- Michael Middlebrook
October Thanksgiving Newsletter:
Greetings “Come With Us To Africa” Friends, God is good! All the time! It has been quite a year! In late January we were reappointed as global workers with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. Our appointment is as Canadian-based global workers. What this means is that we are to visit various African countries to teach in Bible Colleges and Christian Universities, as well as preach and teach in local churches pastored by students or recent college or university graduates. It’s all about impacting the next generation (2 Timothy 2:2) of Christian leaders for God’s glory. We are passionate about Bible-based, Christ-centered, Spirit-filled next generation impact on the African continent where we have been privileged to spend many fruitful years of ministry. Three ministry trips were planned for this year: 1) On Thursday March 19 we were scheduled to fly to Zambia where we would teach at Trans-Africa Christian University (TACU). We also planned to attend the all-Africa PAOC missionary retreat in April in South Africa. 2) From mid-June to early August we were to visit Nyang’ori, Kenya (Pentecostal Bible College) and Mwanza, Tanzania (St. Paul Bible College). 3) From mid-September to late November we were to visit Zambia and Tanzania once again, as well as visit Liberia (Liberia Assemblies of God Bible College). Our plans, like the plans of so very many of course, changed dramatically with the eruption of the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the ensuing lockdowns (which for us in Ontario, Canada began on Monday March 16...three days prior to our first departure date). Well, we are to be ready in season and out of season in our Christian service (2 Timothy 4:2). Though we have been unable to physically travel to Africa we have stayed in touch electronically with leadership at all of the above mentioned educational institutions in all of the above mentioned countries. We have also taught through the online format at TACU. Michael taught The History of Christian Thought in July and August for TACU and now we are team-teaching Missiology online for TACU through the September-November trimester. We have also been able to minister virtually here in Canada in churches and small groups throughout the year. We are thankful for every ministry opportunity the Lord in His sovereign grace opens up for us. The pandemic has also allowed us more time to continue to develop partnership support for Come With Us To Africa both prayerfully and financially. We deeply appreciate your prayerful support. Your prayerful support matters! We deeply appreciate your financial support. Your financial support matters! Your prayerful and financial support reaches across the ocean to the African continent and impacts numerous people inside and outside of the classroom and the local church. African leaders reach villages, towns, cities, and nations with the transformational power of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Please know that we pray with thanksgiving for our support team regularly and fervently. We know that this has been a different and difficult year for so many...in Canada, in Africa, and all over this world which God so deeply loves. We mentioned in the second paragraph of this newsletter that one of our planned trips was scheduled to take place from mid-June to early August. The plan was to arrive home in early August because our daughter Bethany and her husband Timothy were expecting the arrival of their first child—a daughter. Though our trip was postponed due to the pandemic, Hope Esther Grace Lethbridge arrived on Sunday August 16, four days early as a matter of fact! We like to say that HOPE was born during COVID! What a delightful baby girl! We are so happy for Timothy and Bethany and for both the Lethbridge and Middlebrook families! It has been quite a year! God is good! All the time! Sincerely, Michael and Sheila Middlebrook Prayer Points Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20).
Please pray that we would receive clarity as to when our next missions trip to Africa will occur.
Please pray for the students and pastors whom we have the privilege of mentoring online and eventually in person.
Please pray for a vital increase in the ongoing monthly financial support of Come With Us To Africa.
Please pray for God’s shalom to be with our family in Canada as we travel overseas to minister.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans15:13)
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