Hurricane Wilma Update
We returned to Fort Myers from Africa just in time to put up our hurricane shutters and prepare for Hurricane Wilma. Especially the back side of the storm was stronger than anyone expected and part of the water system for our well blew over and broke in pieces. But we were without electricity for only 16 hour this time and our water system was repaired by mid-day on Tuesday. Matthew missed full week of school. There was no further damage to other NMSI property. Thanks for your prayers!!
Africa
Thank you so much for your prayers for us during our Triennial Conference in Kenya! We had a wonderful time! The highlight for us was definitely re-connecting with international affiliates and meeting new ones.
We also spent a significant part of the conference helping some of our young American affiliates who are scarred from extremely abusive backgrounds get counseling and encouragement from Andrew Olsen, an Australian psychologist/therapist who will be moving to Fort Myers to work with NMSI in January. We each sat in with these dear young people as he counseled them and we will continue to help them process and apply what they are learning.
We were able to visit our ministry center for “Africa Hope”
in Narok and saw first hand some of the work that is being done to save a
generation of AIDS orphans from the cycle of poverty and death. It was both
encouraging seeing the progress and sobering to see so many needs.
We all received spiritual refreshment through teaching and preaching from ministry leaders from each continent and from an American pastor and NMSI board member who led our daily devotional times. Bob taught a spiritual formation series as an option among three workshops being offered for three afternoons.
Ruth, a Kenyan national who along with her husband Japheth has just affiliated with New Mission Systems told us that this was the first time since she’d been married 20 years ago that she’d had the opportunity to leave home and have a break from the responsibilities of raising eight children and helping with her husband’s church planting ministry.
Honduras
As of November 1, Anne is taking on new responsibilities as the Field Advisor for NMSI's ministries in Honduras. Currently we have missionaries ministering in two cities. She will be in contact with them most every week and will visit them at least two or three times a year.
Again thank you for your prayers for us. We didn’t get sick at all and felt strengthened and joyful in spite of so much bumpy and dusty travel from place to place. We appreciate you so much!
Bob & Anne
Praise Points:
We were healthy the entire time we were in Africa!
We are greatly encouraged by all God is doing throughout the world.
Prayer Points:
Anne is taking on additional responsibilities as the NMSI Field Advisor for Honduras.
Bob is teaching a Spiritual Formation course this fall.
Pray for wisdom in planning and scheduling for 2006.
To contribute to our ministry go to this website www.nms-intl.org/donate and follow directions. Our name will be on the list of missionaries/ministries that contributions can be designated to. We are responsible for raising all the funds needed to cover our salary and ministry expenses.