We're back!

We arrived safely back in Canada, after a 44 hour trip! Back in our house at 4:30 a.m. Some very kind and thoughtful people had come to clean our house and turn the hot water back on! You know who you are! May God bless you richly! All we had to do was shower and fall into bed for a couple of hours.

Sunday was -42C (with the wind chill factor) and as I mentioned, the Sunday before was +42C!! Isn't life so interesting?

Can't wait to see all of you and share our experiences!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Today.....

We are leaving +35 and even +42 to return to Canada.....

Wonder what we will be landing in?

trying to have courage.....

CELEBRATE!

We had a really GREAT celebration today of the first ever, New Life English Class! It was a full house with many guests, great worship, and unforgettable fellowship!

From the book 'Dangerous' by Caleb Bislow & Ted Kluck

"Missions isn't a trip to the zoo. It's not a check list of how many fascinating pictures you took. It's not about seeing places and meeting interesting people. Missions is a hospital. It's about loving, helping, and rescuing people in their deepest areas of need."

-----------------

someone else...sorry.....I forget where I got this;

"let it be our deepest desire in life to know God, to hear His voice, and to follow Him!

there will undeniably be moments when you look like a fool as you try to follow God’s voice. Noah didn’t receive the world’s applause when he followed the Lord’s voice. He was rejected and laughed at, but that did not stop him from being faithful to God’s calling.

I’m not ministering in my own inadequate strength.

many of us have  full resumes of what we did for God, I would rather have a resume full of what God did through me!"

breaks my heart......

"Nearly half the world I see is living on less than two dollars a day ........ I see a world where eight million people will die this year alone due to diseases related to their poverty.".....Kyle Idleman

There are many children growing up in this area, with no knowledge or hope of a better life. This is a huge settlement, with literally thousands of cardboard homes. 

This Christmas when you enjoy your family supper, would you please remember to pray for them?

Also join us in praying that God will put us in a place to affectively address the needs of widows and orphans. Thank you!

May the presence of our great God fill your homes and hearts this Christmas and in the New Year!

Dear friends.....

Here are a few of our dear friends from the New Life  Church plant, here in Kinshasa!

As the poster behind declares....we have all this because of JESUS!

This is a BEAUTIFUL country!!  On our way out to a rural area, we travelled on this wonderful road. It was so enjoyable, I wanted to share it with you.

weep with those who weep.........

Standing together with this dear lady and the Lord! You can't see Him, but then.......you CAN see Him. Don't you agree?

Maybe you have doubts about God’s love for you. Know today that God looks beyond your doubts. He wants to reveal Himself to you. He wants to walk through life with you.

Bukavu.......

For the last month, we have been in charge of the church plant in Kinshasa, as Pastor Raha took time away to accompany our missionaries, Ron & Elaine to Bukavu to see the work of the mother church.
In the last week of Ron & Elaine's stay in Congo, I also travelled to the east. Here is a very brief overview of that trip.......

To get there, we must travel by plane and then by boat.....

On arrival, there was a very warm reunion with the Bethsaida Church Board! It was wonderful to connect with these great men of God again!! Pastor Raha is standing beside me.

It was then a blessing from God to reunite with Ron & Elaine before their departure. They did a very great work in Bukavu and area, and were so loved and appreciated! God used you mightily! Everyone is looking forward to a second visit in 2017! THANK YOU SO MUCH RON & ELAINE!! May God reward you abundantly!

In the few days I was there, it was my privilege to visit a new school started for the underprivileged of the village. There are some VERY courageous people in the world, I tell you!! Against all odds, and at great personal sacrifice, they educate children to improve the future of Congo and the lives of people in general......especially the neediest!

My heart is always stirred by these precious faces........

Our time was unexpectedly cut short, however, we were able to visit a few churches, where I had the honour of preaching. God is always faithful, and He was with us, as you can see!!

And then, all too soon, it was time to say farewell to our brothers and sisters in Bukavu......

God be with you, we love you, and pray He will reunite us once again!!

Seasons......

Where some people have 4 seasons each year, we only have 2....wet & dry......I will let you guess which one we are presently enjoying......

St Ouens Church.....

We were so touched by all the gifts you sent us. Bibles, office supplies, household items, personal and professional needs were met. There was great excitement at the sight of so many Bibles!! Other items were put to use immediately.

'Thank you' is too small to contain our appreciation! But it is all we have to give you.

Thank you for your love for us here. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your support for missions! May God multiply you in every way and bless you as only He can!

Thank you from your brothers and sisters here in Kinshasa!

Thank you Ron & Elaine!

Our Missionaries, Ron & Elaine Fehr, came from Canada to bless us with Bibles, office supplies, and other needed items. They shared the Word of God, encouraged us and loved us! We want to thank you so much for all you did! We are so thankful to God for bringing you here to us and ministering to us through you!

Although it was so sad to let you go, we know that you will be a great blessing to Bethsaida Church, in Bukavu! We will continue to pray for you.

Come again and again!

p.s. Ron......we LOVED this tie!! :D

Many people think that God dwells in a building we call 'church'. In reality, it is people who are to be His church. He loves all people and commands His church to take care of them. It is common knowledge that we are available to help with spiritual needs. However, we are also called to take care of the physical needs of His people!

As He supplies, we take care of widows and orphans in their need, feed the hungry, provide water for needy communities, educate people, stand alongside those who are suffering and hurting, and in this case, supply reading glasses.

He provides and we distribute.

Stan is handing over 150 reading glasses to this missionary Pastor Simba, a self-sacrificing man  ministering in Bas Congo. He travelled to Kinshasa to pick up these glasses and deliver them where they are most needed.

We do all  these things because of your help, we are humbled to be a part of His great love for people. Keep praying for us!

May His name be glorified more and more!

Jesus is Lord.....

He is indeed Lord of all........in 4 languages. This is the front of our church here in Gombe, Kinshasa, D.R. Congo.

sharing the Word.....

Everything can be a challenge in another culture. This shows a pastor who needs to preach from 3 translations (French, Swahili, & Lingala) of the Bible at every service! Can you imagine?
When we were there, they needed a 4th. Ron, who was speaking, had 2 translations going on, with 2 different translators,  for every sentence.......

above: this is a line of people hoping to receive reading glasses

below: the glasses spread out for distribution

pray for them.........

In one week, Ron & Elaine leave for Bukavu to bring teaching and ministry to Bethsaida Church and other churches in the city. They will be very busy and have a demanding schedule. May God continue to use both of you and give you protection and great joy in serving Him!

I neglect to mention what a great great gift this man is to Together Building Africa! He teaches, guides and protects our ministry here in Congo. He is a man of great faith and vision. He challenges me, making me try new things (like taking charge of the church for the next month - pray for them!) He is generous and selfless. Without him, we could not manage! Praise God for His great gift! Rev. Raha, our son, THANK YOU! We appreciate you and love you!

Karibu - Welcome!

We are praising God for the safe return of our missionaries/friends from Canada! Ron & Elaine have already been a blessing to the church!

First day of English classes! It was a good evening! A variety of language comprehension in one class, so it is quite a challenge!

we're together again.......

He arrived last night safe and sound, feeling rested after being bumped to first class!!
I think his tie won him great approval through customs!

brief update.....

The increased military presence is evident, however the city is quiet today. 

We are back in the office working.

To those who may feel anxious on our behalf.......

We are fine! Your prayers are holding us and God is covering us. Our area of the city is quiet, but we have heard the same things as you have. We are working at home.
Keep us in your prayers and this nation as well?
God will take us through this storm as He has through many storms in the past. It is the same God who protected us then, who will protect us now!
We have peace even in the middle of a storm.
What a great & loving God!
Glorify His great name with us!

Karibu (welcome!) to D.R. Congo

I was reading this tonight (instead of sleeping!), and much of what was said was so close to home.......so I kept reading and not sleeping.....

'Missions is the same as being in a war. I know. I've fought in both and the similarities are striking. There is not much glorious about warfare. It may look exciting on TV or in the movies, but in the trenches it's a lot of hard work. And the enemy has ambushes everywhere. Often you can't tell the enemy from the friendly. And your friends get injured and killed. It hurts.

Missionaries who think they're going overseas to do a great work for Jesus amuse me. We merely participate in the work God is already doing. Of course, all our friends at home will tell us what a great and wonderful thing we're doing. Then WHAM! We come face-to-face overseas with all our inadequacies and weaknesses. We realize how much we're actually going to have to depend on God to see something accomplished"

.......so I guess I am not as weird as I thought ....... well perhaps that is taking it too far! However, I think I can live with it......so maybe now I can sleep?

more jobs for the adventure seekers among us....

You see how high this ladder is? The man using it was painting signs on our church.

Here is what was supporting it and providing.......... stability?

scary stuff!

heroes of the faith.......

I had the privilege today, to talk to a man who recently turned to Jesus.
He is being persecuted severely!
His Bible was stolen and burned he was told he would be next,  if he does not drop his new beliefs!
He is living under a very high level of stress, and has many needs to be met, security, job, food, dwelling place, and support....etc
Would you pray for him please?
Our God is able!

the next project......

"If a commission by an earthly king is considered a honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?" - David Livingston

"God has had all the adoration of my heart, all the power of my will, and all the influence of my life" - William Booth (WOW! I think I really like this guy!)

There was a country wide conference in Kinshasa for all the top church leaders. It was an honour, of which I am unworthy, to be welcomed by the Pentecostal leaders of the Congo! These men of God , these servants, have sacrificed greatly to serve God faithfully for many many years! Each one has an amazing story of God's work in their lives and in their districts. And yet they thanked me?! What a privilege to work for our King together with them! All across the world, we are one family!

update on Church Planting......

some people from the immediate area of the church, came to the office to express their disappointment that we have overlooked their need for a church. They say that because our services are in English and French they cannot understand and therefore cannot come.

So. last Sunday was the first day of our experiment. 2 services. The first in Lingala with Swahili translation, and the second in English with French translation. After a month or so we will see what this produces?

Church planting is a lot of work, so I am thankful that we have all of you supporting us and praying for us as we attempt these things for the glory of our Lord!

After 3 days of no power, our worker came to repair the lines.......another potential job for the intrepid.......what do you think?

It was fireworks tonight ! I really enjoy fireworks! Ours was a shorty display. But it was an unexpected delight!.........there were many short rapid-fire sprays, lighting up the area with their brilliant beauty . Then there were the large ones that light up the night sky.  A surprising, and sudden event.   

       

So appreciated  until you take into account that the activity was sponsored by our hydro (power ) pole! going up in flames :(   

sigh........day 3 with no power.

Still, the fireworks were lovely.     

Also in breaking news here.........                                                                                                                         

Mapendo left yesterday for a family gathering. She was stranded for a time in Goma because the plane’s tire blew up! Thankful it happened while still on the ground!

This dear lady is from our church. She is a reporter with the local T.V. station, which she tell us, has a global outreach. She and the director of the station gave us a tour of their wonderful facility.
In this picture, she is telling me that I will be preaching on their station! Me?.....I am laughing!

Looking for adventure? How about changing billboard signs?

It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening......Psalm 92:2

HE IS FAITHFUL!! In everything, in all His ways.......who do you know that you can say is 100% faithful?? There is only One, the rest of us can never be that way. So I declare His faithfulness. Today are you looking for a love that will never fail you? Please look to Him!

Preachy, right? I don't know much, but THIS, I know!

 

The road to Bible study got more narrow and more congested as we walked. The car in the first photo, went from side to side, leaving only enough room to squeeze past. However, the fellowship was well worth it!

In the foreground of the second photo, you can see my hand holding the Swahili hymnal........over time, I have learned to read Swahili well enough to sing if I know the melody. Now if I could only speak and understand it better......and then there is Lingala, more commonly used here in Kinshasa......I will keep trying.