House, house, and more house
Our house has taken much of our focus
this last month. All of the interior
framing is now complete, and the plywood is almost ½ done (we are using plywood
instead of sheetrock…which we can’t really get here, and if we could it would
just melt in the humidity). We were able
to purchase and transport half of the needed plywood our last trip to Kinshasa,
so we are putting it up on one side of each wall. We are praying we will be able to purchase
the remaining plywood the next trip. We
also have started on building our septic tank and a “power house” that will
house all our solar equipment and the generator. All the wiring is in the house, but since the
“power house” is still under construction, the wires aren’t connected to any
electricity yet. All in good time!
We have not settled on a move-in date
yet. However, we promised everyone that
has helped with the construction that we will have a “luau” and roast a pig
before we sleep in the new house. They
are all very excited about this upcoming celebration!
Bibles
A special thank you to those who have given generously toward the
purchase of Bibles!
The Word
has been spread! We have a program for
Bible distribution: either a person can purchase a Bible from us at half-price,
or they can work for 2 days at the Bible Institute (there is always work to be
done maintaining the airstrip, pulling weeds, etc.). Most people choose the work. On one day last week 26 people earned a Bible
of their own! Since our return the first
of June, we have gone through over 7 cases of Bibles (that’s over 200 Bibles)! We are now completely out of French,
Tshiluba, and Lingala; and we are running low on Kikongo-Kituba. It’s
heart-breaking to turn them away for lack of Bibles to give…
There is an
over-abundance of false teaching in this country, and a major shortage of
Bibles…anyone catch the connection? Our
prayer is that as these Bibles find their way into the hands of those looking
for truth that the truth will set them free!
I.B.B.C.
On your mark, get set,
GO!
I.B.B.C. (The Bible Institute of
Congo) has now begun. Papa Muna did
decide to join Excellent in full-time ministry here at I.B.B.C. and Sparky
passed out the syllabus and books for their first class. We have been praying for 12 men…but for now,
the Lord has provided these 2. We thank
the Lord for them and their willingness to serve Him!
Excellent (X-cell-on), is doing well
here in Dibaya. The move here from
Kinshasa was a difficult one for him. Several
people in Kinshasa have been calling to discourage him from staying here, and
giving him all sorts of reasons to go back.
Please continue to pray for him as he strives to do God’s will.
The campus property is now ours! We took possession of it July 4th.
I.B.B.C. Projects
Last month, we explained that have
been attempting to start projects (long term, consistent, and reproducible by
nationals) that will financially support those living/teaching at the Bible
Institute.
This last month, we started a palm oil
press. It’s more complicating than it
sounds…this was the process: 1. Have
the press custom made 2. Pay more
than the agreed on price for the press 3.
Purchase a small property in the jungle by a water source to put the press on
(about a half hour walk from the Bible Institute) 4. Start cutting the brush and get told that that the property we
purchased didn’t belong to the seller to sell 5. Have the seller sell us another property (with the money we’d paid)
6. Start cutting the brush and get
told that he already sold it to someone else 7. Have the seller sell us a 3rd property (that was
legitimate, finally) 8. Wait to cut
any brush until the government officials are contacted to legalize the sale 9. Negotiate with the officials for a
more reasonable legalization fee 10.
Cut the under-growth on the property 11.
Spend 2 days setting up the press while locals (people we don’t even know) file
through to tell us how we’re doing it all wrong 12. Press our first basin of palm nuts!
We have many palm nut palms on the BI
property. Our thought is to be able to
press our own, as well as “rent” the press to others while we’re not using
it. The standard rent here is a share of
the oil. After seeing the press work,
the guys think we can get up to 4 gallons a day (about $12 worth), after paying
a “press manager”. This would easily
support 3 full-time professors/students.
However, palm oil is somewhat seasonal, some seasons produce more than
others, and this would be during the better producing times.
We also have started projects with
growing beans and cassava, raising chickens and rabbits, and have built a good
sized pig pen (no pigs yet). Continue
praying for these projects and wisdom in starting others.
Sparky’s Trip up River
Lord
willing, Sparky will be leaving here the 3rd week of July toward the
village where Pastor Jean-Marie lives/ministers. His village is a long day’s travel up river
(plus some walking). Jean-Marie is still considering coming to I.B.B.C. as a
student/mobile professor. Sparky will
take the materials for the class the others have started, so he can catch
up. Please pray for God’s will, provision,
and protection for this trip. Also, please
continue to pray for the church that Pastor Jean-Marie would be leaving in
order to join the ministry here.
Furlough…the countdown
About 6 ½ months
Our furlough
schedule is taking shape. (You can check
it out on our blog site) Because this furlough is shorter than we had
originally planned, we have to carefully and prayerfully decide how to spend
our time in the States. Our goal is to
spend as much time as possible with each of you. Please continue to pray with us as we look at
dates, contact supporters, and fill in the calendar.
“This
is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that
they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These
things are good and profitable unto men.” Titus 3:8
Time in Kinshasa