“…FOR
SUCH A TIME AS THIS…” Esther 4:14b
Dear Friends,
Once again thank you for your patience with the
long
delays
in hearing from us. We have not fallen
off the planet,
even though some days it seems we are in another world.
We would
like
to thank all
of you for your faithful
support of our family
during this past year of 2008. We
have experienced the Lord’s upholding
hand especially
during the last
9 months since the death of Esther’s father. Understandably,
through all
the upheaval
in our lives,
it has taken us some time to be still
and seek the Lords will.
It was only
one month from the time Mark was seemingly
a strong healthy
man till
the day he passed on to his heavenly
home
June 13, 2008,
a day after Esther’s birthday.
September, Esther and I were in
Kinshasa
and had one week in which to close
up our house in
Kinshasa. Dan and
Christine Grings have moved into the house, and we have been able
to sell
a lot
of our things, enabling
us to buy a car here in
South Africa
and try and resettle
into Esther’s parent’s home.
The last
months have been spent in Dr’s and dentists visits for Wyla
and the family.
Wyla
is doing well,
considering all
things. Her memory is not so good and she does need full
care, as she is not able
to do much for herself.
But her love
for the Lord is strong and she still
has a strong desire to see the
lost
saved. Esther has to have her blood
monitored on a regular
basis in order to regulate
her “warfarin” dosage. Otherwise we
continue with all
the adjustments, plans
and physical
and financial
arrangements and changes that follow
the death of a loved
one, along
with that, there is all
that takes place
in the starting of a new life
and ministry in another country.
We had originally
planned
on taking our furlough
to the states in April
of 2009, but feel
that in the best interest of our family,
Wyla’s
care, and the ministries we are responsible
to, we feel
that a furlough
to the States would
not be wise. We feel
that the Lord has brought us here to
South Africa,
“...For such a time as this...” We
realize
that we have not been to see many of you individuals
and churches, for some time now. We
feel
that we have been place
in a “unique” circumstance and are asking the many of you who pray and have
supported us over these years to continue to pray and be understanding.
We have been torn between ministries, but have come to grips with the Lord’s will
for us to be in
South Africa.
-
I will
be taking the pastorate of
Community
Bible
Church
as a missionary pastor.
-
We will
continue with the radio program to
Congo
as the Lord provides the funds. The Lord has blessed
as we have be able
to pay the outstanding amount for
last
year, and pay in advance till
May 2009. We are trusting in the Lord to provide the funds needed for the
next half
of 2009.
-
I will
be making trips to
Congo
as the Lord provides funds in order to help
in the establishment
of the Bible
Institute at Debaye. I will
also
participate in teaching block
courses and seminars.
Prayer list
-
Esther’s medical
needs as they monitor to thin her blood.
-
Esther’s mothers’ daily
needs and help.
-
Esther as she cares for our family;
her mom’s care and the homeschooling
of the kids as well
as church ministries.
-
Radio program; the needed funds for the second
half
of 2009.
-
In regards to my ‘green card’, I will
have to make a trip to the States Lord willing
in May 2009.
-
Preparation work for the Bible
school
in
Congo-
looking
at starting the first year in 2010.
-
Community
Bible
Church;
wisdom for Mike
Neilson
and I as we preach and teach and
lead
the believers.
In Christ,
Robert Marsh