A Departure date
In faith, we have reserved airline tickets. A travel agency was able to get us a very good price…just after a gift came in for very close to the total amount. God continues to provide as we have needs! We were unable to get the exact flights as the Grings, but we will be able to meet them in Brussels, and fly into Congo together from there. Lord willing, we will be leaving Idaho the morning of September 26th, and arrive in Kinshasa, Congo the evening of September 27th.
The “Plan”
There are many things “up in the air” (in God’s hands where they belong!) but here is a rough estimate of how we see God working.
We will be leaving Québec about this time next month. (There is a lot to do between now and then!) On our drive back to Idaho, we are hoping to stop at some churches along the way. We are praying about the possibility of spending some time in Wyoming, as we are passing through. After returning to Idaho, there is much to be done. We will continue to gather supplies, pack the container, and visit churches.
With the Lord’s provision, we will leave the end of September for Congo. To get into the country, it is necessary to come in under tourist visas. Once we get there, we will apply for our long-term visas. This is a process that can take up to several months. We are praying the Lord will speed things along so our visas will be in hand before the elections in November. After we have our long-term visas, we will be able to move up to the Bible Institute property in Dibaya-Lubwe. In the mean-time, we will be living at the Grings’ house in Kinshasa. This time will be good for us to start learning Lingala and adjust to “Congo French.” Prayerfully, our container will arrive during this time, intact, with all the contents that we put into it.
A “New” IFM missionary to Congo
Praise the Lord with us! We are so excited that Sarah Grings (Dan and Christine’s eldest daughter) was appointed as an IFM missionary to the Democratic Republic of Congo! Having grown up in the country, she really will be “returning” to the field. She will be adding to the Grings’ family legacy in Congo, being a 4th generation missionary to serve there. Please pray for her as she begins her deputation process.
One Down, Two to Go
This last Wednesday, we (both Sparky and Myndii) shared our testimonies to the church here, in French. We had the whole service just for our testimonies, so they were more detailed than what we usually present. We both made it through what we wanted to say…without too much nervous shaking. Our most fervent prayer was that we would be understood. After the service, we received many comments, mostly about how well we had been understood…our God is so gracious!
Next Wednesday, April 6th, Sparky will be preaching in French. Please continue to pray for preparation, clarity of thought, and to be understood. Then Sunday, April 10th, we will be sharing our ministry presentation in the 2:00 afternoon service.
In Congo
There are some pictures that are worth a thousand words…click on the "Pictures" link at the top of this page.
Trusting in Him,
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
Time in Kinshasa