We have a home

Two weeks ago, we moved out of our guest house and into our own rented house. Praise God! We are so thankful for it. It is not altogether finished – hot water is coming this week – but it is on the lake, with room for guests. After living out of suitcases for 7 months we have finally been able to unpack, which has really helped the children settle. Yesterday we got a kitten and the plan is to keep chickens as well. 

We really love being able to have people over. The staff from the Diocese of Goma came last week to welcome us to our new home with a crate of sodas and a goat. The plan had been to look after the goat for a few weeks before the inevitable, but because one of its front legs was injured we were advised that its end should come sooner rather than later. It is now safely in the freezer.  

Martin’s new role

We have been praying and asking you to pray for some more clarity in Martin’s role, whilst waiting for Archbishop Masimango’s visit (also acting Bishop of Goma). He has now visited the diocese and has asked Martin to be Vicar General, sharing with him administrative and pastoral oversight until the appointment of the next bishop. This sits alongside Martin’s existing focus on theological education. He was commissioned last Sunday at a 4 ½ hour Swahili service at the cathedral. When the Archbishop laid his hands on Martin, Silas joined in, which everyone found pretty amusing. Fortunately, no-one really noticed when Silas went on to do a yoga pose during the rest of the prayer. 

The new role does seem to have a sense of God’s call, fitting well with Martin’s experience, gifts and passions. But also, a sense of God’s timing, right down to being stuck in Rwanda for 5 months, never actually having met the previous bishop. This means he is seen as neutral in a new Diocese that was born out of conflict. The Diocesan staff and clergy seem relieved / pleased by the appointment after having had numerous false starts.

Ven. Alimeti, Archdeacon of Walikali

When the Archbishop came he gathered the clergy form across the whole diocese for a retreat. One outlying Archdeaconry, Walikali, is 2 day’s journey (300km) by motorbike, on dirt tracks, often having to carry the motorbike part of the way.  The Archdeacon, Ven. Alimeti arrived halfway through the retreat. He has 4 churches in his Archdeaconry, with 2 others being planted. He has one other pastor with him and a couple of evangelists. He has started a number of local schools with plans for a health centre. The other pastor is away for the moment doing further studies.

The main church is being built on his own land, with contributions from the local Christians. It has walls and a floor but, as yet, no roof. He he was keen to speak to Martin was to see whether the diocese could help. This has been the pattern in the past, to encourage local congregations to find resources themselves to start to build the church, and for the diocese to help with the metal sheets for the roof. Previously, some of the income from the church schools has been used for this, but because the schools have been closed for 6 months, Ven. Alimeti’s roof will have to wait.

How can you pray?

• Give thanks to God for our new house, and pray that the remaining works will be finished soon.

• For the children at school – all of whom seem to be finding it hard in different ways at the moment.

• For wisdom for Martin in his new role – about priorities and ways of working.

• For a continued focus in the diocese on discipleship and evangelism. 

From Martin, Anthea, Silas, Zachary and Imogen