By Randal Dick
Superintendent of missions
I am gratified by brethren around the world responding to requests for heartfelt prayer for other brothers and sisters.
Many want follow-up information. I would like to share with you answers to prayers and some of the growth blossoming across Africa.
Following are excerpts from reports by James Henderson, superintendent of mission for Africa.
The reports from Congo and Burundi were filed by Olivier Carion, one of the primary leadership developers in French-speaking Africa.
Thank you for your prayers for the work of the Worldwide Church of God in Africa. The drought in central and eastern Africa, for the most part, appears to be over.
The minister in prison in West Africa is still in prison, but the news is that his release is imminent, although not guaranteed. Apparently he has begun a prison ministry there.
The church in Malawi incorporated a group at Minimini near the Mozambique border into its fellowship.
William Mankhomwa, co-pastor of the Blantyre, Malawi, church, shared the following:
"After a two and a half hour drive through the dusty and bumpy road that links Malawi with neighboring Mozambique to the east, we arrived at a village in a rural area on the southeastern foot of Mt. Mulanje, the highest mountain in Central Africa.
"Here, a small group of villagers had for some five years been waiting for us. As our minibus van carrying seven members from the Blantyre church arrived, a group of women burst into joyous welcome songs.
"They danced and chanted: `There is indeed real brotherhood in Jesus.'
"We were dumbfounded by the excitement and by the tumultuous welcome of this group. One could only reflect on whether we keep the expectation of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ as alive as these people had looked forward to our coming for many years.
"It was a humbling experience to think of the various ways in which God works with humans as could be seen from this group of villagers.
"We were ushered into the small grass-thatched meeting house built of adobe, and R.D. Botolo led the group in welcoming us.
"He also led in a worship service that Sunday morning, May 11, with 31 people in attendance. In his welcome remarks, Mr. Botolo explained to us how the group had patiently waited for people who were Christ-centered in their lives, whom God would send to instruct them in the way of God more perfectly.
"We began by giving them a brief outline of the Worldwide Church of God. Gilton Chakhaza then spoke about prayer. The service was concluded with a question and answer forum."
Several years ago the Minimini Christians, we are told, organized themselves and decided to seek someone who could guide them toward a more fulfilling Christian life than they apparently knew.
They sought assistance from the district commissioner (not a WCG member). From him, they obtained the Blantyre address of the Worldwide Church of God. Thus began five years ago the correspondence that culminated in the May 11 meeting.
John Amadala informed me of two developments in the Cherangani area.
Mr. Etori, leader of one of the two groups of 60 people who joined our fellowship, is directing him to yet a third group.
He does not yet have an exact figure, but he says it is a fairly big group.
That would mean that four groups (three of whom are brand new) would be meeting in the Cherangani and Kitale areas--in addition to the original Kitale small member group, who decided to ask God for a spiritual harvest.
We now have more than 15 centers in Kenya where people meet every week. The new groups are nearly all ex-PT groups who have now accepted our new covenant approach.
In certain parts of the world, peril is all around--and when trouble arises, it is often without a moment's notice.
James Henderson's experience, below, is an illustration of why we need to pray for the safety of Christ's laborers in difficult fields.
"I was nearly caught up in a riot. Many African countries have political unrest, and Kenya is no exception.
"I was due to meet a man in a place called Bungoma. What I did not realize was that word had got around of my arrival, and 12 people were waiting to see him along with John Amadala, the lay pastor for Northwestern Kenya.
"So we decided to have an impromptu Bible study at the main local hotel. One question revolved around the Christian approach to civil disobedience, ironically.
"No sooner had we finished the study than chaos broke out in the street in front of the hotel. Some politicians were also in the hotel, and the mobs were demonstrating against them.
"Police and soldiers with guns were all over, and the mob was running past the hotel throwing things toward the hotel.
"Then about 100 supporters of the politicians appeared from nowhere and began to threaten the crowd (looked like students to me).
"I thought to take photos, but was afraid I would be noticed and our members implicated in some way.
"I did not know what to do--everyone was tense. The members had to get away, and somehow Mr. Amadala and I had to make it to the car and drive past the angry mob.
"Then, suddenly, the heavens opened and the most tremendous downpour of rain fell.
"I have been in tropical torrential rain before, and this seemed the daddy of them all. The crowds quickly dispersed.
"The members ran into the streets, and Mr. Amadala and I dashed to the car, getting completely drenched, and sped off.
"We got to the end of the street and the rain stopped. The crowds began to gather again at the hotel behind us, and we drove away safely.
"The papers the next day had extensive coverage of the riot, and apparently after we left quite a few were hurt. I hope the members made it OK. We have not heard otherwise. There is a God in heaven."
As far as we can tell, all our members are safe. We are still concerned though, and your continued prayers are appreciated.
Mrs. Mpinda was able to call me May 22. She said that our members appear to be safe. They send a heartfelt thank-you to everyone for their prayers during this uncertain time of transition. They are touched by the brotherly concern shown to them from around the world.
In the meantime, the curfew has been lifted. It appears safe to venture out on the streets of the capital during the day. We hope to have more news from them soon.
In Burundi, where the situation remains volatile, our small group there was held captive in their own country, so to speak, because of the war and the embargo.
We received a letter from Wenceslas, one of their leaders and our only baptized member. That in itself is encouraging, because it is a sign that the country is opening up.
His letter is a call for help: "Please don't abandon the child you have given birth to!"
For more than one year now, they have been basically without news from the church. In his letter, Wenceslas gave me a phone number. I was fortunate to make a phone connection and talk to him.
Our group has eight families, with five people in each, totaling 40 people, including children. Half of the group lives in the hills, and the other half in the plain near Bujumbura, the capital. Several want to be baptized.
We have so many things to pray about, not just concerning the WCG in Africa, but worldwide. For Africa specifically please remember the following:
1. Thank God for drought relief.
2. Pray for the release of our minister in West Africa, and for his safety in the interim.
3. Pray for the political situation in Kenya.
4. Pray for the safety of the 40 scattered members in Burundi.
5. Pray for stabilization in former Zaire, that members will have freedom and resources to spread the gospel
6. Pray for the new brethren in Minimini, Malawi.
7. Pray for the safety of all people traveling and working in dangerous areas.
Thank you for noting these prayer requests.
June 24, 1997, WN, page 12
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