Holding the Fort Solo

Although weather at the “fort” was great, I realized as I watched my co-worker disappear at the Qatar Airlines check-in counter on the 5^th of Feb., her absence during the next weeks would prove to be a faith stretching time for me.  Indeed, I became aware of all the things Ruth does at her laptop in managing our communication and prayer updates, the curriculum soft copy reservoir, drafting the agenda and writing up the minutes of our meetings, sending soft copies and preparing paper masters for volunteer test teachers, encoding our financial ministry expenses and sending those through the proper channels, facilitating test teacher training, discussing and processing with me on cultural and VOICE Africa issues, evening vesper and prayers, and much more.  But God is faithful and He proved Himself more than able!  Our VOICE Africa Admin Assistant, Susan, was on top of things, coordinating the flow of ministry.  Beth was there to talk things through, often by email or cell phone.  Just when I wondered how we would get the test teaching packets ready for the Feb. 7 Training, neighbors and colleagues rallied to give helping hands, also a Uganda volunteer, Babs, who patiently did so much of the counting of Activity Sheets.  When I needed to “talk Canadian” volunteers Muriel and Cheryl were there to connect with and update me on family and home area. God also answered prayer in a closer relationship with a Scripture Union staff who called on my help for a camp he ran to teach an elective on baking banana bread.  (New experience for me.)  Later he needed help in teaching a group how to begin a puppet ministry.  Just when I needed to disconnect and enjoy some R&R, a cancellation of a participant of a Ladies Retreat allowed me to take her place and enjoy a couple of days meditating and reflecting on Psalm 91 with fellow missionaries, Living Under God’s Umbrella.  Was I ready for Ruth’s return?  You bet, “holding the fort” is much less stressful with two.