In the Footsteps of Paul...

On our way to Zambia we visited Chris' mom  in Mytilene, Greece on the Island of Lesvos, where the Apostle Paul went for a visit in the Capital City of Mytilene, Acts 20:14...

This Church was built where it is believed that the Apostle Paul preached. - Mytilene.

The Native Island of Chris' Mother where she grew up, before moving to America when she was 12 years old and moved back to about 25 years ago.
This is quite of an exceptional Island, it is about 5 miles off the Coast of Turkey near where the Church of Pergamos used to be. Rev.2:12...  We had a great view of the Agean sea with the Coastline of Turkey from the house where we stayed and from anywhere on the road on the east coast of the Island.....

                                     Downtown Mytilene

                      We can see the Coast of Turkey!

And Poema's 4th Birthday happened when we were on the Island!

    The Girls with their Yaya -Chris' mom:)

My mom (who came from southern France) met us on the way to be with us

                     Us with my mom

And Now after a long trip (about 8 planes in all) we are back in Zambia for the next few months before the big move to Malawi!

Praise Report!

  Last week God really answered our prayers... the two pastors that have been travelling with me to Malawi, Pr Albert Ntalasha and Pr Enoch Muchindu, went a 7th time to Lilongwe to finalize our church constitution. Because of the recent passing of the Malawian president, things have been tumultuous in its government administration. The church registration that we submitted was delayed because of a change of cabinet members. But after this past trip and the persistance of our pastors,

God blessed us with our approved church registration!!!

At the same time, we also submitted our paperwork for our residency permits which will permit us to live in Malawi. In all, the trip was for two weeks which also gave the oppurtunity to visit with our future church members. Pr. Albert and Pr. Enoch had a great time visiting and even having an informal church service with disciples in front of the main Post Office. We wanted to thank you all for your prayers, love, and support. God has great things in store for the precious people of Malawi. They are the treasure of that great land. We have great hope and expectation that Malawi will play a great role in reaching the whole of Southern Africa and other parts of the World.

1. The right location for the church - I really feel that we should be in the Community center at a place called "Falls". We have had all our Bible studies there. Pray that God opens the doors there for an open room. The man in charge is Mr. Sakala.

2. The right location for the team house - Area 3 is a very safe area near downtown. It would be the perfect place for us to live. We are praying for a main house with a guest wing (small house) in the back to accomodate our family and Pr. Albert and other future team members.

3. For God to raise up disciples - "peoples whose hearts God has touched: 1Sam 10:26". We already have a group of about 10 to 15 whom we have met with regularly.

4. Also pray for one couple who will remain unamed, but who we have befriended and really needs a touch in their marriage.

News from the US

I am writing you at the close of our International Convention in Baltimore. We have truly been overwhelmed with joy in this past week. For one week the Church in Baltimore with all GG Churches, missionaries and foreign nationals-that were able to come- from all corners of the world converge in one plaza and look to God for insight and inspiration.

 

Ordination

Saturday night was a perfect culmination. The two messages that closed the conference were dripping with anointing and impetus. Pr. Morrisson and Pr. Schaller spoke on counting everything loss in life to win Christ and finding the pearl of great price which is Christ. Our hearts are so thankful to God, that we are a part of such a spiritual family. Pr. Schaller mentioned that we value our fellowship so much that we tread carefully with our words so as not to quench the Holy Spirit. As I looked at Pr. Stan Collins in Peru, Pr. Anil and Devendre in India, Pr. Veader here in Baltimore, and really everyone; I thought of Luke 3:16 where John said that he was not worthy to unloose the shoe of Christ. That is the kind of reverence we can have for each other. Each member is so sacred because they are a member of Christ's body. And Christ would tell us thank you for cloathing me or feeding me like in Matt 25:40.

 Convention 2012: "To live is Christ"

After a week like this, I have the longing for the day when it will be a heavenly convention and we will have a new fellowship that is beyond borders and geographical barries. But truly we had that same fellowship. My wife, family, and I had the great privilege of visiting the Greater Grace Church of Pretoria, South Africa, as well as travelling to the southern part of South Africa to visit some friends/workmates who are also amazing believers as well. The church there is vibrant, healthy, teaming with love and fellowship. It was a pre-convention warm up for us: Bible college classes carrying on into the night, fun times of evangelism with the sketchboard on the streets, Barbecueing and the Word 9what a combo) with litterally the whole church at Pr. Jabulani's house...amazing.

We have a eternal expectation for the rest of the summer for visiting a number of our branch ministries, working, and plugging into the Baltimore schedule. While we are here, Pr. Albert is in Kitwe, filling in for Pr. Adam Speedy, and gaining great experience leading a ministry. His uncle, Pr. Bernard is with his team getting established in the opposite direction in the south of the country really ministering to the people of Livingstone. They just emailed us that they are starting two new Bible studies in people's homes in two of the biggest neighborhoods of the city. Pr. Belias, Pr. Enoch, and Pr. Mervin are at the helm of the church in Emmansdale, Lusaka; while Pr. Tembo(Lilanda), Pr. Paul (Ngombe), Pr. Nelson (Chawama), and Pr. Martin (Kanyama) are going forward in the other four churches in the city (with their respective areas).

Thank you so much for your prayers, support, job oppurtunities given, love, encouragement. We truly get to witness the power of prayer in action. Your prayers move mountains, open doors, bring divine contacts, and deliver lives. We continue to ask for them.

 

Please Pray as we believe God for:

- Our church constitution to be processed in Malawi

 

- Our summer in the US -for the next month and a half-, travelling mercies visiting churches, our health, for the purchase of our tickets back to Zambia

 

- Our residence visas for Malawi

 

- That 2 or 3 Malawians could come for the Leadership conference with Pr. Scibelli in October

 

- That we would be led to God's place where He wants us to live and have church

 

- For our Move in November and all the details that go along with piling all our stuff in a truck and moving it into another country

--

God Bless You

 

 

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More pics of our trip to South Africa and the churches there on the following post:)

    Poema and Callia in George,South Africa and Chris got to surf in the Indian Ocean for his birthday

 

We got to visit the Garden Route about 14 hours south of Pretoria on the coast of SA and also meet with some of Chris' summer co-workers who are from that area:)

Chris' birthday celebration at some friends house in Wilderness, South Africa

Beautiful sunset right outside their house

        Johan and Anita-our wonderful hosts in George:)