Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses
Jim & Jayanthi Wilson – Lesotho
“Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses.”
-Ecclesiastes 3:1
Letting go is no easy matter! Whether in allowing our children to stand on their own two feet or in retiring from a job that we have held for several years (leaving it in the hands of someone else with their own unique way of doing things) is tough. And yet, that is exactly what most of us as missionaries, “hope and pray” will happen with the positions and work we are engaged in across the globe…. sharing the Good News that Jesus Christ is Lord. That is to say, we rejoice whenever the day comes when our partner churches take ownership of a particular ministry, where we formerly gave assistance. In such moments, I am reminded of the words that come from Ecclesiastes, “Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses.”
When I came to the Lesotho College of Education 12 years ago, the Lesotho Evangelical Church and Global Ministries committed themselves to training a national to eventually replace me, i.e. as a senior lecturer in the Religious Education Department. I originally estimated it would take a period of 4 to 6 years. But, God’s plans are not our plans. Finally, however, on January 31st of this year, the Lesotho Evangelical Church appointed a Masotho to fill that position, with God’s blessed guidance. That miracle has come about, in part, through your assistance. Global Ministries, through your financial support and prayers, helped in training several members of the Lesotho Evangelical Church at different tertiary institutions in Lesotho, South Africa as well as in the United States.
Yes, the 12 years I worked at the Lesotho College of Education were wonderful years- assisting in the development of a new diploma programme; dialoguing with others about what it means to be a committed Christian in a time of crisis; conducting scores of memorial services for those who fell victim to HIV/AIDS; eating a Chinese meal with my students in an effort to expand their “cultural horizons”; praying and being prayed for; listening and being heard in regards to matters where there are no easy answers. As I said earlier, they were 12 wonderful years. And yet, I thank God for what has happened…and I again remember those words from Ecclesiastes, “Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses.”
Jayanthi, of course, continues with her work at SOS Children’s Village as a librarian. She enjoys her work with the children.
Please keep us in your prayers as we wait to discover what God desires for us to do next and as we prepare to return to North America in July of this year for a period of six months to do interpretation on behalf of Global Ministries.
We already know that we will be attending the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Portland, Oregon and visiting churches in Montana, Northern Wyoming and Missouri.
We hope to be in contact with as many of you as is possible. Please forward us your latest physical address, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses, so that we can contact you in the midst of our travel as well as to update our address book.
Please send all future correspondences to us via Global Ministries or send us an e-mail.
Please do not send any new correspondence to us at our mailing addresses in Lesotho and South Africa.
Sincerely,
Jim & Jayanthi Wilson
James & Jayanthi Wilson are missionaries with the Lesotho Evangelical Church. James is an instructor in the Department of Religious Education at the National Teachers Training College of Lesotho. Jayanthi is Librarian/tutor at SOS Children’s Village at Masianokeng.