August 2012

From The Kitchen Table

~ The Desk of Lynne Schaefer ~

August 2012

“If you can’t trust the one who died for you, who can you trust?”

 

Dear Family and Friends

 

I haven’t put out a Kitchen Table for a while, because, well, I haven’t had much to say.  Which is actually very unusual for me who always seems to have a lot to rattle on about.

 

It is not that nothing has happened in the past months, because, a lot has.  It is just that we have had a lot going on in our hearts that we have had to deal with, and quite frankly some of it has been quite painful.

 

The almost fourteen years of ministry here in Mbala has taken its toll and we feel as a family we could use some time to rest, where we don’t have to do any ministry for a time. Also, the past few years have been tough ones, with a lot of things happening that have affected us as a family and we have grown quite weary.

 

We will be going down to Cape Town in November/December to have 2 months break and rest.  Grant and I will hopefully be going on a Cruise Ship for a few nights to have some time alone as a couple.  We have had only 2 nights alone in 14 years.  We could sure use some “couple” time. It is impossible here to have anytime alone together, and there is no chance for us to even go out on a “date”.

 

As the kids get older, they feel more isolated and lonely, and are desperate to have friends that they can relate to. So, we have been struggling with staying in the Lord’s will, as we know He still wants us to be here, he has not told us to move. We have also had to juggle the issues that arise with living out here with five children, who also have needs, the loneliness and being away from family and friends, and the constant reminder of having to be culturally sensitive all the time.

 

So pray for us, that we may continue to do the Lords will, and continue to serve him with joyful hearts. That we will always seek Him first and trust Him for supplying all our needs, both physically and spiritually.

 

Thanks so much for your prayers. We can sure use them as we continue to seek to do the Lord’s will.

 

God bless.

 

Lynne Schaefer and Family

Grant, Joel, Hope, Charley, Olivia, Luke

PO Box, 420032, Mbala, Zambia

 

 

 

March/April 2012

From The Kitchen Table

~ The Desk of Lynne Schaefer ~

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Psalm 90:12

March/April 2012

As usual the months are flying by.  With Grant being away a lot it has been very busy and quite difficult. He has returned from a deputation trip to the USA and is now in South Africa, where he is running an Ultra Marathon, followed by a deputation trip around South Africa.  When he returns he will be back into the full swing of ministry.  This year he will be taking the courses to the village instead of the pastors coming in from the village to be taught. 

Joel and Sebastian were going to go with to Cape Town, as Joel is in desperate need of braces.  We have  managed to find a dentist here in Zambia that can fit him with braces at a fraction of the cost of other dentists. A friend has kindly offered us a gift towards the costs and it will cover the whole procedure. We are most grateful!  Therefore, he has stayed here in Zambia, and Grant also asked Sebastian to stay too as he has been a tremendous help and is very practical with all the things that seem to go wrong when Grant is away. They were both a little disappointed to not be taking a trip down to the Cape, but know that they are more needed here and have happily stayed.

Sebastian has been such a blessing to our family.  So the Lord has blessed us twice in a row with two amazing young men coming to help us.  First “our” Jack and now Sebi! He leaves in June and we are praying for another young person to come and help us.

With the economy being what it is, the giving to missions always seems to decrease.  So, we are faced with the situation of trying to find a way to sustain ourselves here in Zambia.  We are praying for the Lord to show us a way to make a living here, so that we do not have to fully rely on outside support.  Please pray for us and with us on this.

Most of the kids are doing great.  Joel is quickly catching up to Grant in height.  He is very tall and very skinny but such an amazing young man.  He is so helpful and obedient and so much fun to have around. Hope is my work horse.  She works amazingly hard for a girl her age. You don’t have to ask her to help she sees the need before you ask. She needs to work as she is getting to the age where her body is changing and she feels that the hard work keeps her going.  Charley is, well, Charley!  Everyone loves her.  A friend saw her the other day and jokingly said, “Charley, I thought you were your mum!”  She looks just like me!!! Olivia is the organiser, sometimes she thinks she can do something which is well beyond her years!  She has the attitude of, “Of course I can do that, it’s easy, oh no, I can’t it’s actually hard!” She has lost 3 front teeth in one week and has a hectic toothless grin!  Luke is not doing well physically. He does not eat and he has a very pale look.  He runs a slight fever most days and we are not sure what the problem is. I am continually force feeding him. Please pray for his health.

Praise God:

·         For providing        

·         For Sebastian

·         For his provision of braces for Joel

Please Pray for:

·         Grant as he travels around South Africa

·         For a new young person to come take Sebi’s place when he leaves

·         For me as Grant is away to be able to deal with all the daily struggles that pop up

·         For Luke’s health

Yours in His service,

Lynne Schaefer and Family

Grant, Joel, Hope, Charley, Olivia, Luke PO Box, 420032, Mbala, Zambia