Embattled

Hi family and friends,

How on earth can I tell you about this week??? I am in a war zone. Rabi has become so furious that he has organised his family into mob violence against me – they want me to go or they will kill me or both. He organised a PTA meeting and invited me but I knew it was a trap so we went to the Police who said don’t go to the meeting. But Rabi sent a ‘friend’ of mine to call me so we got the District Supervisor of schools and against advice attended. The hatred was palpable. As I rushed to leave the room they tried to shut the door but Pastor Richard and I escaped and jumped into the car and raced to the police station. Three police came back with us to the meeting where the people waited. Rabi sat there pretending he had nothing to do with anything… but the Police said, “We know who is behind it all. We know everything.” They now have enough evidence to charge him with stealing K30 million about AUD 8 thousand given by the Council to build 4 teachers houses for the school and also K4 million given to the Women’s Club which he kept. I pray that they will take him into custody ASAP.

Both my teachers are traitors and the Police berated them until they confessed that Rabi called the meeting. Then they went into action. Calm was restored but the police say you must go and asked the villagers to give me some time to relocate. Pastor Richard says if I’d been alone they would have killed me so he and God saved my life. Richard is an ex-army man and together with God we are good strategists. He has a powerful authority from God on his life. I am hanging onto scriptures Like Isaiah 41: 8-14, and 1 Peter 5:10

We went to the Chief who was ashamed of his people and invited me to come and live adjacent to his royal palace. Even his family begged me to “come and bless us” with all you do. The Chief even said he would give me title deeds to the property so no one could ever chase me away again plus he gave me 10,000 bricks already fired to build about 3 houses and 20 iron sheets for the roof AND there will be electricity in a few months. He said, I want to build a school and you could help me.” Amazing. It is a rare event for someone to be given title deeds, for the Chief owns all the land in his kingdom. I believe this is an open door where I will have protection and goodwill to plant a mission site.(Isaiah 54 :2)

Steve Turner and his wife Felicity from my home Church, Goodlife arrive today. It will be good to see folk from home and to have another strategist to work out the way forward. The land I’ve been given has no housing but I’m sure there is a place somewhere that we can stay. I have to find a way to keep them safe as well as Richard and his wife and me of course. The police are phoning me every day but they are 40kms away and have only a small motorbike as transport. We usually have to go and get them.

Rabi’s has convinced his family that I lied about his stealing – he even told them, “If I had stolen that amount of money I would be arrested wouldn’t I” so my soft heartedness has backfired and he is free to incite a riot. He is still on bail for the previous offence so by lumping them together he will be sent to jail for a long time and I will be pleased.

It is a bittersweet victory because Rabi’s family are harassing the people that love me and that I am caring for– an old lady of 78, a young orphan, a man with leprosy, the headman because he believes in me and refused to attend the meeting even tho he is a relative and numerous people whose lives I have saved from HIV and TB. They are being insulted every day. The old lady uses my old walking stick and they berate her for that. Can you imagine!! At least the hatred is out in the open now. Its been gaining momentum for months. Rabi is furious that I stopped him going into parliament, he’s furious that I had him arrested, he is jealous that I have brought a Pastor to the village who has my confidence, the same confidence he used to have. The underlying tension and intimidation has been daily and constant and very stressful and I am battle weary but I’m not running yet. Even now I have diaorrhea probably because of witchcraft or poison in my water-can that I trustingly left outside. They sent some poison to Richard in the form of a local drink but he knew to throw it out because they did that to him in his last Church.

The life of a missionary – take up your cross and follow me, Jesus said. We met a missionary from Malawi yesterday as we bought some bibles for our literacy classes - a lovely African man who was telling us about his daily battle with Muslims and witchcraft and ignorance. He was battle weary also. We encouraged each other to stand firm.

Oh I miss the peacefulness of Australia and NZ, the education and knowledge you all have and the amenities but I know that Satan is running, he’s just clinging and trying hard to get me out of that place for the people are ignorant, steeped in witchcraft, lying and cheating are normal and darkness is everywhere and he wants to keep it that way. But Gods light is shining thru my small footprints and He is mighty so He can save the people. That is my prayer.

Please continue praying for our safety and for a wonderful outcome where we can enlarge our territory for God in a peaceful manner. Peace - shalom – mutende (local word) In Genesis God said go and fill the earth. In spite of all this drama I love serving God and will continue to do so. Thank you for your love and prayers and support they sustain me and urge me forward.

Durelle