Ripleys Signing Off!

John took Gift & Grace to Disneyland to see Mickey
last weekend, giving Mom and Dad a chance to work
on our new apartment in peace! Thanks, John!!

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. " Lam 3:22-23

God has, indeed, proved His steadfast love to us over the past two months. Our return to the States has been filled with steady evidences of God's love and provision! Thank you all for your faithful prayers--God has answered.

1) Our first month home we were blessed to stay with a sister from my parents' church in San Jose. Gina gave us the entire upstairs of her home, including her own master bedroom, while she camped out in a guest room down below. Her amazing hospitality made our "re-entry" smooth and comfortable and we're very grateful to God for His gift to us manifested through her generosity and care.

2) We're now settled into a wonderful little 2-bedroom apartment right in the heart of Morgan Hill. A brother in our church blessed us with a great living room set and bedroom set that he could have sold, but gave to us (and the Lord) instead. So, though the kids are still living out of suitcases, we're quickly getting settled. Liese just refinished our old dining room table that had been stored in a dusty basement and it looks terrific! Rents are exhorbitant in this part of the country, but we praise God for His provision of this cozy little place we can now call home.

3) I got a great job! Thanks to all of you who have been praying about this. Especially during this time of financial crisis, finding work was near the top of our list in terms of prayer requests. But God is kind and a couple of weeks ago I started work for Mission Bell Manufacturing, a commercial casework & millwork company right here in Morgan Hill. My office is just a short 10-minute walk from our apartment. I am the Vice President of Corporate Support, responsible for overseeing Mission Bell's IT, Facilities, Safety, and Lean Manufacturing Programs. As if that weren't enough, the company is owned and run by three brothers who are committed followers of the Lord Jesus. The work environment is wonderful and I'm already having fun digging into a bunch of new challenges.

4) Our little ones are enrolled in school and are loving it. Gift and Grace are both 1st graders at a public elementary school which is about a 5-minute walk from our apartment. They're in separate classes, which is probably a good thing, and both like their teachers. More importantly, they seem to be adjusting quickly to the structured nature of "real" school and are learning how to sit still, do their homework, etc, etc. Last but not least, Liese is volunteering at the school library several hours per week and enjoying using her experience and skills right there at the school. At the same time, this allows her to be close to the kids during this transition stage for them. See what I mean about the kindness of God?

5) We've been able to spend some quality time with our 3 older sons. Glenn flew to Boise last month for a couple of great days with Marc, and John, of course, lives nearby. Stephen is going to school out in Louisville, Kentucky, so we haven't seen him yet, but we have talked on the phone many times and feel "re-connected" despite the distance.

We do still have some prayer requests!

1) Please pray for our hearts as we continue to process the last 7 years. We praise God for the rich ways He's blessed us through our time in Zambia, but Glenn, especially, is still processing his feelings about leadership in a ministry context and what God would have him do in the future.

2) Our financial status is "stable, but challenging." Glenn's new job pays well and will help in the long run, but since most of the assets we had now show up on the asset report of Action Zambia, we've had to start over from scratch. We don't regret this at all, but it is what it is. As a result, we're now facing about $12,000 in credit card bills. Part of this came from helping our older sons through their own financial challenges over the past year, and part from expenses of getting re-established in the States ourselves. In addition, our ministry expenses with Action Zambia exceeded our income by several thousand dollars over the past year (especially with the exchange rate being unfavorable), and, notwithstanding the personal donations we've made to the mission over the years, AZ is tracking this as a "debt" we still owe back to AZ. ACTION policy will allow us to stay on support for six months (through March 2009), so pray that God will meet these needs--especially the "debt" we owe AZ. After investing six years of our lives and almost all of our personal savings into the work there, we want to maintain excellent relationships with our dear friends and colleagues who are carrying on the work we started.

3) We were given a great little car while we were home in '07--a 1986 BMW. Liese and I are sharing it since I can walk to work some days and she can walk the kids to school others. It's a great blessing! But like us, it is "feeling its age" and sooner or later we'll need to replace it. Pray, though, that it will keep running until we get our finances under control! :)

4) We may have some major health issues with Grace (NOT HIV/AIDS, praise God). We're waiting for more tests after Glenn's medical benefits kick in next month, but please pray for wisdom and peace as we work through these things. God is faithful and we're not overly-concerned, but the challenges may be significant, so we'd appreciate your prayers.

5) Finally, please pray for our team back in Zambia. The Zambia IRS is still giving them fits over the way AZ has calculated and paid taxes the last few years and Ciyanjano Center (the farm where we lived) is also in the red. Other ministries are barely keeping their head above water. These financial challenges have been going on for about a year now and they really have the potential of robbing the missionaries of the joy of serving Christ in Africa. Some of the team, in particular, struggle with negativity and discouragement in the face of the unending financial problems, and they really need our prayers. Please pray three things for AZ--first, that God would provide financially and that these money issues, and especially the tax issue, would be put to rest for good; secondly, that God would raise up monthly donors to support the expenses associated with maintaining Ciyanjano Center; and lastly, that God would strengthen the hearts of our AZ colleagues and, whether the money worries stay or go, that He would preserve and/or restore their joy in ministry!

This will be our last blog, so we are now "signing off" as missionaries. We hope to stay in touch with all of you, though, our dear friends and colleagues. It has been a profound honor serving the Lord in Zambia and we will never forget your many words of encouragement, not to mention the financial sacrifices many of you endured on our behalf. May God bless you all richly for your service to Jesus and His Kingdom!!!

With real affection in Christ,
Glenn & Liese

Planting Season Ends

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth…” I Cor 3:6

When God called us to Zambia in 2002, we had a specific charter and vision—to establish a beachhead in Zambia for Action International Ministries. Our task was to go into a country where ACTION had never operated, explore ministry needs and opportunities, establish a local entity for the mission (Action Zambia), and recruit long-term workers who could carry on the work. In short, our job was to “plant” in Zambia.

Now, six and a half years later, God has made it clear that our work is done and that it’s time to hand over this ministry to those who have come behind. Just as Paul was content to let Apollos water what he had planted, we are happy to let others continue what we’ve begun—a full team, in fact, of godly men and women who are well-equipped for the work, passionate in love for Christ, and committed to seeing Action Zambia grow.

We’ve seen God do so many things these past years, it’s almost impossible to summarize! We’ve been privileged to meet literally thousands of Zambians, taught hundreds of pastors, seen churches planted and orphanages built, walked with street kids, laughed with Bible Club leaders, discipled, evangelized, and attended weddings and funerals. God has helped us to develop a 30-session Orientation Program for new missionaries, sort out immigration and work permit regulations, and form a local Action Zambia Board of Trustees. Liese has developed an AZ-customized language course, written curriculum for adults and children, developed strategies and materials for teacher training, and helped lead an amazing Bible Study with local women, largely using Nyanja, the local tribal language. We’ve hosted more than 2 dozen fantastic short-term teams, worked with some absolutely amazing “mid-termers,” and acquired and developed a property (Ciyanjano Centre) that, Lord-willing, will serve AZ years to come.

We know the news that we’re now leaving Zambia will come as a surprise to some of you, and no surprise at all to others. The past two years, in particular, have been full of ups and downs—thank you for praying with and for us during this season. God has taught us so much about leadership, ourselves, perseverance in ministry, and what makes for a good missionary, and we’re grateful for this invaluable time in our ministry. But now we’ve finished our course and know that God has something new for us back in the United States. Perhaps even another “field” somewhere that needs planting!?

We plan to complete our service with ACTION sometime early next year and want to express our deepest gratitude to those who have supported us financially for these past 7 years. Your reward will be in heaven and words fail to express what you mean to us. Thank you so much.

God-willing, we’ll be able to say good-bye to our many Zambian brothers and sisters at a big celebration the last weekend of September. It will be a bitter-sweet day, as we think of all God has done, reflect on the many friendships He’s given us, but then say good-bye to these dear brothers and sisters. Please be in prayer for us during this next 4 weeks—they won’t be easy in terms of emotions.

Then, sometime in the first week of October, we’ll board British Air for our flight back to California! What does God have for us there? We don’t know yet! ACTION policy allows to remain on support for up to six months after our return, but we’re hoping Glenn can find a job by the end of the year. Our first preference would be stay in the Bay Area, but we’re ready to relocate wherever God leads us, so let us know if you hear of a job opening for a returning missionary. [I’m thinking a job as a Starbucks Barista would be interesting!]

And please pray for our faith as we trust God, not only for a job, but also a place to live, a car, and all of the other little essentials of life. We’ve learned to live on much less than we used to think necessary, but we’ll be leaving almost everything we have (and had) in Zambia and starting over, and we confess we’re wondering how it will all come together. But God is faithful and we know He’ll supply. And unlike Naomi in the book of Ruth, we aren’t returning empty: we’re bringing two beautiful Zambian children, a much bigger world-view, a deeper passion for laying down our lives for Christ, and stronger-than-ever commitment to world missions.

POWER OUTAGES & $10/GALLON FUEL!

Sometimes “tribulation brings about endurance” really hits you where you live. Liese had just cracked the eggs into a bowl to scramble for breakfast this morning when the power went out--again. She took it in stride, though. Power outages have become more and more a way of life for us these past few months. Six to eight hours per day is the average lately—it came back on mid-afternoon today, but then went out again right after dinner, so I’m typing this by candlelight now.



Winter is coming to an end and Spring is just around the corner (remember—we’re in the Southern Hemisphere, so June/July is our winter!) My morning walks with Jailos Sakala and Boniface Phiri aren’t quite as chilly as they were a couple of weeks ago. As some of you know, I walk with a couple of guys for about an hour early in the morning 3 days a week. It’s our discipleship time (we discuss a chapter of Scripture each day) and good exercise for me too.

But as the warmer weather comes, so will the mosquitoes (and greater risk of malaria). Still, I look forward to the hot weather. By late September we should see temps in the high 80s pretty much every day. I can’t wait!



This past Sunday I preached at a little church in a nearby village named “Chikandano”—about a 30 minute walk from Ciyanjano Center where we live. “Philadelphia” would be a fair translation of Chikandano—the word literally means something like “of loving one another.” The little mud-brick room where Agape Baptist Church meets is situated right in the middle of this village of about 400 people. The church building has mud “pews” and a thatched roof (though much of the thatch has blown away lately and the sun was streaming through the gaps) and, of course, no electricity. But the joy of the Lord was easy to see on their beaming faces and their smiles lit up the room enough that my niece, Kaitlyn, and I had all the light we needed. Attendance this week was about 100—50 adults and 50 kids, which is pretty typical for this country where the average lifespan has dropped to 37 because of AIDS. It was a wonderful morning and I’m sure I’ll return. After the 3-hour standard morning service, the leaders insisted we stay on for another hour of discussions about how we can partner together to help this struggling little 4-year old church grow. It would be great to see their entire village reached for Christ!

So pray for us. That we’ll persevere through the mundane—coughs and colds, daily power outages, and soaring diesel prices (fuel prices hit $10/gallon this week and keeps going up). But even more, pray for our work. For churches like Agape Baptist and Chikandano Village. For our Pastoral Leadership Team that will be kicking off a new class soon on how to study God’s Word. For Liese as she teaches the other missionaries language and writes curriculum for church-based schools in poor neighborhoods. And for us—that we will continue to know God’s purpose in our lives and remain ready to respond whenever and wherever our Commander-in-Chief chooses to deploy us.

AZ Team Member now with the Lord

Our very dear friend and a founding member of the Action Zambia Board of Trustees has gone to be with the Lord after a sudden illness. Dr. Simon Mphuka, 45, died on August 4th after coming down with viral meningitis 3 weeks earlier. Simon leaves behind his wife, Lillian and three daughters.

Simon was a an amazing man, full of joy, gentleness, and energy, and his death is literally being mourned by thousands. As the Executive Director for the Church Health Association for Zambia (CHAZ), he was responsible for the agency that represents all mission hospitals (half of the hospital beds in the nation) to the government of Zambia. He was a international leader in the response to AIDS and his death was being mourned at a major AIDS conference in Mexico City at the same time that almost 2000 came for his funeral here in Lusaka. For those of you who have been here, Kabwata Baptist Church was packed to overflowing, with more than 750 grieving friends jammed inside and more than 1000 standing outside. It took 30-45 minutes just for mourners to file by his coffin at the end of the service.

Simon was one of our original AZ Board members when we incorporated in 2004 and it was a great honor to have a man of his stature on our Board. He was the kind of man that lit up every room he entered--he always made you feel like you were a special friend and that he was delighted to see you! I don't think I've ever known anyone who so consistently exhibited the joy of the Lord. At the same time, he was obviously a man of tremendous competence and energy, a medical doctor, elder at Kabwata Baptist Church, and devoted father and husband.

His funeral was very God-glorifying. He knew he was dying in his closing days and actually chose all of the hymns to be sung and the Bible reading for his funeral! Conrad Mbewe preached a powerful gospel message from Simon's chosen text, Psalm 103. "How could a man on his deathbed," asked Conrad, "chose a Scripture that declares, 'Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!'?" It was very moving, and yet very, very encouraging.

And so Simon has gone before us and is safe with Jesus. But we'll be reunited soon! Until that day, "we are of good courage; we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord... [but until then], knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others." 2 Cor 5:8-11

A Father's Prayer

"Oh Father, bless my sons on this special day. While their parents are half a world away, be a Father to them—keep them, guide them, and make their way straight. Incline their hearts to you, O Lord—they are young men who, like all of us, may wander away from you in their search for meaning and happiness. Teach them that real meaning and lasting happiness is only found in You.

"You know, Lord, that the hardest part of being in Africa is being so far away from them. Some have criticized our decision and secretly judged us irresponsible. Vindicate us, O Lord! You called to Zambia and we followed—now show Yourself powerful in our sons’ lives!! Redeem the missed years and lonely holidays. Surround them with men and women who love you and care for them and will even be surrogate parents to them. Your Word says that you’re a father to the fatherless—be a strong and loving father to our sons as they find their way in life with their biological parents so far, far away. Please, Lord.

"Bless John, our first-born, as he enters the Navy. Thank you for opening this door for him and make his way prosperous! Give him wisdom and success as he prepares for active military duty. Protect him from harm’s way in the physical sense and, especially, from the many spiritual pitfalls which await those in this walk of life. Cause him to fall more deeply in love you, Jesus and stoke the fires of his heart for You alone. Protect him from introspection—he’s so much like me in this.

"Bless Marc, our quiet one, so far away in Idaho. Open the eyes of his heart to see you in a fresh and powerful way. Lead him, tenderly, to Yourself and give him good success in school and business. Cause him to know our love for him, despite the hurt he may have felt as we answered Your call on our lives. Give him forgiveness towards us for our many short-comings as parents and make Yourself his champion. Meet his financial needs as he works to finish school.

"And bless Stephen on this, his 21st birthday. He truly has become a man! May this year be rich with blessings. Reveal Yourself to him with power and glory. Help him with his studies—give him grace to absorb all You want to teach him and stamina to persevere through long hours of study. Cause him to “speak in tongues” of Greek and Hebrew. And mostly, Lord, create in him a pure heart that loves You with a passion rarely seen in young men these days. Use him as an instrument in Your hands—a ready vessel, made of clay but dedicated to the Master’s use, as You see fit.

"Hear my cry, O God! Do these things for Your own Name's Sake!

In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Happy birthday, Steve!

July was a blur as we hosted Americans, Canadians, and Zambians at Action Zambia. Here at Ciyanjano Center, or “the Farm” as it’s been called in the past, we have seen several groups and individuals pass through. We hosted a team from Twin Lakes Church in Santa Cruz on its way north, then again on its way south, and enjoyed getting to know these wonderful people for the short time they were here to eat and sleep.


Pastors, elders, and leaders from Streams of Living Waters Churches
stayed at Ciyanjano Center for a 3-day Leadership Seminar

In between, we hosted the first Pastoral Leadership Development (PLD) seminar to be held at Ciyanjano. In fact, it was the first Zambian church group to spend the night in the team house. We’ve had seminars before, but none that stayed overnight at the facility. Each of the PLD missionary team played a part in presenting leadership training material…everything from small-group leadership to financial independence in the church. About 20 church leaders from 4 interconnected churches attended. Their comment at the end: “We had no idea you guys do this sort of thing. It’s wonderful!” Most wonderful to me, Liese, being not a part of the all-men’s conference, was hearing them play the African drums and sing around the campfire in the evening. You know you live in Africa when….! People here have such amazing voices, loud and strong, and in 4-part harmony. Imagine, men singing in harmony, sailing along with different interconnected parts of the song. All with African rhythm, singing songs to please the Father and creator of those voices. A reminder that Heaven will be wonderful.

Two weeks ago we hosted another visitor, Daniel Fender, who was traveling through a few countries in Africa to look into missions opportunities. Glenn and I did this, though not with a view to go to Africa full-time ourselves, about 8 years ago. You just never know what will happen when you get out there!

Then last week, the same day Daniel and our son, Stephen, left, good friends (and one of the elders) from our home-church, the Klingenbergs, arrived for a one-week’s stay. They spent part of their time at Ciyanjano, and part with the Melvilles in town (the Melvilles are also from West Hills). It was wonderful to have this family from Morgan Hill, even though it did bring on a strong bout of home-sickness! The Klingenbergs visited a number of AZ ministries and the AWANA Club sponsored by West Hills through the Adopt-a-Club Program.

So it’s been a busy month or two of visitors, along with all the normal ministry activity. Happily, visitors see things best when normal activity marches on. They just make some things more fun.

Family Ties

Liese's Dad, Claude, visited in June and we had an wonderful time together. He was a trooper as we dragged him around Lusaka to see a bit of our work here in Lusaka and then we all headed down to Victoria Falls for a quick family holiday and safari. We even spotted a pride of lions sleeping under a tree a few yards from our safari truck, which was a treat, even for those of us who live in Africa.


Claude and Grace at Ciyanjano Center

Stephen (our 21 year old son as of tomorrow) pointed out to me before he left last month that I hadn’t blogged that he was visiting us here in Zambia. Now that his visit of 2 months is over and done, I’m finally posting something about it. As a mom, I counted the days until his arrival and then counted down until his departure. Ack! We released him back into academia (Boyce College, the undergrad section of Southern Baptist Seminary) a few weeks ago. He’d been reading ahead for the short summer-term class he went right into 3 days after his return…over 400 pages of Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology, for a one-week, dawn to dusk class. Grade-wise and in all other ways he’s been doing very well in school. His only big drawback is that his mom and dad are an ocean away. Okay, WE think that’s a drawback, but I suppose every empty-nester feels the same. For Steve, Zambia is about as close to “home” as anywhere else. His Nyanja language skills are still sharp, people have been overjoyed to see him again, and he fits right in like a local. Gift and Grace especially enjoyed roughhousing with their big brother. Tickles and tag were constant.

Steve and Daniel Fender at Terranova Coffee Farm in Chikankata, Zambia

More recent news is the arrival of our niece, Kaitlyn DeVaul, who has come from California for three months to homeschool Gift and Grace. She started the day after she arrived, jet-lag and all, and can be heard quizzing the kids on their Nyanja catechism and English Bible verses inside and outside of school hours. Kaitlyn has already proven to be a master at dealing with rambunctious kids and also astute at figuring out their strengths and weaknesses academically. Her being here frees me to do other work, such as writing curriculum for Bible Clubs, Sunday Schools, and Church-run community schools.

Kaitlyn and the kids learn about the Roman Empire!

Kaitlyn will be leaving us September 18^th. We are already thinking about it, as we are hoping God will provide us with another teacher at about the same time. Are you interested? We are looking for someone with child-teaching experience, of godly mature character, and a sense of adventure, for anywhere from 3 months to 2 years. You would need to be self-funding, though the Ripleys will provide lodging and help with food and transportation. Let us know if you think God might be prompting you in this.

June Update from the Ripleys in Zambia

News from The Ripleys at Ciyanjano Centre
“Chee-yaw-njaw-noe”:
1)the new name of the AZ Ministry Center property;
2)Nyanja word for fellowship, unity, koinonia, togetherness;
3) where the Ripleys live, in the Kasupe region of Lusaka West, Zambia

Liese writes:

Dear Friends,
Hello from the southern hemisphere! It is getting colder here just as most of you are experiencing warming-up weather. Here in Zambia cold weather brings many challenges to our Zambian friends. This year has been particularly challenging for many as we have had record rains, ruined crops, constant power outages due to poor government management of the Kariba Dam facility, and higher prices for both charcoal and the mealie meal, the mainstay of the Zambian diet.

A few months ago I was struggling a bit in my walk with God. I often see His sovereignty, but faithlessly question His goodness. We see so many solid Christians struggling! He has been kind to show me how good He is in providing for people through us. It is proving to be a wonderful period for us of giving from what we have to those who have little. I have been deeply impressed by God’s goodness to those who need. He has used what He has given us to bless others. We really feel as if we are merely a convenient conduit for a God who loves to give, though often what we can give is accompanied by hugs, with a sense that we are sharing a blessing, seeing God at work together.

Last month we helped an elder from a CMML (brethren) church to relocate his family after losing his job at a co-op near our home. We have been off-loading our extra clothes, especially warm ones, to a friend in seminary so that his wife can sell them to buy food. I sent our extra beans and rice home with the kids of a widow nearby (her kids play with ours regularly). But my favorite story has to do with our housekeeper.

Anna Mbewe, or “Amake Lydia” (Mother of Lydia, her proper title) works for us three days a week, enough to pay her rent but not much more (and all we can afford). I probed how things are going with her a few weeks ago. Anna shared that her three daughters are struggling a bit because while they have uniforms to go to the nearby government school, they do not have shoes that fit nor sweaters of the appropriate color (that match their uniforms). They are not allowed to wear flip-flops (pata patas), and if they wear a non-maroon sweaters to school the sweaters will be confiscated. I chewed on those frustrating facts all day; we were down to no money ourselves except for what I had saved to have Grace’s hair plaited (woven with extension hair). Well, you can guess what the end of that was! Anna and I had a bit of a cry over it together as I explained that I couldn’t bear to know her girls were going to school cold every morning. Anna was widowed six months or so ago and her girls have really felt the change in income. I was so relieved to do what we could, though the money was only enough to buy the shoes and perhaps one sweater.

I am thankful that we are able to employ Anna as much as we do. She is a strong believer and a hard worker. Here at Ciyanjano Centre we have three employees, all who benefit from time with us (as well as their pay) and who contribute to the community in many ways. Jailos Sakala, one of our guards, led a young neighbor to the Lord two weeks ago and has counseled countless people. He often checks with Glenn as to how to handle situations biblically before he meets with people. Jailos, Boniface Phiri (our other guard) and Glenn walk together each day at dawn and discuss Bible. I think they are currently discussing the book of Hebrews. Both Jailos and Boniface then put that to work in preaching and adult teaching in the church next door.

Another neighborhood activity for me is the Kasupe area Women’s Bible Study. I meet with about six women each week, along with Elise Whitfield (a fellow Action Zambia missionary). I put together a study topic, discuss it with Patricia, the pastor’s wife from next door, then translate it with Jailos’ help. We do the study together, everyone looking things up and answering questions. We do the study in English and Nyanja. My Nyanja is getting a lot better! Last week Boniface’s wife, Amake Gift (Mother of Gift, their daughter), asked me to begin a weekly study with her net-ball team, a group of younger women. I’m looking forward to getting to know them.

Ciyanjano Centre’s neighborhood, the Kasupe region, has about 5,000 people in it. It is beautiful farmland, and has a mix of middle class farmers and very poor people. We have seen people pull together here over the last year, as everyone has worked to get the road passable after the rains and also as we have dealt with a recent increase in thieving and violent crime. Elise and I are hoping to increase our study to include more women, with an express intent to help our area’s women have building-up fellowship in Christ. Glenn has also done integrating work in holding pastors’ fellowship meetings. Pastors from hours’ walks away have come to meet together for encouragement and discussions about how to help people live biblically. Last time, the pastors agreed that their most difficult problem is the hold that witchcraft and traditional beliefs have on most people here in this rural area. People go to church, hear the word, then use superstition to handle their problems at home. For instance, one woman implored the pastor’s wife to wash her hands and feet in herbal water before entering the home to visit a woman who had had a miscarriage. The reason to wash? So that the pastor’s wife would be protected from the evil spirit that caused the miscarriage. The pastor’s wife gently told her that she trusted in Christ, not in traditional beliefs, and went in to pray with the woman. In another case, a widow was warned not to inhabit a house because there was a snake in residence, but not just any snake: it was supposedly a demon posing as a snake, thus more dangerous than your average (venomous) variety. She moved in anyway, trusting that God would protect her. After we found and removed a very large snake while putting on a new roof, she was more scared than before! Her faith really wavered under the pressure of neighbors’ dire predictions about Satan’s power.

We find out more and more of this sort of thing the longer we stay here. We are seeing God’s grace in opening such a needy mission field in the place He has given us as our home area. So thank you for allowing us to be here through your prayers and financial help. Please continue to pray for
• Our neighbors, who struggle with very high charcoal prices as the weather gets colder and with high food prices as a result of the overly abundant rains and crop failure
• Our finances, and especially that we would rejoice and trust as God trains us to live cheaper (the kwacha is doing very well against the dollar these days)
• Ciyanjano Centre, as it develops into a camping and training facility, that it would be truly a place of fellowship, unity, and togetherness
And, as a PS, we still need a teacher for Gift and Grace. We are looking for someone to come for one to two years to serve. Please let us know if you have someone in mind that would be suitable, and thanks for praying for this pressing need.

We love seeing God at work! Isn’t He good? May you have “Ciyanjano” in your home and church.
Mulungu akudalitseni! (God bless you!)
In His abundance,
Liese Ripley (for Glenn, Gift and Grace too)