Extended time in the US

We are so excited to say that we are staying in America until April 27th. This last week we were invited to the University of the Nations YWAM base in Kona Hawaii. While we were there we saw so many blessings. We had meetings with many leaders at the base and even got to speak at the thursday night gathering that had over 1,000 people. While we were there we were asked to come back in April to attend an African Pastors Gathering. Below is what the gathering is about. 

“We are in an amazing season of time, as Bible translation is progressing at a pace never before seen. We expect the last of the 7000 languages spoken on earth to begin translation sometime between 2020 and 2025. And we can expect that the translation and publicationprocess will have progressed so much that by 2033, everyone on earth will have the Scriptures available in their mother tongue! That year will mark the second millennium anniversary since the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ! What an important milestone! Just think of it: for the first time in history everyone will have access to God’s written Word in his/her own heart language. What an exciting time to be alive! Indeed, God is certainly at work around the globe preparing for a great new wave of Kingdom harvest. We believe this coming spiritual awakening will be fed and undergirded by a new level of engagement with God’s Word. As Bible poverty is eradicated and the Scriptures spread throughout the earth we can expect God to draw people to Himself, resulting in the redemption of individuals and the transformation of nations.

In light of this opportunity we felt it imperative to visit with key leaders who represent the various streams of the Christian tradition as well as those engaged in filling the world with God’s Word. Our purpose was to be cheerleaders, encouraging these leaders to encourage their constituents to engage afresh with God’s Word. At the same time we wanted to explore with them means of collaboration and cooperation around the Scriptures: getting them translated, produced, distributed, read, used, understood, and applied. We wanted to hear what these leaders are doing in these areas and learn from them as we also shared with them what we see happening in these categories. Though these leaders represent many different Christian traditions we all agree that the Bible is God’s Word, and it needs to take a vibrant place in the life of the reader.” Lauren Cunningham

When Fahamu and I heard about this meeting, we were so excited. As we prayed we realised that it was very important for us to attend. We looked at our finances we saw that we could just move our tickets back a couple months rather then fly to the D.R Congo and back to Hawaii. This means we will be in America for another two months. 

As we shared our dreams and visions with so many people in Kona it was so exciting to see how many  cared and encouraged us.  We saw this small dream we had, become more and more real. We know that what lies ahead of us will be tough but we have so many people who are standing behind us. Thank you everyone who is praying  for us and supporting us. You really don´t know how much it has blessed us. I will write a more detailed account about our time in Kona. We just wanted to share the big news of our extended time in the states. 

Only a couple weeks left

I can´t believe that in less then a month we will be back in Africa. So far we have been to Oregon, Idaho, California, Nevada and soon Hawaii. We have been blessed and humbled by all the support we have seen. We have spoken at many churches and small groups to tell people about what we are doing in the Congo. The response we have seen is so great. People and churches have come to stand along side us, to encourage us and to comfort us. I have seen how my first impressions of a person and church can be misleading. That God has taught me to look much deeper then skin deep. Churches may be small but their hearts are huge, someone may look poor but their riches are in God. I have been blow away at just how many people really care for us and our ministry. God has called us to do this ministry but He has also provided encouragement for us. He knows what we need and who we need, then He placed those people and things in our lives.
I think that when we meet people we never know what role they will play in our lives. We never know what experiences will change or guide our future. I was once told that I put God in a box, but I think I do the same with people. I think that they haven´t changed in the years since I knew them, that they are the exact same person I went to school with. People change and God changes people´s hearts. There has been so much encouragement for Fahamu and I, that I know that I can´t put people in a box. God can and will use anyone for anything. I feel honored that God has blessed us with so many caring people. Last year when I went to the Congo, I felt alone. This time going back I can feel the encouragement and love from the people here. I´m excited to go back and see all our friends, family and our ministries.
As we prepare to head back to Africa we are still in need of a couple of things we need a laptop and camera bag and need a pelican case. We ask that you continue to join with us in prayer as we continue to prepare for our trip to Africa. Tomorrow we will be speaking at at Northwest Christian University and on the 23d we will be headed to Hawaii where we will be speaking at the YWAM base there. Thank you for everyone who has taken time to listen us and to pray for us. God Bless.