Dear praying family,
These last months have gone by and much has happened in our lives. Again we want
to thank you for your faithfulness in prayer as it gives us courage and
strength.
In JULY, We had a number of people that wanted to be baptized. After announcing
the date in church for the baptisim a man approached me to be baptized. I
arranged to meet with him. It turn out that he was not saved and was assuming
that if he was baptized he would have his sins forgiven. This is a all to common
misconception that many have, along with many others who believe that good
works, and keeping the 10 commandments, etc; will bring them into favor with
God. I met with Papa TyTy (Tee tee), presented him with the gospel, and on the
second meeting with him he accepted Christ as his Savior and joined the
candidates for baptism. The week before the baptism, we had a baptistery built.
We thank the Lord that it was completed two day before we had the baptism
service. Normally we would have to go early in the morning (5:00am) to a river
close by, and most times only the ones getting baptized and maybe a few other
attend, but with the baptistery on the property we were able to have the baptism
as part of the Sunday morning service. I would like to make mention, that is was
such a blessing to baptize "3" people that were lead to Christ by one of our
deacons Pango Mayaya and "2" by our evangelist Jean Badinga.
The FM station application is still in the preliminary stage please continue to
pray.
AUGUST Brought a lot of changes to our home. The first was the
arrival of our school teacher from South Africa, Louise Morrison. She arrived
safely on the 26 August. Again she is a such a blessing to us, not only in that
of the capacity of teaching our children, but that she was faithful in hearing
God's calling on her life and completed that long and hard process, as a single
lady, of calling and arranging meetings in order to share her desire to come
join and help us. I know that both she and her family have grown as they saw the
Lord provide and work out, what seemed an impossible thing. She is able to stay
in the small apartment behind our house that was originally built for when my
parents Mark and Wyla would come to spend time working here. Do continue to pray
for Mark and Wyla as they stand by the work in South Africa.
Secondly, during this month the Lord brought two other Congolese young ladies to
live with us. One is Winnie's sister, Pricilla. Many of you remember Winnie has
been with our family for over 4 years now. Pricilla is 21yrs and in her final
year of nursing school. The other is a 16 yr old Congolese girl, Fallone, who
actually has spent most of her childhood in the States, but because of a
situation was brought back here to Congo. She was brought to our attention
through the US embassy and we were led to provide a home for her for the
present. She is looking to return to the states in the way of foster care. We
would ask your prayer for the right family for her. We would ask your prayers
for all of our family. It has taken some adjusting as our family grew from 9
people to 12 in just one month. It has been good to see the Lord undertake for
our needs even though we were not financially set up for so large a number.
We will be taking a 5 week break in Dec. to South Africa for several reason. As
a family we feel the need to take some time on our own. I also have some legal
things for the family, that need to be taken care of in South Africa, and Esther
also would like to spend some one on one time with her mom especially. Esther
and I are also hoping to attend the central African leadership conference in
Zambia for some spiritually encouragement and time together. We were suppose to
take our USA furlough this year but we feel we need to postpone it till 2009, as
we have a number of ministries and new ministry we needs to attended to.
SEPTEMBER The highlights of September:
First of all, there were 8 students that graduated on the 2 September 2007. We
held the graduation as part of the Sunday morning service, which I think went
well. Pray for many of these that graduated that they will do God's will in
their local churches, and some even sensitive to the calling of the Lord to
serving elsewhere where there is a great need.
The second was that I made a 1800 km round trip to a village called Dibaya Lubwe,
along with 5 other men. It took us two days to get there. Our purpose was two
fold, one to have a seminar to encourage the believers, the other to survey for
a Bible Institute. In the seminar we all took turns teaching from the book of
Hebrews. We had a wonderful time and each did a good job on their teaching. We
had some pastors from other churches in town come and listen, may of them
teaching error. Many of these pastors have their flock under their thumb, using
fear, making people give gifts (normally money) to be healed or experience
deliverances. I pray to God that they were able to hear Gods word. There are so
many that are still entangled in keeping the law, and good works. And there are
hirelings keeping them there for there own material gain.
The second reason for making this trip was to look into the possibility of
starting a bible Institute. Dibaya Lubwe is located on the Kasai River, making
it possible for students to come from many parts of the interior of the country.
The cost of living is also a lot lower than that of Kinshasa, which mean that
there can be the possibility of having families stay on campus. The Chief of the
village has offered us property, five hectares for $6000.00. We have made it a
matter of prayer.
October has been a month of Ordinations. We have had 4 men that have gone through our bible school here in Kinshasa, that were ordained. I was able to attend the ordination, of Samuel Munanga. He is the man pastoring the church of Sanga Mamba where we spent the last three terms serving. It was a joy to see the church behind this man and his family. I preached and challenged him on the area of not only "Beginning well, but Ending Well. The last two I have not be able to attend, as I have been sick.
Two weeks ago, I came down with a flu virus combined with an attack of malaria.
For the first 4 days or so, we just thought it was a flue, but when the violent
shakes set in, Esther along with Pricilla practiced their nursing skills, and
because I was so weak and nauseated they gave me few injections for nausea and
pain then I was finally able to swallow and keep down a malaria cure. I praise
the Lord that after another week I am on the mend. I'm still a little weak, but
am managing to get some things accomplished each day. I guess loosing 12 Lbs
wasn't bad for me, but I wouldn't recommend the method it took!
Our children are doing well in school, and looking forward to the December
break. Winnie one of our Congolese daughters is in her final year of High
School, and needs much prayer to do well and the Lord's direction in the next
year. The twins will be two on the 7th of Nov and continue to keep us laughing
(and crying when they accidentally break something) and on our toes!
With this I end, thank you for you support and prayer,
Robert, Esther, Joshua, Cherith, Jordan, Jeremy, Chelsea & Chaylee Marsh along
with Winnie, Pricilla, and Fallone
We thank the Lord for his protection on a daily basis.
Continued peace in the country (still some trouble in the east of Congo).
Opportunities to minister as the Lord wills
For those that heard the gospel on our Sud-Kwango trip
Pastor Batshingi at Mbanza Lemba.(He is looking at taking a wife)
Pastor Christoffe at Kimbwala.
Bible Institute - we have one and half months left.
Early morning prayer meetings(6 am). Monday to Saturday.
We thank the Lord for answering our prayer for water, water has come in everyday now for the past two months!
Praise the Lord, we have Joshua and Jordan's passports now with the valid visas and we did NOT have to pay $3000.00!!!!!
Praise the Lord for the 6 people baptized on the 29th July 2007
We praise the Lord for the safe arrival and of our new missionary school teacher Louise Morrison who arrived on Aug 26.
Printing of Lingala Song Book - Layout is done, and we are working on proof reading. We are wanting to print 3000 copies.
Pray for the Lords will concerning the FM station, still in the preliminary stage.
Bible Institute and the obtaining of property - $6000.00 for 5 hectares.
Our Congolese daughters Winnie, Pricilla and Fallone, the Lord's will in each of their lives.