E-mail Edition - January 15, 2005

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT One of the questions most frequently asked of us during our initial fundraising, as well as our visit to the US last summer, was, "How long do you expect to be in Mozambique?" Our response throughout has been, "We're kind of taking things a year at a time." This was an admittedly vague answer because, while our original hope and intent was to be involved in long-term ministry here, our previous experience on the field had taught us that sometimes difficulties prevail. Well, the difficulties have prevailed, and now we find ourselves in the regrettable position of announcing that we'll be returning to the US later this year, with no plans in the forseeable future for returning to Mozambique. Some of you are keenly aware of what's been challenging us, others only moderately aware, and still others of you probably have no idea (reports of difficulties having been conspicuously absent from prior issues of The Mozam' Beacon). And, of course, there are those of you who were involuntarily subscribed to this fine publication, and you wouldn't know us if we showed up on your doorstep (shrug). It's fair (and lamentable) to say that the impediments to a long-term fruitful ministry for us here are sufficient to have convinced us of the need to go home. Mindy will leave Africa on March 6, and will shortly thereafter resume her position as a medical assistant in Louisville, KY. Kevin will be staying in Mozambique until mid-July. Between now and then, he'll be dividing his time among working on a simplified commentary on the Gospel of John for under-educated preachers in remote areas, teaching and counseling in the Mustard Seed discipleship and evangelism center, and making preaching and encouragement visits to Mozambican churches. Upon returning to the US, he hopes to find either a full-time preaching ministry, or a full-time teaching position in a Christian school (while taking interim preaching assignments). He will also continue, Lord willing, to write simplified Bible teaching materials to be translated and used in Mozambique and other places. We want to express our profound gratitude to those churches, families, and individuals who have made it possible for us to be here, and we are asking those who are our supporting us regularly to keep doing so (in grace) through the month of July. And we'd like everyone to join us in praying that God would raise up, equip, and sustain more laborers assigned to address the extreme spiritual needs of Mozambique. His and yours, Kevin and Mindy Beck