Every few years, AFM sponsors regional retreats (Africa, Asia and Europe) for their missionaries in those regions. They arrive to strategize and discuss what has or has not worked for them when sharing the gospel and what they have found as the best way to make disciples for our Lord Jesus Christ. The sacrifice some make to share the gospel is awe-inspiring. (Thank you, dear reader, for your part in keeping missionaries in the field.) We were the only workers in North America, so they asked if we wanted to join the Africa retreat.

Before leaving Montana, we had to tell our friends that Cindy would not be around to facilitate our regular Thursday night Bible studies for a couple of weeks, and I would not be available to preach. Naturally, they wanted to know where we were going. Can you imagine their surprise when we said Africa? Before we left, one of our Native friends said, “Don’t forget us Indians need you more than the Africans do.” Bless his heart! He need not have worried. God had made our calling here clarion in contrast to my first night in a U.S. Navy barracks.

That first night, I awoke at 4:00 a.m. to the sound of a drill instructor kicking a metal garbage can down the center of the building, yelling obscenities and expressing doubts about my genetic heritage. I lay there wondering what I had gotten myself into. Yet, on my first visit to the Fort Peck reservation, there were no doubts. No, I did not see lightning or hear thunder; there was no burning bush, tempest whirlwinds, or splitting rocks; and as inhospitable as northern Montana can be on an early April day, Cindy and I each, without discussion, knew we belonged here when we drove into town. It was a God thing.

As we enter our third year at Fort Peck, renewed from our African retreat, the stage is set for the second act. The Montana Conference hired a pastor for our district last year. In addition, last September, we found the misplaced copy of the building permit, which will enable us to get the final inspection required to legally occupy and use the Living Hope Center. Things are falling into place. Barring any unforeseen events, the Living Hope Center should be open for ministry by early spring 2024.

Lastly, it was heartwarming to hear my friend say, “Us Indians need you more than the Africans do.” But really, who they need is Jesus. Please keep us and all the other AFM projects in your prayers as we follow our Lord’s lead into this new year. Thank you for your prayers and support.

Blessings, David and Cindy.

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