Thursday, November 6, 2008

You are not Bored with God!

How can time go so quickly!
We have had much to do in the last three weeks. We finally received our container with all our personal items 12 days ago. This container shipped on the 1st of June, arrived in Biera Mozambique on the 30th of August and we received in on the 24th of October. It is good to have our "stuff".
We went to a new village in the Ntcheu district last week, Kiaya, and at the invite of the Mafumu, Chief, we preached to about 80 people. 56 people believe and received Jesus as their Savior! It was interesting as there was a large Pentecostal church in this village. There are many churches in Malawi, but the problem is that the Saving Gospel of Christ is not preached! For many churches they will have much singing, the call them choirs, and they will tell the people how to live well and have a good life, but they do not tell them that they are lost and on the road to a sinners HELL!
Many times the church leaders do not even follow the scriptures when instructing their people on living life. The Abraham Church tell their people they can make home brewed beer, drink it and give it to their neighbors. They also say they can have multiple wives and do what ever makes them happy. This church is well liked in the Satemwe area as you can well imagine; no restrictions on life, live it up, but they do not know they are going down the road to destruction.
We continue to have bible studies in the villages we go to where people are saved. We do not believe in giving the plan of salvation, having people saved and then leave without disciplining these dear people.
Today we started the construction of our temporary structure at GS Bible Baptist Church in Bwaila Village. The building will be made out of palm trunks, bamboo, grass, plastic sheeting for protection from the rain, and any other available natural materials. This building will be only until after the rainy season, next April. Lord willing He will provide funds to build a permanent structure at that time. The people of Bwaila are very poor. They earn next to nothing, but each Sunday our offerings are averaging around K250, $1.66 US, for about 25 adults. This is two days wages in this area. It might not seem much to you, but it a lot to these dear people.
I know we like to see local, independent Baptist Churches stand on their own feet, but considering it will cost about $3,500.00 to build a church in this area, the cost is staggering! Construction materials are very expensive here, metal roofing sheets, cement, quarry stone and dust, wire nails, windows. The labor is cheap, making bricks, digging foundations, etc. We will see what God does. If He touches your heart about this and would like to help, please send any donations to BBC Fairbanks, Alaska, Bwaila village Church, Malawi.
Much to our sorrow, Ginger our baboon has died. She was just a great addition to our family and very fun. She loved the girls, especially Sarah, and she will be missed.
To those that continue to pray for us, thank you!, thank you! thank you!!

By His Grace & Mercy,

John