NEW LAWS & NEW BEGINNINGS FOR THE CHURCHES 

This picture was taken last summer in Kigali.  Through the gracious gifts of two believers in the USA, we are about to reach a goal of placing 300 Kinyerwandan Study Bibles into their hands.  This is a 'game changer' for our ministry of training.  God bless  those who gave, may His Word go further and stronger in the DRC and Rwanda because of these Bibles which are loaded with resources for study, teaching and preaching.

Rwanda is continuing to pass laws requiring all pastors to have a degree in Biblical and theological training.  I have been working towards the goal of addressing these needs and it appears that God has already gone before our team.

As Dave Forbes, Richard Goswiller and I travel on Thursday, we are not just teaching Ephesians to the top leaders, we are having planning sessions on possibly beginning a school.  I have been in touch with ThirdMIll, who has provided 30+ flashdrives loaded  with Kinyerwandan seminary notes and English video lectures of an entire year of Seminary courses.

One of the directors of ThirdMill met this week in Rwanda with the government official over the churches implementing these laws.  ThirdMIll is seeking formal approval for government acceptance of this curriculum for the new standards.  I am in discussion with  ThirdMill and trusting God for a partnership to help the pastors and churches.

So...please pray for this trip specifically about a school.

PRAY FOR GOOD SHEPHERD'S FOLD...

In Nov 6-8, 2018 I was with a team teaching Rom 11-16 to a gathering of pastors at GSF.  It was clear that minds and hearts were being changed by Romans. This happend because of a growing passion for GSF to become a significant channel for helping pastors and  churches to become more healthy and biblical throughout the region. On Jan 15 I received an email from their staff and director inviting us back.

Well...it appears that the enemy didn't like this.  Within a couple days a dangerous assault took place.  This happened a few hundred feet from where our team slept back in Nov:
"As God brings GSF to your mind, please remember Good Shepherd's Fold in your prayers.  Please pray for the director, Mark.  He is very traumatized. The thugs were chanting that they were going to kill them as they tore through their home looking  for valuables.  The robbers not only stole their electronics, they also stole money that Mark had been keeping for the Light of the World church and money that was the Ugandan employees' savings.  (Banks charge for people to keep their savings in the bank  so Mark kept it for them).  Thanks to the "find my phone" app on Mark's phone, his phone was recovered.  Also, the other missionary's car was recovered - apparently it was abandoned when it ran out of gas!  They estimate their loss to be $18,000 - an astronomical  amount in Uganda.  The GSF house moms and kids that were there (some were in their villages for a school break) saw everything.  When they turned on their lights, the robbers yelled at them to turn them off because they were coming for them next.  Matthew,  a dear special needs boy, was very upset and cried through the whole thing.  These children have already suffered through so much trauma in the past, so please pray for healing for these children and that God would redeem this situation.  The two families  that were robbed are the Gwartney family and the Fox family. Can you imagine 8 masked men in your house chanting that they were going to kill you?  Horrible!" (Merle and Diane Stoltzfus)

I am reminded by this attack that there is a very real and present danger for African believers. I'm grateful always for His protection as we serve there.  Do pray for Mark and all the staff.  I have no doubts that the enemy moves such situations to try to  discourage disciplemaking.

WHEN GOD IS IN IT, IT IS THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING 

If I ever doubt that our work of training leaders has dwindling impact, God reminds me about His keeping power over this work.  God finishes His projects.
 
Ginger Forbes has been twice to Rwanda, and the first time was  over 3 years ago.  My wife and daughter were with her in this first trip for training Children's Workers and SS teachers..  Ginger has kept contact with some special workers that were trained in the DR Congo.  She received this email last week:
"Hello Mom. I have not been writing to you for a long time. I am doing well by the grace of God and the ministry is also evolving well. Mom, I have the joy of seeing the number of child leaders increased. Above all, my joy grows  when I attend Bible lessons that they teach other children. When I listen to them, I see directly the work you did for us. We are your fruits and that is the number that increases. May God bless you abundantly! For this year, the entire team of mentors we  wish you a happy new year of happiness, prosperity and longevity in the Lord Jesus Christ you and the team."
 
This is so encouraging!  In a war-torn region where our teams cannot travel, the Father has placed these precious workers who are reaching children.  Not only Jesus, but you  have gone there as well.  Through your prayers and support this is happening in a remote country that needs Jesus. What better way to hold back a war than to disciple children to change  the future.
 
Thank you...

Teaching Certified Course Instructors in Ephesians.  These will again be 20 top leaders from two nations who will go deeper and longer on Ephesians, then upon returning to their churches will launch out as teams to reach their peers,  pastors, and many churches.

PLEASE PRAY FOR... 
- Certified Instructor Training for these leaders of leaders Jan 24 - Feb 9 (travel and Conference dates)
- Safety and health in the team travels.
- The Lord to prepare the hearts of the pastors
- God provided all resources needed.  Praise Him again.

Joel McCall
ELI