I want to thank you for considering supporting this ministry. We are looking for people to partner with us on a regular basis so that the work in Congo can continue to grow.
If you would like to sow into the work in Congo you can through our home church (NorthGate Church of Atlanta) . All donations given through NorthGate are tax deductible and they will immediately issue you a tax receipt.
You can give in either of two ways:
Online - With a credit/debit card here:
http://ngca.org/congo.htm
just be sure to write "Dixons Congo" in the notes line
By Check - Made payable to:
Northgate Church of Atlanta
ATTN: Dixons Congo
PO BOX 2190 Woodstock, GA 30188
Frequently Asked Questions are answered below....
Monday, November 3, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
FAQ's: Geting down to the nitty gritty
Q: What is your vision in a nut shell?
A: To bring the Kingdom of Heaven to the "Pygmy" Peoples of Central Africa, and to establish homes for widows and orphans in these war torn areas.
Q: What exactly do you need?
A: In no particular order: Financial support, other missionaries, and prayer.
Financially we need $90,000 to be able to complete the move and begin building and $6000 a month to keep things going. We are raising not only personal support but support for the whole work. In the beginning it is hard to seperate the two. Our land, housing, gas, and vehicle will all be part of the whole work.
Other Missionaries: We know that we will not be able to do this alone and we are asking the Lord to send another family with us. Whether that will mean somone that is short term or someone that is willing to go long term, we know that we will need help. We are praying that the Lord will send others with like hearts to help us reach these people.
Prayer: This is a pioneer work among the "Pygmies." We are regularly going into villages that have NEVER heard the name of Jesus. The culture is steeped in witchcraft and animism. Some tribes have even been accused of shape shifting. Spiritual warfare is a necessity. Pray that the Kingdom of Heaven is truly established in this region and that true transformation can take place.
Q: How will the money be spent?
A: Because of Government regulations churches are required to own property within a very sort time or risk being deported. First our goal is to secure a piece of property in Ouesso, Northern Congo where we can then set up a base to reach out to villages in the surrounding areas. On that base we will have homes set up for ourselves, other missionaries, and those that we will be taking in. Also we will need to purchase a truck and a boat. These are essential in accessing other villages.
The monthly support will go towards food, water, gas, and general outreach for us and others working with us.
Q: Why Ouesso?
A: Good question! (talking to myself because I am asking the questions then giving the answers). Ouesso is a fairly large village in Northern Congo that is right on a main road through Congo giving us access to other countries like Gabon, Cameroon, and Central African Republic, all countries that have other tribes of "pygmies." Ouesso also has access to a decent (by Congo standards) airport where we can more easily travel. One day we know we will need a small bush plane to visit more remote areas and this village would help us to do that. Lastly Ouesso is also right on a major river running through the Congo. This is ideal because many villages are on the rivers and others can only be reached by inlets coming off the rivers.
(Note: Though I keep refering to it as Ouesso, we will not actually be in the village of Ouesso but further south. Most "Pygmies" don't live in large Bantu villages. Ouesso is a village that is easier to find on a map of the Republic of Congo and it is within driving distance of where we will be.)
Q: Why "Pygmies"?
A: Since the time I (David) was born again I have felt a call to reach these neglected people with the Gospel though I didn't know much about them. I was trying to persue ministry as usual. Years ago I had a very clear open vision of a hand coming out of Heaven and drawing on a map that had appeared in front of me. The hand drew a red line around an area in Central Africa that went from the west coast into the heart of Africa and back to the west coast. I immediately had another vision of myself but much older walking in the jungle surrounded by children that I knew were "pygmy" children. At the time I had very little information on these people. I wept as the visions vanished. I went to look up this area of Africa on a map and to research where the "pygmies" were and saw that the red line in the vision outlined perfectly the area where they are the most concentrated.
Sadly, these people are neglected by their neighbors and considered by most tribes to be subhuman. They are some of the poorest people on the planet and in many instances they are treated like slave labor and are often abused. In a neighboring country, the United Nations reported that a rebel faction had begun hunting some of the pygmy people and even cannibalizing them. The Lord has not forgotten them. It is our responsibility that every tribe should hear the Gospel of the Kingdom.
Q: Why do you use "" when you say "pygmies"?
A: To the people themselves this is a derrogatory word meaning small in stature. They prefer to be called Forest People but we westerners know them better as "Pygmies." They are by far the minority living in this area of Africa but are considered to be the original inhabitants of the Congo Basin. Their average height is a whopping 4' 8". The other tribes now living in the area are called Bantu. The Bantu peoples are normal in height and are the ruling people in Congo.
Q: I have heard people stressing the use of nationals to preach the Gospel. Why are Americans moving into Congo? Wouldn't it be better to just train the locals?
A: Ultimately that is the goal of most missionaries. I say most because there are still some missions groups that still have a misunderstanding of their role. Before locals can go out to preach the Gospel that have to be taught the Gospel. They have to experience it. Then they are equipped to go out and preach it.
We are not a short term missions team. We are called to give our lives for these neglected and poor people. To lay down our lives so that they can see God's love in action. To help build a church, that is not merely a building but a people.
I am going to write an article at a later time that will explain our opinion on this subject in more detail. But for now, know that our goal is to raise up leaders among the people that go further and grow faster in the Gospel than we do, ultimately working ourselves out of a job.
(Rom 10:14) How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?
(Rom 10:15) How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!"
If you have any questions that were not asked or answered please leave a comment on this page. Though it might not show up immediately we will post our answers as soon as possible.
A: To bring the Kingdom of Heaven to the "Pygmy" Peoples of Central Africa, and to establish homes for widows and orphans in these war torn areas.
Q: What exactly do you need?
A: In no particular order: Financial support, other missionaries, and prayer.
Financially we need $90,000 to be able to complete the move and begin building and $6000 a month to keep things going. We are raising not only personal support but support for the whole work. In the beginning it is hard to seperate the two. Our land, housing, gas, and vehicle will all be part of the whole work.
Other Missionaries: We know that we will not be able to do this alone and we are asking the Lord to send another family with us. Whether that will mean somone that is short term or someone that is willing to go long term, we know that we will need help. We are praying that the Lord will send others with like hearts to help us reach these people.
Prayer: This is a pioneer work among the "Pygmies." We are regularly going into villages that have NEVER heard the name of Jesus. The culture is steeped in witchcraft and animism. Some tribes have even been accused of shape shifting. Spiritual warfare is a necessity. Pray that the Kingdom of Heaven is truly established in this region and that true transformation can take place.
Q: How will the money be spent?
A: Because of Government regulations churches are required to own property within a very sort time or risk being deported. First our goal is to secure a piece of property in Ouesso, Northern Congo where we can then set up a base to reach out to villages in the surrounding areas. On that base we will have homes set up for ourselves, other missionaries, and those that we will be taking in. Also we will need to purchase a truck and a boat. These are essential in accessing other villages.
The monthly support will go towards food, water, gas, and general outreach for us and others working with us.
Q: Why Ouesso?
A: Good question! (talking to myself because I am asking the questions then giving the answers). Ouesso is a fairly large village in Northern Congo that is right on a main road through Congo giving us access to other countries like Gabon, Cameroon, and Central African Republic, all countries that have other tribes of "pygmies." Ouesso also has access to a decent (by Congo standards) airport where we can more easily travel. One day we know we will need a small bush plane to visit more remote areas and this village would help us to do that. Lastly Ouesso is also right on a major river running through the Congo. This is ideal because many villages are on the rivers and others can only be reached by inlets coming off the rivers.
(Note: Though I keep refering to it as Ouesso, we will not actually be in the village of Ouesso but further south. Most "Pygmies" don't live in large Bantu villages. Ouesso is a village that is easier to find on a map of the Republic of Congo and it is within driving distance of where we will be.)
Q: Why "Pygmies"?
A: Since the time I (David) was born again I have felt a call to reach these neglected people with the Gospel though I didn't know much about them. I was trying to persue ministry as usual. Years ago I had a very clear open vision of a hand coming out of Heaven and drawing on a map that had appeared in front of me. The hand drew a red line around an area in Central Africa that went from the west coast into the heart of Africa and back to the west coast. I immediately had another vision of myself but much older walking in the jungle surrounded by children that I knew were "pygmy" children. At the time I had very little information on these people. I wept as the visions vanished. I went to look up this area of Africa on a map and to research where the "pygmies" were and saw that the red line in the vision outlined perfectly the area where they are the most concentrated.
Sadly, these people are neglected by their neighbors and considered by most tribes to be subhuman. They are some of the poorest people on the planet and in many instances they are treated like slave labor and are often abused. In a neighboring country, the United Nations reported that a rebel faction had begun hunting some of the pygmy people and even cannibalizing them. The Lord has not forgotten them. It is our responsibility that every tribe should hear the Gospel of the Kingdom.
Q: Why do you use "" when you say "pygmies"?
A: To the people themselves this is a derrogatory word meaning small in stature. They prefer to be called Forest People but we westerners know them better as "Pygmies." They are by far the minority living in this area of Africa but are considered to be the original inhabitants of the Congo Basin. Their average height is a whopping 4' 8". The other tribes now living in the area are called Bantu. The Bantu peoples are normal in height and are the ruling people in Congo.
Q: I have heard people stressing the use of nationals to preach the Gospel. Why are Americans moving into Congo? Wouldn't it be better to just train the locals?
A: Ultimately that is the goal of most missionaries. I say most because there are still some missions groups that still have a misunderstanding of their role. Before locals can go out to preach the Gospel that have to be taught the Gospel. They have to experience it. Then they are equipped to go out and preach it.
We are not a short term missions team. We are called to give our lives for these neglected and poor people. To lay down our lives so that they can see God's love in action. To help build a church, that is not merely a building but a people.
I am going to write an article at a later time that will explain our opinion on this subject in more detail. But for now, know that our goal is to raise up leaders among the people that go further and grow faster in the Gospel than we do, ultimately working ourselves out of a job.
(Rom 10:14) How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?
(Rom 10:15) How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!"
If you have any questions that were not asked or answered please leave a comment on this page. Though it might not show up immediately we will post our answers as soon as possible.
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