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