Making the Connections
New contacts in Africa get reinforced in the US. It's more than chance, as COLIN BOND reports

In December 2002, Derek and I forsook Devon’s equable climate to suffer the equatorial sunshine in Rwanda and the Congo. We had arrived to inspect the contents of containers so generously dispatched by the townsfolk of Tavistock. All was safely gathered in having survived African bureaucracy! Regrettably, a little was lost during transit in Rwanda, but clinics and schools have been started in Bukavu in the Congo and in Kabarore, Rwanda.

We had not been in Africa for 18 months while preparing containers in the UK, so it was so encouraging to see churches still thriving and to be reunited with many of our friends. It was an amusing pleasure to see Derek and Immaculee meeting after so long. That story is told elsewhere in this magazine! Derek was left establishing schools and clinics while I journeyed on to Kenya to assist Pastor Peter Davey (from Totnes) with a conference for about 200 pastors. We soon became great friends, and a strong relationship also sprang up between myself and Bishop John Bosco Muchanga who oversees many churches.

Pastor Samuel (left) and Bishop
John Bosco Muchanga in Nairobi

February saw Joy and me trying to recover from fatigue and sickness, catching a long flight from Heathrow to Arizona, USA to visit dear friends at Phoenix. They took charge of us, made us rest and only allowed us to speak at one pastors’ conference. After a week there we travelled for a week in Seattle with Pastor Steve Meyering, who frequently visits Tavistock. His prophetic ministry and fun has always been a great encouragement. He programmed us into churches there. They were very kind, received us well and helped finance the work in Africa.

Then on to California to visit new friends introduced to us by Princess Komuntale, Congo. There we met big surprises! We were introduced to bishops, pastors and important politicians working in Africa who encouraged to extend our work across new countries. Oh God help us! When leaving UK we took some computers to send to Bishop Bosco at Shield of Faith churches, Kenya. At California we were introduced at the Mother Church of the Shield of Faith. They knew Bosco! They wish to help!

We left for the US exhausted and sick. While there, we were blessed by such good people and made new friends, some millionaires but broke because they had invested their money to help the poor! What a privilege to meet such people! And most churches we preached in were full of Africans! We returned home much better and stronger with many new friends. We work for the best Boss possible!

Colin

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