Deputation
Notes
January –
March 2005
Dear Prayer Partners,
This past quarter has been one of
much change for us. In our last prayer
letter we asked for prayer about the tax situation that was happening in
Kenya. At the end of January many were
praying that the Kenyan government would change the income tax they were
imposing on foreigners. They remained
unchanged and stated that missionaries must pay as the law is written. Our tax would be at the 30% level and would
include everything that was provided for us.
We figured out that in order to maintain the necessary support, we would
have to raise an additional $1500 per month just to pay this tax. Our hearts were torn between wanting to
continue to Kenya and not being able to pay such a large amount with good
conscience. We sought the counsel of
the pastors and elders of our church.
After much prayer, our church leaders recommended that we not continue
to Kenya. This confirmed for us that
indeed the Lord has shut the door for us to go to Kenya.
We remain confident that the Lord
wants us to be missionaries in Africa and we have been praying about what
country He would have us serve. Much
has been read about various countries, many e-mails have been passed, and we
have learned many things about these areas of Africa. One particular thing that we have learned concerns the number of
missionaries in these countries. Kenya
has been essentially flooded (1500+) with missionaries when compared to nearby
countries like Tanzania, Malawi, and Zambia (around 200 or less). The Lord has used this fact to cause us to
search out a place where there are not as many missionaries and the Gospel
light seems to not be as bright. Over and
over the Lord has brought the country of Zambia before us. Yet, we want to be completely certain that
this is the place where the Lord would have us, therefore we are planning a
survey trip to Zambia in early May.
We are continuing with our
deputation schedule as the Lord allows.
While it has been a bit different to go to a church and tell them we are
missionaries but not exactly sure where to, we are grateful for their
understanding our situation.
Thankfully, our visit to Zambia is being inserted into our schedule
without having to change any meetings.
This change of country also brings a list of things to accomplish for
deputation, such as new prayer cards, changes to our display board, and
altering our presentation.
Nevertheless, though much is changing with us, we take great comfort to
know we serve an unchangeable God who is in control of all things. He faithfully continues to meet all our
needs and has supplied over 57% of our needed support.
Our Prayer Requests:
- Kenyan church: That they
will grow and continue following the teachings of scripture.
- Survey
Trip: That the many details to make this trip occur will come together
(passports, visas, airfare, etc.) and that, through this trip, we would know
exactly where God wants us.
- Meetings: This next
quarter we will be in Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, & West Virginia.
- Co-workers: The Hafler
family as they move to Zambia and the Knipe family as they also continue on
deputation.
Your missionaries to Africa,