Light at the End of the Tunnel

Dare I say that after years of waiting and all but giving up, the Philippine Bible Society is printing the “Forbidden Book Story” and preparing for a book launch next month, June 2014. How many times have we asked for prayer that it would indeed reach the “finish line” and time after time, delays. When we heard that it was headed to the printer a week or so ago, we tried to keep our expectations in check, fearful that yet another roadblock would emerge. But an email earlier today shattered our doubts…the Director of Marketing said she saw the completed cover at the printing plant and it is “beautiful.”

The story began as a research assignment for a course at Wheaton Grad School back in 1998.  Three Manila Christian publishers turned down the initial idea of a Visualized Missionary Story.  Through the encouragement of friends, both expat and Filipino, in Aug., 2010, I submitted the manuscript to the Philippine Bible Society as a visualized story for upper elementary children and a reply was received that it would be recommended for printing ASAP.  Before Ruth and I left the Philippines in 2012, a publishing contract was signed.  My patience was stretched further as we communicated from three continents in two languages regarding editing, art work, and a glossary.  Copyright infringement issues and a theft of a PBS staff laptop all hindered the project reaching the finish line.  But prayer continued and God has answered.  Praise Him!  May this English/Tagalog story be used of God in lives of precious children and youth in the Philippines for whom the story was written.

God’s Amazing Network

As our Ugandan friend and co-worker Beth spent a couple of days this past week at a Mission Guest House in Nairobi on her way to ministry in Ethiopia, God surprised her…and us. A “friend of a friend” who (we have not yet met personally) follows our Lion Sightings Blog, was also there at the same Guest House in Nairobi and met the “Beth” mentioned in our Blog. Here’s how it happened this past weekend.

The lady who met Beth, wrote to our mutual friend who then forwarded the email on to us. Quoting from her letter to our mutual friend: “That very afternoon as we were sitting in the dining area of the (Nairobi) AIM Mayfield guesthouse, a woman came to get a cup of tea. I was introduced to this Ugandan who was on her way to Ethiopia to work with the Scripture Union training there. She was lovely and gracious as we briefly visited. As she walked away, my friend called out, "Safe journey, Beth!"  I was suddenly struck that I KNEW her and I jumped up and ran after her! It was Beth, the co-worker of Ruth and Laura in Kampala! I had read about her from their blog which you forwarded me and I was now meeting her in person! What a blessed treat the Lord gives us in fellowship with other passionate believers!” 

Praise God for His family and how we treasure those Intercessors, some of whom we have not even personally met.

A Surprising and Encouraging "Complaint"

When we planned the test teaching of the first module, Truth, earlier this year, we totally assumed that senior Scripture Union staff were far too busy to be personally involved. But we were wrong! They “complained” that they had been overlooked and others were given the opportunity and privilege of teaching the new curriculum. Even the National Director himself, wants to experience teaching a Values Education Class!

So, plans were quickly formulated to address their complaint and prepare them to teach the Truth module this coming term of the school year! Because of their hectic schedules, most plan to teach it for six days in a row (minus weekends of course) right at the beginning of the term rather than once a week for six weeks. Since they already are well known and appreciated by several near-by schools, they don’t foresee hindrances!

Today the Test Teach Orientation for them took place. Our morning began with rousing choruses and worship songs accompanied by three African drums. Dickens, the National Director, set the tone by sharing the huge need for Biblical Values and for the resulting behavioral change we are trusting God to do as students in the classrooms hear God’s Word and choose to follow Him. My slot on the program was a time of prayer two-by-two followed by an overview of the Curriculum. (I sorely missed Ruth who was at home training a new helper and working with our main artist to complete illustrations for the Honesty Module.) Beth shared a moving testimony of how God encouraged her by test teaching the Truth Lessons in a nearby Primary school. She relayed how the students were fascinated by God knowing even the number of hairs on each of our heads, how more than 20 students made professions of faith during the final class, and how both the students and school authorities pled with her to return to teach more Values lessons. Following her testimony, Dennis demonstrated the first lesson, taught them the Truth Song and narrated Jesus’ story of the two builders/foundations in Matthew 7. Sammy then led the group in brainstorming about schools and dates. Finally, Susan talked about teaching materials details. A Senior Staff commended our Orientation with “I have a much clearer picture how this program works”. Praise God for these leaders who are eager to personally test teach the lessons later this month. Needless to say, their enthusiasm is a source of rich encouragement for us!