07/09
Hello friends and family,
Thank you so much for your prayers and your encouraging emails!
Wow, so much has happened since my last letter.
First of all, our debrief in Tanzania was a wonderful time for all of us I think. I so much enjoyed/ needed that time to share and process my thoughts and relax for a while. Which was easy when we can spend a whole one and a half days at a beautiful beach in Tanzania! Really thankful to PJ for being such a caring and supportive rad leader. The advice he gave us was and will be so helpful I’m sure. I am reminded that God is so faithful and he brings us good rest when we need it.
Korr
I saw Rado off a while ago now on his way home from Nairobi. I believe he is back home in Bulgaria, after having a nice time on holiday and giving his testimony to his church. I settled back in Korr quickly and have been enjoying the company of my loving friends Somo, Losotu, Eliano, Job and the many others that come and visit my house! And so, being a hospitable host is a big part of my ministry here.Unfortunately, I haven’t taken great care in this and can be a bit of a reluctant host…
With the difference in culture, it’s easy to judge and feel like people don’t care or are taking advantage of you. With the difference in culture and language barrier, many misunderstandings can occur on both sides. Sometimes you won’t be thanked. It’s not rude to ask for whatever you want. Men generally don’t feel the need to help out at all. I think the idea is that you make yourself as comfortable as possible in the host’s home. This is not everyone. In fact, my closer friends have adapted to suit my culture better, but it’s easy to feel like a slave sometimes.
But this is the culture. This is what they appreciate others doing for them. I have no right to be angry- even if it was wrong… I remember PJ saying, we dumped our rights at the door when we decided to follow Jesus (“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23) So, instead I try to take this opportunity to appreciate the people who give me company and show me care where I would otherwise struggle to find it and know the great blessing it is to serve God in this way and be an encouragement and an example to others! Truly I am blessed.
Visit to Kurungu
To see my Australian brother, Mick Alley, a single missionary doing awesome discipleship work with boys and young men of all ages. It was such a pleasure to meet Mick and the guys who have almost literally become his family and see them strongly committed to serving our Lord! We got to be with him and chat about life on the field as well as be with the guys he is teaching and evangelising to in bible study sessions. You can subscribe to his monthly newsletters here:
Pray that Mick would be able to get the rights to this piece of land where he runs his discipleship programs.
TIRRIM Christian Schools
One thing that I think is important to talk about is the Christian schools running here. I have been able to help out in both the schools, talking with the teachers and students and sharing the word of God with them. Currently I am helping sort books in the new library and exercising my penmanship drawing and writing things in English for learning purposes, because apparently, I’m OK at that. Who knew?
There is bad news though. The schools are constantly struggling with funding, to the point where the teachers are not always able to be paid and teachers are coming and leaving. Lawrence, the deputy says, they just must trust in God and do what they can. For many children who go there, maize and beans lunch is the only food they get each day, for the whole day. Their families don’t have enough to feed them at home as well. David knows that losing this school would be such a HUGE blow to the community and the wider area, being the only Christian school for a long way and with strong Muslim influence for having an Islamic-based school instead. This school is allowing many of the new generation, not only to receive a better lifestyle in the present and for some boarders, a safe haven from troubles at home, but release from the poverty- stricken lifestyle of their parents in the future. I had my doubts being in the school and seeing a bit of how the teachers operate. It’s true, some of the teachers probably aren’t real Christians. I believe there is not always a good example set for the students, just like in any school. But much of the bad things that I saw there, was my quick judgement, possibly made worse by the big difference in cultural behaviours.
What I do see now, however, are teachers who sincerely pray and try to lead their students to Christ as a priority. And it is so cool to see class 8 and even younger boys and girls undertaking a strong commitment to Christ seen in the way they live their lives and leading programs in church and youth group. As Lawrence and I were saying, TIRRIM is a place where, unlike many other schools, students of all backgrounds can hear God’s word, see godly examples of older Christians and even be discipled. So the leadership of TIRRIM including pastor David are desperately looking for support in prayer and in finance. Let’s join with the community in prayer for provision for this school and for God to be with the teachers and all that they do.
There is a great website coming up very soon for the TIRRIM project:
http://tirrim.com/ (won’t work yet)
I have really grown and learned so much over the past little while and because of being here over these 2 months… I’m now seeing the fruits of this whole experience in my life now. Thank you for your prayers for me! I think a big attitude change for me recently has just been to put my hope in God rather than other things in life that leave me so empty… Making the choice and asking for God’s help to put my hope in him has just allowed me to put my trust in him and be so joyful and content with where I am. I know that God has put me here with my best interests in mind. I know that he cares about my every need and desire and he is powerful to do it all. Please continue to pray for my spiritual growth in my personal bible reading, prayer and service to him.
“You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.” Psalm 139
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:26
How lucky we are to be freed from the enslavement of sin, to be under the protection and guidance of our loving Father…
Now I only have 8 more days left in Korr before heading to Nairobi on the 15th to visit some friends and have my second debrief with PJ. Then flying out on the 20that 10:15pm. So I would really appreciate prayer for leaving well. For leaving a good impression with the youth, being gracious and showing God’s great love.
But, you won’t see me back in Aus until the 5th Oct. I am visiting some family in Denmark and England ?. Please pray for safe travels. Thank you!
In Christ,
Ben
