JOY News April, 2026

Written By Travis Dykes

Dear Pastors & Praying Friends,

I trust you all had a wonderful and blessed Easter season. What a joy it is to serve a risen Savior! We continue to receive encouraging reports from Africa—God is moving in mighty ways, and we are grateful to be part of what He is doing through JOY Missions as we seek to live the Gospel and love every life.

All of our churches are reporting lives being changed by the power of the Gospel. One of our Deaf men recently shared a wonderful testimony during our leadership time—his sister has trusted Christ as her Savior! What a reminder of the promise of God’s Word: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

The churches in Gaborone and Francistown continue to grow, and we are seeing God work in powerful ways. In Ramotswa, we have also received encouraging reports of individuals who had previously stepped away but are now returning. We are praying for their continued growth and faithfulness. Please specifically pray with us as we seek God’s provision for a full-time pastor for the church in Ramotswa. We plan to actively pursue this need when we return in September.

We have also received a tremendous blessing. A group we have been working with for several years has expressed a desire to help our Deaf ministry plant a church in Maun. The location where they had previously been meeting has closed, but their burden to reach the Deaf remains strong. They are now willing to provide seed funding to help establish a new church. This is a clear provision from the Lord, especially as we are heavily focused on raising funds for the JOY Life Center. Carella and I are planning a trip in September to visit, encourage, and help lay the groundwork for this new church. If the Lord continues to open these doors, this would place a Gospel witness in nearly every major region of Botswana. “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think…” (Ephesians 3:20)

We are also excited to share a family milestone—Logan and Nikki will be graduating on May 23rd! We will be hosting a gathering that afternoon and have included an invitation for all our partners. It would be a blessing to celebrate this special occasion with you.

Please continue to pray for us as we seek additional support for the work God has called us to. This has been a very busy season of travel, reconnecting with current partners, and reaching out to new churches. We are trusting the Lord to raise up new partnerships that will help us continue expanding the work—especially as we develop the JOY Life Center, a place dedicated to sharing the Gospel, discipling lives, and offering real help and hope to those in need.

We are deeply grateful for your faithful prayers and support. Please know that we are praying for each of you as well.

In Christ,
The Dykes Family

You can download the PDF of our latest newsletter by clicking here.

Travis Dykes

For 24 years, Travis Dykes has faithfully served as a missionary and pastor, dedicating his life to the Great Command by making disciples in Botswana and across the world. After decades of ministry in Africa, he is now stepping into a full-time role in pastoral care, leadership training, and Deaf outreach with Reach Missions. In this new season, Travis will continue to pour into global partners, equip leaders, and share the Gospel where it has yet to be heard.

As Travis begins this next chapter, we invite you to prayerfully consider becoming a monthly financial partner. Your support directly strengthens his work to reach the unreached, encourage frontline workers, and expand the Kingdom of God in tangible, life-changing ways.

Travis is currently serving in multiple nations, with a primary focus in Botswana and Ethiopia, and your partnership helps make that possible.

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