reports from home groups;

- "home group training was like manna from Heaven"
- "for sure this was God's leading"
- all groups have multiplied, one group rapidly became a gathering of 30
- "we are so thankful for this teaching"
- one family who had abandoned the church have been restored to fellowship
- there are people coming to faith
- at least 20 requesting baptism
- "for sure we have seen the hand of God and He has been with us"


I hope you are seeing the results of your prayers on our behalf!

Glory to God!

a poster here in Bukavu.....

if you look carefully, there we are.....in the bottom right!!

Still no more cases of the virus here in Bukavu. However, we are using masks, and staying distant from one another.

The borders of D.R. Congo and Rwanda remain closed. The Kigali airport is closed (my exit route), and of course there are no flights.

While waiting for things to change, I am so well provided for. Everyone from my homes on both sides, advised that this is the safest place to be for the time being….just be patient.

God’s got a plan! I don’t need to know what it is, I just need to trust Him!

I just wish patience was FASTER to learn! LOL

Tomorrow we meet with 5 of the home group leaders, to see how things are progressing, and address any problems.

This is my first venture out of the house and into the church. It will be so good to hear reports and updates from home groups.

Today, we had an amusing incident. We were trying to purchase popping corn. (I am an avid fan) We stopped at many shops… to no avail. Not only did they not stock it, they did not know who does.

We ended up at a small shop where the staff were sitting outside enjoying the air. Raha went to ask them if they sell popping corn. They made sounds of great sympathy accompanied by the words “Oh no, oh no, poor mazungu (white person) she must be missing home! She needs something from home!”

(not spoken in sarcasm, but in genuine sorrow for the plight of the ‘poor’ mazungu!)

So kind, and yet so funny! We did eventually find a market selling it and bought a large bag. Only to return home and find that the tiny store across from our house carries it!!

Thank you for all your prayers, and standing with us in this moment of history.

Love,

The ‘poor’ muzungu

Update

God is good, all the time. Even when we don't understand what He is doing.

So far we remain at 3 cases of COVID-19. Two have recovered and one is improving. No further spread.

However, the isolation order is causing famine. There is food, but people cannot get out to purchase it. Please pray for us.

We received a request yesterday from a pastor who runs an orphanage. The police delivered a 1 1/2-year-old to him. They found him abandoned in the street. His mother had tried to end his little life! Starvation causes people to do the unthinkable.

The pastor was requesting our assistance. This tyke had no clothes, was starving, and probably in shock. Heartbreaking really!

Pray for him also please.

After serving joyfully for 2 months, Eric has left to try repatriating to Canada. He has been a wonderful servant of God to the people, who loved him a lot. He will be missed.

I cannot accompany him. Some requirements of the journey are only manageable for the young! Apparently, I don't qualify :(
Funny how that stage passed without notice. It's like going downhill on a mountain when you don't remember hitting the top!
But, make no mistake, downhill is still enjoyable.

Thank you to all of you who take a moment to remember us in prayer. There is no greater weapon!

God will take us through this, and His promise is that He will remain with us always!

sending love from D.R. Congo.....
Doreen

thoughts from lockdown.....

We are not advised to leave the house. So that leaves me in my room, just me and my God (never mind the grammar). It is just the two of us. What a Companion, Comforter, and Counselor!

Oh Lord, 

THE GOD OF ISRAEL, 

may You be praised 

forever and ever! 

Yours, oh Lord, is;

……the GREATNESS, 

………the POWER,  

………….the GLORY, 

………………the VICTORY, 

…………………..and the MAJESTY!

EVERYTHING in the heavens and on the earth IS YOURS, oh Lord, and 

THIS… IS….YOUR….. KINGDOM.

WE AD😍RE YOU 

as the One who is over all things.

WEALTH and HONOUR 

come from You alone, for You rule over everything.

POWER and MIGHT 

are in Your hand, and at Your discretion people are made great and given strength.

(1 Chronicles 29:10-12)

May this bring you joy and peace today! Blessings my friends!

Good Friday........

Easter always reminds me to check my 'baggage'! (No, I am not packing to fly back to Canada)
I mean......I think about Jesus hearing the mocking voices, enduring horrendous abuse, and forgiving completely! No one was apologizing. No one was offering any remorse, and yet, He forgave them.

So then......what am I carrying around that should also be left at the cross? May I be more like Him....forgive everyone......without waiting for apologies.......just forgive! Just that!

Forgive completely with all my heart.

Thank You, Jesus, for showing us how to live, even while You were dying!

So far, in DRC, our virus cases remain very low. However, we are observing best practices as indicated by the gov't: less than 15 people at a time gathering, reaching out with encouragement through WhatsApp, keeping 1m distances etc. The city has become very quiet. Fewer walking about, fewer businesses running etc.

All boats and planes have been 'grounded', and our borders are closed. There is no option of returning to Canada at this time. I am happy to have no doubt that I am where I am supposed to be for once. LOL This was not my plan, therefore it was His! This simple missionary prays to be used  in whatever way will bring Him glory!

We are praying and planning for ways to serve the people He loved so much that He gave up His life to protect them (and us)!

We need His peace, His love, His strength to continue, and His DELIVERANCE. That is all summed up by saying we NEED HIM, more now than ever before!

I pray people will realize He is offering what we are looking for!

Wise men seek Him still.

lyrics by Matt Maher;

Without You, I fall apart
You're the One that guides my heart
When I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus

I need You, oh I need You
Every hour I need You,
my One Defense, my Righteousness,
Oh God, how I need you!