The Good Shepherd

As I look back at the past few months and look ahead to what is to come, I must say that I am so thankful that I have a Good Shepherd who leads me, cares for me, knows the way through the wilderness and eventually home (Heaven). At times the way seems confusing or just plain hard, but the Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ, is with His sheep every step of the way.

It is hard to believe we have been in the US for 6 months! We are so thankful for this time with Kittie (John’s mom) and also our family and friends. Kittie is continuing with her chemo treatments for advanced stage 4 breast cancer which has spread throughout her body. She has been battling through the many challenges from the side effects of those treatments. Overall she is doing well and keeping a positive outlook. The above picture was taken during our weekly Bible study on John’s Gospel that we call “Taco Tuesday” We thank you all for holding her up in prayer!

We have been busy these past few months with many ministry opportunities and school activities! Isaac is running cross country for school, and he and Elaina both plan on trying out for their school basketball teams. We all helped out at VBS this summer, ran a small basketball outreach, John spoke at a youth missions meeting, youth rally at MTYC, and continues to speak regularly at local chapels and at NRBC. Jennifer was the speaker at the ladies missionary meeting recently, and Elaina joined the puppet team which performed at the Spectacular for CEF!

I (John) had the privilege of baptizing Elaina and Katie recently! That was a special day for our family, and hope there will be more to come!

John is on his way back to Tanzania with two friends, Doug Lindley and Dan Gordon. They plan to return in three weeks and have a full schedule of tasks to complete while there. They plan on driving our car back across the country from Dar to Kigoma which will be a two day - 22 hour drive! They plan on spending time in Ujiji at the maktaba encouraging Gerald, teaching in the schools, and visiting a soccer outreach. They are also looking at two possible locations to build a youth camp.

Please join us in prayer for their trip to be fruitful and profitable! We are praying for clear leading regarding this camp and look forward to seeing how the Lord Jesus, our Good Shepherd, leads and works through us! Tanzania here we come :)

I (John) plan on putting out updates through the blog throughout the trip, so stay tuned!

John 10:27-28

”My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.”