The Ups and Downs

It is hard to put into words all the events and emotions of the last month.  We have experienced some very high highs and some very low lows.  We have seen God’s faithfulness through it all.

Sierra and the War in Israel:

Two week ago, while the IBEX students were touring Petra in the country of Jordan, war unexpectedly broke out in the land of Israel.  The students and staff were graciously spared from any physical harm.  The administration of The Master’s University had to make the heartbreaking decision to pull the students out of Israel and swiftly decided for them to return to the TMU campus in California.  God’s hand of provision and guidance was so evident as flight arrangements were made, border crossings were successfully navigated and the whole group was able to travel together back to California.  We are so disappointed that the Israel experience is over for Sierra, but we KNOW that God has bigger purposes.  Please pray for many friends back in Israel who are courageously fighting against the evil of terrorism.

Curriculum for the MK School:

We have successfully completed our first month of school … even without the books and supplies that were ordered back in the spring!  It seems that the original shipment has been lost, or at least indefinitely delayed.  Upon finding out that a short-term missionary team was willing to bring some books in their luggage, we decided to place a second order of essential materials.  Our sending church, Meridian First Baptist, rallied around this need and provided the funds for this second order.  We hope to receive the curriculum in early November.  In the meantime, our students have been such a tremendous source of joy.  We are known as “Uncle Marc” and “Aunt Serena” at the school and that certainly describes the relationship that we feel with each student.  Studying the book of Ephesians in Bible class has been the highlight of the year so far.  We have been memorizing Ephesians 1:3-14 and have taken great comfort in remembering that we are the recipients of EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING because we are IN CHRIST.

Aside from our responsibilities as teachers, we have enjoyed trips to the cities of Dapaong and Kara, weekly volleyball games at a Togolese community center, corporate worship at Bel Amour Baptist Church, and special times of fellowship with our missionary colleagues.  It is a blessing to serve in Mango!