Oviike 'S' Julie

Sarak
Jason
AFRICA
ICHOLS
\M HUSSnM
VOLWE 15
SPRING
A WORD FROM JULIE
God Is faithful! God is a
loving Father! God is in control!
Praise Him!
Many of you already know we
were forced to move just a couple
weeks ago. We were deeply hurt by
our past landlord but we pray that
the Holy Spirit will use our feeble
witness to bring forth fruit in
God's holy kingdom. We are very
happy in our new home which is
smaller, has a much better rent
price and is closer to friends. We
pray this house will be a place of
refuge and home to our family for
many years. Besides I'm really
tired of moving! I am trying hard
to get things all in order before we
go home this summer so the family
staying here for the three months
we're gone can live in a sense of
order.
We are really anticipating our
three months in North America this
summer. We don't expect it to be
relaxing but we are looking forward
to a change from the emotional,
spiritual and physical stresses we
live with here. My views of the
"boob tube" are very conservative,
but it'll be nice to have a glass of
water straight from the tap! I
couldn't care less if I step inside
a McDonald's, but I'll cry buckets
of tears if we can't spend quality
time with our families. Seeing our
friends and family is what we are
looking forward to more than any
thing. We hope to see you.
I've been struggling the last
twenty minutes about how to express
the answer to the question, "How has
my role as the Field Coordinator's
wife affected my spiritual life? our
marriage? my ministry? It is a
testimony of purifying trials and
struggles that have developed scxne
maturity and wisdom. I'm not so
arrogant to think I'm now a holy,
wise saint, but I no longer consider
myself a "child of the faith who
feeds on milk." I now carry a
responsibility to feed others.
Watching Mike in his role has deep
ened my respect for him, his abili
ties, and his wisdom. I am thankful
our marriage relationship is a
growing one and not stagnant. I try more than ever before to support
him, to help him, and to maintain a place of refuge for him. I also
consider my responsibility as a mother to be an honor and one that not
only challenges me but can be fun. Don't worry, I haven't lost all
perspectiveI get tired and impatient, too.
I must close now. I hope God is challenging you in all areas of
your life as well!
With love,
Julie
HI! THIS IS SARAH AND JASON. WE HAD A VACATION. WE HAD FUN
WITH DADDY AND MOMMY. WE STAYED AT A HOTEL WITH A POOL WE
WANT TO GO AND SEE THE ANIMALS AGAIN! WE SAW ZEBRA. LIONS,
TOPI, HIPPOS, MONKEYS, AND IMPALA. SOME OF THE BOY IMPALAS
WERE TWITTERPATED AND HAD LOTS OF GIRLFRIENDS! WE SAW AN
ELEPHANT, CRESTED CRANES, WART HOGS, BABOONS, CROCODILES,
BUFFALO, AND WATER BUCK. WE HAD LOTS AND LOTS OF FUND!
SEE YOU SOON!
SARAH AND JASON
Note: For a definition of "tuitterpated", ask a child who has seen the
movie or a video of "Bambi".
MIKE'S THOUGHTS
I am tired as I write this.
I'm not tired because of the late
hour so much as the events of the
past two weeks and the past two
years. The past two weeks have been
encouraging and exhausting at the
same time. It seems that I have
been involved with non-stop meet
ings. On April 19-22, all of our
ACM missionaries met with two of our
trustees. That was followed by an
intense meeting with the Zairean
church leaders.
I wish I could condense all
those meetings into a short article,
but it would be impossible. Let it
suffice to say that we have had
differences between ACM and CECA as
to the proper leadership model for
the church. In essence, we have
"agreed to disagree" and not break
fellowship over this issue. The
Zairean church leaders have reaf
firmed their willingness to allow us
to preach and teach as God through
His Holy Spirit leads us. We see
this as an open door to stay and
work with our Zairean brethren as we
seek to build up the church to the
glory of God. Perhaps I'll be able
to share the struggles we have faced
in more detail in person or over the
phone this summer.
The ACM Trustees have asked
Julie and I to extend our normal
three year term to four years in
order to give more permanence and
continuity to my role as field
coordinator. The Board will then
appoint a one year interim coordina
tor to fill in for me during our end
of .term furlough. They have also
asked us to come home for a three
month administrative leave this
summer, the mid-point of our four
year term. As this is the first
time ACM has had a full time Field
Coordinator, they are asking me to
give an extensive evaluation report
of ACM personnel, policies, and
relationship with the Zairean
church. In addition, they want us
to spend some quality time with our
families in the States and Canada
because of the lengthening of our
term to four years.
Our priorities will be: 1)
Reporting to the ACM Trustees; 2)
Being with family; and 3) Reporting
to our churches as time allows. We
are excited about the time with
family and want to make some memo
ries for Jason and Sarah as they get
reacquainted with their grandpar
ents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. We
have the opportunity to speak at a
few new churches who are considering
support. Our regular supporting
churches will be contacted in person
or by phone as we are able.
To be honest, we definitely
need a break from Zaire. Pray that
our minds, bodies, and spirits will
be renewed for the remaining two
years of our term. We'll be arriv
ing in Chicago on May 29th and
leaving again on September 2nd. The
first four weeks of June and the
last four weeks of August will be
spent in Illinois. We'll be in
Ontario from June 26 - August 3rd.
Come see us or call us. You can
reach us in Illinois by calling Ed
and Janice Nichols, 217-948-5486,
and in Ontario by calling Elinor
Barber, 613-393-2048.
More than once these last few
days, I have felt confidence in my
work because I knew we had prayer
warriors on their knees battling the
enemy on our behalf. Your prayers
do have an effect. Don't ever
underestimate the power of prayer.
Recently, I heard someone make this
comparison about people who feel
like they are not doing much if "the
only thing they can do is pray."
It's like a soldier who says, "I
don't have a gun like some, or a
hand grenade like others, I've only
got an atomic bomb!"
We love you! Keep dropping
those prayers on the enemy!
Mike
AFRICAN CHRISTIAN MISSION
KANSAS, ILLINOIS 61933
Address Correction Requested
FORMARDING AGENTS:
U. S. Supporters,
please send funds to:
AFRICAN CHRISTIAN HISSION
c/o Iva L. Speece
P. 0. Box 361
Kansas, IL 61933
Canadian Supporters,
please send funds to:
NEST LAKE CHURCH OF CHRIST
Box 702
ficton, Ontario
KOK 2T0
All donations are tax deductible and
will be receipted. Financial state
ments are available upon request.
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Kansas, IL 61933
Permit No. 18
MISSION SERVICES
P 0 BOX 2427
KNOXVILLE TN 37901
(f
EWS
of the
iCHOLS
Mike Julie
Sarak
Jason
ZAIRE
AFRICA
AFRICAN CHRISTIAN MISSION ^^^.s^AIRE
Voluae 16
JULIETS THOUGHTS
Rush, rush, rush! Why is It
this summer seems to have been rush,
rush from the first day down to the
very last? Well, it may have been
rushed but it has also been fun,
fun, fun!! This summer was really
an encouragement to Mike and I
because of all the wonderful, en
couraging people we had the chance
to be with, family, old friends and
new friends.
LOADING
THE VAN
FOR
ANOTHER
TRIP
So what are Juliets thoughts
on her last night on the North
American Continent for another two
years? Simply, "THANK YOU!" to all
you lovely, special people who
ministered to us, loved us, and
prayed with us. I know my strength
comes from God, but God uses His
people to do His will, and this
summer God used you to give us
strength and encourage us to contin
ue in an often difficult work.
Thanks for caring!
Julie
MIKE'S THOUGHTS
When I wrote my article last
spring, I talked of needing a break
from Zaire. We have had a great
"break!" We praise the Lord for all
He has allowed us to experience this
summer. The meetings with the ACM
Trustees went well. We enjoyed the
chance to see and talk to our sup
porters. Those we couldn't see, we
talked to by telephone.
Family times, dinners, reun
ions, and camping have been special.
Sarah's highlight was being flower
girl in her Aunt Jenny's wedding.
Jason's highlight was riding ponies
and seeing the animals on Grandpa
Barber's farm. My big treat was
playing golf twice and Julie got "to
shop till the dropped" on more than
one occasion. The low point of the
summer was Julie's unexpected sur
gery in July, but even that became
an encouraging time when so many
dear friends reached out to us.
The traveling has been fun,
but I'm ready to unpack the suitcase
and settle down. Being away from my
work for a while has given me a
fresh perspective on my role as
coordinator and I'm anxious to get
back into a work routine. I'm not
naive about the struggles yet ahead
of us, but I am very optimistic that
the missionaries will be able to
work out a new working relationship
with the C.E.C.A. church leaders.
Keep praying for the Holy Spirit to
mold us into servants who bring
glory to our Lord Jesus Christ. My
prayer request for you remains the
same: Please ask the Lord for wisdom
on my behalf as I help to coordinate
the work in Zaire.
Ko.y;. j
\5' )
^ T GjRJkNDP^ BARBER'S EARM
PRAYER and PRAISE
Items to praise God for:
1. God's protection for Julie
during her surgery in July for a
tubal pregnancy and the good six
week post-operation checkup.
2. Air France's willingness to
change the dates on our return
tickets and rewrite the three that
were lost, without penalty!
3. The additional financial
support we have received this sum
mer.
4. The rich times of fellow
ship we had with family and friends.
5. The helpful meetings we had
with the ACM Trustees.
6. The political "quiet"
reported from Zaire the last two
months.
7. Safe travel to Zaire for
our family.
Items to pray for:
1. President Mobutu and the
government of Zaire in this unstable
transition year.
2. The negotiation of agree
ments between services offered by
ACM and the C.E.C.A. church leaders.
3. A new spirit of mutual
love, cooperation, and service to
become manifest between the mission
aries and the C.E.C.A. leadership.
4. Julie and Mike as they
attempt to complete the projects yet
to be done at the new house so other
ministry can begin.
5. Mike's ability to delegate
certain jobs so time can be freed up
for priority responsibilities.
6. God to open doors fro Mike
to begin using his teaching abili
ties with university students in
Bukavu.
7. God to continue to show
Julie ways her home can be a minis
try tool.
8. New Zairean Christians to
be raised up and trained to fill the
leadership needs in the ever expand
ing churches.
"I tell you that if two of you
on earth agree about anything you
ask for, it will be done for you by
my Father in heaven.... If you be
lieve, you will receive whatever you
ask for in prayer...Ask and you will
receive and your joy will be com
plete...Be joyful always; pray
continually; give thanks in all
circumstances;..."
GREETINGS FROM LWAHIRA
FOR ALL THE YOUTH IN CHRISTIAN
CHURCH U.S.A.
Dear Youths,
I thank God who give me this time
to write a letter for you. This is
my first letter which I send to you,
I want to greet you in name of
Jesus. I ask excuse, because I can
not write English very well, I think
that Mike Nichols will explain it to
you. If you want to know how is our
Youth Program in Zaire, he can tell
you all about: Our seminary, camp,
teaching, Bible study and sports.
I am very busy, because we have a
big country and many Churches, all
youth in our Churches send their
greeting. Please, pray for me so
that God give me the courage.
Perhaps someday I can come to
visit your Youth Program and the
Christians in U.S.A. I desire to see
you face to face. Here is our need,
we need two things in our Youth
ministry: your prayer and materials
if you have a possibility.
Read the Bible message in: III
John 1:13 and XI Thessalonians 3:16.
Thank you very much, and God bless
you!
Your brother in Christ,
Lwahira Ngonga Roger
UPDATE
Since I have been slow in
getting this newsletter out to you,
maybe I should bring you up to date
about the Nichols trip to Zaire and
what is going on there.
Just a couple of days before
they were to leave, we heard on the
radio the country of Rwanda was in a
tribal war and fighting was going on
around the airport in the capital
city, Kigali. Mike and Julie were
to change planes there! Also, all
border crossing between Rwanda and
Zaire were closed. So once again,
the tickets were changed and they
flew into Bujumbura, Burundi.
However, they did not have Burundi
visas. Julie says, "When we went
through immigration, we just pleaded
mercy because of the circumstances
in Rwanda, and asked if we could get
a transit visa. There was no prob
lem, no hesitation, no CHARGE!, no
papers to fill out, no nothing!"
Praise the Lord!
Missionaries, Mike Walton and
Phil Rogers were there to meet them
and take them on to Bukavu by road.
Since their normal route into Zaire
was closed, they traveled over a
road Julie had never been on before.
"The trip through the mountains
definitely had some picturesque
places, but it was a very long, very
bumpy ride. We even think the
brackets on the battery snapped off
during the trip. It was good to lay
down in our own beds that night!"
As you know, Mike and Julie
had to move just before they came
home and had not had time to fix up
their new home. Mike had promised
Julie he would help her get that
done before he went back to the
office. From their letters, it
seems he kept his promise but is now
back in full swing of being Field
Coordinator.
His first task is to aid in
writing a contract between the
missionaries and the Church in Zaire
stating what services African Chris
tian Mission will provide to the
Church. After that is established,
each service, such as Leadership
Training, Medical, Translation, etc,
will write service agreements.
Please continue to pray that not
only Mike, but all of the mission
aries, be filled with wisdom as they
work on the contract and agreements.
In closing, I pray your
Thanksgiving has been just that - a
time of "thanksgiving" to God for
all His wonderful blessings. The
Nichols, the Steenburghs and the
Speeces are very thankful for all of
you, our special friends, and we
pray God's peace will reign in your
hearts this coming Christmas season
even though the world may be in
turmoil.
We love you,
Iva L. Speece
Forwarding Agent
Peace will come when people live
In friendship, side by side,
And cherish understanding
More than hatred, greed, and pride.
Peace will come when people see
All people as the same,
And no one has to live in fear.
In ignorance, or shame.
Peace will come when people
Who are needy can reach out
For shelter, food, or love,
And no one has to do without.
Peace will come when people
Learn to listen and to care
About the rights and dignity
Of people everywhere.
Peace will come when love and trust
And kindness know rebirth,
And on that day all people
Will rejoice in peace on earth.
-Amanda Bradley
NEW CANADIAN
FORWARDING AGENTS
We would like to introduce our\
new Canadian forwarding agents.
They are Roy and Margaret Steenburgh
of Picton, Ontario. Roy is a car
penter by trade and an elder at
Julie's home church, West Lake
Church of Christ. "Marg" will be
doing most of the bookkeeping for us
while Roy is willing to speak on our
behalf. They are excited about
serving the Lord in this capacity
and we are blessed to have this
dedicated Christian couple on our .
want to say a BIG
THANK YOU to Earla Welsman, a dedi
cated servant, who has been our
faithful forwarding agent for over
eight years! Earla and her husband,
Jack, have recently moved to Napa-
nee, Ontario, to assist the planting
of a new Church of Christ there.
Please pray for them in this new
venture of faith.
SARAH AND COUSIN AMY
ON TRAILS AT TURKEY RUN
AFRICAN CHRISTIAN MISSION
KANSAS, ILLINOIS 61933
Address Correction Requested
FORWARDING AGENTS:
U. S. Supporters,
please send funds and packages to:
AFRICAN ClISTIAN MISSION
c/o Iva L. Speece
P, 0. Box 361
Kansas, IL 61933
Canadian Supporters,
please send funds to:
1ST LAKE (DRCH OF ClIST
Route 1
Picton, Ontario
KOK 2T0
All donations are tax deductible and
Kill be receipted. Financial state
ments are available upon request.
/
Non-profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Kansas, IL 61933
Permit No. 18
MISSION SERVICES
P 0 BOX 2427
KNOXVILLE TN 37901