Dear Friends and Family,
It's with much joy and humility that I share with you the news that I have the opportunity to go to South Africa and Mozambique on a short-term missions trip this September. With joy – because I'm grateful for this incredible privilege to serve the Lord in this part of the world, and with humility – because I'm so keenly aware of my own weakness and frailty as I prepare to go.
As some of you may know, our church has been involved with Hands at Work Africa since 2005 when Sam and the first team of six men visited S. Africa and got a glimpse of the overwhelming impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Since then, by God's grace, we have been partnering with Hands at Work whose mission is to equip the local church in suffering communities to share the gospel and care for the orphan, widow, the poor and the dying. Their work can be seen at http://www.handsatwork.org.
When Sam returned from his third trip this past April, he gently said to me, "It's your turn to go, Shua." Wow! I was excited to hear his encouragement, since I'd wanted to go with our entire family. But as I knew that this upcoming trip would be without the kids, I prayerfully surrendered all my fears and worries, asking for God's wisdom, peace and guidance. He has been so gracious and kind. Preparing for this trip has become an opportunity to share with our children about God's heart for the world and the Father's deep compassion for the most vulnerable and truly forsaken. Our kids have been asking when they could go as well, and we have begun to pray for the orphans whom Mommy will be meeting. I am so grateful and humbled by my family's loving support through their prayers and sacrifice!
This morning, I read from Colossians 1 in my devotions, and I want to ask if you might be willing to pray these verses for me as I go to Africa. I do feel a deep sense of my weakness, especially as I pray for my own dad who is battling terminal lung cancer. Our lives are in God's hands, and He is sovereign and merciful. I trust in Him for every detail of my life. What an awesome privilege it is to trust in such a great God!
- For my family and me: To grow in our faith in Christ, in our love for the saints because of our hope in heaven (vv. 4-5)
- For my team and me: To be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God (vv. 9-10)
- For me: To grow in joyful endurance spiritually, emotionally, physically! I am very challenged in the area of endurance! To "be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy" (v. 11)
It would mean so much to me to hear from you and to know how you are doing and if I could pray for you, too. If you'd like to commit to pray for me while I am in Africa from September 9 – 27, would you kindly drop me a line to let me know? I would be so grateful for your prayers and encouragement. I'll keep you updated with more news and photos about our family and this trip. If you wish to support me financially, would you please let me know by September 1st? Your checks may be made payable to Wellspring Church with my name and "Africa Team 2008" on the memo line. Whether you feel led to contribute through prayer, financially, or both, I am deeply grateful for your friendship and partnership in the gospel.
With much thankfulness because of Christ,
Shua
P.S. Here's some of what we'll be doing in Masoyi, South Africa and Gondola, Mozambique:
- Orphan Day: Our team will be teaching and leading activities for 400 orphan children and youth
- Volunteer Care: We'll be ministering to the volunteers of Hands at Work, sharing our testimonies and giving biblical exhortation and encouragement
- Caregiver Care: We'll be ministering to the men and women who care for and live with those who are sick and dying
- Home Visitations: We'll be accompanying the caregivers and volunteers to visit the sick and dying in their homes
- Medical Clinic: Our medical professionals will be serving patients in the medical clinic
- Construction: We'll be aiding in the construction of a multiple care center and an orphan home
