Jesus:  “The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed . . . Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches.” –Matthew 13:31-32

Dear Friend,

In about three weeks I am heading back to Africa.  I will be in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda with my dear friends, Celestin and Simon Pierre (Nov. 1-16).  We will follow-up on the ministry projects we started last fall and seek God’s guidance in starting some new ones.

Here is a short report from Celestin that gives you just a hint of the incredible things God is doing in South Kivu where Celestin lives and ministers in the DRC:

“On September 1, 2008 we had our District Assembly.  With God’s help this year we have added:

• 42 new churches
• 2113 new members
• 2 new schools
• 4 child development centers
• 50 new pastors
• We now we have a total 156 Churches and 7934 members. To all this we give thanks to God! “

Isn’t this amazing!  And just think:  you had a part in all of this through your prayers and gifts. Let me catch you up on what we have been able to do this last year with God’s help and your generosity:

• Purchased a house with an acre of land and built a fence for Veronique, an AIDS widow, who has three children of her own and eight adopted AIDS orphans
• Developed and sustained ministry partnerships with African brothers and sisters in over 250 churches in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, and Ghana
• Provided primary and secondary education for over 20 AIDS orphans and a college education for one young woman
• Delivered two laptop computers for African pastors and over 500 Beanie Babies and stuffed animals for children
• Bought a church with an acre of property in Burundi as well as building materials to complete Frank Mills’ church in Kasoa, Ghana
• Provided six pigs, timber for a school, a water well, and ministry to raped women in Kasika, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Constructed a “therapy” building in Bukavu, DRC in which children traumatized by the ongoing war in eastern Congo may be comforted and learn about the hope of Christ
• Gave 100+ goats and chickens to help support widows, orphans, the handicapped, elderly, and pastors’ families
• Purchased 10 sewing machines for single women to support themselves and their children
• Gave 150 Bibles for pastors in Congo (only 1 in 4 pastors have their own Bible)
• Encouraged the families and ministries of four district superintendents

As I travel, please pray for:

• My friend, Tom Swift, who has ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).  Before I leave for Africa I will spend five days (Oct. 25-30) with Tom and four friends in North Carolina at a spiritual formation retreat.  As quickly as Tom is deteriorating, this may very well be the last time I see him this side of heaven.
• God’ guidance, wisdom and blessing on our ministry efforts (preaching, teaching, counseling, mentoring)
• Safety in traveling (there is still active warfare going on in isolated areas in Congo and travel by “road” anywhere in Africa is always an adventure);
• Strength, health, and ability to speak the French and Swahili of Central Africa;
• Shelly, Jimmie, and Annie (They graciously support me when I go on these trips, but it doesn’t make the time away from each other easier for any of us);
• The Golden Church (I am truly blessed to pastor a church where the people so freely share their pastor with others).

In addition to your prayer support, there are several areas that can use your financial support. I am paying my own airfare and travel expenses, so any financial gift you may be able to supply will go directly to the following ministry projects that need God’s provision:

• Goats, ducks, and chickens, education for AIDS orphans
• Micro-loan projects such as tilapia ponds, community wells, sewing machines for women, job training to help single mothers, soap making, schools, and churches. And soccer balls. J

If you are able to contribute financially, please make your check payable to “Golden Church of the Nazarene.”  At the end of the year you will be given a tax receipt.  The church’s mailing address is:  P.O. Box 18499, Golden, CO  80402.

Your sacrifice humbles me and challenges me to do more than I think I can.  Thank you for your prayer, generosity and love for your beloved brothers and sisters you have yet to meet in Africa.

God bless you and your families!

Joe