The End of an Era

 Before focusing on "the end of an era," celebrate with us over a huge answer to prayer. Both of the East African projects we shared previously have been abundantly funded through donations. Praise Him!  

• Tanzania: Swahili Self-Control module, to be printed on all 3 levels – the goal was $20,000 USD...and God has pushed that over the top! 

• Ethiopia: Amharic translation and printing of the Purity module on the Secondary level – the goal was $5,000 USD...and yes, more than that has been given! 

AND we know that at least one gift has not yet arrived. This week, a VBS in Maine is collecting money to go toward the Ethiopia project. Ruth plans to join their VBS this Friday, during which they will reveal how much they have raised which will then be submitted to SEND.

We’re excited, and even more so are Scripture Union Tanzania and Scripture Union Ethiopia. SEND readily agreed that any excess can be put toward conducting trainings to equip churches and Christian groups to use these modules once they are available.

THANK YOU to each one who gave toward these projects and prayed with us. As we praise our faithful God, please ask God that both of these projects will be used to reach more children and youth with God’s standard of Self-Control and Purity and introduce them to our Savior and Lord.

We've so enjoyed sharing such victories and answers to prayer via this blog which initially was updated weekly. Then following retirement, it went to monthly and more recently to bi-monthly. We did some research and found that the first "Lion Sighting" blog was published in August, 2013, and this is the 278th blog! However, as Proverbs reminds us, there is a time for everything. And we feel this is the time to conclude our regular bi-monthly blog...the end of an era. 

THANK YOU, dear friends, for joining us on the journey of cross-cultural ministry first in the Philippines and then East Africa. God has answered your prayers and blessed us tremendously through your interest, kindness, and support. Praise God with us for His faithfulness! It's been 43 years since God called us to work together as co-workers. We can never thank God enough for the many prayer and financial supporters, friends, that He has given to us. You have been such an encouragement and blessing. To God be the glory!

Besides this blog, we have also concluded the Bi-monthly Concerts of Prayer. But, we are more convinced than ever of our need of prayer. A local church will be piloting a face-to-face Missions Prayer Focus, probably starting in September. We anticipate keeping in touch with workers on the field including East Africa. If you are interested in joining this prayer initiative, please be in touch with Laura (lbonney2@gmail.com).

(Having said that this is our final bi-monthly blog, we may still use this avenue occasionally for special happenings...like if God opens the door for us to return for a visit to East Africa later this year. We hope you don’t mind.)