March 2006 Print E-mail
Vision for Mission - March 2006
Several years ago my wife Marjorie and I had the privilege of attending a worship service at one of our MB churches in Kinshasa. The worship service was a vibrant collage of colors, sounds and movement. Three choirs served at various points in the service and as each was singing, congregants came forward with thank offerings that they placed in baskets in front of the podium. The service included several testimonies, messages, and prayers. Their worship was an expression of mission as it brought the community together around themes of hope and healing. A generous lunch was served following the worship service and many lingered to catch up on "life". We definitely had church!

The challenges faced by our Congolese MB family (around 100,000 church
members) have grown significantly in recent years. In response to requests from the Congo MB Church, MBMS International implemented a plan to provide medicine, small business loans, and conflict resolution training. We are also providing assistance to the Congolese MB church in their ministry to abandoned street children. An agricultural program provides farmers with agricultural tools to assist them in their farming. In the eastern Kiri Forest region we are assisting the Congolese MB church planting efforts among the Batwa people (Pygmy tribes). We invite your financial and prayer participation as we work for justice and community transformation in Congo!

The prophet Isaiah called on God's people to "loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter.then your light will break forth like the dawn.and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard." (Isaiah 58:6-8)

The Irish singer, Bono, read this text at a recent Presidential prayer breakfast and commented on God's promise that as we invest in the causes of justice and healing, "the Lord will watch your back." There is a connection between our security and work for justice. There is also a connection between worship and mission.

These are connections we must keep making in this global MB family!


Ministry Highlights
-A new "AIDS" church has formed near the church TEAM 2000 has planted in Chonburi.  AIDS patients have been reached by a recently converted nurse who dispenses their medicine.  We are providing discipleship and logistical support to this new group of believers.
-Otto and Lydia Funk (Winnipeg) have been approved as missionaries to Lima, Peru.  They will join Jose and Esperanza Prada on their church planting team.
-We have received an increased number of inquiries from potential workers for long term church planting assignments among the least reached!

Items for Prayer
-The marriages and families of missionaries need ongoing prayer as they are frequently under pressure and tested. 
-We have been asking God, "the Lord of the Harvest" to send out workers, and to send us His best.
-I will be with a team in North Africa and would appreciate prayer for protection and many "divine appointments."



 
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