Monday, 19 May 2008
Friday, 16 May 2008
Start at the very beginning...
As you might have guessed from the blog heading, changes are afoot for part of our family. For many years we have been interested in, and concerned for Africa and dreamt that one day we might be able to serve God and the people there. For Ruth this interest began when, as a student nurse she visited her brother, Bill, who was teaching in Nigeria. For both of us this became more in our minds when Ben (our eldest son) went to Kenya on an eight month gap year placement. We had to fly out to Mombasa when Ben became ill and despite the worry and sadness of the time were drawn to the people and the place. Paul especially enjoyed teaching at the school where Ben was placed, although he was still working in IT at that time.
In 2003 when Paul was made redundant it eventually opened the door for him to train as a teacher – again at the back of our minds then was the idea of teaching in Africa. However the time was not right due to the stage at which the children were at school and other family responsibilities and concerns so the idea lay dormant. In October 2007 on a brief half term break we talked again about the idea of applying for a short term mission for the academic year 2008-9. It seemed a suitable year in terms of the family (Ben and Beth both married and Jon independent, Katie due to finish secondary school in June 2008, Jaydon moving schools, Courtney with 2 years left at primary and Ruth’s parents settled and reasonably stable health wise.) and so after further prayer we decided to tentatively try pushing a few doors to see whether God would open them. It seemed providential that after an initial enquiry to Africa Inland Mission (AIM) by email we were invited to attend an “Into Africa” seminar that was being held in two weeks time (we later discovered they only ran this seminar four times a year). So we attended the “Into Africa” day, were able to meet with the Personnel Director and came away with much to think and pray about.
Well to cut a long story short we applied in December and although accepted by AIM, by Easter it seemed that God was closing the door because several possible placements were vetoed by people in the field because of perceived problems around meeting Jaydon’s special needs. By this time we felt that because our family situation was complicated, things would only proceed if God very clearly intervened and made a way forward for us. A few weeks ago this happened and AIM emailed to say that there was a placement for both of us in Namibia in a town called “Rehoboth” The significance of the name being that Rehoboth is the original name of our church and it means “God has made room”. For Paul this placement will involve teaching in a national High school and for Ruth helping in a small school that has recently been started for children with physical disabilities and learning difficulties. Praise God!
Part of AIM’s purpose and vision is to make disciples of children and youth in Namibia by meeting both the spiritual as well as the physical needs of those to whom it ministers. Through our involvement in social aspects of community life and in education, it is our vision to see people meet Jesus in a life transforming way. AIDS is a huge problem in Africa particularly in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and South Africa and this is reflected in the town of Rehoboth which with a population of about 40,000 people has up to 50 new AIDS orphans a month. We may have opportunity to be involved in Christian caring ministries that are already working with people with AIDS.
Arrangements are moving forward swiftly and AIM Namibia would like us (that is Paul, Ruth, Jaydon & Courtney) to be there by early August, ready for the beginning of term in September. We would be grateful if you would consider supporting us in prayer over the next year as no doubt there will be very many challenges and needs. We will also need some financial support as AIM along with many other missions, believes that missionaries should be supported by their sending church, family and friends. If you feel that you would like to support us in prayer or financially or both then please contact us at Rowells.In.Rehoboth@googlemail.com.
In 2003 when Paul was made redundant it eventually opened the door for him to train as a teacher – again at the back of our minds then was the idea of teaching in Africa. However the time was not right due to the stage at which the children were at school and other family responsibilities and concerns so the idea lay dormant. In October 2007 on a brief half term break we talked again about the idea of applying for a short term mission for the academic year 2008-9. It seemed a suitable year in terms of the family (Ben and Beth both married and Jon independent, Katie due to finish secondary school in June 2008, Jaydon moving schools, Courtney with 2 years left at primary and Ruth’s parents settled and reasonably stable health wise.) and so after further prayer we decided to tentatively try pushing a few doors to see whether God would open them. It seemed providential that after an initial enquiry to Africa Inland Mission (AIM) by email we were invited to attend an “Into Africa” seminar that was being held in two weeks time (we later discovered they only ran this seminar four times a year). So we attended the “Into Africa” day, were able to meet with the Personnel Director and came away with much to think and pray about.
Well to cut a long story short we applied in December and although accepted by AIM, by Easter it seemed that God was closing the door because several possible placements were vetoed by people in the field because of perceived problems around meeting Jaydon’s special needs. By this time we felt that because our family situation was complicated, things would only proceed if God very clearly intervened and made a way forward for us. A few weeks ago this happened and AIM emailed to say that there was a placement for both of us in Namibia in a town called “Rehoboth” The significance of the name being that Rehoboth is the original name of our church and it means “God has made room”. For Paul this placement will involve teaching in a national High school and for Ruth helping in a small school that has recently been started for children with physical disabilities and learning difficulties. Praise God!
Part of AIM’s purpose and vision is to make disciples of children and youth in Namibia by meeting both the spiritual as well as the physical needs of those to whom it ministers. Through our involvement in social aspects of community life and in education, it is our vision to see people meet Jesus in a life transforming way. AIDS is a huge problem in Africa particularly in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and South Africa and this is reflected in the town of Rehoboth which with a population of about 40,000 people has up to 50 new AIDS orphans a month. We may have opportunity to be involved in Christian caring ministries that are already working with people with AIDS.
Arrangements are moving forward swiftly and AIM Namibia would like us (that is Paul, Ruth, Jaydon & Courtney) to be there by early August, ready for the beginning of term in September. We would be grateful if you would consider supporting us in prayer over the next year as no doubt there will be very many challenges and needs. We will also need some financial support as AIM along with many other missions, believes that missionaries should be supported by their sending church, family and friends. If you feel that you would like to support us in prayer or financially or both then please contact us at Rowells.In.Rehoboth@googlemail.com.
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