Filling Holes

Our kids were given a 3-D puzzle of a world globe a few months ago, and they decided last week to put it together. The pieces all look very similar, so it is important to follow the instructions in order to be able to assemble it correctly. Daniel and Emily made a mistake or two, and eventually reached a point where they were “stuck”.  My husband inspected it, moved some pieces around, and after a while announced with a grin: “There, I’ve fixed Africa. I guess we can go home now.” We noticed a few pieces are missing and I commented, “our world still has some holes in it.” There is even a hole right at the western edge of the Democratic Republic of Congo, ironically. We know that all of us are born with a “hole” that only God can fill to make us complete, but this was a visual reminder of how many, even some who are Christians, still live each day trying to fill holes in their lives. Throughout the week I noticed holes everywhere. The electric company dug numerous holes up and down our road in search of the damaged spot in the cable, and didn’t bother filling them.  There is a hole across my road that a neighbor dug which makes the road completely impassable, so everyone has to drive out of their way to get to their destinations. Don’t we sometimes go to great efforts to avoid dealing with our holes? Or struggle needlessly because of them? People here like to fill potholes with trash, rocks, whatever is at hand, thinking they've "fixed it" when the reality is that it is likely to do more harm to vehicles than the original problem. We do that also, substituting inferior, temporal things for the satisfaction that we can have in Christ. The kids at the orphanage I visited had holes in their clothing. I decided to cut my own hair, so now it has holes of its own. I spent several minutes yesterday plugging holes in our bathroom walls with aluminum foil in an effort to bar the giant roaches from coming in. The physical holes I see bring to mind the spiritual and emotional holes that surround me in this city of 11 million people who spend their lives trying to fill them. Isaiah 55:2 says “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy: Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.” A holey heart can only be satisfied by a Holy God. Pray that the people of Kinshasa will hear God calling their hearts to Him and find satisfaction and the Bread of Life!

Shady Business Dealings

Did you know MAF has a blog? They feature stories from missionaries on the field, news, interviews, and information about MAF. I have been privileged to have a couple of my stories printed. Learn about all the "shady business dealings" that go on in my neighborhood HERE .

Kimbondo Kids

Today we went back to the orphanage! We took two bags of clothing, one for the older girls and one for the babies. Some of the items were new and some were gently used but they were grateful for all of it. EmilyFaith, one of the MAF missionary kids here, had made dozens of friendship bracelets and we tied them on the wrists of the kids. They loved it! Went bonkers over them and kept showing them off. Unfortunately a few of them also decided to steal bracelets from the other kids. We helped the staff keep the toddlers corralled in one room so they could clean their playroom. Mostly we picked up the crying ones and comforted them, held babies, talked to them, etc. They love to be loved, and whenever I sat down they would swarm me, fitting as many as possible on my lap, standing behind me playing with my hair, and sitting beside me holding my hands. They kept shouting "mondele!", which is what the Congolese call white people in Lingala. While I was in the states for my surgery, some MAF friends gave me things to take to the orphanage (THANK YOU!!!), including diaper covers for the babies. As you can see from the photo, there is a lot of laundry! They have clotheslines everywhere and still have to hang clothes on the fence.

Chaos and a Congoversary

Last Friday some other MAF wives and I went shopping in a busy part of town. Busy is a nice word for chaotic, confusing, crowded, and slightly dangerous. One girl in our party is new here. She received a nice welcome when she was pickpocketed. Then as we were walking, I was bringing up the rear and a van hit me with its side view mirror. I wasn't injured, but I was a little shocked. People drive as though there are no laws here, and it isn't uncommon for pedestrians to get "bumped" by vehicles. I've seen it happen a number of times but it always happened to someone else. One of our friends heard what happened and even though I wasn't hurt she brought me a cake just to express solidarity and empathy. So my kids are thinking maybe I should go walking more often in order to keep the desserts coming to our house. Yeah, right.

Today is our "Congoversary!" We've been here one year, sometimes thriving and sometimes surviving. I think we deserve medals, or at least hot fudge sundaes. We have discovered some dear friends here and learned a lot about God and about ourselves. I find the Congo to be equal parts frustration and enchantment. The people are beautiful, friendly, hard working and resourceful. The flowers, birds and animals are amazing. The music is catchy and the fabrics are bright and colorful. Yet there is a lot of corruption here, both in government and the business community. I've already touched on the water and electricity issues. Even among the evangelized there is still witchcraft and superstition.  People who should be free in Christ are still in bondage, and there are many who still haven't heard the gospel at all yet.

 Getting angry doesn't do much good here. People don't really care if you are angry. It's a great lesson. Sometimes we are angry because we ought to be. Sometimes we are angry because we want vindication, maybe even retribution if we are honest. As a Christian, God is my judge now. It's not about me. I gave my rights to justice and vindication to Him when I gave Him my sin and asked Him to take it away. I need to trust Him. He sees all and knows all and He is just. When I don't see the results I think I should, it's because his plan is so much bigger than just me and my little sphere. Am I willing let my anger go and suffer a little injustice if it brings glory to God and leads to someone's salvation somewhere down the road?

Being Real in Whoville

Image via Wikipedia

In "Horton Hears A Who," the citizens of Whoville cried "We are here! We are here! We are here! We are here!" Many people have a prayer card on their refrigerator with a photo of a missionary family, their faces perpetually smiling. When I was a child, I looked up to missionaries. I put them on a pedestal. I even argued with God when He first called me to missions because I knew the bar was too high for someone like me. Having been a missionary for a little while, and after meeting dozens of others, I am absolutely certain that every missionary is a real human being. We deal with the same stuff everyone else deals with. We aren’t super. We make mistakes. We are fragile. Sometimes, when facing overwhelming circumstances, we begin to ask questions, though not out loud. Why am I here? What good am I doing? Am I really needed here? The questions sneak up on you. They wait until you have a moment of weakness and they evolve into accusations. When you find out your college-age child is injured or your parent is ill and you are stuck thousands of miles away. When you miss yet another milestone in a loved one’s life or they miss one in yours. When the culture defies your efforts to minister in Christ’s name. When you are sick or exhausted. When someone asks you “so, what’s your ministry?” after you’ve spent four hours just to prepare a meal that would have taken 45 minutes back home. When the questions come, they bring discouragement, doubt, and anxiety – none of which are friends of mine, though we are acquainted. Once while I was praying about this, the Holy Spirit reminded me of 2 Corinthians 10:5 “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ,” and Philippians 4: 6-8 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” So I strive to fill my mind with God’s Word and to continuously thank and praise Him. It works, because God’s Word is true, but it’s not just a one-time deal since our enemy never sleeps. He prowls. We have to guard our minds constantly. Please pray for missionaries. We need it.

Back in Kinshasa

I'm back! The boys and I had a bit of an adventure getting from Kinshasa to the U.S., with delayed flights, missed connections, getting put on standby flights and booted off several times, lost luggage and stolen/damaged items. We finally arrived in St. Louis twelve hours late and totally exhausted after 41 hours of travel. My sister picked us up and took us home to hot showers and clean beds. My surgery went well. He removed bone spurs from both feet and bursas from the left foot. I still have the bunionette "deformity" but that is purely cosmetic and not painful now that the spurs are gone. I would however, not recommend surgery on both feet at once for anyone who has time to space it out and do one at a time. We got Josh settled in his dorm and he is enjoying college life. Knowing that Josh has lots of nearby relatives who are there for him is a great comfort to David and me. My mom and my friends took amazing care of me after my surgery! I am very grateful for all the prayers that were spoken for our travels, my surgery, Josh's adjustment, and for David and Emily while they were left behind here. Emily has started eleventh grade at The American School of Kinshasa this year. This is the first year she has not been home schooled! She and I both were ready for her to branch out and become more independent and have someone else for a teacher. She loves it and is doing well. Daniel is still home schooling and enjoying the fact that I have more time for him. It's been twelve years or more since I have home schooled only one child! It feels strange. It is good to be home again!