Off We Go…

This issue of the Clancy Chonicles is a bit early, since next Friday we should be on the road, on the way back to Idaho. We are planning to leave Québec this next Sunday, after the 2:00 pm church service. We will be sad to leave our church family here!

Our first night will be with friends in Vermont, and then we will head westward. We need to be in Rock Springs, Wyoming by Friday night because Myndii will be speaking at a ladies bruch Saturday morning. We then have meetings (in that area) on Sunday and Wednesday, to share the ministry. We should be back in the Boise area on Thursday evening, May 12th. **It’s an interesting feeling to realize that that a large part of our first missionary term is over.**

French…Preaching and Presentation

Many of you were praying for us as we prepared for these “final exams” in French. Thank you!

Sparky preached on James 1:2-4 and was well understood. What a blessing! Our ministry presentation was supposed to be easier, since we had the PowerPoint slides. In fact, Myndii mentioned several times that this was not a big deal because “pictures are worth a thousand words” (maybe even more in French ). Sparky did the first half of the presentation without incident, however when it was Myndii’s turn, the computer crashed. Yes, really! The comfort zone of having the pictures was gone. She managed to spend about 20 minutes in question and answer time (all in French, of course), while Sparky and another gentleman frantically tried to reboot the computer. They were able to get the computer going, and the rest of the presentation went well; Myndii got more French practice than she planned, a good dose of humility, along with a greater distrust in technology.

Technology

Speaking of technology, it is becoming increasingly obvious that this laptop will not make it until we leave for Congo. Looking back, this computer has not had an easy life. It has done around 100 church presentations, been packed and unpacked at least that many times, been used for countless e-mails to pastors, churches, and supporters (including prayer letters), performed “daily” computer functions (including the use by 2 full-time language school students), and followed us across the US and Canada several times. We have been given an offer to help pay for a new one, and will start shopping around as soon as we get back to Idaho (pray with us that this one makes it that far!). This has also made us more aware of how fragile technology is, and the need for at least one “back up” in Congo…since we will be using the computer in our ministry at the Bible Institue, evangelism, and to keep in touch with all of you!

Books…en français

One of our goals while in Québec was to gather French resources for the Bible Institute of Congo. This includes books to use in the classroom with the students, items to start a B.I. library (commentaries, Bible dictionary, concordance, Bible handbook, Bible atlas, etc.), gospel tracts, and children’s recourses (for VBS and/or Sunday school). These basic items will be used to minister more effectively to the people of Congo. (We will need Bibles as well, but can get them printed in Congo.)

Printed materials tend to be expensive. This last month we have gathered around $3000 of these types of materials. Please pray about how you can participate in the purchase of these important items. Also, please pray that we are able to get all the materials across the US boarder without having to pay customs on them (since the items will not be staying in the US).

Container…Finally!

The Lord provided a shipping container! Our original plan was to have the container packed and ready to ship before leaving for Québec last summer. However, the Lord did not allow that to happen. He did provide for the funds, specifically to purchase a container, a while ago; however we were finding it difficult to locate one with our needed specifications. After much searching (ourselves and others) the Lord provided a container that is in very good condition and already certified for international shipping. We have paid the deposit on the container, and will have it delivered as soon as we get to Idaho. Thank you for your prayers in this matter!

Also, we have contacted a shipping company. Please pray that the Lord will provide and guide in this next step!

On the road again… our summer schedule

The Lord has given us less than 5 short months between language school and leaving for Congo. We are curious to see how the Lord will work during this time. We are also excited to see how God will provide the remaining approximately $800 of our needed monthly support.

Please pray with us that God will provide churches where we can share His ministry in Congo, and provide an opportunity for His people to participate in His plan for this needy country.


Sharing Him,
(Romans 1:16)

A Departure date

In faith, we have reserved airline tickets. A travel agency was able to get us a very good price…just after a gift came in for very close to the total amount. God continues to provide as we have needs! We were unable to get the exact flights as the Grings, but we will be able to meet them in Brussels, and fly into Congo together from there. Lord willing, we will be leaving Idaho the morning of September 26th, and arrive in Kinshasa, Congo the evening of September 27th.

The “Plan”

There are many things “up in the air” (in God’s hands where they belong!) but here is a rough estimate of how we see God working.

We will be leaving Québec about this time next month. (There is a lot to do between now and then!) On our drive back to Idaho, we are hoping to stop at some churches along the way. We are praying about the possibility of spending some time in Wyoming, as we are passing through. After returning to Idaho, there is much to be done. We will continue to gather supplies, pack the container, and visit churches.

With the Lord’s provision, we will leave the end of September for Congo. To get into the country, it is necessary to come in under tourist visas. Once we get there, we will apply for our long-term visas. This is a process that can take up to several months. We are praying the Lord will speed things along so our visas will be in hand before the elections in November. After we have our long-term visas, we will be able to move up to the Bible Institute property in Dibaya-Lubwe. In the mean-time, we will be living at the Grings’ house in Kinshasa. This time will be good for us to start learning Lingala and adjust to “Congo French.” Prayerfully, our container will arrive during this time, intact, with all the contents that we put into it.

A “New” IFM missionary to Congo

Praise the Lord with us! We are so excited that Sarah Grings (Dan and Christine’s eldest daughter) was appointed as an IFM missionary to the Democratic Republic of Congo! Having grown up in the country, she really will be “returning” to the field. She will be adding to the Grings’ family legacy in Congo, being a 4th generation missionary to serve there. Please pray for her as she begins her deputation process.

One Down, Two to Go

This last Wednesday, we (both Sparky and Myndii) shared our testimonies to the church here, in French. We had the whole service just for our testimonies, so they were more detailed than what we usually present. We both made it through what we wanted to say…without too much nervous shaking. Our most fervent prayer was that we would be understood. After the service, we received many comments, mostly about how well we had been understood…our God is so gracious!

Next Wednesday, April 6th, Sparky will be preaching in French. Please continue to pray for preparation, clarity of thought, and to be understood. Then Sunday, April 10th, we will be sharing our ministry presentation in the 2:00 afternoon service.

In Congo

There are some pictures that are worth a thousand words…click on the "Pictures" link at the top of this page.

Trusting in Him,
(Proverbs 3:5-6)