Attempting to condense the last 3 ½ weeks (and almost 2000 pictures) into under 2 pages is no small feat. So, this is an attempt at a "Reader's Digest" version…and some of the pictures will be posted on our web site.
We left Caldwell early on the morning of Saturday, December 27th, and landed in South Africa in the afternoon of Sunday, December 28th. We spent a wonderful evening of fellowship with the Marsh family, and others. Monday morning we left for the Congo.
Our plane landed in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo at noon on December 29th. It was such a blessing to have Robert Marsh (and son Jordan) in the airport where we said good-bye to the English speaking world. Everything went pretty smoothly, except the absence of one trunk…which happened to have almost all Myndii's clothes. It arrived safely 2 days later, which we were all very thankful for!
We got right to work…Myndii helped with housework (which takes longer in Congo due to power and water issues, and things like having to mill your own flour), and some other odd jobs around the property. Sparky was busy helping get the vehicle ready for the trip to the interior.
Wednesday evening we got to participate in a New Year's Eve fellowship. We had a fantastic time playing games and eating our first official Congolese "pot-luck" meal. Thursday we got to welcome a new "visitor"…Evangelist Randy Chovan arrived for his 3rd trip to Congo. Saturday afternoon was a Pastor's and Wives fellowship for the Kinshasa area pastors…more Congolese food, and a time of getting to know these men and women in God's service there.
Sunday morning, Myndii taught the women's Sunday School class, and Sparky preached in the morning service. We also both had the opportunity to share our testimonies and the way God provided for this trip. This was the first time either of us had spoken through an interpreter…it took a bit to "warm up" and keep thoughts flowing, but we were told the points got across.
Monday morning, we got an early start. Our travel companions were Pastor Osee, Pastor Paulin, Dan Grings, Randy Chovan, and Robert Marsh. Pastor Osee and Pastor Paulin are national pastors of churches in Kinshasa, and will be professors at the institute. What a blessing to have them along, and a chance to get to know them. We are truly looking forward to working with these great men and their families!
We drove all day Monday and stopped in Kikwit where we spent the night. We met a young man named Claude, who feels called into the pastorate and is praying about attending the future Bible Institute.
Tuesday morning we took off again. We stopped at the church and school in Idiofa. They gave us quite a welcome, and fed us lunch. With all of our breaks, we still drove into Dibaya just after dark.
Pulling into Dibaya is unexplainable. It seemed that the whole church was awaiting our arrival. What a welcome! We felt so at home, and at peace about where God has called us.
We spent the next 3 days fellowshipping with the people, participating in seminars for the local pastors and church leaders, evangelizing, familiarizing ourselves with the town of Dibaya, and gathering data for our future in the area. We saw many make decisions, and are praying for their sincerity and growth! Those who were able to attend the seminars seemed to drink in the messages (and took countless notes), as few of them have any Bible training.
On Saturday we said tearful good-byes. Mama Luti was our hostess for our stay…we so look forward to seeing her again! It was difficult to explain to the people that it would be a while before we could come back to live there. They are so hungry for the Word, and the laborers are so few.
We drove to a village called Nkumi, spent the night and shared with them on Sunday morning. God allowed us to witness the addition of several members into His family there! After morning service, we drove to BBC where we had an evening service. In the morning, Sparky did chapel for the school there. Then, we packed up for the road trip back to Kinshasa…complete with a variety of produce and 2 live goats tethered to the roof rack of the Toyota.
We camped out our last night by the side of the road a few villages before Kenge. We had an evangelistic meeting in the morning, and arrived in Kinshasa for dinner. (After a brief interruption to change a flat tire in down-town Kinshasa, just down the road from the Grings' house…the only incident the whole trip!)
The last week in Africa went by VERY quickly. Sparky shared at the school chapel on Wednesday and Thursday and did the devotional for Wednesday evening prayer meeting. Myndii taught ladies Bible study on Thursday evening after we all went on visitation. On Sunday, Sparky preached at Petro Congo (the church Pastor Mosanga the Ward's attend). Monday morning we were off to the Kinshasa airport, this time without our personal interpreter. God was gracious, and everything went very smoothly. God even provided for our plane to San Francisco to miraculously land 1 hour 20 minutes early, so we were able to catch an earlier flight into Boise…in time to have dinner with our kids!
Thank you again to all who participated in making this trip possible!
We are excitedly awaiting God's timing for our return!!!
Time in Kinshasa