June 2024

 I can’t believe that this much time has passed!!  If I wrote every month, I could keep letters nice and short—maybe.  Besides regular ministry responsibilities, Dan has started more construction at church.  It is exciting to see changes on the property, even if they might be going slowly.  We are in the rainy season, and although we are greatly enjoying the cool weather, the rain and mud are playing havoc with the work and the roads.

The month of May brought an end to school.  We teachers want to teach, but teaching is quite a work that is not to be taken lightly.  As a teacher, you have this book—this material, that you somehow have to get into these little people.  Meanwhile, the little people are resistant!!  I was the Bible teacher and greatly loved to teach the Bible lessons; it’s all about Jesus.  The students and the parents all heard the Gospel, and many got saved—that is the goal: salvation and growth.

The young men in the church have started a rotation of teaching on Wednesday nights and are learning how to teach.  We are happy to see this desire to learn, help, and “claim” this ministry as their own.  Nathan is helping them with sermon ideas and preparation; it’s great.  Our goal is to someday see this as an indigenous, thriving church and Christian school. 

I was able to speak again for the Mother’s Day celebration.  I enjoyed that and am passionate about our roles as godly mothers.  I won’t get started; the text was I Timothy 2:9-15, focusing on motherhood in verse 15.

I also taught a class on “How to Teach Kids.”  I had fun with that and will “do better” next time.

Our latest pet is Rebekah’s porky pig named Raya.  She is friendly like a dog and stays outside for the most part, but she WANTS to be a house pet and loves Rebekah, who is trying to teach her some tricks.  Raya is a female, so she is NOT being raised for meat and can go back to Seth’s farm whenever we are tired of her.

Thanks for the prayers and support.  God has sent in many extra gifts to supply all our needs over and abundantly.  Many blessings on you.

In His grip,

Dan and Joan

UP AHEAD prayer requests: Lydia and Rebekah are heading up kids’ camp (11-14-year-olds) at our church on July 9-13.  After that there will be a singles’ camp also at our church.  Kids and leaders go there and spend the WEEK, sleeping with the mosquitoes (unless they bring a mosquito net), and have a great time with the Gospel and Bible teaching.  Since we are hosting the camps, Dan is working with the rest to fix, clean, have water available, and many other things involved.  Besides soccer, the national sport, Dan and Joseph have built a 9 square game; we have this huge ball, frisbee, foosball, and other activities.  We just need Matthew and Susanna here with their camping ideas. We are envisioning this as a great summer outreach opening our church/school facility for camp and conferences.
          

I expect two deliveries any day and pray for God to bless my hands for smooth deliveries and healthy moms and babies.

In July, Dan’s sister Debbie and our niece Heather are coming for a visit—may God bless this time together.

In August, many are traveling—Joseph is heading back to college, Debbie and Heather are going home, and I am planning to go to Madagascar to help with Ruth’s delivery.