Ministry in Mochudi

Brent has been going out to a village called Mochudi with fellow missionary Daren Davis and a national believer named Jones for about 8 months. They have been spreading the gospel to all who will listen. We have been praying earnestly about starting a church in this area and the other day was asked when can we start meeting together! This is a huge Praise! Richard is always was so happy to see us because he says we only bring the Word of God to him. He is seeking Biblical truth. Richard went the other day to a local school to start the process about having a group of believers meet together. Praise the LORD!

This man got to hear the Gospel and due to his hard hearing most of the village also heard the Gospel, Praise the LORD!

 

Romans 10:14, 15, 17: “How then shall they call on HIm in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in HIm of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!’ So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Cooking with Mma Thokwane

The 4th Wednesday of every month, all of the missionary ladies get together to do ministry together and to pray together. In July, Shawna Davis, Torie Warner, Margaret Fortenberry, and Amanda went out to the village of Molepolole to visit with Mma Thokwane, the pastor’s wife out at Calvary Baptist Church. We went out to pray with her, encourage her, and to learn from her. We took some flour and yeast and asked if she would teach us how to make Diphapata (Dee-pa-pa-ta) and Fat Cakes. We had a great time learning to cook some traditional breads and also had a great time of testimony and prayer. We are thankful for Mma Thokwane and how she supports her husband and the ministry at Calvary Baptist Church.

Philemon 4-7: “I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgement of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you.”

It took all of us kneading the dough at one point or another!

Frying our diphapata in an iron skillet (they remind me of an english muffin)

We also deep fried our fat cakes…nothing is better than fried dough!

The story of Christina

Romans 10:13 says, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Back in June we had a volunteer team from Raleigh, NC visit and they did quite of bit of ministry out in the villages. For 3 days, we went out to the village of Tsolemosessy to do VBS and it attracted quite a few adults as well. I want to tell you about a girl named Christina who is 19 years old. On day 1, Amanda sat beside of Christina and got to know her. When asked if she was a Christian, she immediately said “no” (people here are very honest when asked this question). So Amanda began to tell her all about Jesus and how He came and died on the cross for her sins. The next day Christina came back again and Amanda gave her the book of John in Setswana and was again able to tell her about Jesus, but Christina still was not ready to ask Jesus into her heart. Many times we hear “not today” and this was the case with Christina. Amanda told her that we are never guaranteed tomorrow, but she was still reluctant. The next day was Sunday and we brought all of the people from Tsolemosessy to church at Gaborone Baptist Church. That day Christina found Amanda and this is the day that her life changed.

Christina came to Amanda after church and she had such desperation in her eyes. As Amanda began speaking with her she could tell that Christina needed to say something. Amanda asked her if she had been reading the book of John and thinking about what was shared with her over the last few days. With tears in her eyes, Christina said “yes”. Amanda asked her if she wanted to receive Christ and she immediately said “yes” and you could just see the burdens being lifted from her shoulders. Christina came to know the Lord that day…this is why we have came to Africa!

Lateral learning at Broahurst

Several of the missionary kids go to a school called Broadhurst. The school has a week called “lateral learning” when the parents can come in and teach the kids how to do something. So my friends Shawna and Torie allowed me to help do cooking days at the school and we taught the kids how to make 6 layer cookies, pretzels, popcorn balls, corn dogs, and mexican tea. It was a great time!

Amanda’s birthday

Amanda’s birthday was back in July, but we are just now getting caught up on blogging. So sorry for the delay.

We had a great evening of eating pizza and cake with friends and playing “Just Dance 2” on the Wii. Thanks friends for making this day so special!

 

The Turner Treehouse

We had an existing treehouse in our yard from the previous tenants, but we’ve given it a makeover to make it a little more safe. Brent used the bones of it and has redone it for our kids. They love it, especially Taylor. She often times pretends she is a pirate and that is her ship. Daddy is “evil Captain Shiverman” and she often will try to sneak up on him and get him with her sword. What fun memories our kids will have on “The Turner Treehouse”

Hair do

Taylor came out of her room the other day having done her hair all by herself. Being the loving parents that don’t want to ruin her self-esteem, we let her wear it all day like that…even out to the store. Not a single person said anything to her either good or bad which I was glad for. Maybe she will be a hairstylist one day???

Love this girl!!

Hannah’s birthday

This past Saturday, August 6, Taylor was invited to a friend from church’s birthday party. Taylor had great fun! Attached is a video so you can hear them singing happy birthday.

Taylor is so funny!

Bradyn thinks his sister is the funniest person EVER! Taylor went in to entertain Bradyn after he woke up one day. Oh what great friends these two are!