FILLED WITH THANKFULNESS

Days are passing fast and we thank God for keeping us day by day and blessing in the work of Feed my Lambs.  Today we can say with the hymn writer "My heart is filled with thankfulness."  We are so thankful to God for His blessings to us personally and in the work.  We are thankful for how He provides and leads and opens up opportunities in Africa to bring the Gospel to boys and girls.  Yesterday afternoon; after sharing the work of FML in a meeting; it was commented that it was obvious we enjoy the work and are enthusiastic about it.  Well, we hope that comes across when we speak because we do have a burden for the children....but more than that, how could we do anything else but enjoy this special calling God has placed upon our lives and to know that we are so privileged to be able to serve Him in the place He has chosen for us.

Today we would like you to remember our workers in Kenya and Uganda.  In particular we would ask you to pray for three team members and  their families.  Joyce, her husband and children have had a period of sickness and Joyce was particularly ill and had to be admitted to hospital.   We are thankful that she has now been discharged and giving praise to God for His hand upon her.  Pray that she and the family will continue to know increasing strength in the coming days. 

Pastor Aringo and his wife also have 3 children.  Two boys and 1 girl.  We would ask you to pray for one of his sons who is at the point of starting College.  Pray that God will provide the school fees needed not just for this one son but for the other two children as well.

Another of our team members especially needs prayer at the moment.  This particular worker is based in Kenya and has been going through a very difficult time over the past few months.  Yesterday and today they are in a very specific situation which requires much prayer.  The issue will be ongoing for weeks to come.  We are unable to share much publicly as this is a very private matter to the team member involved and so we would take the unusual step of asking you to respect this and do not ask us for further details as we will not be able to share.   We appreciate the confidence which has been placed in us concerning this and are up to date on what is happening.   We would stress that this is an urgent prayer need and ask you to bring it before the Lord knowing that He knows all about it.  We would really ask you to pray that God will give strength and guidance where it is needed.  We ask you to pray that God's will is done in the life of the person concerned and for the family of this individual that they too will know guidance and peace as they pass through the waters.  For William and I and our committee we ask for wisdom to know how to deal with the situation in the immediate future and any implications long term for Feed my Lambs.   We appreciate your understanding and prayers concerning this matter.

Thank you for your continued prayers for William as he has been studying.  His marks for assignments have been good and he is encouraged with the course and the teaching he has received.

We thank God for His goodness to us throughout the month of March as we have shared at numerous meetings.  We have appreciated being able to return to Churches and fellowships this month where we have spoken before and who are familiar with our ministry for the Lord but we are especially thankful for 3 opportunities in March to share of FML in places we have never been in before.  We have also just this morning been booked for a meeting later in the year in a new venue.  Thank you for praying.

We are encouraged regarding Bibles.  We have been communicating with a new outlet we have never used before in regard to purchasing some Bibles.  They have just yesterday notified us of the quantity they have available and we have been negociating a price and are awaiting final confirmation concerning this.   We also just need to check whether it will be cheaper for one of our workers to travel to them and collect the Bibles or whether they can deliver to them by bus.  The postal service is very different in Kenya and Uganda so this is again something which needs considered.  This purchase will by no means provide a Bible for every child currently waiting but it is good progress all the same and we are excited!

We have also been encouraged as a little Sunday School here in Northern Ireland continues with their partnership with a school in Kenya.  On Sunday they were singing a chorus we taught the Kenyan children and were also completing some of our lessons to see just what the boys and girls in Africa have to do in order to receive a Bible.  Perhaps you are connected with a Sunday School or Children's Meeting and you would like to teach the children in your charge about the children of Kenya and Uganda.  We can help and advise you on how to do this and provide information for you. 

Here in the UK office, the do to list is as long as ever.  Updating our mailing list with new names who require our prayer news; thank you letters/receipts for donations received; some more work on updating our child protection policy and some accounts are just a few of what is on the list at the moment needing attention today and over the next week.  Pray for us as we take care of all of these administrative tasks and prepare for our next meeting which is next week. 

We have also today confirmed our next clothes collection for this day week; 25th March.  If you have any new or used clothes, bags, shoes, curtains, bedding etc. which you no longer need or want, please contact us to arrange how we can get them.  The more we have this time round, the better.  However, if you miss this collection, please feel free to forward such items to us at any time in preparation for the next collection.

Thank you for your ongoing prayers for the salvation of the boys and girls.  This week thousands will complete our lessons.  Others will be taught the Word of God by our volunteers.  A number of volunteers will be busy marking lessons while others will be travelling back and forwards distributing lessons.  Some team members will be planning future projects.  New teaching materials are being prepared and administrative work will be taking place in our offices. 

What will you be doing as part of our team?  Will you be praying for a specific need?  Will you be knitting a cardigan to send out?  Will you be giving a financial gift to the work?  Will you be emailing to encourage us?  Will you be calling to book us for a meeting?  Will you be passing FML literature on to others who may be interested?  Will you be sharing with children here about the boys and girls in Kenya and Uganda?  What is your reason for reading this blog?  Will you be challenged to play your part?