Mark 9:29 “He replied, ‘This kind can come out only by prayer.”
1. Looking back on 2008
We praise and thank God who has guided us through 2008. Without God, there is no hope in this world or in our lives. We are thankful to Him, for his wonderful grace and deep love for each of us.
Zimbabwe had a presidential election on 29 March but the government didn’t announce the result for a few months. It caused unpredictable political situations. The Economy and education system has collapsed. The University of Zimbabwe closed for some time. The campus opened again in November but the dormitory stayed closed. For the last 10 years, mismanagement of this beautiful country made this country a desolate country. Most able young people left this country. The inflation rate reached more than 100 billion percent. Government removed 9 digit from the increasing money rates but it has appeared again and now US dollars are using as legal money. Worse, Cholera outbreaks recorded 1,000 death tolls and more than 10,000 people are infected by mid Dec 2008. People of Zimbabwe are like sheep without shepherd. In this situation, our brothers are staying in tent common life and they thank God for their health and accommodation. Our brothers and sisters are bright and they can be easily joyful and dance well. They have good character to endure the hardships and live a humble life.
Our 4 local shepherd’s family grows as good coworkers. Shepherd Tinago, Shepherd Oliver and Shepherd Shepherd served Sunday’s messages in turn. Shepherd Tinago gave announcements and prayer topics in Sunday services. Two new sheep remained faithful to shepherd Tinago’s fellowship. Shepherd Oliver and Jonah joined their fellowship. Oliver also had a beautiful daughter. Jonah’s wife had two miscarriages. According to Africa tradition, he should find another woman but they decided to pray together everyday and overcome pressure by faith. Shepherd had no parents but he also lost his older brother in a car accident. Through this sad loss, he could have faith in God and learn the resurrection faith. Shepherd delivered a graceful message at the conference.
Among our brothers, Garikai, Chamo, Archford got Master Degree and Brain and David graduated from university. Brain finally graduated after 7 years. He confessed that he could not finish his school unless he stayed in tent. After graduation, they are struggling to find a supportive job. Because of worries of future security, they also made decision to be Bible teachers but it was not easy. God raised remnants of his people through our common life and they could graduate. At the same time, they have to grow as leaders and to serve one to one ministry. They made many decisions but it was slow to grow. We pray that God may raise them as faithful men and women of God and grow to be real leaders, who give good influence.
We had Sunday attendants between 30 and 40 attendants. For a long time, campus was closed and we didn’t do fishing and one to one for new students. When the campus opened, we were able to have 20-30 students for Saturday Group Bible study. They attended our weekend conference in April and 45 people attended the conference in total. In the November conference 43 people attended. Arnold, David and Karen prepared messages for the conference. Through the conference, we were encouraged to have faith in God and accepted only God is our true hope. We pray to have a Christmas worship service on the 21 December 2008.
Missionary David Kim’s family went to pioneer Alaska. He got a job in Alaska Korean consul branch and went there in September. Missionary Susanna Kim served Zimbabwe for 8 years and Missionary David for 5 years. They experienced God’s protection from a serious car accident and junior David’s finger accident. David Kim prayed to pioneer go from Africa to Alaska by faith. He served JBF and Suppie and Karen remained as coworkers. We pray that they pioneer Alaska by faith.
Missionary James attended 2008 Perdue Conference. He learned coworking spirit and martyrdom spirit from Dr. Jun John. Brother Bong Hyun Cho, from Jongro 2, came to Zimbabwe as a short-term missionary. He stayed in the tent and learned Zimbabwean life style.
Missionary Caleb and Susanna Yoon’s family worked together. Missionary Caleb Shin served both CBF and JBF.
2. 2009 New Year direction and prayer topics
When I looked back on 2008, I was just like the disciples who failed to heal a demon-possessed boy. I did not know what to do in the difficult situations. I know their problems but I could not do many things for them. When Jesus’ disciples failed to drive out demon, Jesus replied to them, Mark 9:29 “He replied, ‘This kind can come out only by prayer.” Because of lack of prayer and faith, I was a just powerless disciple. But I would like to pray and through it, bring God’s mighty work and do the work of God. I would like to hold this verse and make disciples by faith.
□ Prayer topics
1. To pray based on Mk 9: 29
2. We pray for Sister Karen, brother Chamo, Archford, Brain to marry by faith. It is not easy to establish house churches due to their financial difficulties but we pray to raise house churches by faith.
3. Missionary Caleb and Susanna Yoon to get permanent residence permit and investment permit respectively.
4. I pray for Jane to enter University by faith.
