[EAPTC Update] – January 2010

Dear a Friend of EAPTC,
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I will be exalted among the nations (Ps. 46:10)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Happy New Year to you all!

It is hard to believe that 2010 marks already the 14th year of my missionary service here in the land of Africa. It only seems like yesterday that I flew to Nairobi for a career missionary work in the summer of 1996. I didn’t really know then about the Lord’s plan to fulfill His vision here in the land of Africa.

Three years prior to that, the Lord has laid in my heart this impression which became a milestone of EAPTC’s founding vision: “Build Me the Church that will bring millions into My presence on the Word and power.” Everything that was done through you and me in past years actually has evolved from this vision. Now it includes numerous Bible training centers, churches, kindergartens, literature production, microfinance banking project, and radio broadcasts in operation in some seven African states. I can see that we literally grew out of that vision.

There are three principles of vision that we discover from 1 Kings 19:9-18. In the passage, we read about both a discouraged Elijah and loving God in action to encourage him. We can see that God’s remedy for Prophet Elijah in his great despair was rather firm and direct, and it is indicated in verse 15: “ … Go back the way you came … ”.

Over the period of years, I discovered that this is the ultimate solution for all types of ministry-related discouragements and burn-outs. In our moments of different setbacks, God often wants us to go back to our original vision. It is in the vision where we find our success as well as God’s “pro-vision.” And, remember, God’s vision always comes to pass in God’s time, in God’s ways, and through God’s people.

Thanks to God’s grace and your supports that the VISION has been on the move even in 2009. Despite a serious financial setback that has affected our missions budget, we’ve seen God still at work for His people and church in Africa. Gracious events of three Bible school graduation ceremonies took place in Muyombe (Zambia) on November 28, Nairobi (Kenya) on December 5, and Mt. Elgon (Kenya) on January 23. It is at such graduations that I often get overwhelmed by the feeling that God is the gardener (John 15:1) and harvester in this end time. Many of those graduates will be, if not already are, involved in church planting in their localities, having been well-equipped for the task. In fact, the first EAPTC church in Zambia has been planted in the nation’s eastern province in the beginning of December. Through the works of such national church leaders, you and I can envision together a giant tree growing up in the continent of Africa.

Mark 4:30-32 describes a tree, which is planted in the hearts and reality of everyone who pursues vision. “Again he said, ‘What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.’”

This is exactly a kind of tree you and I have planted 14 years ago here on African soil. And it has been growing! Some of you watered it. Some of you applied fertilizer to it. And some of you have been its moral support over the years, being there for it when it needs a role model in shaky times. Truly, it took many hands for this tree to be planted and to grow thus far. To this end, we’re grateful for all that you’ve done for this “dream tree” of God.

God surely wants to and WILL fulfill His vision through us. It does NOT matter how tough our situation seems to be. In God’s time, in God’s ways, and through God’s people, God will fulfill the vision through you and me! Let us continue to live as a blessing (Gen. 12:2) and keep pursuing our vision together! Thank you for standing together with us for this dream tree of Africa with your prayers, encouragement, and financial giving.

Happy and hopeful 2010 to you all!

Paul Lee (& Eunice Jae-Un)
Nairobi, Kenya
January 26, 2010