Jay and Laura Stoms working with International Students in South Africa.

Dear Friends,

American girls!

Fifteen months ago we were asked by friends to pray about joining them at the Christian Conference Center they’re building in Malawi. Shortly after that our friends at St. Paul’s Evangelical Church in South Africa invited us to help them start an International Church for African students attending the University of Stellenbosch. After twelve years at the Bible College in Malawi we knew the Lord was leading us in a new direction. Now we have our Visas and we’re scheduled to leave for South Africa on October 30^th. The Lord has graciously guided and provided for us all along the way. Recently, I received this encouraging email after preaching at a supporting church.

“We have two sons (6 and 4). About a week after you preached at our church, our youngest son was recounting details of a Bible story that we hadn't taught him. He told us "the man in the Hawaiian shirt told that story." We were both encouraged and excited that your story from God’s Word had captured his attention. We are excited to support you in this new effort.”

 



Not long after this I told a Biblical story and facilitated a discussion at a home group. Afterwards I discussed steps to learning stories, and talked about leading people into Biblical truth by asking questions. Here is an excerpt from an email a friend sent me a couple days later.  

 

“I spent about 20 minutes practicing/learning a story using 1 Kings 18:19-39. I then asked my family to sit on the couch and listen while I told the story. My two kids (4 & 6) were able to pay attention to most of the story. We then had my daughter (6) repeat the story, and not to worry about mistakes. My wife and I were amazed at how much she remembered and how well she told it. We also discussed what our kids learned from the story and our daughter was able to tell us several things that showed she understood much in the story. It was a really neat experience. Thanks for sharing this with me; I can't wait to share it with others.”

These and a number of other positive experiences have reinforced the vision the Lord has given us to teach the Biblical Story through the Bible’s own stories in Southern Africa. Please continue to pray for us as we say our goodbyes and prepare to leave for Africa at the end of the month.

Zikomo kwambiri (thanks very much),

Jay, Laura, Clara, Katherine and Lauren Stoms

Other Prayer Requests:
1) Three (3) new churches and two (2) new families or individuals who can give $1 a day.
2) For the emotional and spiritual health of our family as we go through more transitions.
3) To connect with friends and family as we say our ‘goodbyes’ before we leave.

Contact: jaystoms@hotmail.com (Befriend Jay and or Laura Stoms on FACEBOOK).

PLEASE SEND ANY GIFTS AND OR MONTHLY SUPPORT TO:

Africa Christian Training Institute (Stoms Family Ministry Fund)
P.O. Box 15621; Panama City FL 32406-5621.