Family Update

This fall we have remained in contact with friends in Haiti. It has been extraordinarily difficult in Port-au-Prince. Massive demonstrations and daily roadblocks have forced the closure of schools (including our former school, Quisqueya), businesses and our ministry partners. The protesters are demanding the resignation of the current President, Jovnel Moise. The instability has resulted in economic collapse, high inflation, and food shortages. Like the people of Israel 2000 years ago, the people of Haiti are waiting for the Prince of Peace to bring some wholeness to this long-suffering country. Pray for our Resonate colleagues, Johnny and Kim Gryglewicz, as they faithfully serve under difficult conditions.

We give thanks to God at the end of 2019 for his great faithfulness to us and our family. Sharon continues her internship at the Metro Health Hospital south of Grand Rapids through March. Zach has experienced God’s presence through some very intense periods of change as he and his team lead Resonate Global Mission. Hannah is doing great academically during her Junior year and will get her driver’s license before the year is out. Vivian, Isaiah, and Esther are all enjoying middle school and being challenged by ample homework. May God bless you in 2019!

The Long View

The long view often reveals God at work. But it is almost always the most difficult view to take. This fall Resonate Global Mission recognized the 100th anniversary of the departure of Johanna Veenstra for Nigeria. Veenstra was the first Christian Reformed overseas missionary. As a single young woman, Veenstra was not embraced by many in the CRC who thought she would be better off at staying at home. Also, there were many racist attitudes against Nigerians within the CRC in 1919. Against all odds, God worked through this young woman from New Jersey to bring many to Christ until her death in 1933. During this time, Veenstra’s passion and eloquent writing changed perceptions back home about international missions and encouraged many young people (including women) to get involved in Gospel outreach. Through Veenstra’s work and that of many other missionaries and Nigerian evangelists, two Nigerian denominations were established that number many hundreds of thousands of more believers than are within today’s Christian Reformed Church in North America. In 2002-03 Sharon and Zach had the opportunity to teach at Veenstra Seminary in Donga, Nigeria, not far from Veenstra’s original mission station. We personally witnessed the “long view” of what God did through the early ministry of the CRC in Nigeria.

Christmas Greetings from the Segaar-Kings