LOCKWOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH
2011 MISSIONARY ANNUAL REPORT FORM
Dear Co-laborer,
Our desire is to
minister to you. In order to do this
most effectively, we need to be regularly updated about your ministry, plans,
and personal needs. Thank you for taking the time to keep us
informed. God bless you as you continue
to serve Him.
Personal Information___________________________________
Name: Rev. Jim &
Jennifer B
Location of Ministry:
Kayes, Rep. of MALI, West Africa
Family members living
at home: Susanna (at boarding school during school year)
Current Address: BP 51, Mission Protestante, Kayes, Rep. of
MALI
Telephone Land
Line: 223-2153-1423
Jim’s cell:
223-xxxxx
Date of next planned
home ministry: July 2012 until Summer 2013
Ministry Information_____________________________________________________
Briefly describe your
ministry
Ø
Church-planting among the Fulani people.
Ø
Support work in the Malinké Church.
Ø
Evangelism among the Moors.
Ø
Networking and facilitation of others to work
among the Fulani, for example, the COMINAD* and JCMWA**.
Ø
Bible teaching once a year in a Bambara-language
Bible school run by a sister Norwegian mission.
Ø
Dakar Academy School Board (Jennifer)
*Cooperative
Missions Network of the African Dispersion, an African-American organization
promoting missions in black churches in the USA.
**Joint
Christian Ministry in West Africa, a partnership of missions and churches among
the Fulani
State your ministry
accomplishments this past year.
Ø
Our greatest ministry “accomplishments” would
have to be the arrival of new workers to reach the Moors, after years of
promoting this ministry through annual evangelism campaigns in Moor villages.
In January, Rev. Andrew arrived (along with his pastor, Rev. Peter Mah, for
a two week visit) to begin his ministry in Mali among the Moors. He went home to Canada for the summer so he
could bring his wife, Mary, back (they both arrived in Kayes the week of
October 10). They will live in Kayes and make excursions to Moor villages, as
well as facilitate teams who come to help.
Ø
Meanwhile, we were contacted by an X missionary who had some short-term (30 mos.) workers coming out on a Storying
project. She asked if we would like a team to live in a Moor village, so in
September two young men from the US, X &X, arrived to take up
residence in a Moor village where we have long had good contacts and relationships. Jim & Andrew are their coaches.
Ø
The Duduya well project had been suspended due
to lack of funds (and very hard granite rock which was making it more expensive
than anticipated). The project was
recommenced in February and again in September after a number of generous
donations. We hope it will soon be done and are still receiving funds for it in
the West Africa Relief & Development Fund #65-353.
Ø
We received three teams during the year:
·
Three Chinese-Canadian medical professionals
(brought out by Andrew Lee) who did clinics in a Moor village and Kayes. They
did good work, but experienced some culture shock in the village.
·
An international team from the Islamic Republic
north of us to visit Moor villages, which they do annually. They felt that it
was one of the most successful outreaches ever! They were warmly welcomed in
all the places they visited.
·
Four Americans through Christ for Humanity, a
Christian NGO in Tulsa, OK; three women and one man. They did a blood pressure
clinic in a Soninké village to enhance the ministry of an African-American SIL
missionary; Bible teaching to women and health checks in three Malinké village
churches; ESL training and teaching for a Christian-owned company in Bamako. As
a result, one young woman is joining UWM to come work with street children in
Dakar for two years (she wanted to come to Mali, but with our Home Assignment
beginning in less than a year, we regretfully steered her toward Senegal), and
the young man is preparing for a career in missions. This contact with CFH was
the fruit of our involvement with COMINAD.
Ø Our mission is a charter member
of the Malian Association of Evangelicals (AGEMPEM*). Jim sat on the Executive
Committee this past year and attended their annual General Conference last
September. At that time, an issue arose which led to one of the largest members
of AGEMPEM choosing to suspend its membership. At a second meeting in October, Jim
became a member of the Reconciliation Committee which tried to resolve the
dispute (which was between members of the organization). He went up to Bamako
for meetings several times during the year and spent a lot of time discussing
the issues with pastors and other missionaries, to get their wisdom and
feedback. We praise the Lord that at this year’s annual meeting. AGEMPEM
accepted the Committee’s recommendations and a solution was reached which will
lead to the re-admission of the self-suspended member.
*Association
des Groupements de Missions et Églises Protestantes et Évangéliques au Mali
Ø
Jennifer rejoined the Dakar Academy School Board
this year and attended three plenary meetings. She also administered Stanford
Achievement Tests to MKs in Kayes.
Ø
Jennifer also began studying online for her
Master of Arts in Teaching from Liberty University Online. She took two courses
in the fall. Due to the comings and goings of teams and personnel, she was
unable to study in the spring.
Ø While in Dakar for our annual
vacation/Beat-the-Heat month, we were able to participate in the festivities
for Dakar Academy’s 50th Anniversary. Our good friends, Don &
Jan Kuhn, came to facilitate the events, so they recruited Jennifer to plan and
organize tours for visitors, and Jim acted as tour guide.
Ø Our co-workers, Mark & Marcie
H, went on Home Ministry in March. As usual, this meant that whatever
needs the Malinké Church folks had landed on our doorstep, even though we are
not technically in Malinké ministry. We were pleased that this went better than
the last time, when almost all our time was taken up with the needs of that
church, greatly reducing time for Fulani ministry.
Ø Jennifer is teaching Bambara to
two short-term missionaries who are here to teach missionary kids.
Ø Jim
liaises with the Sowers Association, a Kayes church family group which has started
a private Christian school, Lafiyabougou Christian School. This year has seen receiving Mali government
approval for the pre-school, getting plans for school buildings fleshed out,
construction of a second shelter to house 2nd grade, receiving a
large gift from Christ for Humanity in the form of a special brick making
machine (which is arriving in October 2011), sending three men for a special
training seminar on Christian education, connecting with Partners Intl to have
them look at this project, and getting UWM to officially agree to this
project. Donations may be made to “# 63627 – Mali: Training & School Facilities
Kayes
Ø
State
your goals for this next year.
Ø To complete the Duduya well, now at 29 m deep
with limited water.
Ø To use Fulani media to expand pre-evangelism
outreach.
Ø To encourage weak believers and “show Bible”
to Muslims through visits and Bible studies.
Ø To continue discipling new convert, Mamadou,
and encourage some “on-the-fence” seekers to take the step of faith in Jesus
Christ: Hussein, Modi, and Idi.
Ø Jennifer: To serve effectively on the Dakar
Academy Board of Education.
Ø To see the Sowers Association’s Lafiyabougou
Christian School add second grade to their curriculum, and build its first
building, and also further develop its partnerships.
Ø To facilitate short-term teams whenever
possible; in the winter of ’12 we anticipate another medical team of
Chinese-Canadians with Andrew Lee, and a team of about 5 from Christ for
Humanity in OK.
Ø To participate with the Norwegian Lutheran
Mission in their leadership training. In November Jim will teach Storying to
their missionaries and pastors alongside a former New Tribes missionary. In the
spring, we expect to teach in their Bible school again.
Ø To maintain and improve the Mission property,
making it useful for our team, the Christian school, and the local church.
Ø Jim: To continue working toward MA Degree in
Muslim Studies at CIU (SC) to better understanding of Islam, animism, and
ministry to Muslims, to be able to teach about Islam and devise appropriate
strategy for reaching Fulanis.
Ø Jennifer: To successfully complete courses in
the Master of Arts in Teaching program thru Liberty University Online.
Ø Jennifer: To grow in her Prayer Ministry.
Ø Jennifer: has been invited to teach Storying
to the women’s fellowship of one of the churches in Kayes. She wants to teach
it in such a way that the women learn the Progress of Redemption for their own
edification and spiritual growth, but also practically so they can share it
with others.
Ø To prepare for Home Ministry Assignment,
beginning in the summer of 2012.
Ø
To
support our children in times of transition: Danielle will complete five years
of teaching at Dakar Academy and head to the States for grad school. Ruthanne
will graduate with a degree in Accounting from Bluffton University, OH, and is
seeking God’s will for her next step. Susanna graduates from high school in
June ’12 and has applied to four colleges.
Please explain any
anticipated changes in ministry such as location or type of ministry.
We have not had a one-year Home Assignment since 2004, so
after Susanna graduates we plan to spend one year in the States. In the fall
months, we will serve as missionaries-in-residence at CIT, UWM’s training
center in Rutherford County, NC. Toward Christmas we will move north again
(Baltimore or Philadelphia) and pursue our usual Home Ministry travels and
deputation.
Upon our return in mid-’13, Lord willing, there is a strong
chance we will move the capital, Bamako. Jennifer wants to be involved in MK
education, and would like to teach at Bamako Christian Academy, a small school
there. Jim is very interested in doing cross-cultural training among nationals,
and Bamako is a good central location for such work, and he is contacting
groups for which this can be done.. He would also make frequent trips to Kayes
to keep up with his Fulani friends.
What were the
greatest joys or ministry highlights during this past year?
Ø
Arrival of 4 new workers, after years of praying
for missionaries to reach the Moors!
Ø
Very positive experiences with our short-term
teams.
Ø
Seeing Ben work through his adjustment to
college, as hard as it was.
Ø The
resolution of the conflict within AGEMPEM.
A solution was
arrived at which seems to be pleasing to most. We cannot say that the three
groups in dispute affected a complete reconciliation, or even shook hands, so
continue to PRAY for the unity of Christ’s church here.
Ø Ruthanne & Benjamin both got
summer jobs, at the same place so they were together!
Ø The annual Fulani Christian
Conference for West Africa was held in the country of Guinea this year. Jim
took about 5 men with him and it was a long hard trip, but it was a great
encouragement to all. The participants, many of whom live in places with no
church, look forward to this as the highlight of their year.
Ø
Dakar Academy 50th
Anniversary: When Susanna graduates, we will have been involved in DA for 17
years! We are so thankful for this school which has made it possible for so
many missionaries to stay on the field while providing a safe environment for
our children. The 50th Anniversary committee (which included Danielle) worked
on the celebration for several years. Highlights of the events were speakers Dr. Scott Prazynski, NASA
Astronaut & former DA student, and Gene Toombs, former DA teacher &
director. There was also be a concert
with CCM artist, Brad Stiles, and DA grad, Moses Sun.
What were the
greatest heartaches or struggles during this past year?
Because
of Jim’s back we did not end up teaching at Bible school in March. He knew he
could not handle the road trip. This unexpected back pain lasted for several
months and had an impact on all that he did (or did not do).
Lack of
rain in our part of Mali. Although rains were apparently heavy to the south,
from Kayes northward they were very poor. There will be many hungry people in
the coming year.
Jennifer
recently came down with a bad case of
“Compassion Fatigue.” We get so many needy people on our doorstep and it
is heartbreaking. We don’t give to everyone who asks, and we don’t give all
that they ask for, but we take seriously the Lord’s admonition that “To whom
much is given much shall be required.” Even if by American standards Christian
workers are rather low on the salary scale, in this culture we are rich, and we
feel that responsibility. Please PRAY that the Lord grant us wisdom and
resources to deal with this.
Our son,
Benjamin, had a difficult first year in CT. It was very
hard not to be near him. The second semester was better than the first (after
he moved away from his pot-smoking roommate and in with a Christian!) but with
expenses going up, he decided to transfer to another college, Greenville
College, IL. Again, we wished we could be there to help him move and
everything, but God provided good friends in St. Louis who stepped up to the
plate and fulfilled that role.
What are your prayer
requests?
PRAY for our new & returning co-workers:
Ø
Andrew & Mary ~ PRAY that we make a good
cross-cultural adjustment to each other. This is often necessary when you have
missionaries of differing nationalities on a field, and it’s really the first
time we have had to deal with this (altho the Lees are Canadian citizens, they
both come from Hong Kong and that is their cultural background).
Ø x & x ~ PRAY for their language
acquisition (they will be learning Hassaniya Arabic, and have no French) and
cultural adjustment. In the beginning they will spend 3-4 days in the village
and 2 days in Kayes, gradually lengthening their village stays.
Ø
Mark & Marcie ~ Mark will be getting back
into his pastoral training. Marcie will be home schooling again. They are still
hoping to adopt a Malian girl.
Ø
Another international family is planning to
arrive in early 2012 for ministry in our region. The exact people group with whom they’ll work
has yet to be decided.
PRAY for Jennifer’s lesson preparation for Storying and
Bambara, for Jim as he prepares to co-teach the Storying seminar, for both of
us as we will teach in the Bible school in the spring.
PRAY for us to have wisdom and guidance to deal with the
needy people we meet every day, both believers and unbelievers.
PRAY for our children, esp. those who will be in transition
within the next year (Danielle, Ruthanne, Susanna).
What is your current
required monthly support need? $6900
What are you lacking? ca. 10%.
If support need has
increased, give reason (inflation, education, etc.)
The mission has asked us to raise an additional 10% in order
to build up our reserves. We are required to have a 6-week reserve in our
account for emergencies, over $6,500, but we currently are lacking. Some months
this means taking a salary reduction so the balance doesn’t go too low.
submitted by Jim & Jennifer, Oct 2011
Lockwood Church: “Thank you for taking the time to complete this report. It will enable us to better minister to
you. God bless you and your ministry.”
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