Changes

Our family has fit a lot into the last month. On December 12^th we departed Lubumbashi and spent the next four weeks in South Africa. Our time began with the first ever Africa Nazarene Youth Conference held for youth all across Africa. Over 300 participants worshipped, learned and served together. The Spirit of God moved in mighty ways and we are excited to see this generation make a difference in their own countries.

We spent time with friends, ate delicious food, saw beautiful countryside, watched a couple movies at the theatre and purchased groceries we don’t often have in DR Congo (strawberries, blueberries, pasteurized milk and hard taco shells to name a few). Then, we ended our time with an amazing retreat for Nazarene missionaries serving all throughout Africa. It was wonderful to meet and spend time with colleagues and friends from South Africa, Zambia, Senegal, Ethiopia, Kenya, Swaziland and more. We worshipped together in English, French and Portuguese. We played games and laughed a lot. Testimonies were shared, good-byes were said to some who are moving and announcements were made for new positions being filled.

Along with these things, maybe the most unexpected thing we did was answer yes to a new role on our Field. Effective this month, Gavin is the Field Strategy Coordinator for our Field, Africa Central. It is bittersweet to say goodbye to Stéphane and Sandra Tibi, who led our Field well these last 3 ½ years. They will be moving to the Eurasia Region and serving as the Regional Education Coordinator. While we will still live in Lubumbashi, Gavin’s responsibilities will be a bit different.  In much the same way we have been serving in DR Congo, we will serve in the Republic of Congo, Cameroon and Gabon. Some of the first things we are concentrating on is building a team of missionaries and leaders, as well as entering new places where the church has not been yet. We are humbled and excited and ready to be used by God in this way.

Would you join us in prayer as we take on this new responsibility? We pray for wisdom, discernment and God’s guidance.