Praise the lord. We are doing well. Bishop Augustine and
myself had a wonderful and adventurous trip to Kisangani
Congo.
We arrived as scheduled and pastors came to meet us at the
airport. We started the conference on the following day and
continued for three days with an average attendance of 44
attending morning hours sessions and 61 in the afternoon. On
Sunday we had about 400 attending the service including
children. Many were the observations, which we may need to
discuss when we meet.
Generally the country is good and very fertile for
agriculture. However, very little can be done due to prolong
period of turmoil. Kisangoni is connected to other cities
only by air and river. No roads at all. People are very
poor. Houses, in the city are dilapidating. No town
transport in the city except for bicycles and motorcycles.
Church income is very low. The new life church (our host)
has a membership of more than 100 but can only give an
average of $4 per Sunday. The church is less than two years
old and has three other branches and a total membership of
500. The constructions are bamboo walls and palm tree leaves
thatched. When it rains people squeeze to the better
corners.
We were able to buy them a few bibles and were very excited.
As we began the conference, very few had some torn bibles.
On hearing that the following day each will have a
Kiswahili, Kiligala or French they shouted of joy. Your
vision for supply of bibles actually came from God.
Recommendations:
More visits need be paid. More mission teams for survey on
what could be above on humanitarian help. More seminars
inclusive of more churches targeting usage of the bible.
Bishop Augustine is better placed for the co-ordination of
the activities in the area.
Experiences.
Immigration officials were not kind to us. If not for a
brother in Goma (boarder town) who really helped us, we
would have suffered more even losing money. Our expenses
became more than budgeted despite the fact that we neither
paid for food nor accommodation. We were stressed by a
flight company, which caused our delay in Congo for a day. I
had to miss my flight from Kigali to Nairobi and was
penalized.
The tough experiences became a reminder that we are
missionaries. We were encouraged by your prayers and
constant calls and sms.
My trip to Malawi should be between November 13 and 19th
2006. This depends on your confirmation and the arrangements
you make with the brother in Blantyre.
Finally let them who prayed for us thank God with us for the
trip was a success.
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