God has taken us places!  |
| Kigali, Rwanda the capital in the background. |
He's taken us places, in His Word, His Spirit, in relationships, and places. God is eternal, and there is NO MEASURE how deep, how many and how far He can take us all!
Many times, we have gone deeper, when our foundations have been tilled and broken. Through near death experiences, to a sense of dismay; God has used it to deepen our soul only to pour more of His Presence and Word into. It changes who we were to a person God needs. And the change continues to happen as we walk a life God leads for His Great Purpose!
Proverbs 16:9: “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” Psalm 31:14-15: “But I trust in you, Lord; I say, 'You are my God. My times are in your hands.” Proverbs 20:24: “The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?”
Since the last post, we have been to Rwanda and also traveled in the states. I had longed to go to Rwanda for three years, and the door wasn't opened due to covid restrictions. Halleluiah, the Lord took that wall down and opened up the avenue to go. He provided miraculously financially, since our support has dropped; it isn't an automatic for us to pack up and go.
We have learned that God's timing and ways are perfect. That the (people) instruments He has used to partner with us to travel have been; like I mentioned above, places of new relationships that are connected to one-another heart's.
We travelled far and wide in Rwanda. Our days were full as we averaged 6-12 hours of driving and walking per day. Rwanda is known as the 'Land of a Thousand Hills' thus, those places we went were up high mountains and steep valleys. Our walks constituted of muddy paths due to the rainy season, taking us into places where God's Presence was rich!
This is where we would meet church planters who do not have vehicles, of whom walk hours to their villages to begin God's Work. They risk being attacked by people and animals. One region is known for wild gorillas. In these places, we were able to witness the fruit of their praying and fasting, their long walks, faithfulness and simply, their hard work. Incredibly, they build their churches themselves and in most cases they make their own bricks as well.
We met many church planters and their trainers who suffered during the Rwandan Genocide in the 1990's. Several witnessed their spouse & family members killed. They themselves were even wounded and wear the scars. Still, this has not stopped them.
There was several villages we visited that once was full of witch doctors, our leaders fasted and prayed for many many days. As they did the witch doctors fled, next God will lead them to a 'persons of peace' to share Jesus. Now, many churches are in those exact places.
There are as many needs as there are blessings. One group has begun a entrepreneur work to support them doing God's Work. They sew and do basket weaving. They gave me a beautiful basket I treasure. Pray for them, they need help with a sewing machine and some supplies to help them to be sustainable to do God's Work. They are the hardest workers I have met.
Pray for more Bibles, it was such a blessing to give them many that were donated from our local church here in the states.
Pray for motorbikes as their roads are long and difficult.
Also, pray for the Village Church Planting materials to be translated into Kinyawanda, as many of them do not speak French (especially in the villages).
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DRC:
In the eastern part of the DRC, they face multiply wars. There are militias that
have attacked, killed many, burned their homes and even churches. Recently, in the Spring there was terrible flooding where several refuges in the Kalamie area had to flee and live in tents. We were able to partner with Convoy of Hope, who by boat brought them not only food, they were able to bring purification devices for the water, mosquito nets and more. Yet, this month the militia didn't like them being there and burned their tents down.We also lost one of our churches and some of our people were killed.
We are so proud of our Dynamic Women (lady church leaders) as they are requesting a building to meet and worship God plus learn of Him.
Will you pray for them that this happens. They do need a church building.
Angola is doing great work and new churches have been started recently. We still have not been in Angola. Please pray God leads us on when to go.
Speaking in the U.S.:
Recently, we were able to be the special speaker at a conference of pastors and church leaders. For us, we were blessed beyond what we ever expected. These men and women of God are zealous for God's Work and they themselves are passionate about missions. They raised funds to build a church in Rwanda and blessed us to help us continue in our work.
Wow! This is in Africa, India, South America and America now! Translated in almost 30 languages. We have a strong English & French website, that is also on Facebook and YouTube. We also are on 18 podcast platforms as well. We are praying about extending this ministry even more.
PLEASE PRAY:
For our feet will be set as the scripture says as 'HINDS FEET!' To scale the muddy paths in Africa, also to adapt to the climate and culture when we are there. Pray for our strength, energy, safety and health.
Pray for our support; many do not know this, but our pay for each of us is part-time pay. Though we do full time work. God supplies, but this does limit what God has called us to do.
[Makutcha is one of our leaders in South Kivu, DRC, he is also our translator for the Swahili Multiply Podcast. -note quote here-]
We are just over 60% funded, obviously; to do all we are needing to do, we must be 100% funded. By funded; we are meaning monthly support. Cash is wonderful and we are grateful, but the sustainability comes from a monthly continues flow. Like a weekly paycheck. 1% = $77.00. Will you pray and ask the Lord to lead you how He would like for you to help? Bless you for doing so, and know it is an answer to not only our prayers but also for those who we work with in Africa.
Pray for our family: our daughters who have health issues. Our son who is in the Navy and his family. Pray for Brad's mom who now is grieving the loss of her husband. Also, for my elderly parents.
Pray doors open for us to speak and minister in the United States, Canada and wherever God may lead. "I'll go where You want me to go dear Lord..."
MORE BIBLES:
This is still the biggest request from all our church planters and leaders in Africa.
CHURCHES TO BE BUILT AND RE-BUILT AFTER DESTROYED:
We were able to to download (into Micro SD Cards) the Jesus Film, Bible stories and discipleship lessons all into the languages they speak in Africa. With these, they are able to download them into their church planters and pastors phones. Hundreds are receiving the Gospel Message this way.
Pray we can continue to do this, and God continue to supply the micro sd cards.
Also, people have been donating their used smart phones (preferable androids) and we take them to our church planters.
Thank you for your prayers, it is dearly needed.
We leave for Kenya and the DRC in October; your prayers are our biggest request.
God bless and thank you!
Contact us: snowden54jesus@gmail.com
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