In Their Own Words

The Next Phase

Step by Step: Changing a Nation

A pastor adopts a troubled street kid. A couple stays pure till marriage. A smiling AIDS victim encourages patients at the clinic where she now works. Step by step, believers in Zambia are changing the makeup of a country with one of the world’s worst HIV/AIDS pandemics.

Nations Divided

President vs. president. Muslim vs. Christian. North vs. south. Throughout Africa political, religious and ethnic conflicts are dividing nations, and believers are calling on the global Christian community to pray for their countries.

A Christmas Greeting

Celebrate Christmas Africa style with this thoughtful rendition of a holiday classic. The drummer boy gladly offered what little he had to honor the newborn King. This holiday season, what gift will you give Him?

Beacon of Hope

Amid towering trash piles and open sewage, a small, tin-framed church is bringing hope to a Nairobi community. First Eastleigh Baptist Church trains former prostitutes and impoverished community members to start small businesses, and is seeking to share God’s love with Muslim neighbors.

World AIDS Day

Life’s not so sweet in Sweetwaters, a rural South African community where seemingly every yard is filled with graves. Many adults have died of AIDS, and children are left to care for their households. December 1 is a day to remember those suffering and learn ways we can help.

The Church Meets in Africa

Four thousand participants from 198 countries gather in Cape Town, South Africa, for perhaps the widest and most diverse gathering in the history of the church: the Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization.

First Contact

Centuries ago, Arab traders traveling by dhow brought Islam to Africa’s eastern coast. Now missionaries in Mozambique are using a dhow to spread the Gospel along those same shorelines.

Standing Strong

“We are like a candle being blown by much wind. It is difficult to remain aflame,” says a believer in northern Africa of himself and others being persecuted for their faith. Though attacked by an employer and harassed by their village, these believers are remaining steadfast.

People of the Rainforest

“Adventure evangelists” trek the rainforest of Madagascar, searching for hidden villages and assessing villagers’ challenges. Later, they’ll return to meet human needs while sharing the Gospel.

Back for More

Semester missionaries in “the great thirst land” of Botswana eagerly return the following year to pick up where they left off: planting new churches, encouraging young believers, and starting work in new areas.

Orphan Ministry

In Johannesburg’s squatter camps, AIDS is killing off a generation, and orphans are growing up virtually on the streets. Meet two women providing, love, care, counseling and provision of physical needs for these children.

Gospel Art

For centuries women in Africa, Asia and the Middle East have used henna, a temporary tattoo drawn onto hands, arms and legs, to beautify themselves. In east Africa, henna is used to illustrate and tell Bible stories — symbols in the drawings remind women of stories they’ve heard and help them tell others.

In Their Own Words

Throughout Africa, missionaries are planting their lives among unique people groups and demonstrating what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Here, in their own words, they share the joys and challenges of cross-cultural work.

To the Ends of the Earth

“Ends of the earth” is sometimes overused in mission circles, but eastern Niger really does feel like the most remote location on the planet. “The Gospel hasn’t made it here yet. That’s why we have to be here,” says a missionary. “…“Not everyone gets that opportunity, to be the first person to tell someone about Jesus.”

South Africa Is Still Here

The prayer of IMB urban missionaries in South Africa is that God would use the soccer World Cup to draw attention to the lost people of the nation’s cities. IMB missionaries minister in five cities that were hosts of the 2010 World Cup: Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.

World Cup Ministries – Part II

South Africa is the first African nation to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup, a soccer tournament that many deem the most anticipated sporting event on earth. Christians are taking advantage of this to share Christ in local communities through soccer clinics, big screen showings, and more.

World Cup Ministries

South Africa is the first African nation to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup, a soccer tournament that many deem the most anticipated sporting event on earth. Christians are taking advantage of this to share Christ in local communities through soccer clinics, big screen showings, and more.

Forty Years of Influence

Franklin and Paula Kilpatrick worked among Zambian Christians as publishers of Christian literature, as teachers, as church planters and as leaders, friends and counselors for forty years. They retire next year and feel like they could keep doing what they are doing another forty years.

Unopened Hearts

Ibrahima Dieng has heard the Gospel many times, he is no closer now to being a Christian than he was ten years ago. He is typical of many residents of Dakar, Senegal, a city that is 96 percent Muslim.

A Better Alternative

IMB missionary Alan Locke and his team have started various ministries to build relationships and community with Sowetans. From coaching boys’ soccer teams and teaching girls’ clubs to leading abstinence and Christian living trainings, the missionaries are making an impact with the Gospel.

Reaching Mungiki

Kenyan pastor Michael Kabochi’s life is regularly threatened by Mungiki, a quasi-religious sect that’s synonymous with machete killings, rape and organized crime. But, Kobochi bravely shares the Gospel with Mungiki, claiming, “The blood of Jesus was shed for them as much as it was for me.”

Fighting Neverland

Chronic conflicts in Sudan have led to food shortages, a damaged economy and a lack of access to basic health services, education and jobs. Young IMB missionaries are using HIV/AIDS awareness, hygiene projects and other methods to share the Gospel and meet community needs.

Human Trafficking

Raped and kicked out of home, “Lisha” turned to a boyfriend who eventually forced her into prostitution. Transferred to another pimp and coerced into moving, she’s far from home and desperate for a way out. But with the coming of the World Cup, human trafficking will only increase in South Africa.

Violence in Nigeria

Over the past several years, churches in Jos, Nigeria, have been shaken by violent outbreaks in which both Christians and Muslims were killed. Over 500 are dead after the most recent attacks in March, 2010. Pastors struggle to know how to encourage suffering congregations.

Caught in the Crossfire

“I murdered people, and I raped women, and I enjoyed it,” says a former rebel solder in eastern Congo. With the help of local pastors, he and hundreds of other soldiers found forgiveness in Christ. But they, and their victims, still struggle with what they’ve done.

Fusion

Students spend a semester in southern Sudan putting into practice the previous semesters classroom learning of sharing about Jesus in harsh environment.

Africa Water Crisis

Baptist Global Response helps to relieve difficulties in obtaining potable water through pumping and filtering projects.

Healing Bodies, Healing Souls

All over the world, Christians use a variety of means to share the Gospel of Christ and reach the lost. For First Baptist Church of Alexander City, Alabama, hosting medical clinics opens the door to minister to both physical and spiritual needs.

“We escaped with our lives.”

The entire town, including the market area, was looted. All the food supplies were burned. In the end more than 10,000 people ran from Akot, Sudan, and the surrounding areas to seek shelter in 13 nearby villages.

Doll Maker

Kate Ncube hand makes and sells dolls of 17 southern Africa tribes, or people groups. “I enjoy learning about other cultures,” Kate said. “It gives me a lot of insight and helps me understand a person. To understand them, I must understand their culture!”

Mountain Men

Weeks without a bath. Blizzard conditions with only a coal stove for warmth. Layers of clothing that just get changed around every couple of days. Life is rough for three short-term missionaries in the mountains of Lesotho, but it’s worth it for the chance to share Christ’s love.

African-Americans Reaching Africans

Broadview Church is a pioneer — one of the first African-American congregations to tackle the challenge of taking the Gospel to an unreached people group in western Africa. “AfricaStories” will chronicle their journey, beginning here with their first vision trip.

Just Another Way to Die

If things don’t change, the Basotho people of Lesotho may cease to exist in less than 26 years. They’re dying of AIDS — some by choice, since contracting HIV entitles them to government help. In this impoverished mountain area, AIDS is just one more way to die.

Soccer in Soweto

An interschool soccer tournament in a South African township provides missionaries with opportunities to build relationships, impact a community and share the Gospel.

Life on the Streets of Nairobi

About 20 boys sleep on the streets of Nairobi’s Riverside. Some are orphans, some were abused, some were kicked out. Walk alongside Oscar, who’s beaten and tortured by the other boys. And meet Eunice, who’s burdened to help the boys despite some hateful actions.

Presidential Visit to Ghana

President Barak Obama challenges citizens of Ghana to take responsibility for building a better future. Hear Ghanaian Christians’ reactions to the speech, and explore the faith of this nation’s God-centered business people.

Amazing Grace

Ghana’s Cape Coast Castle is a haunting relic of the slave trade, but it’s also a beacon of light in a bustling tourist town. Here, reflections on evil turning to good, not only for the castle but also for a slave ship captain who penned the hymn “Amazing Grace.”

African American Challenge

African Americans have a strong and proud history in international missions. But in the last century that’s often what it’s been – history. Missionary Troy Lewis challenges the African American church to consider its heritage and continue embracing the task of taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

Zimbabwe: Attitude of Gratitude

Political and economic turmoil have resulted in hunger and hopelessness for many Zimbabweans. But a food distribution project spurred a cycle of giving that brought comfort and hope to some widows, a Christian publishing house and a school.

The Next Phase

Posted August 18,2010

The Missionaries:

Bob and Amy, age range 45-50
Hometowns: New Orleans, Louisiana (Amy) and Starkville, Mississippi (Bob)
Home churches: First Baptist New Orleans and Bethany Baptist Church, Keokuk, Iowa
Children: Cale (in college in the U.S.), Laura (in boarding school in another country), and Luke (at home with Bob and Amy)

Since 1999, Bob and Amy and their family have worked among the Fulbe Fouta in a rural village, faithfully planting seeds among a people group that’s often resistant to the Gospel. Eventually a small group made the decision to follow Christ, and Bob and Amy felt God calling them to relocate to their country’s capital city to start work among the Fulbe Fouta who live there.

Follow their journey, as shared through prayer newsletters:

January 4, 2010

This stateside assignment [a time away from the field to reconnect with family, friends, churches and supporters in the United States] has not been our favorite. We’ve had many challenges, one of which was a holy unrest about our future. Through much prayer and searching His Word, we feel led to move to the capital city, where we will start a brand new ministry. We will miss many aspects of being “out in the bush,” but have a real sense that He wants us in this new place.

Goodbyes are not easy. Both of us have said goodbye to our parents, possibly for the last time, and we’ve said goodbye to our firstborn to leave him in the States on his own. Driving through Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia, we are struck with just how many churches are here in the States. Even though there is a desire to stay near our loved ones, there’s a lost and dying world out there with few points of proclamation.

February 27, 2010 (by Bob)

Living in the capital city now has afforded me the opportunity to spend significant time with a Fulbe believer. Lawrence* has been sharing his heart’s desire to go back to his village and share Jesus with his family. They have not always treated him in the most kindly manner since he gave his life to Christ about ten years ago. But, they cannot deny what they see in his lifestyle when he comes to serve his family without any thought for himself. Recently, Lawrence asked just how he can share the Good News with those who have not yet opened to him an opportunity to share his faith. We talked about God’s story from Creation to Christ and the way Jesus taught eternal truths through simple everyday examples and parables. When he saw the connection between the familiar stories he has studied time and again in God’s Word and the work God is doing in the world to bring people to Himself, he got excited. I watched him smile real big as he said to me, “I can do that!”

February 27, 2010 (by Amy)

In our new neighborhood, there are many ladies who walk around covered in black. My heart has been touched for them, desiring to bring them the Light. I smile and greet, although many others turn away from them. One day, a lady broke off from her group and walked with me. She showed me where she lives and told me of her aging husband who had a stroke. Spindly legs and beard of snow, he may not be long for this world. His wives (yes, I said wives – plural. I am not sure how many but at least three) seem much younger than he. The next time I visited they uncovered their faces. Oh, how I long for them to uncover their hearts!

April 7, 2010

Michael* is a university student who comes twice a week to study English and discuss the Bible. He speaks English pretty well, but his heart language is Pular. He has been asking a wide range of spiritual questions and we got deep on Monday. We talked about who Jesus is for three more hours past our English class! Pray that Michael will hear and see God making Himself known to him as he reads John. Pray that he seeks Him with all of his heart. We meet again on Wednesday afternoon. I do hope to hear that Michael has opened his heart to Jesus and let him come in.

May 20, 2010 (by Bob)

While her guys were away [Bob and Luke went to visit Laura at boarding school], Amy had a wonderful time getting stuck in traffic twice with two of her Fulbe friends. She had a captive audience and shared some of God’s story from Creation to Christ. She was able to take Fulbe friends to a church where there were two other Fulbe believers. That went very well. Presently, we ask that you pray for Katy*, one of the ladies from the village, who was kicked out of her house by her husband. She has been down in the capital city and Amy has been able to minister to her. At this point, her dad’s little two-room house has gotten very small for them, and they are moving. It just so happens that they are moving a lot closer to where we live!

July 7, 2010

Recently, Katy* wrote a letter to her husband sharing her faith and God’s principles for marriage. He sent word that he is interested in having her back, and also in hearing more about Christ! He is due to arrive here today from the village! Her dad, who was being very difficult last week, has heard the Gospel this week and is now expressing an interest in hearing more. It seems as though we are caught in the middle at times, but we are daily awed by the One who captivates us with His redeeming love.

July 24, 2010 (by Bob)

Michael continues to come twice a week to Bible study/English class. He is even usually on time! That is so encouraging. Recently after 3-4 hours of significant discussion he asked, “Next time, could we meet longer?” Ahhh … LOVE that enthusiasm! He makes it a joy to teach. He and another young man, Al*, have finished reading through Genesis in English and received their own personal copies in their heart language. They really liked the story of Joseph. They saw how he was blessed because “God was with him” and they were very excited to then start Exodus. Now we are talking a lot about being called servants of God and the powerful presence of the Living God

Katy’s husband Butch* heard the gospel in his village. He surprised Katy one morning by sending for her in the big city and asking her to come home to him. He also sent word that he was interested in salvation. It appears her growing faith is spreading into the lives of those she loves. Even her father, who tends to want to marry her off to some other guy, is hearing about a miracle-working God who provides “the Way” of reconciliation to those who trust in Him by faith. We have enjoyed having Katy here in the city, but it appears it is time to say goodbye. Pray that God will be glorified daily in her life and lasting fruit will be the result of her sharing her faith. Pray specifically for the salvation of her husband and father, and marriage reconciliation.

If you would like to start receiving Bob and Amy’s prayer letters via e-mail, indicate your interest on our Feedback Form.

*Name changed for security

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