Kyanzaya’s prayers

In June we will start 3 of our 7 evangelism training schools - one in each of our archdeaconries This is part of the strategy of planting 35 new churches across the diocese in the next 5 years. Rev. Joseph gathered all of our evangelism coordinators together before Easter to envision and train. Part of the training was to send 3 evangelism teams out across Goma which resulted in many coming to faith, many recommitments and a bonfire of discarded witchcraft materials at the end of the day. Those who came to faith are already being prepared for baptism.

One of the evangelism campaigns was focused in Buhene towards the north of the city. In Buhene there is a praying woman named Kyanzaya. She is a member of St Trinity parish in town, as in Buhene there are few churches. But every Monday and Thursday early morning she has been gathering people in her home for worship, prayer and Bible study. Kyanzaya has a gift for praying for people and God has used her to answer many peoples’ prayers. As such she has favour with people in her area as well as across the city.

Around 200 people come to her house – and she squeezes in 60 or 70 at a time. As one of the 3 service leaves another comes straight in (see above). She would love for us to plant a church in her area and we are looking at ways of renting a building or buying a small plot of land. If we find land then the Christians in the area are ready to build the church. 

The last few days has seen a flaring up of ethnic conflict in her area over land rights, resulting in 10 deaths. She has temporarily stopped the services as people keep a low profile and some families have even split themselves up for safety. Things have calmed down now and please pray that God would continue to bless Kyanzaya’s ministry. 

A nudge to repent

Last time I mentioned that we were about to start a process of clergy discipline. We have always said that clergy discipline is to protect the church but also that the ultimate aim for the clergy involved is repentance and restoration.  

We held preliminary hearings for 3 clergy before Easter (none for safeguarding). Amazingly, the night before the hearing, one of those involved felt convicted by God to confess his destructive behaviour across the diocese. So, the next day at the hearing he asked for forgiveness with the promise to do everything he could to right the wrongs he had caused over the past 3 years. 

Since that day he has been true to his word, he and his family have been transformed, and those who knew him before don’t quite know what to make of it all! Not so much for the other two clergy – more of a move in the opposite direction, but we continue to pray!

How can you pray?

• With thanks for those who are coming / returning to faith 

• For evangelism training and church-planting across the diocese

• For the next steps for Kyanzaya and her house church

• For ongoing clergy discipline

From Martin, Anthea, Silas, Zachary and Imogen