Mark and Margaret Noblin with some orphans in front of Granny's Home build in June 2005 in Africa.

Several years ago if you asked Mark and Margaret if they would be missionaries to Africa they would have said, “no way.”  Both having corporate jobs in Dallas Texas and no interest in Africa it seemed like the last thing on the horizon, but God had other plans!  God started working on Mark in the area of missions first, all the time training Margaret in Women’s ministry at Northwest Bible Church Women’s Ministry, Bible Study Fellowship and later at Bent Tree Bible Fellowship where there is strong interest in Africa Missions.  

In 2001, they joined their first mission trip, serving at a Bible camp for children in an impoverished area of Guatemala. On this trip, they visited a nearby House of Hope Orphanage. Mark and Margaret were overwhelmed by the joy of the Lord in the faces of the children who once had been abandoned by the world. The vision of Houses of Hope is to rescue orphans in impoverished countries, place them in a home with Christian parents and 12-15 other children like them, disciple them, and train them.

For a year Mark became more and more involved in Guatemala as God opened doors and changed his perspective until he took the plunge into missions. Joining People for Missions in June 2002, he served as a U.S. mobilizer, with responsibilities including leading mission trips, recruiting resources and representing People for Missions in the field. On a trip to visit various Houses of Hope in India, Mark decided to take a slight detour to Uganda to visit a House of Hope in Uganda.  Margaret continued to serve in women’s ministry as God began changing her perspective and preparing her for what would later be a passion for the women and children of Africa. 

In 2003, Mark and Margaret were officially commissioned as missionaries by the board of People for Missions.  One of the board members made a comment that later proved to be so true.  He said, “God will pull together all your gifts and use them.”  God doesn’t waste anything and all the Noblins’ training, education and experiences are being used in Africa.  During the next two years they traveled back and forth to Africa while taking care of Margaret’s mother who lived with them.  Margaret’s mother loved having visitors from India, Africa and Guatemala visit and commented once, “It is like having the League of Nations in our home.”  The summer of 2004 Margaret’s mom joined the Lord in heaven.   

In the fall of 2004 an African friend visited the Noblins and encouraged them to pray about coming to Kampala, Uganda to live for a year.  He stressed that much could be accomplished in a year and that he could use our help.  Margaret was nervous and resistant at first. But after God answered several prayers during the visit to Uganda in November, she was ready to move.  After exploring housing and finding a place to live they headed back to the U.S. to deal with their own home and the move.  They first thought maybe they should sell their home but after putting it on the market and not getting any activity, they decided to try to rent it.  After a short time on the market, a wonderful lady arrived to see the house and said she had prayed that the Lord would provide a home for her family so they could be together for the holidays.  She and her husband wanted to rent the house furnished and were fine with a short term lease.  The Noblins knew the rental of the house was an answer to prayer and a confirmation they were on the right path.  

The year 2005 was packed with ministry to men, women and children in and around Kampala, Uganda. Mark helped launch the men’s discipleship/loan program and Margaret focused on developing women leaders and ministering to orphans and children. During the year Margaret used her corporate meeting planning and event skills at a pastors conference for 2,500 pastors, Mark used his teaching and business training to train and disciple the men, a home for orphans was built in a village across Lake Victoria, one was built in Miwani, Kenya and three teams visited and were encouraged to continue the passion God had placed in their hearts.  

In 2006 AWANA clubs were started in Kabale and Rukunjiri, Uganda and Kisumu, Kenya.  Then in 2007 AWANA clubs were added in Busia and Wakiso, Uganda.  Margaret spent time in several cities teaching church leaders how to use the Hope for the Heart Biblical Counseling Keys by June Hunt and continues refresher classes.  Mark continues to work as executive director of The Rock Kingdom Capital Outreach Inc. www.rockcapital.org discipling young men and women , providing scholarships for secondary, technical and university students and making no interest small business loans.

Many new ministry opportunities are developing for 2008 and beyond in Kabale, Rukunjiri and Kampala, Uganda, and Kisumu, Kenya. A new House of Hope, Kabale Uganda was opened in April 2007 and AWANA clubs are growing in Busia and Wakiso, Uganda.  Further research and discussions are being explored concerning additional Houses of Hope in Kabale, Uganda.  The Board of Houses of Hope asked Margaret to become East African Director of Houses of Hope in 2007 to coordinate the activities, short term trips and future developments in East Africa.  

The Noblins return to Africa several times a year and welcome short term missionaries to join them on these trips. See the latest newsletter or visit their blog for current information and opportunities to join in where God is at work.

Mark and Margaret have a daughter, son-in-law and four grandchildren. They split their time between their home in Dallas, Texas, where they are missionaries and members of Bent Tree Bible Fellowship, and Africa (Uganda and Kenya).