Unknown Variables

source: www.openclipart.org

People here joke about "the Congo factor" or the "Congo variable (an ever changing factor or set of factors)." When you have a project to complete in the states, you determine what supplies you need, the amount it should cost, the amount of time it ought to take to complete, and then you get to work. Adding in the Congo variable, means that you probably won't be able to find all the supplies you need, you are likely to discover after you've begun your project that there is more work to be done than previously thought and more supplies are needed, the parts you purchased are of a quality that renders them likely to break during or shortly after installation, and the entire project from start to finish is likely to take MUCH longer than originally estimated. We've done a fair share of dealing with Congo variables this week.

Variable 1: cheapo parts. A lot of new plumbing has been installed in the last couple of weeks. We also spent the better part of our first two days in our new home fixing leaks in the new plumbing and mopping floors. High quality parts and fixtures are impossible to come by here. We still have some leaks to deal with but not as many.

Variable 2: humid climate. Some walls in the house were damaged by water due to leaky plumbing but the climate here is also hard on things. A good deal of the paint was bubbled up and falling off the walls so we have been scraping, spackling, and sanding.

Variable 3: Just because it fits, doesn't mean it belongs there. As I lay in bed our first night in the new house, I heard numerous loud noises like something popping or snapping. Most of the noise was coming from directly over our bed, which did NOT help me relax and fall asleep. The next day we discovered the source. The landlord had replaced several light bulbs and added covers to the fixtures. The bulbs fit the sockets and the covers fit over the bulbs, but obviously they weren't meant to go together. The plastic fixtures were melting from the heat of the light bulbs, and making loud noises as they cooled after we turned off the lights. This is the one above our bed, and the light bulb has burned its
 way through the plastic.

This one from the hall is my favorite! That thing you see hanging down is not a spider web but melted plastic about to fall. Light fixtures are coming down ASAP.

Variable 4: Just because it's new, doesn't guarantee it will work. We finally got our new water pump installed. It did not work. The inside parts were messed up, so even though it is nice looking on the outside, the pump can't fulfill its purpose, and actually caused a good deal of wasted time and frustration. I guess people are the same way. What others see on the outside may look really attractive and "together" but sometimes we are a mess on the inside. Instead of fulfilling our purpose to minister to and love people, we become a negative variable in the lives of others. "People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Sam 16:7b)

We had a friend help us yesterday with a temporary fix, allowing us to borrow a pump from him so that we could get water into the house. Last night I enjoyed my first hot shower in a week, and it was superb! This past Wednesday marked our two year "Congoversary." Someone remarked that we've been here two years and lived in two houses. I like this house, but it's going to take a long time and a lot of work to get it in good shape, so that is a trend I really don't have a desire to continue, thank you very much!

One last little note. A friend recently sent me this link to Jon Bloom's blog post "Don't Give Up."  If you are dealing with lots of variables lately, I think you'll find it as encouraging as I did.