Myndii’s parents arrived in Kinshasa on May 27th. We had a very rough trip from Kinshasa to Dibaya, due to our 4-wheel-drive not working properly and a more-than-normal amount of sand pits in we call “roads.” However, after 2 very long days of driving and digging, the Lord got us home…and it provided them a realistic Congo experience! After a few days of settling in and making plans, Myndii’s dad started on the roof of the new house, and Myndii’s mom started waging war against the termites and termite damage in the mission house. Each morning, Dad would share the devotion for the workers, which Sparky translated into French (Sparky’s first time ever translating for someone else!). He also preached 2 Sunday mornings which Sparky translated into French and Papa Macaire (one of the deacons) from French into Kikongo-Kituba. We did take a day off to go to Saturday market and out on the river to play on a sand bar. A few funny things happened such as: Mom asked Myndii to translate a question to a gentleman. When he answered, Myndii just looked at Mom and nodded like Mom understood. Dad and Mom were both so encouraging to our friends here in Dibaya, and to our family! It was exciting to see all the spiritual and physical work that was accomplished during their short 10 days in Dibaya.
Excellent
Excellent (X-cell-on), our first official full-time student-to-become-mobile-trainer, rode with us the last leg of the journey home (from Idiofa to Dibaya). This made for a very full pickup load of 8 people, but the bigger kids were happy for the excuse to take turns riding on top (not as dangerous as it may sound since we are traveling at the high speeds of 0-4 mph and there is a nice rack to sit on and hold on to). Excellent is settling in well in one of the Bible Institute dorms. He also jumped right into being involved in our local church. He sings and plays guitar beautifully as well as having a heart for youth. The church choirs (usually 2 that are split women and men) joined together to form one church choir that Excellent is now leading. The church also approved for him to start a youth program on Wednesday evenings. He and Sparky took an evangelism class in Kinshasa in May that they have started to share with others here.
One of the many things we have been attempting to do this last 1 ½ years is start projects (long term, consistent, and reproducible by nationals) that will financially support those living/teaching at the Bible Institute. Excellent is truly our “trial run” but has already benefitted from several of these projects. We pray he will be able to continue developing these ideas, and that he will help those who will come later to reproduce what he has learned.
Possible Future Student/Teachers
Please pray for:
Muna (Moon-awe) We have mentioned him before as he has expressed interest in joining Excellent in this first wave of training. However, he has been struggling with the faith to take that step into full-time ministry. Pray that he will have the confidence in God’s ability to provide for his wife and 2 small daughters, and for the Lord’s clear will and call in his life.
Pastor Jean-Marie We have mentioned him before as well. He has also expressed interest in joining this first group of students. However, he lives a long day’s travel up river (plus some walking) and Sparky has not been able to go visit him yet. We are prayerfully considering that Sparky make the trip in late July. Please pray for God’s timing, will, and provision for this trip. Also, if the Lord leads Jean-Marie to join the ministry here, that the Lord will provide the church he would be leaving with another qualified and godly pastor.
Francy (Fron-see) Francy is one of our “normal workers”. He indicated in the past that he is praying about his involvement in this ministry, but would not commit to anything specifically. He mentioned this week that he is seriously praying about whether or not God is calling him into full-time ministry, specifically at the Bible Institute. Please pray for God’s clear and direct leading in Francy’s life as well as the courage to follow His will.
To be connected…
After a year and a half of living fairly isolated from you all, communication wise, we are now connected to the internet in Dibaya! The satellite technician arrived the evening of June 2nd and started our internet installation the morning of the 3rd. By that afternoon, we had all 256 Kbps (download). This should help us keep in contact with you all more frequently, as well as helping with our children’s education and resources for the Bible institute. Our goal is to keep our blog site updated with information and pictures, including our furlough calendar.
House
It’s starting to look like a house instead of a shell! We now have a roof and 5 windows. These 5 windows are American ones that were given to us to bring in the shipping container…the rest of the windows will be a more “Congolese” style. The minimum before we can move in: install plumbing drain pipes, finish pouring the cement floor, install window screens and glass, and build some essential interior walls (bathroom/bedroom). The more we can do before we move in, the less we’ll have to work around later…but it’s getting harder and harder to be patient…
Furlough…the countdown begins
A little over 7 months from now, Lord willing, we will be finishing up our first term in the DRC. My how time does fly! (Not counting our short time in Idaho between Quebec and Congo, we have already been gone for 3 years.) There is so much to do before we leave. Please continue to pray for us as we continue to move forward here, but also while we try to tie up some loose ends before we go. Six months is a long time to leave a new ministry, however we realize it belongs to our Lord and He is in control.
As the time gets closer, we will start looking at plane tickets. Please pray for us to find good tickets (meaning with safe/reliable airlines) within our budget.
One of the concerns most missionaries have for furlough is having a vehicle. Thanks to our sending church, we have a vehicle to use the entire time we are in the States! Praise the Lord!
Our furlough schedule is starting to take shape. (You can check it out on our blog site.) Please continue to pray with us as we look at dates, contact supporters, and fill in the calendar.
Time in Kinshasa