The Price You Pay

 

You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place. -Miriam Adeney, Kingdom without Borders What I have seen the Lord do in the South African township of Motherwell makes me stand in utter awe of Him. What a privilege it has been to be part of His work and to help Cypress Bible Church partner with the leaders in Motherwell.  When we met Pastor Loyiso in January 2020, he was pastoring a small church but he had a big vision for his community. Today, his church has a preschool, a computer training center, and a community garden. Loyiso has trained and discipled several young men and has launched them into other parts of South Africa to plant churches and make disciples.  Three years ago, we started training preschool teachers. Today some of those first trainees are now helping to train new teachers. And the ministry to families with special needs children, which was started last year, has been growing through another church we have been working with. Many of these families are attending church and being a support system to one another.  This trip we held a soccer camp where over 300 children were served and heard the gospel. Our wellness clinic served 95 people by giving them their blood pressure and blood sugar readings. The young people in our group went back to the high schools to do Trauma training and shared the gospel with over 200 students.  What amazing things the Lord has done! As I walked through the streets of Motherwell, I knew this was my last trip here. The above quote came to mind often. While I know the work will continue through the partnership with Cypress Bible Church, and I look forward to hearing all the things the Lord will do, saying goodbye isn't easy. What God allowed me to be part of starting four years ago, I am incredibly grateful for. It has been an amazing journey.  I say goodbye to South Africa and turn my eyes toward Europe: Greece, Ireland, and Spain.  New Things.

Pastor Loyiso in front of Good News Church Grace, Kayla, Laura and me with "V." A young woman we met in the street on our first day doing door to door evangelism. She stayed with us all week.  So, what's next? In May, I will be going to Athens, Greece with a team of nurses from Alabama to do ministry to the homeless and refugees. As I said in a previous letter, Greece is where I took my first mission trip in 2004. But this will be my first time working with refugees. I am truly looking forward to serving with this team and learning about the refugee ministry e3 has been doing for many years. Please pray for all aspects of that trip. In June, Tony and I will be leading our church partner, Willow Bend, back to Ireland. We will be serving with our national partner, Andrew Clements, at his church plant in Kilkeel and another town where he has been doing some new work. We praise God for how He brought the team together so fast and has provided accommodations and transport already! Our team will be doing outreach, holding kids' afterschool bible clubs, and Discovery Bible Studies with adults.  We are putting together our vision trip to Spain in September. This was supposed to happen in May, but September works better for everyone involved. Please pray for all the details and God's wisdom on moving forward with ministry there. Last month, I was contacted by a church in Texas and asked if I would lead their church to Madrid, Spain in the spring of 2025. We are in the very beginning stages, so please pray for wisdom as we put all that together. I am grateful for all the Lord has done in my life and how He has allowed me the privilege of being part of His global work. And I'm excited for the new things ahead.  Thank you all so much for your partnership in praying and giving. If you feel led to partner with me financially, please click on my Axia account link below to make a one-time donation or partner monthly.  Partner With Me Soli Deo Gloria, Lisa