Thank you from 300 households

Thanks to the incredible generosity of individuals and churches enough has been raised or pledged to be able to give a Christmas chicken and sack of rice to 210 diocesan staff, clergy and evangelists – far above the number we had planned for. In addition to core staff we were able to help our 35 theology students and the 60 widows cared for directly by the diocese.

This has far surpassed previous years and it is the first time that many have received something from the diocese at Christmas. We started distribution last week and the gifts have already started to bring joy to over 300 households. Thank you!

One recipient wrote to me saying, “I want to express my deepest gratitude for the generous gift you gave us at the end of the year to celebrate Christmas. Your support has been a great encouragement to our family. May God bless those who thought of us at this time.”

Explosive church growth in Kibumba

One of the joys of life and ministry in Congo is that things can happen very quickly once they have been decided. Kibumba is the main town of the territory of Nyiragongo, and somewhere we have wanted to plant a church for a long time. However, for three years it was the frontline between the M23 and the government forces and therefore inaccessible.

We already had a school there, which struggled to function, but now with the M23 in control of the city and beyond getting around is easier. So, we bought a plot of land a couple of months ago, then in the space of a 10 days we appointed an evangelist, built a 12m x 8m wooden church with the generosity of a UK parish, and held a two-day evangelism campaign (above)

This is the evangelist’s report from last weekend. “In Kibumba, we powerfully experienced the impact of the Gospel. Yesterday, more than 1,500 people participated in the evangelistic outreach, and 512 received Jesus Christ.  This morning, at the service, we celebrated with 742 participants. 54 people gave their lives to Jesus, 109 agreed to join the Church, as well as the two choirs already established. This afternoon, we gathered more than 2,000 participants, among whom 323 received Jesus Christ. To God alone be all the glory!”

There is the small matter of follow-up, but this Sunday again the church was full, and they had to borrow chairs from the neighbour to give everyone a seat. It is a Kinyarwanda speaking area and since we have also just finished translating the catechism into Kinyarwanda, this will help to develop disciples.

How can you pray

• With thanks for the Christmas joy brought to over 300 households.

• With thanks for the planting of a church in Kibumba, and for the church to grow, for discipleship to deepen and it for it to become a blessing to the local community.

Thank you, as always to those who read, write, pray and give
Martin, Anthea, Silas, Zachary and Imogen