23rd December, 2009

Dear Praying friends,

Thank you for your fellowship in prayer during the recent visit to Angola.

Everything worked out as we had hoped on exactly the right days and we were able to accomplish all that we had planned in His will. When these things happen in Angola, with the irregular flights and uncertainty of transport then one can only marvel and acknowledge the Lords hand in the arrangements.

Debbie was able to submit her process for RENEWAL of residence, and she received the receipt for the process all within 3 days which was wonderful. Now we value prayer that the renewal will be granted without too much delay.

We were able to get a flight out of Saurimo which meant we didn't have to endure the long drive back to Luanda. Having returned to Luanda with Debbie and seen her safely off at Luanda airport I then managed to get a flight down to Saurimo. These two flights saved us driving 2000km.

I was able to visit the believers in Xa-Muteba, staying firstly at the Desvio de Caungo, then in Kaisese. In both places there were many hundreds gathered for the teaching of the Word of God. There was a good response to the teaching and the elders were grateful for the help we could give in trying to counter the effects of the charismatic movement that was evident in some of the gatherings. We do pray that the Word, and our visit encouraged many just to keep going on with the Lord. Once again the phenomenal hunger for literature was evident throughout the visit and many books and a good number of the Believers Bible commentary were sold.

I was grateful for the help of my brethren from Saurimo, Pedro Sajoia and Joao Lologe in sharing the meetings. The temperature was very hot and sapped our energy but the Lord gave gracious help and we were able to keep preaching from 9am - 12, then 2pm - 5pm for all the days we were with them.

Having concluded the meetings I then drove back to Luanda arriving at 1am and thankful for a bed to sleep in at Becky’s house, but wondering just for how much longer we will have the use of the house. The situation in Luanda needs a lot of wisdom and prayer and the Lord really needs to move in wonderful ways both in the need spiritually and practically. I was able to have a look at a house that was being built in a neighborhood on the outskirts of Luanda, but it wasn't suitable so we leave these issues with the Lord. 

While in Luanda I was able to repair a machine that had broken down in the printing work, which encouraged Jorge who is responsible for the Literature work in Luanda. He has had to recently move all the machines in to one small room and operate from very cramped quarters due to the local brethren occupying the property since Becky's retirement. Again these matters are out of our hands, we leave them with the Lord but it does give opportunities to display grace!

In the will of the Lord, I plan to return to Angola for a further 3 week visit on Tuesday 9th Feb 2010.

We take this opportunity of wishing you a very peaceful and blessed Christmas and to thank you most sincerely for your fellowship in the Gospel throughout 2009.

Yours because His

Brian & Debbie