Citizens of Heaven
August 17, 2025Finding Peace
August 25, 2025
From a culture steeped in witchcraft and tradition, you hear and respond to the gospel message. Christ has forgiven your sins and bestowed the Holy Spirit for your sanctification. How will you learn to live a Godly life in a land where mature believers are few and far between? Growing into adulthood, as you and seek to start a family and ministry, where will you look for examples?
The dedicated young Africans around me desperately need mentoring and inspiration, especially those who are rising up to lead our congregation. While awaiting God’s answer to our prayers for more seminary-trained church planters, I saw potential in the annual church association conference I attended last September in Cape Town. “Our guys need to come here next year!” I exclaimed to myself.
Though not a substitute for long-term discipleship, three full days of teaching and fellowship with hundreds of church leaders from various African countries would be a significant boost to the spiritual growth of our church’s up-and-coming leaders. Visits to healthy Christian families, if possible, would be incredibly valuable as well. With the announcement that the 2025 conference would be in Johannesburg, 1,400 miles away instead of 2,200, I dared to dream that our young men could participate.
I quickly realized that the only feasible way for them to get to the conference would be for me to bring them in my car, traversing difficult African roads for three full days each way instead of enjoying a three-hour plane flight. They would need help getting passports and paying for lodging along the way. They would need translation, not just of the language but also to bridge the gap between their experience and the developed world. They would need advice about clothing to keep them comfortable in colder temperatures than they have ever experienced. And the list continues of ways that such a trip would be a sacrifice of love on my part.
The guys didn’t miss a beat. They categorically affirmed their urgent need for examples of robust Christianity in action. They expressed enthusiasm for the journey and commitment to whatever sacrifices on their part it would entail. In short, they were all in.
Thus began a flurry of research, planning, and preparation. We defined the trip’s costs and the men began saving money. They arranged for co-workers to cover their responsibilities in their absence so they could obtain leave from their employment. Zarito had to back out for health reasons, so Arcénio took his place. Those without passports applied for them. Our mechanic taught us basic auto maintenance and recommended additional supplies to buy. We chose and practiced hymns to present together.
Understandably, the host church will be too busy with conference work to arrange special visits or outings for us. The pastor did invite the men to a church leadership training event in November, which we’ll keep on our radar. In the meantime, God opened the door for us to visit two homeschooling pastors’ families, one for a night on our way to the conference and the other for the weekend afterwards. At a park outreach event, Jeremias and Calton will preach and we’ll all sing together. Jeremias will also teach, and I’ll lead a women’s study, at the church of our friends with whom we’ll spend the first weekend of our trip.
With our trip scheduled for August 29 through September 11, please bathe us in prayer:
- that the men will receive their passports on time
- that our four international border crossings will proceed smoothly and all our interactions with officials will be positive
- for wisdom and stamina in my driving, translation, and cultural coaching
- for good health for us all, without colds, food poisoning, or migraines
- that I can maintain my anti-migraine regime of diet, exercise, and sleep
- for our comfort in the cold weather
- for protection from accidents, mechanical breakdowns, and theft
- for peace and charity towards one another in any difficulties that arise
- that our ministry in teaching and song will be effective and that we will find other opportunities to share the gospel
- for our spiritual refreshment, invigoration, and stimulation at the conference
- for the formation of deep, edifying, fruitful friendships with brothers and sisters in Christ
- that the men will be inspired in Biblical leadership of their own families through the homes we visit
- for healing for Nraca’s wife and children who are currently ill
I look forward to reporting in the next few weeks on God’s answers to your prayers.
