Robert & Esther Marsh
Congo Chronicle, December 2006

Merry Christmas

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isa 9:6

Dear Prayer Partners,
 

Birthdays, Hospital, Elections, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year.. Well I've decided that I will combine both November and Decembers' newsletters.
 

NOVEMBER. The Month of November was a very busy month. Firstly, important birthdays- the TWINS turned ONE on the 7th, and on the 16th Joshua turned 11 yrs old. Both of these are hard for us to believe, how time has gone by! To remember that Joshua was born here in Kinshasa 11 years ago.
Also during this month Jeremy, our 3yr old, broke his arm falling/jumping off a moving swing. He's the first of our children to have a broken bone. We have had many falls and cuts. Jeremy managed to brake his left arm just above the wrist. He spent a night in the hospital (Esther stayed with him), so that they could set his arm under anesthetic the next morning. The Monday after the fall he was back to "his old self". It was hard for him to see the other children running around in the rain - they love the rain or swimming. The cast was removed a week ago, after having it on for four weeks. All in all we are so thankful to the Lord, that the right Dr's were available and everything that was needed to care for him was available .
Another major event in Nov., was that Congo held a democratic election and chose their president for the first time in more than 40 years. This has been a long slow process, and not without loss of life. We need to pray that the Lord will give Mr. Kabila wisdom to govern this large country. It has faced many years of war and decades of corruption.
 

DECEMBER. Rainy season is upon us, with a vengeance. I continue to hold early morning Bible study's at both the Kimbuala church and Petrol Congo. Due to impassable roads, I was not able to make it to Bible study at Kimbuala for the first two weeks of December. The road was washed away from the bridge, but has since been repaired. Do pray for these times that the church folks will grow and be edified in the knowledge of the word. Bible Institute is continuing on with no real break at this time.
We are also in need of more of our song books, and so I will be taking on the project of printing them. Do pray that equipment will all work well, and that the Lord will bless this project.
The twins and myself (Robert) have had colds, and sore throats the passed week and it is still lingering. We took Chelsea to the Dr a week ago and she has had a course of antibiotics. I spent last Sunday in bed, while Esther took the family to church, and today I was not able to teach my Bible School classes due to my sore throat and the fact that my voice is gone.
 

FROM US. We would Like to wish you all a CHRIST- centered Christmas, and a year filled with opportunities to please and serve the Lord with joy.

Matters for Prayer:
- We are still waiting for the boys passports. Pray that we will be able to get them soon.
- Pray for the Bible study at Kimbuala.
- Pray for the Bible study at Petrol Congo.
- Pray for the Bible School, that the student will be ernest in their studies, and that we will be able to have a good school year, without too many interruptions.
- Pray for the Lords provision for us as family.
- Pray for Pastor Bosange and his family, he is the pastor at Kimbuala - .
- Pray for Pastor Tamwe Richard, in his church planting ministry at Camp Munganga - They have had some set back due to the need of a meeting place.
- Printing of Lingala Song Books
- Pray that we may get water on a regular basis. Preferably every night to fill our storage tanks.

Thanksgiving:
- Thank the Lord for His provision this past month.
-Praise the Lord we have the Twins passports & 5 year visas.
- We thank the Lord that the swearing-in of the president that was held on the 6 December 200, took place without incident.
- We are thankful to the Lord for all who pray and give to the ministry here in Congo.
- Thank the Lord for those who have showed interest in helping with books for the Bible school. I have already purchased a few books.
- Praise that Jeremy's cast was removed and the X-ray showed every thing back in alignment.
- Thank you to all who helped with Bible School Book Project - I will be able to give you report on the project next month.
 

In Christ
Robert, Esther, Joshua, Cherith, Jordan, Jeremy, Chelsea and Chaylee MARSH
 
"He who is assured that the work in which he engages is God’s will for him will find therein a means of steadfast continuance, no matter how great the trials and difficulties he experiences. When the will of God is the foundation of our activities, it acts as a counteractive power against all self-glorying and should render His glory the inspiring aim of our whole being and service. It will lead us to say with Paul, “Not I, but Christ.” (Vine, W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine.)