Friday, October 15, 2021

October Update -- 2021

Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!  We're pleased to share with you the wonderful things the Lord has been doing in our lives and ministry.

Family
: In September, our son Christopher, who is sixteen and in his high school junior year (grade 11), was accepted to the technical college program for which he applied, called Career and College Promise (CCP). It's a two-year program for qualifying high school students that is conducted primarily online. The certificate he is studying to obtain is called the Technical Support and Services A+ certificate. His first class is Introduction to Computers, and it began on October 14th. Please pray that he will do well in the CCP program.

Faith has become proficient in her new job, and now just needs to improve her speed at it. But her employer is only giving her a couple days a week on the schedule, so let's pray she gets scheduled for more hours each week.

In October, we celebrated Jennifer's birthday with cake, cards, and prayer for her. 

On Wednesday, September 15th, our dearly loved brother, Dr. Andrew Stenhouse transitioned into his heavenly home. As you know he was one of our board members, and Len's closest friend, about whom he had recently written a biographical book called A Willing Heart to Please the Father. He will be dearly missed. In October, Len wrote a loving epilogue to that book, called Homegoing. Plus, here is a special tribute made to him in his home town's local news. Please pray for the Lord to comfort Andrew's daughter Andrea.


Ministry: As we continue to administer our discipleship training school (DTS), we'd like to update you on the good things that God is doing with it. By the grace of God, we currently have disciples in nine nations including Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, South Sudan, India, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

In September, brother Max in Uganda, who is one of our new students, sent the following testimony to Len:

"Praise the Lord, I am so thankful that I graciously joined the DTS. Since I started reading and studying the first lesson of Theology, Foundations I, and Discipleship, my desire for knowing the word of God is increasing each day. Reading the word of God is becoming a [way of life] for me, especially in the LTG group. Being accountable on the five questions and praying through the guidelines. This helps me to reflect on my life each day to see if I have some sins to confess and repent from those ways to completely turn to God as the Holy Spirit helps me. There is much more refreshing understanding on being born again. [Regarding] the selflessness of living for God...there things at home that I could respond to, which would look like "to win". But now because of the Discipleship teaching, I am learning to respond with understanding of Scriptures to hear from Holy Spirit, so I can live for God, not to myself even at [home] in the family.

I am praying that the Holy Spirit will lead me throughout this course, so I can have more of what He will have me learn. Thanks DTS, Thanks servant brother Len."

In September, Len received the following testimony from brother Max's wife Rebecca, who is one of our new students in Uganda:

"Praise the living God, I am so privileged to have joined DTS. [Regarding] Theology 1-Who is God?: This topic is so rich with biblical definitions of who God is. Before, I only had bits & bites, but studying this has enriched me, and I am applying them to address my condition daily. For example, confessing that God is holy helps me to be holy in all my dealings. In God bids us to come, I have learnt to come to God in prayer to reason with Him things which concern my life(Isaiah 1:18). In Faith Alone, [I learnt that faith] is complete confidence in what God is capable of doing. I am now exercising complete faith, not partial faith. [In my] LTG, sharing the word, prayer and confession [of sin] is restoring hope to all of us as a team. With these testimonies, to God be the glory."

Brother Jimmy in Uganda is doing well and testifies that God is using him through the knowledge he obtained from the DTS. He says that all the Church ministers in Northern Uganda are wondering where he got the training from.

Brother Tom's ministry is receiving more grace for reaching out to the unreached with the help of the vehicle the Lord that brother Dan in his church dedicated to the Lord, which we wrote about in last month's newsletter. 

Brother Justus is seeing an increase as more people are joining the Church; this has been possible due to DTS. 

In October, Len received the following testimony from brother John in India:

"My dear brother Len,

Greetings to you in His precious name. 

The Articles that I come across in our first quarter of the DTS are very useful to my spiritual understanding of the Word of God...These are really extending my spiritual knowledge...I will present the real impact of LTG more clearly soon. I love this course. Thank you, brother Len. 

John"

In September, sister Hannah in Nigeria finished her three years of training in the DTS. What an amazing accomplishment that was for a wife and mother of two. During her time in the DTS, she became engaged to brother Deji (now one of our graduates and the Facilitator for Nigeria), then eventually became married to him, and later she gave birth to their two children. She continued in her DTS training throughout all of this, by the grace of God. Here is her testimony:

"I want to thank God for the opportunity to go through the coursework. It has imparted in me godly virtues. I want to appreciate the board members of DTS for all the coursework,  how to heal the sick videos, Fire books, and all the practical sessions I needed to do through all the 3 years training I did. Sometimes I wish to go through the fire book and read it all over again. Thank you for all you have done. I appreciate it. God bless you sir.

There are some biblical teachings I was grounded into during the training; and some, my understanding was enlightened. I have started to practicalise the teaching on how to heal the sick on others and my family. A neighbour here complained of serious back pain. I lay my hand at his back and prayed for him. A few days later, I asked him about the pain. He said it has vanished. I was happy that God healed him through me.  

I am grateful to God that I went through the training. During the program, sometimes I was discouraged; but the Holy Spirit encouraged me, and he saw me through.

Thanks

Hannah"

Praise the Lord for what He has done in and through sister Hannah's life. She will continue with her current LTG for a period of time, and is expected to graduate in September 2022, Lord willing, once she makes up for missed time doing her practicum.

We received a wonderful testimony in October about brother Richard Balikalaba's LTG member, Bogere Bakali. Bogere's wife has been touched in a tremendous way through the DTS, even though neither she nor Bogere are students in the school. Since her husband has been meeting weekly with our DTS student brother Richard for LTG, she has begun helping to unite women in Church who will soon be forming their own LTG groups for discipleship. Praise the Lord! This is another great example of how the Lord is using the DTS to multiply disciples.


Brother Fredrick in South Africa shared the following testimony with Len in October:

"Greetings to you all, brethren, in the name of God,

I would like to thank the DTS. As for me personally, I have been a blessing to my group members of the LTG (Life Transformation Group) through sharing personal life issues affecting brethren (such as distancing themselves from God, which leads them to disobedience). But ever since, we regrouped [into an LTG], and [began] drawing close to the teachings, and reading the Scriptures on a weekly basis, asking ourselves how transformed we have been through the Holy Spirit, I was overwhelmed when one of my LTG partners, Mr. Riaan Cobus, received God as his personal Saviour and repented and declared himself a son of God. And praise be to God, because now he's influencing his family, too, through his behaviour at home, hence living an example life of a true way a Christian should. Hallelujah. Amen and we glorify the Almighty."

In September, brother Martin in Uganda sent an email to Len about what the Lord is doing in his life so far through the DTS. Here are some excerpts from it:  

"Doulos Training School (DTS) is one of the biggest blessings to my
life and my LTG!

During the past first week of Doulos Training School, my internet connection was very poor, but now it’s working better for me. I thank God for this.

So far I have learned as a disciple of Jesus, I am required to be reading Scripture daily. A good guideline is to read through at least 25-30 chapters in the Bible each week.  Keeping a daily journal [and] using the LTG Bible reading format is a very big help to me, as I abide by and share even more with the lost souls around me.

I thank brother Len, for offering me the opportunity of joining DTS as well through my Life  Transformation Group (LTG). I am also studying my Foundation 1 and Theology articles, which are all amazing to me.

Thanks
Brother Martin"

In September, Len received the following report from sister Catherine in England:

Dear Brother Leonard and Sister Jennifer,

With the studies I have learnt from, they have brought me much closer to the Lord, and as I have surrendered to the Lord more on a daily basis, I have grown closer to our Lord. Especially the article "Hearing the Lord's Voice." 

When I read Hebrews 2: 1-3. it says, "Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.  For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard."

I found that the more I read God's word, the more he guides me and brings what he has taught me to remembrance when I need it, and he continues to speak through my conscience daily, especially when I pray and have a quiet time with our Lord.  I shall continue to study, to grow, and to be more of a service to our Lord and to others.

Thank you for such a valuable Bible study course.
From Sister Catherine"  


Len received the following testimony from brother John in October:

"Greetings Bro Len! 

Hope all is well with you and [sister Jennifer]!

I thank you for your well-researched and well-explained information on [the Holy] Trinity. I am glad to have come across this topic, which confuses most people! But now I have read it keenly and understood well that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit exist as one Triune God. The Father, Son, and The Holy Spirit all exist personally though they operate in trinity! I am really blessed. We thank God for this DTS.

Bro John"

Brother Peter in Kenya wrote to Len in October saying:

"Hey brother Len,

It's been good, just seeking the Lord and appreciating His Almighty presence. For some time now, I've been fasting and making prayers to God for the church and the many things I've been aspiring the Lord to accomplish. The Lord says to wait patiently on Him and He will come at His appointed time. 

I've been trusting God to expand my business and to bless me indeed. 

In short, I have quite a testimony. I went to a certain school for a certain business proposal. I wanted to be offered a job to design logos for their school uniforms. Without knowing that they had a big need! In that, they were looking for someone to make them a full supply. As we are talking now, I have been sent the logo to design and to be sent the money, to start supplying all of their uniforms. I give God all the glory for His working and for the many blessings to come."

Moreover, brother Isaac in Uganda is doing very well in his DTS training. He reports the training is helping him with knowledge of God's Word. He has also formed an LTG with two men, one being a former Muslim whom he led to the Lord, whose Christian name now is Joseph.

Brother Deji, our DTS Facilitator in Nigeria, has turned a backslidden Christian student in the university from the error of his way and started an LTG with him. In September, brother Deji wrote to Len: "I sent him the LTG card. He read it, and I think he is impressed with the LTG as a medium for accountability. He selected 1st and 2nd Corinthians as our weekly Bible reading for this week." Praise the Lord that this new believer is hungry for the Word of God and open to accountability.

Resources: We would like to remind you that Len's entire collection of his most popular blogs are at Writing for the Master.

In closing, we have much to praise God for, and many opportunities for you to join us in prayer.

Praise the Lord with us for the many answers to prayer:
  1. For allowing us to celebrate Jennifer's birthday together.
  2. For the Lord letting Christopher's enrollment application be accepted by the college, and helping him to begin his training in October.
  3. For the Lord's faithfulness in helping sister Hannah to finish her three years of DTS training despite all the other things she had going on at the same time, as well as the way He is using her in healing the sick.
  4. For the wonderful testimonies of the students and the wonderful things He is doing in their lives.
  5. For the way He is multiplying disciples through brothers Martin, Isaac, Richard, and Fredrick. 
  6. For the opportunity to assist each of our students in becoming disciples of Christ and fulfilling their callings. 
  7. For the Lord's leading, guidance, wisdom, and help administering the Doulos Training School (DTS), and for the progress the students are making.
Next steps and prayer needs:
  1. For the Lord to heal our daughter Charity from asthma and restore full lung capacity.
  2. For the Lord to provide for all the needs of our DTS students in the hardships they're experiencing due to the lockdown, especially those in dire need in Uganda. 
  3. For the Lord to assist all our DTS students in any life challenges they may be experiencing.
  4. For the Lord to assist us with the administration of the Doulos Training School (DTS), as well as develop through it many disciples who multiply disciples. 
  5. For the Lord to help all of our DTS students to find LTG partners (another Christian to meet with weekly for discipleship in a Life Transformation Group), and help them finish all their course work for the current quarter by the end of this month. 
  6. For the Lord to fulfill His purposes for us and our ministry.
  7. For the Lord to raise up new faith partners, and for Him to provide for all our needs -- not only ours personally, but also those of the ministry.
Thank you so much for your partnership in this ministry.

with love from all of us,

The Lacroixs

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PO Box 5526
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