Last night we were privileged to eat with all the missionaries & their families who live here, along with the other visitors who are here at GSF at this time. It was fun, fascinating, humbling and hopeful (to name a few emotions) as we met and learned about the way God has called each one to GSF.
Claudia, who is from Columbia, South America and has been at GSF for 15years. She has seven children- two adopted daughters, and five others who are either in the process of adoption or she is taking care of and raising. Her love of children and the Lord is so evident.
Mark and Amy Gwartney, who have been at GSF for six years, are the current directors. They have their four children here and have built a new home at GSF. Mark's mother, also named Amy, and his aunt Donna are both here visiting. It is his mother's 3rd time coming to GSF and each time she brings back more family members to visit and experience this place. It is her sister's first time visiting. They came from Tallahassee and Gainesville. Dori, Jan, and I had the pleasure of joining them this morning (Tuesday) for a bible study that Amy led for all the house mothers- and it was so powerful. I am so glad that we were here while they both are visiting- they have a lot of wisdom to share!
Sarah and Joey Beason are also visiting Mark and Amy- they are from Pennsylvania and their friendship with Mark and Amy goes way back. Sarah and Joey were missionary in their earlier days living in Indonesia, but now have three young children...and maybe more.
Steven Langford, has been at GSF for 10 months and is from Winston-Salem, NC. He has been here working with and teaching the GSF students who have moved on to secondary school and university. He encourages them and supports them in their continued spiritual growth.
Danielle, the GSF nurse, is fairly new to GSF, about 3 months, and came from the midwest.
Matilda, is visiting for the week before she returns to Sweden. She has been living on a nearby island ministering in one of Youth with a Mission's bases. She has said it is very primitive- no running water or toilets, but she LOVES it and the people. She has stayed at GSF before and wanted to come back and visit with Tom and Sharon before she returned home. She has a heart for the Lord and will no doubt end up working for HIM wherever HE leads her.
Lisa and David Fish with four young children have come to GSF to teach the MK's (missionary kids). They are from Athens, Georgia and have been here 6 months. Already they have beautified the school house, and are in the process of building their own home here on the GSF grounds.
Corrine and Daniel, newly married, are here serving together. Corrine is from Pennsylvania and Daniel is from Nigeria. They met at a Christian college in Texas. Corrine leads up the GSF child sponsorship program (for more info: gsfsponsorship@gmail.com ) while Daniel serves with EMI, Engineers Missions International, and is at GSF helping build the Fish's house. Later he will be working on helping build a secondary school in Jinja.
And last- Tom and Sharon Batley, our friends and Westover supported missionaries. Tom is in charge of maintenance for GSF and Sharon heads short term teams and visitors coming to GSF. Both are from Greensboro. Of course ALL these missionaries do SO MUCH MORE. In fact, it is really a 24/7 job with 90 children of various ages living on campus, and 300+ coming from surrounding villages for school.
It is amazing to see everyone's dedication and LOVE for the LORD! HE fills them with desire, strength, wisdom, courage, and stamina to do HIS work here. It is amazing to watch and experience.
Praise God for HIS workers who go forth and serve in full time missions!
Claudia, who is from Columbia, South America and has been at GSF for 15years. She has seven children- two adopted daughters, and five others who are either in the process of adoption or she is taking care of and raising. Her love of children and the Lord is so evident.
Mark and Amy Gwartney, who have been at GSF for six years, are the current directors. They have their four children here and have built a new home at GSF. Mark's mother, also named Amy, and his aunt Donna are both here visiting. It is his mother's 3rd time coming to GSF and each time she brings back more family members to visit and experience this place. It is her sister's first time visiting. They came from Tallahassee and Gainesville. Dori, Jan, and I had the pleasure of joining them this morning (Tuesday) for a bible study that Amy led for all the house mothers- and it was so powerful. I am so glad that we were here while they both are visiting- they have a lot of wisdom to share!
Sarah and Joey Beason are also visiting Mark and Amy- they are from Pennsylvania and their friendship with Mark and Amy goes way back. Sarah and Joey were missionary in their earlier days living in Indonesia, but now have three young children...and maybe more.
Steven Langford, has been at GSF for 10 months and is from Winston-Salem, NC. He has been here working with and teaching the GSF students who have moved on to secondary school and university. He encourages them and supports them in their continued spiritual growth.
Danielle, the GSF nurse, is fairly new to GSF, about 3 months, and came from the midwest.
Matilda, is visiting for the week before she returns to Sweden. She has been living on a nearby island ministering in one of Youth with a Mission's bases. She has said it is very primitive- no running water or toilets, but she LOVES it and the people. She has stayed at GSF before and wanted to come back and visit with Tom and Sharon before she returned home. She has a heart for the Lord and will no doubt end up working for HIM wherever HE leads her.
Lisa and David Fish with four young children have come to GSF to teach the MK's (missionary kids). They are from Athens, Georgia and have been here 6 months. Already they have beautified the school house, and are in the process of building their own home here on the GSF grounds.
Corrine and Daniel, newly married, are here serving together. Corrine is from Pennsylvania and Daniel is from Nigeria. They met at a Christian college in Texas. Corrine leads up the GSF child sponsorship program (for more info: gsfsponsorship@gmail.com ) while Daniel serves with EMI, Engineers Missions International, and is at GSF helping build the Fish's house. Later he will be working on helping build a secondary school in Jinja.
And last- Tom and Sharon Batley, our friends and Westover supported missionaries. Tom is in charge of maintenance for GSF and Sharon heads short term teams and visitors coming to GSF. Both are from Greensboro. Of course ALL these missionaries do SO MUCH MORE. In fact, it is really a 24/7 job with 90 children of various ages living on campus, and 300+ coming from surrounding villages for school.
It is amazing to see everyone's dedication and LOVE for the LORD! HE fills them with desire, strength, wisdom, courage, and stamina to do HIS work here. It is amazing to watch and experience.
Praise God for HIS workers who go forth and serve in full time missions!
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