Exceedingly, Abundantly, Above
If you ever wonder if God answers prayers, just read a few of our prayer
letters. It won’t take long to see a pattern of prayer requests and
answers. We have (more times than we can
count) updated you through these prayer letters about specific needs and
projects. For projects, we typically do
not give many details or costs, but simply inform you of items in need of
prayer. And you pray. And God answers.
It never ceases to amaze us how He provides!
He is answering prayer in His will and timing. Does He always answer
immediately? Nope. Does this mean we get “everything we want”? Absolutely
not. Do we still have struggles and constantly
beg God for wisdom on difficult decisions? Yes, we do! However, He is working
here! He is working through us, and He is working through YOU. How exciting is that!?!
One specifically answered prayer this month concerns the classroom
building. We had a small amount of
finances that we were able to use to get started. We purchased the cement and rock, and signed
a contract with a local mason to clean up the old site and pour a new
foundation. That was all the resources
we could spare. We estimated costs to
complete the new building, and it was overwhelming. We figured we would continue, one step at a
time, in phases if you will, as the Lord provided. He did.
Incredibly. We received a gift that should cover most, if not all, of
the rest of the project!
So, as He is doing exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, we
continue to be in awe! We count it a true privilege to be His ambassadors here
in the DRC.
More Matters for Prayer
The Democratic Republic of Congo has been in the news once again. And once again, it’s not good news. A few weeks ago, some UN workers were
abducted in central Congo. Their bodies
were found this last week. In the same
area, last weekend, a police convoy was ambushed. Reports state that up to 42 policemen were
killed and their equipment stolen (including weapons and vehicles). There has also been some unrest in the
capitol city of Kinshasa this week. We
have contacts in several government offices, and in several areas, that we have
been in touch with. They are all
watching things closely and have committed to let us know if things start
heading our direction, or if they feel we need to evacuate. We do not tell you this to worry you, but
simply so that you are aware and can pray more intelligently. Our area is very calm and has been continuing
“as normal”. Honestly, if it wasn’t for
internet, we wouldn’t even know anything was happening at all.
Please pray for the families of the UN workers and policemen that were recently
killed. Please pray for the Congolese government to have integrity and act
justly. Many of the issues right now are
coming to a head because of problems in national politics. Please
pray for those doing the killing and destruction, that they will repent and
come to a saving knowledge of Christ. HE
is the only hope for true peace!
A Possible New Teaching Opportunity
We recently received a letter, a formal request for us to start a new
cycle of students. Included in this letter was a list of 22 names of those that
say they are interested in the Bible training program. We are not too
optimistic, as we have received letters of this kind before that amounted to
nothing. Culturally here, numbers and
“optimistic news” often are exaggerated.
However, love hopes all things.
Sparky has responded to the request, and plans to meet them on May 3rd
for a few days’ worth of Bible teaching and an explanation of what the program
is, and is not. This is scheduled to
take place in a village between us and Idiofa, around 4-hour ride by
motorcycle. One advantage of starting a
new cycle of students would be that the first classes’ curriculums have already
been prepared, so it would just be a matter of teaching the classes again.
While this does take time and energy, it takes far less than the first cycle
did.
Please pray for these potential students and for us to have wisdom on how to
proceed. Please pray for Sparky as
he is already stretched thin due to the loss of our teaching staff; and as he
continues to prepare new classes and do all the teaching, as the only remaining
teacher. Please pray for our remaining resident-student, Papy (Pop-ee), as
we consider adding him to the teaching team.
We want this to be God’s will and calling, not a decision based on our
desperation for help in sharing the teaching responsibilities.
Some Photo Evidence of Answered Prayers…
The Printer is all set up, solar panels are installed on the library/office roof… what a blessing and answer to prayer!
“Now unto Him that is able to do
exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power
that worketh in us, Unto HIM be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus
throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21
Unto HIM be the
glory,
Sparky, Myndii, Martha, Titus, and Ruth Clancy
Time in Kinshasa