After almost 30 years of serving God in south-west Africa, the highs, lows, and stories of ways God is working in Paul and Hilary’s lives are humbling to hear.
Paul and Hilary Gunnings’ many faithful years in Namibia have allowed them to walk alongside young people growing up in Namibia — like Tom*, who didn’t let having to canoe over a crocodile-infested river stop him from attending school, which he finished in seven years.
His education didn’t stop here either. Tom then went on to attend NETS, a Namibian Bible seminary set up to train pastors and church workers — and where Paul works.
As long-term mission workers, Paul and Hilary were able to witness Tom grow up, as he chose to follow the Bible rather than conform to his culture and paved the way for others after him. Stories like this echoed Hilary’s words: “The longer you’re there, the more you see it: long-term plans that you look back on and say: ‘Wow! God’s amazing.’”
Paul and Hilary not only shared stories about the lives of individuals, but also about how they have seen Namibia change as a country.
As a teacher at St Paul’s College, a Catholic school for children from Reception age through to sixth-form, Hilary has been able to walk with the children through significant changes. St Paul’s was the first school in Namibia to accept black students before independence, resulting in being banned by the government from taking part in school activities and sports. When Namibia became independent however, the school band was invited to march down independence as part of the celebrations, as a picture of an integrated society.
When asked what they find rewarding about mission work, Paul shared:
As a theological educator, I enjoy seeing students wrestling with the Bible and culture, as they not only understand the Bible better but also address cultural issues with biblical truths. They have to be critical of their cultures, asking: ‘As a Bible-believing Christian what can we keep from our culture? What in our culture do we have to stop doing and rule out?’ Seeing students go through this battle is an amazing process. I see it year after year, and it’s fascinating as God challenges people’s beliefs and cultures.
The opportunities to do mission in Namibia are currently focused on two key areas: discipleship and youth/children’s work.
For discipleship, mission workers are helping Christians grow in the way the gospel challenges their way of life, following God’s will for their lives and becoming more like Christ. NETS plays a key role in this, as it disciples students who, in turn, become pastors and church leaders and disciple others.
There is also a need for youth and children’s workers, as mission workers help churches with their youth and Sunday school programmes and show them the value in building up children and young people.
Pray for Paul and Hilary:
- For growth in the Namibian SIM team. With six overseas mission workers, and a similar number of Namibians associated with SIM, we pray for some younger members and short-term workers to join the team.
- For energy as they work in hands-on roles.
- For support to continue.
*Pseudonym used