
The Hinds Family
(Missionaries in West Africa)
Some specific details may have been removed due to safety concerns.
September 2007 Newsletter
Dear Prayer Partners,
Please forgive us for the long delay in sending you an update. The last few months have been very uncertain and we were not sure what to write. We want to recap what has been going on in our lives for the past 2 ˝ years.
In January 2005, we went to
In January and February of 2007, there was much civil unrest in the country of
Upon evaluation, it was evident that Joshua was continuing to have intermittent seizures and his medication was not keeping him stable. We were then put on “medical leave” status so that Joshua could continue to be seen by a doctor here to get his medication regulated and his seizures under control.
Our son Benjamin was born on May 27, 2007. We were blessed to unexpectedly be
able to have our baby here in
Our family was blessed by John being offered a job before our medical leave
began. Our mission has also offered to keep Joshua on his medical insurance for
now. We are waiting to see how Joshua does, as the doctors prefer for him to be
seizure free for 2-3 months before return to
I
write all of this to give you a picture from our perspective. We have poured 2
years of our lives into our ministry with the Maninka people and had only
recently begun to teach God’s Word. We have unexpectedly been kept in the
When you first arrive in a foreign country and culture, one is taught to expect
the 3 stages of culture shock. The first is a love and fascination for all that
is new and interesting—“look at all the huts, food markets and adorable little
kids.” The second stage is an intense disdain for all that was once new and
fascinating and an intense desire to return to your home culture—“How are we
supposed to survive this heat without air conditioning? What I wouldn’t give for
one trip to Wal-Mart. Where are the parents of all these kids?” The third
stage is where you come to love some aspects of the new culture, and accept and
respect those with are less appealing to your nature—“I admire the strength of
the people here and how they survive such harsh conditions but I sure am
thankful I can go back to AC and Wal-Mart one day.” Although we experienced
this when we arrive in Africa, we also experienced reverse culture shock when we
returned to the
Thank you for all of your prayers for our family and for our work during the past 2 ˝ years. Although it is easy for us to look back over this time and feel that we have accomplished little, we can also look back and see God’s hand in every step. Our family has grown closer together through our time together. Our faith has grown exponentially during the trials and tribulations. But most of all, God has taught us that no matter how much we plan our lives and think we are in control, He is the one who controls each step we take on the path of life. Only by giving our lives over to Him, and asking him to guide and direct our choices, our steps, our actions, can we live in His will and receive the joy and peace that He promises those who trust in Him.
We ask that you pray for
our family as we wait…to see if and/or when we are able to return to
Pray for our colleagues
Daryl and Glenda Cox who are laboring on in
Pray for those who are continuing to hear God’s Word that the Spirit would reveal truth to them and give them the courage to accept the truth despite the persecution that will follow.
Continue to pray for the
country of
Praise God for the provision for our family—from finances, vehicles, housing, and health insurance— all our needs have been met, and met abundantly.
Praise God for all of you
who give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Your giving has provided for
our needs while overseas and during our time on medical leave. It allowed us
to travel a great distance to
Thank you to all of you who responded to our emails and let us know you wanted to continue receiving our newsletter. Many of you we had not heard from in a long while and we have been blessed to hear from you. Please continue to email us and let us know how we can also pray for you.
Serving Him together,
John, Karen, Joshua, Jacob, and Benjamin Hinds
“I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:2
January/February 2007 Newsletter
Dear Prayer Partners,
A lot has transpired since our last newsletter. We apologize for the delay in giving everyone an update.
We started off the new year with a broken arm. Jacob fell and fractured his elbow. Thank you for those of you who prayed for him, as he is completely healed and as good as new. We spent much of January out of town for medical reasons but we are pleased to report everyone is healthy now.
During the month of January, our country experienced an 18 day labor strike. The people have been demanding a decrease in the price of rice and fuel. They also want the president, with whom they are very displeased, to appoint a prime minister to help run the government. During the strike everything shut down and food and fuel became scarce.
The strike was suspended when the president signed papers promising to meet the demands of the people. But after 2 weeks, when things failed to transpire as promised, the country called for the strike to resume.
On
Monday, we left and traveled into
Many people have been killed there when caught out during curfew. Food prices have skyrocketed and soon food will not be available (food and fuel were difficult to find before this began). The country threatens to plunge into complete chaos. At this time we do not know if or when we will ever be able to return.
This has come at a very discouraging time. We were preparing to show the Jesus Film in “B” village and Karen was planning to start a Bible storying group with the women of “B” village, including the wives of the believers there. We desperately want to continue the Lord’s work there.
Please pray for the country we are serving in. Pray that the political situation will be resolved quickly.
Pray for believers.
Pray for our family as we wait to see what our next step will be.
Serving Him Together,
John, Karen, Joshua, and Jacob Hinds