2018!

Dear Friends; HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU <3 

"Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be Courageous. Be strong. and do everything with love!"
1 Corinthians 16:13,14

Keep praying for us! There is so much to share when I am with you again! 
Please make sure you are on the 'visit me' list, I don't want to forget anyone!
(to add your name, contact; tbnelmes2011@gmail.com) 
God bless you for all your support, encouragement, and especially your prayers!

Oh....sorry.....I see 'copy & paste' is not the best solution for a blog :(

just a Christmas greeting for all of you! As you can see.....our angels were for real!

the beauty of Congo.....

On our visit to Mudaka, someone ran home and brought back her triplets to show us! Mapendo managed to hold all of them for a quick photo.

This enterprising woman (seated), has made her own business, sorting and grading gravel/sand, using only her hands.
It is not easy, but she is supporting herself and perhaps even her family.

Missions Conference - day 1

These people are standing to say they feel especially called by God for missions! There were approximately 50 of them across the room!

God is so great and so faithful!

More Kingdom workers!

Give God glory with us!

meet our Sunday School class......

The vision to hold Sunday School was initiated by 3 young men in the church. They are doing a great job......as you see in these precious faces!!

“There are three stages to every great work of God; first it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done.” 
― James Hudson Taylor

I have seen and experienced the above statement and can attest to the accuracy of it.
Would you please pray with us, and for us, as we struggle through that impossible stage in some of our work?

When we reach the 'it is done' stage we will worship our Great God together!

I love these people!

Church meeting in the yard. What a great group! We are blessed with many strong believers.....so thankful 💝

Greetings everyone......

We have just completed a 4 day seminar in New LIfe Church, here in Kinshasa!
It was a great time of fellowship and unity!
So great to see everyone and how they are doing.
For those who don't know us, this is Senior Pastor Raha Muzibao, his wife Mapendo, and I think you know the last one.

We have been enjoying God's presence with us, and pray you are also feeling Him with you!

Blessings and prayers to all of you, my dear friends and partners.

Hey Canada.......

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

and remember......

"even in the midst of terrible events in the world today, God's purposes in history are right on track...."

Feelin' thankful for a supernaturally wonderful family and a wealth of exceptional friends! Love all of you!

Have a great weekend and remember to give thanks also, that I am not there making pies that you feel obligated to eat! (to those of you who don't know, I have never mastered the art of edible pastry! A 'never-fail recipe' means I have never tried it)

2 God-given gifts.....

1) Frank - a transformed-by-Jesus person
2) the car God has given us

We are so very thankful!

Thank you for all the prayers!

Arrived safely after 24 hour travelling. We got to experience significant turbulence on the second flight. It lasted a long time, kinda made us feel like milkshakes. Once there was a considerable drop, a first for me. All flight contents levitated! Overall I enjoyed it. (I see you thinking I am a strange person! You are probably right! LOL)

Arrived in Kinshasa to milder weather. Visited on our trip home, and then I don't remember another thing......(I guess I fell asleep?)

Anyway, I am relaxing for a day or two, and then........we shall see!!

so true.....

Trying to learn to live BY faith, not just WITH faith......huge difference!

One more day left, before flying to my other home.

I am taking an outpouring of love from all of you 💝  to all of them!

countdown....

just a wee update.......

With 2 weeks to go, things are getting thrown into suitcases around here!

I am also 'packing' the encouragement, and prayers that have been given given to us. Thank you!

The weather in Kinshasa has been hovering around 30C (86F) ! Some people think that is perfect weather......I wish I was one of them :(

Many flights are being canceled and rerouted these days, due to global weather issues. So far, mine are not affected.

Pray with me friends......

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

OCEANS (Hillsong United)

I often wonder what to share with you here......

I ask God for His input. Today I have it.....

To my dear partners ......

As mentioned, I will leave Canada in September for four months in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Because of YOU, God has released me to return
Because of YOU, the Gospel will be spread.
Because of YOU, many will hear the good news of Jesus Christ and His great plan for them, for the first time
Because of YOU, God will encourage the believers


Have you ever considered these things?

Because of YOU, He will be accomplishing HIs great purpose: to build the church
Because of YOU, the message will reach our suffering brothers and sisters in the Lord; "WE ARE WITH YOU! WE CARE! WE ARE PRAYING! YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN. YOU ARE OUR FAMILY!
Because of YOU, there will be eggs and chicken available on the east side of Congo. These things usually come from outside the country.


Are you seeing the magnitude of what you are a part of?


Because of YOU, there is a community and school with a source for water
Because of YOU, hospital supplies, reading glasses, and school supplies have been delivered
Because of YOU, prisoners responded to the good news of Jesus their Saviour! 1500 of them!!


I could go on and on and on.......(I HOPE to go on and on and on!)
Just know that YOU have enabled all of this!
How can I thank you???

I appreciate you more than words can convey!

Thank you for your heart and vision for this world!


GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU!!

Great News!

The return trip to DRC is confirmed for September!!!!!!!!!!

Also, since my last post (soooooo long ago.......sorry!) my studies for a Master's of Theology have resumed. I hope to gain teachings to bring to pastors in the Congo. Already the course has been exciting.

Truly, there are Christian leaders given the gift of opeining Scripture for us! I am very thankful for them!

When you think of us, please pray.

May His name be glorified in all we do!

What if, what if, what if.......

What would happen if the church came together? 

What if we were united? 

What if we dropped denominational differences 

and what if we stood united around Jesus? 

What if we believed we were one body? 

What if we believed that our God is so big that we could actually stand together and make a difference? 

This world needs the Church to be the Church!

May God fill us with a love that will motivate us and a compassion that will swallow all our fears!

it could transform generations to come......

This is an older memory revealing the joy and shared laughter of my dear friends and family as they try to make me look useful!!

the goal......

From a book entitled 'A Force in the Earth' by David Shibley;

"While we will believe God for fiscal strength greater than ever, we will renounce materialism and its deadening effects. At a pace unprecedented in Christian history, we will translate our money into new churches, training for native church leaders, food for the hungry, schools, literature, and medical clinics around the world."
We will offer ourselves unreservedly to Christ, to spend and be spent that His rule may be established over the entire earth......we will not be derailed by either criticism or accolades. Knowing that our times are in His hands, we will not care wether we live or die-----if only the gospel is advanced.
For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die we die to the Lord. Therefore, wether we live or die, we are the Lord's"
                                   -Romans 14:8

Amen!

For this year of ministry, we are determined to rise up, meet the challenge and move ahead for the salvation of souls. What else can we do? For the “fire burns in our bones” to declare the Gospel and see peoples’ lives changed for eternity.

Please pray together with us that God will provide a way to return to D.R. Congo and continue His work! Thanks, friends!

• J Vernon McGee said “this is God's universe and He does things His way you may have a better way but you don't have a universe"

Good Friday......is still GOOD!

A LOT CAN HAPPEN IN THREE DAYS...........

oh so true......

Sunday, April 3, 2017

The hand of the Lord is moving mightily! Thank you for being a part of it!!

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth.........

                                                     Ecclesiastes 12:1

heard this wonderful song years ago, it seems to have become our theme;

Though I feel afraid of territ’ry unknown

I know that I can say that I do not stand alone

For Jesus You have promised Your presence in my heart

I cannot see the ending but it’s here that I must start

All I know is You have called me 

and that I will follow is all I can say

I will go where You will send me 

and Your fire lights my way

What lies across the waves may cause my heart to fear

will I survive the day? must I leave what’s known and dear

a ship that’s in the harbour is still and safe from harm,

but it was not built to be there

it was made for wind and storm

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

yup.......that's ALL I know!

May these words challenge you as well, wherever you are, whatever God has called you to do....

October 29, 2016

Just found this testimony in my 'stuff' , I would like to share it with you, because..........truly, it BELONGS to you......those who stand with this ministry.

As you may remember, we (you and I), had the great privilege of constructing a water tank in a school, in one of the more destitute areas of Bukavu. It was the first water available in the entire community, and received with great joy and appreciation.

Last year, here is what happened;

Today as I was walking into a business office, a lady jumped up and called out to me. She told the entire area where we stood, that she knew me from Les Prophets School. She thanked me and thanked me for the water tank. She said she has 3 children in that school and it was so wonderful to now have water in the community. She hugged me there on the street and declared that I am now her sister! She sang out repeatedly......Thank you so much Mama!

My friends I offer this to you as YOUR story, may you feel the love and appreciation of these people! Jesus always met the needs of people. He noticed the hunger of 5000 people as He was speaking to them and ordered His disciples to feed them. He cares so much! And so have you!! May we be more and more like Him!

missionaries through the years....

Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell.

If Jesus Christ is God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.

When his critics told him to go home, that he had done enough, he replied, "God has called me to go, and I will go. I will blaze the trail though my grave may only become a stepping stone that younger men may follow."

Charles Thomas (C.T.) Studd
1860-1931
English missionary to China, India, and Africa

God fill our hearts with Your passion this day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Thank you Boissevain! There is no great gift than to stand with us in prayer! Thank  you for your understanding, support, and encouragement. TOGETHER building Africa!! 💖

Lovely drive to Kenora to share Congo with some of our awesome supporters!

Dear Friends in D.R. Congo.......this is a picture of a lake in winter. All of that snow is sitting on top of a frozen lake. You could probably drive on it. It is very hard and strong!

Aaah, New Life Church, Gombe........my heart is with you! May God bring us together in His presence, again soon!!

2017........

May we trust Him more fully this year, love Him more deeply,  and follow Him more closely.  

Our God is with us! Emmanuel!

Love and blessings to each of you! 

Thank you for sharing in my journey.