We Made It
Miraculously, all 5 members of our family, all 12 of our checked bags, and all 10 of our carry-on’s (as well as the Grings and their entire pile of luggage) made it to Kinshasa on September 27th as scheduled.
We are settling into this phase of our adventure (in the capital city of Kinshasa) in the apartment attached to the Grings’ garage in their back yard. It is a 2 bedroom apartment with a bathroom, kitchen area, and small living room.
Our bodies took a few days to get used to the time difference, and get over the “jet lag” but we seem to all be on schedule now. It is taking a bit longer to get our bodies used to the climate. We arrived just after the beginning of the rainy season so it’s pretty humid. The hottest we have seen so far is 90º with a humidity of 92%.
The kids have started school work back up, and are doing well. Myndii and Christine Grings have worked out a “kid swap” so Christine teaches their youngest and ours (Anna and Ruth) up at their house, while Myndii teaches Martha, Titus, and their Timothy at our house. Everyone seems to be doing quite well with this arrangement.
The Container
The shipping container was loaded onto a semi-truck trailer by a 75 ton crane the morning of September 22nd, just 4 days before we left for Congo.
According to the “Dock receipt” it is scheduled to arrive in Matadi (the port in Congo) on December 4th. From there, things get interesting. First, because they estimate the presidential election results will be announced around the 8th. We still have not received an estimate for cost or time that it will take for this container to be transported to Kinshasa…around 225 miles by road. Once it arrived in Kinshasa, we will have to have it cleared by customs. We have heard this can take anywhere between days to months. God knows all of this, and has a perfect plan, but we appreciate any and all prayers for this container, and its contents, on this journey. Pray also that the Lord will provide the finances that will be necessary to complete the shipment, and receiving the container.
It would be quite impractical for us to move to Dibaya-Lubwe (where the Bible Institute is located) without the container. First, we have to be physically present to receive it without having to pay the customs fees. Also, because we only brought the “bare minimums” with us on the plane so most of our even basic survival items are in the container. Please pray for things to go quickly and smoothly so we can make our move to Dibaya!
Visas
We have begun the process of visa applications. (No, not the credit card...this is the stamp in our passports that allows us to stay here as missionaries.) There are so many steps that must be completed. We asked you to pray about permanent visas, but this does not look like a possibility at this time. So, we are applying for the 5-year resident missionary visas. Some of the steps include: finger printing for criminal background checks, official certificates from the US embassy here declaring that we are in fact US citizens, registering as residents, applying for a resident card, and filling out piles of paperwork. Of course, each office we go to wants a fee for completing their specific step in the process. It also seems that each time we complete one step, we are told about 2 more. Please continue to pray for the Lord to guide us to the right people that can speed this process along.
French
We have already had opportunity to use our French! It is such a blessing to be able to communicate. The accent here is quite a bit different, but we are starting to pick up on the differences and can understand pretty well… as long as they don’t switch to Lingala on us (which happens frequently).
The Lord has already given Sparky opportunities to teach in French. Sparky is preparing a series on how to study the Bible with the deacons at Nsango Na Bomoi (the Grings’ church) each Saturday morning, starting October 8th. He also has been giving devotionals during school chapel and youth group meetings.
A young man is tutoring both Sparky and Myndii two afternoons each week. So far we have just been working on review so he can get a good feel for what we know. It has been great practice. The kids have been doing French each day as a part of their homeschooling, and are also doing well.
What does 100% mean?
In 2009, we sat down with our field team and IFM to come up with an estimated amount needed for monthly support. We are now reporting that we are at 100% of this estimated monthly support need. However, our support goal is the minimum necessary to survive and minister here as first-term missionaries. Any additional monthly gifts could be directly used for evangelism, discipleship, and distributing training materials to the national churches. We also will be evaluating cost of living and other expenses to make sure we are truly “fully supported.” Please continue to pray for the Lord’s provision.
Thank you!
We really can’t say “thank you” enough for all your support and prayers! Without your partnership in this ministry, we wouldn’t be here now. Thank you for allowing the Lord to use you to reach and teach the people of Congo!
Your missionaries IN the Congo
Time in Kinshasa