Nathan Goes To Africa

As I mentioned earlier,I was in Atlanta for a couple weeks for meetings. The first morning I looked at the people who were coming in,and I couldn’t believe it. In walked a family I had stayed in South Africa with for a couple months back in 2004. I hadn’t seen them for five years! I of course ran up and gave them hugs and was amazed at the memories that came flooding back.

The one thing that I thought of the most was just how this family took me under their wing and mentored me. I didn’t realize it at the time much,but they taught me soo much that I have used in my present ministry and also will use later. For 2 months,whether it was on the road going places,sitting around talking,or whatever,I learned so much. Last week I was able to share with them some of things I learned from them but knew I wouldn’t be able to adequately express my gratitude for what they did.

Uncle Dale,Aunt Av,Kerri and Britt, THANKYOU for all you did for me!   

I say all that to say this. Take time today to say thank you to someone who has meant something to you in your life. We always wait til it’s too late to say thanks. Plus it will be a great encouragement to the people you thank,even if it is for something you may think is small.

Starting yesterday through next Wednesday,I am in Atlanta for meetings with my mission board. I am in “field preparation seminar” which is for the missionaries on deputation that are planning on going to their respective fields within the next year.  Yesterday,it was great being able to see some friends I haven’t seen in years. Also,I have already begun making new friends and also getting to know some of the people I will be working with while I am in South Africa. No matter how long it’s been,it’s amazing how you can pick up where you left off with friends,no matter how long it has been.

This week in our meetings,it seems as if there has been one thread connecting them all. That thread has been prayer.  I have heard alot of sermons and devotionals on it,but something has happened this week where I have seen prayer in a new light. Prayer is soo important in the Christian life and I am hoping to be a better prayer warrior.

 The greatest prayer warrior I ever knew was my dad.  Each morning when I got up,I walked by his room and the majority of the time,he was praying. He knew he couldn’t do much physically but he could pray!

I am going to try to update this a couple times during the week and let you know what’s going on. Thank you to all of you who are praying for me and my ministry. I really appreciate all of it!

First,thank you everybody for your prayers as I travelled to Texas. I left last Thrusday to Houston with my friend Jerimey. We drove 12 hours through the night to get back to his house. Man,that was a long drive,but at least I had someone with me to talk to. Anyway,I had a great couple days in Houston with friends. I got to eat some sushi which is becoming my new favorite food. I went to a Reds Astros game which thankfully my Reds won!
Early Sunday morning,I made the three hour drive from Houston to San Antonio. I was able to speak in Sunday School at Faith Bible Church and also share my ministry in the morning service. The people there were so friendly. I had such a wonderful time there. What a great spirit in the church! It was really nice getting to talk to a few of the members there.
Of course,being in San Antonio,I had to go see the Alamo. Wow,that place is alot nicer than I ever thought it would be. It was such a beautiful place. It is so much bigger than I thought it was too.
After the Alamo,I got to travel a couple hours north to Austin,TX,to visit some friends I hadn’t seen in a couple years. It was a blessing spending a couple days with them and catching up.
Thanks again for all your prayers! It was a great trip!

Last week at church,a couple of my friends were able to share some things from their missions trip to Northern Ireland. It was such a blessing hearing the stories and seeing what God had done.
After the service,I was able to talk to Micah,one of the men who went on the trip. Seeing his heart for helping missionaries was great. We were able to talk a bit about some common misconceptions people have about missionaries. What I wanted to do here is maybe try to clear two of them up and help people realize missionaries are just like everybody else.
One thing I hear alot is that missionaries stick out from everyone else in the country. Actually,when they move to their new country,they do everything they can to “fit in.” They get involved with their ministry work of course,but also do their best to make their new place home. Another thing I here is that missionaries are “super Christians” and they dont have the same problems as everybody else. If you ask any missionary this,they would probably laugh and let you know they are just like every body else. They go through the same ups and downs as everybody. They have the same problems,worries and struggles as everybody. Most of the time,they don’t have anyone to talk to about them. We need to make sure to pray for our missionaries often. If you ask any missionary what the number one thing is they need, all of them would say is they NEED our prayers.

 I recently received my monthly statement from my mission board. I was looking at the different churches that were supporting me,and I noticed a name I hadn’t seen before. Come to find out,there has been a lady supporting me for $150 a month the last two months! I don’t know who this lady is,never have talked to her,but yet she has still supported me. I am so thankful for how God provides. This was a great blessing to me. I just wanted to pass that along, and hopefully it will be an encouragement to you… “His ways aren’t our ways.”

Well,I finally got this blog going. I just wanted to update everybody on what is going on with my deputation. I am currently at 42% of my support for South Africa. I am calling churches and sending out information everyday trying to get meetings lined up. It is amazing how the Lord works in every situation even when we don’t understand.

I am going to try to update this at least two or three times a week.  Please leave any comments or questions that you have. I want to thank everybody for your prayers and encouragement.

 Prayer requests:  

 That God will be glorified in all I do

  Get meetings lined up

  Get my support raised