A YEAR IN: Part Two

ANGOLA WILL BE MY HOME for much of 2006, it now seems, and specifically the inner-city area of Lubango, towards the south. Having gained a qualification in teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) this summer, this is likely to be my primary ministry: teaching in a Bible seminary, not only to the students training there, but also to locals from the community (including young soldiers serving in the Angolan Army!)

DON’T BE FOOLED
Here at Wetheringsett Manor, SIM-UK’s headquarters, my time has been taken up with hard work and training to prepare me for mission, as well as the occasional spells of time off (last weekend, for example, I proved my punting prowess in Cambridge – as you can see for yourselves above!).

One of the important parts of being a GAPer in Suffolk is to be twinned with a local church. Last week at Framsden Baptist, I was talking to one of the young people about the year ahead. “What are you going to be doing in Angola?” she asked. “I don’t know many of the details as yet, but teaching English is likely to play the major part,” was my well-rehearsed reply. She cocked her head and looked at me as if I was a few sandwiches short of the full picnic. “Yes…” (she was articulating carefully to make sure I could understand) “… but what are you doing for God?”

For some people, an English lesson may be the only place where they come into contact with Christian witness and hear the gospel. It’s so exciting to be involved in fulfilling the Great Commission: there are tremendous opportunities for building relationships and sharing Jesus’ love in teaching. Much as I do enjoy teaching English and helping students to improve their English, my passion is much more for reaching Angolans with the love of Jesus than for hearing the nation awash with correct use of the past simple!

But it is not our calling as Christians to look for opportunities like these solely in far-flung countries. For some people, the only chance to hear the good news may be at the sports centre where you are working on reception, or indeed working up a sweat on the treadmill; perhaps in that executive meeting you’re attending, or at the University lecture you’ve managed to get up in time for.

It gives me great joy to know that teaching English is no less a part of furthering God’s Kingdom than is going to rural Sénégal to use picture-books to evangelise the Wolof tribe, as two of my GAP colleagues will be doing. But it would be incorrect for us to find ourselves thinking that my going to live and work in Angola is any more a part of furthering God’s Kingdom than what he has called you to do.

Paul’s letters frequently remind us that we have all been called “according to [God’s] purpose”. We are all subject to the Great Commission, and to Jesus’ commandments. Yes, we are all of us missionaries. My mission field for this year (at least) is Lubango. Where is yours?

… DID YOU KNOW? …

• Angola is the largest Portuguese-speaking state in Africa.

• The average life expectancy is under 40.

• There is one doctor per 15,136 Angolans.

• The Foreign Office cites that there are “millions” of unexploded landmines in Angola.

• Angola suffered years of civil war. There has been a fragile peace since 1991. The last time full-scale hostilities broke out was December 1998.

MORE THAN ENGLISH

I do anticipate doing more than just teaching English whilst I am away.

Among other things, I expect to be getting involved with the local African church and to be building relationships with local people: men, women and children.

The details are still sketchy at the time of writing, but look out for more information in December’s prayer letter and in updates on the site.

You may even be able to find out more if you come along to the Indian Evening on November 12^th (email to ask for more information).

My good friend Mel Noronha has offered to help raise vital funds by providing one of her legendary evenings of fun, complete with her delicious, home-cooked, Indian food.

I hope to see you there!

petitions and praises

Give thanks:

· for an inspiring conference to start the GAP year, providing the “big SIM picture” and a focus on my role.

· that the GAP team are working so well together and that we all get on brilliantly.

Please pray:

· for a good relationship with Tom, my GAP team-mate who is going to Angola with me.

· for patience and progress in language-learning, as we work to get our Portuguese up to scratch.

· that it is easy to negotiate the complicated process of organising flights and visas (there is one flight per week to Lubango).

· for continued physical and spiritual good health in the GAP team.

Thank you. Be assured that you all remain in my prayers too.

MONEY MATTERS

I am learning more and more what it is to “live by faith”. God has graciously provided the first £1000, and the Indian Evening (see overleaf) is likely to make substantial inroads into the next £1000.

I continue to trust God that he will provide the necessary remaining thousands of pounds.

Do let me know if you’d like to see a breakdown of where the money goes.

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Prayer letters and intermittent updates are published on www.ayearin.blogspot.com

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