Mother’s Day
But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children… We were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves. 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8
Paul was like a “mother taking care of her own children” to the churches that were his family. Mother’s Day is not fully recognized in every country, but most places set aside a day to recognize mothers. This month seems like an appropriate time to share a story about my mom.
This past November, she started reading the Orality Curriculum for the first time. She started with the shorter stories in the book “Equipping Disciplemakers” and answered the questions for her personal devotions. She said, “I have been in many Bible studies, but I have never grown in my faith like I am now. It feels like all of these stories are so much more personal.” Then she asked, “Kevin, is this what you teach all around the world?” “Yes” I responded, “This is what we have been teaching for the past 18 years.”
At age 86, this gentle old lady began telling her family the stories she was learning and it began to spread. Her first student was my brother, and then grandchildren, and a niece, and her sister. My brother brought the curriculum to the youth workers in his networks and he noticed how it forced them to apply God’s Word to their own life rather than just discuss theology. He ordered multiple copies and gave them to leaders who were looking for a tool to connect with their students in a fresh engaging way. Now classes have begun within networks that we had no idea about, all because my mom was still willing to listen to the Lord and learn what He had to say to her.
We all have people we watch over and care for, people that watch our actions and listen to our words. What would happen if we allowed God’s Word to become “more personal” and in turn it affected those around us?
Please note that our address has changed and send your contributions to the new address.
If not us, then who?
If not now, then when?
It is a challenge trying to keep up with the Orality training taking place around the world. Here is a review of recent trips and a picture of what is coming soon.
In January, Kevin Olson and Paul Kneeland led training in Bangladesh, and Cambodia, with students coming from Myanmar. Nate Jore brought training to Hawaii.
Our friends in Pakistan began a class in Islamabad in January. They travel there every month to bring the gospel to center of Taliban activity.
In February, Nate encouraged the leaders in Uganda and Mesa, Arizona.
In April, Nate traveled to New Brunswick, Canada for training. It was a deeply impactful time for those that were part of the training.
Ernest Chigawa fom Malawi spent two weeks in Maua, Mozambique over Easter. The northern area of Mozambique has had significant persecution of Christians. He is now in Zambia to help them prepare for graduation in July.
This summer, Nate will lead a team of five to Ukraine from June 25th – July 6th where the team will help lead the summer family camp. Kevin will lead a trip to Malawi from July 27th – August 8th. Paul will be organizing a trip to Kenya in August.
We are aware that this is an aggressive schedule and a challenge to our budget. We are also aware that the gospel is going into countries torn apart by war and places that are removed from other means to share the hope that Jesus offers. The Lord does not call us to do easy things because we would be prone to take the credit for the results. He calls us to do impossible things. Things that only He could accomplish and only He could make a way.
Join us in the impossible.
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