This Fall, Helen and I ministered in Eswatini and North Africa. These trips were very fruitful and I wanted to give you all a brief update, because many of you have been praying for us as we traveled to these regions.
As most of you know, Helen was born and raised in Eswatini, (formerly Swaziland), and this time there was a real blessing for her. I was surprised to see how much of the language she still remembered and she was able to meet a number of people that still remembered her family. This trip was significant in that we were able to minister in a number of churches, to university students as well as train pastors and leaders. From meetings with some of the royal family, government officials to the poorest of the poor, our time was so fruitful. It looks like this will be an ongoing field for us to invest in, seeing how open the people are and how much need for teaching in the churches.
Lee West, a partner with us in S.I.M., accompanied us on this trip and he was greatly used by the Lord. He has begun an NGO with the emphasis in rescuing children from human trafficking. He had an opportunity to talk with those responsible for this area in the government and was requested by the government to help them train their personnel and help establish centers to receive and restore those being rescued from this diabolic industry. We will help as we can with contacts and volunteers to see this project come to fruition.
North Africa has been on our hearts for over 35 years. We have traveled into these Islamic dominated countries over 50 times and we have seen some amazing changes. Many of you helped us bring aid and build shelters in the Atlas Mountain area of Morocco, due to the earthquake that devastated many villages. This act of love has opened the door to many families and our relationship with the indigenous churches has grown tremendously. Those who have gone with us into these areas are so impacted by the level of sacrifice and persecution these believers face. Many have lost their jobs, because of their faith and are forced to immigrate to Europe, or anywhere else, to be able to survive. Positive changes have happened in the country, but still there is so much more to do. We have felt to go into Morocco and other North African countries twice a year, instead of just once, because of the increasing opportunities that are emerging.
This Fall we were also in Madeira, Brussels, both of which were amazing times of ministry. In a week or so I will be going to Stockholm for a week of ministry, before Helen and I head for the States. We will spend Thanksgiving and Christmas visiting our kids and grandkids, as well as some ministry before we get back home toward the end of January.
Our health has been fine, Praise the Lord, and our strength has been renewed. Helen’s brother used to say, when asked how he was: “I’m grateful”, and so are we.
Thank you all for your prayers. We hope to see you soon.
Jim and Helen