Warari Bible School

Connection, Aug. 2013

Rev. Case and Gremar Van Wyk

Contact: cgvanwyk5@gmail.com

Support: crwm@crcna.org

It has been a busy summer so far and it is not letting up. What a blessing to be able to spend time with family and friends. Gremar and I really had to stop and reflect on what missionaries give up when they and their families spend years away from their home country with short visits home. For a long time two and a half years was the length of the average tour on the mission field. Often, there was not a suitable school near-by for the children. In our early years in Nigeria we had two choices: home schooling or boarding school. We chose boarding school even though the school was far away in Jos. Our work in remote areas of Nigeria was not our children’s choice but they supported us in our efforts. We made our work on the mission field a family affair. One reason we chose boarding school is that the Nigerian village culture was great when our children were young but was not a healthy place when they became older. Second, Gremar had the opportunity to treat people and deliver babies as part of our overall outreach to the community. Our children speak positively about the boarding school experience for which we thank God. The other side of the story is that families on the home front also make sacrifices. At the time we did not think much about it but our parents were deprived of much interaction with the grand children. A reality brought home to us now that we have our own grandkids. So why are we still doing missions? Well, we are in a unique place of service right now. We know the trade language well, we have the experience to deal with remote situations, and we are able to befriend, love, and interact with the people we serve. However the bottom line is that God calls us to do the work of teaching, preaching and treating the ill in the name of Jesus while we have the strength to do so. The blessings far outweigh the sacrifices and we pray that is true for our state side family as well. We however are not able to do this work without you; we need your support and prayers.

Talking about strength for service, God is calling on us to dig deep right now. We know that disease, setbacks and problems in life are caused by Satan but God allows them and uses them; turning them into good and building us up and moving us to depend more on Jesus. Rom. 8:28-32. We ask you to pray for us that by God’s grace we are built up and encouraged as we go through prostate cancer and the treatment supporting each other. Surgery is set for Sept. 19. We had hoped to return to Nigeria in Nov. but now we set our sights on the middle of Jan. 2014.

That will still give us two full terms at the Warari Bible School. We step out in faith trusting God for healing and strength and trusting Him for the continued support and prayers from you. Please continue to pray for the School, staff, and students, and for the people of Niger State, Nigeria, where many still do not know Jesus. Thank you for all the things you do for the Kingdom. Praise Him! Rev. Case and Gremar Van Wyk.

Ps. Life is short! Live it to the full for Jesus!