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November 2012 Newsletter

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Dear Friends,

Thank you for your prayers over the past month, and for your generous gifts in support of our ministry. Your partnership is a source of joy for us, and we give thanks to God for you (Philippians 1:4-5)

We reported last month that the weather was hot. Now that the rain has started it’s much cooler. Our garden is really starting to blossom, and many creatures are stirring to life. There seem to be more lizards and geckos scurrying around these days. Our yard is also home to a number of large, noisy toads. I’m sure they’re feasting on all the bugs that have appeared from nowhere. Just last night our kitchen was full of flying ants that has somehow snuck in through a small opening under the window screen.

Trying Times at TCCA

TCCA has been going through a difficult time over the past few weeks. Here are some ways that you can pray for TCCA:

  • Pray that God would strengthen relationships among the students, among the staff members, and between the students and the staff
  • Pray that God would uphold TCCA’s Principal, Dr. Lazarus Phiri, as he seeks to lead the school
  • Pray for our students as we near the end of this term

Our Ministry at TCCA

My main ministry continues to be in the classroom, and I continue to face the rewards and challenges of training men and women in the Scriptures. Yet this is not our only ministry at TCCA. I have been making an effort to get to know the students away from the class, including watching a number of football matches with them (that’s “soccer games” for most of you).

Kristina is getting to know the families that live on campus. She is involved with the TCCA wives program, where a number of the students’ wives meet on a regular basis. Kristina has also shown practical love to these women in a variety of ways, including taking them shopping at a local market and inviting them to our home for tea.  She has also been asked to teach English to one of the wives who needs to improve her language skills. Kristina and the girls have gotten to know many of the children by volunteering to help with an arts and crafts club for the TCCA children every Sunday afternoon. Now when our girls visit TCCA, kids come running from every direction to greet them!

As we get to know the students and their families better we are finding more opportunities to minister outside of class time. One student who is struggling with fundamental questions about his faith came to me seeking advice. We have had the joy of bringing TCCA family’s new baby home from the hospital, but also shared in the pain of another student and his wife as they suffered through a difficult miscarriage.

Support Update

We are still 8% short of our monthly budget, or about $600/month. When we left St. John’s we weren’t quite at full support, and our budget has since increased following the annual review. Please pray that God will provide for this need, which becomes more urgent as the months go by (Philippians 4:19).

Prayer Requests

Please continue to pray for TCCA, and for our family as we minister here. Please pray for John as he nears the end of his semester in St. John’s. Please pray that God will equip us all with everything good for doing his will, and will work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ to whom be glory for ever and ever (Hebrews 13:21).

Blessings in Christ,

 

Tim & Kristina Churchill