What I've Been Up To in 2023 so far. . .
Mentoring Emerging Missionaries
March found me in Cote d'Ivoire to do some small-group mentorship with emerging missionaries to children in West Africa.
- I lived and worked directly with five missionaries in the early part of their career. Two of them were associates who were originally supposed to come work with us in Togo prior to Phil's diagnosis. I'm so thankful for the chance to still speak into their lives.
- I spent three weeks teaching daily classes on contextualizing ministry to children in Africa, understanding culture, basic principles of discipleship and compassion ministry with children.
- I used recordings of Phil doing teacher training in Africa to model what good training looks like. Phil's ministry and legacy will continue to have an impact in Africa. (And thankful to those who helped with those recordings ten years ago. We never imagined we'd use them this way, but God knew!)
Sunday School Shelters
I'm excited to tell you that I just got approval to help the Togo Assemblies of God Children's Ministry department build 24 new Sunday school shelters in 2023! This is not my own doing, but is thanks to funds you have already donated for this project. Given the historically phenomenal growth these structures lead to, this has potential to bring as many as 5,000 children into the local churches.
Ordination
In April, I was officially ordained with the Assemblies of God through the Oregon Ministry Network. Ordination is an official recognition by the body of ministers of the call God has placed on a person's life. It was a bittersweet moment, (Phil should have been there!) and I continually thank God for allowing me this accreditation to continue the work Phil and I started together 25 years ago. I also want to thank the leadership of the Oregon Ministry Network for encouraging me, believing in me, and standing with me in this new season.
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