THANKS FOR A FAITHFUL TEAM AND PRAYING FOR THE YEAR AHEAD

Time is flying.  We are almost at the end of another month and more and more we are looking ahead and making plans for FML for the incoming year.  Am also looking back alot at the minute and thinking of special times.  It is 4 months today since my dad went to be with the Lord.  He is missed so much.  In regard to FML, it is at the market where we miss him the most.  Customers are still commenting to us about how strange it is without him.  

William came on the photograph below.  It shows myself and dad the very first time we had an FML stand at an event.  

I remember that night so well.  So much to pack in the car as William, dad and I headed off to the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.  We didn't know what to expect.  We had put so much thought into what we would have on display, what we would hand out and how we would answer the questions and enquiries.  We were excited and we were nervous.  The Lord helped.  I am so thankful that dad was able to be a part of that night and many others like it since.  


Dad will always be an important part of the work.  A few days ago I spoke to Joyce in Uganda and she commented on how dad was a big loss to FML.  She also remembered our dear friend Billy who passed away one year before; he was someone who also prayed much for us.


We look ahead with mixed emotions but trusting God to guide us and lead us in the work.


Joyce will soon travel to Kampala in Uganda as there is great interest in our lessons there.  We pray that God will guide her as she speaks to the leaders of the Churches/schools who have enquired.  


Pastor Aringo continues to be busy co-ordinating the work and the lessons.  He also will travel to the Kisii area very soon as new opportunities are opening up there.


Moses and his team continue with the school ministry.  We are discussing another new venture for the Nakuru area and appreciate your prayers as we pray over every issue concerning this.  Pray that we will know the right time for this particular outreach.


Please pray for the School Ministry team in Nakuru.  We thank God for each one who accompany Moses to the Schools.  Most have other jobs and are fitting in the schools around their work.  Pray that they will be encouraged in their labours.


Pray for the Pastors and children's workers in Kenya and Uganda who assist our team in distributing the lessons to the children in their vicinity.  We have people who help in Mombasa, Kisumu, Uganda and other areas.  We appreciate their help, especially in the rural areas which are hard to reach.


We also ask you to pray for those who mark the lessons and assist us in this way.  Without this help it would be very difficult to keep up.  I have marked myself when in the office in Nairobi and it is actually quite a difficult job and requires discipline and concentration.  We thank God for each marker.


Pray for the new students on our child protection course.  They are from Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria.  Pray that God will help them as they study.


Continue to pray for the market ministry here in Northern Ireland.  We packed up a bit earlier than normal on Saturday as the weather was so wet and windy and we had very few customers.  However, overall, we did quite well financially over the two days considering the weather conditions.


This week William will return to his course, after missing last week as he was unwell.  Pray for him as he continues to study.  No doubt, he will also be getting another load of coal, blocks etc. ready for the market.


In the office this week I have accounts to record, money to send to Kenya, child protection assignments to mark and a worksheet to prepare as well as a few other things.  I will be out of the office for the rest of today, so there is quite a lot to fit into Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before returning to the market on Friday.


We are conscious that we need the Lord each day; we need Him here in N.I and the team in Kenya and Uganda need Him also.  The weeks go by very quickly and we face many decisions and have much to pray about.  Please remember us, as especially as we plan for the year ahead.  We trust that the Lord will show us which projects to go ahead with and when to do that and that He will also show us which projects need to wait for a while.  We need His wisdom and His guidance.