I just concluded a trip to Congo that culminated in the
salvation of a captain in the Mai Mai rebel army. I understand that the miracle of salvation is
the greatest event in anyone’s life and everyone’s soul is equally precious to
God, but having a part in this man coming to the Lord is without a doubt a
highlight of my Christian life.
For the last four years God has allowed the people of the
Grace Bible Baptist Church and I to actively take part in taking the Gospel to
the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Specifically, we are going to the KIVU regions of Eastern Congo and
concentrating in the South Kivu province.
This area of Congo is still in a constant state of turmoil, with the
possibility of fighting breaking out without a moment’s notice.
Although much of Congo
has settled down since the Great Congo African War that saw over 5 million
people killed, the Kivu region still sees constant trouble from the over 17
rebel groups that are operating there.
The U.N. has their largest presence in the world in the KIVU regions of
Congo trying to bring peace to that region.
This is the area where God has graciously allowed us to minister. During the last three years we have had at
least two of our men living and ministering in this area. I have had the opportunity of taking at least
20 trips in and out of this area and count it a great privilege to serve
alongside our men.
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| We are working in the South Kivu region along Lake Tanganyika |
Early last Monday morning Pastor Justus Oloo, Pastor Mike
Njoroge, and I left the town of Uvira and began the seven hour journey along
the shores of Lake Tanganyika to the town of Baraka. We then continued on to the
village of Sebele, where we spent two days with Pastor Luka Omari and the Bible
Baptist Church of Sebele. We held a day
of teaching and some times of preaching in the evening.
The trip is not an easy one, the road in places is nearly
non-existent, and the last hour must be taken on the back of a motorcycle. Upon arrival your body feels as if it just
got out of the boxing ring. This trip
ended up being the most difficult we have had yet. Looking back on it, we now realize Satan was
doing his best to keep us from arriving at our destination. One hour into the trip we got a flat tire, then
the vehicle over heated, next we got buried in a mud hole, and lastly the spare
tire went flat. We were far from a place
that could fix the tires, so until we reached our destination the tire was
pumped up by hand with a small bicycle pump, until finally we reached the town
of Baraka. It was nearly dark and we
still had to find motorcycles to go the last one hour. They do not like to travel in the dark
because of the danger, but fortunately we found some willing to take us.
Pastor Oloo and I arrived in Sebele a few moments before the
others. We jumped off the cycles at the
foot of the hill that leads to Pastor Omari’s house. Immediately out of the brush jumped four
soldiers heavily armed. The headlight
of the motorcycle was shining off into the bush and we could see at least eight
more standing there. They surrounded us
and said, “Tuko jeshi ya mai mai, mbona kwenye ardhi yetu?” (We are soldiers of the mai mai (water), why
are you on our land?)
Wow, here
were the rebel soldiers we had heard so much about. These people were not to be played with, they
are infamous in their deeds and they particularly liked to attack civilians and
foreigners who were “in their land”. “They
are not unified under any political or racial affiliation, but all actively
target civilians and U.N. peacekeeping forces in eastern Congo.” (http://www.raisehopeforcongo.org/content/armed-groups
)
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| Mai Mai rebel soldier |
Before we had a chance to answer, Pastor Omari arrived and
quickly intervened telling them that we were his visitors and the visitors of
the Bible Baptist Church. After a
discussion they agreed to allow us to continue on to his house, although they
“walked” us to his house, and then waited until we entered.
We found out that the rebels had left the forest the day
before trying to find out what the response of the government would be. They had heard that the government wanted to possibly
talk peace and a portion of them came to see while the others remained hidden
in the jungle.
Early the next morning we were awakened to shouting, singing,
and what we thought was a lot of chaos.
We looked out the window and saw that the house we were sleeping in was
less than 100 meters away from the rebel camp.
They were up early doing their exercises, drills, and training. It was an amazing thing to watch, although we
were too fearful to try and sneak any pictures.
Tuesday was set aside for teaching, but throughout the
teaching time the activities of the rebels could be heard. The feeling of uneasiness was never far from
us as we had no idea of what they might have in mind for us.
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| Bible College session with some of the men. |
That evening we were preparing ourselves for a preaching service
that was to be held outside the house of Pastor Omari. About thirty minutes before the service was
to begin Pastor Oloo asked Pastor Omari if it was possible for him to get
permission from the rebels for us to visit their camp and speak to their commander. When I heard this, my jaw about dropped to
the ground. I had read about what these
men were capable of and me being the only white man within a couple hundred
kilometers I could envision one of the possible outcomes. Pastor Oloo looked at me and said, “I believe
God planned this out, he brought us all together at this place and at this time
and I want to find out why.” Who was I
to argue with Pastor Oloo, I know he walks with God.
We were given permission to enter the camp. We were taken to the commander whom they
called captain. We introduced ourselves,
explained what we were doing, gave them each a gospel tract, and spoke to them
for a few moments. Pastor Oloo then told
them that we were about to have a preaching service and they were invited to
attend. We did not stay long because of
the service, and when we left I was quietly rejoicing because I still had my
head.
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| Mai Mai commander |
The service began with a time of singing and testifying. During the last song I looked up as I heard a
bit of commotion and I was surprised to see the rebel commander walking into
the service and take a seat in the front row.
I quickly checked my notes to see if I had something I needed to cut out
of my sermon that might offend him. God quietly confirmed to me that I was to
just go ahead and preach what He had already led me to preach.
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| Getting ready for the church service |
As I got up to preach a strong gust of wind about blew us
over. We looked over the horizon and saw a row of dark clouds coming our way,
with lightning striking and thunder cracking.
There had not been a cloud all day, where did this storm come from out
of nowhere? I then realized that there
was a spiritual fight going on around me that I could not see. I quickly asked God to allow me to forget
myself, my surroundings, and what was going on around me and to speak through
me.
I preached from Romans 1 on the power of the gospel. As I was finishing the rains arrived but no
one moved from their seat. I gave the
invitation, leaving everyone seated. I
asked if anyone wanted to repent of their sins and be born again to come and
stand next to me. I explained we would
not wait, to immediately come or we would close the service. Immediately a man stood and walked to
me. I would later find out he was an
evangelist in one of the nearby churches.
He said that it was the first time in his life that he had heard that
baptism did not save.
As I was about to pray the rebel commander stood, quickly
walked to me and said, “I need what I just heard preached. I need the power of the gospel.” All eyes were upon us and more than one mouth
stood wide open. At this time the rains
came in a torrent, we dismissed and made our way to the pastor Omari’s house.
Pastor Oloo took his bible and for 40 minutes carefully took this man through
the scripture. What a moment it was as I
watched this wicked, rebel commander bow his head, and with tears in his eyes
call upon Jesus. We spent the next hour listening
to his story, talking about the Lord, and eating dinner together.
I was numb. What was this I had just witnessed and been
privileged to have a small part? Here I
was in the midst of the Dark Continent, in an area forgotten by time, and forgotten
by the world. In an area where the blood
of millions cries from the ground, and where blood continues to be spilt. An area where the suffering has been
indescribable, and the people don’t remember the last time they had hope of a
normal life.
What was this I had just witnessed? I had just witnessed the
power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The
power that can reach down and save even those that seem to be beyond hope. Yes, the power of the Gospel is the greatest
power in the world and is the only thing that can break the bondage of the
punishment of sin.
Please continue to pray for us, our mission’s team, and
entire church. I don’t know what God has
in store for us in the future, but I am sure that He holds the future.
Thank you for going with us in your prayers and support. This allows us the privilege of going to the
Regions Beyond and what a privilege it is!
