It is hard to believe that we are on the homestretch of homeschooling our children. The Lord has provided 6 different committed, godly young women to come homeschool our kids throughout our time on the field and this coming school year will be our last year of homeschooling our kids. After this year, we will be in the States for 8th grade, and then the kids will be in high school in the capital. The Lord has once again provided someone who is willing to spend a year with our family, making children do their math, and experiencing the discomforts of living in a new culture. And this person happens to be someone near and dear to our family’s hearts…
Meet Kenneth
Kenneth is a missionary kid who spent much of his young life here in Cameroon living in a village similar to ours while his parents were translating the Bible. Dave and I met Kenneth’s dad in an orientation for our mission agency, World Team, and were so encouraged by his character, that we decided to serve in Cameroon. Soon afterwards, Kenneth’s mom and dad mentored us for about a year. And then, since being on the field, we have called them often to ask their advice on anything from setting up solar equipment, to how to raise our children, to what to do when faced with various cultural situations. Their family has already been a tremendous blessing to us.
When Kenneth heard that we were looking for a homeschool teacher, he reached out and said that he wanted to see the mission field as an adult and also wanted to help free us up to focus on translation and ministry. In his own words…
“This past year through several different ways, I’ve grown to realize in a more significant way the huge need for the Gospel in the world along with my responsibility/joy as a disciple of Christ to be obedient to God’s leading/directing, being faithful in what He lays before me. While here at The Master’s University I’ve come to the conclusion that I need to be actively pursuing missions for the foreseeable future. I don’t have a crystal clear idea of what this will look like or when it will happen, but I do have some direction for a next step. Lord willing, this coming school year (21-22) I will be helping as a tutor for the Hare Family in Cameroon. I’m slightly terrified at this prospect, but also excited and looking forward to what God has in store!”
It never ceases to amaze me the love that these young people have for the Lord. To think that most 20-somethings are experiencing the thrills of college life whereas people like Kenneth are willing to come teach 4 JUNIOR HIGHERS. Only God can explain this. Kenneth included this verse in a prayer letter he sent out:
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
It is Christ who motivates Dave and I to keep trudging along in ministry and it is Christ who calls people like Kenneth to come and help us to that end. His great love for us helps us to let go of our lives in this world and live no longer for ourselves, but for him. It is hard (every day), but it is right. We are excited to have yet another person in our home who “gets it.”
Help us by Helping Kenneth
There are a few obstacles to getting Kenneth from Cananda and into our home. One obstacle is that he may or may not be issued a visa from Cameroon due to COVID restrictions. Please pray regularly, fervently that they would issue him a visa.
Another obstacle is that Kenneth has a lot of money to raise in a short amount of time. Please consider giving to Kenneth (http://ca.worldteam.org/giving/ (Canada); us.worldteam.org/give/ (US)). Sending him to us is likely the best way you can help us in our ministry. Not having him here would slow down our productively significantly.
Finally, please pray for him. Most, if not all, of our tutors have said living here and working with our children was by far the hardest thing they have ever done in their lives. Please pray for Kenneth to be refined through the difficulties that he will face. Pray for the Lord to grant him incredible wisdom in dealing with the kids. Pray for God to use him here in the lives of our children and even outside of out home mightily. Finally, pray that while here, the Lord would give him both passion and direction as to how and where he could serve for the cause of missions.
Dave and I are so thankful that the Body of Christ is so much bigger than just us. We are so thankful that every homeschool teacher we have had, every local believer here has perspectives and passions that we do not have that can sharpen and challenge our children. I praise the Lord for the service of so many to our children and may the Lord give them open hearts and ears to hear.
