News & Prayer Items

The rebels continue their march towards Bangui; however, things appear quiet at the moment.  Residents, however, are staying at home due to potential danger in the streets.  The market areas are also closed, so, even if they can get out, they are unable to purchase food.  This is causing both fear and hunger.  Please pray for the population of Bangui and of the whole country.

Peace talks have begun between the government and the rebels, but the rebels are insisting that President Bozize step down. This will be the major obstacle in the negotiations. Pray that these peace talks will culminate in a solution to the unrest and instability that the nation is going through right now.

Pastor Nadjilao and the Christians

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Encompass is being blessed by the presence of over 30 leaders of US based ethnic minority ministries. Yesterday men and women from around the world who now live and minister cross culturally in the US gathered together in Atlanta to enjoy a time of training, worship, fellowship, and networking.  The group gathered in our Atlanta office as Dave Guiles talked about Global Trends and Major Challenges Facing the Evangelical Church.  The group discussed how to effectively engage a changing world for the glory of God. For the next couple days, Dr. Stallter of Grace College and Seminary is offering his expertise with a workshop entitled Multicultural America: The Challenge of Communicating the Gospel in a changing world. We’re thanking God for these brothers and sisters who are willing to serve in this way praying their time here will be one that is both for spiritually and emotionally refreshing as well as equipping for even more fruitful ministries. Continue...

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Update on this request is that Manases passed away early the morning of the 3rd. Please pray for Tabhita and her children, and Manases' brothers and sisters.

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Please pray for evangelist Manases, one of three evangelist leaders, who supervises the evangelistic work in an entire region in Chad. He is a disciple of Dadje, and lives in Gagal, southeastern Chad. He's 42 years old.

On Saturday 22 December he became ill, and Sunday, right after preaching, he fainted. He was unable to move his left side. On the 25th Kirk and Kay Carver brought him to Moundou. He was conscious during the trip, but since then he's been hospitalized in the Adventist Clinic with the diagnosis of a stroke.

On Wednesday he was sleeping and, in spite of fatigue, his speech was normal. He could move his left leg, but not his left arm. He seemed to be on his way to recovery.

But between the 30th and 31st his condition deteriorated. He's weaker, not talking, sleeping a lot.

Please pray that doctors will know how to best treat him.
Please pray for strength and comfort for the family.
Please pray for healing if this is God's will

 

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The next series of the Pastor's Book Sets conferences moves to the Cameroons. Much work remains to be done.

Greg Burgess writes that "We will be holding teaching and book distribution conferences in the cities of Douala (Jan 8-10), Yaoundé (Jan 15-17) and Garoua (Jan 22-24). 350 to 500 church leaders will be in attendance at each conference.

"As in the C.A.R., we have a team of excellent speakers to challenge the participants. We are happy to have Abel Njerareou, one of the contributors to The Africa Bible Commentary and Richard Houmegni, Augustin Hibailé's colleague, who will be teaching on Christian ethics, just to mention a couple.

"We are facing particular challenges for our first conference in Douala. Please pray that we will get off to a good start there and please pray particularly that we will have a team in place for the meals by this coming Monday.

"Please also pray:
• For rest, health and safety of the organizational team and the speakers. Several of us have been under the weather.
• For a spirit of unity among the organizational team and the speakers. There are 10-12 of us coming from varied cultural backgrounds.
• That the books will arrive at the conference centers in good time
• That the speakers will do an excellent job of teaching and challenging Cameroon's church leaders
• That the conferences will be an encouragement to all that attend
• That all the remaining details will work out smoothly and in an God-honoring manner
• That Sandrine and the children will be strong, safe, well, loving and patient in my absence.
We count on your prayers. These next two weeks will be full of extra responsibilities for Sandrine and me, so we ask you to pray extra hard for us."


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Marian Thurston went to be with the Lord the morning of Dec. 31st in Marshalltown, IA at the age of 87. She passed away peacefully in her sleep. Marian's memorial service will be at the Carlton Brethren Church in Garwin, IA this Thursday, 3 January 2013 at 10:00 a.m. If you would like to give a tribute to Marian, you can send an email to her niece, Mrs.Janette Tool at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and it will be read at Marian's memorial service.

Marian served in the Central African Republic with Grace Brethren Missions (Encompass World Partners) from 1952-1991. She was a gifted nurse (with special abilities in maternity) as well as a specialist in laboratory procedures for diagnosis in blood, urine and stools. Though for many years she was stationed at the remote village of Nzoro up on the borders of Cameroon and Chad, she came to Boguila on a regular schedule to teach laboratory classes to male nurses brought to the Medical Center for this purpose. Many of these men went on to become heads of large dispensaries and in fact, one of them, Ngaba Timothy, became director of the entire Grace Brethren medical work which at one time numbered 21 dispensaries and one hospital, where Ngaba had been taught to do surgery.

Marian was a natural-born teacher and she loved to teach not just medical courses but bible classes to nurses, Lumière workers and girls, and later in her career, to women students at the Bible Institute at Bata near Bozoum CAR.

She loved gardening and had beautifully productive gardens both at Nzoro and Bata. She liked to fish, had a great interest in sports and even joined up with some of the male missionaries in subscribing to an air mail sports magazine.

Marian had many friends from all age groups. She was a loyal friend and supporter of several missions and missionaries across Africa.

Please keep Marian's family in prayer. Those of us who knew her were privileged to share her life and witness her love for the Lord, her down-to-earth approach to life, her heart for teaching, her great sense of humor, and to share in her wonderful stories, laughing until the tears flowed.

Below is a tribute to Marian from Dr. Augustin Hibaile:
"I have a good memory of Marian Thurston and am thankful to God for sending Marian to Africa, especially in the district of Nzoro where I was born.

Strong lady,
Engaged servant of the Lord,
Lover of Africans,
Servant of young girls.

I remember her encouragement during
my study at the Theological Seminary.

She was also a great encouragement during
my ordination as an elder of the church.

Marian has left her testimony in Africa -
many students at the Bible schools have
benefited from her generosity and some have finished their training due to
Marian's financial support.

Marian greatly invested her life for the Bata Bible Institute.
God will reward her for everything she has done and for many years of ministry in Africa.

Marian is a good example of a servant of the Lord in our time.

Praise God who is able to use insignificant things to
Bring forth extraordinary things.

Time will come that we will gather together with all
those in Christ who are now with the Lord.

We will rejoice for forever with God.

Augustin Hibaile

 

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Our Encompass missionary staff have now arrived in Yaounde, Cameroon. After a short five-night stay in Gamboula, they felt it necessary for their safety to exit the country. The US Embassy evacuated CAR and recommended that they should leave as well. The town of Sibut was taken under rebel command two days ago (only 100 miles to the north). Teammate Heidi Sisson joined the Flaningans in Gamboula as they began their caravan together with a group of SIL missionaries into Cameroon.

Their journey, mapped out above, has taken them over some of the worst roads that the Central African Republic has to offer, but they were relieved to see how nice Cameroon roads are. All in total, the trip was roughly 800 miles with an average speed of 32mph!

The Flaningan's children, Emily and Roy, are still sick. Roy tested positive for malaria at Gamboula but missed one of his treatments during our travels. Emily and Roy have both had trouble keeping food down at times. They will give it until after the New Years to see if its just the stress of travel and differences in water that has brought this on, or if it is something else that needs attention.

We are thankful for all you prayers that have seen them to Cameroon safely. No flat tires on any of the trucks, and the A/C kept working which made the travel on the dusty roads bearable.

The Flaningans write, "Our next steps are not clear as to what all we will be doing here in Yaounde or how long we will be here. We desire to return to Bangui as soon as it is deemed safe to do so. For now our plan is to rest. We are very tired. Encompass World Partners does have a ministry presence here so it is not as if we are alone. We will continue to send out updates as news comes to us to keep you all informed."

May we all see a change in our world this new year as we proclaim the name of Jesus Christ to the nations!

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Many Encompass World Partners staff serving in seven countries of Asia have begun their travels to arrive in Thailand for the January 3-8 triennial Team Asia Family Conference. It is a great time for fellowshipping and being spiritually nourished, a time to "eat loads of fresh pineapple, and soak in the sunshine". This is also an important time for missionary children to be together and form friendships.We are thankful that Asia Director Wayne Hannah is back to health and plans to participate.

Please pray for safe travels for all

Pray for good health, no conference "bugs"

Pray for wisdom as future plans are laid

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(Editor's note:The following letters were sent privately to the receivers, but the information contained therein is so to the point for prayer needs that they are published here.)

On Fri, Dec 28, 2012 at 7:58 AM, Augustin HIBAILE to Harry Walker

Greetings in a difficult situation,

The USA Embassy in Bangui was closed and the Ambassador and staff were evacuated according to RFI broadcasting this morning. France said that their military is here in Bangui only for the French people and the interest of France in CAR. That means there is no concern about us. In such circumstances we are wondering what to do, where to go? With a big family I don't really know what to do. We are staying at home in the main entrance to Bangui lifting our eyes to God and waiting the salvation from him.

We are encouraged by your motivation in prayer on our behalf. We need such support and God's intervention in a way above our understanding. We will keep in touch with you when it is possible.

With love in Christ

Augustin and Marie Helene Hibaile

Dear Augustin,
Our prayers are with you my friend. Many Americans know that the Embassy was closed because it was on the American CBS news last night. We also saw on the French news President Hollande affirming that the French Army would not be involved or take sides for or against the rebels. Both the American people and French are tired of the loss of life of their soldiers in far away places. These are difficult choices for political leaders.

Please be assured of our prayers. May He guard the gates of your home....He never slumbers nor sleeps.

In our Lord,

Harry and Kathy Walker

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Update from Ginger Hock, CAR team leader:

I'm sending this short Newsletter to give everyone information about the ongoing rebel activity in the Central African Republic asking for your prayers for our missionaries and our African brothers and sisters.

Encompass Missionary Evacuation from C.A.R.

This morning after receiving news that the rebels were very near Bangui the decision was made to evacuate to Cameroon. Please pray for Josh and Rachel Flaningan and children and Heidi Sisson as the depart tomorrow for a two day journey to Yaounde, Cameroon. I spoke with Josh and Heidi this morning. They are doing well and are in good spirits. Josh's children have been sick and Heidi is still exhausted from her long drive on Christmas day but they are ready to move and are thankful that two other families from the Covenant Mission will be traveling with them. These families live in Cameroon and speak French, which will be a great help.

In the interim we have asked Pastor Nadjilao, the current President of the Grace Brethren Churches in the C.A.R. to "hold down the fort". He comes to the station where we have a computer and internet running and we are in contact most of the day. I am so thankful for SKYPE. So far things are quiet and running smoothly. We have increased our guard situation and will now wait to see what happens in the next few days.

Please be in prayer for Pastor Nadjilao. This is a big responsibility and we are so grateful for such a godly man to come to our rescue at a time like this.

Please pray for safety for those living in Bangui and restored peace.

 

 

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