Christian Outreach to Southern Africa
Newsletter—July 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Dear Christian Friends,
Time certainly moves fast. Our last Website newsletter was in April. Now it is July (almost August). I would say something like, “Where does the time go?” But we all know each day is filled with challenges, ministry and opportunity.
As I write, we are in the last few days of a brief visit to the USA. We fly back to Zimbabwe on July 23rd. Our son, Philip, was posted overseas last November and was given 14 days leave the first two weeks of July. Considering where he was deployed to, we felt that there was wisdom in being “home” in the States to be with him during that furlough. He returned to his deployment station on the 15th and emailed us on the 17th of July to say he was back to a land of dust, rocks and lots of concrete and barbed wire. If the Air Force keeps to their word, he should be back in Omaha in November. Your prayers for him and all the other deployed sons, daughters, fathers and mothers “over there” will be appreciated very much.
It was comforting and a little overwhelming when we met him at and sent him back from the Louisville, KY airport. Since he had to travel in uniform, so many people came up and thanked him for his service to his country. We know that people do that a lot when they see anyone in uniform, but it was very touching when people came up to “our son” and did that. Our thoughts were, “Wow! It is great that people are openly appreciative of our troops.” May their tribe increase!
Friends and supporters were very encouraging to us before and during our short trip to the States to be with Philip (and Sarah and Will and other family, too). It was through the kindness of many that our trip was possible. God is good and He is good ALL THE TIME, as the saying goes.
As of Thursday, 23 July we will be living globally once more: Karen and Ben in Africa, Philip north and east of us quite a long way and Sarah and Will in the USA.
When we return to Zimbabwe we will have a very busy time. We will be there for 2½ months and then return to the USA for four months. We have a pretty full church visitation schedule right through to the end of February. The Lord willing, in February 2010 we will go back to Zimbabwe for a year to continue ministry and work on projects.
Our work has not really changed in the last year or so. Karen continues to work with the counseling ministry and with widows and single mothers. Ben is now focusing on leadership training and encouraging churches in the rural areas: focusing on the Chivi area south of Masvingo.
With the receipt of nearly 1,000 Shona Bibles in June (just before we left for the States), Bible distribution will be the first project to tackle. The National Conference of the Churches of Christ in Zimbabwe will be held at Chidamoyo Mission in August. We have volunteered to help with that. We appreciate your interest and involvement in the mission work.
We send out Email newsletters about every 60 days. If you would like to receive that, please send us an Email and we will put you on the mailing list. Hard copies of monthly reports can be gotten from our Forwarding Agents.
Keep praying for Zimbabwe. Though life there is difficult, God continues to work great things in the hearts of His people.
Yours in Christ,
Ben and Karen
Dear Christian Friends,
Time certainly moves fast. Our last Website newsletter was in April. Now it is July (almost August). I would say something like, “Where does the time go?” But we all know each day is filled with challenges, ministry and opportunity.
As I write, we are in the last few days of a brief visit to the USA. We fly back to Zimbabwe on July 23rd. Our son, Philip, was posted overseas last November and was given 14 days leave the first two weeks of July. Considering where he was deployed to, we felt that there was wisdom in being “home” in the States to be with him during that furlough. He returned to his deployment station on the 15th and emailed us on the 17th of July to say he was back to a land of dust, rocks and lots of concrete and barbed wire. If the Air Force keeps to their word, he should be back in Omaha in November. Your prayers for him and all the other deployed sons, daughters, fathers and mothers “over there” will be appreciated very much.
It was comforting and a little overwhelming when we met him at and sent him back from the Louisville, KY airport. Since he had to travel in uniform, so many people came up and thanked him for his service to his country. We know that people do that a lot when they see anyone in uniform, but it was very touching when people came up to “our son” and did that. Our thoughts were, “Wow! It is great that people are openly appreciative of our troops.” May their tribe increase!
Friends and supporters were very encouraging to us before and during our short trip to the States to be with Philip (and Sarah and Will and other family, too). It was through the kindness of many that our trip was possible. God is good and He is good ALL THE TIME, as the saying goes.
As of Thursday, 23 July we will be living globally once more: Karen and Ben in Africa, Philip north and east of us quite a long way and Sarah and Will in the USA.
When we return to Zimbabwe we will have a very busy time. We will be there for 2½ months and then return to the USA for four months. We have a pretty full church visitation schedule right through to the end of February. The Lord willing, in February 2010 we will go back to Zimbabwe for a year to continue ministry and work on projects.
Our work has not really changed in the last year or so. Karen continues to work with the counseling ministry and with widows and single mothers. Ben is now focusing on leadership training and encouraging churches in the rural areas: focusing on the Chivi area south of Masvingo.
With the receipt of nearly 1,000 Shona Bibles in June (just before we left for the States), Bible distribution will be the first project to tackle. The National Conference of the Churches of Christ in Zimbabwe will be held at Chidamoyo Mission in August. We have volunteered to help with that. We appreciate your interest and involvement in the mission work.
We send out Email newsletters about every 60 days. If you would like to receive that, please send us an Email and we will put you on the mailing list. Hard copies of monthly reports can be gotten from our Forwarding Agents.
Keep praying for Zimbabwe. Though life there is difficult, God continues to work great things in the hearts of His people.
Yours in Christ,
Ben and Karen
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