Jesus Calms the Storm and the Demoniac.

We previously saw how Jesus was anointed by God's Spirit as Israel's true and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to overcome the temptations of Satan(Matthew 4, Luke 4). After this Jesus begins to form a 'new people of God' around himself (Mark 1, 3). The next two stories that we'll look at highlight Jesus' unique power and authority. 1) Watch and or Listen to the Story. Repeat as necessary, then 2) read the commentary below.

 

Jesus Calms the Storm (Mark 4:35–41)

Behind this story are echoes of older stories. God formed the world out of the chaotic sea and later lead Israel through the sea out of Egypt. In this story we see the power that made the world at work through Jesus. Jesus and his disciples seek to cross the lake, but a sudden storm starts filling their boat with water. This storm was so severe that these experienced fishermen were sure they would die. They misinterpreted Jesus’ ability to rest in the storm and rebuked Jesus for not caring about them.

Jesus rebukes the storm and everything becomes completely calm. After rebuking the storm, Jesus rebukes his disciples for being afraid and not trusting him. They wait until they’re about sink before the cry out to Jesus for help. Then they accuse Jesus of not caring about them. They were afraid of dying but after the wind and waves obey Jesus they’re terrified. The disciples look at each other wondering who is this that the ‘wind and waves’ obey. Don’t be surprised if Jesus reveal himself to you through a storm and challenges you to trust him.

Jesus Calms the Demoniac (Mark 5:1-20) 

On the other side of the lake is a man with an evil spirit who lived among the tombs. The spirit gave him great strength so that he could even break chains. The spirit gave him power but tormented him so that he cried out and cut himself with stones. Jesus commands the spirit give its name which the spirit says is ‘legion’ for they are many. They beg Jesus not to send them out of the area but to permit them to go into a herd of 2000 pigs on a nearby hillside. Jesus permits them so the demons enter the pigs only to lead the herd into the lake to drown.

The people come out and see Jesus with the man who had been demon possessed dressed and in his right mind. The people are afraid and they plead with Jesus to leave their area. The man who had been demon possessed begged to go with Jesus. Yet, Jesus wants the man to go to his family and tell what the Lord had done for him and how he had received mercy. The man obeyed Jesus and went into the towns and told people about Jesus and when the people saw him and heard what had happened they were amazed. In these stories Jesus exercises his authority over the physical world and the unseen spiritual world by the power of his word.

Stay Well,
Jay, Laura, Clara, Katherine and Lauren Stoms

Prayer Requests:
1) Please pray for the 'International Students Ministry' at Christ Church Stellenbosch. We pray that those attending our Thursday afternoon gathering will reach out and invite friends.

2) For connecting with international students through hospitality (having them over for dinner) to deepen friendships and show Christ’s love.

3) The 'School of Storying' planned for Malawi has been moved to next year 2016. Pray that we can find the right accommodations and the best possible participants for the 5 week training.

4) We praise God for some very generous individuals and for our main partnering churches. Please pray for consistent giving and that God will grow and bless our partnering churches.

5) We have decided against making a trip to South Sudan. Pray for our friend Darien that he will be encouraged in his work to train Anglican Pastors in that troubled country. He is very experienced and familiar with traveling throughout Africa but he and the Pastors he is seeking to train need our prayers.

Jesus Calls a 'New People'!

Dear Friends and Family, 

We previously looked at the story of Jesus' baptism when Jesus was anointed by God's Spirit and the heavenly voice confirmed that Jesus was Israel's true king (Matthew 3, Luke 3). After this Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan in the desert to face the equivalent of Israel’s forty years in the wilderness (Matthew 4, Luke 4). Jesus succeeds where both Israel and Adam had failed. Now we look at two stories where we see Jesus beginning to gather a 'new people of God' around himself (Mark 1, 3). 
 

  1) Watch and or Listen to the Story. Repeat as necessary.

 

Then 2) read the Commentary below.

 

Jesus Calls His First Disciples (Mark 1:14–20) Audio

 

John came in the spirit and power of Elijah and was the one Isaiah foretold would call people to prepare for the ‘coming of the Lord’. John, however, was imprisoned and later martyred for his efforts. After John’s arrest, Jesus went into Galilee announcing the ‘good news’ that the ‘kingdom of God’ was near. The time for God to restore His reign had come and people should ‘repent and believe’. They were to ‘give up their sins’ and embrace Jesus and his way of being king.

Jesus calls to two brothers, Peter and Andrew, who were fishing by the lake. At once they leave their nets to follow Jesus. Continuing on, Jesus calls two more brothers, James and John. They leave their father, Zebedee, in their fishing boat with the hired men to follow Jesus. James and John give up their predictable lives running their family fishing business to follow Jesus.

When called by Jesus these men respond by leaving what they knew to follow Jesus into what God only knew. This reminds us of God calling Abraham to ‘leave his country, his father’s house and go to a land the Lord would show him. This wasn't easy for Abraham or for Peter, Andrew, James and John, and it isn't any easier for those who hear Jesus calling them today. 

Jesus Calls His Twelve Apostles. (Mark 3:13–19) Audio.

Jesus went up a mountainside away from the authorities to call those he wanted and they came to him. By choosing twelve in a nation built on twelve patriarchs Jesus was clearly gathering a new people of God to launch his restoration movement. Away from the religious authorities who opposed him, Jesus appointed his twelve apostles. He called them to be with him, to preach the kingdom and to exercise Jesus’ authority over demons.

Jesus chose a diverse group to be his twelve apostles. The list begins with two sets of brothers, Peter and Andrew, and James and John the sons of Zebedee (who Jesus called ‘Sons of Thunder’ Lk 9:54)’. He chose Philip who was from Peter's hometown. He also chose Bartholomew (likely Nathanael John 1:44-45), Thomas, James (the son of Alphaeus) and Thaddaeus. Jesus chose Matthew, a tax-collector, and he also chose Simon the Zealot, a revolutionary. Lastly, Jesus chose Judas Iscariot who would betray him but, this was God’s plan and would serve God’s kingdom purpose.  

With many thanks in Him,

Jay, Laura, Clara, Katherine and Lauren Stoms

Prayer Requests:

1) Please pray for the 'International Students Ministry' at Christ Church Stellenbosch. We would like our Thursday afternoon gathering to be a place where international students feel welcome and where they can rediscover the ‘Story of Jesus’ by hearing and discussing stories from the gospels.  

2) Please pray for the health and growth of our 'story group' in Kayamandi. Kayamandi is a township in Stellenbosch where lower income South Africans and immigrants from other African countries live. Pray for regular attenders to be consistent and for God to raise up leaders who can eventually lead their own story groups.  

3) For connecting with international students through hospitality (having them over for dinner) to deepen friendships and show Christ’s love.

4) That we can organize a 'School of Storying' in Malawi. We have reached a kind of roadblock to holding the SOS in Malawi but we would like the training to take place in God’s timing as God wills. Pray that we can find the right accommodations for the 5 week training at the right price.

5) We praise God for some very generous individuals and for our main partnering churches. Please pray for consistent giving and for three new partnering churches.

6) We have a friend who is asking that I (Jay) go with him to go South Sudan for two weeks to train Anglican Pastors. He is very experienced and familiar with traveling throughout Africa but we also have relatives that don’t like the idea of going to such a troubled country.

 

 

 

 

'Gathering of Internationals' @ Univeristy of Stellenboch (SA).

Dear Friends,

Please pray for us! This Thursday, the 12th of February, we plan to launch the first in a series of lunchtime gatherings for 'International Students' at the University of Stellenbosch (South Africa). We are seeking to create an environment where 'Internationals Students' can rediscover the 'Story of Jesus' by hearing and discussing stories from the gospels.

Thanks (Zikomo),

Rev. Jay, Laura, Clara, Lauren and Katherine Stoms.

 



 

'The Temptation of Jesus'

Dear friends,
The 'Temptation of Jesus' is the next story from the life of Jesus that we are going over in our story group in Kayamandi (SA).  In some Christian circles this story is associated with Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting that serves as the first day of Lent. Lent originated as a memorial of Jesus' fasting 40 days in the desert and some Christians observe it in preparation for Easter. The Biblical story of the 'Temptation of Jesus' is found in Matthew 4 and Luke 4. Audio
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1) Watch and or Listen to the Story. Repeat as necessary. Then 2) read the Commentary below.

After his baptism, Jesus faced the devil who sought to bring Jesus’ identity into question (Mt.4:3).  God had said, ‘You are my beloved son!’ But Satan essentially said, ‘if you’re God’s son, why are you starving in this desert? Why wait on God? Turn these stones to bread and meet your own needs.’ Jesus answers the devil by submitting to God and His word (Mt. 4:4, Dt.8:3). Then Satan said, ‘if you’re God’s son, God’s king, then prove that God is with you. Jump from this temple for God will send His angels to lift you up (Mt.4:6, Ps.91:11-12).’ Again, Jesus submits to God and His word by trusting and not testing God (Dt.6:16, Ex.17).

Finally, Satan basically said, ‘if you want to be king of all the earth then take the easy way out? Why deny yourself and submit to God? I can give you all the kingdoms of this world if you will bow and worship me (Mt.4:9).’ Again, Jesus submits to God’s word which says to serve and worship God and him only. Then Satan left Jesus and God sent his angels to ‘lift Jesus up’ (Mt.4:11). Jesus, unlike Adam and Israel before him, was wholeheartedly committed to go God’s ways, as God’s true king.

After being baptized in the Jordan, Jesus went into the wilderness to face the equivalent of Israel’s forty years in the desert. Jesus would replay Israel’s story and succeed where both Israel and Adam had failed. The devil tempted Jesus, but God tested Jesus’ resolve to rely on God and His word. He defended himself using scripture from the story of Israel in the wilderness (See Dt.8:2-3). Jesus endured Satan’s temptations, in order to faithfully carry out God’s calling to redeem Israel and the world.

Our God tells those who trust Jesus that we are God’s children (Jn.1:12). Yet, our adversary tempts us to turn us away from serving God and His purposes. While our Father tests us that we may learn to depend on God and His word (Jms.1:2-3, 12). So if you have heard God affirm that you are His child then be assured that the devil will bring your identity ‘in Christ’ into question and will entice you to go your own way and take the easy way out. Knowing this, we must use the same defence as the son of God and use the truth of God to expose the lies of Satan. So keep you’re your eyes on Jesus and rely on God and His word!

Psalm 91:11–14 (NIV84) ¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; ¹² they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. ¹³ You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. ¹⁴ “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

Tsalani bwino (stay well),
Rev. Jay, Laura, Clara, Katherine and Lauren Stoms
Tsalani bwino (stay well),

Jay, Laura, Clara, Katherine and Lauren Stoms

Prayer Requests:

1) For the 'International Students Ministry' at Christ Church Stellenbosch.

2) That we can organize a 'School of Storying' in Malawi for June/July 2015.

3) Pray that we can pick up three new partnering churches.

4) For a 'good deal' as we seek to purchase a vehicle.

5) For longer term accommodations for our family in Stellenbosch.

6) That the health and growth of our 'story group' in Kayamandi.

7) Starting a series of luncheons for International students where we would story through the life of Jesus.   

8) About possibly going to South Sudan for two weeks to train Anglican Pastors.

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John's Baptism and Jesus' Baptism.

Dear Friends and Family,
Here is the story of the John's baptism and that of the baptism of Jesus mostly from what happened after the 'Birth of Jesus' from Luke 3 and Matthew 3.   Audio file

1) Watch and Listen to the Story. Then 2) Read the Commentary (below). 

God had been silent over the period between the testaments, but now the ‘Word of God’ came to John in the desert by the Jordan River (Lk.3:2).  Israel had wandered through the desert after the exodus from Egypt until they crossed the Jordan to enter the ‘Promised Land’. The imagery here is that of a ‘New Exodus’. John preached ‘a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins’ in preparation for the ‘coming one’ who would rescue God’s people (Lk.3:2-3, Mt.3:2-3).

Isaiah foretold that John would call people to make ‘straight paths’ and construct a highway for the ‘coming Lord’ (Isa.40:3-4, 11). Valleys would ‘be raised’ and mountains ‘made low’ and Sovereign Lord would return like a shepherd to gather his lambs and lead them close to his heart. Malachi had said that the Lord would send Elijah before that ‘coming day’ to turn the hearts of the people (Mal.4:5-6). Now John very intentionally dressed the part and played the role of Elijah (Mt.3:4, 2 Kgs.1:8).

People came from throughout Judea to confess their sins and to identify with John’s ‘repentant and expectant’ community. Yet, when the ‘religious leaders’ came to where John was baptizing, John denounced them as ‘snakes’ needing to flee the coming wrath (Mt.3:7-8, 11, Lk.3:8, 16). According to John they needed to ‘produce fruit’ consistent with genuine repentance. So John pointed to the more powerful one, Jesus, who would pour out God’s Spirit and bring the fire of God’s judgment.

Jesus came to the Jordan identifying with those needing the forgiveness of sins.  John needed to be baptized by Jesus, but Jesus considered it proper for him to identify with the ‘repentant community’. Jesus was acting on behalf of God’s people as their representative and God was preparing Jesus for his role as Messiah (Mt.3:13-15, Lk.3:21-22).  Jesus was anointed by John in a similar fashion to the way Samuel anointed David as Israel’s future king (1 Sam.16:13). The Spirit came down on ‘King Jesus’ and the heavenly voice confirmed Jesus’ identity, “This is my beloved Son” (Mt.3:16-17).

Tsalani bwino (stay well),

Jay, Laura, Clara, Katherine and Lauren Stoms

Prayer Requests:

1) For the 'International Students Ministry' at Christ Church Stellenbosch.

2) That we can organize a 'School of Storying' in Malawi for June/July 2015.

3) Pray that we can pick up three new partnering churches.

4) For a 'good deal' as we seek to purchase a vehicle.

5) For longer term accommodations for our family in Stellenbosch.

6) That the health and growth of our 'story group' in Kayamandi.

7) Starting a series of luncheons for International students where we would story through the life of Jesus.   

8) About possibly going to South Sudan for two weeks to train Anglican Pastors.

"Celebrating '11th Wedding Anniversary' in Africa"

Dear Friends and Family,

Laura and I just celebrated our 11^th wedding anniversary in beautiful South Africa where we actually spent our honeymoon. Truly, the “lines have fallen for us in pleasant places; indeed, we have a beautiful inheritance” (Psalm 16:6).

Looking back reminds us of the words of a dear Pastor who while introducing us to his church said, “The Stoms’ greatest accomplishment is their three daughters, Clara, Katherine and Lauren.” Truer words have not been spoken and they remind us of God’s unmerited ‘super-abounding grace’ to us. 

I once endured a lecture on the 20 (maybe 10 but it seemed like 20) things churches expect from their missionaries. I felt like a failure until I was reminded of all the people who have been endeared to us through our three daughters. Clara had an entropic eyelid that had to be sown and Katherine was born with a growth that had to be removed surgically. Those were trying times, but through them so many people were united to us in prayer. I don’t recommend this as a marketing strategy, but it’s a continual reminder that God’s “ways and thoughts are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:9).”

Our first story group!

I recently preached a sermon on how God taught Peter His ‘True Grace’ (1 Peter 5:12) at Christ Church Stellenbosch. In it I told the story of Peter denying Christ three times and explained how God used ‘trials and failure’ in Peter’s life. Over and over again, in various circumstances, we have found God teaching us our need to ‘trust and pray’. Having said this, we are asking that you pray as we launch both a ‘story group’ in Kayamandi (informal settlement) and hold a series of ‘brown bag lunches’ with international students where we plan to story through the ‘Life of Jesus’.   

Thanks (Zikomo),
Jay, Laura, Clara, Katherine and Lauren Stoms
Cheers!

Prayer Requests:
1) For Laura as she home-schools our girls.
2) That our girls make new friends here in South Africa.
3) For the 'International Students Ministry' at Christ Church Stellenbosch. 
4) That we can organize a 'School of Storying' in Malawi for June/July 2015.
5) Pray that we can pick up three new partnering churches.
6) For a 'good deal' as we seek to purchase a vehicle.
7) For longer term accommodations for our family  in Stellenbosch.
8) That we successfully  launch a 'story group' in Kayamandi.
9) About possibly going to South Sudan for two weeks to train Anglican Pastors.
 

After Jesus was Born.

Dear Friends and Family,
Here is the story of what happened after the 'Birth of Jesus' from Matthew 2.

1) Watch and Listen to the Story. Then 2) Read the Commentary (below). 

This story contrasts Herod, the king appointed by Rome, and Jesus, the king anointed by God. After Jesus’ birth, Magi came to Jerusalem in search of the ‘one who had been born king of the Jews’. It was Jesus, not Herod, who was ‘born king of the Jews’. Herod was a descendant of Esau (not Jacob) and he was no ‘shepherd to Israel’. News of ‘one born king of the Jews’ disturbed Herod for it meant that Herod had a genuine rival.

Herod knew the Christ would be ‘born king of the Jews’, but didn’t know where the Christ was to be born. The chief priests and the teachers of the law knew where the Christ was to be born, but they didn’t know he had already been born. The Magi knew that the ‘king of the Jews’ had been born, but they needed the scripture to know where he was born.

Herod called the Magi to find out when to the star had appeared and sent them to Bethlehem to find the child. Herod claimed to want to worship the Christ but he really wanted him dead. Herod had killed his wife and three sons whom he suspected of plotting his overthrow. He was so threatened by the Christ-child that he would kill all the boys two years old and under born in and around Bethlehem in order to eliminate his rival.  

The star led the Magi to the Christ-child who they bowed before in worship. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with costly gifts. Afterwards, they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod. So they avoided Herod to protect the child aligning themselves with the ‘one born king of the Jews’. Then God sent an angel to warn Joseph to escape to Egypt for Herod was seeking to kill the child.

Joseph, Mary and Jesus flee to Egypt and become refugees in exile. Matthew quotes Hosea 11:1 which refers to Israel’s Exodus from Egypt (Exodus 4:22). Yet, Matthew applies this to Jesus; who re-enacts and completes Israel’s story. Then Matthew says the slaughter of Bethlehem’s children fulfills Jeremiah 31:15. Jeremiah 31 is about God renewing His covenant and restoring His people but it will not come without much weeping and sorrow.

Jesus is a threat to those seeking to build their own empires at the expense of others. Consequently, the shadow of death followed Jesus all his life. But Jesus didn’t come into this fallen world to live a life of ease. Through his suffering and his sin atoning death he would bring God's 'New Exodus' and accomplish God's salvation. The 'Magi' make it clear that Jesus is Israel's Messiah and the Lord of all the earth (Psalm 72:8,11; Isaiah 11:9-10).

Have a 'Great New Year (2015)',
Jay, Laura, Clara, Katherine and Lauren Stoms

 

 

Merry Christmas (2014)!

Dear Friends and Family,
Here is the story of the 'Birth of Jesus' from Luke 1:26-38, 2:1-7, and Matt. 1:18-25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3Wee965-hI&list=UU1WIe-jToI7fechE7-auVrQ

1) Watch and Listen to the Story (link above). Then 2) Read the Commentary (below).  

God’s people were in their land but living under Roman rule. They were waiting for God’s King to come and restore God’s reign. God revealed His plan by sending an angel to the Virgin Mary who was engaged to Joseph, a descendant of David. The angel said the ‘Holy Spirit’ would enable Mary to conceive so that her child would be the ‘Son of God’. Mary’s child would reign on David’s throne and rule over God’s people forever. Mary’s response was, “I’m the Lord’s servant, ‘let it be to me as you say’.

Joseph planned to break the relationship until an angel told him in a dream that Mary’s pregnancy was from God’s Spirit. Mary would have a son and they were to name him Jesus for he would save God’s people from their sins. In His own timing and way God was working out His plan through the faithfulness of ordinary people like Mary and Joseph!

Merry Christmas from South Africa.

The Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus, seemed to be in charge for he issued a decree and everyone returned to their hometowns.  God was working so that Joseph, a descendant of David, would go to the very place the Messiah was to be born, Bethlehem. There Mary gave birth to a son, who they named Jesus as the angel had said. All this was to fulfil the words of the Prophet Isaiah—a virgin will give birth to a son, and he will be called, “God with us”. God had sent His Son to forgive His people and restore His presence among His people.

God was working out His plan despite the evil intent of Rome and its powerful Emperor.  Augustus had turned Rome from a republic to empire and many thought of him as the ‘Lord and Saviour’ of the world.  He even declared his dead adoptive father, Julius Caesar, to be divine making Augustus the ‘son of divine Julius.’ While Augustus probably never heard of Jesus within a few centuries the Roman Emperor and the Empire would become Christian. Today the Roman Empire is long gone, but the Empire of King Jesus, despite opposition, continues its methodical worldwide expansion.  

Merry Christmas (2014),
Jay, Laura, Clara, Katherine and Lauren Stoms

Malawi ‘School of Storying’!

Dear Friends and Family,

In SA with Drs. Davidson & Phoebe Chifungo.

Christmas greetings from South Africa. While we were in the states a Malawian friend and I participated in a one week intensive ‘School of Storying’ in Orlando. Recently, our friends from ‘Storyrunners’ have asked us to make arrangements to hold a ‘School of Storying’ in Malawi.  We plan to reproduce the ‘Bible Storytelling’ method we learned.  The goal would be to empower a team of 18 Malawians to produce a set of 42 Biblically accurate and orally reproducible stories from the Bible in their own “heart language’.

The story set we hope to pass on to our Malawian friends tells the Biblical Story from ‘Creation to New Creation’ that is fulfilled in Jesus. The training includes a series of checks that are designed to ensure that when the stories are crafted in ‘Chichewa’ they are true to the Bible. The story set and the training can help Malawians communicate the gospel in the  context of the Biblical story in a way that ‘oral learners’ can understand.

‘Storyrunners’ (http://www.storyrunners.org/) has asked us to tentatively plan a five (5) week training in Malawi this coming June/July 2015. We have been struggling to acquire all the information we need to adequately plan this event. We need to know what options we have for venues, accommodations and food so that ‘Storyrunners’ can make plans to hold this training in 2015.

Please pray that we can get all the information and that plans come together in a timely way. We firmly believe that this training will help strengthen the Church in Malawi. We are excited about the potential of this training and about the opportunity to reconnect with our Malawian friends and churches. The long-term goal of the Malawian ‘School of Storying’ is to see the training being led entirely by indigenous leadership. Your ongoing prayers and partnership with us in the gospel is deeply appreciated.

Zikomo Kwambiri (thanks very much),
The STOMS' Family, Jay, Laura, Clara, Katherine and Lauren.

 

Merry Christmas, Krisi Masi Yabwino (Chichewa),

Geseende Kersfees (Afrikaans),  

Ndikunqwenelela iKrismesi emnandi (Xhosa) 

Prayer Requests:

1) For Laura as she home-schools our girls in a small space in our University flat.
2) Pray that we fit in well in our local church, Christ Church Stellenbosch. Also pray that our girls are able to make new friends here in South Africa.
3) That Christ Church would develop a vision for ministry to International students.
4) That other International students would join us as we seek to disciple others and as we learn and discuss the stories of the Bible.
5) That we can organize a 'School of Storying' in Malawi for June/July 2015.
6) Pray that we can pick up three new partnering churches.
7) For a vehicle and for longer term accommodations for our family  in Stellenbosch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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"Many Thanks"

Dear Friends,



Stellenbosch, South Africa.

After three weeks we are now settling in nicely in South Africa. A few years back a Pastor friend asked me where I would go if I could choose where to minister. I told him how much I liked Stellenbosch so he said, ‘we’ll have to pray about that’. Well, here we are and we can hardly believe it. We are so thankful that God has given us such a beautiful setting to tell His story.

Now I go to my office at Christ Church Stellenbosch while Laura home-schools our girls at our University housing. This Sunday I get to preach how the ‘story of Israel’ culminates in the ‘story of Jesus’ from Revelation 12 at Christ Church Stellenbosch. I hope to preach the ‘crucified and resurrected Christ as the ascended Lord of all’ in the context of the Biblical story. 

Two Sundays ago I went to an evening service geared to college students at a popular church in town. The service was more emotional than I’m used to but the real issue was how the Bible was handled. The scriptures were referred to throughout the sermon, but the verses were never explained in their context. It was all about how each verse spoke to the speaker without any connection the historical context or story. It seemed as if the Bible was merely a collection of isolated inspirational sayings so the message ended up being more about ‘me’ than about ‘Jesus’! 

One of the highlights of being here so far was a night out for us at a local pizza place. Our girls drew pictures of Malawi on the butcher paper table cloth while we talked with the Congolese, Zimbabwean, and Malawian employees. The face of my new Malawian friend, Paul, lit up with delight as I told him the story of God’s covenant with David and then we talked about Jesus.

This thanksgiving, though we are away from home, we have much to be grateful for. We are thankful for our ministry partners and partnering churches whose prayerful support makes our ministry possible. We are thankful for our new ‘home church’ in South Africa where we’ve been warmly welcomed. I am thankful to the Lord for my wife and daughters and we are grateful that Lauren’s arm is recovering nicely. Lastly, as we approach this Christmas season, we are especially thankful, ‘that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world (1 John 4:14)’.

Thanks very much,
Jay, Laura, Clara (9), Katherine (7) and Lauren (5) Stoms

Other Prayer Requests:
1) That God would provide three (3) new churches to partner with us.  
2) For the overall health of our family as we transition in South Africa. 
3) For God's guidance to help Christ Church Stellenbosch minister to International students.

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.