We have traveled quite a bit, as we are hitting the “deputation” (support raising) trail. We had the opportunity to share with four different audiences in the past couple of weeks. We just started this new phase of our lives this month and are already tremendously blessed with God’s people being so involved and interested in our ministry. We have made new friends and solidified old ones. Seth had an opportunity to share at a church during their missions emphasis Sunday service as well as share during a midweek service at another church. He even had an opportunity to share and give a Bible lesson to a youth group dressed in “mock PNG garb”… yes, he taught a Bible lesson with his face painted, feathers in hair, and a grass skirt (check out our pictures below). We both dressed up, we had fun interacting with the kids, Seth played basketball, soccer, and football with the kids; they loved it! When it came to the Bible lesson time, Seth started with some beliefs of tribal people and told them in a story format, captivating the kids, and quickly transitioning to the message keeping the kids attention and finished with a Q & A time.
Seth had the opportunity to share now with two churches, and Nicole recently had the opportunity to do a ladies Bible lesson which she weaved in what God has been teaching her as a missionary wife along with presenting our ministry. The ladies were very engaged and loved Nicole (of course, who couldn’t). Seth has been blessed with plenty of work when he is not connecting with churches, this is a total blessing from God, so that we can provide for our expenses and start to save up for our not too distant “departure cost’s” 🙂 . We have also been blessed with being able to spend time with family when we are not traveling to churches. It will be hard to leave, but we know it is what our Lord commands of us. He says that we cannot be His disciples unless we forsake or even hate (compared to our love for Him) our family for His name’s sake. This verse has constantly strengthened us in this time.
Praise God for His constant provision. He has blessed our car and it is still going strong. We are just starting this new phase and have already shared with four different audiences, which are leading to many others being interested in our ministry and other meetings with churches. We have about 15% of our recommended support pledged with a few more possible supporters, Praise God! As soon as the funds come in, we head out! Continue to pray for our safety as we travel across the northeast, pray we can use this time to grow spiritually and closer in our relationship with one another. Continue to pray that God would raise up partners to team up with us, so we as a collective group of God’s children can fulfill our God’s command of reaching this world for His glory!
Your feet to the unreached, Seth and Nicole Stokes –Romans 15:20
Stoking The Fires 