Current Newsletter: October 2010 Borthwick Update
Greetings supportive and praying friends,
A daily prayer partner asked recently, "What's your latest?" as a kind way of reminding us that our most recent travel calendar (which she uses to pray for us) had expired. SO… it's time to get caught up. In the paragraphs that follow, you'll find:
- The Fall overview including teaching, spiritual direction, and travels from Cape Cod to Capetown, South Africa.
- Some specific prayer requests
- Brief reports from Summer ministry in Grenada, India, and Nigeria
- A brief update on finances.
- And our most recent calendar that covers October 2010 through January 2011 is now posted at http://www.borthwicks.org/calendar.php
FALL OVERVIEW: CAPE COD TO CAPETOWN TO CAPE COAST
The Fall includes continued teaching for Paul (Gordon College - 38 students) and ongoing spiritual direction & counseling ministry for Christie. Together we've been working on our presentation at the upcoming staff meetings of the Development Associates International (DAI) team - designed to encourage ongoing personal growth and development as leaders.
At this writing, Paul is ministering with long-time friends Dave & Trish Johnson at the East Dennis Evangelical Free Church on Cape Cod. Then (October 6th) we travel to Capetown, South Africa for DAI International Leadership Team meetings. These meetings are followed by our global staff gathering (October 10-15). We'll have about 60 coming from 18 countries - including staff, boards, and resource people.
After the DAI meetings, Paul will stay on to participate in Lausanne 3 in Capetown. This conference will involve over 4000 leaders from ~200 countries, with more than 50% being under age 50 [a stat that does not include Paul!]. Christianity Today calls Lausanne 3 "the most diverse gathering ever." Various DAI members are providing leadership - including Jane Overstreet, our President, who will co-facilitate the multi-plex session on leadership development. Paul will be there primarily for learning, listening, and networking.
November includes USA travel as well as a first-ever ministry trip to Kiev, Ukraine. December involves a return trip to Nigeria to participate in the NIFES-2010 Student Mission Conference (often referred to as the "Nigerian Urbana" where 6000+ students will gather to hear challenges regarding global mission). Christie will join again in a "Spiritual Leadership Community" - ask her about it! And possibly, Paul's travel year will conclude with a brief return trip to the Cape Coast of Ghana to be with long-time ministry peer Jude Hama.
SOME SPECIFIC PRAYER REQUESTS "God will deliver us - as you help us by your prayers" (II Corinthians 1:10-11) is one of our favorite reminders that these ministry opportunities and travels need to involve our team - YOU!
Please pray:
- For wisdom: as we encourage the DAI staff team towards ongoing personal growth.
- For presence: that in the midst of many journeys, we are able to focus fully on the people we are with.
- For open hearts and minds: as we learn, listen, meet new people, and grow in our knowledge of God and His purposes.
- For discernment: where to say “yes” and where to say “no”.
- For our personal and ministry financial support (see below)
- And of course, for strength, good health, and safety as we travel.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF SUMMER MINISTRY: so that you know how prayers are being answered.
Courtesy of a special gift to DAI (thanks H & W!), Paul recruited Manny Arango, a 2010 Gordon College graduate and a gifted young preacher, to join him on a ministry trip to the island of Grenada to serve as resources to the developing youth ministry there through “Ministries in Action” and John Lewis. Given the need to develop younger leaders in the churches there, Manny (who turned 23 on the trip) personified the potential of younger leaders if they are released for action.
MANNY ARANGO PREACHING IN GRENADA - JULY 2010
DEHRADUN, INDIA: DAI M.A. COHORT
Late July included a return to India to facilitate the introduction of the “Culture, Ethnicity, and Diversity” course as part of the DAI “M.A. in Organizational Leadership” partnership. The cohort includes an inspiring group of leaders (speakers of 15 languages). They serve in a wide range of ministries - from church planters to seminary professors to “ethics trainers” for a political party! As always, the “learning from” may have exceeded the “teaching to.” What an amazing privilege to be able to contribute something into these leaders lives!
Dehradun, India Cohort - July 2010
IBADAN, NIGERIA: DAI M.A. COHORT
In early September, Paul was off again to Nigeria (his 9th trip there since 2001!). Like in India, he was there to facilitate the introduction of the “Culture, Ethnicity, and Diversity” course as part of the DAI “M.A. in Organizational Leadership” partnership. This cohort included pastors, church leaders, medical workers, a convert from Islam, a missionary to Nigeria from Cameroun, and the chairman of the DAI-Nigeria Board.
Perhaps the greatest encouragement of this trip was the experience of the multiple facets of our lives “converging” in the student called “Nash.” On his laptop, Nash had his wedding picture; standing with him and his wife were two long-time friends from Grace Chapel, Todd & Leslie Engelsen. Nash had been discipled by Leslie in her 17 years serving in Jos, Nigeria. Through contacts we had given Todd when we served together in missions leadership at Grace Chapel, Todd had met Leslie in Nigeria as he pursued micro-finance possibilities for the ministry he was starting. Todd would end up marrying Leslie, and Nash became sort of an adopted “son.” And somehow we figure in the overall story. (Nash is 3rd in from the right, front row - light blue shirt). God is good!
Nigeria Cohort - September 2010
FINANCIAL UPDATE: we thank God that support has been steady and budgets have been met so far in 2010, but expanded ministry plus ever-increasing expenses (especially health insurance) means that we're praying for increased giving in these last three months of 2010. Donation details are below, but
- If you're an ongoing financial supporter, THANK YOU for sticking with us!
- If you're an occasional contributor, would you consider becoming a monthly or quarterly financial partner?
- If you've been following us through the years but have never contributed, would you consider a gift in 2010?
- AND ALL: if you know of people or churches who would like to hear more about our ministry through Development Associates International in leadership development with indigenous leaders in the under-resourced world, would you introduce us?
- DONATION LINK: http://www.daintl.org/donate/ - designate “Borthwick support”
We deeply value your prayers and - as noted - we consistently need your financial support. If you'd like to join us in financial partnership, tax-deductible contributions (designated either "Where needed most" or "Borthwick Support") can be made online at http://www.daintl.org ("Donate") or checks can be made payable and sent to:
Development Associates International
P.O. Box 49278
Gratefully,
Paul & Christie