A number of Bethany members are venturing into places around the world to learn about and share God's love and compassion. Several members have also recently returned. Please keep these people in your prayers - and ask to hear their stories.

Departures...

A mission team to Kenya departs August 10 to continue learning about and responding to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The first week they spend time with our Hope Teams, sponsored children, other ministry initiatives in the Soweto slum of Nairobi (with World Vision, Kenya), and Kenyan friends who have worshiped at Bethany. The second week some of the team visit our ministry partners in Mbita (Christ’s Gift Academy, Kenya Islands Mission, and the Suba Lake Victoria Bible School). Please pray for safety, encouraging times of building relationships, and experiencing God’s love and grace together.

Tara Taylor travels to Kenya and Hong Kong in August and September. In Kenya she leads a team of SPU students who join her as guest speakers at a Christian Youth Summit near Nairobi. From there she visits a missionary training school for Kenyans, travels to Kenya's northeastern province to learn how God is moving among the Somali refugee population...and, in the "free" spaces, visits the Kituis and World Vision's Soweto ADP. On the way home, Tara stops in Hong Kong to visit with and encourage the Jordan family. She asks for prayer for: a heart open and willing to follow the Lord's lead each step of the way, protection and good health, team unity, humility and authenticity in sharing her personal testimony, and a readiness to both give and receive!”

Lois, Carl and Clinton Grove have accepted a position with Wycliffe Bible Translators to serve in Nepal. Lois will teach in a missionary school and Carl will work with a team of literacy, language development, and translation specialists. They leave August 7 for 4 months of training in Dallas, Texas and move to Nepal in January. Pray that they raise the rest of their financial support, training time in Dallas is helpful for their transition, to develop supportive relationships in Nepal and experience God’s strength amidst the new cultural challenges.

Jane Gunningham will serve as World Concern’s (WC) Sahel Region Representative in Western Africa. Her responsibilities include representing WC in government, UN and inter-agency meetings and overseeing the relief and development projects in the Western Region. Jane will be based in Burkina Faso, with her work extending into Niger. Pray that she raise her monthly financial support, that God provides good fellowship in Burkina Faso, that God uses her to open a new office and to develop and implement plans for grain banks and other micro-enterprise projects.

Arrivals...

Siri is on a 6-month break after serving in church planting work in Mumbai, India with Servant Partners. Pray that she experiences physical, emotional and spiritual renewal and that God gives her discernment about her next steps in ministry.

Katie and Mike Lucero are back after two years in Java, Indonesia at an international school and working with the youth. Mike plans to start a youth group internship at Bethany and Katie will teach in an elementary school.

Sandy Courtway returned in May after 4 months in Zambia working with the young girls of the Rafiki ministry. She taught the girls basic computer, business skills, and gave them lots of Christ-centered encouragement and instruction.