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-4^RICAM CHRISTIAN MISSION
ZAIRE. AFRICA
January, 1991
raT^p-icTKfs'^d Family,
God has given us a New Year. Here in Zaire, we feel God has not
only given us a new year, but a new start with a new and better rela
tionship with the Zairean church. In December, Mike and the missionary
Policy/Coordination Committee held many long, but fruitful meetings with
the national church leaders. Many old hurts were healed, many misunder
standings were cleared. The outcome was the signing of a contract
between African Christian Mission and CECA/40 (abbreviation for the
French name of the church) stating what services would be provided to
the church by the mission. We feel this is an answer to your prayers
and ours and a new beginning for us in Zaire. Please join us in prais
ing God.
Mike is also thrilled because he has been able to begin teaching a
youth class in French at the Ibanda Poste church here in Bukavu. It is
our only French church (we have over 200 Swahili speaking congregations)
and is located just down the street from the local teachers college.
Because it is the capital of the province, Bukavu has several colleges
specializing in medicine, rural development, business, etc. The stu
dents come from all over the country. It is a tremendous opportunity
for evangelism and discipleship that can literally affect the entire
nation. Not much work has been done in the past for the Bukavu college
student population. Mike's first class saw six students who came from
six different areas of Zaire! The second week he had twelve students.
He came home saying he is praying for twenty-four next week! Please
lift Mike up in this vital ministry. Especially pray that his French
will improve quickly as he forces himself to use a language he is not
yet comfortable with.
Since our return in October, we have been working steadily on our
house and most things were finished by Christmas. We bought several new
pieces of furniture that we desperately needed. I kept Mike busy making
shelves and other woodwork, fixing a million little electrical problems,
hanging pictures, plumbing, and buying supplies to keep two carpenters
busy for almost a month. I sewed and altered curtains to fit this new
house and cleaned, cleaned cleaned!! We even had a yard sale to get rid
of the odds and ends we don't use or need. The grossest thing that
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happened was we tore out one of the old toilets to install a new one and found
nothing had been draining into our septic tank. It was all going under our
house! You can bet we're glad we found that problea!!I
The kids have adjusted well. Jason was so happy to see his bunny, Black
Beauty, alive and well. Our dog, Rocky, was excited to see us. Sarah started
kindergarten one month late but was able to catch up without too much trouble.
We were welcomed back by many of our African friends with the complimentary
phrase in this culture, "You've gotten so fat!" We then explain that we were
so happy to get the chance to eat our mother's cooking. Then they just smile
in agreement as they know, too, how good it is to go home to eat with your
parents. (Of course, we left out the part about MacDonald's and Dairy Queen.)
Since coming back, we have noticed our mission family has become much
stronger in emphasizing prayer and fasting. Since this emphasis began the
tribulations seem to have increasedSatan is not pleased we are dealing him
such nasty blows! One of our families was robbed during the night and quite
frightened. One of the mission babies fell off a bed and the whole mission
was on their knees immediately, praying her neck had not been broken. God
cared for her and she is fine. Another family got bad news from home and they
will be leaving Zaire permanently. One man was in a minor car accident,
another had to have surgery. And there is a weight of oppression that many of
us feel on a day to day basis that takes a constant seeking and praising of
God to rid yourself of this depressing weight. Satan is alive and well here
in Zaire and not happy we are opposing him.
Enclosed is a card with our picture. We ask that you put this someplace
where you will see it daily as a reminder to lift us up in prayer. The battle
is hard and we need you to join us and hold us up in aggressive prayer. Our
address is on the back of the picture if you would like us to pray for your
specific needs.
May God bless you as you battle Satan where you are in this new year and
give you strength to not grow weary in the war against hatred, lust, pride,
envy, gossip, and lies. Isn't that why Jesus was born? Because of His birth,
life and then death and resurrection, we are victorious warriors with Him. To
God be the glory!
Happy New Year,
Mike, Julie, Sarah and Jason Nichols