We let you know about the possibility of Sparky flying to Congo this winter for a “Survey Trip.” This trip would include travel in to Dibaya, where we will be living, along with stops in several villages along the way, and some time spent in Kinshasa (the capitol). Many of you have expressed the thought that Myndii should go as well.
We are not opposed to this option (in fact, Myndii is quite excited that she might be able to go as well!). We also understand that it will cost quite a large sum of money to make this happen. We have been researching the cost for airfare, and the cheapest we can find is around $2500 per person. If Myndii were to travel to Congo as well, this would mean $5000 just for the flights. The closer to the trip that the tickets are purchased, the more they will cost. In addition to the airfare there will be a cost for Visas, vaccinations, expenses to travel to Dibaya, food (at Congo prices), and Sparky will be missing 3 weeks of work.
Myndii’s mother is willing to fly down from Alaska to watch and care for the children if Myndii is able to go. However, her tickets will become less available as time goes on.
At this point, we are looking at the estimated dates of leaving on December 27th, arriving in Kinshasa December 28th, leaving for the road trip to Dibaya on January 1st, returning to Kinshasa about 1 ½ weeks later, and flying back to the US on the 17th and 18th. We are hoping to time the trip to catch the first day of the pastor’s conference, meet with many of the interior pastors, share with them our burden for the Bible Institute, and get their ideas and feedback.
Despite the cost, we believe this would be an important trip to make. It would give us a perspective on this field that cannot be gained another way. It would give us a chance to have our own pictures to show and experiences to share at the upcoming mission’s conference(s). A trip now would also allow the national pastors and leaders to get to know us. They can better pray for us in this process, and start preparing for us to help with the Bible Institute.
We have already committed some of our own finances for this trip (for passports and other items that have come up) and still have some personal savings. Also, some gifts and offerings have come in. However, at this time there is still quite a short-fall. We do not feel that it would be wise to go into dept for this trip…so we are leaving this in God’s hands. If it is His will for Sparky, or both of us, to go He will have to provide.
Getting to The Democratic Republic of Congo is no easy task. Finances
are not the only obstacle. Timing and coordination are essential. Here is a list of things (in order) that must be done in order to travel:
Obtain Passports: Sparky and Myndii have both applied for and received their passports
Purchase airline tickets
Get all required shots (for DRC, only vaccinations for Yellow Fever are necessary, but there is a long list of recommended ones)
A person in Kinshasa must get a notarized invitation to the Visa office (with names, dates, and flight information)
MAIL all documents (passports, shot records, etc) to the Visa office in Washington, DC. and receive them back in time for the flight out
Support
Have you been praying about sharing with us in God’s ministry to the DRC? There are several ways to share in this ministry…
The first, and most important way, is prayer! Will you commit to praying for us, and what God is doing in Congo, on a regular basis? If so, please let us know that you are joining with us in this way.
Another way is through financial support. This can come in different forms. One time gifts will go toward the Survey trip, equipment needed for deputation (projector, prayer cards, travel expenses, etc.), and Outfit and Passage for our first term. Ongoing gifts can be contributed monthly, yearly, or whenever is convenient for your budget. These gifts will go into an account until we are able to go on full-time deputation. Monthly support that is given before we are drawing from that account will be saved for the initial Outfit and Passage. Special gifts are ones that are designated toward a specific project or fund. If you are feeling led to support in a specific area, you may designate your gift, and it will be used for that purpose.
IFM should be setting up an account for financial support soon. Until then, all gifts can be mailed to our Home Church (information on the right). Please include a short separate note with our name and stating the purpose of your gift.
Looking Ahead
IFM: Sparky and Myndii will be flying to North Carolina November 11th through the 15th to meet with the mission board and participate in “new missionary training.”
Mission’s Conference: We looking forward to participating in the annual Mission’s Conference in our Valley. It will be held in February and March 2009. We will give you specific dates and locations when we get the schedule.
House: We are still looking at “trading spaces” in May.
Thank you all again, so much, for all your prayers and support!
~The Clancy Clan
Time in Kinshasa