August-October 2017
HERE & THERE HERE IN THE USA Missouri is a beautiful state. It looked even more green and lush after more than seven years in the desert. We crossed the state line into MO in September after a few whirlwind weeks that included in an interview at the US embassy in Johannesburg, a 50 hour trip to the US from South Africa and ten days in Colorado soaking up as much family time as we could. Reese and Avi have been amazed at how colorful and bright things are in America. They love pointing out each flag, pumpkin and Mustang they see, we look forward to them enjoying more American things in the coming months. We have been back in America for almost eight weeks now. We miss our friends and extended Namibian family dearly, but getting to see many of you face to face and experiencing your excitement for the work in Namibia has been a balm to our souls. We have settled quite well into our new apartment, thank you all for the donations of furniture and everything else that is needed to make a place home. One of our main goals in spending this year stateside is to recruit fellow workers for Namibia, this is also a main reasons we decided to accept the position as Resident Missionaries at Central Christian College of the Bible. We have many responsibilities both inside and outside of the classroom. Right now we are working on preparing students for the upcoming Spring Break missions trips. In the last two weeks we have interviewed more than 50 students interested in these trips. This is more than ten percent of the student body and speaks to the outward focus and ministry mindedness of the college. As we continue to work with the students who have shown an interest in working on the mission field we hope to identify and build a team to return to the field with us, while also contributing to the missions program here.
Prayer Needs Work Permit/Future work in Namibia Spiritual growth for the members of our Thrive communities Hope Cafe Support Raising Our work at CCCB
Special Dates
Sept 7 2017— - Arrived in USA
Sept 23— - Arrive in Moberly, MO
Nov 15-19— - International Conference on Missions (Peoria, IL)
Nov 20-27— - Colorado
Dec 22-Jan 6— - Colorado
Jan 7-12, 2018— - MTI Debrief
Keep up with us between these Another goal is to invest as much time as possible in our relationships here in the United States, especially with our supporting newsletters! Like us churches and individuals. Being sent out by the body of Christ in America to expand the kingdom in Namibia has been an or visit adventure we struggle to communicate in a newsletter or blog post. We have already had the privilege of sharing on facefacebook to face our website and about 3 Measures in churches, college classrooms, Sunday School classes, home groups, at special events, with missions teams, blog: www.3measur.es over lunches in restaurants and in homes of great people. If we haven’t had a chance to sit down with you or your church yet, please let us know if you’re interested in hearing what God has been doing and how grateful we are for the opportunity to go. David & Sandy Echols – 3940 Oberding Dr. Colorado Springs, CO 80911 –david@3measur.es
THERE IN NAMIBIA "For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth." 3 John 1:3,4 It has been more than three months since we left our spiritual children back in Namibia. On our second to last night there we had a baptism for a young man in one of our Thrive communities. As we were about to begin, the members of our other Thrive group showed up unexpectedly. They brought snacks and drinks and gave us a nice surprise send off. We spent the night celebrating the new life & reminiscing on the past several years. It was beautiful to see so many beloved disciples together laughing, sharing stories & remembering all the good that God has allowed us. It was also heartbreaking to say goodbye. The hardest part is the uncertainty and concern for their wellbeing. It is difficult for us to not be there for them.
Support Although we will be located in the States for an extended "home assignment," we will continue to rely on support & will do our best to operate on the same budget while we are away from Namibia. We will however, need to raise that support level before the start of our next term in Namibia. Upon our return we will need to be prepared to pay more for rent and to pay school fees for both kids. If you would like to join the work of Three Measures through a monthly commitment or one-time gift, simply go to www.3measur.es/donate OR return the included response card OR contact us at support@3measur.es. Contributions are solicited with the understanding that YWAM-SF has complete discretion and control over the use of all donated funds. Please make checks payable to Youth With A Mission-Strategic Frontiers, or YWAM-SF. All gifts are tax deductable and are requested and/or received with the understanding that YWAM-SF has complete discretion and control over the use of all donated funds
As difficult as it is to be away, there is no greater joy than to know that so many of them are walking in Christ. In the passage above we see that John understood this and as I read through Paul's letters I find the same (see 1 Thess 2:11-13). The apostles loved, taught and served their disciples, then they trusted them with the Lord. What greater joy could there be, than to see them continue to walk in Truth? With that in mind & knowing how much we love them, please pray with us for the believers in Namibia and for 3 Measures as it carries on. One of our communities is doing really well, praise God for that and pray for the Holy Spirit to continue His work there. The other group is still a community, but they are struggling to meet with the consistency that they've had. Please pray for God to protect and guide them. Finally, pray for Hope Cafe as it continues.
Thanks for your prayers and support, David, Sandy, Reese & Avi Echols