Home Assignment Updates

First of all, we wish to thank all those who have already partnered with us in our ministries. Most of all we cherish the prayers of our friends. We can do nothing without them.

This has been an eventful year for us here in the states. We have been here to see both sets of parents through some serious illnesses. Lois is now good as new with the new joint in her hip. We have been privileged to enjoy our first grandchild, Summer Dawn, who is now four months old. We also have greatly enjoyed sharing our story of God’s protection and blessings while in Africa. We trust that it has been an encouragement to you to realize how God has answered your prayers.

We all know that it is better to give than to receive. While we are ‘on the field’, our concentration is on what we can give and how we can serve. There are needs from the missionary kids that we are called to serve. There are needs from the missionary families that we serve. There are needs in the local African churches that we help. There are many opportunities to give and serve and God gives us a real joy in doing just that.

However, while we are here in the states, our focus has had to change. Much of our time and energy has been on raising the support that we need to get back to our ministries. It is a strange transition to switch to the receiving end. There have been so many who have caught our burden and have come along side us with support. Our home church has increased our support substantially; they now supply 29% of our support. Not only churches, but individuals have pledged to provide monthly support. With such a cloud of witnesses, we are spurred on all the more to return to Africa. Our goal is to leave in May in order to connect with our colleagues on the field who are leaving in June as their help in getting settled will make a big difference in our adapting to a new field. That added pressure makes us pull out all the stops to raise that last bit that we need.

We long to be back to the joy of giving again. We encourage you to consider coming along side us and give us that last push to get us back to the field. Even a small pledge or increase is tremendously helpful at this time.

Soon it will be time to say those tearful goodbyes to our friends and loved ones. We know that the joy of ministry will help to off set the parting sorrows. Please consider your part in helping us return.

February – the month when Hallmark would have us think of LOVE. How privileged we are to realize God’s love in our lives each month of the year. A lot of times, He uses you to communicate that love to us.

This past week we’ve been blessed through our individual supporters (as opposed to church supporters). Sunday we ate dinner with one of our individual supporters who was having the BIG birthday (?). What a fun time we had as we got to know each other better. Then yesterday, we received an e-mail from some friends from our home church with the very special news that they, too, are going to support us on an individual basis.

So, as of yesterday, we are officially at 81.73% of our support level. It is edging up there slowly, but it is moving upwards. We believe in our hearts that God will have us leaving for Niger sometime this Spring. Please pray with us for the rest of our financial supporters as they may even now be praying about the decision to support this ministry of Training the Next Generation.

If you want to reach us over the next few weeks, please call 330-749-0573 as Bob’s phone is currently out of commission.

Thank you for loving us all year long.

We’re writing our update this morning from full hearts that just want to share with you how God is working, especially since your prayers are being answered.

First of all, we’ve been encouraged from God’s Word once again. In Matt. 16, the disciples were fretting because they had forgotten to bring bread. Jesus marvels that even after the feeding of the 5000 and then the feeding of the 4000 (both times with lots of leftovers), they still didn’t get it. They found it hard to comprehend that GOD was with them; their needs would be met. Amazing; we have the same God in our midst today.

Secondly, our home church voted this week to increase our support by $550 per month. We are so thankful for this added support which will not only help us get to the field sooner, but also shows us how much they are behind what God is doing through our ministry.

Last of all, our beautiful new granddaughter is providing laughter every time we are with her. Grandma has finally taken time to update our photo album on the web with lots of new pictures. You can find them at www.gillespiesonline.comphotos.htm. 

We ask that you continue to pray that God will bring in the remainder of our support so that we can leave this Spring for the field of Niger and Sahel Academy. Please don’t be discouraged by thinking you can’t do anything to help with our support (or that of other ministries whose work stirs your hearts), because you can. You can pray. God will use your prayers to accomplish His will.