Newsletter July 2019

Psalm 84:5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose heart is set on pilgrimage…

I can still remember becoming aware of this verse one day in a small devotions group on Mercy Ships, and it made me cry. “Hearts set on pilgrimage” refers to all of us as we wander through life on our way to our final destination of arrival in God’s Kingdom, but that day those words struck a chord in me. It was as though I knew there would always be this restless something in my blood. That the feeling of finally settling somewhere would allude me for years to come. And so it has. Our strength has always been in the development of different projects. Carl is talented at identifying a problem area, and looking for a solution. And we have attempted to do our best at being this part of the puzzle in the development of the projects we have been involved with so far. We have come to that point again- our part has been done. It has always been the idea: we were to develop and train, and then our Zambian brothers would take over. Hope Builders Ministries as ministry believe in using the strength of the local Christians- support them, encourage them, and train them if necessary, so that they are empowered to reach their own people in their own homes with their own language. Hopefully we can now provide them with a tool to bless their own people. But we would like to see them do so more, instead of us.

As mentioned last month, we are still praying for someone to come take over the leadership. We are still waiting, please pray with us.

For ourselves though, we have reached the crossroads. It is time for us to leave- otherwise we keep creating an unhealthy dependency. An option came from an unexpected side. My sister and her husband in the States have inherited a small farm, and are having to juggle the management of the farm with an international import/export business. They have asked us to come help, and do the day to day management of the farm. The timing was perfect, and we’ve made the decision to go have a look. There are many many obstacles to overcome before it all is in place, but we have started the process. So far, things have seem to fall in place. We have therefore decided to not go on holiday in September, but go on furlough in January, and then decide from there.  

It has been an emotional storm for me, specifically. We love Zambia, and are very happy here. It has been the longest we have been anywhere, and it became home. But it is time to pull up those roots, and continue on the pilgrimage, full of Faith that God leads the way.

We will spend the remainder of our time here in Zambia making sure we leave behind us, “a place of springs”.

Psalm 84:5-6

Carl is doing a lot of work at church, this is the mobile library he built.

Our old house needs to be painted out in anticipation of the new Zambian pastor coming to take over. The house we currently live in needs the final touches to become a blessing to the missionaries it belongs to and hopefully through them to many others. And also our church need some work done to serve our larger community (the building is a public meeting place). So, hoping to end of well and leave behind us a place of refreshment for many.

As I read through my letter, it seems to be all about us. Please, it is not, every little bit of what we live for is to bring Glory to where it is due:

Psalm 115:1 Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.