Sunday, September 30, 2012

Missionary Info

We wrote a quick summary of the ministry here in Cote d'Ivoire for one of our churches and thought you might like one as well. You already know everything I think - skim and delete.  That is what is so great about computers.  I can delete lots of stuff and feel good -  like I am cleaning house.
 
Name:

Dan and Joan Cuthbertson

Address where cards may be sent:

Evangel Baptist Church
16994 Telegraph Rd.
Taylor MI 48180-5108
 
Area of Service:
 
Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa

Length on the Field:
 
We started serving in Liberia, West Africa in 1987, and served there until the civil war broke out in 1991.  We have been serving here in Côte d'Ivoire since 1994.

Birthdays:

Dan ……….       Oct. 18
Joan ………       July 8
Ruth Marie ..      Mar. 26, 1990
Hannah …...       Oct. 1, 1991
Seth ……….      May 30, 1993
Lydia ……...      Dec. 4, 1994
Susanna …...      June 18, 1996
Isaiah ……         May 30, 1998
Stephen …         Oct. 11, 1999
Rebekah ...         May 18, 2001
Josiah …...        Oct. 25, 2002
Joseph …..         Mar. 22, 2004
Esther ……        Oct. 7, 2006
Gideon . . .        Feb. 16, 2010

Any interesting facts 
  God has blessed us with such a wonderful family.  People sometimes think that just happens --it doesn't.  He has been growing each of us each step of the way.  I want to do an individual, personality, run-down on each of the kids, but that would take too long.  Someday I'll do it and include pictures.  
Most of the kids are heavily involved in the ministry here.  We love life, love the Lord, love the ministry and no one is anxious to leave.  Ruth and Hannah are midwives - having spent 2 years in the Philippines and have each delivered over 100 babies.  They are headed to Bible College and whatever God has in store for them.
Seth loves to witness.  He has a tender conscious, wants to keep himself unspotted from the world and wants to be used by God.  He has been preaching since he was 16 --in English and now in French.  Every Sunday he takes a taxi (costs $2.00) to a village where Dan and he are working on starting a church.  They both - along with Lydia (plays the piano) and Isaiah (plays the guitar)- go to this same village on Friday nights to preach and have a service.  Fruit is coming and people are growing.  Seth loves to play the piano, guitar and accordion --and maybe any instrument he can get his hands on.  
Lydia, Susanna, Isaiah, and Stephen play the piano and guitar both at the church here in Lac. and in the village.  They also take care of the nurseries for Sunday School and Church, as well as taking care of my own two little ones --Esther and Gideon.  They each have a vital spot to fill.
Rebekah - 11, is helping our "maid" learn to read French - wow.  Nadege can't grow much in the Word because she can't read.  She teaches Rebekah, Josiah and Joseph French; but I have her read to Rebekah since Rebekah can read French better (Does that make sense?).  This term, Nadege got saved and her two daughters.  Wow.  That is what I feel at a new birth.  Now we are trying to disciple them.  Since being saved,  Nadege has left the Catholic church and comes to ours with her daughters.  
All these new converts - in the village and here in San Pedro - are soon to be baptized; that is the next step.
  Dan preaches here on Sun. and Wed. and in the village on Friday nights.  He has many Bible studies using Rogma (a correspondence Bible course --though hand delivered) going on; goes out visiting on Sat. and Sun.; leads Bible studies at home; helps with the little ones and school; and is basically a great man.  I do the ladies' studies and the children's classes -  not counting everything at home.  I am also a midwife and help out with deliveries as I am needed.  
Maybe you can tell, we love our family and feel so privileged that God has let us raise them for these few short years. May God be praised and honored in all.  
You may have also noticed that we love animals and have many pets; even more are not in the picture.  All of us are healthy; no one takes medicine.  Thank the Lord for all His blessings.  We welcome visitors. 
Thank you for your prayers and support.

Love in Christ,
Dan and Joan