Some days, really most days, we need to step back and wipe our wind shields.   It’s so easy to lose focus of our purpose but really the danger falls when we lose focus of God’s purpose.  We see the mud that’s been thrown in our faces and forget that the important thing to focus on isn’t what right in front of us.   The things in front of use are minor compared to the glory that is beyond.   This month has been a month of seeing clearly the glory beyond and then having to remember to stop and wipe our wind shield.  The choice is always ours.

I will start off with what everyone has seen on facebook in the last few days.  We are all fine and as far as I know, no people near us were injured in this crazy weather.  So…This month the broiler project was going very well and the layers were doing their jobs fairly well too.  We were into the rhythm of butchering broilers weekly with some going to the school and some to be sold.  I will let you read Anna Maynard’s report on the flash flood that has changed our chicken set up dramatically. (Click here)   It isn’t all bad and we are using this time to get the chicken barn better ready to do it’s job.  Farming is just like this some days, even in America.

Earlier this month we were able to attend a long weekend missionary retreat in Kenya called InterMission.  It is hosted by former missionaries and it was a much needed time of rest.  We are very thankful for the people from the states who donated money to make this possible for all of us!  We met missionaries from all over east Africa and made great friendships.  The classes covered everything from Third Culture Kids, Furlough, RAFT (how to exit, for furlough or moving, well), burn out, etc.  They altered it for every age group to be able to understand and benefit from it.

The boys truly enjoyed their time there as the InterMission team focused on every member of the family with some great classes for everyone. We were given some books to help the kids put words to their life.  “It Will Be Ok: Trusting God Through Fear and Change” was a great one we got to borrow while there and “Swirly” was given to the boys as a gift.  At the end of the week the teachers wrote out a blessing for each of the kids in their class and it meant so much to both boys (and us).  Micah also got to be in his first play as the cup bearer in a play about Joseph.  He was very nervous but we were so proud as he overcame that fear and did a great job!  We were able to learn, discuss, relax, meet other missionaries and head back to Tanzania ready to keep going. 

Phillip has continued his work at the farm to help them keep track of expenses and Ishmael is doing a great job doing the book work on a daily basis.  We are now working to help the farm reevaluate some things after this flood to make the most of what we can do.  He is also doing Bible studies with some of the younger guys weekly and working to turn the Saturday and Sunday teen class over to one of the guys here.  We have to keep focused on working ourselves out of a job.  If anything we do is based on us and what we can do then it will not last.   If it is based on God and what He can do through the people here, then Lord willing it will keep going long after we are gone.

I have three separate weekly Bible studies going with different Christian women from Kisongo.  We are finishing up Hebrews in two of them and are about to start James.  Anna Maynard is teaching the Sunday morning women’s class until campaigns come as the Maynards are planning to move back to the states in July.

Campaigns should start coming May 11 with a smaller group and continue steadily through two more campaigns until the end of June.  Phillip will be helping do a seminar for the translators this coming Saturday to help everyone be ready for this busy season.  Prayers for everyone involved are greatly appreciated!

We thank you for being a part of this journey with us!

In Him,
Phillip, Bekah, Micah and Nathan
For those who have asked, support can be sent in two ways:
Through Paypal at: pbduncan20@gmail.com

Or:

Checks can be made out to and Mailed to:
Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver
2707 S. Lamar Street
Denver, Colorado 80227 (Memo line: “Duncan TZ mission”)