Three Sizes That Day

It's been cold this week. Physically painful. Not long ago I was hunting in windchills of minus 20-30 degrees. If I faced the wind too long with a bit of forhead showing I got a major "ice-cream headache". It hurt!

As physically damaging as windchill can be, a cold heart toward God is even more damaging. All week I have been studying about the heart-both physical and spiritual. Now I must admit I sometimes worry about the "old ticker"(mine has beat over 2 billion times). Sometimes I worry enough that I won't eat as much ice cream as I want. But I'd still rather get the real headache from eating than from walking. Nonetheless, I know deep down my heart before God is way more important than my physical heart BUT I don't always act like it is.

This weekend we are going to talk about how to grow our hearts toward God. I know it's easy to slide into a cold- two sizes too small heart. I also know God is in the business of growing hearts that desire to honor Him.

I am praying for each of us this weekend - that "the Grinch's small heart Grew three sizes that day!" If it can happen to a Grinch, my guess is God wants that to happen to us.

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of Life. Proverbs 4:23

See You this Weekend.

Merry Christmas

Pastor Randy

PS: Don't Forget to Make Christmas Eve Services a part of your Family Traditions. 3:00 and 4:30 p.m.

Two Sizes Two Small

Every Who
Down In Who-ville
Liked Christmas a lot...

But the Grinch,
Who Lived just north of Who-ville,
Did NOT!

The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season!
Now, please don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason.
It could be his head wasn't screwed on just right.
It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.
But I think that the most likely reason of all
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.(The Grinch that Stole Christmas! Dr. Seuss)

My guess is most of us like Christmas with all the fixin's. My guess is a lot of us see Christmas as a wonderful time that stresses us a bit but we get it done. Having said that-My guess is some of us, though we do it, may still have hearts that are two sizes too small. The Bible consistently warns us about monitoring, challenging and cleanising our hearts. By a small heart I don't mean you aren't generous with gifts or meals or lights and ribbons. Small hearts can celebrate big without being big.

The next four weeks we will challenge our hearts to see If "maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!" As a body of Christ what does it mean to have our small heart expanded and transformed so the celebrations, gifts, parties expand in expanding Christ's influence in our neighborhoods and communities.

I was thinking about another Christmas Classic--the one with Scrooge in it. It occurred to me that for as long as I have known about that story I never wanted to be like Scrooge. BUT without paying attention to my heart I easily fall into Scrooge like patterns of thinking and behaving.

This Week we will ask how a changed and expanded heart deals with expectations that sometimes crush our hearts at this time of the year. We will look at the only answer for mis-placed heart affections. I really think you will be encouraged to find lots of room in your heart for Jesus and the things that matter to Him. It would be a wonderful time to invite a friend. Most people I know want to have the best and right kind of celebrations-the best place to start is with the heart.

See you this weekend! Remember to Pray and Watch wherever you go this Christmas season. As you do I know God will give you many opportunities to use your life as an influence for His Name.

God Bless

Pastor Randy

PS: Don't forget to calendar our "Constance Christmas Concert" (December 11 @ 7:00 p.m.) featuring all the worship teams from Constance. Great night to invite a friend. I will personally be doing a number from Handel's Messiah!(JUST KIDDING!)

Pause

I hope this week you will take some time and "Give Thanks to the Lord." This is not a meaningless pursuit, for the scripture states, "Give Thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever." Giving Thanks reminds us of the goodness and faithfulness of God. The One behind the blessings.
When we fail to thank the Giver of all things we come to idolize the blessing and set our heart affections on the gift rather than the giver.(children, family, success, honor, money, etc)

Years ago AB Simpson wrote in the hymn HIMSELF,

Once it was the blessing, Now it is the Lord;

Once it was the feeling, Now it is His Word.

Once His gifts I wanted, Now the Giver own;

Once I sought for healing, Now Himself alone.

Once 'twas painful trying, Now 'tis perfect trust;

Once a half salvation, Now the uttermost.

Once 'twas ceaseless holding, Now He holds me fast;

Once 'twas constant drifting, Now my anchor's cast.

Once 'twas busy planning, Now 'tis trustful prayer;

Once 'twas anxious caring, Now He has the care.

Once 'twas what I wanted, Now what Jesus says;

Once 'twas constant asking, Now 'tis ceaseless praise.

Once it was my working, His it hence shall be;

Once I tried to use Him, Now He uses me.

Once the power I wanted, Now the Mighty One;

Once for self I labored, Now for Him alone.

Once I hoped in Jesus, Now I know He's mine;

Once my lamps were dying, Now they brightly shine.

Once for death I waited, Now His coming hail;

And my hopes are anchored, Safe within the vail.

All we are and have, all the blessings of the church and our lives in Christ are all because of Jesus. So take some time and "Give Thanks to the Lord!" And remember regardless of the circumstances of your life, "He is good and his faithful love endures forever!"

As your Pastor I am so thankful for each one who calls Constance home and shares the blessing of your life with this local body of Christ. You are a blessing. I pray that you will grow and that your love will abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight...filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God.(Phil. 1:9-11)

Giving Thanks,

Pastor Randy

I Swear to Tell the Truth, the Whole Truth and....

I SWEAR!!

You hear it all the time- “I Swear it’s true”, “Cross my heart and hope to die”, ” Honestly,” “The truth is..”, “I Swear on a stack of Bibles”, “ I Swear to God it’s true”, “To Be perfectly honest”, “Seriously”, “Trust Me”, and the list could go on and on. All ways we use to emphasize “for sure” that what we are saying is really true. (this time)

“Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” (Sir Walter Scott) So we rename our lies to: fibs, white lies, tales, fabrication, negative campaigning, half truths, exaggeration, misrepresentation, misinformation, fudge the truth, fish story, string someone along, evade, falsehoods, whoppers, putting up fronts, distortion, rationalization, and the list goes on and on. I love Churchill’ s definition of a lie, “perpetuating a terminological inexactitude.”

Mark Twain States: “When in doubt, tell the truth.” Is that even possible or probable? In Matthew 5: 33-37 Jesus asks people to “Rethink” our speech patterns. Christians should be known as truth-tellers. Our influence for God’s kingdom grows as we give ourselves to truth. Jesus makes it clear that the follower of Jesus represents His character to the world. His Followers are to be people of influence that shine the life of Jesus in a crooked and depraved world (Phil 2:14-16).

I believe that your growth “in the knowledge of the Son of God, to become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ is fundamentally the mission of our church. (Eph. 4:13) Jesus desires to put on display those who have been changed by the full measure of Christ in their lives. What a privilege to be part of His Kingdom building strategy.

Wherever you go you can have in your heart and mind God’s eternal priorities. God sent Jesus as Savior of the World because everyone needs to find Jesus.

Pray and Watch wherever you go using the 5-second prayer. This simple prayer reminds us of what matters most, people finding Jesus.

Father, Please send your Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of these people. Draw them to Jesus and make them kingdom workers.

All of life, All the time can be about God’s eternal purposes. I look forward to our time of honoring God together this weekend. It’s so important we gather together to encourage one another to Christ’s full measure in our lives. I trust you will make this weekend a priority in your schedule.

God Bless

Pastor Randy

Welcome Back

This weekend we welcome back Pastor Sean McDowell to his regular preaching/teaching role at Constance. Due to other leadership responsibilities Sean has not been teaching on a regular rotation. However, this will be changing with Sean preaching every 4-6 weeks this year.

Sean is active in planning our yearly preaching schedule and I so appreciate his godly heart and love for you and our church. I know you will be challenged to RETHINK again this weekend. Pastor Sean will be sharing our Lord's teaching on sexuality and how it vies for control in our lives.

A reminder that this weeks sermon-"Look, Lust or Love" from Matthew 5:27-30 is "Rated PG" due to the nature of this passage. Of course this subject will be dealt with tastefully and in the spirit of Jesus' words BUT as a parent please take advantage of our great Children and Student Ministries.(Remember, there is no Middle School or High School Ministries on Saturday evening).

All of us lead very full lives. I want to encourage you not just to fill your life with the stuff of life but to fill your life on purpose for the Lord's Purpose. I trust these last weeks you have been encouraged to give all of your life, all of the time for the things that are eternal. That our lives could be used all of the time for God's eternal desire to bring people to life eternal in Jesus is a great privilege. What a joy to live LIFE FULL in this way.

Pray and Watch: A great way to remember to live on purpose is to daily use this 5 Second Prayer--Father, please send your Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of these people. Draw them to Jesus and make them Kingdom workers.

All the time God invites you to participate in His eternal purposes-being salt and light "that they may see your good deeds and praise yoou Faither in Heaven."(Mt. 5:16)

Let Your Light Shine!

God Bless,

Pastor Randy

Amazing Congregation

WOW--I just talked to Pastor Jim Barber and he told me about the Benevolent offering we received on behalf of Youth First this past Sunday.

FIRST WOW-Our congregation generously gave $4455 to Youth First. Thank-You for being such a generous people of God.

SECOND WOW-Pastor Jim reported our gift to the Youth First board and those who serve and volunteer. He has heard from a Mayor and some School Principles and others.

These comments belong to you and your generously(grace) living out Christ's Character "to influence our area with the love and good deeds of Jesus"

"What you and Constance Free have done for YF is absolutely amazing. The support that has come from your congregation really does demostrate the value your church places on community outreach. Thanks for all that you do! This is a much brighter light than we have seen recently and hopefully, we will see even more light at the end of the tunnel."

"Unbelievable"

"Wow, Jim that is absolutely amazing and uplifting. Thank you to the leadership of your church for the ongoing support of YF and the youth in our communities in so many ways. Bless you, one and All!"

"Wow is that great! I pray that God will bless Constance Free Church"

You are an amazing congregation. You have sent light through the county this week in a very practical manifestation of Christ's love and compassion through your generosity and good deeds. "This has resulted in thanksgiving to God".(2 Cor. 9:11)

You are making a difference for eternity. Pray and Watch!

God Bless

Pastor Randy

Pray and Watch

ALL of Life can be ALL about Eternity All the Time! If what matters most is people finding Jesus, then it stands to reason that we must trade in our daily lives to find life in the context of eternity.

It means Priority Living. Simple concept-Living for what matter's most. It means you can make your desk, a trip to the store or mailbox an opportunity to live for what matters most, to live for eternity-All the Time.

It means using every circumstance of life to care for what matters most! It means we care more about the checkout person than we do that it took longer than usual to get through the checkout line. It means we go about the mundane with eternity in mind, knowing that what matters most is people finding Jesus. It makes the mundane an adventure of living life on purpose for a purpose. Jesus Invites you to live such a life. Anything else is too little to live for.

So Pray and Watch for we serve a God who loves to save people.
I encourage you to pray "The 5-second Prayer...Father, please send Your Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of these people. Draw them to Jesus and make them kingdom workers.

When you do you pray according to the will of the Father, for salvation comes through Jesus Christ. You can do this anytime and anywhere for anyone, and know the joy of influencing a lost world to salvation in Jesus Christ. You are an evangelist doing the work of evangelism when you are praying this prayer.

What would happen in people's lives if each of us would chose to live for what matters most and watched for God's working. This prayer aligns our heart with God's heart for what matters most- people finding Jesus. It's living for eternity and Jesus invites you to live with such purpose.

I want to invite you to share your story. Let me know how God is using you for eternity. Just this morning, as I was getting the paper I prayed the 5 second prayer for a neighbor leaving for work. I know God is working--I can't wait to see how. I can't wait to hear how God is using you for eternity. I know He Will.

In sharing your story of living for what matters most by practicing a lifestyle of Pray and Watch you are in the words of the writer of Hebrews "...[let us spur] spurring one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

I look forward to seeing you this weekend. Remember it is important to strengthen and encourage one another by meeting together. We easily grow cold and are hardened by sin's deceitfulness without the encouragment we find in community.(Hebrews 3:12-15)

God BLess

Pastor Randy

Evangelism Stinks

There I said it! Evangelism Stinks! And most of us Stink at Evangelism! You have seen every gimmick, slogan, method, strategy known to the church and all statistics show that both the believer and the unbeliever is left with a bad taste in our mouths when it comes to giving out the most important, life-giving message in the world.

And the truth be known, most of us are sick and tired of the guilt and frustration of trying to give the Gospel to people who seem to not want it or seem to have no need of it. Understand this, we all believe it's important, biblical, even an awesome privilege and responsibility but something few of us have done often and with little success.

Regardless of this-those of us who are believers love Jesus and we really want our friends and family to find him too. We really believe He is the life that is truly life, as we have seen in Matthew 5:3-9.

This week we will begin looking at what it means to be salt and light to our world. It is my prayer that we will experience encouragement and release to live a life-giving lifestyle that will intentionally change who you are all day long. A lifestyle that will allow you to pray and watch and to see your circumstances, vocation, people in your life differently and through Jesus' life giving purpose.

I believe all of us want to live life on purpose and for a purpose. A life full of Jesus that we are experiencing and then giving it away to all who need to hear it's life changing message. And truthfully I believe this is the life Jesus wants for all of us.

One more guilt relieving statement I will share with you this weekend. You can't save a soul!(now you are off the hook!) I know you love Jesus and desire to use you life for His Kingdom. I believe you can be fruitful in this desire right now! No new clinics, methods, seminars or even more courage or verses memorized. I believe each of us can know and see how God is using us for His kingdom purposes.

I hope you will prioritize being together this weekend. It's so important to worship Jesus together and be encouraged in His Word.

See you this weekend!

God BLess

Pastor Randy

Peacemakers Are Kingdom Builders

While in Africa this summer I saw the effects of Civil War. The room I stayed in while in Gemena had been gutted by the rebels. The one piece of furniture(beside the bed) had a broken leg, no shelves and a door that wouldn't close due to the conflict. The effects of the lack of peace are evident for all to observe. And it's a horrible way to live.
Jesus tells us that those who experience the fulness of His life are called to be peacemakers. As we will see this weekend you are never more like God than when you are a peacemaker. Now don't confuse this with some form of appeasment, or peace at any price type, or natural dispostition, or heaven forbid some form of gaggy Minnesota nice. It cannot mean that!
The world, your world, our church is in great need of peacemakers. Jesus invites you to this life-You will never be more like God! Will You??

See You all this weekend! I know we will all be challenged by God to allow him into the little wars of our lives. The effects are plain for all to see. And it's a horrible way to live.
Thankfully because of Jesus-you can live in peace, personally and in all your relationships.

Blessed Are the peacmakers, for they will be called sons of God. Mt. 5:9

God Bless

Pastor Randy

An Emotional Day

Dear Constance Family,

I am able to get on the internet today! It was a hard day - I shed tears while observing the work of the Tandala hospital in teaching the mothers about nutrition. Many children were brought in for care. I watched as they weighed the babies and toddlers. One 18-month old boy weighed only 12 pounds and was not able to walk yet. Another 8-month old weighed under 9 pounds. One child who has been on their feeding program for only two months went from 9 to 17 pounds. They were very happy about that!!

The mothers are bound by tradition and don't understand proper care and feeding for their children. They nurse a child until the next one is born, and then go about feeding the new baby without caring for the older child (teaching to eat more solid foods, etc.). The mothers are learning things that they hopefully will teach others in the places they come from.

Several of our team also walked the trail the women walk to get water. It is about a half mile, uphill, narrow, bumpy trail up to the hospital. The women (note, not men) do this walk several times a day with jugs on their heads that weigh around 80 pounds.

How blessed they will be when the well digger gets there and digs the wells around that area!!! The well digger is to arrive in the country around November, and it could take a few months (not so great of transportation) to get it to the Congo area.

Well, the power supply is about done. See you all soon!! We leave here tomorrow at 3:00 in the morning on our trek back to Zongo, crossing the river to Bangui, and there catch the Air France plane to Paris and civilization!! We appreciate your prayers for our trip home.

God bless,

Pastor Randy

Visiting Tendala Hospital

Hey Church!

I am e-mailing from Tandala Hospital. The internet is on for about 2 hours. What amazes all of us is that we have internet at all. It has been available through a satellite system only about 6 months.

We had a rough ride here yesterday and buried our 4 wheel drive in a mud hole. All in all we got through on very rough roads. It is about 75 kilometers from Gemena and took us around 4 hours. We were greeted warmly. We are all staying in the missionary guest house. Actually pretty comfortable if you donèt mind no running water, no electricity, with high humidity and hot temps. Sorry about the french accents the computer I am using is set to French. I do believe I have eaten goat 10 days in a row. Starting to get a taste for the little fellows. Today we were awaken by a goat making a bunch of noise tied behind the house. They only get tied up when they are close to being dinner. Well Nate and Mike saw the little guy being prepared for dinner a few minutes later. He was quite tender.

Enough of the menu. Tandala Hopital is an amazing ministry. Two of our guys observed two surgeries today and on the second surgery our team leader assisted the doctor a bit. I passed on the opportunity to observe due to fear of passing out. I was able to see today where all our White Cross projects come. They do so much with so little. The whole hospital (180 beds) runs on 300K per year. I was able to walk through the men's and women's wards, the materity ward etc. I also saw the dental clinic and some work being done. Now this is not like a hospital most of us would want surgery in but praise the Lord for this ministry. When people get sick they want to come here.

They are also in charge of public health and run 30 clinics in many villages. It is amazing. They are very short on medicines now. I think I brough more ibuprophen than they had on the shelf. They have recruited four very sharp doctors who are committed to this ministry with one more being trained as a surgeon on Cameroon.

We will be here one more day before we start the long journey home. Tomorrow we will have opportunity to meet with some more staff and doctors about their vision for Tandala Hospital.

God Bless,

Pastor Randy

Heading To Tendala

Dear Constance Family,

Tomorrow is our second and last Sunday in the Congo. I do not have to preach this week so that will obviously be more relaxing for me. Today was a rather quiet and enjoyable day. I did alot of playing with the children around here. They enjoy the 'white folks' who pay attention to them! They are beautiful children.

After church tomorrow we are driving the two and a half hours to Tandala Hospital. The roads are not very good and so we appreciate your prayers. We get to see the ministry the hospital has had among this people for many years. What a blessing for them all! Tandala is a Free Church hospital started many years ago, and with whom we now have a connection with the Mayo Clinic for help and supplies. This came about through other teams who came before us, people who provided the technical equipment and who had the connections to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. God has blessed this work.

Tonight is the coolest one we have had so far, and that makes for better sleeping. Most days and nights bring alot of perspiration (what about this COOL season??). Thankfully I have not faced any sickness on this trip (the food must agree with me). With the busy past week it is nice to face some quieter days ahead.

Please pray for our final days here, and for the wonderful people in the Congo. Pray for the pastors and evangelists serving our God faithfully among their people and beyond the Congo. May God bless your Sunday and worship together in Minnesota!

Serving Him With You,

Pastor Randy

Hungry To Learn

Well Thursday is over. I taught all day on African Time. I taught a group of evangelists discipleship and evangelism principles. I am overwhelmed with their commitment to share the Gospel with their countrymen.

Our Church sent three hundred dollars worth of materials for these godly men. They were so appreciative. When I came back from lunch break from 10-12:00, ten of them where in this hot room reading. They have so few materials but are so hungry to learn.

After I came back from lunch I realized these men had been there since the am without anything to eat or drink. Thankfully the office sent some water, freshly roated peanuts and what looks like a dougnut hole (but is a cake).

We crammed the seminar into one day because the men were out of money and needed to leave for home.

I am tired but so refreshed to see their hunger to learn some things that I take for granted.

I just ran into Pastor Salenga and David K (from Liberia) who are doing strategic planning here for Reach Africa. These are passionate and godly men who desire to reach the continent for Christ.

Well I have just been informed that the African shirt I ordered is done and I need to get my picture taken with the tailor.

Thanks for your prayers. I look forward to sharing with you in August and especially showing you my new shirt.

God Bless,

Pastor Randy

Meeting Kazika

Sunday night I found out I was the official Chaplain of the CECU conference going on now becasue I am the Bible Hour teacher. Around 1500 People are here from around the Ubangi Provine. Many of these folks walked to this conference. Some as far as 150 kilometers.

They feed them a big meal at noon everyday. As I preach each morning the women are gathering in the back of the church getting ready to fix the meal. There is a station for meat, pondue (very spinach like), fuku (no decription but worse than some scandanvian stuff -- actually looks like a blob of grainy oatmeal), either the world's toughest chicken, goat pork or beef. Normally goat or chicken. And we usually have white rice and palm oil gravy. All this cooked on open fires in back of the church. On Monday morning while I was preaching one of our team went out back as they were butchering two pigs.

Today was a busy day as they all have been. But today was very special for me (and Deb). I was able to meet Kazika today - our Global FingerPrints child. She is a beautiful little seven year old who is getting food, clothes and an education - something she wouldn't have without our support. I want to encourage each of your to consider the Global FingerPrints program. What a way to change a life.

Keep praying. My two busiest days of teaching are still to come. I have been preaching daily on prayer and I believe it has been a good connection. These are all pastors and we have a lot in common.

Well I am just about out of power so better sign off.

God bless,

Pastor Randy

Power

The power just went off for the night. It comes on for about 2.5 hours so batteries can be charged. It was a very big day - I found out that I am the official Chaplain for the conference so I preached to start the conference. Pray for the strength to meet the responsibilities that have been requested of me.

Pastor Randy

Sunday Worship

Today is Sunday and I just experienced my first Worship service in Africa. The service lasted around three hours but probably a little longer because it was a kick off to their biannual CECU national conference. Over 1500 pastor's and wives are here. It is just incredible to see the joy with which they gather. One group that came by a big truck from zongo (probably 30 people stacked on each other) pulled in at 7:00 a.m. after driving all night on the same road we traveled the day before. They came into the CECU compound singing a hymn loudly. It sent a chill down my spine and in all honestly I was overcome with the goodness of God.

The service today had four choirs singing all original music for this conference. Each Song told a story. We had a translator close so we got the main themes. It was a great kick off - the highlight was when they received the offering. I will show you footage when I get back. Maybe we will try a dance offering someday when we celebrate the work at Elikya!

This afternoon one of our team members and I started a game of Frisbee without the Frisbee. We used a plastic lid and had a ball with a bunch of kids - fun time!

I was able to meet with the national evangelist today and hammer out some details of the conference for his leaders on Thursday and Friday. He has 20 leaders here and has invited other church leaders. He thinks around 100 will come. Whatever the case may be, I ask for your prayers. I will teach from 8-12 and 2-4 both Thursday and Friday.

I am using a team member's computer and almost out of battery. Hopefully the power will come on soon so everything can get recharged.

God's Rich Blessings,

Pastor Randy

Our First Saturday

Dear Constance Family,

It has been an eventful day! Our team got to go out and see the Elikya campus and ministry. It is amazing what is being done there. Everywhere we go we get a tour of the entire campus (as we did in Zongo). It is great to see the people's enthusiasm for what God is doing in their areas of ministry and from those who are being ministered to. It is wonderful to see what God is doing in the people's lives, especially in the women and orphans at Elikya.

This is supposed to be the "cooler/rainy season" but I must say that it felt like a good HOT Minnesota day. I think it is in the low 90's and humid. We walked alot today and that means we sweat alot! I don't mind being reminded of Minnesota summers though!!

I have to tell you about the people. Many are traveling here for the conference which begins on Tuesday. One group from a village came walking and riding bikes after having traveled several days over many kilometers. They come with all of their food (even live chickens attached to the bikes) and needs carried on their backs or on the bikes. Their enthusiam and joy are amazing!!

I have learned to say 'hello' in Congolese, and often have children coming up to shake my hand and say hello before they run off. Deb would love that!

I know that you are keeping us in your prayers as we travel and minister to these people. I think of you often back in Minnesota.

May God bless your weekend as you worship Him.

Pastor Randy

Greetings From Gemena

Dear Constance Family,

It is 11:20 p.m. in Gemena and I am just settling into my room at the Free Church headquarters. I was up by 6:00 this morning and it has been an eventful day in Africa!

After breakfast our team did the river crossing. It was a wonderful and scenic crossing!! (Deb appreciates that there were no crocodiles to be seen/and definitely no alligators which are native to the America's and China!). We went to the Zonga Free Church school and clinic and were there for about two hours while paper work was being done. The people graciously served us a banquet size meal!!! Our team then drove to the Free Church seminary and school where we were served another banquet meal which was pretty much identical to the first one (except there was chicken instead of goat meat). The people do not have much, but they are very generous to their guests!! (just wait...)

We then had our long stretch of driving on one lane, rutted, and flooded roads. We averaged from 10 - 35 mph most of the trip, but the ten miles our driver drove 50 mph I was sure that we would run over chickens, goats or people who were also using the road! Thankfully we did not hit anything or anyone! It was a rough road but we had a great time visiting with each other! (No chance of napping with the bumps!)

When we arrived at Gemena around 9:30 tonight President Bosapole greeted us and welcomed us to yet another banquet to eat at. This one included both chicken and goat meat. ;-) We have had delicious fruit here! It is a very beautiful country and so are the people beautiful! We are excited for how God will use us for His glory in the days ahead! Pray for His Spirit to teach the people through our ministry.

God bless you,

Pastor Randy

On African Soil

Dear Constance Family,

I AM ON AFRICAN SOIL FINALLY! We are staying at a mission house tonight in Bangui. There is no guarantee of electric power through the night and it will be our first night under mosquito nets! All but one parcel made it here and it is something for the mission, not any personal luggage. This is great news since we each checked our bags to go 'to Africa' from our original starting places (Kevin is from CA., four people from Hastings, Nebr., and some from Minneapolis).

The airport in Bangui was complete chaos. There is no personal space, with very long lines! There was no air conditioning for 2 1/2 hrs. (remember there is no electric power guarantees!), so it was HOT! ;-) It costs money to use the restroom ($2.00 US). Aren't we fortunate in America?? ;-)

Bangui is quite the town. It is the capital city of Central African Republic and there are crowds of people walking everywhere! It is a great place to be as this is where God has brought us! We may not have the internet for two days now as we are crossing that river in 40 ft. canoes (which Deb is concerned about because of the alligators:-)!, and riding many hours to our first destination. It has been a long day of travel, but a good day!!!

God bless you each!

Pastor Randy

The Flight To Paris

Hello Constance Family,

I had a very good and uneventful flight to Paris where we were to have a 15 hour layover. It was here I met up with the team. We bought a pass on the Metro Train system and had time to visit three areas - the Eiffel Tower, the Arc of Triumph and Notre Dame. WOW—Beautiful!

We then got back about 5 p.m., showered and got ready to check in for our 11 p.m. flight to Bangui. When we arrived at the airport we were informed the flight would not leave until tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. (No crew had showed up!). This is certainly better for us to get a good nights sleep with the jet lag weariness. The airlines put the entire plane up at the IBIS hotel and fed us supper at 9:00 p.m. Paris time (2:00 p.m. Wed.)

My back went out the day before I left so please pray for healing for it. It is sore but I am functioning quit well.

Pray also for our flight tomorrow (1:00 a.m.Thursday); that all will go well as we arrive in Bangui. From there we cross the mile wide river in canoes and drive 12 hours to Gemena.

We had a good day as a team. Thanks for your prayers as we continue to get to know one another. If you can get Google Earth, check for the road we will be on from Bangui (where we fly into from Paris) in the Central African Republic, across river to Zongo and then to Gemena (in the Democratic Repulic of Congo). We found it on our computer before I left!! WE so much appreciate your prayers.

God's rich blessing on you,

Pastor Randy

Countdown To Africa

Time is now flying and I must admit I am feeling a little frantic and excited about leaving for Africa. I will be leaving for the Democratic Republic of Congo in less than two days. I want to “thank you” in advance for taking the time to read these entries over the next 18 days and to pray for our trip to the Congo.

Constance has made a five year commitment to participate in a consortium of American Free Churches(7 presently) to partner with the Congo Free Church(CECU) in advancing God’s kingdom work. You can find more at http://equip.efca.org - click in to set up an account(free) and you will find a ton of info about our partnership in the Congo.

My purpose for taking this trip is to capture a vision for our participation in the ministry in Congo and to better articulate that to our Church. That is still my main purpose though God has blessed me with other tasks as well.

Hear are some initial prayer requests with commentary.

1. Pray for Safety in Travel. I will be flying to Chicago-Paris-To Banguii in Central African Republic. From there we will cross the river (1 mile wide) in 40 foot mahogany canoes strapped together powered by a 5 hp motor. Once we cross into Congo we still have 200 miles to go in the back of a truck (on dirt roads in rainy season). This takes approximately 11 hours.
2. Pray specifically that our baggage gets to where we are going when we do.(Banguii) There is only one flight a week to this area and little chance the baggage would ever reach us in time to use it.
3. Pray for CECU as it has it’s bi-annual church pastors conference. Around 1500 will attend. This will provide an opportunity for our team to meet the CECU leadership. Pray for divine appointments.
4. I will be teaching two sessions during this conference on Prayer. Pray for this. I will be preaching in the opening session of this conference followed by two hours of prayer led by a national leader. I feel honored to share in this way.
5. Presently I will be preaching our last Sunday at the Gemena Free Church.
6. 10 days ago I was asked to do a 1-2 day seminar under Pastor Makasi Marcel’s leadership for the 27 regional evangelism and discipleship leaders.(Pastor Marcel is CECU’s national evangelist) I am honored (and scared to death) with this opportunity. With the help of Steve Wheeler our missionary in Montreal I have been able to secure some French material to give to these leaders.(national language is French but they speak in Lingala) I will be preparing 10 sessions so please pray. This really amps my prep for this trip and one of my suitcases will be filled with printed materials. Dr. Tom Cairns told me that in the five years of partnership with CECU to his knowledge this is the first seminar we have been asked to do. So I need lots of prayer. Pray that what is shared will somehow minister across all racial, cultural and language barriers for God’s Glory.

Well this is just an opening volley of requests. I hope you will pray for me, our team and my family during these busy and exciting kingdom days. Pray also as you come with me through prayer and e-mail/blog that your heart will be moved by God and His great purposes.

Thanks for Praying!

Pastor Randy