We have been praying fervently for guidance. The guidance has begun to come in. It should be finalised very soon. On Friday, 30 May, we received word that the government of Zambia has approved our application to reside in Zambia. The Eswatini government has had our application for eight months and has not given a response. The Zambian government gave approval in less than eight days. The Zambian permit was on our phone Friday morning when we woke up.
So, we were ready to say, “This will be our new home, once we find a way to get there.”
But the brothers in Eswatini have pleaded for one more try at getting a permit to remain here. We must wait to get a firm quotation on the cost of the move. So, while waiting, we might as well let them make that final attempt to get us a permit here. We will see which comes first, an agreement on moving or a permit to remain.
A move will not be easy. But we trust that, over time, it will prove fruitful. There are disadvantages to the move, but as things stand now, it appears the Lord must think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. We would consider them side by side, but the email program will not allow that, so we will just list the main disadvantages and the main advantages.
Disadvantages:
1. The cost of the move (about $15,000).
2. A more difficult place to live – water and power shortages and poorer shopping choices.
3. It took us years to get the house in Eswatini modified to suit our tasks. Now the same process must take place again
Advantages:
1. We will have more contact with students and teachers. They can help improve future books.
2. We will be working with a school that has a functioning leadership. Leadership is always imperfect – but at least we will not be in a leadership vacuum, which has been the case in Eswatini.
3. Our cost for renting and utilities will go down, making the cost of living more bearable (once the cost of moving has been paid).
If we should be granted permission to reside in both countries, we will look for possible options for serving in both places. It might be possible. It might even have advantages (which we will hope to discuss in the future if that possibility becomes a reality).
George Benson Christian University
If the move to Zambia happens, we will be serving at George Benson Christian University. George Benson (image included) served as a missionary in Asia (mostly China) from 1925 to 1936. In 1936 he became President of Harding University in Arkansas. He served there 29 years. After retiring as President of Harding, Benson helped other schools, and aided mission works with advice and fund raising. Due to his experiences in China, Benson advised the brethren in Zambia against establishing schools of preaching. The graduates of such schools, Benson found, become continuously dependent on American support. He believed a better approach would be to give native workers an education that would lead to gainful employment; and to give them Bible training at the same time. Thus, they might be employed as teachers or nurses while also being able to evangelize. Thus, the church would have Sunday school teachers, elders and deacons, not just evangelists.
The plan does not always work perfectly, of course. But the theory is sound, and good fruit often comes as a result.
If we must leave Eswatini, we will be able to do very good work at George Benson Christian University. Thayer will be involved in planning a Bible curriculum for those studying to be teachers or nurses. He may also teach some of those courses or assist Zambian teacher who will be teaching them. Moving will create a delay in getting books written. But once settled in, we will have more access to African students than we have here. That should allow us to refine the production of the books. Ultimately, it would seem it should lead to better textbooks.
We consider the work at George Benson so valuable that, even if Eswatini issues a last-minute permit, we will try to find a way to serve in Zambia several months each year.
Prayer items:
- A speedy response from Eswatini’s government (whether yea or nay).
- Funds to cover the cost of the move. Wisdom to choose the best moving company.
- Strength & wisdom for the packing.
- Safety while travelling.
- Or, if a permit is issued in Eswatini, wisdom in drawing a plan for serving in both places.
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African Textbook Ministry, %Church of Christ, 5130 Flanders Road, Toledo, OH 43623
thayer@africantextbook.com africantextbook.com https://www.facebook.com/