"As cold waters to a
thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." Proverbs 25:25
2007 - News & Updates
December 17, 2007
Greetings to all in the
name of Jesus. God has been very good and we report victory on
various fronts in the mission field. Below is a brief report of the
work in the various countries we are working with in Africa. As
mentioned below, Bro. Alen Laukert is now living in Ghana. If you
would like to support him and his family, offerings may be sent c/o
Michael Smith, 605 Bishops Ct, Nixa, MO 65714. Checks can be
written to the Church of God (a tax receipt will be sent upon
request). These offerings will then be sent periodically to Bro.
Alen.
Bro. Doug Wall plans to
make another trip to Kenya and Tanzania toward the end of January.
Donations can be sent to the above address to help with this effort.
Let us pray that God would go before Bro. Doug and meet every need.
These brethren are looking to the Lord and not man to supply their
needs. They have not solicited funds. I share these needs with you
as I am aware of the them.
We are thankful for each
one that supports the various works in Africa. There have been many
souls saved and much truth spread as a result of this support. In
addition, the humanitarian efforts are ongoing to support the
orphans and needs in various countries.
May God bless you all for
your interest. Above and beyond temporal support, prayer is needed
that God would look down in favor and bless every hungry soul in
Africa.
In the Lord, Bro. Michael
Smith
Kenya/Tanzania: I have been very encouraged with the work of
the Lord in Kenya and Tanzania. As in every field, there are
troubles and trials, but there have also been many victories. Bro.
Doug Wall and I are continuing to make new contacts in these areas.
We have then been able to direct these contacts to ministers that
Bro. Doug met while in Kenya on his last trip. Reports have been
coming in of people being saved and of others being healed. People
are still renouncing sin and the power of the enemy and starting a
fresh walk in Jesus Christ. The field there is ripe and we pray that
the Lord would give wisdom and guidance in every decision that
affects this mission field.
Ghana: Bro. Alen, Sis. Elina Laukert and their two children
(of Germany) have recently moved to Akumadan, Ghana to labor in this
mission field. Let us pray continually for them that God would
grant them health and special anointing and wisdom. This month a
crusade was held in another village by a native minister who has
felt a burden to fellowship with the Church of God. 30 souls took
their stand with the Lord in this new area.
Malawi/Mozambique: Since the last report in
October, news has come in of various meetings held in these two
countries. A ministers meeting was held in Malawi where ministers
gathered from many congregations in Malawi and Mozambique. The
teaching was over on a wide range of subjects. Some of the recent
pastors have come from the Catholic church with their congregations.
They are ignorant of much truth but have a desire to learn and be
part of God's church. Of note was a women's meeting held in Munonoyi,
Mozambique where over 1000 people attended. Our hearts are cheered
at the report of the gospel reaching so many people. Another bale of
100 blankets has recently been purchased for the orphans and needy
children.
Nigeria: We are continuing to receive positive reports from
Nigeria. As I have mentioned before, the congregations in Nigeria
are the most settled and have been around longer than the other
fields in Africa that we have contact with. I find it interesting
that the burden of some of the ministers in Nigeria is similar to
the burden that some of us have in the United States. We are
fighting, as they are, a spirit of spiritual apathy. Let us pray
that the Spirit will move and work among us all. Someone donated
funds for the children in Nigeria. Over 70 Bibles were purchased
along with other gifts for the children. This is pictured below. The
other pictures show Bro. Naths-Igbanibo and others working to clear
land for the congregation in Ogu in Rivers State.
October 9 2007 Below is a report submitted by the Walls
of their trip to Kenya and Tanzania. In addition, you can listen to
clips of singing and view a gallery of pictures from the mission
trip. We thank God for the prosperous trip and for the continuing
spiritual benefits in Africa.
Kenya/Tanzania Trip Report by Bro. Doug and Sis. Lenita Wall
After receiving emails from Brother Paul in Africa
and corresponding with him for a considerable time, the Lord gave us
a burden to go to Africa on a missionary trip. Brother Paul was
asking for teaching on the Church of God.
Before Doug and I traveled to Africa, our request was for strength,
inspiration, and protection. We are happy to report that the Lord
answered our prayers. Our trip was blessed of the Lord. We visited
three main areas in early August of 2007, two in Kenya and one in
Tanzania.
Our
first stop in Kenya was at a congregation in the Embu area, which is
northeast of Nairobi. There were many who came to services from
other towns and villages. In this place, there are about seven
ministers working together in different congregations. Some came
from as far as the Coast Province to attend the meeting.
Most of these folks have backgrounds in different groups calling
themselves “Church of God", which creates confusion about the one
true Church. Some are also from a Pentecostal background. A group of
brothers and sisters from a Pentecostal group traveled far to hear
the teaching of the Church of God. There seemed a hungering for the
truth.
On our return to Nairobi, we visited another group who is interested
in the truth, a group of ten ministers affiliated with Brother
Ishmael. They expressed thanks for the literature they have received
from Brother Willie Murphey. They have congregations scattered
around Kenya.
We
were very glad to pick up Brother Alen Laukhert at the airport after
our return to Nairobi. Brother Alen is a missionary from Germany.
Having him on the trip was a great blessing.
The following day, we traveled as a group to southwestern Kenya. We
found saints that readily received the truth of God’s word and that
were eager to learn. They are in the poorer part of Kenya, but
poverty does not hinder them from serving God with their whole
hearts. Approximately 6 ministers work together in the area in
different congregations.
The chapel where we held services in was made of split rock and mud.
It took them a year to build this chapel, going to the hills,
splitting the rocks and hauling them back in wheelbarrows. They
would like to cement the outside of the chapel with a plaster so the
chapel will last longer in the rains.
Most of these people have a Pentecostal background also. The pastor,
Brother Peter, searched the scripture and found inconsistencies
between Pentecostal teachings and teachings of the Bible. It is
amazing what the Holy Spirit has revealed to him about the Church of
God. In Brother Peter's search for the truth, he came across Brother
Michael Smith's web site. Brother Peter and Brother Michael
communicated for some time and Brother Michael put us in contact
with him.
In this area of Kenya, there are many orphans, mostly due to the
AIDS epidemic in Africa. Brother Peter’s congregation has the
responsibility for about 40 orphans. As more orphans are brought to
the congregation, they are placed in different congregational
member's homes.
Brother
Peter started a school for the orphans in the chapel. They meet six
days a week. Beside the orphans, they have many more students who
only have one living parent that can't afford to send them to the
public school. They share just a few text books among all the
students. It cost less than $10 per student for textbooks. When we
arrived, they had 90 students, and by the time we left, they had
closer to 125. The school shares four crayons.
Brother Joseph, who is in fellowship with Brother Peter, is from the
same area of Kenya, and has a congregation with 24 orphans and a
school. These brethren are both serving these children as unto the
Lord, depending on Him to supply every need.
Doug and Brother Alen Laukert both taught about the Church. Doug and
I also gave a lesson on marriage.
The number of people that would come forward seeking spiritual help
or healing during the services was overwhelming. Many had unsaved
and drunken companions. They need more teaching on the full message
of the gospel.
Next we traveled to Tanzania, where Brother Paul lives. He is
married and has four boys and one daughter. He grew up in a
denomination call The Last Church of God. He became tired of
corruption and left The Last Church of God. When Pentecostalism came
to the area, he rejoiced, thinking he had found true holiness.
Pentecostalism proved to be a disappointment. He read in the
Scriptures about the different Churches of God and desired to know
what it really was and to find someone who believed and taught what
the Bible teaches.
The first meeting in Tanzania was just for the ministers. Brother
Paul wanted the ministers he works with to meet us and hear the
messages first. There were 28 ministers. They all showed great
interest in what was being taught. They would take notes and look in
their Bibles. Some of the ministers didn't own their own Bibles.
Some only had a Catholic version. After a lesson on sanctification,
an invitation was given to any ministers that felt they had been too
carnal and wanted the infilling of the Holy Ghost. Most of the
ministers came forward for prayer.
The
next two days, we had services with all the ministers and the
congregation. As altar calls were given, so many came forward that
we couldn't pray with them all. Doug said if any of them wanted to
talk to us in private and have prayer or counseling, they could do
so after service. For two nights we were up late talking and praying
with many. We felt such a heaviness because of the seriousness of
the problems being shared and such a responsibility, because we knew
they were expecting results. We still pray for the ones in Africa,
knowing that only God can help them.
Tanzania is like Kenya - there are many widows and orphans. The
congregation in Tanzania tries to help with the support of widows.
We were deeply moved by the condition of the orphans and widows.
We returned to Nairobi and purchased 50 Bibles. Most of the Bibles
were in Swahili. These Bibles were left behind for distribution by
the ministers.
Since we have returned home, we keep getting reports of more being
saved and baptized in some of the congregations we visited. We see a
great opportunity.
We are so glad that God made a way for us to go. We deeply
appreciate the prayers and support of the saints in the States as we
made this trip. We believe there are true children of God in Kenya
and Tanzania who are hungry for the word of God. We look forward to
returning to meet with God’s children there once again.
August 23, 2007 We are thankful to report that Bro.
Doug and Sis. Lenita Wall arrived home safely from their mission
trip to Kenya and Tanzania. Bro. Alen accompanied them and he
arrived safely back in Germany. God blessed this mission and the
Walls founds souls that were hungry for truth. We give God thanks
for His protection and for the spiritual blessings of this trip. In
the coming weeks, we will post pictures and a report from the Walls.
Below is an email Bro. Doug received from Bro. Peter in Kenya. We
appreciate the sincerity and the blessings of God on our brothers
and sisters in foreign lands.
"I've the pleasure to thank God for He answered my prayer plus our
congregation prayers. I was praying and looking from one place to
another to find the truth, I tried Pentecostal churches only result
was offices and leadership. To me beside the congregation, brother
Wall, Sister Lanet and Allen Laukert were a miracle to my life. I
have found the truth that I shouldn’t sell it. In our Weekly fasting
we appreciate our beloved brethren for tender mercies and traveling
grace back to overseas. I was very happy and I thank God to hear
they have arrived home safely. I Thank God also for their good stay
with us. Day by day it was like oil flowing into my heart. After
their departure we've received seven saints to God's households
(born again). This weekend 25th and 26th August we've invited
brethrens from the surrounding congregations for prayers and
baptism. The school program has increased in number as a blessing to
the church. We've to cater for 28 orphans now and 75 extra in our
school. We have the pleasure to appreciate a Golden gift of a few
Bibles, which was offered to you brother Douglas. The Saints are
very grateful. 15 Bibles to my congregation. Six Bibles to Joseph
Chacha, 20 Bibles to Tanzania. Now it was a blessing to all who
received. They were very glad and are praying God willing to get in
future as God's will to be done to others. Brother Douglas, we need
more teachings and materials plus more study of revelation. Pray for
us.
Testimonies
1. My neighbors' wife broken hand and unpaining after your prayers
(Pastor Hezekiah Nyangi)
2. a mother of stomach problems proclaimed healed in our Sunday
service (Everlyn Resa)
3. a boy who had epilepsy problem feeling well a bit (Calvin)
4. a young man with chest problem proclaimed victory on our Sunday
service
5. Tanzanian Pastor by phone he said three sisters are healed of
evil spirits, two brothers healed of ulcer and one woman with chest
Our prayers this week is ask God to Direct us how many days we are
going to fast and pray for brother Mike Smith and Caroline Laukert
and when it shall be confirmed we shall inform you to pray with us.
Pray for me, family and east African Saints. For All labor expenses
and time you took to reach us is a blessing that needs God’s Reward.
I can see people come daily to my house for questions about the
church. So brothers I pray that you assist us with books and more
spiritual truth.
I have received your email and I am very happy. I believe you are
fine. Receive my family greetings and congregation saints. I
received a message from Paul Maguge yesterday. They are doing
well....
Thank you. God bless you.
Peter Ujala Akweyona "
July 12, 2007
Greetings to all in Jesus name. The work in Africa is growing as
people continue to yield to the Lord. The fields in Malawi and
Mozambique continue to be especially ripe. As it was in the
days of Christ, so it is still today. People that are in
impoverished conditions, are often more receptive to the gospel. The
Spirit is still working with honest hearts and the fields remain
ripe for the harvest.
Mission Trip Planned:
Over the past two years, there have been a growing number of
contacts with various ministers from different backgrounds in Kenya
and Tanzania. The call coming from these places is for someone to
come and teach them. Bro. Doug and Sis. Lenita Wall have responded
to this heart-felt call and are planning to visit these two
countries. Lord willing, they will be leaving the first part of
August for a couple of weeks. This effort is worthy of our prayers
and support. They will be visiting various congregations and having
services in both Tanzania and Kenya. Let us pray that God will keep
them well physically and endue them with special strength, wisdom,
and courage as they enter this new field of labor.
While I know that Bro.
Doug and Sis. Lenita are looking to the Lord (and not to others) to
provide for this trip, I would personally like to share part of the
need. The two plane tickets alone are well over three thousand
dollars. There will be a number of expenses while they are in
country as transportation costs are high in Africa. If you would
like to financially support this trip, your offerings can be sent to
them directly or through this office. Offerings can be sent to:
Church of God; 605 Bishops Ct, Nixa, MO 65714. This office
will then forward the support on for the Wall's trip.
Malawi/Mozambique:
The saints are encouraged in Malawi and Mozambique and continue to
have a hunger for knowledge of the truth. They appreciate so much
the help they have received during the difficult time they have
passed through due to flooding, lack of food, and loss of homes. The
saints in Mozambique are rebuilding their homes and are awaiting the
harvest of their crops in the next couple of months. Bro. Failos and
other ministers continue to spread the gospel to these precious
people.
1. Baptism 2.
Local meeting in Mozambique
3 & 4. Saints in Malawi
5 & 6. Ministers meeting that was held in Malawi when Bro.
Naths-Igbanibo was in attendance from Nigeria.
Nigeria: The
National Camp Meeting in Nigeria will be held August 28-September 2,
2007 in Kwale. Let us pray that the Spirit will bless them with
souls for their labor. We thank the Lord that funds were provided
and land was purchased for a chapel building in Kwale. Below, Bro.
Alphonsus Okwuosha is pictured showing the boundaries of the land
that was purchased. This building project will not only be for the
local congregation in Kwale (who is without a chapel) but for use as
a national camp meeting place in Nigeria.
Ghana: Lord
willing, Bro. Alen Laukert and Sis. Elina are planning to move to
Akumadan, Ghana following their attendance at the Monark Meeting.
Let us keep them in our prayers. We pray that their presence in
Ghana will prove to be a spiritual blessing to the congregations and
that they would bring greater stability to the work in Ghana. Let us
pray for the Laukerts and their children that God would keep them
from all disease and harm.
In the Lord, -Bro.
Michael Smith
May 08, 2007
Today I received an inspiring and in-depth report from Bro.
Naths-Igbanibo of Nigeria of his missionary trip to Malawi last
December. This report is worth reading and is indicative of the work
that God is doing in Malawi and Mozambique. I thank God for the
willingness and sacrifice of Bro, Igbanibo to make these mission
trips.
May 01,2007 Below is a report I received from Kenya
about their meeting in April. The fields are ripe for harvest in the
Kenya/Tanzania area. Let us remember these works that the Lord will
call out His people in unity and oneness of faith.
Dear Bro.Michael Smith,
God so loved the world that He gave His only son to die for the soul
of mankind. In an effort to reach out to the souls of men, this camp
meeting was held at the local congregation here in Runyenjes.
Nothing is successful without some preparation before hand. The
church held prayers meetings before this camp meeting for its
success. The church was instructed to get hold of God and more Him
because He loves our loved ones more than we do. Many prayers
bombarded heaven on behalf of the meeting.
Our days of the meeting was shortened due to unavoidable
circumstance. Arrival date was 20th and meeting started on 21st to
23rd April.
We had prayers on 20th on 21st morning we had a morning devotion. I
brought some thoughts from Psalm 19. We are here to approach the
throne of Grace with confidence.
Bro. Samuel Mtito arrived in the morning of 21WE WERE HAPPY TO MEET
HIM FOR THE FIRST TIME.MORNING SREVICE MESSAGE BEARER WAS BRO. HENRY
Njagi chaired by Bro. Michael Muriithi. He spoke from John 1:1, God
loves you to love Him, He sent His word.
Afternoon service message bearer was Bro. Michael Muriithi chaired
by Bro. Henry Njagi. I preached on “Who is left among you, who show
this house on her first among”.
Sunday morning devotion was conducted by Bro. Benson Njuranio.
Morning service was sermoned by Bro. Samuel Mtito. The Holy spirit
stretched us to give chance to him. His message, “Do you have your
ticket.”
In the afternoon we had a Bible study conducted by Bro. Henry Njagi.
His topic was “The church of God” This Bible study was blessings to
all who attended and to Bro. Samuel Mtito.
We had a wonderful meeting. Those who came from far it was their
time to go back. Bro. Samuel left around 5:30 pm to arrive home the
following day. We missed the South Nyanza group bro. Peter. There
was a heavy rain which affected them and some of the saints over
there.
On 23rd morning, we had a morning service and message bearer was
Bro. Michael. The theme of the message was “Are you ready for your
journey into eternity?” This service condluded the camp meeting.
Several people were saved, justified and sanctified, encouraged.
Many said it was one of the best ever! There was a wonderful spirit
and fellowship and any opposing spirit was rebuked. Thank the Lord!
God was manifested in the midst of His people. What more could we
ask for?
We thank Bro. Michael Smith for the support of success of this
meeting, and the church prayers in U.S.A. We are looking forward to
our coming revival meetings, that is, of course, trusting that the
Lord spares the world and our lives until then.
-Bro. Michael
Muriithi
April 30, 2007 Bros. Wilhelm and Alen Laukert had made a
return visit to Ghana in the month of March. Below is the report
submitted from this trip. Let all continue to remember them in
prayer that God will lead and direct them as they work in Ghana.
Dear saints,
We are thankful to God for giving me and brother Alen the desire to
visit the saints in Ghana once again. The purpose of our trip was to
encourage the saints to go foreward and to help them in physical
life. Our trip lasted 12 days in the month of March 2007. Our flight
started in Paris because it was the cheapest flight. There were two
Stopps in Milan (Italy) and in Lagos (Nigeria) before we landed in
Accra (Ghana). It was a long and tiring trip but praise to God that
nothing serious happend. As we arrived in Accra in the evening we
stayed there in a hotel one night. The following day we continued
our trip to Akumadan. There were always little problems but God
helped us every time. Praise to the Lord!
There was a building project started in Nkinkasu last time by
brother Alen so we continued on that project. We are going to build
by the help of God a tabernacle similar to that at Monark Springs
MO. Nearby we started to dig a well, so that the tabernacle is
supplied with water. It gave to me pleasure to work with the African
saints. It was a blessing experience for we stayed at the building
site all together the whole day. The women prepared meal for us and
we enjoyed it very much.
We consider this building project to be necessary becaus the saints
there meet at a school house. In addition the new building will be
much bigger than the school house.
We were surprised by the big learning capacity of African children.
When brother Alen taught some of the children (about ten years old)
the song "Father Abraham has many sons" in English, which is not
their native language, they could perform it to us without any help
so that we could record it on a camera. It was very impressive to us
and we praise God for those children. This showed us once again the
necessity of good educational institutions in Africa.
The saints in Ghana are hungry for the word of God but if they
cannot read it they are not satisfied. Let us not forget to thank
God for his bible and for education. Let us read it more of ten for
we have the great privilege of reading it.
We thank God that we could get to know the saints better. The many
problems and difficulties they have caused us to cry more earnestly
to God for HIS CHILDREN in the dark continent of Africa.
Glory to God that he kept us in good health on that trip! We are not
worthy of his care for us.
Please pray for us that we may hear always the voice of God when
speaking to us. Pray for us that we also obey to it.
Please pray earnestly fort he saints in Ghana and all over Africa.
They are in special need; not only in physical need but also in
spiritual need.
Pray for the mission work in Africa as well for there is so much to
do but there are so few workers. Pray also, that God will send his
workers into the harvest fields.
Yours in him,
Wilhelm and Alen Laukert
April 2, 2007
Lord willing, further updates concerning the Africa Mission work
will be posted in the coming month. Bro. Alen Laukert and his father
made a return visit to Ghana in the month of March. They were there
for about 12 days. We are thankful that they had a safe return in
good health.
Lord willing, Bro.
Igbanibo will make another visit to Ghana. This office has sent out
funds to support that endeavor. The enemy is doing all he can to
cause trouble and confusion in the work. Let us pray that the Lord
will especially bless in Ghana and clear up areas where the enemy is
working.
SPECIAL NEED IN
MOZAMBIQUE
I received a report from
Bro. Master in Malawi concerning the flooding in Mozambique. As has
been reported on national news, there has been extreme flooding in
Mozambique and thousands have lost their homes and crops.
Bro. Master shared with
me that 250 families of the church have lost their homes. These
families are from 12 different villages. They are living in churches
and school buildings at present. Food is very scarce and is one of
the primary needs at the moment. Churches are supporting their own
people in these areas. The Catholics are helping the Catholics, the
Jehovah Witnesses are supporting the native Jehovah Witnesses, etc.
Funds have been donated to help our fellow brethren in Mozambique.
Funds will continue to be distributed over the next two months as
donations are made for this humanitarian effort.
Note: Due to our
limited funds and the high cost of transportation of food in
Mozambique at this time, any funds collected from this office will
be directly distributed to the families that have need. They can
then travel themselves to areas where food is available for
purchase.
January 4, 2007 It
is with our eyes on the Lord that we enter this new year. We look to
God with expectation, believing that He will continue to bless His
work wherever there are honest hearts. We received a wonderful
report of the trip that Bro. Igbanibo made to Malawi and Mozambique.
I received a call today from Malawi that was full of thanksgiving
for what God has done.
I have a burden to share
for the consideration of the saints. There may be some established
African brethren that would be willing to do mission work within
other African countries if money was available. I know that already
the saints in eastern Africa are requesting Bro. Igbanibo to come
back this year. This is not to the neglect of American missionaries
going to Africa as God leads, but it seems expedient for us to
support our foreign brothers in these endeavors. Let us pray that
God will lead and direct in this.
We have also received a
good report from Kenya. There are some brethren that we have had
contact with for some time. We gave them some other contacts we had
in Kenya of people hungry for truth. Through some support of the
Africa Mission Fund that this office maintains, these brethren were
able to meet and have fellowship. God blessed in the meeting and the
call from both groups is to have more contact. Let us pray that God
will open up a mighty, Spirit filled work in Kenya and bless our
brothers and sisters there.
Below is, in part, the
report from Bro. Igbanibo about his trip to Malawi.
Dear Bro. Michael
Smith and Family,
Greetings to you all through the name of the Wonderful, Jesus Christ
our Lord, the greatest gift of God to all mankind. What a blessing
to be part of this gift of salvation, the saviour returning our
hearts to the Father, our maker. I praise and glorify the name of
the Highest once again for His loving kindness which has made our
hearts glad.
I am very happy to inform you of my safe return to Nigeria from the
Malawi trip and into the warm embrace of my family and the saints
here. While there I felt the mighty hand of God upholding me in
response to the prayer of His children every where. It was quite
encouraging to me. I want all of you therefore to join us thanking
God in the wonderful way He took care of my health which enabled me
go to all the places we could possibly visit both in Malawi and
Mozambique. The power, the grace, His leading and His word which the
Lord offered me while with the beloved brethren of these two
countries is also worthy of His praise. I can not thank Him enough
alone for the blessings He offered me and the dear brethren through
the word of His grace we shared together in various ways. Joy was
visible on their faces in all the places I went with Bros Failos and
Master who did the translation for me in a very impressive manner.
My experience through the visit coupled with what I saw on ground
opened my eyes to the sacrifice Bro. Bob Sallee, his daughter, Karen
and yourself made in the interest of these poor souls that needed
Christ in this part of the world. It made me to constantly make an
analogy of Christ coming down from Heaven to a sin sick world in
order to save souls made dead through their own sins, and you
leaving your country to the interiors of Africa to save souls dead
in sins and superstition.
We have a good knowledge through the Bible that Christ, the Word
that was with the Father from the beginning, (John 1:1), He, the
Image of the invisible God, (Col. 1:15), the BRIGHTNESS of His (the
Father’s) Glory, and the express IMAGE of His Person, God (Heb. 1:3)
no doubt, shared wonderful glory with the Father before the world
was created. John 17:5. But this mighty God, Jesus the Wonderful,
the Prince of peace (Isa. 9:7) would empty himself of that glory,
disregarding the form of God in Him, would accept to take the place
of a servant through humility and became obedient to the death of
the cross (Phil. 2:6-8). This king of glory thus becoming poor, had
no certain dwelling place, depriving Himself of His riches so that
man could become rich with the riches of salvation through His
poverty (II Cor. 8:9.) Oh! What a wonderful way of demonstrating His
love for mankind!
I have not been to America but I have been made to believe that it
is like heaven on earth. But someone belonging to such a country
with all the comfort it provides, coming down to the interior parts
of Africa with little or no facility to give comfort and promote
good health, particularly in the part of Malawi and Mozambique you
went labouring to bring the true love of God to hungry souls is, to
me, could be likened to the mission of Christ on earth. It is only
those who have a burning love for souls that would be ready to deny
themselves of their comfort and well being to lay down even their
lives on the altar as sacrifice in the interest of souls that are
precious in the sight of God who created all man every where in His
Image. How many are mindful of this and could truly labour with this
burden in their hearts. To me, my visit to Malawi and Mozambique is
challenging. I regard it as a baptism for greater services for soul
and a call for more dedication to serve God. I have since begun
prayer for more grace and power to labour for the Lord. Truly, Bro.
Bob Sallee sacrificed his live for the people who by God’s design
are inhabiting that part of the world in Africa. Sis Karen’s life
was endangered but God in His divine power saved her from death.
Praise be to His glorious name! Not deterred by these horrifying
incidents, you were bold enough to return. Not minding the hazards
in the area that had proved unfriendly to the brethren, you
determined to continue from where it was left.
Judging from the response of the people to the word of truth and how
they cherished your good works through their expressions, it gave me
much joy. The evidence is visible that God is rewarding your labours
and sacrifice, moreover the life of Bro. Bob Sallee that was
consumed on that field. I am happy that the Lord has not allowed
your efforts go in vain. Because their hearts are humble and simple,
God is helping them to accept the truth. I was overwhelmed with joy
seeing the number of people turning up to receive the word of God in
all the congregations we visited. They are not sophisticated so all
they needed is the simple and basic truth of the gospel of
salvation. I know that they lack knowledge of the traditions of the
church in some areas and when it is revealed they appreciate it.
Bro. Failos and master themselves would not hide their feelings but
acknowledge the light they had received in the cause of our
discussions. Bro Failos began recording down scriptures not known to
him before in an exercise book any time we were studying at home. So
he displayed humility and an open heart to the truth. If half of the
multitude I met have forsaken sin and received Christ into their
hearts, that would have been a great reward for your labour. On the
last Sunday of my visit, those who were able to attend the combined
service from the various congregations from Malawi and Mozambique,
in my estimation, could be well over a thousand people. I glorify
God and thank you so much for your labour of love for souls in
Africa and for these people in particular. May God continue to bless
the effort with fruitfulness and the rooting of the truth in the
hearts of men.
It is their desire that I should visit them again this year 2007,
and that the months of July or August would be ideal. My heart is
willing and if God wills I would like to be with them except your
health will permit you to go yourself. I ask them to pray about it
while I do the same on my part here.
APPRECIATION FROM MALAWI AND MOZAMBIQUE
The brethren expressed profound appreciation to you for the relief
sent to them in cash and kind to cushion the effect of famine they
suffered the previous year. They requested me to pass this on to
you.
NEEDS AND REQUEST
Their needs are many as you know already and they would appreciate
the saints offering them more help.
Top in the list, in my view and as expressed by both Failos and
Master in a meeting I had with them is a project that would generate
income for self reliance to some extend.
A survey I carried out earlier indicated to me that a MAIZE mill
will be ideal. Because the house I they provided to accommodate me
also contained a Maize Mill. It gave me an insight to how the mill
operated, the daily patronage, how on some days they would pen to
customers as early as 4:30am. The proposal was readily accepted by
them, saying Bro. Sallee had a similar vision and promised to
procure the plant for them before he died. They immediately carried
out an investigation to know the price and came out with the
following result.
The Mill and Accessories sold at Blantyre cost K650,000.00 about
$4643.00 as of 2005. They feel it would almost be the same.
The house where the mill will be installed which they needed to
build was estimated to cost K100,000 about $715.00
Total cost was estimated at $5358.00
Individual needs apart, the church herself was seen lacking much in
material things. During my stay with them, I have to provide money
for the purchase of even recharge cards to make calls and supplement
for our feeding, especially the breakfast. I have to cater for our
mobility. I spent over $300 on the use of motor vehicle alone for
our visits even though we use it only on the days needed. Other
needs of the congregations include:
- Replacement of grass roots with iron sheets
- Care of orphans in some congregations (They showed me some
children).
- Bible and song books in their language. This is one area that gave
me concern as most persons introduced to me as ministers had no
Bible with them. I began to wonder how they could be ministering. If
I have had sufficient money on me, the first thing would have been
to buy some copies for some of them that are very critical.
I was told they are sold in Blantyre and the cost of a copy was
given as K700.00 ($5.00). The need is so much that even 200 copies
of Bibles worth about $1000 could not have been enough.
- Motor vehicle or motor cycle for mobility of ministers
- A mission house to serve even visiting brethren.
- The young boys and children who sang melodies beautifully from
their hearts to the praise and glory of God also made a request for
financial support to enable them record some of the gospel songs in
cassette to be distributed among saints as part of their
contribution in spreading God’s word. The cost was estimated to be
about K80,000, about $572.00. Really I felt in love with this group
of singers whose singing inspired my heart.
I am praying for God to provide the cost of the Maize Mill and some
copies of Bibles and songs books through the saints within a
reasonable period of time.
I wish to thank the saints who contributed to the fund that enable
me to embark on the trip to Malawi and Mozambique which gave me the
opportunity of sharing the gospel truth with our African brothers in
your place. The mission was successful and profitable. I believe
their investment will be rewarded them with spiritual bountifulness.
Our
first stop in Kenya was at a congregation in the Embu area, which is
northeast of Nairobi. There were many who came to services from
other towns and villages. In this place, there are about seven
ministers working together in different congregations. Some came
from as far as the Coast Province to attend the meeting.
We
were very glad to pick up Brother Alen Laukhert at the airport after
our return to Nairobi. Brother Alen is a missionary from Germany.
Having him on the trip was a great blessing.
Brother
Peter started a school for the orphans in the chapel. They meet six
days a week. Beside the orphans, they have many more students who
only have one living parent that can't afford to send them to the
public school. They share just a few text books among all the
students. It cost less than $10 per student for textbooks. When we
arrived, they had 90 students, and by the time we left, they had
closer to 125. The school shares four crayons. 
The
next two days, we had services with all the ministers and the
congregation. As altar calls were given, so many came forward that
we couldn't pray with them all. Doug said if any of them wanted to
talk to us in private and have prayer or counseling, they could do
so after service. For two nights we were up late talking and praying
with many. We felt such a heaviness because of the seriousness of
the problems being shared and such a responsibility, because we knew
they were expecting results. We still pray for the ones in Africa,
knowing that only God can help them.
