Prayers for Mara

Romans 10:17- So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Please join us in praying for the languages in the Mara region that are waiting for God's Word in their heart language.

Ikizu-Sizaki
Ikoma-Nataisenye
Jita
Kabwa
Kuria
Kwaya
Ngoreme
Suba-Simbiti
Zanaki
Zinza

These languages represent people. These people need to learn to read, write, and understand God's Words. These people need Jesus. He loves them and so do we.

Until Everyone Has Heard,
Kellee

Why We Tell Our Stories

   I am sure that many of you who read our blog have often wondered why we tell our stories. Sometimes our posts may be a little "more reality" than you would like to read. But, my friends, the Gospel is messy. To be an ambassador of Grace is not an easy feat in a fallen and dying world. If we take our real experiences and cover them in any way, then we are ashamed of Grace, the Gospel, and God. We are debtors to the Tanzanians and the rest of the World(Romans 1:14) because we have received Grace and our calling as Missionaries to bring about the obedience of faith among the Tanzanians(and the rest of the World) for His name's sake(Romans 1:5). Freely we received and freely we give, or we nullify Grace. I think that scripture stands alone and does not need any help from me to clarify. So, listen to Romans 15:15-19, and join us in taking the Grace that you have freely received to your neighborhood, your city, your country, and the nations.


                                                                 Romans 15:15-19
         
     But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God, to be a Missionary of Christ Jesus to the Tanzanians(and the World), ministering as a Missionary the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Tanzanians(the lost of the World) may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Tanzanians(lost of the World) by word and deed, in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from America and round about as far as Tanzania(the ends of the World) I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.


   We tell our stories so that you can rejoice in our hardships and victories alike. Through them we pray that you see an unending stream of Grace and obedience. We consider it ALL joy, my friends, when we encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of our faith produces endurance(James 1:2-3). Because of our debt to Grace and the Gospel we are indebted to everyone in every nation that has not heard of this Grace.

Until Everyone Has Heard,
The Cogdills

When Love Fills Your Basket

 I have spent my entire life talking and teaching.  I never understood why God had given me the power of the spoken word but for some reason that is how he made me. Now, I can look back and see that it is a blessing. Now, I talk and teach in  two languages all day long but it has begun to wear on me a little. By about 5pm my mouth and my body just shut down. I literally find my self collapsing on the bed and laying there for hours in complete silence. The sound of the wind and local wildlife are my allies drifting me into a peaceful worship. I pray for God to sustain me and refresh me so that tomorrow I can be salt and light. Just like the rising of the sun, He provides all that I need. So, each day I head out and greet my fellow brother and sisters, teach two Tanzanian girls in Swahili and English, correct the studies of my own children, and provide ESL for four Tanzanian Mommas. So my body goes through the movements of the day switching from Kellee the American to Kellee the Tanzanian Missionary. Back and forth, back and forth, until I fall into the slumber of my dreams which thank God are always in perfect English.

The other day, as I headed into town, I found myself at the end of the road and I didn't know how I had gotten there. I had walked all the way into town without any mental remembrance. I recognized the signs from all my training, I was exhausted. Long days and long hours had finally caught up with me.  I stood for a while watching the traffic and then I took and deep breath and headed to the market. Everyday my friends in town expect to see me. They expect me to sit and talk for a while, share a cup of tea, greet them and their families. On that day, I didn't want to be me. I just wanted to be invisible. I wanted to enter and exit without a word, without a hand shake, without any contact what so ever.

I headed to my favorite Muslim lady, Mama Helen, to buy some fruit and vegetables. I could not even utter out what I needed. Standing there I thought to myself, "If I open my mouth to say one word, all that is going to come is tears. Lord, I am doing all that I can to stand at this point, would you please fill my basket?" Mama Helen knows me and what I buy in the market.  So, while all of these thoughts were reeling in my head, something in my brain triggered my hand to reach out. So, I reached out and grabbed on to Mama Helen's arm. At this point, she rescued me. How is that possible? The Muslim rescue the Christian? It is supposed to be the other way around. Today God showed me that He shines His light on the lost and found alike. The same sun that rose for me today is the same sun that brought light to Mama Helen. God's love is for all the world. And, when one of His children is in need He can use anyone or anything to demonstrate His love. On this day he used Mama Helen to fill my basket.

God was not showing me a general love that he offers to the world, or a sustaining love that gives sun and rain to His enemies and children alike, but on this day, He was showing me the love that He has for His bride. He was keeping me. He was working in me what was pleasing in His sight( Hebrews 13:21). He was saying to me that nothing can separate you from Me, and I will go to any length possible (even using a non-believer) to demonstrate My love for you. I have not called you to wear you down. But, if you ever feel that way, I will take great lengths to refresh you and hold you.

O that God would grant you to know this love. Take hold of its power, savor it, and rest in it. Spend the rest of your life commending it to everyone you know. I know that I will because I am daily changed by the love of God. What about you?

When Waves Come and Our Feet Fail

 

Our Prayer.



 

 

Increase our borders and our trust, Lord.

 

Until Everyone Has Heard.

 

In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

 

 

 

 

The Effect of Grace

January 20, 2014

Today is another Monday. A new week. A time for me to look back on what is finished and to look ahead to what is yet to be accomplished. There is not a role in life that can be lived the way that God wants it lived apart from His enabling Grace. It is the Grace received by faith that called me and it is the Grace renewed each day that allows me to continue. I am to serve Christ with the Grace with which He serves me.
                         
    Romans 1:5[Jesus Christ our Lord], through whom we have received grace and____ to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name's sake.

I included, Jesus Christ our Lord, from verse 4 of Romans chapter 1, because I wanted to remind us of where this Grace came. I also left a blank in the place of the word "apostleship" because "apostleship" was Paul's calling and not mine or yours. You can insert what it is that you have been called by Christ to do here.

You will discover the essence of how God means for you to live your life.

God has freely given me forgiveness and the power to do a calling, and fulfill a role which I have accepted by faith. As I stated above, " There is not a role in life that can be lived the way that God wants it lived apart from His enabling Grace." Being a godly mother, missionary, IT guy, etc... is impossible without the power of Grace.

So, when Paul writes, 1 Corinthians 15:10- But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me, the deciding factor in your ministry is Grace, God's Grace. We should be so quick to proclaim, just like Paul, that it is nothing that we bring but is everything that God has lavished upon us through his son, Jesus Christ.

So, how will you labor today? Will you labor as one receiving pay or one who has received Grace?

Dear Lorali,

I wish that I could meet you in person. Your mommy and I went to high school together and we made lots of wonderful memories. I read a little note that your mommy shared on facebook. After reading the note,  I wanted to tell you that you are my favorite missionary.

That's right, you are a missionary!

A few months ago you had missionaries in your church that told you stories of their lives around the world. They shared with you the awesome job that they have of telling others about Jesus. I wish that I could have been there. I am a missionary too. I live in Africa and get to spend my days sharing God's love and teaching little boys and girls, just like you, about the stories in the Bible. It is truly the greatest job ever!

In the story that your mommy shared you had a question about the special gift  that your family was giving to help missionaries all over the world. Your mom shared with you that it was a special donation your family was making above your tithe. Well, I wanted you to know that our family was the recipient of one of those special gifts. A few months ago your family gave a love gift to our ministry. It was sent so that I did not have to teach my boys and girls outside. Because of your family we were able to build a Sunday school room. The best part about your gift was that it was so generous that we not only were able to build a small room to keep us out of the rain and hot sun but we were able to build a WHOLE SCHOOL! See, God took your gift and multiplied it and now not only will children be blessed on Sunday but every day of the week. That is what happens when families like yours make a big sacrifice and give big to God.

I hope that you will continue to share God's Love with everyone you meet. God has placed you as His missionary at your school. You have a special gift that some boys and girls do not have, the love of Jesus in your heart. I will pray that you will be bold and make His name famous. Your mommy and daddy are great examples of what happens when you have so much love for Jesus that it spills over to the rest of the world. You and your family are very precious to us and the children here in Musoma, Tanzania. May you continue to shine your light because we are seeing it 8,000 miles away.



Our prayer is that more people will be like Lorali and her family. What may seem like a small gift to you  goes a long way here. We are still praying for money to finish the building. We need a floor and chairs and then we can start meeting inside. The preschool is scheduled to open in January so we are praying that this need is met soon. Would you consider helping us finish this building? You can reach us at Kellee_Cogdill@sil.org. Please join us in praying for the completion of this incredible blessing.




Here is a picture of the new Sunday school and preschool classroom. We are so excited to move into our new building soon!

Until Everyone Has Heard,
Kellee

It Must Be You

The past few weeks I have realized that there is nothing good in me. It is easy to forget that I am not here because of anything that I have done. It is easy to forget that even when you ask me to leave everything and minister to your people that does not make me special. Actually, I have learned that in a third world culture, so much of my flesh is exposed. It is not pretty.

                                          When I am confronted with costs of discipleship,

                                                                    I still sin.

I  get angry.
I  feel weak and unsuited.
I  argue with God and shake my fists at His ways.
I  try to find a way to  lead and have a horrible time at waiting.
I stop and ask, "Why did you use me? I told you that I was not the best choice."

                                                   So, I stopped and opened Your Word.

 I was reading about my fellow sinner, Moses. He was the servant but the master was, You. You took the worthless murderer that stuttered in speech and made him apart of redemption. He was just a broken, clay pot and You filled in the holes and used him anyway. You were the courage in front of Pharaoh. You were the voice that set Your people free. You were the steady hand that lifted the staff and parted the seas. Moses, like me, was just a man; weak and helpless. He listened to the fire and positioned himself under Your cleft. He waited. He followed. He was never perfect. That is the Glory. Perfection arises out of the imperfect.  Nothing deserved but everything gained.

I want to be like Moses: ready, available, and fully aware that the only reason that my journey continues is, It Must Be You.