Sometimes you have to take one step back to take two steps forward. Bev and I spent November and December in the U.S. completing the move of our office and base to Hattiesburg , Mississippi . We are nearing completion on the office building. The past two months have been a departure from our normal routine, and the focus has been labor rather than ministry. But now that we are getting the base established, I can apply myself in a fresh way to our ministry work.
New Training Center in Nepal
I will be leaving for Nepal in February and will be holding a leaders meeting in Nepalgunj. Over the past two years, we have worked with K.B. Basel and David Knox to help establish 42 churches in this region. I want to launch a new model church and training center in Nepal in 2007 based on the model of success of what K.B. has established. We will be locating in the mountainous north-west in an area that is isolated, poverty stricken, and in need of the Gospel. Though our February trip will be brief, I plan to return to Nepal in the fall of 2007 and spend the fall and winter launching the new training center.
New Mobility
As our ministry grows, I have seen the need to expand our base in the United States with mission-minded churches who stand alongside us. I've always wanted to have a motor home that we could use to increase our productivity and make better use of the time we spend Stateside. In October of 2006, Pastor Bob Rodgers in Louisville, Kentucky, donated a beautiful Dolphin RV to us. It was truly an answer to prayer. Bev and I will spend May – July of this year in the States, traveling and broadening our network of ministry partners. I'll see how it goes, but this will probably become a routine for us to spend about three months out of every year traveling in the U.S. Staying connected to our partners here and bringing regular reports is just as important as the work we do in launching new congregations in South Asia. I'm grateful to the Lord for this tool that will increase our productivity many times over.
Colombo Church Construction
Our construction project in Sri Lanka is moving steadily forward. The Colombo church has grown to 550 members and is holding three Sunday services. They have set a goal to grow to 1,000 this year, and I believe with the multiple services they have launched that this goal is well within their grasp. This past year, from their own resources, they have supported 12 village pastors, launched two new worship centers, sponsored education for 30 children, provided food for 50 poor families, purchased shoes for 150 poor children, and sponsored monthly pastor meetings. Now in their fifth year, this church is becoming a national and international mission center.
Pakistan Church Construction
We have hit a snag in our construction project in Islamabad, Pakistan. The Lord has helped me to invest just over $100,000 into this project, which is quite a lot more than I tend to do in a work that is only 18 months old. But the unprecedented growth we are experiencing in Islamabad has warranted the investment. The congregation is now over 600 adult members! We purchased property in April, 2005, for $50,000 and started construction in 2006 with another $50,000. I was anticipating $5,000 from the congregation which they have sacrificially given. What we did not anticipate was a 15% increase in the cost of construction. Last year's major earthquake in Pakistan caused a dramatic increase in construction materials due to shortages. We were also expecting $5,000 from a Pakistani politician, but he has reneged on his public promise. Bottom line is that we are $20,000 short of completion and have had to halt construction until I can come up with the funds to finish. In the meantime, our congregation continues to meet outdoors in spite of freezing winter conditions. I've been amazed at their resiliency and faithfulness.
Thank you for all you have done to help us fulfill the Master's command to Go and make disciples of all the nations – Matthew 28:19 NLT.
Rick
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