Updates from Paul and Marty Law

September 21, 2009

Dear Friends,

Greetings once again from Congo. School began last week so we had our first Children's class this past Wednesday.

I thought it would be enjoyable to review the 10 Commandments. First Pastor Lopemba lead the kids in several songs. Then Papa Kasongo read the Ten Commandments out of the Otetela Bible.

Next I had Pastor Lopemba sing with the children the tune he composed for singing the Ten Commandments. They love to sing and he is great at putting animations into the songs. It is quiet delightful to watch.

I then took the Roll Call and randomly chose names and had those children stand and say the commandments. Many could. Then Pastor Lopemba chose the children by sections to repeat the commandments again, then sometimes by rows of seats. It was a lot of fun and the children loved it.

I photocopied 200 pictures for the children to color of Moses holding the Tablets with the written commandments-good news/bad news. Twenty children did not get to color-the bad news. The good news-it is nice to see our numbers increase! I will be prepared this week!

(Yes, I do have 6 junior high students help and the two adults so I am not alone with this many children!)

Then today during Memory Bible Class all of the six children could quote Matthew chapters 5 and 6. Of course, it is the Sermon on the Mount. Next week we start on chapter seven.

Reading in Mrs. Charles Cowman’s Book 2 in 'Streams in the Desert' where she talks about the Great War of France. The enemy was so well entreanched and protected that there was NO WAY through the defenses., however brave the attachers were. BUT the attacking general collected large numbers of the most powerful artillery and explosive shells. His men kept up five hours of continuous fire and it was all blown to pieces. Thus they were able to advance.

She believes that is a picture of spiritual warfare. There are defenses impregnable. What is needed is the 'continuous artillery of PRAYER!' Nothing else will take its place.

WE NEED YOUR PRAYERS!

In His Service,
Marty

September 3, 2009

Dear Friends and Partners,

It is a beautiful day here this morning as I have just returned from an early morning prayer time at our leaders retreat. Our new District Superintendent has decided to begin his ministry here with a 3 day spiritual retreat for the leadership of his district. It is very refreshing to see and exciting to be a part of. I will be teaching this afternoon and am pleased with the spirit of the meetings so far. Please pray for us during this time.

I returned from a 700+ kilometer trip to Tunda last week where I took part in the East Congo Annual Conference. The purpose of my trip was to help them understand and vote on the proposed amendments to the constitution of the United Methodist Church. They were very grateful for my being there and asked me to preach to the conference as well.

On the trip I was able to help 3 District Superintendents and their families move to new assignments. Having the only functioning vehicle in our entire Annual Conference creates its own pressures and demands at times. I was glad to combine my trip with helping them move. It also allowed me to do an evaluation of the needs of the Tshumbe District which has invited our Annual Conference to meet there next year. There are so many needs that it is almost overwhelming at times.

Another exciting development for us is the beginning of the work on the Diengenga Mission water system this week. An organization out of a United Methodist church in Round Rock, Texas called "Drops of Grace" has decided to help us rebuild the water system here that has not functioned for many years. We will be re-installing a hydram system where the inertia of a 15 foot drop of water pumps itself to the station tower without costly fuel expenses.

You can see more about the project on our website or visit the Drops of Grace website at www.dropsofgrace.org. They have explained the whole project very well and have a video as well.

We are now waiting on one final commitment to the Truck Project before we proceed with the purchase and shipping of a truck from Europe. It will be such a blessing to finally have a really functional truck and it will enable us to do so much more with many projects, including building churches, schools and helping Tshumbe get ready for Annual Conference next year.

We keep busy and the challenges seem endless, but it is very gratifying to work and minister alongside the Congolese here. Thank you for your prayers and support that makes it all possible.

In His Grace, Paul and Marty