Metropolitan Missionaries

The real value of persistent prayer is not so much that we get what we want as that we become the person we should be.  Philip Yancey 

Our Precious Partners in Prayer,  You prayed for the advisory committee meetings that took place the first week of April.  So much important work was accomplished during these meetings.  Larry felt supported, guided and helped by the hard work of God’s people on the committee.  It was a special joy to have Larry’s supervisors here.  They always open our eyes to the bigger picture, encourage us and build us up in the Lord. 

Immediately after the meetings we set out once again for Gemena.  You might remember that Gemena is in the huge country next to Brazzaville called Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).  It is always quite an adventure going to Gemena.  This time we had the smoothest crossing of the Congo River ever.  We got seats on the little U.S. Embassy boat.  Our time in Gemena was rich.  It is always amazing to us to visit the Bible translation projects going on there under desperately difficult conditions.  These faithful Congolese men and women of God persevere cheerfully, supporting each other.  It is an honor to serve them.  We had a special treat this time because one of our dear colleagues, Michael Buchanan, had arrived in Gemena a few days before us.  He had gone to help them with a new accounting program.  He also spent two days training the translators in “paratext” a computer program that provides wonderful helps for Bible translators. We also visited the orphanage.  What joy to see the improvements since our last visit.  This time the interior was painted and there were brand new bunk beds!  It is probably the first time these children have ever slept in a bed.  The children looked happy and healthy. Wednesday morning we were all packed and ready to go when we received the phone call.  There was a plane crash in the eastern part of DRC, and the plane that was supposed to pick us up had gone out to the east to help.  Our flight was cancelled. Now what?  Our colleagues and partners in Bangui mobilized to get us a visa in case we had to go overland through Bangui.  You were praying and all our colleagues were praying.  The plane came on Saturday and we were able to get seats on it.  We got back to Brazzaville Sunday morning with just two days left before we leave for the International Conference taking place in Asia. 

Please be praying for the conference.  We leave tomorrow morning.  I (Cami) will be doing French Simultaneous translation for the conference.  Please pray for fluency and the ability to transmit the message clearly with no time to think about it.  Larry is an official delegate to the conference, and he will also be a small group facilitator.  Pray for wisdom as he leads his small group through processing new ideas.  The conference is two weeks long and then we continue around the world to Dallas!  Pray for rest and refreshment while we are there.  Thank you for your faithful prayers!  

 

Love and prayers,

Cami and Larry  (address in Dallas) 

310 Azalea Lane

Duncanville, TX 75137