Daphne and James commissioned this morning

[Robert James Hargrave]

Dear friends,

Glory to Jesus Christ!

This morning, 30 September 2012, at Holy Nativity Orthodox Church in Langley, British Columbia, Daphne and I were commissioned by Father Michael Gillis to serve as a long-term missionary family with the Orthodox Church in Tanzania, Holy Archdiocese of Mwanza. In the PS below you can find the text of the prayer that was said over us during the service.

This commissioning was the final step in our being sent as missionaries by the Orthodox Church here in North America. Your love, prayers, and support were joined together with those of the people who were physically present. Surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we look forward to the coming years with great joy. The journey begins as we leave for Africa on Tuesday, October 9th.

Before we leave, we plan to send a letter describing the work we will be engaged in, and a bit of background about us. We will enclose a card with our photograph and a prayer for missions as an aid as you remember us in your prayers. If you would like to receive this, please email us your physical mailing address immediately.

You can see photos of the commissioning service at http://tinyurl.com/hargravecommissioning

By your prayers in Christ,

James and Daphne Hargrave

PS This morning at the commissioning service, Father Michael prayed the following prayer over us:

O God our God, Who sent Your only-begotten Son for our salvation, and at His bidding gave to His disciples the Holy Spirit, send down Your Holy Spirit upon these your servants Daphne and James and commission them for this present ministry of proclaiming Your Good News sharing Your love. Travel with them as You traveled with Your servant Joseph and deliver them from all agitation and slander and all devices of the evil one. Keep them strong in body and soul so that they may be light to those still in darkness. And grant that they may fulfill in righteousness Your command to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to observe all that You have commanded. May their service be pleasing in Your sight that they may praise and glorify Your most Holy and magnificent Name, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen

James Hargrave

Orthodox Church in Tanzania

Holy Archdiocese of Mwanza

PO Box 1113

Mwanza, Tanzania

+1 (239) 410-0763 (USA)

+1 (604) 832-7006 (Canada)

+255 782 356 817 (Tanzania)

+254 706 255 380 (Kenya)

j.har...@ocmc.org

htttp://jhargrave.ocmc.org

http://blog.myocn.com/blog/James-Hargrave.html