IGNITE April 2025
Greetings, Precious Saints! I write this IGNITE while heading home on a 17-hour flight from Zimbabwe, where I gathered with my sweet siblings. The four Millar family siblings are pictured above from left to right— My precious sister, Jan; dear brothers, Richard and Andrew, and me, Colin.
I flew from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, through Rome to Washington DC., and now back to Texas. All the while, I’m thinking and praying for families: “Oh, dear Lord Jesus, thank You for the remarkable gift of our family love for one another. Would You use this IGNITE to heal rifts in families or just deepen our love for You and each other? It’s in Jesus name I pray, amen.” ❤️🙏❤️
HIGHLIGHTS AND GOD-INCIDENCES
I have the daily joy of communicating with my three siblings through our WhatsApp group, where we thrive in an ever-deepening relationship and friendship. Remarkably, the four of us live with our families in four different nations around the world!
- First, there’s me, Colin, 70. I reside in San Marcos, Texas.
- Next is my sister, Jan, 69. She, her second daughter, Stephie, and her precious 3-month-old granddaughter, Tyla, live in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Jan graciously hosted our family reunion!
- Third is my brother, Andrew, 67. He and his family live in Cape Town, South Africa!
- Last, and certainly not least, is my brother, Richard, 64. He and his bride, Gayle, live outside of Oxford in England. Gayle was the only spouse to join us during this year’s gathering.
The last time we all four and our families united was at the wedding of our second son, Christopher, and his wife, Ashley, in The Woodlands, TX, on December 28, 2013! For this gathering, however, Chelsea, Jan’s firstborn, who lives in Medellin, Columbia, flew the furthest to join us. And we were so grateful that she did!
Overall, we spent 17 glorious days in and around Bulawayo, preparing and enjoying over 44 flavor-filled meals, without having a single restaurant meal! One amazing meal included a sheep on the spit for Jan’s birthday at her home called, “Owlswood.” There were 30 of us gathered to celebrate her special day!
Bernard, our Spit Master and Chef!
CHERISHING FAMILY MEMORIES AND MAKING NEW ONES!
In addition to visiting dear friends, we stopped by some of our favorite places, like the Spanish House! This home was where we grew up. While there, we spent our time recalling many hilarious and old family memories and fun stories and making many rich new ones.
The Spanish House- Our childhood home!
The whole team at the Spanish House.
Our two from-birth sisters, Sally and Didy, also joined us from New Zealand. In addition, Trish from Zambia joined us for four days amid our time there.
On our last Saturday, the four of us overnighted in tents at Rowallan Camp on the beautiful grounds of Matopos National Park, nestled in the magnificent and scenic Matopos Hills of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. God revealed His glorious presence the previous morning with a majestic double rainbow.
Double-rainbowed in God’s glory with Chelsea, Jan’s first daughter who lives in Columbia.
The next night, during our camping excursion, He happened to put a full moon on display just as the sun was setting in the open western sky!
Jan, my precious Sister.
The Full Moon Rising
On that beautiful rocky hilltop above our campsite, the four of us enjoyed sun-downers and biltong (heaven’s version of beef jerky)! We watched the sky vigilantly as we sat, stood, and walked toward the east side. Suddenly, the brilliant full moon appeared 🌕, and being on the west side, we were fortunate also to see the sun slowly slip beneath the horizon! 🌄 It was a stunning moment, and we felt the presence of God’s glory while basking in the joy of our sibling love for each other!
KEEP PRAYING FOR YOUR FAMILY AND WAITING ON GOD
As you’ve read these little snippets from one of the most incredible times God gave us in Zimbabwe, I have a sincere desire in my heart for you. My deep encouragement is that you will also be encouraged to pray more intentionally, persistently, and expectantly for your loved ones. Ask God to bring His love and cause it to shine even more brightly in our families!
THERE’S POWER IN GIVING
If this IGNITE has touched your heart, ask God if He would have you make a gift to Igniting Prayer Action!
Many thanks and blessings to you all,
😊 Chkk-Chirrrrrrrrrrrrrr, in the Joy of Jesus!
– Colin
