Because you GIVE to International Missions we are able to GO

This past year God has stretched us and allowed us to see His hands at work in our little corner of Africa. We appreciate so much everyone who prays for us and the work that we do.  We could not do all that we do if it were not for you holding the ropes for us in prayer.   Here is a video about why we go and what we do.  Please feel free to share with your church.   

Click here to see our video: https://www.facebook.com/suzie.mannrodgers/videos/1019743074736237/

Why I go...

 Today I went with my friend Rose to visit a patient named Joyce.

 Joyce is 40 years old and is HIV positive.  She doesn't want to eat or drink anything because she says she has lost her appetite and it hurts her throat.  She has diarrhea and some vomiting probably because of the medicine she is taking.  She was so excited to receive the BGR bucket.  She kept rubbing one of the face cloths to her face and touching the sheets.  

Joyce has never been a church goer.  Today as I shared the gospel and a bit of my testimony she said that nothing like that had ever happened to her.  She had never repented of her sins but that she wanted to today.  In her hoarse voice she prayed and repented of her sins.  I'm sure it was music to HIS ears!

 She has 6 children and this is her youngest with her baby doll.

 

When she saw that there were nail clippers in the bucket she said she needed hers cut because they were so long.  Her friend cut them for her.  

I'm praying she will sleep well tonight on her new sheets after she gets all cleaned up and that she will eat her food.  Will you join me in praying for Joyce?

Our Christmas 2015

Merry Christmas!

Baptism

North of Lusaka, Kabangwe Baptist Church meets each Sunday with about 150 church members.  Many of these are kids who all sit together in church with an usher assigned to that area to try to keep them quiet.  Men sit on the left and women sit on the right each week.  The church is small and has  a tin roof which makes it very hot with that many people in it.  Then add singing, dancing, choirs, and a microphone it can be quite loud as well.  This past Sunday we were invited to go to Kabangwe Baptist Church.  When we got to the church we then walked 2 ½ kms to the river so Kevin could help baptize the 18 people who had prayed to receive Christ this past year.  Zambians are generally scared of the water because most of them do not know how to swim.  As they timidly walk out to meet Kevin in the water the church stands on the bank and sings choruses.  One by one, Kevin baptizes these new believers.  

We then walked back to the church in the hot sun.  As soon as we get back to the church we go into the church and begin worship.  Kevin preaches the main message on the Lord’s Supper and then we partake of it as well.  They ran out of communion cups so I gave Kevin mine so he could proceed.  After those who had had the cups drank they collected them quickly and then filled them right back up.  Then passed them back out to those who didn’t get it the first time.  As we exited the church we shook hands with everyone there and they continued on until a big circle was made.  We then joined hands and sang the Baptist anthem.  It was a long day but so very worth it to be able to rejoice with these believers as they were obedient to follow Christ in baptism.

Retirement

 

French artist, Bruno Catalano, has created sculptures that he says represent world citizens.  He says that every time a person lives in a place and then leaves, he leaves bits of himself behind, bits he can never retrieve. As many missionaries are retiring and leaving their home of 20, 30, and even 35 years I'm reminded of this picture.  As they are leaving Africa they are leaving chunks behind.  Another way to look at it is that as these servants leave Africa they are also taking with them bits or chunks of Africa with them.  As a  missionary, I know that once you come and stay in Africa for even a short time it kind of gets in your bones.  The more I live here the more I know this is true.  As these missionaries leave I know that they leave something of themselves in Africa, but I'm glad they also take a bit of Africa with them back to the US.  

In our cluster, we had 7 units take the VRI (Voluntary Retirement Incentive) and then one couple who had already planned their retirement for this time.  Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of all who left but I did want to share a little from those I did have.

 Betty and Dwayne Mitchell leaving after 30+ years.  They served in Malawi and Zambia.  

As they left we formed a small pathway and cheered them on as they walked through to the airport.  We also gave them high fives!  I hope they will remember they were loved and appreciated as they served here among us.

 We prayed for them before they boarded the plane.

 

 They left Thanksgiving Day so there were lots of missionaries in Lusaka already so several of us were able to go to the airport to see them off.

 I will really miss Betty!  She has been a friend and prayer partner for many years.

 

Van and Mary Thompson also lived in Malawi and Zambia for 35 years all together! They had already planned their retirement before the VRI came out. 

 At this last graduation at the seminary they were recognized for their years of service and given a beautiful copper clock. 

 

 Those who were in Lusaka were able to go and see off the Thompsons as well.
They will be missed as well.

 Kevin and I traveled to Malawi to say bye to the Polglases and Browns who are both taking the VRI.  I just love these two godly women!  They will greatly be missed!

 Several of us missionaries took them out to an Indian Restaurant and then had this wonderful cake.  We shared different stories or memories we had of these two couples.  

 

  Jeff and Mary Polglase are on the left and Claudia and John Brown are on the right.

They all served as journeyman many years ago and have served in several countries in their many years of service with the imb.  They will all greatly be missed!

Celebrating 15 years of life

 Started the day off with breakfast in bed.

choc. chip pancakes

 This afternoon a few friends came over for cake.

I made a red velvet ice cream cake.

 Julie

 Emma and Sarah came too

 Sweet 15!

 Hannah and Sadie

 Misty can't be left out!

 

 Kevin gave her some flowers!

 We went to the Horse Shoe Restaurant for dinner.

 

It was  a good day!  Happy Birthday Hannah!  Hope this next year will be special for you!

Week of Prayer Day 8

Because of Who He is

 God deserves the worship of all people, and that is why we send to the nations.
Redeemed and made new in Christ, we have a missionary identity which compels us to do all we can to see God exalted. Christ commanded us as a church to reach the nations. In a beautiful partnership, IMB helps your church send ordinary Christians, empowered by God’s extraordinary presence, to proclaim His Word.  

This gospel is the only hope for the billions of people who haven’t yet heard His name. Most of them live in hard places — like cities, jungles, deserts and war zones — with no access to the gospel.

We each have a part in fulfilling God’s commission to reach these people if we are faithful to live out our missionary identity, if we are faithful to pray, give, go and send to plant churches around the world for the glory of God. How do you fit into God’s creative global plan? How does your church fit in?

“Declare His glory among the nations, His wonderful works among all peoples” (Psalm 96:3, HCSB).

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PRAYER POINTS

» For the Lord’s guidance in what He would have you give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.

» For guidance on how you fit into God’s creative global plan and how your church fits in.




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Day of Prayer Day 7

Training the next generation in the Philippines

 

When someone shouted, “Your uncle is coming,” everyone in the Philippine village knew it was the secret code that really meant “run and hide.” Neighbors disappeared into small concrete homes until IMB missionaries Dave and Ivette Daggett had come and gone.
A few, including curious children and teenagers, stuck around to hear what the foreigners had to say.
The Daggetts led Bible studies, and some youth came against their parents’ wishes.
Now, 11 years later, a church meets here, led by some of the same children and youth who met with the Daggetts years ago. They have even seen God use them to help start several Deaf churches.
“It’s the younger ones who have stepped up in leadership,” Dave said. “They share the gospel and are going with us to evangelize in other areas.”
Through weekly training sessions and Bible studies, Dave and Ivette continue discipling youth in the Philippines to go out and train others to lead. They give them opportunities to lead and to share their faith through events such as medical and dental clinics, anti-smoking and dental hygiene seminars, and True Love Waits seminars.
“The more fruit we see, the more joy we have,” Dave said. “We don’t want to slow down or hold back.”

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PRAYER POINTS

» Pray young leaders will grow in their faith and disciple more youth who are ready to become leaders.
» Pray the Daggetts will see more churches, including Deaf churches, started in the Philippines.


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