Tanzania and Ghana, 2009

In early 2009, Bec and I were privileged to serve in Tanzania
and Ghana. Although my blogspot does not allow me to move
the following pictures into a more logical sequence, I hope
you will find them somewhat helpful in gaining an understanding
of what we do in Africa.

TANZANIA, LANGHAM PREACHING IN MBEYA


Breakfast with Tony and Cath Swanson at a pleasant
stop-over on the way to Mbeya, Tanzania, which is in
the deep southwestern part of Tanzania near the Zambian border.


Tony Swanson translating for Rod in Mbeya, Tanzania


The delegates in Mbeya were extremely diligent
in their work.

Bec teaching the women in Mbeya

GHANA - NATIONAL EXPOSITORY PREACHING SEMINAR

Bec and Affy Adeleye (wife of my Langham colleague Femi

Adeleye of Nigeria) presented the certificates at the close

of the seminar.

Waiting for our next flight

These are a few of the men who participated in our "Training of Local Facilitators" seminar. Please pray for these leaders that they will be encouraged in their work of establishing a grassroots expository preaching movement in Ghana through regional seminars and preachers' clubs.

Reviewing one of the sermon outlines presented

by one of the workshop groups

Femi and Affy Adeleye of Nigeria now live in Ghana, having

moved there from Zimbabwe about a year and a half ago.

Femi and I have labored together in Ghana since the inception

of the program there in 2005. Having served as the Director of IFES

(Inter-Varsity) for all of English-and-Portuguese-Speaking

Africa, Femi is now pursuing a Ph. D. as a Langham Scholar.

Giving out extra book marks that serve as reminders

of our basic steps in sermon writing and that can be

used in training others.

Presentation of an outline by a member of a workshop group

Rev. Daniel Nii Tackie serves as national director for radio preaching for the Church of Pentecost, the largest denomination in Ghana. Bec and I greatly enjoyed our time with Danni and his wife. Danni has already organized and led two seminars. Please pray for him as he trains men in the Church of Pentecost in the skill of expository preaching. Think of the multitudes who will hear the ministries of the radio preachers he trains!

Thank you for praying for her. She has traveled lots

of miles with me.

A place to sleep in the crowded Dar es Salaam Airport

In our African attire

Bec with Femi and Affy Adelye as well as Jude Hama, National

Director of Scripture Union

Mealtimes provide opportunity for meaningful interaction.

Bec and Affy Adelye present certificates at the conclusion

of the seminar

Isaac and Bernice of Ghana Fellowship of Evangelical Students

(Inter-Varsity) standing in front of the NEPS banner.

National committee members, staff workers, and delegates

at the "Training of Local Facilitators" seminar.

Our First Visit to China

Yyou will see that everyone who is passing by us has

on western style clothing. Also, this beautiful gate is

surrounded by buildings of western architecture. We

had not anticipated the extent of western influence.

We were able to spend extensive time on numerous occasions

at the children's home I mentioned in my last letter. Please

see the pictures below.

Louisiana Senior Olympic Games - State Track Meet, October 3, 2009

Getting everything packed


Doc says, "Hey, let me in on the picture!
I've been walking him to get him in shape!"


Arriving at Bernie Moore Stadium at LSU

I've been looking forward to this!

What a feeling to be out on the track at LSU!

Thinking about the race

Lace 'em up! It's time to run!

The 400 is about to begin. Only about 15 steps into the race, my right calf goes into an excruciating spasm. I glance at the infield, thinking I may not be able to continue. My left calf is also in a cramp, though not quite as bad as the right one. I am seriously wondering whether I am about to do very severe injury to my right calf. I continue to run with pain in every single step for the remaining 380 meters.

The 400 has just ended. That right calf is in a huge knot!

I'm trying to stretch it out.

Jackie Callendar (one of the track officials) comes over to

see about me.

Jackie tries to get the knot out of my calf.

What a great surprise!

Calves still in pain. Heart full of satisfaction!

Gyp Olsen who was in the stands with Bec for all of my races

(50, 100, and 400) offers his happy words of congratulations!

MY GIRL!

Trinity Missions Conference; Ministry to State Symposium, Park Cities Presbyterian in Dallas

The Mission Foundation
P.O. Box 46358
Baton Rouge, LA 70808

September 29, 2009

Dear friends,

Thank you for praying for the World Missions Conference at Trinity Church, Covington, LA. Almost all of Trinity’s missionaries were able to attend this special weekend of celebrating existing work and calling men and women to launch themselves more fully into the work of fulfilling the Great Commission. I preached on Acts 13:1-5, “Antioch Church, World Christians” and called the brothers and sisters at Trinity to see the world through the lens of the cross. It was great to be back at Trinity where I served as pastor from 1986-93.

Last Monday and Tuesday, September 21-22, I was in Dallas for the Ministry to State Symposium. Rev. Chuck Garriott, director of MTS in Washington, D.C., did an excellent job of facilitating the discussion among the nine of us who participated in this symposium which was held at Park Cities Presbyterian Church. We discussed theological foundations, goals, and strategies for ministry as well as personal experiences in ministry to those in government.

Initial greetings being exchanged among us


Brad Braddley of Park Cities Presbyterian and

Chuck Garriott, Ministry to State, Washington, D.C.

On Monday afternoon, Chuck Garriott called on us to share

our experiences and perspectives, as he engaged in something

of an interview with each of us. Chuck's final question to

each man was "Why do you love the Church?"

On Monday evening, we had a very enjoyable and

profitable working dinner.

During our symposium, I was asked what is the outcome that I am seeking in my ministry to those in government. Here is a more complete answer than the one I gave at the symposium.

During my 16 years at our state capitol, my earnest intention has been to do all that I could, through prayer, Bible study, personal interaction, and private counsel, to help these men and women grow in spiritual healthiness. Why these people?

Romans 13 says that the governing authority is “a minister of God to you for good.” In January of 1993, God called me to minister to these ministers of God – first, for their sake and for the sake of their families. Among those in government, there are men and women whose service to us requires great sacrifice to them and to their spouses and children. They are away from home where they are as needed as you are to your home. Also, they are away from their normal business and professional endeavors for long periods of time. Beyond this, these men and women constantly live with two great challenges to their healthiness as followers of Christ. They face a steady barrage of temptations that can lead to impurity of heart, mind, and body, and they must deal with pressures and disappointments that can lead even the strongest to discouragement. So my reason for being at the State Capitol is first and foremost for these men and women.

However, I am also hopeful that these governmental leaders will have a positive impact on their colleagues (which they are) and that they will grow in the wisdom and holiness necessary to make good decisions for the people of the State of Louisiana. I am especially hopeful that they will fulfill the injunction received by King Lemuel from his wise and godly mother: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (Prov. 31:8-9)

Well, dear friends, thank you again for your prayers and for your financial support of us in our work. If you are among those who receive this letter and do not participate financially, would you please consider becoming a monthly supporter? Even what you may think of as a very small contribution would be greatly appreciated. May the Lord bless you all.

In the Savior,

Rod and Bec