This update will be brief since our internet time here at Cape St. Francis Beach is very limited. James tells us the prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much. It is always important that we keep the proper theological tension between our responsibility to go to our Father in prayer and His ultimate sovereignty. I must confess I don’t always understand how these are linked but I know they are. The situation with Lydia’s eye has been a big challenge for us. We have wanted so much to bring God glory in how we handled this but at times there was a fine line between this and outright panic! Thank you so much for your prayers and emails of encouragement to us regarding Lydia’s eye. We know God has heard and answered our prayers. Yesterday we were considering extreme options like a 14-hour drive back to Johannesburg or a possible flight but I had one more phone call with the eye doctor we saw in Pretoria instead. As of right now (4:30PM on 12-14) it really appears to have made a real positive turn in the right direction and we are comfortable with our approach right now. We believe God is bringing about the healing to her eye we have all been asking Him for. Praise God for He has done great things! (Once again!)
We arrived in South Africa one week ago today. We are so thankful to be here as a family (9 of us now!) and to enjoy a much needed break from the Mission Field. We love Zambia so much but we now realize we needed a break. God has provided us a sweet place here at the Beach with our friends Danie and Lise Brink. Many of you know them from when Danie was getting his PHD from UGA in Mathematics. They have a wonderful family and our time with them has been perfect. It does not quite feel like Christmas yet but in our family worship we are singing many Christmas carols and looking at the birth of Christ in Luke and then Mathew. I really hope that we can each rise above the noise and distractions of the “Christmas industry” and spend appropriate time in awe of all that God has done for us in Christ Jesus. The world knows that God sent His Son to earth to save our souls but they world wants to forget this or to deny this all together. Let’s find the time to not let them. Lets remind them of why this season for us is a high and holy time.
Lastly, do you have any year-end giving you can do? Don’t give to the Stearns in Africa. That’s right do not give it to us! BUT, if you can give a year-end gift would you consider giving it directly to Centre for Christian Mission (CCM) where we are serving? The link for CCM is: www.ccmzambia.org. CCM is growing and expanding and maintains a critical and crystal clear vision for Missions. When we return we will be able to explain more fully just what a “missionary sending machine” CCM is. For now CCM could really use your gift in order to continue to build the critical infrastructure needed to implement the vision. If you can give, please email Cindy DiMauro at: cindy@stearnsinafrica.com and she will instruct you as to how to make this gift. Thank you for considering this critical and strategic need in Zambia! We dearly love you, miss you and look forward to when we can see you again. Merry Christmas. We are beholding His glory with you!
Dave