ZEAL for all peoples of all nations to know and claim His salvation and not be like the people of Isaiah’s day who “have not brought salvation to the earth” (Isaiah 26:18).This was evidenced on Monday as I watched Jack begin teaching another class at Kenya Baptist Theological College. I was recently asked to teach a class and agreed only with an understanding that although my GIFTS do include the class subject, Communication, I am NOT a teacher! Jack is the opposite – God gave him the GIFT of teaching and this class is extra special to him as the students of “Principles of Teaching” also share his heart’s desire to teach God’s Word.
I saw unique GIFTS in use yesterday at “Maasai Market at Westgate” – a weekly open-air market for Kenyan crafts. Tourists love these markets, but I do not as I lack a requirement at these markets, the gift of bargaining! I went yesterday for a special reason – to take pictures (a developing GIFT) of a Baptist woman who uses her marketing GIFT to share God’s love and salvation. Jane sells items made by SEMA LEATHERWORKS, a tent-maker project begun by IMB missionaries with a GIFT for business and a heart desire to enable faithful Kenyans to have time to SPEAK (SEMA in Swahili) the Gospel and meet the needs of their families by making leather products to be sold by Jane and others! For ways you can support this ministry in prayer, go to: http://www.familycopeland.net/More examples of Christians using their GIFTS to exalt God and share His name were seen this week in the ongoing World Cup. On Sunday, I watched a youth minister bring glory and honor to God by blowing a VUVUZELA! The sound of this horn added to the incredible praise time experienced by the youth as they focused on God and His place in their lives. Not everyone appreciates this African horn which
has drowned out all other sounds at the World Cup matches, but Parkland’s Youth would disagree. They would agree that their youth pastor has a GIFT in sharing God’s zeal for His people to know of His love and salvation!Then yesterday, we received this message from a friend using his GIFT of communication at the World Cup: “We went to the USA- Ghana game…it was amazing to see the reaction at the end of the game by Africans from all parts of the continent… especially wonderful was the reaction from the Americans. After the game two Ghanaian players ran around the stadium with both the Ghanaian and South African flags and everybody cheered, and African men and women cried and hugged and were overwhelmed. It was very moving to see people from all over the world cheering for Africa…It was a special night that really represented what I think the World Cup should be about… there are many gifted young people here… there has been a real impact for the Kingdom, many people are coming to Christ through the various Christian Organizations and churches that are working in the communities and around the stadiums in South Africa.” To see how God is at work at these games and how Christians are using their GIFTS for God’s glory, go to: www.worldsoccerjourneys.com and www.mReport.org
All of this leads to many prayer requests this week: Pray for God’s guidance as Jack teaches “Principles of teaching” through July 10. Pray that the students
will be strengthened in their ability bring God’s salvation to earth! Praise God for the men and women involved in SEMA Leatherwork Isaiah 26:18. Pray for physical, emotional and spiritual strength as they balance supporting their families and sharing God’s salvation. Praise God also for the unity felt at the World Cup and that Christians will continue finding ways to “cheer” and share their Father’s love! Pray for God’s wisdom also for a new opportunity to use GIFTS as Jack and I join several young Kenyan families in beginning a new church on Mombasa Road this Sunday – the most special way I can imagine to celebrate July 4th! BERT* For pictures to illustrate these prayer praises and needs, go to “Using our Gifts to Exalt and Praise God” at: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=249071&id=685050129&l=c892952b94 (You do not need to be a FACEBOOK member to view these pictures, simply click the blue lettering or copy and paste.)
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