Dear Friend & Partner,

I believe the following pictures from the Congo will thrill your heart!  They will encourage you and put “flesh and blood” on what your prayers and partnership are making possible in one of the countries in Africa that has seen more millions of people killed and other millions reduced to refugee status than almost any other.  It was my joy to close out 2008 with another Conference in the Congo.  What a challenging and fulfilling way to end another busy year of ministry!

In past Decembers we have had the Conference in Bunia.  This year we were asked to move to a new site in the city of Aru near the Ugandan border.  Like Bunia, it is another area that has known much warfare, tribal genocide, carnage and destruction.  But in spite of all of the pain and suffering, the church is still strong – although discouraged and depleted of trained leadership as you would imagine.  So it was a humble joy to be able to return there and co-minister again with my good friend and partner, Dr. Jim Seymour.  As a result of our first trip to the Congo several years ago, Jim has started a wonderful ministry compassion known as “Operation Bunia” See his website: www.arks.net

I also enjoyed having ND Alumni, Steve Allen, along for his first trip to the Congo.  Since he was one of the “original NDs” going back to 1968, it was a joy to travel with him again.  This was his second December trip with me to Africa.  And prior to this time in the Congo, we ministered together in Kenya with our brother and partner, Stakwell Yurenimo, at the “Samburu Sports Camp.”  I hope you will also see the report that I did on Steve from that time of ministry on the “ND Alumni” section of this blog.

As you have seen, the title for this report is “The Church is calling the people home!”  That phrase really stuck in my heart and mind when it was spoken to me by our primary Congolese partner, James Byensi.  He is the one who has been identifying and rebuilding the churches destroyed by the years of warfare in the Congo that has caused the death of millions and made many more millions refugees.  He said that when the militia attack the towns and villages – burning, looting, raping and killing, the people who are able to escape flee to the bush.  There they hide and exist like hapless animals and destitute refugees – hoping and praying for a chance to start life over again – from nothing! 

But just as soon as a destroyed church is rebuilt in a village, the people begin to come out of hiding.  They start to come back home.  They see the rebuilt church as a sign of hope and new life!  The church gives them the courage to come back and begin to rebuild their lives and homes again.  So indeed, “The church is calling the people back home!”  And you are a part of that calling through your prayers and financial support.  It costs us between $3,500 - $4,000 to rebuild one of these churches – depending upon whether it is in a village or town and the distance to transport building supplies over terrible roads, or lack thereof!  I hope these pictures will inspire many of you to fund the building of one of these churches through your business, church, Sunday School Class, Youth Group or Civic Club.  It will be a beacon of hope and life to people who have been through incredible suffering and hardship!

Just before we arrived in the Congo, renewed fighting broke out between some of the militia, rebel forces and UN troops.  Fortunately it was not taking place where we were scheduled to hold a Conference, although there was scattered fighting and shooting in the area.  But God graciously kept us safe in our travels in and out of some dangerous situations where we went with the Good News of the Gospel and practical programs of compassion that are giving “new direction” to lives ravaged by decades of war.

CONGO PICTURES

Thanks for making it all possible.  Be blessed, encouraged and challenged as you see what your spiritual and financial investments are making possible in the Congo…

“Thanks for your prayers and partnership that made it possible for me to travel to the Congo and teach these wonderful people who have gone through so much suffering!

In His Healing Love,