In Dibaya
Right now, Sparky, Dan Grings and Orlic Ward (the eldest Ward boy) are in Dibaya! They left Kinshasa on Monday, October 24th and were in Dibaya by Tuesday evening. They did have some difficulty with the fuel system on the Grings’ Land Cruiser, but other than that it was a smooth trip. The road is paved from Kinshasa to Kikwit now, which made the trip shorter and much easier.
The plan while in Dibaya was to spend some time with the local church, make boards so they can be drying for future projects, and finish up the temporary mission house so that it would be ready for us to move into as soon as we get the container and can move up. They plan on being gone for 3 weeks.
On his last trip to Dibaya Dan hired, and left instructions for, some local carpenters and masons to build the house and had received reports that the exterior and interior walls were complete. This trip they planned on putting in a ceiling and poor a concrete floor. However, when they arrived they found that no one leveled the ground before starting to build. The walls were plumb (level vertically) but the back side of the house (toward the river) was a full 12 inches lower than the front side. All the exterior doors and windows were in, but all slanted. The men were a bit discouraged. They spent the first week breaking out parts of the brick walls to adjust windows and doors, raising the roof so the masons could build up to a level roof-line, and leveling the floor. After a full week of working, they were at the point they thought they would be when arriving. Please pray for the construction projects at the Bible Institute!
On the spiritual side, they have been able to do chapel at the school several times, share the gospel and have a testimony in the community, and Sparky preached (with Dan translating into Kikongo) this last Sunday.
Hopefully, we will be able to share some pictures with you when the men return.
Visas
Our passports are still at the DGM office waiting for the 5-year visa stamp. However, we have received word that our visa applications have been approved and are only waiting for the final signature. We are expecting to pay the final fees and receive our passports and papers this next week. Please continue to pray that this process will go smoothly and quickly.
Orphanage
Myndii was able to join two other missionary ladies and visit a local orphanage. Most of the time was spent with a group of toddlers…around 30 of them. They were all in such need of personal touch and attention. The kids especially liked it when the ladies sat on the floor, so many of them could get close at once…it was a bit like being a human jungle-gym. They also really enjoyed the bubbles that one of the ladies brought and blew for them to chase.
French was a blessing once again. Myndii was able to communicate with the orphanage workers and ask questions about the children. Myndii was so blessed by this opportunity and is hoping to make this a regular ministry while in Kinshasa. (The other missionary ladies usually go 2 times per month and have invited Myndii to join them.)
Elections
If you haven’t done it already, please mark November 28th on your calendar. The Democratic Republic of Congo will be holding its second official presidential election on that day. Please pray for peace, stability and unity for this country that is now our home. They are not expecting to announce the results until December 6th (or so). We will keep you informed as things progress. Thank you for your prayers!
The Container
The container is safely on its way, though it still requires much prayer. Please pray for the ship that is carrying it here, those involved in its transport, and for the customs officers that will be processing it. Please also pray for wisdom in what to do with the container and our things when they arrive (where to store things, what to do with the container, etc.).
We are also still praying about the possibility and logistics of trucking the container [empty] to Dibaya to use as a building. Some items of prayer are cost, reliable and capable semi-truck, honest and skilled driver, and road conditions. Can our God do it? Absolutely!
“I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.” Psalm 77:11-14
Remembering His wonders,
Time in Kinshasa