We’re Out of Here! (some of us)
Thank you to all who prayed for a “way out” for Cami and Toby. We are so thankful that a repatriation flight suddenly became available for July 18th and he’ll be able to start school at John Brown University on August 10th. It cost twice the normal price, and they’ll have a 29-hour layover in Frankfurt, but he’ll be able to be at school. This means that Cami will be separated from Ben and Kevin for more than two months as Namibia doesn’t reopen until September 18th. We made the choice to split up due to costs, member care needs, and Ben returns to face-to-face school in a few weeks. Please pray for us during this time, and for safe travel.
Bushmanland & Rundu
Cami and I were able to make a quick trip north last week to visit our AIM members and partners. It was wonderful to be able to travel together and check up on how our members are doing and get a clear perspective from our partners on what is going on in ministries around the country.
*Please pray for the Hazels as they work in tough conditions in Tsumkwe
*Pray for the Grahams as they await Work Permit approval (after it being deferred weeks ago).
*Pray for the Evangelical Bible Institute as they struggle to keep things going and need a computer and printer. Thankfully they have started classes again!
Kevin & Ben – Bachelor Pad
As Cami and Toby are traveling and settling in at JBU, Ben and I will be running the show here in Windhoek. Ben continues to have Zoom classes from 7:30am-1:30pm weekdays and my workload will increase as my co-leader (Cami) is fleeing the country 😊 I will be busy writing proposed Vision and Strategy papers for two new areas (Ben and I will go north to visit pastors and possible partners in August). On top of that I will be handling all the finances and membership management as well as working to try to get our new missionaries here before we leave for furlough the end of this year.
*Pray for Ben as he continues with schooling online and to to face-to-face classes in August.
*Pray for Kevin as he juggles old and new tasks.
Graduation! Toby graduates (virtually) on July 15th! Join us in congratulating him, recognizing the loss of the much-anticipated Senior trip and last moments together. Rift Valley Academy is a special experience for MK’s and it was cut short.
*Continue to pray for him as he processes those significant losses.
Thoughts…
The things that don’t change…are the things we cling to. Although locally our world hasn’t changed drastically, we feel the global effects of what this pandemic has wrought. We also have had more conversations about race and history than before. We have seen the true colors of believers come out as it requires more effort to meet together (allowed here) and also to get beyond fear. For our family it has been a difficult time as we have been thrown together, each dealing with a different set of emotions and disappointment. Yet, all that being said, what DOESN’T change has so far carried us through. For example, the work Cami and I did on our marriage a few years back has enabled us to connect and listen to each other better. Our background, training and theological history has helped us see God even when the world seems to be falling apart. And even though I am skeptical of those who may say ‘the world will be transformed, then Jesus will return’, I do see Jesus and those who have stayed close to Him be able to give compassion, empathy and wisdom in hard—really hard — situations.
However, we are tired. We are carrying on, pursuing the Kingdom here in Namibia and resting in an unchanging, loving, long-suffering God who sent His only Son to not only free us from sin but to demonstrate EXACTLY what our creator and God is like. What a relief, during these times, to know Him! – K
Namibia conditions
As we have watched with sadness the rise of Covid-19, the civil unrest, the blaring racial issues coming to a head in the States we have felt far removed from it all yet delving into conversations here with our friends and colleagues. It has been refreshing to talk with Africans openly about history, its complications and how often sin has marred man’s best intentions.
*Namibia continues to remain at peace throughout all this although social issues to come into view occasionally. Covid-19 cases have climbed in the coastal towns but not here in the capitol.
*Pray Covid is kept at bay! Strong measures have been used and continue to be effective.
AfriGO and Social Media
Cami continues to work on getting the social media side of AfriGO built up. The goal is to reach all English-speaking African churches, helping to instill a missions vision and desire to support African missionaries. Social media can go a long way in doing that. Visit the Facebook page here:
AfriGO’s Latest Issue-read it here:
AFriGO’s Website – visit it here:
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Brothers and Sisters, we are grateful for your support and prayers. Many of you are also going through hard things. Let us know how we can pray for you.
If you would like to help us in covering the financial costs of getting Toby out of here, and to college, let us know. You can read Kevin’s latest thoughts on our blog here.
Kevin & Cami
Kevin & Cami in Southern Africa 