Monday, September 7, 2009

Reflections on a Whirlwind Trip!






In the next number of posts I hope to show you sights and reflections on our trip to Durban. Jason and I had an amazing trip and it was certainly helped by the wonderful hospitality we received from the Meekins, plus the warm welcome we had from all the missionaries. Clearly the trip helped us to confirm our intentions to serve the Lord in ministry there.

To begin with it has been a very important thing for Kim and I to work with a team which is solid and supportive of one another and has an atmosphere of seeking the Lord's leading and direction. This is a high value for us and from what I saw and heard during my time there, I was very encouraged to see that this is true on the ABWE Durban team. The added benefit of a team that has American missionaries and South Africans serving on the same team and supportive of one another throughout the various ministries they are involved with is a wonderful advantage. We were very encouraged to learn that the college needs us to serve in a role that we have a special interest in. To be able serve as Dean of Students at BBC and to oversee the practical ministry of helping to shape the personal character of students, while they work on their degree and serve in a local church, is truly an answer to a long standing prayer. Working alongside quality missionaries like Darryl and Casey, and the others who teach courses at BBC will be great. In addition, BBC will begin to offer some courses online, the first of which may begin in January 2010. In conversations with Darryl, he is very interested in having Kim involved with this new aspect of the college ministry. Check back for further pictures and reflections... and check out our prayer requests list to the right.

Please pray for Darryl and Casey Meekins who are facing a very difficult time just since Saturday. Casey's father apparently had a heart attack while surfing and was rushed by air to a hospital. He has not regained consciousness, nor is he breathing on his own and they don't know how long he was without oxygen. Casey and little Emma (2 years) have flown to be with family in New Jersey. Please pray for her father's recovery and the Lord's wisdom and comfort during this very difficult time.

Darryl and Casey have a home assignment scheduled from June to December 2010 and it will be very important for us to reach Durban by May 2010 if possible. The World Cup of Soccer will be played throughout South Africa between June 11th and July 11th 2010 and so getting there before that time will be important so we can be involved in outreach activities.

Announcing "TEAM 200" - Many have shown interest in investing in our ministry in South Africa. We realize that not everyone can invest in large amounts like a church might, but both churches and individuals are important to us being sent to the field. We are launching "TEAM 200", because a team of 200 supporters each donating $25/month will surely help us to reach our fully supported status. The addition to our support team of these 200 committed monthly supporters should place us on the field in 2010. Of course, investors in our ministry can give more or less than that and we are always grateful for their donation. In the week since returning from our survey trip we have seen 3 new supporters join our team for $25/month to help send us to pursue this ministry opportunity. Would you prayerfully consider joining our support team through TEAM 200? If so, you can contact us by email or phone or click on the "ABWE" under "TEAM 200" on the side bar. Then click on "Give" and you can go to an "Automatic Support Program" or check the info on this page to decide how you'd like to donate. If you have questions you can contact ABWE or us to find out details. Thank you for your prayers for us.

Field Prep Seminar - Reaching the 85% level before November 9-20th, 2009, will allow us to attend ABWE's mandatory Field Prep Seminar (FPS). Please be in prayer that the Lord will build up our support team through TEAM 200 so that we can get to the FPS this year.

Blessings in Christ, the Clarks

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ... ~~ Paul in Colossians 4:2-3

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