Author: Pastor Willie Crew

Region: Commonwealth of Independent States

So much happened during the last week in both Armenia and Georgia. I certainly do not have the skills to write about all thathas happened it in a News Bullet.

When we arrived we were taken to the city to pick up Hennie's long awaited passport from DHL. It was sent from South Africa to Moscow. When it arrived there the Russian Customs Officials were not happy with the paperwork and sent it back to South Africa. Lydia immediately turned it around and sent it to Armenia. We praise the Lord that He brought it to us safely and in time. Without it Hennie could not travel with me to London. It was a real test of faith!!

Our dear friend and colleague, Amelia and her cousin drove us 110 KM to a small village nestled between two beautiful mountain ranges in the west of the country. Here we were met by the pastor who is a close friend and our principle partner in the region. In the hall 94 dynamic young people between the ages 18 and 35 that are serious with God and his Mission were worshipping. We were so encouraged and privileged to share heart with this group of next generation warriors. Almost half of them were Live School students. The worship was amazing - no performance JUST WORSHIP!! They had a map of the world printed in vinyl that was 18 x 36 feet in size on the floor. Everyone was sitting on chairs packed around the map. Taking off our shoes we walked on "the world" and prayed and cried for the lost in every corner of the world. The last evening we shared communion with each other while standing on the map. Many were weeping as they made commitments to be used by the Lord in neighboring and distant lands.

Throughout the four days of meetings the Lord spoke to us again and again that we are to expect a significant move of His Holy Spirit in and from this country. We spoke about embracing the first few drops of rain that falls before a major rain storm. On the last day the pastor drove us up on one of the mountains where they have a piece of land. While there a "few" drops of rain fell. I saw it as confirmation from the Lord of the coming raindrops. That evening back in the hall the meeting finished at midnight. During communion we focused on what God wants to do in the future. The pastor felt that Tonya, Hennie, myself and he should stand in the middle of the map with the communion elements and represent a type of "Melchizedek" receiving the tithe. He invited the young people to participate in the communion and to present themselves as a tithe of what the Lord would do in and from the country. What a moment! At exactly 12 O'clock as the meeting finished a strong rain came from nowhere. We all had to wait for the rain to end before we could go back to our rooms. Certainly this was the Lord showing us the "spiritual rain" that is coming.

Leaving Armenia we were driven to neighboring Georgia where we met with pastors and students of five Live Schools. We had the privilege to visit a group of students in a rural area outside the capital. The people live on an old army base. A number of people not related to the school also came to listen - what a blessing when most of the visitors responded to a call to receive the Lord and Savior. This group is being led by a young man who lost both hands and a leg in an explosion. He and his valiant wife have a little bakery in the village that provides for their everyday needs. That evening we met in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia in a local church where we met with Live School students and some of their friends. One of the highlights  of our time in Georgia was meeting with the Bishop of one of the large denominations that we are partnering with. He is a soft hearted man with a giant vision to see churches established in the country and beyond its borders.

News from some of the other regions:

Leon and Isaac trained the facilitator for two more schools in South Africa. Both schools will start soon. The one school in the Eastern Cape Province has a facility to house 30 students.

I received a report this week from our friend Steven telling me what is happening in the extreme northern part of Mozambique. Here is what he said: "I met Ps Martins who told me how God has assisted them to plant new churches in rural unreached villages near Mecula which is close to the southern Tanzania border in. Ps Jordao is also back from Pemba where he planted church with his graduates from the Swahili Live School."

And from Malawi: "I heard in Malawi from pastors of various denomination about Shanks Kaunda, your former Live School student that was very encouraging who is really anointed of the Lord. One sunday my wife tuned on the radio. She called me to come and listen to a powerful message. At the end of the program we were amazed to hear it was Shanks Kaunda preaching. I gave glory to God to know that this is the product of the World Mission Centre and its Live school."

Rejoicing in the Lord!!

Willie & Lydia