I’ve created a 1 minute video using some photos and music from our conference.
Archives for May 2007
You never know…
One of the couples we’ve renewed our friendship with at this conference is George and Grace Buremoh. George is the Coverage Coordinator, responsible for all Jesus Film ministry throughout West Africa. Grace is the Area Human Resources Coordinator, responsible for all the staff HR needs throughout West Africa.
We’ve known George and Grace for 25 years.
But this week, George told me something I had never heard before. He said, “You (Keith) are the first person I contacted after returning to Nigeria from our schooling in the U.S.”
He continued, “I had benefitted from the Transferable Concepts. I wanted to translate them into Yoruba. I wrote to the Nigerian office and you (Keith) responded telling me how to purchase the Transferable Concepts.”
George continued to become more and more involved in the ministry in Nigeria. About 20 years ago, they joined the staff fulltime.
We just never know what comment or what response we make is going to be the next step on someone’s spiritual journey. I think of that often as I respond to email from around the world who are seeking to know Christ.
You never know…
Mom’s eternal home is about done
From a friend: Mom’s eternal home is about done…
A friend’s son wrote this. It is one of the most eloquent, God-trusting announcements I’ve ever heard someone share that his mom is nearing death.
Our friend is a retired SIM missionary we first met in Nigeria. She and her husband served in Zaria in Nigeria. When they retired from the mission field, they launched into their second mission career working with international students at Texas A&M University and made Grace Bible Church their home church. Grace Bible is the church that sent Kay and I off to Nigeria.
Mom’s spirit and strength are such an inspiration. As many of you know, Mom has, since Dad passed away 12 years ago, stayed so very busy here in Sebring. She has continued to serve God by serving others in many different capacities such as teaching young children to ministering and helping the elderly, both here in the village and at her church. God has quite suddenly asked her to change directions in her life. Mom has handled this difficult directional change with such fortitude and grace. But after all, it’s really God’s grace and strength and unending love that we’re seeing every day. Jesus directed Mom, and all of us, in John 14, “Do not let your hearts be troubled”. He promised her that He would be preparing a place for her. Mom’s eternal home is about done and I think I know one person by the name of [Dad] who is getting very excited!
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with Thee.
Eddie and Madia were singing praises to God, even though they lived through the civil war in Liberia and the difficult reconstruction afterwords.
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not; As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.
Lincoln was singing praises, even though he has lived through the war in Sierra Leone (anyone watched the recent movie Blood Diamonds?).
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see…
Charles and Michael and Joseph and Lewis were singing, even though they live with ongoing instability in Nigeria.
We’re back in Africa. Singing praises to God with enthusiastic people who believe in moving when they sing. With people who love and serve Jesus in difficult places and under stressful circumstances. With people whose enthusiasm for God is boundless. The land of rhythmic handclapping that puts our American clap-clap-clap to shame. Before the first song, it was decided that we would use Nigerian handclapping rather than Gambian handclapping. I didn’t even know there was a difference!
It has been good to renew friendships with these men and women who were new staff when we left Nigeria 15 years ago. They have continued in faithful ministry and are now leaders across the area. We first met Eddie in the 1980’s when he joined staff. He’s now the national director for Liberia. Tony was the new accountant when we left Nigeria. He’s now the national director of Nigeria.
Yes, it’s good to be back among people who refuse to stop ministering. They refuse to let undependable electricity, questionable travel options, banking systems that make support raising challenging, universities that are frequently closed because of student strikes, lecturer strikes, or just general unrest dampen their enthusiasm for helping everyone know someone who truly follows Jesus.
Yes, great is Thy faithfulness.