An Encouraging Day with the CCLC

Our Congo schedule was set yesterday afternoon after we met with the leaders of the two church bodies we are privileged to work with in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was decided that we would spend the first three days (Fri., Sat., & Sun.) with Pastor Yumba and the Confessional Congregations Lutheran of the Congo (CCLC), then four days teaching 30 pastors from both groups on Mon., Tues., Wed., and Thur. The following weekend we will spend three days (Fri., Sat., and Sun.) with Pastor Muzakuza and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Congo (ELCC).

Today (Friday 8/13) was spent in the printing/publishing/translation offices of the CCLC as we spent the morning discussing and encouraging each other in the work that the Lord has given us to do and what a blessing it is to work together in unity of faith and doctrine. We discussed many aspects of the work and the plans they are proposing. Their number one concern is ongoing training for the pastors and evangelists as they work together to strengthen the faith of those in the congregations they serve and as they spread the saving message of God's word. The afternoon was spent with many of the same men but the Evangelists, Catechists, and Sunday School teachers were also in attendance so they could benefit from the discussion as well. They had many good and well thought out questions about teaching the young children and young adults in the congregations. Their humble attitude toward the Word of God and the task they had been appointed to was evident in every question asked and every encouragement given.

We spent most of the day in the lower level of, what seemed to be, a mostly abandoned clinical laboratory building casually discussing God's word and the blessed privilege of being His servant we encouraged one another in the word of God. While the room we met in looked better suited to a storage room, at best, the Lord greatly blessed our time together as we were mutually encouraged through His Word! It was a very encouraging day and I thank the Lord for the privilege of being a part of it! I am confident that the Lord will bless the labors of Pastor Yumba and the CCLC.

Tomorrow we will visit two congregations of the CCLC. On Sunday we will have the privilege of participating in the ordination of three men for the ministry and the baptism of twenty 20 children.

Your prayers and much appreciated.