Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! -Psalm 105:1-4
Dear Partners in Mission,
First, I want to direct you to Psalm 105:1-4, which calls us to remember God’s miracles in our work and lives.
It’s been a while since our last correspondence, but we would like to assure you that work in the DRC is going well, despite some challenges related to the Congolese economy. Your prayers and donations are at work. Praise be to God.
At the beginning of May, we traveled to the USA for our daughter Nicole’s graduation and we were able to visit three of our partner churches (Hampton Presbyterian Church in Gibsonia, PA; Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Abington, PA; and Black Forest Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs, CO. We had good conversations with all the congregations and received insight regarding how to better serve the needy and advance God’s mission in the DRC. Two of the most crucial topics we discussed were providing a safe shelter for women who are victims of domestic violence and creating a small orphanage, in the city of Boma, for children involved in our program. Pray that God may guide our discernment.
After 15 days in the USA, we returned to the DRC on May 20th. The economic situation in the DRC is worsening, but as we read Psalm 105 we are reminded that God is in control. In our return, we carried two suitcases filled with clothes and shoes donated by Black Forest LC for local orphans and pastors’ vestments donated by the Confessional Lutheran Church of the Congo.
Please continue to pray that God may strengthen the relationship between the NALC and the Confessional Lutheran of the Congo. Pray for the victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse, and for the abandoned and orphaned children. Pray for their physical and spiritual needs. God is doing amazing miracles through you for those in need.
We pray that God blesses you and that you have a blessed Pentecost season.
Didi & Serafina Panzo
*For more information or to partner with the Panzo Family, please visit: The Great Commission Society.