January 2015 Newsletter

Dear Friends and Family,

Greetings from Newfoundland! Our time here is very short as we are scheduled to leave for Zambia tomorrow afternoon. Over the past five months we’ve been blessed to visit with many of you. As our thoughts now turn back to Zambia we leave with many fond memories of new and renewed friendships.

One of the hardest things we face is having to say good-bye so often. Packing and planning all the details of returning to Zambia have also been challenging, and there’s more to do before we depart! So I was greatly encouraged by the daily Bible verse that I found in Logos this morning: “… But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God” (1 Samuel 30:6). This was a great reminder for me today to find strength in God rather than becoming overwhelmed by the circumstances around me. I pray that it may also encourage you in the challenges you face, especially if you are “greatly distressed” as David was.

We return to Zambia rejoicing not only in how God has blessed our time here, but also in how He has provided for all of our needs. As we arrived back in Canada our finances were described by the SIM Canada’s deputy director as “running on fumes”! We had an enormous one-time need and a rather large monthly shortfall as well.

While I don’t have the final report from our time on home assignment yet, it appears that all of our financial needs have been met. It’s been amazing to see how God has provided for our needs! We have learned many lessons from this experience. First, we can affirm that God has been faithful to us. We can have confidence in knowing that he will provide for all of our needs. Second, it affirms that we are following God’s call for our lives. God has provided what we need to do the work he has prepared for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). Third, it affirms our place and yours in the body of Christ. We are truly humbled by the support we have received, in hearing of the faithful daily prayers of many, and receiving generous gifts from individuals and churches alike. We would not be able to do the work in Zambia without your prayers and support. Once again we say thank  you for all that you have done for us!

Prayer Requests

  • Pray for us as we say good-bye to family and friends tomorrow
  • Pray that our travel will go smoothly, that we will make our connections despite the forecasted storms in Canada and the UK, and that our bags will also arrive in one piece!
  • Pray that my transition back to TCCA will go well
  • Pray for John’s studies, and especially for his walk with God, as he remains behind in St. John’s

May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with your spirit. Amen.

Blessings in Christ,

 

Tim & Kristina Churchill