Street preaching, praying with Islamic Imams and Family Worship!

Posted on August 3, 2011 by The Stearns Family

Why have I waited so long to send you dear friends and family an update?  Now I have so much to share.  The last time I wrote was on the day Shelley and the rest of my family left the USA to join me in Africa.  In summary, I have been deeply encouraged and blown away by just how much the Lord of Glory has gone before us here and continues to give us the grace and strength to serve Him.  In many ways, it has not been easy but it remains a great privilege to be here as a family and to serve here for the sake of Christ.  Thank you to so many of you for your faithful giving to our ministry here and for your consistent prayers for us.  We have been touched and impacted by both. Continue reading →

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Exactly where God desires us to be

Posted on July 23, 2011 by The Stearns Family

Yesterday, Dave and I celebrated 21 years of marriage! How time flies. For a quick second, I thought, if I had known that 21 years ago that we would have been celebrating our 21st anniversary in Africa, what would I have done? Thankfully, God just gives us one day at a time to unfold His plan in our life. Dave and I are both thankful that this anniversary was spent here in Kitwe, exactly where God desires us to be. Continue reading →

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The One Month Mark…

Posted on July 15, 2011 by The Stearns Family

Well, tomorrow will be a month since we landed on African soil. So much has happened that it seems much longer. Continue reading →

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My experience with the Jehovah Witness’

Posted on July 11, 2011 by The Stearns Family

Yesterday afternoon (Friday) these two ladies walked in our gate area with their son. I was talking to my neighbor friend Annie and I asked Annie, “Are those the Jehovah Witness’ ?” and she was said yes. They had come several time into our gated area and Annie does not like them at all; so, she went over to tell them we didn’t want to talk. But I was thinking to myself this is a great opportunity; I can share Christianity with them! Continue reading →

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Virginia’s First Post

Posted on July 11, 2011 by The Stearns Family

Hello Everyone,
I have been here now for 3 weeks. I love it here, the people are so kind and there’s so much to do. This week has especially been a fun one! We started of the week by on Monday we went to the Ndola Trade Fair. We woke up early Monday morning and all piled in a 7 seater Nissan Patrol. Plus our neighbor Annie(pronounced Onnie), Bonnie and Bennett. It was a cramped car ride. We had a blast at the Fair. Continue reading →

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Update From Lydia

Posted on July 3, 2011 by The Stearns Family

Hey guys, I just wanted to give you an update since I haven’t really given a good one since I left for Africa.  Anyways, two weeks ago from today, we were at the airport saying goodbye to friends and getting ready to embark on our big God-led journey.  In many ways, it has felt like two months have already passed since we left home, but in other ways it has felt like we started this journey just yesterday.  Continue reading →

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Stearns Family Update

Posted on July 1, 2011 by The Stearns Family

Just wanted to give you an update on the family.

Thank you so much for your prayers and concerns for all of us.  So many of you have specifically asked about how Sadie Grace was doing in school.  Dave and I decided to allow her to have last week off of school since the first day didn’t go so well.  She and I had a sweet time at home, continuing to get the house settled.  Continue reading →

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A Note From Mary-Frances

Posted on June 28, 2011 by The Stearns Family

Being here for three weeks now has in some ways gone by so fast. In other ways though, I feel as if I have been gone from home too long. Yesterday, however, was probably my favorite day being here in Africa! Continue reading →

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SIMON AND SAMSON ARE STILL THERE!

Posted on June 24, 2011 by The Stearns Family

Hey guys,
Wow!  There is so many things to share!  Africa is very different and definitely an adjustment, but I think I am beginning to finally get into the swing of things.  Yesterday, we had the opportunity to go to the Sara Rose orphanage.  It is the same orphanage that my dad, Beth, Mr. Simmons, Mrs. Myrick, Mr. Myrick, and I visited two years ago.  It was so great to see the orphanage again.  What was a great surprise to me was that Simon and Samson were still there!  Continue reading →

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Adjusting!

Posted on June 22, 2011 by The Stearns Family

Hi!

Just wanted to give you a quick update about how everyone is adjusting.

I think the middle 4 children are adjusting the quickest.

Sadie Grace started school today, but only lasted for about 2 hours. She cried a lot and just wanted to leave. She says she does not like it. It is new, and she is not in control and these are things that are hard for her. Dave and I just need wisdom about how to proceed. Knowing her personality, she may decide that she does not want to go all year. So, we need wisdom about whether or not to just allow her to stay home with me. Continue reading →

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