Friday, June 14, 2013

TRIP TO KAZIMIA- DRC



I will be leaving early on Saturday the 15th for an extended trip into Congo.  We have been in communication with a group of believers and churches in an area that is a couple days travel from Uvira. They heard that some “Kenyans” were in Congo who had started a church and where training people.  They came and found us in Uvira and told us their story.  They are amongst a group of Independent Baptist Churches that were started in the early 1970’s with the help of a Congolese national.  Because of the wars, difficulties in reaching them, and the lack of missionaries they have NEVER had anyone who has been able to come into their area and teach and train them.  At times some of the pastors have traveled to other places to receive a little training but nothing extensive.  Last month we sent Pastor Musonga on a “survey trip” to Kazimia to make the arrangements for our trip this month.  There are no roads from Uvira to Kazimia, to get there from the nearest road would entail a walk of three days through the rebel controlled forest.  Something that I have been advised NOT TO DO!  The only other choice of travel is to take a two day boat trip on Lake Tanganyika from Uvira to nearest point and then inland to where they are located. I’m not too excited about getting on one of those “boats” but the need is great.  These churches have remained through the wars and much difficulty with no help.  God has given us a great opportunity to participate in the great commission by TEACHING ALL THINGS.

We do not always know what will happen when we go on one of these trips into a new area but we do know that God has everything planned out and we are to follow His leading.  It is always humbling to travel to these neglected areas and take to them God’s word.  We have been given a great privilege.

Please pray for our families who remain behind.  We will be in areas where communication with them will not be possible.

His for Kenya,
And the Regions Beyond,

Robert Mickey Jr.

SOUTH SUDAN SURVEY TRIP REPORT



Our survey trip to South Sudan was successful.  We were able to get many questions answered and make contact with some people who will be beneficial in getting us legally into the country.  Above all, it was successful because it has increased our burden and desire to take the gospel to the Republic of South Sudan.  We are planning another trip later this year as we try to decide where God would have us begin.  Please pray with us for three specific areas: Juba, Nimule, and Torit.  Juba is the capital city and it would be great to get started there, but it is extremely expensive.  Nyamule is a border town with Uganda that has a good size population. Torit is a large town that attracts people from many parts of South Sudan.  Each of these areas will have their unique difficulties and strengths.

It was very clear and evident that South Sudan has a great need for gospel preaching churches.  Because of the decades of war and turmoil much of the work done in the past has crumbled.  Gospel preaching churches that were in existence for the most part are no more.  Pastors and church members have been scattered, literally all over the world, and many have been killed in the war and the resulting diseases and hunger that war brings.

A cannon left over from the war
A bombed out school building










 
Much of what we have seen in South Sudan is what we have seen in DR Congo accept that in Congo it seems that churches have come out of the wars in much better condition.  Yes they are mostly weak and need a lot of help rebuilding the foundation but we have seen a desire and longing from them for that to happen.  In South Sudan we did see much fruit from the past.  Why that is, I am not sure.  It just might be that there was not nearly as much work done in past in South Sudan as there was in Congo. 

The Kosgei family is excited and will begin raising their support the beginning of this next year.  The Grace Bible Baptist Church is excited about sending them and partnering with others to take the gospel to another area of the REGIONS BEYOND. 


 
A visitor in my room

Pastor Oloo and Peter Kosgei on the shore of the Nile River