Single Lady Rescue

This evening was rather exciting – or maybe I should say heart-pounding, adrenaline pumping…

I was sitting in my living room taking with my friend Lorina.  While enjoying our conversation, my dog Bingo began barking hysterically.  He would not stop, even though I firmly scolded him.  When I looked outside, he was barking and staring at something on the ground. 

Being that Bingo is infamous for corning big spiders and catching lizards and leaving them as gifts on my doorstep, I let him continue according to his sense of duty. 

As Lorina and I were leaving, Bingo was at the side of the house still barking frantically.  Finally, I realized that he needed my attention.  Looking around to the side of the house, I could tell he was still staring at something.  I said to Lorina, “It’s either a spider or a snake!” as I ran to get my flashlight. 

Turning on my flashlight, I illuminated what my trusty watch dog was alerting me to… it was indeed a snake, a small snake but a snake none the less.  As we watched, it lifted its head and fanned its neck in fine cobra fashion. 

Quickly discussing what we should do, Lorina and I decided teamwork would be best – I held the flashlight and yelled for Bingo not to get too close, while Lorina called Pastor Mark.  Upon answering the phone, Mark calmly instructed us in his method of snake killing, but I promptly insisted that he could have the pleasure. 

As rescue was on the way, Lorina kept the snake in the glow of the flashlight while I ran to get our weapons of choice – a shovel, a rake, and a hoe.  Meanwhile, Bingo’s threatening bark continued to hold the snake “between a rock and a hard place”, quite literally.

Mark and Victoria quickly came to the rescue.  Mark smashed the snake with the hoe and proceeded to chop off its head.  Taking a closer look, he announced, “It’s a Zebra Snake!”  I have come to learn that a Zebra Snake, named such because it is striped like a Zebra, is a very dangerous variety of Cobra.  There is no anti-venom for its bite as of yet. 

I thank the Lord for His protection. 

Bingo received much attention for his job well done.  He was elated at the victory he had won.

I think I owe Mark and Victoria a flashing red light with a siren for their vehicle, complete with a magnetic sign for the side stating “Single Lady Rescue”. 

Faith

I would like to begin by thanking Pastor Ron and the youth at Louisville First Assembly of God for setting me up with a xanga site.  It is about time I start to use it!  I would like to keep a currant account of what is happening in Namibia.  Thank you Louisville First A/G for your support and prayers.  You are a blessing!

I have been here in Namibia for nearly 10 months!  It is amazing how time goes so quickly.  May we make the most of each moment – life is truly a gift from God.

Much has happened in the last 10 months – I received my work permit, found a house, painted the house, purchased a STL bakkie (thank you PennDel Youth!!!!!!) and began learning Afrikaans.  I traveled to Cape Town for a trench gardening workshop, to Zambia for a CHE training, and to Kenya for our Missionary Retreat.

I am leading the youth group at Faith A/G, Otjiwarongo.  We have begun a ‘life choices’ study – on how to make good life choices.   I will be doing the same study with the boys from the JOY Center – a local home for street boys.   I enjoy my visits to the JOY Center – I am blessed as I hear the testimonies of what God is doing in the lives of the boys.

It is amazing to see how God is opening doors for ministry.  Brad Tucker visited Namibia several months ago to help us come up with a game plan for beginning HIV/AIDS ministries.  This weekend, we have our first HIV/AIDS Response Team meeting – reps from each of our churches are coming together to brainstorm and strategize on how we can begin HIV/AIDS ministries though our churches. 

More doors are opening and I look forward to sharing testimonies in the near future!

This has been a challenging 10 months, but God is faithful.  He is teaching me to trust Him more and more each day.  I am learning, and God is so patient.  May we truly learn to have faith like that of a child…

On Sunday, February 25, I taught children's church at Faith Assembly of God in Otjiwarongo.  I taught a lesson about Moses and the ten plagues that God used to display His power to Pharaoh.  We talked about the Passover lamb and how Israel was safe when they painted their doorposts with the blood of the lamb.

I then talked about Jesus, being "the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world."  I explained the Gospel message and asked if any children wanted to pray to ask Jesus to be their Savior.  Several children raised their hands, indicating they wanted to do so!

I led them in a prayer for salvation.  As we prayed, my eyes caught sight of a little girl...  she was praying with her eyes closed tight, concentrating on the words she spoke.  As I prayed, "Dear Jesus," the kids repeated after me.  "Come into my heart.  Make me clean."  As I watched the little girl, she repeated the words and began making the motion of scrubbing her heart - as if it were dirty and God were making it clean.  We continued, "Be my Savior", and she reached out to Jesus and drew Him near to her heart, "be my Lord", again she reached out to Jesus.  "And be my very best Friend."  This time, holding Him close, she smiled and nodded.  She was talking to her best Friend from the depths of her heart. 

May we all strive to have a pure faith, as that of a child...

Please pray…
   Currently, there are 8 Assemblies of God churches in Namibia,
but we believe that this is only the beginning of the incredible things God
has in store for this country. Pray with us... For safety for the pastors
who must travel long distances to and from the meetings.For a time of
refreshing and renewal for all those who attend.For the leading of the
Spirit in the important decisions that must be made.For the Holy Spirit to
ignite in the hearts of both the missionaries and the pastors His vision for
the growth of the church in Namibia.For God to renew in each one His heart
and passion to reach Namibia with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.For the General
Council meetings of the Assemblies of God of Namibia ~ Thurs., Feb. 2–Sat.,
Feb. 

Special Prayer Request Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving… Colossians 4:2

Please be in prayer for Kent and Michelle Smith and their children, Wesley
and Cory.  The Smiths are missionaries in Rwanda.  I had the blessing of
working with the Smiths when I did my internship while in college.

Kent has come down with Ma­laria for the 6th time and their son Wesley (age
6) has also tested positive for ma­laria.

Please pray...

· For their healing.

· For wisdom as they seek medical treatment.

· For strength as the treat­ments Kent takes can be hard on his body.

· For a long term solution.
Currently, there are 8 Assemblies of God churches in Namibia, but
we believe that this is only the beginning of the incredible things God has
in store for this country. Pray with us... For safety for the pastors who
must travel long distances to and from the meetings.For a time of refreshing
and renewal for all those who attend.For the leading of the Spirit in the
important decisions that must be made.For the Holy Spirit to ignite in the
hearts of both the missionaries and the pastors His vision for the growth of
the church in Namibia.For God to renew in each one His heart and passion to
reach Namibia with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.]   [image: I am still waiting
for my work permit. My team is patiently waiting until next Wednesday (2/8)
to begin asking about its progress. We are trusting the Lord for His perfect
timing. Please pray…For the Lord's timing in my departure.For strength and
peace as I prepare to leave.For wisdom as I organize and decide what to
take.For the anointing of the Lord to do His work.For NAMTICurrently, there
are 8 Assemblies of God churches in Namibia, but we believe that this is
only the beginning of the incredible things God has in store for this
country. Pray with us... For safety for the pastors who must travel long
distances to and from the meetings.For a time of refreshing and renewal for
all those who attend.For the leading of the Spirit in the important
decisions that must be made.For the Holy Spirit to ignite in the hearts of
both the missionaries and the pastors His vision for the growth of the
church in Namibia.For God to renew in each one His heart and passion to
reach Namibia with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.For the Lord to continue to
provide funds as construction continues.For the safety of the construction
workers.For the students as they prepare for ministry.For wisdom and the
leading of the Lord for those who teach.For my work permit and preparations
for departureDevote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an
attitude of thanksgiving… Colossians 4:2

For NAMTI
For the Lord to continue to provide funds as construction continues.For the
safety of the construction workers.For the students as they prepare for
ministry.For wisdom and the leading of the Lord for those who teach.

For my work permit and preparations for departure. I am still
waiting for my work permit. My team is patiently waiting until next
Wednesday (2/8) to begin asking about its progress. We are trusting the Lord
for His perfect timing. Please pray…For the Lord's timing in my
departure.For strength and peace as I prepare to leave.For wisdom as I
organize and decide what to take.For the anointing of the Lord to do His
work.Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of
thanksgiving… Colossians 4:2 - Devote yourselves to prayer,
keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving…

Hello Everyone!

 I hope this e-mail finds you well and rejoicing in the goodness of God!  I trust you had a blessed Thanksgiving! 

 I am doing well - thank you all for your prayers!  I have completed my itineration!  It has been such a blessing to visit each of the 96 churches since January.  I have been so encouraged and impressed by the Family of God.  Thank you to each who have made me feel so welcome.

 One highlight of this past month was my trip to the ECHO Farm in Fort Myers, FL for a Conference.  ECHO stands for Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization.  It was an amazing conference.  I am going back down - leaving tomorrow - for another week of study.  I am learning very practical things involving gardening in harsh environments, irrigation, etc.  Please pray for safety in travel and for me to learn much in the time that I am there.

 Also, please remember me in prayer regarding my work permit.  Once I receive my work permit, I will be able to leave for Namibia.  Pray for the Lord's timing and for His will to be done.  Thank you again for your support and encouragement.  It blesses me so much to know that you are working with me to reach Namibia for Jesus! 

 I have attached my newsletter.  It is in PDF format.  If you do not have a PDF reader, you can download one free from Adobe...

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

I decreased the size of the pdf for easier e-mailing.  If you need a copy with better resolution, simply e-mail me and I will be happy to send one to you. 

Thank you again for your prayers!  May we each strive to follow the Lord fully (Numbers 14:24) this day and each day to come! 

God bless each of you in a special way!

  Melissa L. McSurdy

  Missionary to Namibia

  Assemblies of God World Missions

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson, American poet