Troesters – Christmas 2009
Dear Friends,
As we come to the close of 2009, we want to take time to reflect on all that God has done throughout this past year. We have so much to be thankful for, and so much to look forward to.
At the beginning of this year God brought together the finances sufficient for us to proceed with our move to Mozambique. Bringing everything together for loading our container was an experience. On the day of loading God gave us great weather and great help to finish the job within the 2 hour limit!
We arrived in Mozambique on Feb. 20, and began the visa process, looking for a car and a house. Our Brazilian colleague, Divino, walked us through the visa process with no problems. We purchased a car that has been a patience builder, but has given me time with my mechanic, Pedro. The house that the Lord provided has been a great blessing but a good bit of work to keep up. Our helpers build patience and at the same time provide opportunities for discipleship. Getting our container out of the dock was facilitated by a Mozambican pastor who again walked us through the process. The hand of God was clearly visible every step of the way, down to getting it through the final check of customs without any problems. We know that many of you prayed us through these crucial steps.
Making language and cultural adjustments has been an ongoing process. By God’s grace much is the same as it was in Brazil, allowing us the means to get started in ministry, but there are a significant number of differences that need to be incorporated into our thinking. This will be an ongoing process for the next years and an ongoing prayer request.
There is no shortage of ministry opportunities. Joanie has dedicated much time and study into teaching the ladies of both of the churches that have been started by the 2 Brazilian missionaries. She has done baking with our neighbor-girls who are asking for more. I taught a course on evangelism in the Bagamoyo church and several have made great progress in this area, able to give a clear presentation of the gospel. We would love to see more making visits on a regular basis. There is no shortage of visits to make. With Pastor Divino in Brazil on furlough until the end of January, I have assumed the responsibilities in this church which includes directing an abbreviated version of “Born to Die” for our Christmas program. We have a number of young couples in our church with very young children. The couples need help with their marriages and with raising their families. We will head in that direction this coming year.
Bible studies continue with Pedro our mechanic. Last week he told me that he had talked to 2 people and asked them if they knew that if they died if they would go to heaven. Neither did. Neither has he nor his wife nor his sister-in-law, nor his neighbor. He did this little survey on his own. He is thinking. We have gone over the gospel many times, and slowly, oh so slowly he seems to be understanding that salvation is by grace alone. Pedro is understanding that virtually none of the many other churches teach what the Bible has to say, but teach that you have to be good in order to get to heaven. Many are a mix of some Bible and animism. Please pray for Pedro and the ongoing studies with his family and neighbors.
God provided our neighbor’s garage to begin Bible studies in our neighborhood. We have averaged around 5-6 each week. None of the sewing guys, the majority of which are Muslims, have come as of yet. I keep spending time talking with them, sharpening their scissors and giving a hand with their machines. We have started in Genesis so that everybody gets to know the God of the Bible, the origin of sin, and in the future, God’s solution for sin. My personal preparations have been great for me. This week we will be covering the fall of man. With the first sin of man, all men are automatically born into Satan’s kingdom. Every human being that is born starts out on his side. Folks, we have so much work to do. God has given us who know Christ the ministry of reconciliation.
Our daughters, Kristin and Sharon blessed us with their visit in July and then together we all went to Ethiopia for ministry in a very special place called Grace Village where we saw the hand of God at work in the lives of the rejected and marginalized.
On December 26, our son, Nathan will be joining us for 2 ½ weeks. On Dec. 27th, 3 young men from Igreja Batista Esperança, the church in São Paulo, Brazil where we worked for 5 ½ years will be here for missionary experience. These young men were adolescents when we were there. Could it be that out of these young men God might raise up co-workers for Mozambique? There are multitudes of people like Pedro who need to hear a clear presentation of the Gospel over and over so that they eventually understand. We are looking forward to these visitors as well as YOUR visit one of these days to get to know the joys and challenges of missions. Continue to pray that God would raise up laborers for His harvest here in Mozambique.
This coming year I will be teaching a course in Biblical counseling. What a challenge as most Mozambicans look at virtually all problems as being the result of the discontent of some family member or the dissatisfied spirit of some deceased family member. Many believe that some curse was placed on a life when they were born and they are now destined to problems for the rest of their life. I am beginning my preparations and will need much prayer and wisdom along the way. Secular psychology is already making its inroads into the church. Clear teaching is needed, especially among pastors and leaders.
Thank you to all who have invested so much into this ministry here in Mozambique. Your labors in prayer and your financial sacrifice have made it possible for the Word of God to penetrate into the darkness of hearts made blind by the lies of Satan down through the centuries and who have never heard the truths of God’s Word.
Have a great Christmas meditating on the solution that God Himself provided in sending His very own Son, to die in our place, to pay the penalty for our sin. May the true message of Christmas ring out throughout the world.
By His Grace,
Joel and Joanie Troester