John 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
“So, Send I You!..” I’m sure that many of us have sung these words, at a missions conference, or at a commissioning service. We as a church “Nsango Na Bomoi Baptiste”(News of Life Baptist), had the privilege of commissioning David Ifulu on the 9th of March 2008, as an evangelist to the Bolongo. This is in the province of Bandundu. He had a well paid job here in the city, but was lead of the Lord to return to the interior. The Bolongo is quite isolated, in terms of traveling there and availability of things, like salt, soap, etc… David graduated Sep 2006, served as deacon of “Nsango Na Bomoi Baptist Church,” and was also in charge of the youth activities and out-reaches.
A young man Eric Bakwatsiawu (also a deacon), has stepped into the youth ministry. I praise the Lord that we have men like these to stand in the gap.
Ministry opportunities: We are putting together materials for a Sunday school teachers training seminar some time in May. We are also working on a seminar for song leading and choir conducting. (If you have any ideas or materials that you are willing to share, please feel free to get them to me by e-mail).
Printing: We have had a shortage of song books and were finally able to print 500 songs book in Lingala, and are planning to print more in the coming months. Believers here all own their own songbook for church, and we have been able to print these and sell them at a very low cost.
Building: We have started building on our main church building project; “Building by faith”. Each member has been encouraged to give as the Lord leads them toward the building projects. I have been providing all the building materials, and the church has contributed to those doing the labor. It has been interest to see how the church has responded to this. Some give money, others of their time in manual labor. (Keep in mind that some of our families are living on less than $35-$50 a month.) Oh, we have our Sanballat’s and Tobiah’s too. We started phase one, building of two rooms. We estimate that this could cost us $5000.00. Our problem right now is that the price of cement has gone from $9.00 to $20.00 a sac. Phase, two is to build an auditorium above two rooms 10m X 12m (which will later be converted to offices, radio studio, once phase three is done). Phase three will be the main auditorium, which will seat approximately……...
Radio Station: I have been working on the constitution and by-laws for the radio station which we have been praying about getting started. Once we have these documents we can continue the application process. We are praying that we will be able to install a radio station in Kinshasa, which will be used both as an evangelistic and edification tool. Lord willing we will be able to reach at least 21-22 of the 24 communities of Kinshasa (Kinshasa’s population is well over 7 million, with a 5%-7% annual growth.).
Bible School: We praise the Lord for providing the $6000.00 needed for the Bible school property in Debaye. We have paid the first $2000.00 on the land, and plan to pay another installment as soon as we have the paper work in order. September, I’m planning a trip of a few weeks to Dibaya Lubwe to oversee the first phase of construction.
Family: The Children are doing well and working hard at school. They hope be done early for the summer break as our missionary teacher is planning on returning to RSA for a couple of months of furlough.
Do pray for Esther, for a fast recovery from a bad chest cold and a foot injury. This time of the year here in Congo, it seems many are sick with colds and fevers. The rest of us are well at the moment.
Matters for prayer:
We have been able to re-apply for the twins American passports and are waiting to hear the out-come.
Construction, safety and the needed finance for the building of the Bible school.
One of our deacon’s sister is very sick, it seems she may have TB, and is recovering from Meningitis and malaria. Do pray for her full recovery. (The deacon is Jean Badinga).
Pray for Esther’s and my parent’s health and welfare while living and ministering in South Africa.
Because He first loved us (1 John 4:19),
Robert & Esther Marsh