NEWSLETTER AFRICA (MARCH 2022) |
Update of the missionary work in Africa – March 2022
It is now 2 years since I sent a newsletter about the missionary work. The global situation has disrupted many
things, not least the ease with which one could travel. Although travel would have been possible, the various
restrictions made it too difficult. Instead the decision was made to invest time and energy elsewhere especially with
all the modern means of communication now available.
Normally, I would be writing about the recent Grace Conference for West Africa, but this has not yet taken
place. Plans had been made to hold the conference in February but this has had to be postponed until July. My
plans are now to travel to Benin and Togo from June 22nd – July 27th. This visit will include 2 conferences (this is
due to the policy of the authorities in Benin to limit such events to no more than 50 participants), as well as meeting
with pastors and visiting churches. I really look forward to the prospect of returning to Africa as 2021 was the first
year in twenty three years that I was unable to go. I would value your prayers for a week-end retreat which has
been especially organised by a church in Lomé, Togo, to coincide with our visit.
Although different, these past two years have still been busy. Remaining in France gave me the opportunity to
work on a number of manuscripts. We were also able to publish several new titles as well as working on a large
number of older titles which have been out of print for some time. This was less than straightforward as often the
manuscripts for the older titles were done with software no longer in use. Ultimately, we were able to ship nearly a
tonne of books to our friends in Africa which included twenty three new titles,.
The shipment itself was quite a challenge as the organisation which had helped us for the past few years
decided to terminate our partnership. On top of that, the Post Office decided to substantially increase its rates and
even threatened to stop the mail bag option. This would have been catastrophic. In the end, we have been able to
overcome this problem for the time being. A good friend who has been involved in the packing and shipping of the
books for some time was a great help in the last shipment. We are so thankful to the Lord for this wonderful
provision.
Developments in Ivory Coast
Over the past couple of years, our attention had been drawn to the fact that our dear colleague Vincent’s children
were often in poor health. The humidity of the climate in Gagnoa seemed to affect them. This was a cause of worry
and a drain on resources for Vincent. It was therefore decided to move the family to a drier place. The town of
Yamoussoukro was selected as it would fit the requirement and still be a central location for Vincent’s work. The
move is now completed and everybody is very happy. In particular, the little Grace Church meeting in the town
rejoices at the coming of this good preacher of the Word.
We also realised that we needed to lighten Vincent’s load in order to spare his own health. For many years,
Vincent has been hauling boxes of books wherever he has travelled, often by bus and taxi. This has had a
detrimental impact on his strength. Therefore the decision was made to provide a small vehicle for him.
Providentially, we were able to purchase a suitable car and also enable Vincent to get his driving licence. It will
make a massive difference in many ways including Vincent being able to transport larger quantities of books to the
various conferences and conventions. It could also potentially open up opportunities in some more remote areas.
Through some of his contacts, one of our titles (on the life of faith in the life of Abraham) was chosen as
compulsory reading this year by one of the main denominations in the country. This forced us to have a quick
reprint! However, we are excited at the prospect of having all these books in the hands of people that may
otherwise never hear the message of sovereign grace. It may also open the way for these people to consider some
of our other books.
Vincent and Paul, our two colleagues in Ivory Coast, are planning to travel with us in Benin for our visit in July.
They will be helping to fulfil some of the many preaching engagements that are in place for the visit, as well as at
the conferences.
Activities and Covid
As with many parts of the world, the impact of the pandemic was also felt in Benin and Ivory Coast. However, we
are thankful that it did not affect our colleagues as much as first feared. Initially, the men were asked to stay at
home and during that time we provided support for them. Thankfully, it was not too long before they were able to
restart their regular activities. It was also a relief to see that sales had not been too affected and regular visits to
individuals and churches with opportunities to share the Gospel were back underway. It is an answer to prayer that
none of our friends suffered too severely with the virus. The situation is still not «normal» but we are thankful that it
is not as bad as it could have been. I must admit that when I left at the beginning of March 2020, I feared there
would be many friends that I would not see again. In the Lord’s goodness, this has not been the case.
Covid lockdowns and restrictions presented different challenges but also surprising opportunities as we made
use of modern technology. For instance, the little local Grace Church in Chalon was able to broadcast its services
live. This was a blessing for a certain number of isolated believers in France. As several countries in Africa also
had strict lockdown situations in place, we found that many of the friends would connect every week to benefit from
the preaching of God’s Word until a more normal situation resumed locally. We were more or less house bound,
but the Gospel had free course! The Word is not bound!
Haiti
It is not difficult to find news reports which show how appalling things are in this little country. Rampant violence
and insecurity, as well as widespread corruption at all levels of society, impact everyone. There does not seem to
be any hope of improvement in sight. Many of my contacts have left the country, either moving to neighbouring
Dominican Republic or to the US and Canada. For a time, I wondered about going to the Dominican Republic to
establish contacts, but I was told that most Haitians there do not speak or read French fluently, only Creole.
Recently, Jean Matthieu, the manager of the bookshop where we have placed our books, was threatened with
kidnapping. He defended himself but was brutally murdered in the process, leaving a young family behind him. This
is heart rending and shocking, but a “normal” kind of situation there. A contact of mine listed 4 deaths besides Jean
Matthieu’s in their neighbourhood or family in the past month.
This means that the door is presently shut for any visit. Will it ever be open again? Yet, this poor benighted
country badly needs the message of salvation in Christ. Religion of every sort is rampant, and darkness is all over.
Most NGO organisations have pulled out. Prayer seems to be the only tool left for the believers. Having a good
number of friends still there, I ache for them, even though it is difficult to imagine what they are going through.
Congo Brazzaville
Many of you will remember that I visited this country in Central Africa many times in the past. We even had a
colleague there distributing the books and travelling to different parts of the country. This came to an end and it
seemed that the door was closed. However, I was recently contacted by someone who has a heavy burden for the
spread of the Gospel of sovereign grace in Congo. Once again, we are exploring ways of establishing operations
there. This is a very welcome development as the country is full of a plethora of Christ-less messages and needs
the one true Gospel of saving grace. This shows that a door is never definitely shut if the Lord intervenes. Please
join with us in praying that this opportunity will develop and that the Lord will at last make the voice of the Shepherd
heard for the salvation of souls and the glory of His name.
Structural strengthening
Seeking to serve the Lord and being taken up with this work for Him, it is easy to lose sight of the years as they
pass. No doubt it is similar in many of our lives as believers and certainly for those involved in missionary service.
Many of those involved in this work have been serving for many years, from those on the EPMT Board to those
serving on the ground. Increasingly aware of this, together we are trying to understand what the Lord has for us in
the future. There is a real need for new energy and clear vision while not losing any of the firm foundations and
course that has been set. We need strengthening at the Board level, new energy in the management of this work,
and labourers in the field.
There is nothing more tangible to share for this moment apart from inviting you to join us in crying out to the
Lord for guidance, discernment and those raised up with a heart for this vital Gospel work. He has always
appeared for us in the past, been with us each step of the way, and our eyes are on Him. It is the Lord’s work and
He has always graciously answered and met our every need. To Him be all the glory!
So, not so many news about specific places visited and activities, but still our thanks to the Lord for His constant
support and protection through a strange time. Heartfelt thanks also to all those on whose heart He has laid the
burden to pray and to support the work. We look to Him for the future.
Jean-Claude
It is now 2 years since I sent a newsletter about the missionary work. The global situation has disrupted many
things, not least the ease with which one could travel. Although travel would have been possible, the various
restrictions made it too difficult. Instead the decision was made to invest time and energy elsewhere especially with
all the modern means of communication now available.
Normally, I would be writing about the recent Grace Conference for West Africa, but this has not yet taken
place. Plans had been made to hold the conference in February but this has had to be postponed until July. My
plans are now to travel to Benin and Togo from June 22nd – July 27th. This visit will include 2 conferences (this is
due to the policy of the authorities in Benin to limit such events to no more than 50 participants), as well as meeting
with pastors and visiting churches. I really look forward to the prospect of returning to Africa as 2021 was the first
year in twenty three years that I was unable to go. I would value your prayers for a week-end retreat which has
been especially organised by a church in Lomé, Togo, to coincide with our visit.
Although different, these past two years have still been busy. Remaining in France gave me the opportunity to
work on a number of manuscripts. We were also able to publish several new titles as well as working on a large
number of older titles which have been out of print for some time. This was less than straightforward as often the
manuscripts for the older titles were done with software no longer in use. Ultimately, we were able to ship nearly a
tonne of books to our friends in Africa which included twenty three new titles,.
The shipment itself was quite a challenge as the organisation which had helped us for the past few years
decided to terminate our partnership. On top of that, the Post Office decided to substantially increase its rates and
even threatened to stop the mail bag option. This would have been catastrophic. In the end, we have been able to
overcome this problem for the time being. A good friend who has been involved in the packing and shipping of the
books for some time was a great help in the last shipment. We are so thankful to the Lord for this wonderful
provision.
Developments in Ivory Coast
Over the past couple of years, our attention had been drawn to the fact that our dear colleague Vincent’s children
were often in poor health. The humidity of the climate in Gagnoa seemed to affect them. This was a cause of worry
and a drain on resources for Vincent. It was therefore decided to move the family to a drier place. The town of
Yamoussoukro was selected as it would fit the requirement and still be a central location for Vincent’s work. The
move is now completed and everybody is very happy. In particular, the little Grace Church meeting in the town
rejoices at the coming of this good preacher of the Word.
We also realised that we needed to lighten Vincent’s load in order to spare his own health. For many years,
Vincent has been hauling boxes of books wherever he has travelled, often by bus and taxi. This has had a
detrimental impact on his strength. Therefore the decision was made to provide a small vehicle for him.
Providentially, we were able to purchase a suitable car and also enable Vincent to get his driving licence. It will
make a massive difference in many ways including Vincent being able to transport larger quantities of books to the
various conferences and conventions. It could also potentially open up opportunities in some more remote areas.
Through some of his contacts, one of our titles (on the life of faith in the life of Abraham) was chosen as
compulsory reading this year by one of the main denominations in the country. This forced us to have a quick
reprint! However, we are excited at the prospect of having all these books in the hands of people that may
otherwise never hear the message of sovereign grace. It may also open the way for these people to consider some
of our other books.
Vincent and Paul, our two colleagues in Ivory Coast, are planning to travel with us in Benin for our visit in July.
They will be helping to fulfil some of the many preaching engagements that are in place for the visit, as well as at
the conferences.
Activities and Covid
As with many parts of the world, the impact of the pandemic was also felt in Benin and Ivory Coast. However, we
are thankful that it did not affect our colleagues as much as first feared. Initially, the men were asked to stay at
home and during that time we provided support for them. Thankfully, it was not too long before they were able to
restart their regular activities. It was also a relief to see that sales had not been too affected and regular visits to
individuals and churches with opportunities to share the Gospel were back underway. It is an answer to prayer that
none of our friends suffered too severely with the virus. The situation is still not «normal» but we are thankful that it
is not as bad as it could have been. I must admit that when I left at the beginning of March 2020, I feared there
would be many friends that I would not see again. In the Lord’s goodness, this has not been the case.
Covid lockdowns and restrictions presented different challenges but also surprising opportunities as we made
use of modern technology. For instance, the little local Grace Church in Chalon was able to broadcast its services
live. This was a blessing for a certain number of isolated believers in France. As several countries in Africa also
had strict lockdown situations in place, we found that many of the friends would connect every week to benefit from
the preaching of God’s Word until a more normal situation resumed locally. We were more or less house bound,
but the Gospel had free course! The Word is not bound!
Haiti
It is not difficult to find news reports which show how appalling things are in this little country. Rampant violence
and insecurity, as well as widespread corruption at all levels of society, impact everyone. There does not seem to
be any hope of improvement in sight. Many of my contacts have left the country, either moving to neighbouring
Dominican Republic or to the US and Canada. For a time, I wondered about going to the Dominican Republic to
establish contacts, but I was told that most Haitians there do not speak or read French fluently, only Creole.
Recently, Jean Matthieu, the manager of the bookshop where we have placed our books, was threatened with
kidnapping. He defended himself but was brutally murdered in the process, leaving a young family behind him. This
is heart rending and shocking, but a “normal” kind of situation there. A contact of mine listed 4 deaths besides Jean
Matthieu’s in their neighbourhood or family in the past month.
This means that the door is presently shut for any visit. Will it ever be open again? Yet, this poor benighted
country badly needs the message of salvation in Christ. Religion of every sort is rampant, and darkness is all over.
Most NGO organisations have pulled out. Prayer seems to be the only tool left for the believers. Having a good
number of friends still there, I ache for them, even though it is difficult to imagine what they are going through.
Congo Brazzaville
Many of you will remember that I visited this country in Central Africa many times in the past. We even had a
colleague there distributing the books and travelling to different parts of the country. This came to an end and it
seemed that the door was closed. However, I was recently contacted by someone who has a heavy burden for the
spread of the Gospel of sovereign grace in Congo. Once again, we are exploring ways of establishing operations
there. This is a very welcome development as the country is full of a plethora of Christ-less messages and needs
the one true Gospel of saving grace. This shows that a door is never definitely shut if the Lord intervenes. Please
join with us in praying that this opportunity will develop and that the Lord will at last make the voice of the Shepherd
heard for the salvation of souls and the glory of His name.
Structural strengthening
Seeking to serve the Lord and being taken up with this work for Him, it is easy to lose sight of the years as they
pass. No doubt it is similar in many of our lives as believers and certainly for those involved in missionary service.
Many of those involved in this work have been serving for many years, from those on the EPMT Board to those
serving on the ground. Increasingly aware of this, together we are trying to understand what the Lord has for us in
the future. There is a real need for new energy and clear vision while not losing any of the firm foundations and
course that has been set. We need strengthening at the Board level, new energy in the management of this work,
and labourers in the field.
There is nothing more tangible to share for this moment apart from inviting you to join us in crying out to the
Lord for guidance, discernment and those raised up with a heart for this vital Gospel work. He has always
appeared for us in the past, been with us each step of the way, and our eyes are on Him. It is the Lord’s work and
He has always graciously answered and met our every need. To Him be all the glory!
So, not so many news about specific places visited and activities, but still our thanks to the Lord for His constant
support and protection through a strange time. Heartfelt thanks also to all those on whose heart He has laid the
burden to pray and to support the work. We look to Him for the future.
Jean-Claude
A selection of recent published titles
|
The new vehicle in Ivory Coast
|