Congo Launch and Haiti Earthquake Update
CONGO UPDATE - Over 200 ministerial students already registered and many more to come...We still need your help!
Over 200 students have already registered to join the charter class of the first French-speaking RHEMA Bible Training College in Africa. We are expecting to see that number grow exponentially in the final weeks leading up to the September 20 launch.
We believe there’s no greater way to change a nation than to raise up national leaders! As the Apostle Paul told Timothy, “You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.” 2 Timothy 2:2 (NLT).
This is good ground to sow into. Kinshasa, is the largest French-speaking city in the world and, with a population of over 100 million, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the largest French-speaking country in the world!
Would you prayerfully consider helping meet the remaining start-up budget?
Immediate Launch Needs
$10,000 - Appliances/Furnishings for the 2 apartments we’ve leased to house us, our team and visiting teaching staff. (Can sleep 10). This includes, Appliances, Beds, tables, armoires, couches, and other basic household items.
$1,500 - Wireless microphone system (2 headset microphones)
$5,000 - 2 Macbook pros w/accessories ($2,500/each) for Campus coordinator and operations director in Kinshasa.
$1,000 - PC laptop w/accessories for Audio/Visual Department.
$2,500 - Printing costs for banners and student orientation documents.
$5,000 - Office furniture registration tables & other supplies
$10,000 - Airfare for all 180team members necessary for launch preparations and recent move to the Congo.
$20,000 - Reliable 7 pasenger vehicle capable of handing the roads in the Congo. (Since moving to the Congo, our team has graciously been granted the use of a loaner vehicle. However, we will need to obtain our own reliable vehicle in the near future.)
You can click on the link below to be a part of this historic launch! (Choose “RHEMA Kinshasa, RD Congo” from the drop-down menu.)
RHEMA Haïti - Earthquake Relief Update
Standing in the midst of what’s left of his home is one of RHEMA Haiti’s current students,who also serves as pastor of a local church in the area that was impacted by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Haiti on August 14.
“Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.” Galatians 6:10 (NLT)
In our last communication, we shared with you the good news that the alumni and current students of RHEMA Bible Training College in Haiti had experience God’s undeniable hand of protection during the August 14 earthquake. Since then, we’ve mobilized a team on the ground to make contact with all of our students and alumni in that region to assess damages and find ways to bring help to those needing it:
Our Goal:
The reports we’re hearing of people left without food & shelter, only to be hit with a tropical storm on the heels of the quake are heartwrenching to say the least. Our primary mission in Haiti is training and raising up spiritual leaders through the ministry of RHEMA Bible Training College. Still, we believe we have a responsibility to do our part to also help those who are suffering physically as a result of this disaster. We sense a particular burden to care for the students and alumni the Lord has entrusted us with since 2012..
There are many large, well organized relief organizations working in Haiti who specialize in humanitarian aid. Unfortunately, it is difficult for them to get to everyone and those in more remote areas are often overlooked.
One of the challenges the people in the impacted region face is the ability to actually receive relief packages even when they are sent their way. Both gangs and desperate citizens have been reportedly intercepting relief trucks and pillaging them. Because of the difficulty and danger of trying to transport food across the country, we decided to use a “high tech” approach which is actually helping to speed up the process.
PHASE 1 - Food and basic supplies
Thanks to the generosity of our partners, we have already sent initial financial relief to every one of our students/alumni who we’ve been in contact with and who have been affected by the earthquake. (On average, enough to cover 7 days of food for a family of four.) We were able to electronically transfer funds directly to their cell phones. (“Moncash” is a widely used and inexpensive method of payment in Haiti.) This allowed us to get relief into their hands immediately and mitigated the dangers and delays that would have been incurred by our team by trying to transport large quantities of supplies to the impact zone.
PHASE 2 - Repairs and reconstruction
Though we are grateful for the fact that we have had only minor injuries and no deaths to report from our students and alumni, we have been informed by several that their homes and/or church buildings have been either damaged or completely destroyed.
We have a dependable group of alumni in the region who’ve been tasked with the responsibility of contacting and communicating with all those on our list who’ve suffered property loss or damage. They will be providing pictures and assessments so we can respond appropriately with the resources that we have and that will become available.
PHASE 3 - Mobilization of students and alumni to help other victims.
Many of our students/alumni have expressed their desire to help. They have already begun to make financial contributions according to their means and have offered to help in other ways. Once the phase 2 property damage assessments are in, we will be able mobilize these students/alumni and offer them concrete ways to help their suffering brothers and sisters.
Once again, we thank you for your prayers and support! If you’d like to contribute to the Haiti relief fund, you may do so by clicking the link below.
Ken & Tonja Taylor - Nations180 Foundations/Directors
THANK YOU FOR SENDING US TO THE NATIONS
It’s the men and women, like you who’ve committed to join forces with us in prayer and monthly contribution who make it possible to keep our team on the field, plan for the future and ensure funds are available year round to reach the nations of the French-Speaking world.
BECOME A NATION CHANGER TODAY!
On-line: www.nations180.com/partner
By Mail: nations180 - PO Box 1975 Branson, MO 65615
By Text: keyword 180partner to: +1 (833)476-8706
By Text: keyword 180partner to: +1 (833)476-8706