing and a ton of prayer, my papers have been accepted and I should have the actual card in my hand around October 20th!
Now, supposedly with this visa, I should be able to receive my 5 year residency. Please keep this in your prayers!
I was able to meet with Maria about 3 times a week this whole summer. We spent the time in the park playing. This summer I saw her really learn how to climb around all the new playground equipment they have here which is so helpful with her motor skills. One of her favorite things to do at the park is to swing. While she was swinging, I would count with her. Yes, that is right, no one has taught her to count because they think she cant. But guess what? She can count to 5 now. I think that because she doesn't pronounce her words very well, people think she can't count. She also learned two new songs. She really loves to sing while singing. This also helps her learn how to use her mouth better and to work on new words.
Since school started, I actually haven't been able to make contact with her. When I am free they are not and vice versa, so hopefully I can see her tomorrow or Saturday.
Her behaviour has been much better than it was in the mountains. I can see she just needs that consistancy.
Thanks everyone for prayers and support!
Love, Rebecca
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Please pray for our team in the Nuba Mountains right now. James Olal, FRM’s Project Director for Sudan, called to report the first group of new candidates for class eight are boarding for their flight to Nimule. Absalom, the FRM chaplain running our operations in the Nuba Mountains has been discipling a group of about 25 men from the Darfur region over the last year. These men are so excited to be trained in the Word of God. Their home is 100% Muslim and they are ready to carry the light of the gospel back no matter what the cost. We believe God has great things in store for this next group of chaplains, please keep them in prayer!
James also informed is that the tensions in the Nuba Mountains are continuing to rise. We have personally experienced the anti-Christian sentiment. The Muslim government of Northern Sudan encroached upon our land to build an Islamic school. Absalom has been fighting daily to keep them from taking more of our land to build a Muslim clinic. President Omar Al-Bashir appointed as governor of the region the Darfurian leader of the Jinjaweed rebels. This man is a KNOWN criminal and has a warrant out for his arrest by the International Criminal Court. The oppression our Christians brothers and sisters are facing in this area of Sudan is extreme. Please intercede for them and ask God to deliver them. Elections are set for November 2010. Pray that all marginalized areas will be fairly represented, that no fixing of the vote will occur, that there will be no violence, and PLEASE ask for God to give them freedom.
I have been praying for this region of Sudan for over 10 years, please join me in asking God to open the way for me to go there to serve. Today two women came to James and asked, “Please, we know Vicky is training women in the South, can you please take us to train us as leaders? We want to help our women here and we need this training in the Bible.” My heart is aching to help these women. Please pray with me!
Agape,
Vicky
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Thank you for praying for us! We have felt the power of your prayers sustaining us here. God hears us when we call on Him!
We’ve had a wonderful week! Here are some highlights…
Monday – day off, took kids to Entebbe Zoo, saw lots of wildlife.
Tuesday through Thursday - John worked at the church office, helping with some administrative needs. Kids did school work at home and had a “field trip” to the open air market with Lily on Tuesday.
Friday/Saturday – John went back to the Islands in Lake Victoria with team of Ugandans to share the gospel and provide HIV testing and counseling. Many got saved and rededicated their lives during medical clinic and the evening gospel outreach. We prayed for safety and the Lord sent not only angels but also Presidential guards to watch over the team.
Praise God for:
- Joseph and Benjamin are now feeling much better. They were sick earlier with some diarrhea.
- Kids adjusting to life here and able to do school work with minimal distractions
- God’s mercy in keeping the insect bites away.
- Kids are bold and reaching out to the Ugandan children.
- Praying with and encouraging the Ugandan believers.
- Many got saved during the Medical outreach on the islands.
Please Continue to Pray for:
- Last week of ministry. We travel home on Sunday, September 26th.
- Safe travel to Kampala on Monday to visit with missionaries Brian and Jill Kanyike.
- Wisdom and guidance for John as he continues to help at church.
We hope you are enjoying the photos on our Facebook page. Thank you for all your prayers.
In His Love,
John and Lily
Acts 26:18 “To open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.”
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Dear Maranatha Chapel,
After a long process of seeking the Lord, my wife and I have just recently accepted the position of senior pastor at Calvary Chapel of Santee. The church tragically lost their pastor and as we endeavored to help the body in Santee, the Lord connected our hearts with theirs and made it clear that He was calling us to pastor this flock. Pastor Ray and the senior staff sense God’s leading as well and wholeheartedly endorse our decision.
Let me say, that serving here under Pastor Ray at Maranatha for the last twelve years has been an unbelievable privilege. Ray has been a good friend, a mentor and faithful shepherd and it has been an unusual honor to stand next to him in the ministry as one of his assistants. I have enjoyed a great partnership and friendship with the pastors and staff as well, I will miss the daily interaction of serving together.
The greatest blessing was being connected to our amazing church family! I will forever treasure the time spent together worshipping, serving and friendship. It was my honor to teach the Word, dedicate your children, baptize some, officiate at weddings and even grieve with you at your sad moments of loss….I am a better man and pastor for having spent twelve years growing closer to the Lord together.
I was also privileged to oversee the Missions Ministry and to be a small part of the lives of our church family serving abroad. I have tremendous respect for God’s call on their lives, the sacrifices they have made and the determination to share His Word. They are the real heroes in a world that is sorely lacking them! Only heaven will reveal the rewards of their labor and work, I have been humbled every time I had the privilege to visit the mission field personally and to see them serving God passionately. Keep going, your commitment proves everyday that our God is worthy to be worshipped and served.
We believe our time at Maranatha has been preparing us for this next season. We go with full and grateful hearts for all God has allowed us to experience in His work here. Our desire is to go forward and implement much of what we have seen God do here. Thanks Maranatha Chapel for your example, patience and encouragement! God used you mightily in our lives.
Until Jesus comes,
Gary and Meef Lawton
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Praise God! We arrived in Entebbe on Tuesday morning and have settled in. We are all doing well. Tomorrow, we will go on a medical outreach to an island in Lake Victoria. On Saturday, Joseph, Benjamin and Gabby will help with worship songs during a Youth Outreach to the community. John will be supervising construction work at the church’s school during the week.
The weather here has been nice and not too hot. Last night and during the day today, we had some thunderstorms. It’s the beginning of the rainy season. We dry our clothes on the clothes line and so it’s a good thing Lily did the laundry two days ago.
Thank you all for praying for us. We will keep you updated as often as we can. Internet is expensive and the connection is spotty. If you are on Facebook, you can get more updates and see our photos.
Much Love,
John, Lily, Joseph, Benjamin, and Gabby
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