October 2016 Newsletter

Dear Friends and Family,

Greetings from Fish Hoek, South Africa! Only a week has passed since we arrived, and we are still trying to find our way here and become comfortable with our new surroundings. Every day brings us a step closer to feeling at home in the South African culture(s) around us.

We know that God has called us to a new ministry in South Africa, where I will serve as Academic Dean at the Bible Institute of South Africa. Yet we also know that we are not alone in this calling. We are thankful for each of you who has partnered to pray and support our ministry. It is a comfort to know that we are not alone in this, even though we have to say good-bye to family and friends so often. Please continue to pray for us during our time of transition.

Finding A Home
In our May newsletter I wrote about how leaving Zambia had left us with a sense of being “homeless”. After months of waiting we are about to begin the search for a new home here in South Africa. Our friends the Petersons, an American missionary family, have graciously provided their house to us until they return from home assignment in January. But this is still not our home. Most of our bags are piled high in one of the rooms, and we are still living out of suitcases.

Our greatest challenge at the moment is to find our own house, a place we can call home and a base for ministry for as long as God calls us to stay. Unfortunately the rental market in the area near the college is very expensive with few available options at the moment. We would prefer to buy a house if possible since this would be a much cheaper option over the longer term. Please pray that God would provide a home for us, either by providing a rental house at a reasonable rate, or by opening the way for us to purchase a house in this area.

Support Update
We currently have an ongoing need of $400 per month, and an estimated one-time need of about $11,000 to cover our extra travel costs and remaining setup costs. Please pray that God will raise up supporters to provide for these needs. If you would like more information about how to support us, please contact us by e-mail at timothychurchill@me.com. You may also contact SIM directly – the details may be found at the bottom of our printed newsletters, or online at www.timothychurchill.com.

Prayer Requests

• Praise that God has brought us to South Africa!
• Pray for God’s hand of protection on us (Ezra 8:31)
• Pray that God will provide a house for us near the Bible Institute
• Pray that our support needs will be met
• Pray for me as I begin ministry at the Bible Institute of South Africa on Monday
• Pray for Kristina as she takes care of our family
• Pray for Anna, Sarah, and Katie as they continue their studies
• Pray that God will provide a job for John soon

Blessings in Christ,

Tim & Kristina Churchill

A new commandment I give you, that you love one another:
just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another (John 13:34)