Delport Newsletter: July 2021

SOUTHERN AFRICA UPDATE

Proverbs 12:25 (NIV) says, "Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up." In this challenging time we are living in, it is easy to become anxious. Everything around us seems to be negative. However, when we hear a voice of hope, a kind word, a positive result, or a COVID report which reads NEGATIVE, there is hope. In Southern Africa, as churches are struggling under the COVID strain, there are some encouraging reports of HOPE.

• Malawi planted 44 new churches in 2020.

• Zambia's church planting initiative increased church planting from 817 churches in 2019 to 1,088 churches in 2020.

• Mozambique planted an additional four churches.

• In Antananarivo, Madagascar, during the lockdown, Pastor Tojo started a radio station in his home, reaching people in a 70-kilometer radius. Many new converts have been added to the church.

• While South Africa is badly affected by COVID-19, the church has forged ahead with conference elections held in quite a number of the 12 conferences. Two new conferences have already been established with the possibility of two more this year.

AFRICA AWAKENING BASE

The Africa Awakening house in Krugersdorp, South Africa, is looking beautiful since it was upgraded. It was difficult to acquire some of the materials due to shortages in the country, but Maggie did a meticulous job decorating each room, and she has refurbished most of the furniture, which looks beautiful. The Awakening team is busy raising their support and applying for their visas to permit them to live in South Africa.

ADVANCE SCHOOL OF MINISTRY (ASM)

The ASM program, which we started at the Copperbelt Conference in Zambia, is progressing very well. Classes are in different districts, sometimes having to use primitive classroom settings. However, the eagerness of the leaders to learn does not prevent them from attending classes.

GREAT COMMISSION EQUIPPING CONFERENCE (GCEC)

The Great Commission Equipping training is still being taught in some countries where they can risk not contracting the COVID infection. Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Botswana have done the phase two training already.

TANZANIA

The Five Loaves and Two Fish program from Wing Kwong Church have helped the Kadesh Church and USA River Church in Tanzania put roofs on the buildings. It is so important to have a proper place of worship that brings stability to a community.

MOZAMBIQUE

The Manjacaze Church project, located in the province of Gaza, was finally finished. It has taken a few years to complete due to funding, but the pastor and church family are very excited to have a permanent church building rather than meeting in an old worn-out tent.

MADAGASCAR

The church plant in Antananarivo, Madagascar, New Life in Christ, pastored by Pastors Tojo and Deborah Ranaivoarimanana, is still progressing very well and growing. The building project is progressing well, although they will need additional funding to finish. The roof is complete, but the doors and windows are still to be purchased.

ZAMBIA

Christian Education Ministries Training Institute (CEMTI) dormitory and classrooms in the Copperbelt Conference are progressing well. We thank God for added funds that are helping the buildings become functional. Training is one of the most essential tools to equipping leaders in Africa.

We want to express our sincere appreciation to our prayer partners and supporters for your faithful commitment to our ministry in Southern Africa. Even during this COVID-19 difficult period, which has affected so many families, we commend you for your faithfulness.

Joe & Maggie DelportJoe Delport