Yesterday Miriam was feverishly trying to confirm that all the pieces were coming together properly for the Masi-Manimba literacy workshop. The Masi church part couldn't be confirmed; no phone number, no radio, and no e-mail there. Things began to fully unravel this morning. Miriam talked with Rose on the phone this morning and she still hadn't been able to get travel funds out of the Literacy account with the Baptist convention treasurer.
Earlier at our morning chapel, the pastor announced that Pastor Makasi (pictured here), the main organizer behind the workshop, was in Vanga at the hospital, asking for prayer. It turns out that he is having minor surgery for removal of a cyst. The good news is that the Masi people were busy making all the preparations, that the invitations had gone out and that people were looking forward to making the workshop happen. But of course he couldn't do anything about blocked funds in Kinshasa or about the training team's travel.
Pastor Makasi's hospital stay provided two blessings. He and Miriam were able to settle on a decision together about what to do: deciding to postpone the workshop until February. The women will be through with harvests and have a little more free time. And he was able to immediately call church people in Masi and alert them about the change in plans. They will send out announcements by foot and over a local radio station so that people don't walk a long distance just to find no workshop.
So our prayers change --
- for Pastor Makasi's healing;
- that the financial management issues in Kinshasa will be worked out in a way that shows God at work;
- that the re-scheduled Masi-Manimba workshop will take place at an even better time and when Pastor Makasi will be able to lead the charge personally.
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