News from Botswana, Africa, Carruthers family

Dear Prayer Partner,

We apologize for not writing sooner, we have been extremely busy.  GOD IS WORKING IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS, we want you to remember that as we write this letter.

 

Last week I was blessed to travel to Zimbabwe.  I crossed the border on Tuesday and we made our way to Mme Chuma's place.  A true mud hut experience.  Mme Chuma has been copying the Bible for the past year and a half.  She is a very poor woman with a great heart for God.  She makes her living off the land, so much labor is required.  She has no electricity so daylight hours are precious.  She has finished Matthew to Romans and is now copying Corinthians.  She welcomed us with open arms and made many trips to the river to fetch water for bathing for her 9 visitors who had arrived.  That evening we experienced a wonderful prayer time with close neighbors, the next morning we attended 5 Bible studies.  God continues to filter are attendees.  We don't like this process but those who are remaining are becoming very committed to seeing God work in their lives.

 

One of the Bible studies we were blessed to attend was in Tjehanga.  15 ladies gathered under the tree, half of them over the age of 50.  God is speaking to them through His word and as they encourage each other it is great fun to see them searching the scriptures in search of the verses they remember.  The Holy Spirit is giving them great joy.

 

On Thursday we attended two Bible studies and then made our way to a nearby city center.  God is working in Zimbabwe and Jesus Christ is being lifted up.  We attended another Bible study where the people had stopped copying due to some persecution from the enemy.  They have since restarted because of the work of the Holy Spirit and they are filled with his presence.  God is showing himself faithful.  

 

Jesus Christ is being lifted up.  His word is being unleashed and God's people are allowing it to do its work in the hearts of people.  

 

Sunday, in Botswana we were blessed to travel back to Sebina Baptist church.  We called the Brazilian Baptist missionaries on Saturday to inquire the start time and they asked me to preach.  I took notebooks and pens.  I feel a passion to motivate people to jump into the word of God.  The people who have the toughest time with this simple approach are those who have received degrees from a religious institution.  It is possible, but it is more difficult.  Could something so simple actually work?  Would God speak to someone who is pursuing Him with pen and paper?  Pray for this church to become saturated in the word of God.

 

Two days ago John and I crossed into Zimbabwe straight east of Francistown, Botswana.  Ingwise Baptist Church has been in existence for many years and I told you about Simon Mpofu about a month ago.  Simon has been a believer since 1971 when the Milby's baptized him in Plumtree.  He has been the pastor of the church for many years.  When we arrived 20 people were waiting on us.  They eagerly received a notebook and pen and we explained to them what to look for as they copied one of the three gospels.  Some of them had Bibles, so they began in Matthew and Luke.  Others received a copy of the gospel of Mark.  We dismissed and stayed the night with Rre Mpofu.  The next morning they regathered and we noticed their progress.  All of them, but one, had began to copy and they also shared some questions and testimonies.  God is showing himself faithful and we are only doing what God has sent us to do: proclaim the word of God and his commandments.  Thank you for praying for us. 

 

Ann is going to share about family issues and Kayla.  We look forward to seeing her next week.  

 

Mme Maseko's son was cleared of all charges concerning the death of the young boy who passed away after being hit by the car he was driving.  The family of the boy forgave Mme Maseko and her family and came to understand that it was an accident.  Pray for Mme Maseko to be blessed by God and to see his blessings come to her and her family.

 

Ann here, Namon is enjoying his vacation from school, we are going to start again sometime in August.  Noah is continuing to finish his first grade, math and reading.  He loves it and I like having time just teaching him.  Kayla comes home in a week please remember her on the 17 and the 18.  One thing about being missionaries is always having to say goodbye to people.  The senior class will be graduating on the 17, and many of Kayla's friends will be leaving.  She has a very tender heart when it comes to goodbyes so please pray for her on that day.  Then on the 18 she will be flying to Johannesburg, where we will greet her with many hugs.  We will be spending five days in Johannesburg, so pray we have a great family vacation.  Kelly and I will have our 20th wedding anniversary on the 21rst of July.  I planned for us to be in South Africa so we could pick a good place to go out to eat!  I need you all to pray for me , there are times I get down for no earthly reason.  There are times when I miss America and the people I love and have as friends, then I think of how long it takes to get there and then I am better.  Thank you all for praying for us, it really helps.

One more update from Yvonne, she took a test like a driver's permit and failed, because she was sick for two weeks and the test asked no questions about driving.  Weird, but she scheduled another time the 10 of August.  Pray that she will pass this time.  Mary and her meet last night at our house and it was wonderful.  Mary had so much to talk about because due to Yvonne being sick, they didn't meet.  Mary and I had prayed that her son in Johannesburg would be able to find and trust the person to deliver her money so she could buy a kitchen unit, every time we would pray we would thank God in advance.  Last night the prayer was answered and we danced around and around praising God.  Mary is in Genesis 24, she is having a great time copying. May God bless each and every one of you.  We pray for you all as well. 
 

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Kelly, Ann, Kayla, Namon & Noah Carruthers
P.O. Box 301783 Francistown, Botswana
kalangabotswana@pobox.com or kaknnc@gmail.com