The Marsh Family

South Africa and Democratic Republic of Congo

“God’s light burns through time on the wicks of human life, Life passes Light to life, turning a sin-darkened world into a glory for Christ.” “Burning Wicks” (not sure of the author)

June, July & August including September 2009

Dear prayer warriors,

We really do apologize for the long silence, our computer crashed and we lost a lot of e-mails. But praise the Lord we are up and running again. I am working on updating our website and blog, where you should be able to get all our past letters and updates. www.gospel2africa.org or www.congoministry.com

Family – They say that it takes at least two years to make a full adjustment after a move. It is just over a year now since Esther’s father passed on to his heavenly home. We have been working on making the home liveable for all 10 of us, and getting school in order, schedules and responsibilities for everyone, and chores an order of the day. Wyla has really been doing well physically, with no major illnesses that she suffered from. When we first came back we found that her sleeping medicine had really altered her personality, but since getting her off of that she returned to her love of music and joy of the Lord. We play old message that Mark preached, and also the Bible on CD. This past Sunday morning Esther found her weeping while listening to the Bible on CD. She does require constant care in all areas which keeps Esther quite busy along with the rest of her responsibilities. We are so thankful for those who step in to help. Missionary Marie Brunk, who thankfully lives next door, comes over each day and spends time listening and reading to her. Her nursing classmate Esther Wood, from her yesteryears also keeps in touch with her almost daily by phone. Then with modern technology she is able to phone her siblings in the States on SKYPE and enjoys keeping in touch with them. Days are very long for her as she doesn’t know what to do, but helps in little ways that she can like hanging the washing or doing some dishes. Wyla will be celebrated her 81st birthday on the 29th September 2009. We thank God for His goodness to her and are thankful for the privilege of caring for her. Our Congolese daughter, Winnie, had to return to Congo the end of July as her visa expired. She was in Congo for the past 8 weeks and we sorely missed her and her help to our family. Thankfully the Lord opened the way for her to return on the 23rd September. Her help and ministry to our family enables us to keep on here in South Africa and keep Wyla in the home with us.

HOW YOU CAN PRAY: 1) For Grace for Esther and all she is doing. 2) Children, and their schooling 3) Our family prayer and bible reading. 4)Praise, Winnie returned and is with us again. 5)Praise that all are in good health.

South Africa -Church – June 29 – 3 July was our KYB (Know Your Bible Club) our highest attendance was over 190 children. On the Friday night we had the highest attendance of Parents that we’ve had for a long time. September 10 -13 was mission’s conference at Community Bible Church. We are a small church made up primarily of a couple families, a few women, and a small but strong core of youth and young adults. We are so thankful that besides being a light to those around us we are supporting other missionaries reaching out, both here in South Africa and abroad. Along with preaching and teaching, I am busy with discipleship of a young man, and teaching some young men in song leading and leading of the services. Esther will begin working with the choir as well as teaching piano to those who are interested. Pray with us as we continue to seek God’s wisdom as we step into the leadership of the church here and looking to the Lord to provide a man to train for the pastorate.

HOW YOU CAN PRAY: 1) Spiritual growth of our church, 2) Opportunities to reach people in our community who live behind tall walls and locked gates. 3) Pray that we will know how to reach the communities around us, like Buhle Park, Phumula, Mapleton, Roodebult, and Spruitview.

Congo Ministry – Missionary Dan Grings and Pastor Ndomvi and Pastor Mbalanga in the Congo, are making a trip to Dibaya Lubwe, to cut lumber to be used in the construction of the new Bible school campus. Things are moving very slowly as there is so much that is already happening in other ministries there and in the Congo. It seems that our projected start of the Bible School for 2010 will not be realized. We have about 25 men that are interest in starting, so we have decided that we will send them the material for first year’s courses and have them study the material, with the plans of having block courses next year.

HOW YOU CAN PRAY: 1) Needed funds for construction of Bible School buildings. 2) Preparation of the school policies and documents. 3) Pray, to the Lord of the harvest, to send the The Clancy Family to Congo in his timing. 4) Pray for the students.

Radio Ministry – Concerning the Radio program Nsango Na Bomoi, programs are up to date till the end of November. We are also very thankful that the Lord has provided the needed funds to pay through the end of this year. We have copied over 1800 old messages from Reel tapes to digital. We are now at a point that we will be editing and preparing them for re-broadcast and using them on CD as evangelistic outreach tools here amongst the Congolese in South Africa.

HOW YOU CAN PRAY: 1) Praise the Lord for providing the need funds for the program. 2) That this program will remain effective in reaching the lost by radio. 3) That the Lord will give the right message for every day of the year. 4)Pray for CD-Christ through Digital outreach.

Robert, Esther, Joshua, Cherith, Jordan, Jeremy, Chelsea, Chaylee, Winnie MARSH And Wyla Grings.