Praise & Prayer–March 2014

Praise and Prayer—March 2014

“The Miracle of Redemption”—the theme of a missions conference we are participating in March 2-9. The miracle of redemption is this; while I was yet a sinner, with all the wrath of Almighty God focused against me, Christ died for me, that I might be made the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus (justified)! The wrath and fury of God toward sin was focused against and ultimately on Jesus who, although innocent and free from sin, was condemned as a criminal; took sin upon himself (became sin)and was made to be guilty–experiencing death and separation from Father, so that I can have peace with God and become an heir of eternal life! The very same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in me giving life to me. That is the indescribable cost and miracle of redemption!

Romans 2:4,5 God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance. But because of your hard and impertinent heart you are storing up wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. …vs. 9 but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.

Romans 5:1,8, 10, 17, 21 We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…while we were still sinners, Christ died for us

2 Corinthians 5: 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.…For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life…much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ…leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin…set free from sin…died with Christ…will live with Christ.

Romans 8:2,5,6,10,11, 15-16 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death…For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace…But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you… For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ…
Christ died that I might live…I must die so that Christ might live in and through me!

Praise
-for the incredible opportunity to help facilitate and be involved in the discipleship training of the chaplains from the 906th Regiment of the Congolese army. Both Colonel Amuli’s bodyguard and the Major chose to become followers of Jesus rather than be followers of Mohammed. Father richly answered our prayers for safety in travel, health for teachers, students and their families left behind; open minds and hearts to hear, understand, and apply what was taught. Continue to pray for transformative application in their lives and in the lives of those they bear witness to of the principles learned and being put in to practice. Praise for Colonel Joseph Amuli’s vision for and implementation of a chaplaincy program throughout the 906th Regiment and his request for CECA-20 and Samaritan’s Purse to provide them with the training. Colonel Amuli’s story is long and complicated, with multiple reasons for despair and turning away from God; but weaved through his story is God’s Story of love, redemption, and healing; and his own deep love and trust in God who continued to pursue him with steadfast love through difficult circumstances. 14 years ago he was sent as part of an advance force to defend DRCongo’s integrity. The advance force was decimated and when he did not show up and his body was not found he was considered dead. He had left behind in Kinshasa a pregnant wife who eventually ended up with her son as a refugee in the States. They now have regular communication with one another by phone, but have not physically seen each other for 14 years. Col. Amuli has never seen his son—he has regular photos and news from him. Join us in praying for and seeking the means to reunite Colonel Amuli with his wife and family.

-for the productive trip with AIMAIR to Banda, Assa, Ango, and Bangadi from the 17th-21st. The purposes of the trip were fulfilled as Pastor Pillo (CECA-20’s vice president), Pastor Mbanza (CECA-20’s Regional Director), Phil Byler (AIM Central Region’s EO), Jay Mundy (pilot), and I were 1) able to see, hear, and experience first hand the needs and opportunities that exist in this remote area of DRCongo (it was the first time for Pillo, Mbanza, and Phil to visit these places and the first time a mission plane had landed at Assa in many, many years!) 2) able to meet with church leaders and move forward with arrangements for housing for the missionary team that is expected to take up residence at Banda later in the year 3) able to meet together at Assa with church leaders, members, and the delegation from the Assa Section refugees living in Zemio, CAR, in order to continue the process toward their repatriation and reintegration into the life and activities of the Assa Church Section 4) able to meet with church leaders and members in Ango and get a feel for what is going on in this strategic center for future possible engagement 5) able to participate in the closing ceremony of the discipleship training for the chaplains of the 906th regiment.
–
that I was able to leave the remaining ‘God’s Story’ and the NT MP3 players in Fulfuldde with pastors/believers who are interested in reaching out to the Mbororo around Bangadi, Banda, and Ango. In particular, praise for the opportunity to leave a player and portable amplifier/speaker with the God’s Story at Ango; in the hands of Mama Tchad’s wife. Mama Tchad is the paramount chief of the Mbororo. He was away on a trip to Mboki. I was given his number and with a cell tower at Ango was able to call him and using Bangala to communicate ask his permission to leave the player for him. He asked that I leave it in the hands of his wife. She was thrilled and began listening to it immediately, surrounded by others. I was blessed when his unnamed 3 day old son was named Stivi in honor of the visit and gift.

-for yesterday’s report from Mukanirwa that Pastor Nyadria continues to experience healing. ‘His joy is evident, he is able to walk further than before, and he is asking more and more about other people. Praise for the funding from various sources that has made the building of a home for him and his family possible. Doors and windows have been installed, but he has not been able to move in as the building has come to a standstill due to the need for additional funds to complete the ceiling, toilet facilities, and paint the house.
Prayer
-that Debbie and I will know where to move and/or store our things, and that together we will know the specific next steps Father has planned for us.

-for understanding, discernment, and Father’s leading as to our involvement and engagement in ministry needs and opportunities related to cross-cultural indigenous missions initiatives, discipleship, trauma & reconciliation seminars, etc., Pray with us concerning the possibility of my returning to Africa in April to engage in the rebuilding of former missionary houses for the team going to Banda. There is also a possibility to join mission leadership on another flight to CAR to encourage the church there. We have also been asked if in June we could again assist the team that Debbie’s cousin and his wife (Jon & Jenni Millet) facilitate each year from Trinity Christian School at Scott Theological College in Kenya.

-for insight, understanding, and ongoing motivation for practical ministry engagement through the opportunities we have this month to share and participate in a missions conference in Florida, the Healing the Wounds of Trauma consultation in Philadelphia, and through the VERGE 2014 conference (Redeemed to Redeem) in Austin Texas.

-for CAR; Continue to pray that the leaders, as well as the perpetrators of insecurity and violence (organized disorder) will be brought face to face with ‘the wisdom that is from above’. This wisdom is “pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits (Galatians 5:22), impartial, and sincere. It’s result is a “harvest of righteousness that is sown in peace”. Here is a current update: “Today ‘Open Doors’ an international Christian organization, explained how it is having difficulty to bring western churches to come alongside the suffering of believers in CAR because of the confusion being created by media naming the Anti-Balaka, as Christian militias. Boko Haram has declared war against believers in CAR because of the same reason. May the Christian media avoid such confusion. More than 2 million people are desperate and in need. Since the beginning of the Seleka’s rebellion, churches are closed, centers where people gather for prayer are being burned down and believers are not having any meetings in the remote parts of the country. Actually the whole country is crying out for help. How can churches in CAR survive if the brethren in the west don’t react quickly? Many church leaders live in refugee camps in Bangui and elsewhere and are deeply in need of help. I hope that in the future you could work in such a way that the Christian world might appreciate how believers have been challenged for more than a year now and are still struggling for their faith and need compassion. The other side of the story is that many of the Seleka and mercenaries who went to Chad are now back in NDELE – a city about 400 miles in the north of the country – and are preparing to launch an attack against the capital. Christians living in this part of the country are under pressure as their belongings are destroyed, their lives in danger and their churches burned down. Not only do they need prayer but their situation needs also to be made known to the rest of the world.” that Pray that we will be willing and able to regularly take the necessary and appropriate steps to support and encourage these believers who are increasingly being threatened and marginalized by both religiously and politically backed groups propagating their agendas through insecurity, destabilization, and encroachment (organized disorder propagated through the LRA, Seleka, Janjaweed, ADF-NALU, Mbororo, etc.,).

Redeemed to redeem! A result of the miracle of redemption!

Steve & Debbie

Jesus died that I might live: I die that He might live through me! — a ‘taxi’ through which Holy Spirit can have his way!

Doing for Jesus vs Being with Jesus
Working for Jesus vs Working with Jesus
Knowing about Jesus vs Knowing (intimate relationship) Jesus
Listening to Jesus vs Hearing Jesus
A Fan of Jesus vs A Follower (Disciple/Apprentice) of Jesus
An Acquaintance of Jesus vs A Friend (identity in though, heart, & spirit) of Jesus “I have called you friends”
Stephen & Deborah Wolcott
19212 Fisher Ford Rd.
Siloam Springs, AR. 72761

Email: sdwolcott@aimint.net
Steve’s mobile: 479-233-0823 (USA)
256-772-415201 (Uganda)
243-824-494864 (DRCongo)
Deb’s mobile: 479-427-2598

Africa Inland Mission, P.O. Box 3611, Peachtree City, GA 30269

Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written. “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.”
Heb. 2: 14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
Col. 1:13,14 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Romans 1:18- For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth…For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly perceived.
–exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images–exchanged the truth about God for a lie—worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator.–exchanged natural relations