CAM INTERNATIONAL        –        NEWSLINK        –       27 November 2018

Dear Prayer Partners,

Thank you for joining us in prayer this week. ‘Don’t be anxious… but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God’ (Phil 4:6). Here’s our latest news to help you praise and pray for the work of CAM International in Africa and in UK.

Congo elections: these have been scheduled for 23 December. Tension is building and there have been some incidents of unrest and gunfirein Lubumbashi recently. Please pray for the country at this critical time.

Carol Seymour and Ginny Perkins had an excellent visit last Sunday to a Bike Evangelism village church. There were over 50 children present at the meeting. Carol and Ginny encouraged the leaders to start a Sunday school, promising to send them some literature to help with this. Praise God! Pray for the church as they seek to minister to all these children. On Thursday, more TV/Radio broadcasts will be recorded. After this, Ginny has the opportunity to take two assemblies at the Living Waters (not Lighthouse) church primary and secondary schools. Pray for God’s blessing on the broadcasts and the assemblies. Next Sunday, Carol and Ginny hope to visit the Buluo (high-security) prison at Likasi. Pray for their ministry to encourage and bless the prisoners. Thank God that the shelter is already being built at the Boma prison (mentioned last week).

Lloyd Rowlands has been enjoying Sunday ministry opportunities: last Sunday he spoke at ‘Rehoboth’ church and this coming Sunday he will preach at another Pentecostal church in Lubumbashi. Pray for God to speak through him to challenge and bless these churches. Pray for him as he takes part in a radio broadcast on Friday. Sandy keeps busy with her English lessons at ISTELU Bible College; she has also enjoyed providing meals for an Italian visitor at the Centre for a week (his organisation rents one of the CAM guesthouses.) Pray for her.

Water shortage in Lubumbashi: Good, regular rains are now falling, praise God! It will take a while to replenish the water supplies. In the meantime, our missionaries and local folk collect the rainwater that runs off their metal roofs. There has been a wonderful provision for their long-term water problem: the local mining company has agreed to drill a borehole (very deep, narrow well) at the Living Waters Centre – free of charge. They have started to bring equipment today. Thank God for this very generous gift.

Sam Livingston has sent an update about the youth camp at Mujila the weekend before last. It went well, with over 120 young people from a variety of churches. Sam remarked on the unity the youth experienced and the ‘great impact of the Word of God on their lives’. Praise God! This weekend Sam will be speaking to 200+ young folk expected at Nyangombe for a 3-day youth camp.Pray for a great time, when these young people are challenged by God as well as having fun together. Pray too for Gordon & Sybil McKillop, settling back into their work at Nyangombe.

ON LEAVE

Wanderley & Rosaria da Silva arrived safely in Brazil, their homeland, last Wednesday, after a very long journey with some delays. They are so happy to have been reunited with their families. Having had a few days to rest, they are now starting on their medical appointments. They hope that they will be able to get a lot of these checks done before Christmas, to avoid a rush in the New Year. Pray for God to overrule in the timing of these things.

Thank you so much for all your prayers, which encourage and bless our workers.

OUR MISSIONARIES AND MINISTRY PARTNERS Much missionary work is routine and repetitive, but prayer support is still needed for our personnel in their regular ministries:-

Carol Seymour and Ginny Perkins, based at the Living Waters Centre, Lubumbashi, CONGO, work together in prison ministry, village church evangelism and media broadcasting. Ginny works with children and young people at the Lighthouse Project.

Lloyd & Sandy Rowlands are based at the Living Waters Centre, Lubumbashi, CONGO. Lloyd helps with maintenance of the Centre and has developed the orchard to teach grafting and other skills. He ministers in local churches and conducts Development seminars. Sandy teaches English at ISTELU Bible College and looks after hospitality.

Gordon & Sybil McKillop, based in Nyangombe, ZAMBIA, minister in Bible School teaching, youth and children’s work and church visitation. Gordon specializes in farm supervision, skills training, and maintenance of buildings, vehicles and machinery. Sybil does medical and pharmacy work and Sunday school ministries.

Sam Livingston, a new missionary in Nyangombe, ZAMBIA, is a youth worker evangelizing through Christian clubs in schools, football coaching, sport and computer skills.

Wanderley & Rosaria da Silva, based in Chimoio, MOZAMBIQUE, are setting up a Vocational Training Centre (VTC), running a pre-school and evangelizing in a deprived area of the city.

Daniel Habtey (CAM partner), based in Huddersfield, UK, is an Eritrean pastor who arrived as a refugee and is now committed to helping Eritreans and other displaced people with integration in churches and communities. CAM partners with him in his ‘Joseph Project’.

Kudzai & Sanel Mandizha (CAM partners),based in Harare, ZIMBABWE, work on a daily basis to feed and minister to needy street kids in Harare. They also have a ministry to childless couples, sharing from their own experiences. They have launched a church and aim to hold monthly leadership seminars.

Bahati Masuka (CAM partner), based in UK, is from TANZANIA and is planning visits there of 2-3 months to set up and run a Leadership Academy. He will train church leaders as well as church members involved in secular work, especially those with influence in the Government, the legal system, etc.

CAM supports Church Planters in ETHIOPIA, enabling them to take the Gospel into unreached areas.

Thank you again for your faithful prayers! Your interest and support are greatly appreciated by all our personnel.

Compiled by Lyn Ramsey

The next Newslink will be sent on Tuesday 4 December

Hello readers.

As we get older our perspective changes.  This is due to a variety of things,  the main being we mature through surviving ‘the school of hard knocks.’ The best advice my Dad gave me was, “Don’t make the same mistake twice!’ 
Yesterday, for the first time in around 40 years, I returned to my Secondary school down in Hampshire. I felt again the anxiety as I had peddled towards it. The huge gates. The buildings were so big I thought I would just be ‘swallowed up’, let alone navigate my way around, and even learn stuff in it!

As I journeyed through my education, the buildings became just classrooms, and I adjusted. Since then I have worked in some very imposing buildings, but again I adjusted.
But what I appreciated yesterday was, through my eyes now, the school is tiny, in fact I felt somehow deflated that the anxiety and awe was gone.

Have you ever heard the expression, ‘I wish I knew THEN what I know now’?

Well I got another glimpse of this at a large funeral we had for a lovely lady this week. She lived her life adjusting to hardship, getting the bigger perspective, or overview, of problems as they inevitably crop up, and her view was so big she conquered all these apparently big issues with wisdom, maturity, and the bigger perspective. She walked by Faith, not by sight.

Please do not let present problems dominate. Face facts, make good decisions, and journey on, in Faith, adjusting as you grow.

God journeys with you, and is ahead of you. Reach out. Hold His hand. His perspective is perfect, His love for you is perfect, and together your perspective will change.
Be blessed,

Andy Mc.
07931-652718

Wow!  Thank you.

We are off about 11am tomorrow and back home sometime Wednesday, not sure quite when, depends if Den needs us for anything.

From: Andy McManus <andymcmanus99@gmail.com> 
Sent: 18 November 2018 21:13
To: Brenda Birkenshaw <mortonmob@btopenworld.com>
Subject: Pastor’s blog for DecemberShow quoted text

Pastor’s blog November 2018.

I have had the privilege of leading several Alpha courses over the years. In fact Alpha was a big part of my becoming a Believer aged 40.

Most people, over the 10 or so weeks, agree that than facts ‘stack up’, that Jesus existed, submitted to an unjust, excruciating death,  was resurrected, is therefore still alive as ascended, and therefore we should love and follow Him.

But so often, people conclude by saying something similar to, “This is is good news for you, but I am…(too old, too fat, too young, my past is so bad, etc…), so this person seperated themselves from the Truth that they have already agreed to!

It is Biblically very clear that Jesus came to ‘wipe away’ our stuff that we think separates us from Him. I liken it to a toy I had called ‘Etcha-Sketch’. I would draw anything, normally rubbish, want to start again, and could just slide a grey ruler from 1 side to the other. My slate would be clean, the screen blank, and I had the opportunity to draw something new.

Please do not , through your own freewill, separate yourself from the perfect love of God because of your previous stuff. Through your own simple Faith, Jesus wipes your personal slate clean. There is NOTHING separating you and God. Look at the facts surrounding Jesus, ask Him in, and do not be deceived that for, whatever reason, you are not good enough. He made you, loves you, and is waiting.

If you want to know more, call in Sunday to Morton 10.30am, Dyke 6.30pm, or get in touch with me anytime. I made this step 14 years ago, and would love to tell you more!

This really is the simple, yet profound, Good News.

Pastor Andy.

I write this blog on holiday with the family in New York city. A very special time in many ways.It is our 25th wedding anniversary and I bought Kay a new ring.Becky was very interested,  asking of she could have an older ring Kay has. Then Billy talked about jewellery.  And it got me thinking. I have 3 items;1. A wedding ring. This symbolises and reminds me of the importance of relationships, starting with Kay, then kids, expanding ever outwards. Who is important in your life? Please appreciate them intentionally.2. A watch. This reminds me God gives us only a finite time. We all die. How do you and I make the most of each precious day?3. A cross on a necklace. I take the ring and watch off every night.  I never take the cross off. This reminds me Christ died for me, dwells in me, and unlike relationships and physical time, is perfect and forever. He is author and answer for love and time.
If you would like to get closer to Christ, please please contact me or a Christian you trust anytime. I didn’t know Jesus until I was 40. I don’t need to be on holiday to be blessed. Jesus lives in our hearts! Perfect relationship…forever!

Pastor’s blog for September 2018

 

Hello readers.

 

Hopefully you are reading this having been blessed with a relaxing, refreshing and blessed summer holiday period.

 

I type this after our 7pm to midnight prayer evening, and prayer has certainly refocussed and recharged my batteries!

 

The theme the last 2 months has been found in James…’Faith that Works.’ For us individually and as a community church we need Faith first…in our hearts and heads, and after the Faith part, God will guide and empower us to get stuck into the Works bit!

 

God has done everything…from Creation through His living example, crucifixion, resurrection and Holy Spirit indwelling. As you begin to wrestle and grasp this, you then see God’s example is the right Way, this is the all-powerful Truth, and as we follow His example we enjoy the full Life, both on earth and eternity.

 

God is alive, present, and waiting. James 4:8 says ‘Draw closer to God, and He will draw closer to you.’ This is what Christianity is all about…this personal relationship.

 

If you have never really given the Christian faith any thought, and you are reading this blog, or you have Faith, but want to draw closer…I encourage you to Stop/Look/ Listen.

 

Stop rushing and take stock of your current life.

Look at Scripture, ask questions, enjoy the peace & power of Prayer.

Listen…as you draw closer to God, He will touch your mind, heart and soul.

 

Holidays refreshment fades, but time spent with God empowers you now, and forever!

 

Be blessed,

 

Pastor Andy <><

Messy church is coming to Morton!

Sat 5th May. 10 to 12 noon. For all the family. Light lunch provided. Craft, stories, songs and friendship. Old and young..all welcome…more the merrier! I appreciate it’s the bank holiday weekend so some of you maybe away but please try and come..

God bless Kay & Andy

Hello readers…

As part of my training at Bible college, I had the privilege of seeing the work of Central African Mission International, (CAMI). This charity was started in 1915 by 2 preachers setting out from Preston in Lancashire with a heart to tell, and show, God’s love for all. It is hard to show the amazing work the following 243 missionaries did, and are still doing, but 1,000’s of churches have started, hospitals built, prison services and baptisms, training in medicine, agriculture and teaching. And much more continuing!

In 2010 I stayed in Zambia, got involved in their work, and became a Trustee. I have since visited Lubumbashi In DRC, become good friends with Carol & Ginny, and as many of you know they have preached twice in our church and we try to help them in prayer and finance.

I want to raise their profile and some funds. On April 16^th & 17th I am cycling from Morton to London. Knowing my limitations, I am staying in Cambridge overnight! I cannot blame the poor weather for my lack of training. Fortunately, I have been helped by Charles, who trains with me, and is doing the first day to Cambridge.

If you would like to sponsor me, all monies go direct to Carol & Ginny’s school, ‘The Lighthouse’ and Kay & I will match whatever is raised. Bourne Rotary pledged £60 as I type, (thank you Richard!).

Finally, I hope and pray this Easter you hear the story of Jesus afresh, the significance of His resurrection impacts you anew, and on a Sunday at 10.30am or 4pm you are compelled to come in to MND, or 6.30pm at Dyke. Grasping the resurrection inspired those 2 missionaries, is changing Africa, still growing in me, and I pray touches you too.

 

Be richly  blessed,

Pastor Andy.