Aware

Namibia is commemorating Day of the African Child at a critical time when her own children are increasingly facing orphanhood and substance abuse.

HIV/AIDS is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in Namibia and many children are likely to be orphaned by the death of a parent or a caregiver who are also the breadwinners. HIV/AIDS kills almost 15 000 every year.

Orphanhood is just one of the host of problems that the Namibian child is facing. The Namibian child also faces abuse and neglect, early pregnancy and exposure to drug and alcohol abuse. Children are also getting more and more in conflict with the law.

Some of the Namibian children are robbed of their childhood by having to look after their fellow siblings due to the death of their parents. A study a few years back found that out of 200 children that were interviewed, 33 children were heading households.

We have been reading and learning all we can about Namibia so we can be aware and therefore we can go somewhat prepared to understand the culture, the issues, the government and the people of the country.

Our weekends have been busy speaking at churches and helping others to also become aware of the situation in Namibia. We also have been sharing our hearts and God's calling upon us as a family.

This past weekend we had the opportunity to speak at four services/five congregations.

This was our Sunday

9:30 a.m. service

10:30 a.m. service

~ 40 minute drive

1:30 p.m. service

~ 3 hour drive to Selkirk

5:30 p.m. service

9.00 p.m. ice cream with Porterfields!

~ arrival home about 1:00 a.m.

We have been full time missionaries for sixteen days as of today and have had the honor of sharing our hearts with eight congregations.

We were so encouraged by he support from all who we have shared with. It was amazing! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

How can YOU help?

How can you help the country of Namibia?

                  Come with us by...

1.  By partnering with us financially

     

     -to support and train leaders

     -to respond to social needs

     -to strengthen the local congregations and community

    2.  By hosting us mid-week

          

         -we would be happy to meet with you circle of influence

         -it could be in your home over coffee

         -a small group or bible study

         -with your family

         -or at your church

  3.   Commit to pray 

        -for us as a family

        -for the country of Namibia

When we take the opportunity to give God blesses us in return and he will take care of us...

       "Give and it SHALL be given unto you, a good measure pressed down, shaken together and running over."   Luke 6:38

                                              

On a personal note(Sharon), I have a a new appreciation for missionaries.  We have just begun but the level of trust one must learn to have is intense.  We have to trust God or we'll go crazy with anxiety.

Those who have a burning desire to touch the lives of people in a country that is destitute must depend on God's people here in Canada(North America) to listen to God's voice and follow His promise that as we give, He WILL take very good care of us.

I remember my parents giving of the very little they had to support missionaries when I was young.  We prayed for them as they kept in touch with us.  My parents are truly blessed and happy and God did take care of them.  They're greatest joy is when they can help others and this has really impacted me.  I've seen God's promise in action.

Missionaries can not go without your support. Unlike Canada where church workers are paid by the church to be a help to the community and the church family but missionaries must depend on individuals and churches to see the need outside their immediate needs.  Sadly,  we in a wealthy nation and still hold tight to "our" wealth and feel afraid of giving and then trusting the Lord.  I speak for myself as well in that giving is never easy, it's easier to close my eyes and heart. God forgive me and change me.

So on behalf of the people who serve in a foreign country they need prayer,  communication, and financial support.

Thanks for listening and to all of the missionaries... May God bless you.

To support us Financially you can give online  http://www.paoc.org/missions/missionaries.aspx?mID=339

The end with a beginning

Yesterday was our last day as the pastors of New Life Assembly. A church family that has made an impact on us as a family to say the least. 

Today it is sinking in that we have stepped away from a wonderful place of ministry and the comfort of an amazing group of people to go to into a chapter in our lives that is uncertain but we know without any question  that this is God's will for us.  

Catherine, Julia, Darrell and I will be in God's hands as we walk this road and we will see amazing things happen in this step of faith.

Words cannot express what wonderful people we have had to chance to bond with in this church and this community.

It was a bitter sweet day to say good-bye so that we can say hello to what God has for us in Namibia. 

Our desire is to serve the Namibian church and the people of that beautiful country. 

Our plan in raising our support will be to share our hearts, present the need in as many ways as possible and pray that people will be challenged to be in ministry along with us.  

We pray for individuals to be involved as well as churches. our desire is for people to be aware of what God is doing in Namibia through e-mail and letters, we want to keep our supporters involved in our journey.

You might not go to another country physically but you can be part of placing us there and in this you'll be impacting this part of the world.

We'd also appreciate your commitment to praying for us as we'll pray for you.  Pray is vital and knowing that we have individuals promising to pray for us would mean so very much.  

So you may ask when are we going and how are we going to get there. We can draw a salary once we reach 60% and go to the field when we reach 75% of our budget. Our plan is to keep you up to date with where we are in the matter. 

Please pray for us that God will help us to be ready and funded to go to Namibia in the fall of 09.

For this

As you may know, the PAOC has missionaries in 50 countries of the world and Namibia will make 51.  We, along with our two girls, plan to move to Namibia to work with developing leaders and to develop leaders of the national church and offering support in various ways.

We are giving ourselves for this, we are not sure what tomorrow brings but we know the one who holds tomorrow.

As you may or may not know we will conclude 6 years of ministry here in Killarney this coming Sunday. We have been blessed to provide leadership to a great church that will continue to be our home church while on the field. 

You may be wondering what are we doing until we leave. Sharon will be going back to work the end of the month. Our girls will still go to school and I will be traveling and sharing our hearts with as many as I can.

June 7th - Oxford Assembly - Virden

June 14th -  Anglican Church - Boissevain

June 14th - Family Worship Center - Boissevain

June 14th - Belmont Pentecostal Church- Belmont

June 14th - Bethel Chapel - Selkrik combined service with Stonewall

June 21st - Highway Tabernacle - Portage La Prairie

June 28th - TBC 

Our Destination

 "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send?  And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I send me!"  Isaiah 6:8-9

Why?

              We felt a deep desire to go to a country that we were unfamiliar with.  Namibia is a country where the gospel is being preached and aid is being provided by Namibian leaders yet they need support and that is what we want to be for them.

 

What?

              Darrell's role will be to provide leadership development, pastoral and theological education. He'll also being Networking and assisting the local church and finding what is needed to help in a country that has so many needs.  Our girls and I(Sharon)will find the ways we can help and be involved.  Learning from the nationals will be the first important step to get underway.

When?

            We have a budget that includes finances for us as a family to live on and finances to aid when we see a need in Namibia.  We must raise this budget before approved to go.  We need people to see our hearts and the deep desire to impact a needy part of the world to stand with us financially you can do so online at. www.paoc.org

Please come with us through your support and we will keep you very aware of what we doing together for the kingdom.

Part of our commitment is to keep you aware of what we are doing via this blog.

God will bless you, "pressed down and shaken together and running over". 

Thank you

The Desrosiers'