Bits & Bytes for Bagley Backers May 2013

	May 2013
Bits & Bytes for Bagley Backers
African Missionary Retreat Global Partners' missionaries serving in Africa met this past month at a resort north of Xai Xai, Mozambique for their annual missionary retreat. Despite a few last minute changes in airplane tickets and a scare about the availability of visas, all the missionaries arrived on time with little difficulty (although some had lengthy travel times). One of the highlights of this year's retreat was a well-focused ministry to the missionary kids by Michelle Bryant, a children's pastor from United Wesleyan Church in Easley, SC. Missionaries were challenged by messages from GP's Executive Director, Dr. Dennis and Gwen Jackson. Missionaries also deeply appreciated the presence and ministry of Tim Hibschman, GP's Director of Missionary Care and  Development.   The Retreat concluded with a celebration of the African ministry ofJerry & Jody Manwaring and Orai & Linda Lehman. Jerry & Jody currently serve as Assistant Area Director for Administration and will retire in a little over a year. Orai & Linda have served in Africa since 1968 and currently serve as Mozambique Mission Director. They will be retiring at the end of the year.  Photos from the Africa Area Missionary Retreat can be seen by clicking the button below:
Zambia Field Visit Following the Missionary Retreat, Bob traveled to Zambia with Dr. Jackson to connect with church leaders as well as visit the places where GP missionaries are stationed. The visit began with participation in Zambia's annual Missions and Leaders Conference in Lusaka. Around three hundred church leaders gathered to participate in workshops on topics ranging from "Biblical Stewardship" to "The Missions Minded Church" to ministry spotlights from various departments within the church. Following the conference a day and a half was spent visiting church ministries in and around Lusaka. We then traveled to Pilgrim Wesleyan Bible College in Jembo just as new missionaries Mike & Shareen Bradley were arriving to begin their year of service. It was then on to Zimba where we witnessed significant developments at the hospital including the new backup generator, the new Out Patient Department, and the renovated/expanded Maternity Ward. Photos from the visit to Zambia can be seen by clicking the button below:
Swaziland Ministry After the Africa Area Missionary Retreat Brenda traveled to Emmanuel Wesleyan Bible College in Swaziland to teach the course "Understanding Other Faiths." Besides the usual classroom instruction, the course included visits to a local mosque as well as to a local Jericho Church in Zion (a syncretistic independent African church). For a full report on her time in Swaziland, click the "Read More" button below: Photos of Brenda's time in Swaziland can be seen by clicking the "See Photos" button below:   Praise Reports Praise God for safety in travel for missionaries coming to the Africa Area Missionary Retreat and for a profitable time together. Praise God for His help in the Missions and Leaders Conference in Zambia and for the vision and enthusiasm evident in church leaders. Praise God for helping Brenda to communicate effectively as she taught at Emmanuel Wesleyan Bible College in Swaziland this past month. Praise God for the safe arrival of Mike & Shareen Bradley to begin their term of service at Pilgrim Wesleyan Bible College in Zambia. Prayer Requests Please continue to pray for Randal and Candice Cheney and their family as their application for residence permits have been denied. We are in a process of appealing the decision and are making alternative plans in case this is not successful. Pray for God's plan to be accomplished and for encouragement for the Cheneys. Leaders from Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Liberia, and Ghana will be meeting in Sierra Leone May 27-29 for a District Superintendents' School. Pray that these leaders will easily grasp the concepts that will help them be more effective in their leadership and that they will return to their home countries with new vision and enthusiasm. The quadrennial National Conference of the Wesleyan Church of Sierra Leone will meet May 29 - June 2.  Please ask God to guide in the decisions that are made and leaders that are chosen. Pray that there will be an unusual sense of God's presence and a spirit of unity. We are preparing to travel to the US in mid June for GP's training event for new missionaries and a meeting of GP's Leadership Council.  Please pray that God will help and guide us as we prepare for these important events. Support Report We are deeply grateful for all of you who faithfully and sacrificially give so we can serve in the Africa Area. Thank you so much. For your information, our support received was down in April. Please help us pray that God will supply what is needed each month.   Donations or monthly commitments can be made online by clicking here  or sent by mail to: Global Partners, PO Box 50434, Indianapolis, 46250   Printable Version An easy to print version can be accessed by clicking the following link: PRINT VERSION.Thank you for sharing a print version with those who cannot receive the email. Forward to a Friend You can help us by forwarding "Bits & Bytes" to friends who will be interested in the work of Global Partners in Africa. Just click on the link below. Friends who receive the email will also be given an opportunity to sign up to receive it in the future. Forward this message to a friend   Bob & Brenda Bagley | RBagley112@gmail.com
Get social with us!