June Prayer Letter
Sunday, June 12th, 2005 by Dave MarttunenPraying friends,
In just over two weeks we will be boarding a flight for Toronto via London. Our year in South Africa has come to its conclusion and we are packing up our “flat” as we say good bye to life here and look forward to the next phase of our ministry with FEBInternational.
Donna and I have already had two farewells from ministry groups we have served with, with one more scheduled for this next week.
The Tokoza Township is home to about 3 million Black Africans from all over the continent although primarily from the Zulu, Sotho with some Xhosa and Twana. Our ministry focus there has been as volunteers with an HIV support group. A recent memorial service marked the deaths of over 26 members of the group this last year. We have been shocked by the prevalence of HIV/Aids here. Over 11% of teachers in the country are infected. Some areas like the one we are working in estimate a 40-60% infection rate among 18-35 year olds. Our sources estimate a 60% unemployment rate in the same age rate. We were able to share our faith, pray with and for individuals and groups as well as counsel individuals, children, and couples. It has been a very satisfying and formative experience. We see the need for Church based ministry that is willing to take the gospel to the community as it also brings hope and help through economic development efforts.
A group of urban professionals meets on Tuesday nights. We have been their leaders for the last four months. While almost all of the group would call themselves newer believers, a couple of weeks ago one of the group decided to become a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ! It was an awesome privilege to meet with him and see him make his decision.
In early May Donna and I were guests at the Baptist Union national leadership retreat. I was asked to be their speaker and brought four messages on the theme: “Choosing a future in a shifting present”. The retreat was held in Cape Town. Donna and I enjoyed the rich fellowship and as an added bonus were able to see the view from Table Mountain and see first hand a penguin rookery. Another highlight on this trip was to meet again with Dr. John Volmink. Dr John and his wife Angela have a passion for Saturday schools which gives underprivileged children the chance to succeed. Dr. Volmink and his wife started a Saturday school in Durban that has hundreds of children now attending. He has the vision to do the same in Cape Town since relocating there to lead the Cornerstone College. Several of our Canadian Churches support this project.
I have been preaching in Churches in Johannesburg and been involved with leaders, pastors and churches in a variety of ways. I was recently invited to be part of an elders retreat for a local Church as they developed strategy for their future.
Donna and I have published two editions of our mission in house trade paper called Connections. This cyberspace tool will help our missionary staff stay “connected” and informed as our mission develops.
Our director, Richard Fleming has asked us to consider going to Indonesia on a short field assessment tour this fall. We have tentatively added that to our schedule which now includes; Holland, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, Pakistan, Indonesia and the Philippines. We will start in September and plan to be in Calgary for Christmas this year.
I will be heading to Zambia in the middle of this week; it will take three days of travel on each side with four days of teaching in the middle. We are teaching James in the four days we are there. Two days after I return, Donna and I board the plane.
As you pray with us;
- Give thanks for evidence of spiritual impact.
- Give thanks for the outcome of our assignment; an effective partnership with the Baptist Union of South Africa.
- Give thanks for the opportunities open for Canadian short-term workers in SA.
- Give thanks for the smooth transition as we leave this country.
- Ask the Lord to use Dave with the team in Zambia as they teach the book of James. Ask for health and safety as they travel.
- Ask the Lord to bless our deputation time in Canada
- Pray for effective ministry in the fall as we travel and meet many of our mission staff in their settings, and consider new field opportunities
- Pray for our preparation through the summer for fall ministries.
Our 2005 (tentative) schedule is;
- July 1-14th Mission’s conference in Ontario, Guelph office work.
- July 14-28 Calgary break time with our family.
- July 28th – August 10th Interior of BC
- August 11-26 Vancouver Island
- August 26- Sept 3 Lower Mainland
- Sept 6th fly to Europe.
- October 31 fly to Pakistan
- November 24th fly to Indonesia
- December 1st fly to the Philippines
- December 9th fly to Calgary
