Smiles, Certificates and Seeds Planted

From: Anne K.
Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2012 00:00:57 -0700 (PDT)

Well, it’s Saturday and Nathan, Lori, and Anita have just dropped us off at the airport,...but not before stopping at the same wonderful restaurant that we enjoyed last Saturday.  Friday was a whirlwind. The ladies of the team shopped in the town of Poti, while Sid dutifully guarded the van.  This left us rushing to get lessons prepared.  We had two hours of class with no break followed by a commencement ceremony.  During this time, Anita was trying to create certificates for everyone.  One of the reasons for the trip to Poti was to get the toner cartridge refilled – again.  We’ve been printing furiously for two weeks.

You can almost guess a hug was soon to follow after Sid presented this adult student's certificate!

The adults spent the last twenty minutes of class saying goodbye and taking pictures.  The teachers were hastily signing certificates.  The commencement featured a program by the kids including singing, dancing, and a skit.  The certificates were awarded with plenty of hugs and kisses and applause.  It was a satisfying, yet sad time.  The sadness is overshadowed by the belief that we accomplished our goal of befriending the community and planting some seeds for the future harvest.  We praise God and thank all of you for your support!

C'mon, sing along..."Head, shoulders, knees and toes!"

Our trip back is with lighter luggage as we left all our materials behind. We are headed for Istanbul where we plan to meet up with Derek W. Touchdown in Raleigh is planned for Monday afternoon.

With deepest gratitude,
Anne for the Republic of Georgia Team 

Trusting God for the impact He has planned...

From: Anne K.
Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2012 00:06:15 -0700 (PDT)

Nathan arrived back Wednesday night after a grueling bus ride, definitely not a Greyhound!

This is a picture of the guest house where we have been staying; it is only a short walk from the camp.  An extended family lives here and rents out rooms.  The grandmother recently accepted Christ, and two of the youth workers are discipling her; please keep all of them in your prayers.

In the adult class we had one of the youth workers share his testimony.  We only taught until 6:30, and then all the classes gathered in the kitchen for a showing of the children's version of the Jesus Film.  At this point we have no idea what impact the Bible lessons, testimonies and film have had, but we trust God to do a mighty work in this town. We know you have been praying along with us and we feel that.

It's kind of a sad time now, knowing we're going into the last day with our students and probably won't see them again.

Three Cheers for the Translating Trio

From: Anne K.
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2012 09:41:51 -0700 (PDT)

Our Terrific Trio of Translators! (L to R) Tinako (Tina), Soso and Eka

Just a quick note to share our appreciation for our translators who have worked with us in class for over two hours each day.  After those 2 hours of class time they would translate all the journals into English so that we could read and respond to them, then they had to translate our responses back into Georgian.  All this within a day and along with cooking and other duties.  The picture shows Tinako on the left, Soso in the middle, and Eka on the right.  'Tina' translated for Becky's and Sid's adult class.  (Some of the journals were over twenty pages long!)  Eta translated for Anne's and Marcile's younger but larger class, and Soso translated for Lori's class.  (A side note, Soso is Brian's brother-in-law.)  We thank the Lord for these great young people!

Sunset Over the Black Sea

From: Anne K.
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2012 23:03:14 -0700 (PDT)

Today the kids were better behaved. (Thanks for the prayers!) 

The adult class had a new student who was brought by one of the ladies in the class.  She was covered from head to toe in black except for an opening just large enough for her eyes and mouth.  We found out after class that she was an Orthodox nun.  She lives and serves at the church, and also raises pigs and chickens and grows crops.  Becky and Sid have been journal-sharing with ladies from that church.  We suspect that those journals will be shared with the nun and priest.  Please pray that God's Spirit will touch these people.  The class, including our 'new student', got to hear our interpreter, Tina, share her testimony.  We didn't understand a word, but we know it was powerful!

After class, we were "forced" to see a sunset at the Black Sea.  It was beautiful! (Although a large ship thoughtlessly positioned itself in the way!) The sand at this beach is  actually black, and said to have healing powers through its magnetic characteristics.  Becky, Sid and Anne went for a swim in the cool water; it was a great experience.  This town is a seaside resort, but for most of the people life is not easy.  Please pray for these people and that this camp, and potential church can bring Christ into their lives.

The Son is Shining...

From: Anne K.
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2012 23:34:30 -0700 (PDT)

Today was bright and sunny and things have begun to dry out.  The field is still muddy and the kids have not been able to play outside.  This has again raised energy levels in class and challenged Anne and Marcile with the young ones.  Please continue to pray for the teachers.  The kids got another good Bible lesson and the adult class got to hear Becky's testimony.  We have two more teaching days left.  Please also pray that we will finish well and as a positive example of Christ's love.

The adult class listens to what is being shared

We carried ten pounds of TSP (tri-sodium phosphate) from the states for Nathan's crew.  It is a heavy-duty cleaner that was needed to clean off all the unfinished doors (mildew and graffiti).  The doors are now clean and have their first coat of white paint.  There's still lots of work yet to do before the evangelistic camp in July for young people from eastern Georgia.  In August there will be an English camp for the Mingrelian people group living north of this town.  That was supposed to be our original ministry, but due to a political situation it was not possible for them to come this week.  Please pray that plans will continue to be worked out to God's glory.

Would the Flooding Keep the Students Away?

From: Anne K.
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2012 00:42:38 -0700 (PDT)

The rains came and then the flooding...but students came anyway!

We heard it raining during the night; by Monday morning it was still raining heavily.  We were able to get to breakfast, but on the way back, the shortcut through the marsh was impassable.  By lunchtime, the entire area was flooded and we had to be shuttled by car, wondering if we would make it.  After lunch, the rain had stopped and the water had started to recede.  The whole town had been flooded.  We began to plan what to do if few or no students came.  We managed to get back to our quarters to get our teaching materials.

When class time came, about half of the children came, which was wonderful considering the unexpected deluge, but ALL but ONE of the adults were there as well!  Today the children were presented a Bible story, and a testimony was shared with the adults.  Both seemed to be positively received.  We appreciate your prayers as we continue to test the waters.

Nathan and Brian have left on "political" business; please keep them in your prayers also.

A Georgian Sunday: Morning Worship, Evening Fellowship...all for the Glory of our LORD!

From: Anne K.
Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2012 00:57:36 -0700 (PDT)

Sunday morning after breakfast we worshiped with the Georgian youth workers.  Although most singing was in Georgian, the tunes were familiar and we could "think along" in English.  They also did an occasional verse in English.  Brian taught mostly from Romans 12 in English, with one of the girls (Eka) translating.  The lesson was addressed at 'Frictions Within the Body'. It was handled very well.  Some of the workers did a skit showing that they really understood the message.  It was a blessed morning.

 The Youth Leader's Concert, Sunday Evening

The afternoon gave us a chance to get a head start on our lessons and journals and relax a little.  On Friday in classes our students were told that there would be a concert Sunday evening.  Several of the children came and heard some beautiful singing by our youth leaders. Unplanned, some of our students also got up and sang one of the songs from class, and a young girl (Mari) sang some Georgian folk songs.  Two of our youth workers shared a brief testimony.  Please pray for these children.  Also pray that as that our team "tests the waters" this week, in terms of witnessing and evangelism, that we will make wise decisions.

The plan for this summer is to have an evangelical camp in July and one in one in August.  Lori and Nathan will be working at the August camp.  Interestingly, using the camp in its unfinished condition does not seem to be a problem here, you just step over or under.

I know that all the kids that have come to this English camp will be eager to come to the August one.  Please pray for their hearts to soften so they, too, can have a personal relationship with Christ.  The long-term goal for the camp facility includes a much-needed church-plant, but there is strong resistance in the religious community. 

Thank you for praying with us,
Anne for the whole team