Where God guides, God provides!
In case you haven’t been reminded lately…
Our God is still in the miracle business!
In almost exactly 3 very short weeks, in the midst of the Christmas season, “Black Friday”, and a struggling economy, our LORD provided the full amount through several churches and countless individuals!
In a series of not-so-small miracles, God used His people in mighty ways. This last Sunday we were privileged to witness one of these miracles as God used a congregation to take an offering that amounted to just pennies over the amount we had remaining. Anyone know the statistical probability of this? It’s probably something like 1:1,000,000,000. We say it was definitely 1:God!
The tickets have been purchased, VISA’s applied for, shots received, and packing is underway. Sparky and Myndii will BOTH be leaving for South Africa on December 27th, then from South Africa to Kinshasa, Congo on December 29th. The last leg of our journey we are very blessed to be accompanied by Robert Marsh, who purchased tickets for the same flight, not knowing we were even coming. (Hmmm, wonder who planned that?!?) Thank you, Lord!
In humble gratitude, we thank you for allowing God to use you in His ministry to the Congo!!! All the praise and honor to our Father!
Njambe ajua lokumu! (God be praised! -in Lingala)
Why another December Chronicles?
We chose to do a second December Chronicles for a few reasons. First, there was much to tell! Second, we will not be publishing a January prayer letter. We will be leaving before December is over, and not returning until late January.
However, there will be plenty of things to share when we get back! The plan at this point is to send out an e-mail prayer letter…as soon as we can…in late January (which will actually be the February prayer letter). We will also mail out a prayer letter from IFM around that time.
Timeline
The most popular question we seem to be getting right now is, “When are you leaving for the field?” Our answer: Only God knows! Most likely sometime between 6 months and 10 years from now…does that help?!?
Due to schooling, job, and house situations, we don’t think we will be leaving before this next summer. However, if you read the first page of this letter, you know that God can do amazing things, fast. So, we are preparing for God to move quickly, but are also willing to wait on His perfect timing.
Having said that, there is much to do…we will need to raise 100% of our monthly support, as well as Outfit and Passage expenses. Also, extensive language study will be necessary in order to teach in French at the Institute. At this point we are looking at the possibility of studying while working in Quebec City, Canada with some fellow missionaries that are starting a French speaking church there.
Support
Have you been praying about sharing with us in God’s ministry to the DRC?
We are heading into a “new phase”…we are now officially on Deputation. This means that we will have the opportunity to travel to many different churches. If you think your church would be interested in hearing about what God is doing in the DRC, please have your pastor contact us; we would be happy to visit with him about this ministry.
Deputation is a time of preparation, perseverance, patience, and faith. Thank you for participating in encouraging us during this time!
If you would still like to contribute to the Survey Trip, there are a few options. We set aside some to help with fuel cost into Dibaya, but the more we can help with that, the more of a blessing we can be to the Grings. We also would like to keep some in our fund, incase God is helping us plan for a cost we are yet unaware of.
Any gifts can be made payable to IFM, please include our name in the “memo” (no account number necessary), and mail to IFM, PO Box 7791, Greensboro, NC 27407.
Joyfully in His care,
~The Clancy Clan
Sparky, Myndii, Martha, Titus, and Ruth
Time in Kinshasa