Kinshasa, etc...

Firstly, let me apologize for the lack of posts recently.  The internet situation in most of Africa is not the best, slow and intermittent, but I'll give it a go...

I arrived in Kinshasa the first week of September, 2012 and began assisting veteran missionaries Wayne and Sylvia Turner. They have been here in Kinshasa for many years, and were preparing to retire and return to California.

 

I was tasked with organizing and scanning 30-some years of documents, so I had plenty to do to keep me occupied! Reading the history of the mission efforts here in Central Africa was interesting, and I was often distracted from my task! I am so blessed to be reaping the rewards of the hard work that preceded my arrival here! God's hand was evident in many ways throughout the past, and I was encouraged that the missionaries had persevered under such difficult situations. I was privileged to accompany them to many "farewell" functions, and was blessed by the obvious love and respect given them by the Congolese church. They have been instrumental in the development of a Bible School here in Kinshasa, and a new library has recently been completed. In honor of the Turner's many years of service, the library has been named in their honor!

 

 

There were many tears and hugs when the Turner's said their last goodbye to Kinshasa early in November.  They became my mentors and friends in the short time I assisted them, teaching me many things about Kinshasa and missions in general, as well as providing me with fun and lots of laughs!  I wish them God's blessings on their retirement, and hope they enjoy those grandkids!

 

Upon finishing the first group of projects I came to complete, I was able to spend a month in South Africa!  That was not the original plan, but with some unrest occurring in the eastern part of Congo, it seemed prudent for me to leave a bit early for my Christmas break.  I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful weather in Middelburg, South Africa, as well as spending time with some wonderful friends.  We spent Christmas near the Kruger National Park, where I was again privileged to witness God's magnificent creation up close!!! 



 

 

 

 

Yes, that is a NEWBORN giraffe taking its first wobbly steps under the watchful care of its mother! We saw the birth and the baby's efforts to walk... all within the first hour of life! I know the word "awesome" is overused, but this experience was nothing less than AWESOME! I am in awe of God's handiwork, his provision and his care for all of his creation... I was reminded that if he cares so much for the animals, how much more does he care for me?  He is our "abba," and he loves us so much! I thank him so much for allowing me to observe His creation, and enjoy the beauty He has created! May I never take His love for granted!

Since returning to Kinshasa, I have been helping out with Bible School registration, organizing the new library, and assisting the Hurst family in their transition back to living in Kinshasa after living near Seattle, WA for the past few months.  As projects in Kinshasa are coming to a close, there are changes coming for me.  Other missionaries in other places in Africa have need of administrative and computer help, so I may be traveling a bit before my expected return to the US in late May or early June.  I'll try to be better about posting as my adventures in Africa continue!  I thank God every day for the privilege to serve Him here!

Interlude...

I'm in the US for a few weeks, enjoying my family and the conveniences we Americans are accustomed to... I hope I'm not getting too spoiled!  I've eaten out way too many times, and had way too much "junk food" in my time here, but what I've enjoyed more than anything is the time with my family, and just relaxing and enjoying the peace and quiet at my parents' place in Texas.   All has not been roses and sunshine, though.  The last couple of weeks have been a bit difficult, with my father being hospitalized. But now, after 12 days in the hospital and two surgeries, he seems to have turned a corner, and has shown a marked improvement today.  We are praising the Lord for that, and are praying for continued improvement, and a release from the hospital in a few more days...  I will be returning to Africa after his release and when he regains some strength, but I won't have a firm return date for a while... With 10 acres to care for, I will need to help Mom until Dad has regained enough strength to get back to his normal routine...  So, I'll be a "farm girl" for a bit longer than anticipated, but my missionary heart is still in Africa...

One adventure ends...

...and another begins!  Where has the time gone?  My time in Pointe Noire has come to an end, and I have returned to Texas for a short vacation before beginning a new assignment in Kinshasa, the capitol of the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

Prisca

Benedicte

Grace

Marlene

Nuptia

These five young ladies have become so dear to me over this past year...  I am so thankful that God allowed mt to be a part of their lives, even if it was for a short time!  It was hard to leave them, and so many others in Pointe Noire who God placed in my life to assist and encourage me...

Carine and me

Flora and baby Dorcas

Linda

The "Guys" - Musicians and Singers

I thank God for each of these lovely people, and so many more whose photos I didn't post... I pray God's blessings on all of them!

Now, on to Kinshasa for the next adventure with Jesus!

 

Gardening woes, and Christmas already???

OK, so my garden was a complete failure... the ants liked the beans so well that they ate them before they sprouted!  I planted them three times, but they ate them every time, so I finally gave up on beans.  The black-eyed peas came up (well, three of them did...) and looked nice for a while... I even had a few blossoms and bean pods, but then the ants ate the beans and the pods right off the vine and I had no harvest!  The cantaloupe and zucchini also sprouted, but due to the poor soil or the hot sun (or both!) they did not survive... the peppers were the last to come up, and they never got over 3 inches tall... Here is a photo of the total harvest from my experimental garden...

Yep, that's it... one TINY pepper!  I guess I'll go back to what I know best, flowers!  Here are some that I rooted from some broken pieces given to me by a friend...

The leaves are such a lovely purple, a nice contrast from all the green around here!  They bloom early in the morning, so I get to see them at their best as I'm leaving for school...

This unusual flower was already here, so I can't take any credit for it... but it is lovely!



As the rainy season has returned, things are now green and lush again... the dust has settled, and the humidity has increased with the temperatures... I'm having a hard time getting in the mood for Christmas, with all the rain and hot temperatures, but it is coming whether I am ready or not!  My daughter was able to send me a package of Christmas fabric, so we have been busy little elves the past two weeks!  Christmas prints are almost impossible to find here, so we have been making home decor items and aprons for sale at our first Exposition of the season... THIS WEEKEND!  Yes, I know it seems early to those of us who usually wait until Thanksgiving is over to decorate for Christmas, but remember, there is no Thanksgiving holiday here in Africa...  So, on to Christmas!  Here are some examples of what we have been making...

Table runners and napkins

Little girls' sundresses

(remember, Christmas is a SUMMER holiday here!)

...and some really cute aprons!

Here I am using what has become my favorite sewing machine I have ever used!  I mean it, including the nice electric ones!  This one is a treadle machine, and I have come to prefer it over all others!  My grandmother had one like this, she made hundreds of clothing items for her family!  This one is over 100 years old and is in perfect working condition... it can't do ziz-zag and buttonholes, but I have not had a need for them here... what craftsmanship!  They really don't make things like they used to...

Like this sewing machine, I pray that I may continue to be useful and dependable, a trusted tool in the hands of the Creator, even into my old age! 





Today I Planted a Garden

Future bell peppers!

After 5 months in Africa, I’ve finally gotten my hands in the dirt outside my house!  I just love planting things, working in the garden is good exercise and good thinking time for me… there are so many lessons to be learned in the garden about God and Godly living if we only take the time to look… for instance, one must do some physical labor in order to produce a crop, but ultimately the harvest depends upon the Lord’s provision of good soil, sunlight and rain… gardening is a lesson in humility for all of us… we can’t do anything to make a seed sprout or a flower bloom, or a tomato ripen to juicy redness… all we can do is plant the seed, water and wait… trusting God to do HIS work through our hands…

Future Canteloupe!

 That’s what I’m doing here, not only in my garden, but at the school with the precious lives of the students God has given us… I can plant a seed, I can try to protect it from dangerous pests and I can try to keep it nourished, but God has to do the important work in each life to bring forth good fruit… I am seeing fruit now from seeds I did not plant, and I am planting seeds that I may not see mature… but I know that God has placed me here to plant those seeds, and to pray for each little “seedling” as it grows… it’s all about trust, and I’m learning to trust in Him more each day…

Future green beans and black-eyed peas!

 My little garden at home is an experiment, the seed packets were several years old and they may not sprout at all, but I’ve done my part… I have placed them in an environment where they can flourish, if it is not too late… I wonder, are we selfishly hoarding the seeds we have been given until it is too late to plant?  Spread the seed you have, encourage someone, help someone, pray for someone… every little seed you plant has the potential to grow into a mighty tree!

Future zucchini!

I'll try to keep you up to date on this little experiment in the garden!  Meanwhile, here are some of the "seedlings" I am privileged to work with each day, some are already bearing fruit, and all are growing in the Lord! Please keep praying for them...

Grace

Nuptia

Marlene (and Jasmine, my new roommate!)

Prisca (and me!)



My First Wedding, Congo Style!

I promised I would describe the wedding, but let me just say that mere words cannot do justice to the exuberant joy expressed by this lovely couple, their families and friends!  I only wish my internet speed was fast enough to upload videos!  Then maybe, you could get a small taste of the music and excitement!  Until then, use your imagination, and remember the joy of the Lord is better than any other!

Weddings in Pointe-Noire, Congo, can only be officiated at the Hotel de Ville (City Hall) and are performed by the current mayor of the city.  The couple does not get to choose their wedding date, they simply get on the schedule, then plan accordingly! Not to worry, though, they usually have to wait several weeks (maybe even months!) before their turn comes up!  There were many people in attendance for this “official” part of the ceremony, and while waiting for our turn to go in, I got to meet the General Superintendent of the Congo Assemblies of God!  He was delightful, and even attempted to speak some English to help me out! 

The wedding began inside, with appropriate pomp and solemnity.  The mayor apparently does 14 weddings every Saturday, that being a major part of his duties as mayor!  I have noticed that folks tend to be a bit “long-winded” when tending to official duties, so the bride and groom were allowed to sit while some of the ceremony was performed.

Vows were said, rings were exchanged, and then the mayor introduced the newlyweds to the crowd in attendance, much like a wedding in the US.

(notice the man in the background, getting paperwork ready for the next wedding,

and the ever-present photo of the President of Congo!)

Then outside for the obligatory photos, also much like American weddings!

We then adjourned to meet later in the day at the church, for a wedding “blessing” event.  The church was transformed, and a place was made again for the couple to sit.  Their arrival was accompanied by music and dancing, and great joy!

Vows were said again, rings were exchanged again, but this time, the groom was allowed (actually encouraged!) to kiss the bride!  I’m sorry to say, I was not close enough to get a photo of the kiss, but the groom made a big production out of rolling up the veil to reveal the lovely face of his new bride! 

Then came a literal parade of wedding gifts, including furniture!

The entire time, there was music being performed by the church worship team; I think they played and sang non-stop for about 4 hours!  

After the gift parade, the wedding party went outside for photos, and young people came around with snacks on trays, and soft drinks for everyone!  These were greatly enjoyed by the children!

The couple came back for more singing and dancing, until they were escorted out the door by a crowd of singing, dancing well-wishers!

All in all, a tremendously enjoyable time for the guests, I can only imagine the bride and groom, as well as their families were exhausted by the end of that long day! 

A Day in the Life…

I’ve been here six weeks now, and have settled into a routine.  Of course, every day is slightly different, but there are some things that don’t change… Since I am nearest the school, I am the one who opens each morning at 7:30.  School doesn’t start until 8:00, but if the girls arrive between 7:30 and 8:00 we provide a little something for breakfast.  So, I am also responsible for getting the breakfast there!  Usually it’s bread and jam, or little coffee cakes made by a lady in the church, so it’s not a big deal to carry.  It’s not far from my house to the school; I come on to the road near the church sign, cross the road (and the ever-present mud puddles!)…

                                                          Looking right at front of church                                          

 Looking left from front of church             

…round the corner and walk up the road (skirting more mud puddles!)to the large white building on the right.  As you can see, it is not far, but it’s an adventure!  One day I stepped on a stepping stone and ended up IN the puddle on my side when the stone turned out from under my foot!  That was quite a morning!  I was dripping and muddy, but I still had to go and open the school, so I just got up and went on!  I opened the doors, but didn’t go inside, since I was a drippy mess!  When my workers arrived at 8:00 to start the day, I was able to go back home and quickly dry off and change clothes!  It’s nice to be only a 5 minute walk from work!  I learned some new French phrases that day!  (…nice ones!) People were so sorry to see what had happened (Oh, madame, je désolé!)(Oh madame, I’m so sorry!) and I even learned how to tell them what happened!  (Je tombe dans l’eau!)(I fell in the water!)

                               

Our day begins with a Bible lesson, and then French and math lessons on alternate days.  Both of our teachers will be leaving us the first week of April to attend Bible School.  I’ll really miss them!  Please pray with me that God will bring someone to help me during the time they are in school!  The girls are learning memory verses each week as well.  I’m working on them with the girls so I can improve my French reading skills, but I’m having a really hard time memorizing them!  I think if I could figure out a way to make the verses into songs I would have an easier time of it! 

                              

The rest of the day is spent working on the various projects we have going, with a short break for lunch, which we also provide.  We are preparing for an exhibition in April, so there are lots of things to get done!  My daughter Lexi sent me a pattern for a simple sundress, and we have started making some of those to sell as well as the household goods the girls have been making. 

After school, Janice and I often stay and prepare projects for the next day.  Then back home to think about dinner…  Since the school is not air conditioned, I am so hot and tired by the end of the day, cooking is not high on my list of things I want to do!  To stay hydrated in this climate, I always take three bottles of water with me in the morning, and they are ALL gone by 3:00…

                                                    

Water is a problem here, there is running water from the tap, but it is not drinkable water.  I use it only for washing and bathing.  We purchase drinking water from the local CocaCola bottling plant (which also happens to be the local brewery!) in these large yellow containers, and I refill my bottles every day! For cooking I boil and filter the tap water.  I often have a “boiling” session on Saturday mornings to refill my containers!   I also try to do some cooking on Saturday mornings while it is cool.  I freeze meal-sized portions so I won’t have to think about cooking after school!  I usually spend a few hours at the school on Saturday as well, preparing projects for the next week.  However, this week there was a wedding, so not this Saturday!  I’ll blog about the wedding next time!  Blessings to all!