I have an urgent update for you on the situation in Central Africa today. But before I get to that, let me start with a huge thank you! Not long ago, I told you about our current equipment needs, as we repair the tech we have and expand our capabilities for the future. One of the most urgent things I mentioned was the need for two rugged, all-terrain trucks, customized with everything needed to conduct a Gospel Campaign – trucks that can withstand the extreme conditions in Africa.
Well, praise the Lord with us, because those two trucks have been paid for and are already being outfitted! Isn’t that wonderful? When I look at these photos, I don’t just see vehicles. In my spirit, I see the neglected, hard-to-reach people whom the Lord has not forgotten – millions upon millions of them, waiting to hear the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ.
These trucks a big step forward for us. They immediately make it possible for us to do more Gospel Campaigns simultaneously, and they will have an impact for the Kingdom of God for years to come.
Wise as serpents, innocent as doves
In Matthew 10:16, when Jesus is sending the disciples out to preach, He gives them this advice: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”
Jesus was telling the disciples – and us – that there will be dangers and challenges along the way, and to be as wise and discerning as possible as we go out “in the midst of wolves”. For us, that sometimes means making difficult choices as circumstances arise out of our control.
You may have seen the news lately about the conflict happening in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. You also know we believe the Lord is directing us to hold many more Gospel Campaigns in that nation, and preparations for those campaigns are already underway.
But when working in Africa, we must be agile with our plans – especially in areas that are politically volatile. While we are sure we will be going back to the DRC, the timing needs to be right, or the meetings will not take place. We must be wise.
We need to move fast!
In light of the current situation developing in the DRC, I have asked our seasoned campaign directors to immediately scout for new locations in Kenya and possibly other Central and East African countries. I will have more to tell you about that soon.
In the meantime, this sudden pivot comes with its own set of challenges. You may remember that we had to leave some of our trucks and equipment in the Congo last year after suffering major breakdowns. Those trucks have been fixed at last and now need to be packed with our equipment (stored in a completely different city) and driven to the next campaign locations. This endeavor alone is likely to cost in the region of €100,000 and take several weeks to complete – and it’s just become a top priority! We need to get this done as soon as absolutely possible. There is no time to waste.
Pray for Peace
Please join us in praying for peace in this entire region. Pray for the people affected by the escalating conflict, especially our brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ. We know these cities and towns well – it is heartbreaking to think of the churches and people we have worked so closely with, now going through such suffering and fear. May they be a light in the darkness, a city on a hill. Pray that the Lord will raise up peacemakers and godly leadership.
Please continue to pray for safety and protection for our teams in the field, especially the drivers who will be bringing our trucks and equipment out. And pray for our campaign organizers as they scout cities and listen to the Lord’s leading. This is a crucial time.
Thank you for coming alongside us in moments like this. It means so much to me and the entire CfaN team to know that we are not in this alone. Whether you are praying for us, helping us to meet these costs, sharing this news with other believers – or all of the above! – you are serving in the mission field with us.
Together with you for the Gospel,
Evangelist Daniel Kolenda
(here with the worldwide CfaN team)
