2020 QUARTERLY REPORT
I would like to begin this report by quoting Numbers 31:49. “And they said unto Moses, Thy servants have taken the sum of the men of war which are under our charge, and there lacketh not one man of us.”
I pray that none of the children of God will be missing when God overcomes this pandemic. The Psalmist said in Psalm 91: 5-10 and I quote, “Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.”
I would like to give glory to our Lord Who continues to preserve our lives against this deadly virus. To this day, by the grace of God, we have no contaminated families.
Coming to the quarterly report, I would say that the year 2020 started off well with evangelism and several other activities. I had plans to open a field in April in Toumodi a few kilometers from Yamoussoukro, the economic capital. We had programmed the convention which was to be held in the first half of March and the dedication of the temple of Vavoua for the following month, hoping that what we learn in China through the media will not disrupt our annual program. Unfortunately what we fear has happened. Our temples remain closed for the duration of the covid-19 virus. I personally worry about the spiritual life of our brothers and sisters who are not yet well established because visits are limited. I also worry about their daily bread. Several shops are closed, the economic capital, Abidjan, is isolated from the rest of the country. I fear the devastating effects of this virus on church members afterwards. We try to group together by family for Sunday worship and weekly prayers. This is the first time in my Christian life that I have experienced this situation. As soon as we open the temple, the police come, no matter how many. The government statement prohibited gatherings of more than fifty people. But no, whether you are two or three, we either force you to close or we board you. The powers of darkness are in motion. We must persevere in prayer. Romans 8:37 “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
I thank our Lord for the spiritual and financial support of all the brothers and sisters, thank you for the love that you show to all the pastors of IGM Ivory Coast, thank you to the director and his staff, thank you to Pastor James Arnold and to his wife. Your support allowed me to pay my rent and stock up on supplies.
My prayer subjects:
1) Pray that God will save us from this devastating virus, so that those who are infected will be healed. Pray that God will stop the spread and that a cure will be found.
2) Pray for all our brothers and sisters dispersed by the fact of this virus, pray that God will keep the spiritual flame continuously lit in their lives. Pray for their daily bread and their trade.
3) Pray for me and my family, that God will protect us and continue to provide for us. Those who helped us pay our rent and bills now also need help.
4) May God support all pastors all over the world and provide for their needs.
May the risen Christ heal all the wounds opened by the virus and may all peoples turn to this Savior through this ordeal.
BROTHER N DRI KOFFI EMMANUEL