Simon writes: we really value your prayers and would love for your to be praying about the following things.
• Give thanks for the start of the year and for the students that God has brought to NETS. We have had three new students pull out at the last minute which is disappointing, but God has been very generous in drawing 9 new first year students to NETS. We now have 29 full-time students (up from 24 this time last year) and about 15 active part-time students in the residential programs.
• Praise God for the two new staff who were employed at the end of last year and began work in January. Basilius Kasera is a bright young Namibian who has been heading up of small, low level Bible school in the north-east of Namibia and is joining us as a junior lecturer. Pastor Paul Makai is a Zambian man in his early 60s who has come with 25 years experience of training pastors in Africa. They are both fitting in really well and already making a great contribution to NETS.
• Continue to pray for our staffing situation.
o We are interviewing to fill our receptionist position this week.
o We need to find an administrative co-ordinator to take up this important job by the end of April (and we haven’t any money to pay them!)
o In the second half of this year the Acting Principal, Josh Hooker, will return to the UK for 6 months. When he comes back to Namibia we will be leaving for the next 6 months. This means that we really need to find another senior lecturer to cover this 12 month period. (There is no money to pay this person either)
• Continue to pray for the NETS accreditation process. We have received lots of positive informal feedback, but no official response. A report should’ve been completed and sent to us by the end of December, and we then must write a response to that report and present our case to a Board meeting. Please pray for greater efficiency on the part of the government officials and greater patience for us at NETS.
• Pray for me (Simon) as I lead a delegation to the Ministry of Home Affairs to negotiate the granting of a number of work permit renewals. Many foreigners are being denied entry for work purposes or being forced to leave Namibia at present.
• Give thanks that Margie and I are enjoying teaching so much at NETS. Margie’s English class this year is double to size of last year’s class and she has gathered many wonderful new resources to help her. I am teaching Biblical Theology, Preaching and Church History.
• Give thanks that Maddie and Noah are settled well into school again and that they are enjoying friendships and learning. This is a wonderful answer to prayer!
• Give thanks that God is so richly blessing our marriage and family. Margie and I just celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary and were struck by how lovingly God has cared for us in our closest relationships.
I am really sorry that this has appeared as a list without much colour or character. We will do our best to do a ‘proper job’ very soon.
Thank you again for your wonderful support in prayer. God bless,
Simon Gillham
NAMIBIA EVANGELICAL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Showing posts with label Gillham Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gillham Family. Show all posts
Friday, February 26, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Update from the Gillham Family in Namibia
THE GILLHAM GAZETTE
January 2010 Edition
Madelon and Noah went back to school this morning, Simon has already started at N ET S and today I start lesson preparations, but first let me fill you in a little on life since we last talked.
God saw all that he had made
and it was very good
W e w ere blessed in December with a visit from 4 gorgeous friends
from home. Simon finished work for 2009 2 hours before they arrived,
and the next day w e headed off on a holiday together. T he ultimate
destination w as Victoria Falls, but as with any African holiday, there were many adventures to be had along the w ay.
AME CONFERENCE IN KEETMANSHOOP
We had to be back from our African adventure by m id December so that Simon could speak at a church leadership conference for the African Methodist Episcopal(A M E) Church in the south of Namibia. T he Conference was an enthusiastic gathering of clergy and church leaders from Namibia, South Africa and Angola. In the Namibian A M E there are a few pastors who have completed the N ET S lower level Certificate program by distance, the rest have had almost no formal training at all. A s a result of this time spent together the A M E church has enrolled its first full-tim e student at N ET S for this coming year, and others have enrolled in Distance program s
T he A M E church is like so m any other denominations and church groups in Namibia, w here thousands of believers are led by m en and women who are not trained, equipped or encouraged well for the vital ministries they fulfill. Please pray that God would use N ET S to bring blessing to his church, as her leaders are trained, equipped and encouraged for ministry.
Thank you and Blessings for 2010
Thank you to all of you w ho sent Christmas letters/ cards/ greetings and parcels. W e received 10 cards this w eek – it is good to make the festive season last longer! W e really do feel well supported/ cared for and prayed for as w e continue in the Namibian part of our partnership. We thank you for your continued prayer and support for 2010 and pray that God will bless you and all that you do this year
Updates;
• The election cam e and went without violence or unrest. Politics here are very interesting, complicated and so different from Australia. Please pray that Namibia would be a truly free and democratic country.
• The NETS Accreditation inspection seemed to go w ell, but now w e wait for the government body to w rite and send their report. Please continue to pray that NETS would be granted accreditation soon.
• NETS has employed 5 new staff members. Three in the Distance Ed department (One is a 2009 NETS graduate Tuhafeni Hailonga). Please pray for these people as they are trained up, that they will fit in well to the NETS community and train leaders for the future
• The student numbers for 2010 are looking good. T here are still people applying, please pray that all the admin gets done on time
• Simon is teaching new subjects again this year. Aside from his Academic Dean work, he will be teaching Church History, Preaching, and Biblical Theology.
• The new NETS Library is finished and the books have been moved in. T he official opening will be 23rd April. Books have been arriving from allover the world, keeping David –our librarian- very busy. Praise God for the financial support that has made this building and resourcing possible, and pray that it will be a blessing for NETS students and pastors throughout Namibia.
• Staff are returning to NETS this w eek. Simon will be conducting a staff training and development workshop from 25th -29th. This is a new initiative which with God’s blessing will keep the staff keen to continually improve their teaching skills
Simon, Margie, Maddie and Noah
To get regular updates from the Gillham family, go to http://www.cms.org.au/get-involved/subscribe and subscribe.
January 2010 Edition
Madelon and Noah went back to school this morning, Simon has already started at N ET S and today I start lesson preparations, but first let me fill you in a little on life since we last talked.
God saw all that he had made
and it was very good
W e w ere blessed in December with a visit from 4 gorgeous friends
from home. Simon finished work for 2009 2 hours before they arrived,
and the next day w e headed off on a holiday together. T he ultimate
destination w as Victoria Falls, but as with any African holiday, there were many adventures to be had along the w ay.
AME CONFERENCE IN KEETMANSHOOP
We had to be back from our African adventure by m id December so that Simon could speak at a church leadership conference for the African Methodist Episcopal(A M E) Church in the south of Namibia. T he Conference was an enthusiastic gathering of clergy and church leaders from Namibia, South Africa and Angola. In the Namibian A M E there are a few pastors who have completed the N ET S lower level Certificate program by distance, the rest have had almost no formal training at all. A s a result of this time spent together the A M E church has enrolled its first full-tim e student at N ET S for this coming year, and others have enrolled in Distance program s
T he A M E church is like so m any other denominations and church groups in Namibia, w here thousands of believers are led by m en and women who are not trained, equipped or encouraged well for the vital ministries they fulfill. Please pray that God would use N ET S to bring blessing to his church, as her leaders are trained, equipped and encouraged for ministry.
Thank you and Blessings for 2010
Thank you to all of you w ho sent Christmas letters/ cards/ greetings and parcels. W e received 10 cards this w eek – it is good to make the festive season last longer! W e really do feel well supported/ cared for and prayed for as w e continue in the Namibian part of our partnership. We thank you for your continued prayer and support for 2010 and pray that God will bless you and all that you do this year
Updates;
• The election cam e and went without violence or unrest. Politics here are very interesting, complicated and so different from Australia. Please pray that Namibia would be a truly free and democratic country.
• The NETS Accreditation inspection seemed to go w ell, but now w e wait for the government body to w rite and send their report. Please continue to pray that NETS would be granted accreditation soon.
• NETS has employed 5 new staff members. Three in the Distance Ed department (One is a 2009 NETS graduate Tuhafeni Hailonga). Please pray for these people as they are trained up, that they will fit in well to the NETS community and train leaders for the future
• The student numbers for 2010 are looking good. T here are still people applying, please pray that all the admin gets done on time
• Simon is teaching new subjects again this year. Aside from his Academic Dean work, he will be teaching Church History, Preaching, and Biblical Theology.
• The new NETS Library is finished and the books have been moved in. T he official opening will be 23rd April. Books have been arriving from allover the world, keeping David –our librarian- very busy. Praise God for the financial support that has made this building and resourcing possible, and pray that it will be a blessing for NETS students and pastors throughout Namibia.
• Staff are returning to NETS this w eek. Simon will be conducting a staff training and development workshop from 25th -29th. This is a new initiative which with God’s blessing will keep the staff keen to continually improve their teaching skills
Simon, Margie, Maddie and Noah
To get regular updates from the Gillham family, go to http://www.cms.org.au/get-involved/subscribe and subscribe.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
THE GILLHAM GAZETTE
November 2009 Edition
If you would like to support us financially, please give to CMS. You can find out more details about how to do this at http://www.cms.org.au/give/money .
Our contact details:
Post:
c/- NETS, P.O. Box 158, Windhoek, Namibia
Blog:
www.gillhamgazette.blogspot.com
Dear friends and supporters,
A s the 2009 year draw s to a close, w e are very aware that we would not be here, and could not have endured without your prayers and support. Thank you!
This month it’s my (Simon) turn to w rite and tell you a little of what we are up to and what we would like you to pray for.
Yet will I rejoice in the LORD!
Last month I led a mission team including nine students and one other lecturer from N ET S to the Osire Refugee Cam p about 3 hours drive north east of Windhoek. We stayed for two nights and spent the three days meeting with Christian people from some of the most war ravaged countries in Africa. On the Saturday w e repeated the ‘Word Alive’ program that w e had run in September in Windhoek. More than 140 people cam e for the w hole day as we explored the book of Habakkuk and its implication for our lives together. If you and I can resonate with Habakkuk’s complaint that the LORD seem to be allowing injustice and godlessness go unpunished in the world (Hab. 1:1-4)– imagine how powerfully that com plaint connects with those w ho have watched their loved ones slaughtered and have been driven from their homes! More powerfully still comes the assurance that God will bring about justice and righteousness and that one day the know ledge of his glory w ill cover the earth as the waters cover the sea (Hab. 2:14). In the midst of terrible pain and deprivation, the love and joy that these Christian brothers and sisters demonstrate in their lives (not to mention their singing and dancing), is clear evidence that they are prepared to rejoice in the LORD even when ‘the fig tree does not blossom ’(H ab. 3:17). We went to teach and bless, and returned having been taught and blessed by the faithfulness of God’s people. Osire Refugee Camp currently holds 8000 people, and they
have no formally trained pastors or Bible teachers. There are allsorts of problems within the churches – but still there is a joy and trust in the LO RD that we could all do w ell to learn from.
Old Testament Theology under the bright African sun
Of all the subjects which I have been teaching this year, perhaps the one that has stretched me most has been teaching Old Testament Theology and Themes to the 4th year students. Southern African society and culture bears terrible scars from misunderstandings and misapplication of the Old Testament. From the time that the Calvinist Voertrekkers marched into their ‘new Promised Land’ driving out the nations before them and guarding their national racial purity, until the present day, the Old Testament has been used to justify all sorts of terrible abuses of power. Today one of only three free to air television channels broadcasts false promises of prosperity and ease for the faithful, to some of the world’s poorest and most desperate people, 24 hours a day!
Understanding that Jesus is the goal, climax and fulfillment of the Old Testament is a reality that has the potential to change whole societies in this part of the world.
National Accreditation for NETS
More than a year after submitting our application to the Namibian Government for official accreditation of NETS and its courses, we have just been given two weeks to get ready for a comprehensive inspection and audit. This is due to take place in the week immediately following exams, which makes it very difficult to find the time needed to prepare properly. The inspection will cover everything from the buildings and infrastructure, to the finances and administration, and of course the academic programs and staff.
Please pray for me (Simon) as I head up the team in preparation for this inspection and audit. Pray that God would enable us to be well prepared and to respond well to the extra demands at this time of year. Pray that NETS would be granted accreditation as an institution in its own right, and that our various courses (from certificate to degree level) would be officially recognized.
Looking ahead to the New Year
How will you begin 2010? As a family it has been our happy habit to start every New Year at the CMS Summer School in Katoomba. This will be the second one in a row that we will be missing, and it is honestly one of the hardest things for us about living in Namibia. We would like to take this chance to encourage you to be there if it is at all possible.
NATIONAL ELECTIONS
Please pray for the national elections to be held in Namibia on November 27th and 28th. Pray that the ‘hate speech’ of some politicians would not incite more people to violence. Pray that the elections would be free, fair, transparent and peaceful.
For your prayers
° Please pray for students as they sit for exams from November 16. Pray that the exams will continue to be a time of learning and preparation for ministry.
° Pray for the employment of five new Namibian staff for NETS. Pray for wisdom for Simon and the others involved in interviews, that we would choose the people that God has raised for these positions.
° Thank God for applications received already for new students for 2010. Pray that God would draw many more of the right people to study at NETS.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
News and Prayer Points from the Gillhams
Dear Friends and Supporters,
We said to some of you before we left that "If you don’t hear from us for a while, please pray harder". Well, you’ve not heard from us for the last few weeks! Please pray for us, as we pray for you, that we will not be discouraged by worldly trials.
NETS
Last Wednesday NETS was broken into, despite a back to base security alarm and many people living on the premises. Six of the computers were stolen and a lot of damage was done to the building. The robbery was done by a group of professionals who knew how to cut the alarm before it registered with security. A lot of data was lost from the finance and distance departments.
Please pray:
- for love and grace to abound amongst the staff as we work together to get things sorted out
- for the insurance company to pay out for the damage and computers without further argument or delay
- for the future as we have replaced the most essential computers (via a generous loan until the insurance money comes through).
Life
Please pray for us along with the other families here at NETS as the break-in has been only the start of the worldly trials. Many of us have had unexpected car troubles, from broken window mechanisms to fuel pumps. Our home computer has been infected with a virus twice, and had to be wiped. One of our students lost his wallet on pay day, another is anxiously awaiting news of his brother who is lost in Angola during major floods. Our church was broken into, and another student had his house broken into and his computer and reading glasses taken. There have been sewage backups flooding houses and a spate of close family members of staff and students dying. All of this in the last three weeks! The list is much longer. Suffice to say that we are very aware of the spiritual battle we are all a part of. Christ has won the way, but the battles rage on.
Please pray:
- that we will take the evil one’s attempts to discourage us as a compliment. The vibe and energy at NETS has been great. The student body of 2009 are very keen and godly people.
- that we will not be discouraged from teaching God’s word here in Windhoek.
God’s word
In the midst of all of these things which could so easily discourage us, I was given this passage (Revelation 3:7-13) to preach on in our weekly NETS ‘Devotions’ meeting:
7"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 11I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name. 13He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
The devotions are planned months in advance, and the letter was originally written nearly 2000 years ago addressed to a church in Turkey, not a college in Namibia … but the Word of God so clearly addresses us at our point of need!
Osire Bible Institute Graduation
Another wonderful encouragement was the trip I took last week to Isire Refugee Camp, to be a guest speaker at the Osire Bible Institute graduation ceremony. The Osire Bible Institute was established six years ago by a small group of men who, although having no formal training themselves, saw the great need for others to be taught how to handle the word of God properly as well. Since that time they have been seeking training themselves (one of them is currently in 3rd year at NETS), and offering a very basic one-year training course to their fellow refugees. It is such a privilege to be able to spend time with people so eager to know God better, and so thankful and joyful for even the little they have.
Simon, Margie, Maddie and Noah
smgillham@cms.org.au
www.gillhamgazette.blogspot.com
We said to some of you before we left that "If you don’t hear from us for a while, please pray harder". Well, you’ve not heard from us for the last few weeks! Please pray for us, as we pray for you, that we will not be discouraged by worldly trials.
NETS
Last Wednesday NETS was broken into, despite a back to base security alarm and many people living on the premises. Six of the computers were stolen and a lot of damage was done to the building. The robbery was done by a group of professionals who knew how to cut the alarm before it registered with security. A lot of data was lost from the finance and distance departments.
Please pray:
- for love and grace to abound amongst the staff as we work together to get things sorted out
- for the insurance company to pay out for the damage and computers without further argument or delay
- for the future as we have replaced the most essential computers (via a generous loan until the insurance money comes through).
Life
Please pray for us along with the other families here at NETS as the break-in has been only the start of the worldly trials. Many of us have had unexpected car troubles, from broken window mechanisms to fuel pumps. Our home computer has been infected with a virus twice, and had to be wiped. One of our students lost his wallet on pay day, another is anxiously awaiting news of his brother who is lost in Angola during major floods. Our church was broken into, and another student had his house broken into and his computer and reading glasses taken. There have been sewage backups flooding houses and a spate of close family members of staff and students dying. All of this in the last three weeks! The list is much longer. Suffice to say that we are very aware of the spiritual battle we are all a part of. Christ has won the way, but the battles rage on.
Please pray:
- that we will take the evil one’s attempts to discourage us as a compliment. The vibe and energy at NETS has been great. The student body of 2009 are very keen and godly people.
- that we will not be discouraged from teaching God’s word here in Windhoek.
God’s word
In the midst of all of these things which could so easily discourage us, I was given this passage (Revelation 3:7-13) to preach on in our weekly NETS ‘Devotions’ meeting:
7"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 11I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name. 13He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
The devotions are planned months in advance, and the letter was originally written nearly 2000 years ago addressed to a church in Turkey, not a college in Namibia … but the Word of God so clearly addresses us at our point of need!
Osire Bible Institute Graduation
Another wonderful encouragement was the trip I took last week to Isire Refugee Camp, to be a guest speaker at the Osire Bible Institute graduation ceremony. The Osire Bible Institute was established six years ago by a small group of men who, although having no formal training themselves, saw the great need for others to be taught how to handle the word of God properly as well. Since that time they have been seeking training themselves (one of them is currently in 3rd year at NETS), and offering a very basic one-year training course to their fellow refugees. It is such a privilege to be able to spend time with people so eager to know God better, and so thankful and joyful for even the little they have.
Simon, Margie, Maddie and Noah
smgillham@cms.org.au
www.gillhamgazette.blogspot.com
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Prayer Points from the Gillham family
February 2009
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Yes, we are still here in downtown Windhoek. We are sorry that we have dropped off the communication highway a little. It has been a mixture of moving house, starting the academic year and computer issues. Thanks to our great God and your faithful prayers we have come through it all still smiling and happy to be serving God here in Namibia.
NETS
Starting an academic year is a very busy time for an academic dean/full-time lecturer. But after many long days and even more meetings, NETS is underway with 9 first-year students and 25 full-time residential students overall. In a really exciting new development we have started classes on one evening (called nets@night) and we have an extra 20 new part-time students already in this program!
The Married Rooms
We have come up with a short-term solution to the problem of students leaving their wives and children in the village while they study at NETS. For so many reasons it is better to have the families together, so we designed a way of fitting a small family into a room designed for 2 single people. It is still very small and involves sharing a bathroom and a kitchen, but there are five families who are now able to live together instead of being separated during study. Please join us and them in thanking God for the generosity of our supporters which enabled these renovations to happen.
We love Computers!!??
Well ... we do love the fact that computers enable us to stay in touch very easily. However when a virus leads to a full hard drive wipe (the week NETS started) ... it doesn't make us smile!! Our reason for sharing is that we lost an almost-finished DVD made especially for you. Please bear with us as we attempt to get back the original footage - or pull out the video camera all over again.
Our First Namibian Christmas
One advantage Australian missionaries have over so many others is that we don't spend Christmas wilting and moaning "This can't possibly be Christmas, it is too HOT". So with the first hurdle out of the way, we went looking for Christmas food. We managed to find a whole turkey!! All the ingredients for Margie's family peach salad (YUM), and on Christmas Eve ... some cranberry sauce!! We were thoroughly spoilt with gifts that came over with Simon's Mum, Auntie and our friends the Pattersons. After church we cooked a Christmas meal and shared a lovely day with Pastor Spencer and Tindiree (our Pastor and his wife) and our friends from Zimbabwe - David, Florence, Loretta and Kundi Matsveru.
Growth Groups
One of our first activities for the new NETS year was having Simon's new Growth Group over for a meal. Simon tried to impress with his newfound 'Namibian Braai' skills. Our new home has a great Braai in our outdoor area, but we also have a good old Aussie-style gas BBQ.
Classes at NETS
This semester Simon is teaching Old Testament Survey, Biblical Theology and Study Skills to first years as well as Systematic Theology, Preaching and Death and Dying to the older years. Margie is really enjoying teaching at NETS. Two weeks in marking and grading is particularly challenging, but the classroom is fun. The students seem to be enjoying themselves, and even learning!!
Our contact details:
Post: c/- NETS, P.O. Box 158, Windhoek, Namibia
Phone (mobile): +264 81 365 2020
Email: smgillham@cms.org.au
Skype: gillhams.os
Blog: www.gillhamgazette.blogspot.com
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Yes, we are still here in downtown Windhoek. We are sorry that we have dropped off the communication highway a little. It has been a mixture of moving house, starting the academic year and computer issues. Thanks to our great God and your faithful prayers we have come through it all still smiling and happy to be serving God here in Namibia.
NETS
Starting an academic year is a very busy time for an academic dean/full-time lecturer. But after many long days and even more meetings, NETS is underway with 9 first-year students and 25 full-time residential students overall. In a really exciting new development we have started classes on one evening (called nets@night) and we have an extra 20 new part-time students already in this program!
The Married Rooms
We have come up with a short-term solution to the problem of students leaving their wives and children in the village while they study at NETS. For so many reasons it is better to have the families together, so we designed a way of fitting a small family into a room designed for 2 single people. It is still very small and involves sharing a bathroom and a kitchen, but there are five families who are now able to live together instead of being separated during study. Please join us and them in thanking God for the generosity of our supporters which enabled these renovations to happen.
We love Computers!!??
Well ... we do love the fact that computers enable us to stay in touch very easily. However when a virus leads to a full hard drive wipe (the week NETS started) ... it doesn't make us smile!! Our reason for sharing is that we lost an almost-finished DVD made especially for you. Please bear with us as we attempt to get back the original footage - or pull out the video camera all over again.
Our First Namibian Christmas
One advantage Australian missionaries have over so many others is that we don't spend Christmas wilting and moaning "This can't possibly be Christmas, it is too HOT". So with the first hurdle out of the way, we went looking for Christmas food. We managed to find a whole turkey!! All the ingredients for Margie's family peach salad (YUM), and on Christmas Eve ... some cranberry sauce!! We were thoroughly spoilt with gifts that came over with Simon's Mum, Auntie and our friends the Pattersons. After church we cooked a Christmas meal and shared a lovely day with Pastor Spencer and Tindiree (our Pastor and his wife) and our friends from Zimbabwe - David, Florence, Loretta and Kundi Matsveru.
Growth Groups
One of our first activities for the new NETS year was having Simon's new Growth Group over for a meal. Simon tried to impress with his newfound 'Namibian Braai' skills. Our new home has a great Braai in our outdoor area, but we also have a good old Aussie-style gas BBQ.
Classes at NETS
This semester Simon is teaching Old Testament Survey, Biblical Theology and Study Skills to first years as well as Systematic Theology, Preaching and Death and Dying to the older years. Margie is really enjoying teaching at NETS. Two weeks in marking and grading is particularly challenging, but the classroom is fun. The students seem to be enjoying themselves, and even learning!!
Our contact details:
Post: c/- NETS, P.O. Box 158, Windhoek, Namibia
Phone (mobile): +264 81 365 2020
Email: smgillham@cms.org.au
Skype: gillhams.os
Blog: www.gillhamgazette.blogspot.com
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Gillham's May Prayer Update
Dear Friends and supporters,
Thank you again for your prayers over the last month, we have been very aware of God's good answers to them.
Answered Prayers
Maddie's School
Madelon has started in her new school and already likes it a whole lot better than the first one. We feel very blessed by God at the positive turn around. She and Noah have just had a three week holiday and will start back at school next week. Please continue to pray for them as the form friendships.
Family trip to the north
Last month we asked for prayer too for our trip tot he north. We covered a couple of thousand kilometres driving and were kept safe with only a few scares. We travelled in areas affected by cholera and malaria and were kept healthy. We met many people from different cultural backgrounds ... learned much and feel greatly enriched. The trip gave us lots of time to fellowship with the Greeff family, to enjoy their company and to celebrate our partnership in the gospel with them.
Praise God for all these things that have come in answer to our prayers and yours!
April happenings
Our big news for April was the 10 days we spent in the north of the country with the Greeff family, (CMS Australia family working in the north of Namibia with the NETS Distance Education Department). Simon travelled with David to the north east corner of Namibia and Margie, Maddie and Noah stayed with Alisan, Etienne and Caris in the central north. We then all travelled together to the north west and spent time in Himba village before returning home.
Prayer Points
* Pray for Simon as he is now writing material to teach in an Old Testament course for next semester. This will be the first full academic course that he has written and taught
* Pray for Simon and a team of people from NETS who are planning to run a two day Bible Teachers conference ('Word Alive') in August. Nothing like this has happened in Windhoek in recent memory.
* Pray for Margie as she sorts though the myriad possibilities for ministry that have been laid before her, that she will choose wisely and find a ministry that she can pour her heart and energy into.
* Pray for Maddie and Noah as they go back to school, that they would make good friends and thrive in that environment.
For more details about the Gillhams, check out their blog.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Persistence in Prayer: The Gillhams
We heard on Sunday night a bit about our CMS link Missionaries, Simon and Margie Gillham with their children Madelon and Noah.
One way to keep up to date with what is happening for the Gillham Family is to visit their blog over here.
With regular updates from all the family, it is a great way to inform your prayers for them as they serve our great God in Namibia.
One way to keep up to date with what is happening for the Gillham Family is to visit their blog over here.
With regular updates from all the family, it is a great way to inform your prayers for them as they serve our great God in Namibia.
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