Egypt May 2009
As mentioned in a previous carelink message earlier in the year, we baptized brother Ogun & sister Bosedi a few months ago in Cairo, and since then they have been zealously teaching their group of African immigrants. We were able to conduct a Bible School with this group recently and are delighted to report that after 3 days discussions and talks, we were pleased to baptize 8 brothers: INNOCENT, DARE, FRED, OSUN, MICHAEL, WALTER, FEMI and SEGUN. Given the Moslem environment and the way that Orthodox Christians likewise are against any other groups apart from their own, it was quite a job to find a suitable location for the baptisms. We eventually hired a private club for this happy occasion. Even there we were watched somewhat aggressively by the Moslem management, and ended up doing the immersions as quickly as possible.
Photo: Baptisms just outside Cairo
And so begins yet another new ecclesia. Who would've thought that in Cairo, Egypt there would be an ecclesia eagerly awaiting the Lord's return! But there now is.
This new ecclesia are already meeting regularly in a room also used as a center for newly arrived refugees from Sudan.
Egypt is actually full of refugees from Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia, northern Uganda, Congo and other troubled areas of Africa.
So once again we see the hand of Providence leading us to introduce the Gospel to people from literally all tongues and nations; and as you know, we see this work as hastening the Lord's return, seeing that the Gospel of the Kingdom must first go into all the world, and then the end shall come (Mt. 24:14). We've given many copies of our English language textbook "Speaking about Jesus" to the refugees. The new ecclesia had a picnic with some of them after the baptisms:
We'd like to pay special tribute to our sister Bosedi. Despite having a 3 month old baby, she is absolutely vibrant in her service of the Lord and support of her husband brother Ogun. Their group has no musical accompaniment, and so she leads the singing in the ecclesia with great talent:
It was Bosedi who prepared the food for the picnic and carried it on crowded minibuses, along with her baby:
We have so much to give thanks for. Brothers and sisters like her, who simply for love of the Truth of the Gospel work so hard to share it; for the Father's blessing without which none can come to Him; for the saving, active work of the Lord Jesus delegated to feeble instruments like us to preach; for His willingness to work together with us; for those who pray and fund; those who publish and mail out literature... We are reminded of 2 Cor. 4:15: "that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of God".
With love from your brothers and sisters of Carelinks