learning and growing...

I am doing this awesome bible study and thought I would share a snippet.  It is too good not to share...

"One reason God allows us to experience troubles is because He desires to reveal His joy to us through restoration.  A consistent theme running throughout God's Word is the believer's trial resulting from God's perfect will.  I am not referring to God's permissive will when we choose to go astray.  I am referring to His perfect choice for us to know hardship for kingdom gain...times He ordains difficulty in our lives.... Rarely has God removed from my life circumstances or people that force me to my knees. Many of my trails must have been ordained by Him because of the results they rendered. "  Living beyond yourself- beth moore

 I love and don't love it all at the same time.  Help me God to accept what you have given me to learn and grow!

Praying for you my sweet friends as we have a daily choice to serve the Creator.
Amy Louise

Thankful

We are truly blessed with our family, health and ability to serve the King of the universe. I was talking with a friend of ours about responding to a “calling” (like being a missionary) and what that looks like. There are many days I feel like I want to be here and serve. I enjoy the moments that I have been given. There are days I so enjoy living in Africa. I enjoy the friendships that have culturally enriched me. I enjoy when the power goes out because it reminds me to thoroughly enjoy the power when I got it. There are amazing stories I can tell of when I have learned to make do with what I have because I have no option to get what I need to make it work. I enjoy the sunsets, the rains, the simple life, that there is a lake that is so close by we can enjoy, that I can walk out my front door and make a difference in someone’s life.  Also, because of the gas shortage that this country has, I have the ability to enjoy the "I have nowhere to go" and stay home.


I love that I can fully embrace there are days that I don't want to get out of bed.  I really would like to be in my home culture and be in familiarity! I want to just to costco instead 7 stores. I want to enjoy PF Changs and 7/11 slurpees.  The days when I get crabby when the power goes out and then there is no water... oh my! Then there are days I don't feel like talking.   There are days that I am selfish, self absorbed and unable give beyond myself. I wish I had gas to go somewhere anywhere... So this is apart of this journey. I know that even if I was in my sweet cozy home in San Diego - I still have to respond to the call He has for me.  I would still find things to complain about there and be irritated there.

When it comes down to it a “calling” for me is not based on how I am feeling.  It is based on obedience and responding everyday to that.  There are days, obedience and I are at odds with each other and there are days that it works and it flows through me.  By His grace - I keep on pressing on. 

Thank you for praying for us as we do what we do out obedience- without people praying we would fall apart.  

thanks for reading - amy louise :)

ABC MDiv Students in Need...

Dear friends and family,

I (Bob) am writing to you in regards to our new Masters of Divinity (MDiv) program here at ABC.  We just started this program in August.  This program has given us (staff members) the opportunity to train and mentor local Malawian pastors who are already serving in various churches throughout the country.  As a part of the program, we are offering intensive leadership training, in-depth theological instruction and one-on-one mentorship. What a privilege it is to be a part of a program that has the ability to make such a difference in a very real and practical way.

Unfortunately, the five men that are currently enrolled in the program are struggling to pay their tuition.  Sadly, these men get very little money from their congregations, and ABC is now in a position where they may have to dismiss several of them because of their unpaid balances.  So, I am writing and asking if you would be willing to contribute financially to help these men continue with their program.  These students pay roughly $800.00 in tuition a semester (including books). And on average they have been paying only about a third of what they actually owe, with the rest building up on their accounts. 

So I am asking if you would like to contribute financially to their tuition. Anything would help.  If you are interested, you can send any amount to our ABC office in Mississippi.  Make sure to write “MDiv Tuition” on the memo line of your checks.  This will ensure that the money gets to the right place.  I will then (personally) distribute the money according to the needs of each student.  Let me know right away how much you would like to contribute so we can credit their accounts immediately.

I wouldn’t be writing this letter unless I personally considered this to be a very pressing and time-sensitive issue as well as an amazing opportunity to contribute to something that can really make difference.

Thank you for your prayers and you considerations.

Blessings,

Bob Stauffacher

(Professor/Coordinator of MDiv Program)

African Bible College – Lilongwe, Malawi

To send money please address the envelope to:

African Bible College
Attn: MDiv Tuition

P.O. Box 103
Clinton, MS 39060

** All donations are tax deductible **

ABC MDiv Students

Simple life