"...entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. Prov.19:21

The phone woke me at 2:30 am and the nurse quickly told me that Susan’s father, Jack, was being taken to the hospital. I woke Susan, groggily made her a cup of coffee, and she rushed off to meet her dad at the emergency room. You see, Jack has Alzheimer’s and Susan’s approval is needed for his medical care.

On the Home Front

A lot goes on between trips to Africa!

I returned from West Africa in February, thankful for all that God had done during that ministry trip. And since I had some time before my next planned trip, I anticipated getting lots done on the expansion and revision of the ELI Romans curriculum. Well, it was good that God had orchestrated this time in the US for me because a lot has taken place on the home front in the past two months!
Since Christmas Susan and I have been caring for her 92-year-old father, Jack Scott. But two weeks after I returned from Ghana, he was diagnosed with pneumonia. The following two months were something of a whirlwind as Jack was shuffled from one facility to another. He is now at an Alzheimer’s care facility where we hope he will be able to enjoy a measure of stability.
Through all of this, Susan has been by Jack’s side: literally and figuratively. She visits him often twice a day, wrestles with the byzantine bureaucracy of the Veterans’ Administration, and manages Jack’s finances. And in God’s kind providence, since I am not traveling as much this Spring, I have been available to help her help her father.
During this same time, I preached several times, did some coaching, and taught most of an Early Church History class at RTS (and graded the papers!). Susan and I also took some time to visit my mother who is in an assisted living facility in Illinois. We are trying to sell her house, and there is a LOT of work to do there.

ELI Progress and Plans
Of course, God has been gracious in ELI responsibilities as well. As I mentioned, I’m taking a critical look at the Romans notes that were first produced almost 10 years ago and revising them so that they can be more “user friendly” for the leaders ELI is training. This review is being done at the request of the ELI board, since Romans is one of ELI’s core courses. In the coming years, this material will be placed in the hands of many thousands of pastors, leaders, and teachers in Africa and Asia. They will join the thousands who have already been taught Paul’s exposition of the gospel of God’s grace. It is a vital work, and I hope the next six weeks will see the project largely completed.
As I write, ELI’s Nigerian country coordinator, Dr. Gideon Umukoro, is staying with us. He is in the US to raise funds for a new teaching hub in Lagos – a venture ELI will be assisting. He and I have been able to speak in two churches, presenting ELI’s ministry and encouraging God’s people. In late June, Susan and I will host Sam Oppong, the ELI country coordinator from Ghana, who is coming to the US for ELI’s summer staff meeting at the PCA General Assembly in Mobile, AL. Susan and I will be Mobile too, attending the staff meeting and contacting potential part-time teachers who will be there that week.
In July, my overseas travels will resume with two weeks in Nigeria followed by a short time Ghana. I will return to West Africa in September, spending the month in Ghana and perhaps Nigeria.

Prayer Requests:
Clearly, this has been a busy time with more yet to come. However, we rejoice that God continues to provide our needs and give us strength for His service. We hope you will join with us and take the following thanksgivings and requests before the Lord:

Thank Him for the progress of the work of training West African leaders. God’s Word is working powerfully in many lives as a result of the training these leaders have received, and we are very encouraged.Ask Him to give me clarity, spiritual wisdom, and insight as I continue to work on the Romans revision.We also need God’s direction as we finalize plans for the July and September trips. Part of this direction will be His provision of teachers to accompany me and teach MINTS classes.Thank Him also for all those who faithfully support our work both through prayer and financial gifts.Ask Him to give emotional and physical strength as we continue to minister to our aging parents.

We thank God for each of you and for your ministry to us. We pray for His abundant blessing on you!

For Christ’s Kingdom,
Dan