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Busy Month of Training
Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) and Another Conference in Côte d'Ivoire
The past few weeks have been busy busy on the Thornton Ranch. First, Angie attended a three-week training for children's ministry led by a brother and sister at church trained by Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF). While most in attendance were Sunday School teachers, the goal went far beyond raising up more thoroughly equipped workers for the local church. Our vision is to start Good News Clubs throughout Thiès, with the objective of reaching hundreds of children for Christ. Join us in prayer as we pursue the possibility of starting a club in our own backyard.
Meanwhile, Dan recovered from typhoid and amoebic dysenterie well enough to participate in a much-anticipated conference in Côte d'Ivoire on academic assessment. He was able to reconnect with friends he'd made at the previous conference, and came home with a tool belt jam packed with new tools he can apply in his role as interim academic dean. Please pray for wisdom as the leadership team at ITES evaluates and implements strategic change.
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New Beginning and Sad Goodbyes
Bidding Farewell to the Flintoffs and Welcoming the Clays
As a family, we're coming up on nine years on the Senegal field. During that time, we have seen a number of changes in our Crossworld team. In the past year alone, our longtime team leader Kwashie Amenudzie and his family moved on to a new ministry in their native Togo, our senior member Bruce McMartin assumed the role of team leader, and our fellow workers Cyrille and Sheri moved to Canada while awaiting Cyrille's permanent residence.
As if all these changes weren't enough to make our heads spin, in the next couple weeks, we'll be seeing off our beloved friends the Flintoffs. They will be returning to their home church in Georgia, where Eric will serve as the associate pastor. Please pray for them as they leave behind the church and team they have grown to consider family and transition to life in a culture that has changed dramatically since they left N. America over six years ago. Dan and I will miss the Flintoffs dearly, but we know this will be especially hard on the girls, who will be losing some of their closest friends.
In the midst of these sad goodbyes, we also celebrate in the arrival of Ryan and Amy Clay. Farmers hailing from South Dakota, the Clays come willing to serve wherever the Lord leads, but hoping to use their expertise in the area of agriculture. Please join us in praying for them as they adapt to life in Thiès, and pray for me as I walk them through the orientation process.
Since the arrival of the Clays coincided with the departure of the Fintoffs, we seized this opportunity to relax, get to know one another, and enjoy a time of reflection and fellowship at a beautiful villa by the sea. Mission accomplished, as the pictures show. :)
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