Praise Update

Hard to put into the words what God has been doing in Botswana lately. Our summer (winter here in Botswana) has been BUSY to say the least!! We have spent the past 2 weeks without internet so our sharing has been delayed. We just came off of an incredible week with 46 children’s ministry leaders from Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia for our very first Children’s Ministry conference. We were blessed to have Todd Fleming, Beth Beal, and Chylene Burdick from ADBC join us to teach and lead during the conference. The conference started on Monday with registration, introductions, and orientation. The Children’s leaders were a part of a bigger Pastor’s Conference where over 200 Pastor’s came from as far as the DRC (Congo) and Kenya to be equipped and encouraged. The breakout sessions for Children’s ministry began on Tuesday and ran through Thursday where all of the leaders were eager to hear about the importance of Children’s Ministry. Not knowing what to expect we were overwhelmed with the participants’ willingness to interact with us. They asked very good questions and all took part when we had them “practice teach” or pretend to be the children being taught. They loved learning new songs, dances, and games that they could take home to share with the kids in their churches. They were filled with anticipation and excitement at the possibility of starting Scripture Memory Clubs in their churches. They caught the vision of taking in all we could share so they could be vessels to pour out into the kids. Being able to put curriculum into their hands and give them new teaching tips and techniques left them so grateful.
One participant wrote us a thank you note at the end of the conference. She wrote: “When people asked me how the classes are, I’d answer, I am being born again as a child. This is the best way to express what has happened to me these past few days. I would be lying if I said I wish it could go on for longer. I have been thoroughly equipped and have got all I need to do what I need to do. Thank you for all you did, all you said. More than the materials, it’s what we heard you say, what we saw you do and what you had us do. Something has exploded within me, the wells have become unstopped and rivers of living water are about to flow. If someone had told me years ago that I would forfeit a Pastors Conference for a children’s leadership training, I would have called them a liar, but here I am more passionate about the baby fishes than the big ones. This is amazing on its own for me. Thank you for what you have done. Thank you for what I have become. Only eternity can testify to the ripple effects of your awesome act of love and devotion. If I never meet you again on this side of heaven, let us live in such a way that we will one day meet in heaven before the throne of grace, and I will declare, there is the one who set me on this path. May God richly, richly, richly bless you! You have caused my passion to come alive, to find its expression in the things you taught us. I have touched heaven and will now begin to touch earth and impart a little of this love upon these dear little ones.” Another participant commented, “You and your team transformed my world in Christ. I’m touched and encouraged to surrender more to God.” The closing of the conference on Friday morning included saying all of our goodbyes, giving out certificates of attendance, and being blessed by a traditional African thank you where the women bowed at our feet and gave thanks to God for us. Needless to say this was very humbling and overwhelming.

Along with the excitement of the Children’s Ministry Conference I have had the privilege to lead Bible Study with the teacher’s at Gakuto School. The teachers had asked if I could lead a Bible Study with them after we had been there in June and passed out Bibles. Getting our dates and timing together was a bit frustrating but the blessing of seeing God at work in these ladies has been worth it all. The first lesson we did was “being confident of your salvation” there was a lot of discussion about works verses grace. I was overcome with emotion as I watched the Spirit move in that room and had so many of them understand for the first time that their relationship is secure in Christ Jesus and to have them understand that He would NEVER leave them or forsake them. I left them with some homework and some memory verses. We had our second meeting on last Tuesday. There were more teachers present at this meeting and I was very encouraged with those that completed their study at home and did memory verses. This session we looked at verses that showed how sin could interrupt our fellowship with God but would never break our relationship. Again I was astonished to get a glimpse of the transformation God was already doing in their lives. Just the difference in the prayer requests was incredible. The first week the requests were all about them being blessed this week they were are asking for God to reveal His purpose in their lives, for God to have His way with their lives, and for them to have total surrender to Him. I have to admit that I easily fall in love with people and this group of ladies is of course no different. I am really enjoying just getting to know them and call them my friends. I am so blessed to be a witness to their budding love relationship with our Lord. I always leave them praising God for his love for us and being completely grateful for his grace, provision, and His mighty work in people’s lives – including my own!!

We love all of you so much and are so thankful for your love, prayers, and support. My prayer is that you see God at work and get a glimpse of His using you in that work. Scott and I are reminded over and over again that none of this is by our own doing but completely by God’s magnificent design. Our prayer and complete trust has been that He would work through the hearts of His people to accomplish his purposes. We thank you for your part in that.

Please continue to pray for our family. We are facing some family decisions with Hunter’s graduation approaching this November. We continue to need direction in our pace of life here – finding a balance with ministry and family. We have opportunities for more Children’s Conferences in Botswana and surrounding countries. Please join us in praying as we begin to plan and prepare about these opportunities. Our boys will start their last term of this school year on September 5th. Please pray that they would finish well. Please continue to pray for our aching hearts as we are miles apart from our daughter Makenzie and her husband Tyler and the rest of our families. This is by far the hardest part of what we were called to do. Thanks again for praying and for being a part of what God is doing in Botswana.
~Tonya