Dear Family and Friends,                                               July 2, 2009

 

Hard to believe it is already July.  Thank you so very much for your prayers for us and the Tumbuka people.  We have all needed them very much this past month and we continue to need them in the coming month. 

 

Mzimba Bible School

Just now I realized why we had been feeling a strong 'oppression' around here this week.....next week begins the last 2 weeks session (July 6-17) of the Mzimba Bible School.  It happens every time; Satan attacks and we feel discouraged and overwhelmed.  We know the Lord wants to work in a mighty way in the lives of the students who are coming next week.  This Bible School is one of our primary ministries here in Mzimba.  Please pray for these students that they will be totally surrendered to Jesus Christ and commit their lives to completely serve Him.  Pray that the Lord will accomplish His purposes in their lives, ministries and families.  Please pray for Gary and 3 Malawian pastors as they teach.  Pray that the Lord will produce great fruit through the lives and service of these students. 

 

Evangelism

Inspite of the cold weather here, many churches are holding evangelism meetings.  Malinyete and Kanyankhunde are having revivals this weekend (July 3-5) and Embangweni next weekend (July 10-12).  Please be in prayer for those who are diligently sharing the gospel house to house.  Pray that they may have boldness and be able to share the gospel clearly.  Pray that hearts would be open to the gospel and that many may come to saving faith in Jesus.  Pray that these churches may grow in their faith and in the number of members.  Pray for a man named Isaac who came by today to talk about following Jesus.  Pray that he may understand God's Word and be willing to follow Him. 

 

Women's Ministry

Please pray for a women's meeting at the village of Kamchocho for several area churches on July 17-18.  Pray that the Lord will draw women until salvation who do not yet know the Lord.  Pray for believers to be discipled and to be willing to give up anything in their lives that is keeping them from growing in their faith.  Pray for Michelle and several Malawian Baptist women who will be teaching, that the Holy Spirit will speak through them. 

 

Volunteers

We are excited that Cathy (Michelle's aunt), Barbara, Sharon, and Wayne will be coming to work alongside us August 14-25.  Please pray that the Lord will prepare the hearts of those who will hear the Gospel shared and God's Word taught through the team.  Also, please pray that the Lord will guide them as they prepare lessons and teachings and that the Lord will be glorified in and through them.

 

Rudds

The Rudds are doing very well and are focusing now on learning the Tumbuka language.  They are a blessing to us and we are excited about how the Lord is going to use them here in Mzimba.  Please pray for strength and perseverance in language study for them.

 

AMTM

We are having our final Malawi cluster AMTM (annual missionary training meeting) July 27-August 1.  The IMB is going through some major changes and in the future we will be meeting with a larger group of missionaries from several countries.  We enjoy the worship times, teaching and fellowship of these meetings.  Please pray for safety and guidance for the volunteers who will be leading the VBS for the MKs and as they lead us in worship.  Pray that the Lord's purposes will be accomplished through this meeing.  We would also appreciate your prayers for safety and good health throughout.  We also ask for prayer for the entire IMB staff and leaders and missionaries as we go through this transition.

 

Family

Samuel and Michelle had a good trip to Johannesburg, South Africa.  Gary and Lydia survived well without them, although we all realized what a blessing it is to have our family and how much we love one another!  Please pray for Michelle that the Lord will help her be disciplined in doing her exercises to strength her thumb muscles.  Samuel was diagnosed with low muscle tone (but within the 'normal' range) and with some visual processing issues.  Please pray for Michelle and Samuel as Michelle works with Samuel each day on strengthening exercises.  Michelle has now added Occupational Therapist to her list of job titles on the mission field!:)))  We are grateful to the Lord for helping us to know how we can work on these things.  We now just need His strength, perseverance, wisdom and endurance to keep them up over the next days and months. 

 

We are so very grateful for your prayers for us.  We are also grateful to your gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and Cooperative Program.  These gifts are more important than ever in this declining economy.  These gifts paid for Samuel and I to get the medical attention that we need.  IMB has had to halt the sending out of new missionaries this year.  Please pray that the Lord will provide the needed funds so that those who have yet to hear of the incredible love of a Holy God may hear through missionaries being sent through IMB.   We are so grateful to you and to all Southern Baptists for your faithfulness to pray and to give.  We are so grateful to our King and Provider who 'supplies all of our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.'  Philippians 3. 

 

Much love from Mzimba,

Gary, Michelle, Samuel and Lydia Robertson

Box 134

Mzimba  MALAWI

Africa