I suppose my resignation from SIM was timely, considering how overwhelming it's been caring for a baby-turning-toddler and an older toddler. Someone who listened in on my house for an hour could tell they are both boys based on how many times I say "no, don't swing/jump off/climb on/throw that!" and comfort whichever one most recently bumped his head. I'm as busy as can be between that and all the homework we are doing to pursue buying a house (tentatively the one we have been renting), and of course the usual things breaking down. (Currently the oven does not work, my washing machine shakes violently even after hours trying to level it and $250 to replace the damper pads, and I've been cutting and screwing in replacement hardware around our ridiculously drafty doors.)
But I am still doing what I can for TEN3. I did finish that desktop publishing course I mentioned in my May post. I collect the prayer requests and praises for our weekly prayer/admin meeting. I also do the semi-annual reports of what is happening in each place we minister. It's so encouraging to hear Christie report how she is discipling her teachers with our CTO Bible study, and they are teaching it to all their students. You can listen to the teachers' testimonies about how the material has impacted them here. They are working on a project to record our material in audio form.
Collins in Zambia reports that he has been given approval to start computer clubs in public and private schools, where he will disciple students with the CTO.
Our partners in Tanzania are struggling. I have not heard anything from Bunda in a long time. Miriam in Arusha is suffering from health problems, and the two young men who were going to teach for her can no longer put in the time. She has another person who has agreed to teach, and who has a good computer background but he will have to start from the beginning with TEN3 orientation when it comes to our principles and tactics of education/discipleship.
Anthony asked me what I would like to keep doing for TEN3 in the coming years as we face yet another retirement, this time our consulting coordinator. We agreed that my primary job will be to keep records of our homeschooling curriculum, methods, resources, etc., so that the ministry can use it as they see opportunity. I will also be available to Christie as she works on curriculum with the Association of Christian Schools, to consult upon request. I am loosely keeping up with what the team is doing on worldview education. I'm not putting a whole lot of focus on it until it's decided exactly what they want to do with it, but I do want to be available to contribute.
TEN3 members have always had to sit very loose in the saddle, as things have never gone the way we planned. I'm sitting looser than ever now, but that is okay. The Lord blesses what we give, little or much, so long as we give Him our all. He does not use it the way we expected, but His ways are higher than we can imagine.
Thank you, whoever may still be reading this, for keeping with us through this journey of joys, struggles, questions, and revisions. Your faithfulness, and the faithfulness I see in the Lord through all this, reminds me of the refrain,
All the way my Savor leads me
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy
Who through life has been my guide?
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate're befall me
Jesus doeth all things well.
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