Our Morocco team members (Pastor Tim, Judah, Jenni, and Scott) are beating the heat, meeting in person with Judah and Jenni's online group members, and planning for Saturday's vision-casting there in Marrakesh.
Thursday's Prayer Requests:
1. This one is time-critical: From 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM Thursday MO time, our team will be holding a special meeting with eight people who have been trained in groups for several months, but who have not yet stepped up to lead new groups. The upcoming two vision-castings (Saturday and Sunday) are the main reasons for this mission trip to Morocco, and we need trained coaches to be standing in the wings ready to lead the new groups we expect attendees to sign up for. These eight people are those potential coaches, so would you please pray NOW for them to step up during today's special meeting and be willing to lead groups?
2. Cooler weather and that the heat will not affect our team's ability to function well and sleep at night.
3. Believers in the Marrakesh and Casablanca areas know about the Saturday and Sunday vision-castings and come eager to join groups and experience the disciple-making process firsthand.
Thursday's Details:
Any time God connects TTC with potential disciple-makers in a new country, there's a lot of ground work to be done to get the DM movement going and growing there. It often starts with just one or two contacts. Sometimes it explodes suddenly and rapidly like we've seen in the Philippines over the past couple years, and sometimes it's slow and steady for a while before it really takes off like it has in Kenya. God knows exactly what he's doing in Morocco, and our job is to join him in it; that's what Pastor Tim, Scott, Jenni, and Judah are doing, so our prayer support and encouragement is vital!
In these updates, addition to sharing the important spiritual work that's happening, I try to also explain what I can about the culture of a place, and like all cultures, Morocco's is truly unique. Jenni has been the primary scribe for us in Morocco this week, so please enjoy her updates and pictures.
(These were written over the past few days. Note that when she and Judah left the states last week, the high was 58...)
"The high in Marrakesh today was 108. And yes, it is a DRY heat! We are literally in the Sahara Dessert. The home where we are staying is absolutely lovely…and does not have air conditioning. The pastor brought in a stand-alone AC unit to try to cool down the room where we will sleep.
"We had to hurry to acquire some groceries for tomorrow because everything will be closed down for the Muslim holy day of Eid al-Adha. Each family will be slaughtering a sheep tomorrow morning right in the middle of the city.
"Another first today was seeing sheep being transported into the city in the back seat of a minivan! Many little lambs are going to lose their lives tomorrow morning. It’s sad that they don’t know this is not required anymore."
If you zoom in, you may be able to see a lamb standing to the right of the green foliage in the central part of this compound.
A lamb waiting to be sacrificed today
Scott said, "You've never seen so many goat heads being burned in one place."
Heads will burn
This whole event gives new meaning to goat roast...
Sacrificial fire
Jenni continued, "The BEST part of today was having dinner with our Moroccan discipleship group this evening. It was so nice to sit around the table from all of them instead of talking to them through a screen. We tried tangine (a Moroccan dish cooked in a big clay dish) and shared communion with these loved ones."
Several of Judah and Jenni's group membersThe Lord's supper, even in a Muslim nation
"On Wednesday, we (Pastor Tim, Scott, Judah, and I) met over lunch with some area pastors and staff members from an underground Moroccan church. The worship leader led some worship in Arabic, and we could sing along in English. It was beautiful!
"In the evening, I led some worship and Judah, and I shared our testimony at a prayer meeting in an apartment they call 'meeting place.' [This is to avoid suspicion, as believers must meet under cover there.] There were around 20 in attendance, including three from our discipleship group."
And the next day, she said, "The streets have been abandoned, and most businesses closed down for the Eid holiday (except for the people burning sheep heads on the sidewalks—that is quite a unique smell!). The cost for each family to purchase and sacrifice a lamb is considerable, so they don’t waste anything! Last year, the king of Morocco declared that he would give the people a financial reprieve by sacrificing one lamb for all of the people. Isn’t that interesting? He probably had no idea he was illustrating the gospel."
Here's a picture of sunrise from the roof of their house.
Jenni ended with this: "THANK YOU for your prayers! The temperatures are dropping! It was actually cool last night. 65 degrees felt so good! I’ve never been so happy to wake up cold."
We are all so grateful for your partnership in prayer during this trip. Please don't stop now!
It was a bit challenging, but Scott has successfully taken the challenge to get to Morocco! He's been meeting with Pastor Tim, our initial contact in Morocco, and this week features numerous meetings to develop and strengthen relationships with a number of pastors there before the Saturday and Sunday DM seminars (visions-castings) in Marrakesh and Casablanca, respectively.
Tuesday's Prayer Requests:
1.Good health, strength, and energy for Scott; he's fighting another cold, and his body is probably run down given the pace and intensity of the past few weeks.
2.Judah and Jenni to make great in-person connections with the church leaders who are in their online DM group; this week is their first opportunity to meet in real life.
3.God to knit together a strong team of disciple-makers in Morocco, who consistently grow spiritually and reach out to others around them with God's power and favor.
Tuesday's Details:
Getting out of the Philippines at the Manila airport was not for the faint of heart! Standing in the security line, Scott said, "I have need of patience."
When taking this picture, he had moved all of 20 feet in 20 minutes = )
He did eventually get through security and then said, "Just got to the gate. Dealing with cold symptoms. Thankfully I was able to sleep a bit after church before heading to the airport." After which I didn't hear from him for a L-O-N-G time. He flew from Manila, Philippines to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), to Casablanca, Morocco. Including a 2.5 hour layover, it was a 19+ hour journey. But then he said, "Through immigration, but still waiting for my bag (along with 100 other people). I've been waiting an hour now. 🙄" And finally, "Made it to Morocco…with my baggage. With Pastor Tim now. Yay!"
With Pastor Tim at last!
On their drive to their lodging, they saw this, and Scott said, "We're following sheep #44!"
Better to follow a sheep than a goat?
He explained, "Tomorrow is the day the Muslims celebrate the ram that was caught in the thicket which was sacrificed instead of Ishmael. All the stores are closed tomorrow and lots of lambs will be slain."
Lambs to be led to the slaughter
Enjoying meals together is a great way to get to know people better, share dreams and goals, and plan how best to raise disciple-makers in this Muslim nation. Wikipedia says, "The main religion in Morocco is Sunni Islam, which is also the state religion of the country. Officially, 99% of the population are Muslim, and virtually all of those are Sunni. The second-largest religion in the country is Christianity, but most Christians in Morocco are foreigners."
Tuesday morning, Scott and Tim had breakfast with a number of pastors in Casablanca before making the three-hour drive to Marrakesh.
Breakfast with pastors (Pastor Tim, bottom left)
You may remember me mentioning a pastor who now lives in Morocco, but had lived in Niger and just happened to personallyknow a pastor who serves with a ministry we are associated with there...? Well, that's Pastor Tim.
And by the way, quite a few folks have said, when I told them Scott was going to Morocco on this trip, "I don't even know where Morocco is!" So, let me show and tell you. Morocco is on the northwest ("top left") corner of Africa, just across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain. It's the country on the map below where Marrakesh is circled, just west of Algeria
Where in the world Morocco is
Morocco's total population is about 38 million, roughly the same as California's. Scott flew into Casablanca (red pin) on the Atlantic coast. It is not Morocco's capital (Rabat, top center on the map below, is the capital), but with a population of over 4 million, Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco and the nation's economic hub.
Pastor Tim oversees numerous churches, including one in Casablanca, and one three hours away in Marrakesh. This map shows the journey to Marrakesh which I believe they will be making - or may have completed - by the time you read this.
Casablanca to Marrakesh
Scott also sent me a weather forecast that showed temps in Marrakesh this week of OVER 100 degrees, including one day that would be 106!!! And he said, "I just found out the Airbnb has no AC. 😳" Our folks will hold a DM vision-casting in Marrakesh on Saturday and their final one back in Casablanca on Sunday.
Here's a posed picture of the Casablanca-area pastors who met Pastor Tim and Scott for breakfast Tuesday morning.
I'm guessing you can pick out Scott and Pastor Tim = )
Scott said, "The Pastors Breakfast in Casablanca was very productive this morning! Every pastor has committed to come to Sunday's DM vision-casting. There are some pastors coming that Pastor Tim has never met. We have the favor of God. Please thank everyone for praying!"
Thank you all for praying!!!
And this just in... While typing this update, I received this picture of Judah and Jenni (she's blonde, he has sunglasses) having dinner with their DM group, which they lead from Forsyth, Missouri!
Jenni and Judah IN PERSON with the church leaders DM group they are coaching!
So now you know what I know, and the most important thing you can do is to PRAY today for our folks on the ground in Morocco. = ) God is using YOUR faith to accomplish HIS work there this week, and we really appreciate you!
Everybody needs some R&R, so before going their separate ways, our Philippines Disciple-Makers Movement (PDMM) team wrapped up their past three weeks of ministry by sharing a special day of fun and relaxation together out by the islands. = )
Sunday's Prayer Requests:
1. Easy travels and a smooth transition to whatever is next for each of our faithful PDMM team members, Wilson, Angelica, and Pastor Daniel. God to give them time to re-connect with their own family members and their church families.
2. More Filipino DM coaches to be trained and and start and lead groups. The PDMM to be well-administrated and function effectively as it grows and expands
3. Scott to be healthy, strong, and focused on the ministry with Judah and Jenni in Morocco this week.
Sunday's Details:
Backing up to Friday... during the Better Together marriage seminar, lunch for our team and the attending couples was a famous Cebu food, lechon baboy (whole roasted pig), the most iconic centerpiece for Filipino celebrations. Scott energetically attacked the main dish.
Gives new meaning to the phrase "... like a stuck pig!"
That evening the team and their hosts played silly games together, including "Spot-It" and "Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza." These pastors don't often have fun, or make time to have fun, so modeling that to our DM leaders is really important to Scott.
Game night with friends; looks like Wilson (near right) won that one!
Then on Saturday, they all went on a grand adventure. Scott said, "We're going to the islands!"
On the boat heading to their adventurous spot
As far as I can tell, a good time was had by all, and Scott the explorer said, "I found this starfish while snorkeling near an island near Cebu, Philippines today. The view underwater is so beautiful!"
My Hero holding his star!
Finally, I'll add this. When our kids were young, we'd watch Olympic gymnastics and diving competitions on TV and somewhat humorously criticize the scores judges from certain countries gave to athletes from certain other countries. In real life, we'd also "score" Scott's degree of difficulty and form when he did crazy jumps from Big Rock into the creek near our house. That's the context for his comment ("East German judge gave me a generous 5.5 for effort.") about [this video clip!]
I'm sure the whole gang had a lot of fun on Saturday. Thank you for praying for them again today as the Philippines part of this great mission trip concludes. They all really appreciate knowing we are praying regularly for them. As you read this, Scott is on his way to Morocco to see what God is doing - and will do - there!!!
Ministry in Cebu continues to go great, and the BT marriage seminar deeply impacted many couples. The Philippines section of this mission trip is coming to an end - a very successful end! - and as Scott travels on Sunday, while we thank God for all he's doing through our team and their "generations" of disciples in the Philippines, we're about to shift our focus to his work in Morocco.
Friday's Prayer Requests:
1. Rest and refreshing for our key Filipino team members who have been going non-stop for nearly three weeks of intense ministry AND for the dozens of Filipino coaches to lead well as they begin many new DM groups.
2. The people who have attended the ~15 vision-castings, seminars, and church services this month to remember the things they have learned and keep applying them in their daily lives; for continued spiritual growth.
3. Judah, Jenni, and Scott to arrive safely in Morocco with all their luggage, and God to make a way for the specific pastors and church leaders that he want to receive from them in person to attend the two upcoming DM vision-castings with eager hearts. No plans of the enemy to prevail against them.
Friday's Details:
First, here are a couple pictures from our team a few days ago as they prepared to fly to Cebu for the Thursday vision-casting and Friday marriage seminar.
"Today will be Pastor Daniel's first time to fly! His wife, Elsie, traveled overseas as a house helper when she was younger."Our traveling team heading to Cebu to raise disciple-makers! (Angelica, Wilson, Scott, Daniel, Elsie)
After the Thursday DM vision-casting, Scott said, "15 pastors came to the disciple-makers vision-casting, and 100% of them signed up to join DM groups!" Here they are.
Our leaders meeting with the 15 pastors who signed up to join DM groups
He continued, "We have only one couple trained to coach all those pastors, so that couple will lead one in-person group and another online group for those who came by boat." Yes, by boat! You read that right. Scott said, "Some came three hours on a fast boat, and others came six hours on a slow boat to be at the meetings this week."
That night, our team went to "10,000 Roses Café & More," a popular tourist destination in Cordova, Cebu, famous for its field of artificial, LED-powered white roses that glow at night.
10,000 plastic roses all illuminated
Located near the Cordova Tourism Center, this café offers a scenic spot to watch the sunset over the water and the CCLEX Bridge. At 5.5 miles, the CCLEX suspension-stayed bridge is the longest sea bridge in the Philippines. It connects Cebu City to Mactan Island, where our team is holding this week's meetings.
CCLEX bridge in July 2024Eating by the sea in Cebu (bridge in the background)
Everybody had to register and pay a small fee to attend the Better Together marriage seminar.
Afterwards, Scott said, "Great seminar today. We had about 20 couples, with more than half being pastors. They so resonated with the story about getting their fulfillment from ministry instead of their marriage."
Scott teaching the couples
And Angelica said, "Today it was like a family gathering because they are also the ones who attended the vision-casting. And I can feel the atmosphere that it was lighter, there is no resistance. They are all open for rebuke and correction. And also a lot of healing."
Near the end, each couple spent time alone together confessing, repenting, and praying.
Afterwards, the Hero and Princess contests were judged, prizes were given...
... and here are all the happy Better Together couples!
Soon the rest of our team will fly back to their homes in Villasis, and Scott will depart for Morocco.
Why Morocco, you may ask? Great question. Here's the short version of that story.
Some time back, Scott met a missionary here in the states named Tim who just happened to have grown up in Niger, Africa, a country of 29 million people. Tim is now home on furlough, but he lives in Morocco, where he oversees several churches and their pastors.
Scott and I also have longtime friends who just happen to lead a large ministry organization in Niger, and one of the pastors in that organization is Habibou ("hah-BEE-boo"). When Scott told Tim that we have friends in Niger, it turns out that Tim and Habibou actually KNOW each other (!!!), and Habibou and Tim are now in Scott's DM group. They both want to introduce the DM process to others in their areas, and Tim has gotten a number of folks in Morocco involved. So Scott is now leading a group of Moroccan pastors, and our friends Judah and Jenni who here in SW Missouri are leading a group of Moroccan church leaders. Amazing!
Next week, Judah and Jenni will be flying east while Scott is flying west, and the three of them will meet in Morocco to hold two different vision-castings in two cities. We are excited about the opportunity to help the disciple-makers there expand the DM movement to more believers in their areas.
We are all REALLY encouraged to know you are praying regularly for our team and those they are reaching. Thank you!
Pastor Arnel and our team are working on follow-up from last weekend's meetings where 180of the 386 attendees registered to join disciple-makers groups. WOW! Our folks will fly out to Cebu on Wednesday for a vision-casting, marriage seminar, and church service. Our first-ever South American group met yesterday(!), and plans are underway for two vision-castings in Morocco next week.
Tuesday's Prayer Requests:
1. The Holy Spirit to empower and direct the 15 coaches who are now setting up and kicking off DM groups for 180 new people following last weekend's seminars among the Foursquare pastors.
2. Good attendance at our team's meetings in Cebu on Thursday and Friday; for the pastors and church leaders who attend to see the need for raising up disciple-makers, understand the cost, and be willing to commit to the process.
3. Those in the new Peru/Columbia DM group to develop close relationships with each other as they work on their lessons and meet for accountability and iron-sharpening-iron discussion each week.
4. Safety for Scott as he travels to Morocco next week; God to guide and energize the vision-casting sessions there and solidify TTC's ongoing outreach in that nation.
Tuesday's Details:
Pastor Arnel ("ar-NELL") is the provincial director of the five divisions of the Foursquare denomination in the province of Pangasinan, an area about the size of Delaware where our Philippines command center is located. Pastor Arnel has been in Scott's DM group for some time and has been so impacted by the DM process that he wants ALL the Foursquare pastors under his oversight to have the opportunity to experience it. That is why he brought 386 folks to last weekend's seminars.
Today Scott said, "We spent the morning with Pastor Arnel discussing the new DM groups for the 180 who signed up...
Elsie & Pastor Daniel, My Hero, Pastor Arnel, _Pastors Wilson & Angelica
... He agreed to join our monthly meeting to discuss how the groups are going. We also made plans for the next two generations of DM groups. Once the pastors in these new groups have been trained, the Philippine Disciple-Makers Movement (PDMM) will hold vision-castings in cities in each of those five Foursquare divisions so we can expand the PDMM to other churches outside the Foursquare denomination."
Wednesday, the five pictured above (minus Pastor Arnel) will fly 1.5 hours to Cebu, where they will spend several days investing into local pastors there with a DM vision-casting and a Better Together marriage seminar for ministry couples. All the material in those seminars is totally based on the Bible, so we fully expect things to go well.
In other news, Scott added that the rainy season has started in the Philippines and it's [raining a lot harder] here than it is here in SW Missouri!
Meanwhile, our first-ever group of native Spanish speakers (although the group is actually being held in English because the two coaches are American) met last night with several people from Peru, two from Columbia, and a student from Venezuela who has a vision to take the Disciple-Makers Movement to his country. They discussed the first lesson, "New Life in Christ!"
First meeting of the "Peru" DM group!
Finally, you may have heard on the news that some people certain parts of the world (ahem, Iran) have not been especially happy with the UAE (United Arab Emirates) in recent weeks and have launched drone and missile strikes against that nation. On Sunday and Monday, Scott will be flying from Manila in the Philippines to Dubai in the UAE to Casablanca in Morocco. May there be no unrest or delays as he travels westward!
You might be tired of reading my requests for your PRAYERS, but they are vitally important for all our teams all over the world - and especially for my husband. = ) Thank you very much!
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
