Fall 2017 Newsletter
CFM STAFF RETURN FOR HOLIDAY R&R
Dear Friends of CFM,
Our Congo Frontline Missions staff and their families have returned to the States for vacation over the holidays. We are thankful to have this time with our extended families and friends and a break for R&R from the heat of the jungle! It is also good timing to leave the country as this time of the year elections are held where uncertainty of the outcome often leads to unrest.
Most of you have heard of the unfortunate death of one of our African workers who fell off our vehicle and was killed instantly. That caused quite an uproar as there was much confusion as to the nature of his death. That situation has now calmed down but having our American staff away at this time actually will aid in the healing process. Any of you that have lived in a foreign culture know that the devil will use these events to create much hard feelings and often results in mob violence. But we praise the Lord that He has taken control and poured oil on troubled waters! I want to especially thank Pastor Msafiri Mtenzi, our Tanzanian Evangelism Coordinator, for meeting with the family and village elders as a mediator. His wisdom and calm demeanor were very much needed! Pastor Mtenzi is there at the campus continuing his work in evangelism with other African staff while we are away.
The following articles will share how the work in Congo is continuing to expand as we reach out in multiple ways with the Gospel! Please remember us in your daily prayers and do not forget us in your year end planning for donations to this vital work. May God bless each of you and your families as we celebrate His Goodness to us during this holiday season!
Serving Jesus in the Congo,
Keith Mosier
BARRY MOSIER SCHOOL BLESSES OVER 50!
By Abigail Duman
The sound of children's voices wreath surrounding jungle in song; expectancy is in the air. Graceful palm branches interwoven with flowers line the pathway leading to a clearing where several brick buildings stand.
In the beginning months of 2017, such a scene was only a dream in the hearts of those who saw a desperate need. But, thanks to God's sustaining hand, people with a vision, and those who answered the call to supply the means, a local Seventh-Day Adventist school became a reality.
Educational facilities for school-age children are most often poorly ventilated, and without books. Seeing local Seventh-Day Adventist children compelled by distance to attend Catholic schools, and struggling to avoid classes on Saturday, president Keith Mosier and many others saw the need. “For a long time now, I and others wanted to see a school here, but we lacked the funds and realized that it would need organization,” Keith reports. But only months ago, everything fell into place. “I received the funds, and Pastor Mtenzi began to organize.”
In August, four buildings took shape on a portion of CFM-owned property. Equipped with an all-Adventist staff including three teachers and headmaster, books and uniforms were purchased for students. Quickly, student numbers grew to over 50.
Not only does this new school afford children with an ample encouraging environment to learn, students are also free from the struggle of avoiding required classes on Sabbath.
Keith Mosier views this educational branch as a mission. “Not all of the children attending are Adventist. Many come from a nearby village, and some walk as much as two kilometers each week-day. This is a missionary school, reaching out to the community. Many, as they progress through each grade and participate in the Bible classes, will be interested in our faith as Seventh-Day Adventists.”
As children sing their gratitude, it is late October – one month into the school year. Slowly, a vehicle pulls into the drive as students march across the clearing, waving flowers and woven palm fronds. With the approach of the man who bears their school name, excitement increases.
“I feel greatly honored,” Barry Mosier said after marching back to the school house, surrounded by the welcoming students. Addressing the young people, he spoke graciously. “I am so thankful that you are seeking education, and also most importantly – seeking to learn about Jesus.”
“We wanted to choose a name for this school that people could be proud of,” Keith says. “My dad left a great legacy here. Many people in Kisangani remember him and the work he did.”
Expecting that this project will only mark the beginning of a ministry touching children and families for Christ, Keith expects that God will provide the resources needed for growth. “Next year we hope to make 4th, 5th, and 6th grades available for the kids,” he says. “And then even a secondary school.”
Please keep this blossoming project in your prayers as teachers and leadership seek to reach a new generation for Christ.
WATER TO THE RESCUE
By Barry Mosier
We watched with interest as the middle aged woman cupped her hands and took two generous drinks from the river where the cattle had just crossed. This is very normal behavior. Drinking impure surface water from whatever source is handy is normal in Congo. We could recite much more extreme incidents of people drinking polluted water on a daily basis, but it is too sad and too gross. An old saying (slightly modified) says, “Water, water everywhere and not a (clean) drop to drink.” Estimates suggest that 70% of the village illnesses result from drinking impure water.
If this is true, a clean water well in the village can wipe out 70% of the sickness there! What a transformation! This is the motivation for our well drilling ministry that has dug 48 wells to date. What a blessing our little portable well drilling rig has been! The ladies who carry water containers up to 2 miles distance on their heads are happy to do so just to get clean drinking water for their families.
Just recently, however, our 40 ft container of well drilling supplies landed in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. This precious cargo of clay, pipe and pumps for drilling wells was carefully packed last summer by Nathan Rittenour and has now reached Africa! In about a month our full size well drilling rig will arrive there also. We are so excited! These things will take about a month each to reach our campus where Nathan will start to use them to drill wells and save lives. Yes, save lives! Even now as I am visiting the CFM campus in Congo for two weeks, I am reading deadly reports of severe cholera outbreaks in the country.
Included in the container are the first 20 manufactured pumps developed by Nathan and BJ Shrank in Blooming Prairie, MN. (BJ manufactures these excellent hand pumps in Minnesota 507-456-5194) This new design will outlast the local pumps by many years! Nathan tested it with millions of strokes (with a special machine). In the past, he was constantly repairing worn out and inferior pumps that had only recently been installed by other drillers. When the pump ceases to function on a well, the village goes back to drinking surface water and the well ceases to exist for them. We are so excited about this new pump design, our new rig, and the whole container of well supplies. We thank our faithful donors who have helped to make this possible. If you have an interest to come and help us drill wells in Congo, let us know!!
The most exciting result is that in places where we drill wells, the people are much more receptive to the Gospel. Then, as people receive clean drinking water, we hope to offer them the real living Water of Life that lasts for all eternity!
THE PRINTING WORK: A LIGHT OF TRUTH AMID THE DARKNESS
By Abigail Duman
Barry spoke for church that week. He reflected on the plane crash in Goma some years ago where he and his family survived amid flames and wreckage. "I asked God, why? A plane flies out of this airport every day. Why were we the ones to go through it, and survive? But because of that plane crash, many people all over the world learned of the establishing of our mission in Congo."
Barry went on to highlight many biblical figures who experienced trial and discouragement, but clung to the promise that truth would triumph in the end. In spite of the humidity and my back growing tired of sitting straight, upright on a wooden bench, my heart felt inspired as Barry went on.
"I went to Nathan's house here on campus, and saw a light there. As I looked into the printing section and saw book after book Abby was preparing to be sent out far and wide, I knew that this would be a great light in thus country." He impressed upon all that in spite of discouragement and trial, God's truth would triumph over all in the end.
The last several days had been busy spent in the air-conditioned container with two printers, a computer, and stacks of papers. Nathan felt very pleased to see how the large printer functioned in a less-humid environment. I stapled, folded, and cut what must have been several hundred booklets about prayer for distribution. Secondly, after making final edits to the Sabbath School program for children, saw that the printing for it had begun. As I folded until my hand grew sore, I felt happy to know that each chunk of paper and ink I processed would become a tool in the hands of many people - a tool to bring many to a closer walk with God.
As I work in the printing container, folding and cutting papers, pausing to wonder why the printer stopped printing and troubleshooting to the best of my ability, I will find myself praying. I realize that we may not always be able to work here - but these books are jewels of truth that will remain when we are gone. They will go to places I have never been, and continue to speak when we cannot. I wonder how many will learn about Christ through these pages I straighten and fold.
Conversation around the living room as lunch food was being heated discussed the printing area further.
"The book that we really need to print is The Great Controversy," Barry was saying. "Every time that book is printed, it seems that the devil attacks." "It has not yet been successfully printed here, has it?" I asked.
"No," Barry replied. "But I would really like to see it distributed." "Steps to Chris is another one," someone else said. "It is a beautiful book bringing the soul to Jesus. We should expect challenges in response to our efforts."
The printing work at CFM is really just beginning to take off. But Satan is always ready to throw a monkey wrench in the works! Sometimes the printer works and sometimes it doesn't! The recent tragic death on campus of one of our workers has also affected the work. But God overrules. We often claim the promises of His Word.
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called!"
Romans 8:28
"Being confident of this very thing, that He which has begun a good work in you will perform (complete) it until the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6 Maranatha!!
Current Needs
- Training 1 Church Planter - $200
- New Church Building - $1,500
- Bibles - $11 each
- Bicycle for Gospel Worker - $125
- Church Planter Support - $105 per month
- Purchase 4WD truck for Well Drilling and construction- $30,000
- Primary School Support - $4,000
- Printing Books in Local Language - $5000
- Campus Security Upgrade - any amount
To Donate
By Check: Send your check to
Outpost Centers International
5132 Layton Lane
Apison, TN 37302 USA
Indicate on the check "Congo" and the particular project you would like to support
By Credit Card:
Please visit www.congofrontlinemissions.org
Our Mission
Congo Frontline Missions is a supporting ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, dedicated to bringing a message of hope and salvation to the war torn Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We plan to do this through preaching, teaching, and medical missionary work.
The DRC is a country ripe for the harvest, having been troubled by instability for many years. The last 10 years of war is a reminder to all who live here of how much peace is needed. Who better to turn to than the one who said, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you." By God's grace we are daily bringing the gospel of peace to this war torn country.