A Really Big Day!

July 25 was a really big day for our family.  First things first, I suppose.  Carol and I celebrated 20 years of marital bliss (OK, I exaggerate), but hey, 20 good years!  We also celebrated the 20th years' biggest blessing: Master Dennis Samuel Minshew's third birthday.  One of the advantages of Tsumeb is that there are a few more of the "refined" pleasures.  Don was able to order flowers and have them delivered on the morning of the 25th. (See them in the background?)  Dennis had a really good time -- and has become one of the world's biggest fans of cake.  He doesn't understand when it isn't around all the time.  For more pictures of Dennis on his third birthday, visit: http://photos.yahoo.com/namibdon and click on the gallery of birthday photos.

Pastor Andreas in TEE Study

Pastor Andreas Kativa Chintango is the pastor of Nomtsoub Baptist Church in Tsumeb.  He has the heart of an evangelist and is constantly looking for ways to begin new work.  He has a church that operates on one of the farms about 10 kilometers from here and has recently begun another near the town of Grootfontien.  Luchazi speakers who live closer to the town are looking to begin a work.  Recently Don began a weekly study with Pastor Andreas.  The book is part of a theological education by extension program and is called, The Shepherd and His Work.  It is a wonderful study about the role of the pastor.  Pastor Andreas has already learned much from this study and is enthusiastic about continuing his studies in the future.

Jesus Film Progress

Don was in Rundu in early August for a meeting of the Jesus film approval committee.  Unfortunately only one other member, Pastor Manuel Gomes of the Full Gospel Church, was able to attend.  Nevertheless, Pastor Gomes, Marcus Vihemba and Don were able to complete 33% of the revision.  The goal is to complete this phase before October.

A Visit in the Bush

It's not so far in the bush, really, but Pastor Andreas had forgotten the turn so.... we traveled for miles in the bush before we found our way to Omutsegonime Baptist Church (say that three times, quick).  About 70 folks gather there every Sunday under the ministry of Pastor Raimundo.  When we came out of the service, the back right tire was flat. I changed it--with lots of help-- and came home (about 75 miles).  Next day I dropped off the tire for repair and went to the post office.  When I got back, the front tire was going flat!  It ended up having a large thorn through it.  God was really gracious to let us get home without another flat. 

New Web sites

Don has recently posted two new web sites on the Web.  The first details the people group that we are working with, the Ngangela.  You can find this at: http://www.peopleteams.org/ngangela.  The second site is a work in progress.  Many of our churches are like Omutsegonime -- out in the bush.  Maps don't work too well since the African bush can change unexpectedly.  Trees disappear, rocks shift, etc.  The answer is the GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) system.  Thanks to Mt. Zion Baptist Church in DeSoto County, Mississippi, Don is able to locate these churches using the GPS.  Someone else using these coordinates can find the church.  Don is posting this type information at: http://rundu.0golf.com/churches/index.htm.

Don't miss the calendar and prayer requests at: The Journey Ahead