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Stories from the Streets of Congo |
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 Unsung Hero of the Faith
Not long ago one of the unsung heroes here in Congo came to us for help with getting Bibles. Light of Africa Network decided to help this bold evangelist and teacher, Pastor Faustin, and the few Bibles we gave him he passed on to prison graduates.
Yes! Right here in the central prison of Goma people are graduating!!!!!!!
Listen to Pastor Faustin's story, and you'll understand why:
Pastor Faustin is one of the rare ministers who dare to visit the 5,000 inmates in the Goma prison to preach the Good News of Christ. The prison is filthy, and reflects the lawlessness of the country. Prisoners are naturally considered lawbreakers, and are sometimes treated as sub-human. To make matters worse, there is seldom enough to feed them adequately.
This does not deter Pastor Faustin, even though he has no support at all from external or internal funding sources. God provides daily through various means, and Pastor Faustin is not in this for the money, but ministers out of pure conviction.
The first time he visited the prison he shared his life story. You see, Pastor Faustin himself used to be a gangster on the streets of Congo. He gave his life to Christ through a pastor who was teaching a series from the Word, and this pastor then took him through a series of courses by correspondence. It was during this process Pastor Faustin abandoned his criminal behavior and gave himself entirely to the Lord.
After hearing his story that day, 126 out the 140 inmates who had gathered to listen were so moved they asked if they could go through the same Bible course. That day, many gave their lives to Christ and accepted Him as their personal Lord and Savior. Currently they are taking the courses and actually returning assignments to Pastor Faustin to be graded.
There is rejoicing in prison. Some have graduated from the Bible courses, and the District Attorney sent 34 files to the central authorities in Kinshasa for release requests. Pastor Faustin was elated to inform us that not only were all of them liberated, but all were his students.
Most of these former prisoners are walking miracles, because they were not supposed to be released. A number of them were even serving long sentences. The transformation they experienced was so obvious and remarkable that it was clear they could be more useful in society then locked up in the penitentiary. Now, some of the freed convicts have asked Pastor Faustin to help them start churches in their areas of origin, and they are willing to be used as God's envoys to their communities.
The word of God does transform from the inside out. We are seeing it happen in the darkest situations. Thank you to all our supporters who have contributed to make this possible!!!!
Please continue to pray that we can get the radio broadcasts to the inmates and provide them with more Bibles. We hope to see many of you soon, as we prepare to return to the States next month for six weeks. There is much to be done here so the radio broadcasts can keep going out in our absence. Please continue to pray for us, and don't forget, pray for our bold and obedient friend, Pastor Faustin!
...be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Tim. 2:1-2)
Love and blessings to you,
Camille and Esther
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Missions 
