ANGOLA

Brian Howden’s report on May 2010 visit.

The time of conference at Luau was tremendous, 23 assemblies were represented there with over 700 believers present throughout the week. The meetings conducted in the open air under Mango trees were characterised by reverence and Godly order and we look to the Lord to bless His good Word to all who heard. I had three sessions a day and was so thankful to the Lord that my voice held out in the absence of a PA system. We enjoyed good fellowship with a number of brethren from Congo who managed to come across the border.

As usual there was a tremendous appetite for literature. David Longs’ book on The Kingdom Parables that has recently been translated was an immediate favourite and we sold many copies. Bibles in Chokwe and Luvale as well as hymnbooks were much sought after. How important it is to keep a good supply of sound literature before the people, it is very much appreciated.

Please pray for the assembly at Luma Casai, an elder has recently been beaten to death and the village chief has vowed to kill the remaining four elders who he has accused of witchcraft. This chief in the past had professed to be saved and had been in assembly fellowship. Pray for the believers there that despite the fury of this wicked man they will be faithful to the Lord. Satan is throwing his all at the work in many areas and the prayers of the believers in the homelands are greatly needed. Jon Singleton was able to install a new water Ram there and we trust that was an encouragement to the believers, to have water nearby rather than having to go to the river is always a great blessing.

There is increasing awareness of the issues facing assembly testimony in Angola by very many brethren, this was encouraging to see. Please pray that they will be given courage from the Lord to stand by their Biblical convictions when the time comes. We too need to stand with them in prayer that the Lord would use them for the furtherance of the work.

I was thankful for the few days I was able to spend in Saurimo before travelling back to Luanda, I had time to visit a number of believers who are seeking to serve the Lord today and some who have been faithful to the Lord in the past but now through old age are weak. Please remember my dear fellow worker Pedro Sajoia, we have travelled much throughout Chokweland together in recent years but now he is unable to bear the hardships of working in the villages and is not well. I miss him greatly. Also Inacio Sajoia, now confined to his bed and unable to stand. I was so pleased to give him a copy of the the new book in Chokwe The Kingdom Parables, he still has his sight and was absolutely thrilled to get a copy.

Ruth Hadley kindly gave us a meal each night, which is a tremendous help. Please pray for her labours in the Primary School at Camundambala, it is hard work but already we see lives being touched by the Gospel and a good education.