August 2008

JOSHUA SCHOOLS

Joshua Schools are forging ahead, appreciating the new curriculum materials we are writing, and maturing in their ability to be self-governing and self- monitoring. Our secondary school administration block has taken another step ahead with the roof now on!! With the huge increases in building costs we are running behind budget with this project, but believing God for His provision to see the job fully completed.

We are also excited to have ‘new’ desks and text books which have arrived in a container sent by King’s Church in the UK. Along with that they raised a donation from a local school which is now going towards completing our computer lab in Magugu. All these things are helping us to offer an opportunity for young people in Magugu to get ahead in life.

PRACTICAL NEEDS
We are praising God for the arrival of the long awaiting container from the U.K., which contains the bridge to cross the river into the promise land. The enemy has done everything possible to stop that container from reaching EnGedi ground, but our God is faithful to deliver. Thank you so much for your prayers!

It’s also been tremendous to see the response to our “Famine Relief” project in the local area. Each week some 1000 people are being supplied enough maize to carry them over a very trying time. Many have come to the Lord, while our local staff, student leaders and teachers, plus mission team have been involved in the distribution, prayer and preaching accompanying the project. Difficulties however will continue until the September harvest, so your prayers and ongoing support is coveted!

We are thankful for the port arrival of the Perth container carrying the donated well drilling rig… pray for its quick release.

WOMEN'S MINISTRY
The last Sunday evening of June found 30 excited ladies sitting in the café at the En Gedi campus feasting on a lovely chicken dinner. This was like a shadow of the “Feast” the Lord had prepared for us all during our week-long annual Women’s Leadership conference.

We began with a time when the Holy Spirit encounters us and we exchange our hurts, pains, abuse, rejection, etc for His love, forgiveness and acceptance of us! Many women present were visibly changed as the Holy Spirit brought new life from broken vessels.

Over the next four days the ladies discovered the Grace of God. Trying to please God and others always leads to frustration and condemnation. They learned to hear God’s voice and respond in faith. This released them, as it has us, from ‘striving in the flesh’. They experienced Jesus love and goodness in new and beautiful ways. They were built up in the inner man and inspired to spend time with their Lord and Saviour.

WEDDING
Jeremy Stephenson’s wedding to Kendra Woods! The Stephenson’s oldest son’s wedding was celebrated in Zanzibar in the place where African girls were bought back from slavery by Christian missionaries in the nineteenth century, and then educated and given their freedom.