Common Grace
October 2022
I've been thinking a lot lately about common grace. The things I used to call "gentle mercies," before I knew it had a real name. Common graces are things that God does that he rarely gets credit for that make our lives just that much easier in the middle of suffering.
You are among those common graces for me. You've walked with me through Phil's cancer journey. You've prayed with me as I learned to accept grief as part of who I am. You've supported, cheered, encouraged, and stood by me as I decided to continue to serve the children of West Africa.
Thank you. I thank my God for you each day, that you have been a part of His goodness to me.
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Some of the loveliest sympathy notes came from children in our various supporting churches.
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Back to Africa
In the next few months, I have three trips back to Africa scheduled! I'll admit to being a bit nervous about stepping out for the first time without Phil, but I know God will walk beside me. In my weakness, He is strong.
- South Africa, January 2023: I will be traveling to two retreats for AG personnel. Please pray that this can be a time of renewal and restoration, as well as new partnerships. It will be my first trip back to Africa since Phil’s passing. All prayers are appreciated.
- Togo, February 2023 : I will be going back to Togo to close up our household. This is the closure of an important chapter. I'll be saying farewells and having conversations about continuing partnership under a new model. I will also be setting up some logistics for the use of the funds given in memory of Phil to Africa's Children, including some individual scholarships and some teacher training plans.
- Cote d'Ivoire, March 2023: I will be spending about four weeks working with new missionaries in West Africa with a burden to work for and with children on the continent. I'll write more about this trip later, but I'm excited to see how God is redeeming some very old dreams and losses. Please pray!
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A quick selfie while the Sunday school teachers in our training seminar were working on a small activity!
Atakpamé, Togo
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Phil Malcolm Memorial Fund:
Africa’s Children
Africa’s Children, one of the ministries under the umbrella of the Assemblies of God World Missions, Africa Region, created a memorial fund in the wake of Phil’s passing. Gifts will be used to train Sunday school teachers, children’s ministry leaders, and pastors in Africa who otherwise wouldn’t have access to further training in KidMin. To date, over $31,000.00 has been given in Phil’s name and is already being used to build healthy children’s ministries in local churches in Africa. Thank you!
If you’d like to contribute specifically to this fund, gifts may be made at giving.ag.org, by searching account 078128, class (88), or by check, designated to the above account and class.
Assemblies of God World Missions, Africa’s Children
1445 N Boonville Ave
Springfield MO 65802
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