International Missions Representatives
August 2010
It was a very special experience to step off the plane in Nairobi on July 22nd, 2010. I had landed at Jomo Kenyatta airport dozens of times but this arrival had a unique significance. It was the beginning of the fulfillment of many messages of encouragement and prophecies received over the previous 8 months which said, in various ways, “God has more work for you to do … your ministry in Africa is not over… your life will be spared for even greater things…”
Shirley and I have tried to live consistently with the assurance that our lives and times are in God’s hands. But there’s an added dimension of urgency when you have been told that you have an illness that could well be fatal. That fact was underscored by one doctor’s question: “Are your end-of-life documents in order?” That question didn’t throw us. We had weeks earlier received God’s assurance in our hearts that He was going to see us through this trial.
We have no doubt that the prayers of so many friends, and even those who didn’t know us, played an essential role in my recovery. We don’t have words adequate to express our appreciation for that support. The result is that my energy and strength is almost back to 100%. The doctors will always express caution about the possibility of recurrence with this type of cancer (melanoma). But we are seizing each day as a gift from God with potential to fulfill his purposes for our lives.
That conviction is what filled me with joy and expectation as I stepped off the plane a few weeks ago. I was under strict orders from my personal nurse and my doctor to pace myself on this journey back to Africa. Interestingly, I felt my strength increasing day by day as I moved through the schedule of speaking and meetings that awaited me in Kenya, Uganda and Congo.
It was a bit overwhelming to hear the exuberant response of congregations in these places as I shared the story of how God had touched and preserved my life. But then I remembered – intercessory prayer for these people is not a quiet, routine exercise. It is an intense and urgent calling out to God. They had been part of the prayer force that carried us through these past months of surgery and recovery.
I want to thank all of you who prayed for me before and during this trip. It was a highlight of my life to have the privilege of ministering again in Africa under a fresh mandate from the Lord.
Here are some of the highlights of this ministry safari in East Africa:
WOODLEY PENTECOSTAL CHURCH, NAIROBI
- preached 3 services on Sunday; over 3,000 in this, one of 5 satellite congregations of NPC;
- also ministered in Tuesday evening prayer service in the main church downtown. Over 2,000 attended. Inspiring, fervent prayer;
- the peaceful conduct of the country’s recent referendum for a new national constitution was a definite answer to prayer.
CLASS OF PASTORS IN KIBERA SLUM,
- over 300 churches in this largest slum in Africa;
- more than 60 pastors being trained to more accurately and effectively teach the Bible;
- the Center provides care and classes in various skills for HIV-positive women\
- Bible studies sponsored by the Center have resulted in many being saved and discipled in nearby NPC churches.
PASTORS’ SEMINAR IN UGANDA,
- The Pentecostal Assemblies of Uganda are planting churches at a rapid rate every year;
- church planters are trained in a Center just outside of Kampala;
- my classes focused on pastoral skills and conflict management;
- church planters in Uganda face many conflicts as they reach into new communities (eg. how to deal with polygamists who become Christiians).
IN BUKAVU, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (Choirs are an essential part of church),
- preached in Bethsaida Church which had been praying fervently for us;
- we are still seeking the $50,000 needed to complete the building;
- through ERDO, we continue to help the population of E. Congo overcome the devastating effects of the war;
- we are able to direct humanitarian aid which is MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE.
Thank you for your care and encouragement as we continue to support these and other ministries in East and Central Africa.
April 2010
The story of what has happened, and still is happening, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is finally beginning to be told in the international media. The recent history of the last 15 years of civil war is difficult to tell and to grasp. Recently released figures from the UN report over 5 million people killed and whole villages destroyed leaving hundreds of thousands of orphans and female victims of sexual violence.
As I am writing this, Canada’s Governor General, Michaelle Jean, is on an official visit to the country to make a first-hand assessment of the situation. She has expressed the shock and horror which any outside observer feels when confronted with the reality of this 21st century holocaust, especially the plight of women who have been brutalized.
It has been almost 10 years since I began making regular visits into Bukvau, the capital of the Eastern Region, the area which has experienced the worst devastation and brutality. During those years I have shared reports of different aspects of what is happening there and how we are trying to make a difference through PAOC missions and the humanitarian relief efforts of ERDO, Emergency Relief and Development Overseas.
One of the most heart-wrenching and yet inspiring parts of the story has been the work of the Panzi Hospital. In a report following a visit to Eastern Congo, Anderson Cooper of CNN called the Hospital “the front line in the war against women in Congo.” (His story focused on how rape by the Congolese rebels and insurgents from neighboring countries has become a powerful weapon to keep entire villages intimidated and in subjugation.)
Shirley and I have had the privilege of getting to know the Director of the Hospital, Dr. Dennis Mukwege. He is the son of Pentecostal pastor and a godly, compassionate servant of Christ treating the dozens of women who come to the hospital every month for reconstructive surgery after being attacked in their villages.
One of the first responses to the desperate need we met in Congo was to initiate the sending of a container of medical equipment and supplies to Panzi Hospital. For example, it was incredible to learn that Panzi did not have even one ultra-sound machine. We were able to send 2 machines that had become “obsolete” in a Canadian Hospital but were perfectly useful and received as “gold” by Dr. Mukwege and his team.
Since this first response in 2005 we have been able to send more containers as well as other types of assistance, not only material supplies but also spiritual support. As I have reported in previous communications, the largest gift to the suffering people of Eastern Congo has been food aid valued at over $2 million which has been distributed to 5 of the neediest villages in the region. That project was completed last November.
The main recipients of spiritual help have been the pastors of the fellowship of churches with which we partner in the DRC, the CEPAC churches (Community of Pentecostal Churches of Central Africa). This has been mainly through the sponsoring of conferences for these leaders. Also, we have been able to assist the Bethsaida Church in Bukavu in the building of their new ministry facilities.
PERSONAL NEWS –
We continue to get many enquiries about how the recovery from cancer surgery is going. We are so grateful to be able to report that I have probably regained about 90% of my strength. There is still some limitation of strength and movement in my right shoulder and arm but that is also improving through physiotherapy.
It was our plan to be back in Africa at this time after a long period of recovery from surgery but our doctor recommended against overseas travel for another month or two. Also, several close friends expressed their concerns that perhaps this would be “too much too soon”. And so we are filling these weeks with some rewarding activities which will, hopefully, contribute to the work that fills our minds and prayers for Africa.
In our last letter I mentioned about the proposed visit of Pastor Raha Muzibao from Congo and the obstacles he was meeting in getting his visa to come to Canada. Many friends joined us in praying for the situation and the visa was finally granted. It was a delight to spend 2 weeks travelling with Raha in Southern Ontario and Western Canada. His telling of the story of the ministry in Congo has had a powerful effect on those who were able to hear him speak.
Our main goal for the tour is to give our partners a first-hand report of the fruit of our ministry in Congo. Financially, we hope to raise sufficient funds ($50,000) to complete the new Bethsaida Church Building which is the center for so much vital ministry in the Eastern region.
Our revised schedule calls for our return to East Africa at the end of June. We are very much aware of our dependence on the Lord for His daily provision for our physical and spiritual well-being. We don’t take it for granted and we thank you for standing with us in prayer and financial support.
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