The Marsh Family
Congo Chronicle, November - December 2007

Just as I was getting used to writing 2007, 2008 came along and now I have to remember to write the right year, Happy New Year from, Kinshasa, Congo. As a family we were able to make a trip to South Africa to visit our family. Esther and I were able to make to take a 10 day trip to Kitwe, Zambia for the Central Africa Leadership Conference.  It was such a refreshing time for us. I attended the block course on “Expository Preaching from the Old Testament” by Dr. Sam Horn, while Esther attended the other lectures that were offered.

We were able to spend our time in South Africa between our parents and my sister and her husband who were able to come from England. We were all able to spend Christmas together, and will treasure the memories as we don’t know how many more times we will all be together again.

We returned to Kinshasa, on the 31 December 2007, in time to welcome in the New Year.  It’s always good to get away and also good to return to our home.

Before I go further, I must include November’s ministry news here.  For the Last four months, I have been following the theme “Life in the Father house.”  We have been dealing with many aspects of the body of Christ, and the local church, thus November we looked at “How to choose a church”. I feel there is still a lot of teaching needed.

Short Summary

• Marsh Family: Robert, Esther, Joshua, Cherith, Jordan, Jeremy, Chelsea & Chaylee.
• Country:  REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO (DRC).
• City :  Kinshasa (Capital city) – estimated population of  7 million people. It’s the capital city of DRC and is also considered a province.
• Language: Lingala, Kikongo, Tshiluba, Swahili  and French.

We have been serving in Congo for 13 years. Three years in interior (1994 – 1997), teaching in the Bible school, evangelizing and as assistant pastor of Berea Baptist church in the village of Longa for two years (Pastor Jean Bakonga is now pastor).  Due to the civil war we were evacuated. In 1998 we return to Congo, and settle in Kinshasa.

 The Lord has blessed us with good health and we are content to serve him here in Congo until He leads elsewhere.  We minister in the language of Lingala, and some French (the official language).  The Lord has blessed us with 6 six children, Joshua (12) born in Kinshasa, Cherith (9), Jordan (8), Jeremy (5) and the twins Chelsea & Chaylee (2) were all born in Boksburg, South Africa. We would appreciate your prayer that our children will begin to learn the language too, and be able to serve together with us as they grow older. 

Congo is slowly emerging out of an eight year civil war and there is still some fighting in the east. The civil war closed much of the country to travel, causing the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people.  Many of them are in Kinshasa, making it’s’ population over 7 million people. In Kinshasa we have a total of 14 churches, 12 of these churches have Congolese pastors, who have graduated from Bible School.  

 On Saturdays, along with three national men, are teaching in the Bible School.  Courses run from 9 AM to 3 PM.  2009 we are planning to move the Bible school to a more central location. The Lord has blessed us with property in the City of Dibaya Lubwe.  Now we are praying that we will be able to build the needed buildings to house the professors and students that will come for many parts of Congo.

We are praying about the possibility of a FM radio station here in Kinshasa. Do pray as we work on the application process.

• We would appreciated prayer for Esther’s’ Parents Mark & Wyla Grings, both are on the mission field in South Africa.  Esther’s mom is showing signs of memory loss and lack of strength and energy most days.
• Pray for the schooling of our children – we thank the Lord for our teacher that has come to help-a young missionary lady from South Africa.
• Pray concerning our need for increased finances. At the moment we are at 75% of our needed budget.
• We are planning furlough 2009
• Pray as I pastor “Eglise Baptiste Nsango Na Bomoi” where the Bible school is held.
• Pray for the students of the Bible School-steadfastness and provision.
• Other serving in Congo: The Grings family (in the states of furlough). Lee & Becky Ward, Bob Grings (86 yrs).
• Special prayer for our friends The Dawson Family.

I hope this brief summary of our ministry in Congo will help you to know how to pray.

In Christ,
Robert & Esther Marsh