Ministry Day 1

Today was Day 1 of ministry.

Pastor Steve and Greg ministered to the pastors and Ricky led worship with about 30 men pastors and about 40 women.  Robin ministered to the church children’s teachers, 9 of them - 3 the same from last year, at the orphanage the church runs down the road.  Lucy was just a little bit away at the village school and had a wonderful time with the head mistress (principal) explaining how she was wanting to minister with the teachers and children the next 2 days.  She said it was very successful.

Kathy then took just the women in the afternoon after lunch.  There was not enough food because more came than planned so thanks to Angie we ate on our variety of snacks!!  We were told by Sheila tonight that the reaction Kathy received to her ministering which at first was a bit of shock turning to weeping and hugging is because women pastors here do not open up because of their high place of status and respect among the church people.  Sheila said they were probably in awe of the openness of her and that it will really produce much fruit with them.  God is so good.

The pastors and the children’s teachers ended up at the school in the afternoon since the ladies were using the church.  Robin had about 80 children (with more watching on who do not normally attend the church for their daily feeding of the children) for the Bible club.  Her 10 teachers took what she had planned and it was fun to watch them in their own unique environment!

Kay had a successful day at both Mind the Gap orphanages and says despite what Tinashe’s caregivers have said, he CAN learn and they will focus on potty training...which is the beginning of a possible several year process.  But we have a miracle-working GOD so PRAY for sooner!  She also enjoyed getting to know all the children and visiting with the caregivers.

Traci and Jason spent their morning at the Sandra Jones Centre.  They participated in Tammy’s (Pastor Jeff’s wife) Bible story time with about 60 girls and boys...they are working their way through the story of Joseph.  They also experienced a wonderful and awesome time of worship listening to them sing to their Lord.  Jason said it was amazing and videoed every minute!

(Hope to have pics of these too when I get their camera cards!);)

We are thankful for what God is doing and please keep praying.  Traci was out in her back tonight and struggling with it daily.  A few are still a bit jet lagged and the feeling of being overwhelmed by the need to depend on the Lord is great. And that is a good thing.  You will be glad to know prayers for Kay have been answered...there were no and still are no fears or anxieties about ANYthing!!  Also Greg’s bag came in yesterday (Tuesday).  We are learning to depend on Him more and more... He is our Jehovah-Jireh, our Provider.  It is about HIM and we ARE seeing HIM WORK!  

Tour Day

Today was tour day...

We started at Ebenezer Orphan Home...saw the children, played, witnessed their learning of scripture and wonderful songs they sing.  

We then headed to Bulawayo Baptist Church where Pastor Jeff showed us all the various ministries of the church including a soup kitchen, youth, aid, etc...and many many more shared by their Missions Pastor Chris...most of which are in the bush - over a dozen churches they planted and support...

We then moved on to Hope Fountain and Pastor Gideon and Jennifer at Praise and Worship Church.  So great to see them again and introduce our new team members to them!  

It was a fabulous day that we have recorded video reflections that we will hope to post soon!

VIDEO REFLECTIONS OF THE DAY:

Made it to Zimbabwe!

We made it to Zimbabwe!!  Customs went pretty well although we did pay duty on all the tubs...about 25% and they didn't bother going through most of it since we had the itemized pricing lists...so that was good!  Pray that Greg's lost large duffel bag gets found and here asap...got lost somewhere along the way....hopefully it's on it's way and will be here tomorrow!  

We will tour our ministry areas tomorrow and have a little more down time for our busy rest of the week.  We had a great time of fellowship with our host families; dinner together and then worship with Ricky and TK (worship leaders, for those who don't know them) on the porch under the star-lit sky watching shooting stars as we praised our Maker!  Excited to see what the Lord has in store...

At the Bulawayo airport after customs...

Tammy & Jeff Scorzeill, pastor of Bulawayo Baptist...

Lucy with Sheila Derks, with whom some of us are staying and is cooking all our meals!

Made it to London!

We were overwhelmed by our send-off!  Thank you, thank you for your visible support in showing up, praying together, our prayer cards, our caravan to the airport, our snacks, etc, etc.  We cannot tell you how much of a blessing that was.  And the many of you remembering us and praying today for our departure.  You all are with us on this journey for sure!

 Traci, Kay, Jason, Kathy, Greg, Lucy, Steve, Robin

Nothing too exciting to write about except that we did make it to London Heathrow and we leave again at 5:50 p.m. our time (about 1:00 p.m. TX).  Some of us slept, some of us did not much, but I would imagine this next flight we will all get some sleep.  Continue praying for our luggage and supply tubs and for favor in the eyes of the customs' officials in Bulawayo on Monday.  Pray also for Stephane, a man one of us spoke with on the flight about the Lord.  Pray he will come to Jesus as Savior.  He was raised in a Christian home but does not follow the Lord.

"The Names of God" Bookmarks

We want to be able to give some gifts to our fellow sisters in Christ at the women's conferences we will be facilitating so our fearless, crafty women's leader of the trip suggested the names of God bookmarks.  She taught us how and here are photos of our assembly line of sorts.  And I will have to add a picture of the actual bookmarks - they're beautiful!  Thanks Kathy for teaching us your talent!  And thank you to all the ladies (including others who helped finish out on another day) who were able to help.

 Paige, Kathy, Vicki, Lucy

 Joan, Robin

Sandy, Angie

The finished product - 125 in all!!

4.5 Weeks - Prayers Please!

“I do it all for the sake of the Gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.”

1 Corinthians 9:23

As we prepare to go in four and a half weeks, we would be thankful & excited to have you partner in this Gospel-driven journey with us in your prayers.  Below are prayers & verses we are praying - both in preparation & while we are there:  

**See the list on the right for team members.**

Verses to Pray

Ephesians 6: 10-20

*Armor of God

*Boldness to speak the Gospel

1 Corinthians 2:2,4-5

*Power of God, not wisdom of man

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

*Grace is sufficient

*When weak, then strong

1 Corinthians 9:23

*All done for sake of the Gospel

Preparation:

• Ministry & Teaching Readiness - clarity in curriculum
• Fears & Anxieties Subdued
• Health - several back issues
• Family Readiness - children, spouses, caretakers
• Supply Tub Readiness
• Fully Funded by Sponsorships
• Spiritual, Mental, Physical, & Emotional Readiness

Praise & Worship Centre, Mthombothemba

• Pastor Gideon & Jennifer
• Hope Fountain School 

Plumtree Church

• Pastor Cosmos

Bulawayo Baptist Church

• Pastor Jeff Scorzeil
• Mission Pastor Chris
• John & Sheila Derks (Lodging)
• Ramona (Lodging)
• Evelyn (Lodging)
• Jenny Hensman & Mind the Gap Orphan Homes

Sandra Jones Centre, Bulawayo - Click here for more information

KweKwe Hospital

Travel & While in Zimbabwe:

• All luggage & tub supplies arrive
• Travel Safety, Jet Lag
• Team Unity, Flexibility
• Protect Health & Annointing Over Ailments (backs, eating, sleep)
• Families Protected, Peace
• Gospel Opportunities & Boldness
• Walking in, dependance on, faith in, humility in the Spirit & His guidance
• All Teaching, Training, Witnessing, Preaching, Relationship-Building Opportunities be Spirit-led
• Strength & Wisdom for those caring for us (see above names)
• Wisdom & Discernment for each team member for Nationals & Caregivers

Zimbabwe Trip 2012

Preparations for our trip for this year are well under way.  This year we are taking 10 people to do ministry in and around Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Africa.  A list of participants is listed to the right.  We are still looking and praying for sponsorship and funding.  If you feel led, we would be grateful for any gift you may give as a tax-deductable donation by using the button at the top right-hand side of this page.  Donations can also be mailed to:
Carroll Baptist Church
1280 E. Highland Ave
Southlake, TX 76092

We will be continuing our ministry from last year by doing much of our ministry in Hope Fountain, right outside Bulawayo in rural Zimbabwe.  We will be leading a pastor's conference, a children's teacher conference, a children's Bible club, a women's/wives conference and help in the village school.  Pastor Steve will also have the honor to travel to Plumtree for a second 1-day pastor's conference.

Within Bulawayo we are coordinating with Bulawayo Baptist Church in a third pastor's conference as well as orphan ministry.  Mind the Gap-Africa is a Christian orphan home care ministry in which some of our group will get to be a part by conducting Bible Clubs and caregiver training.  Lastly, we pray the Lord will use us to minister to the patients and staff at the hospital in KweKwe, a town a little over an hour outside Bulawayo.

We are excited what the Lord has in store and are confident that He will continue the work He has started in Zimbabwe as we minister alongside those he has placed there permanently.

Please pray for us as we prepare and for those we will minister with and to in Zimbabwe.  Our prayer is 2 Corinthians 12:9, 10, "I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me... For when I am weak, then I (He IN me) am strong."


Praise and glory to Him!