Imagine Kikongo

Last weekend we went to the village of Kikongo with another MAF family, the Pedersons. Yes, it was very "cool beans!"

Rita Chapman

Kikongo is about 100 miles southeast of Kinshasa, but 100 miles in Congo is not like 100 miles in the states. You cannot simply drive to Kikongo. There are no passable roads. The mission station is staffed full-time by missionaries Glen and Rita Chapman. They have a three year program for training national pastors AND their wives for ministering to their villages, a hospital, a nursing school, elementary and secondary schools, and probably more that I can't remember. 

We toured the mission station and learned about the ministries, which rely on MAF to function there. 

Imagine if this is where you or your wife or sister had to go to deliver a baby, and you felt privileged to have this option. We met two women who had delivered their babies recently by cesarean section!

Imagine if this was the pharmacy and supply cupboard. You can see that there is not a lot there, but all this nurse asked for was some better baby aspirators for removing amniotic fluid from the babies' nasal passages. They only have one and it does not work well.

Imagine if this was your house...

...and this was how you and all your neighbors got water.

Imagine if these were your neighborhood strip mall, grocery store, etc...

...and this was where your kids went to school...

...and this was the neighborhood playground equipment...

...and you were grateful. 

We saw lots of cool things! Kikongo is situated by the Wamba River, so we spent some time at the river and even crossed it and went on a hike to some small waterfalls. We saw cool flowers and animals. The Chapmans had baby crocodiles, mongoose, and duikers that were orphans and they were raising until they were ready to be released to make it on their own. We learned about local food options and tried a few. 

Glen had a wooden "skim board" and showed us how to use it. Yes, I tried it. NO, you don't get to see a photo. You can see a photo of me by the falls, where I am standing up nice and straight and graceful looking.

We tried smoked corn on the cob, but we passed on the smoked viper. We did buy some smoked fish and mantete (squash seeds). 

This is the mantete after it is prepared with the smoked fish. We ate it served over mashed potatoes.  We also tried mantete rolls - which looked a little like sausage and had a bit of hot pili pepper in them. I liked the mantete prepared both ways but not everyone did.

One of the coolest things we saw is Glen's powered parachute thingymabob. He uses it to take vaccines and medications to other villages. This is an important time saver over tromping through the forest, especially since vaccines are temperature sensitive and the climate is so hot here. He also uses it to take all the equipment to show the Jesus film in other villages and do evangelism. We did not get to take a ride because it is in need of some minor repair, but we did get to see Glen take it for a test run.

Before putting the chute away, it must be inspected for grasshoppers because if they get in, they chew holes in the chute.

Glen asked David to take a look at the engine. No matter what the type of aviation device is, an aircraft mechanic is always interested.

Our time in Kikongo was an interesting mix of leisure and ministry. We loved getting to know the Chapmans a little better, spending time with the Pedersons and relaxing a bit. We also know more about some of the people and ministries that we serve as part of the MAF team here in west DRC. It really changes your perspective and renews your vision when you see all this in person and also gives you a much deeper insight as to how to pray for the missionaries, the ministries, and the people. If we ever get to go again, you bet we will.

Having Coffee with the Army Guys

I regularly find legos, knights, army men, bouncy balls, etc in my washing machine. It's part of raising kids, boys in particular. 

I also find miscellaneous "boy stuff" in other places. 

We don't often eat at our dining table because the air conditioner in that room is broken, so approximately 350 days out of the year it is so hot and steamy that no one wants to be in the room, much less sit down to a hot meal and commence eating while sweat drips off your face.

I use the table in the mornings though. Before it gets hot, this is my station for Bible study, bill paying, letter writing, studying, planning, sewing, etc. It's my "desk." 

But this morning as I approached the table/desk, I found this:

Obviously, a boy has been here. 

If you are familiar with the organization/cleaning guru FlyLady, you know that she refers to places that attract (and seemingly multiply) clutter as "hot spots." I fell off the FlyLady wagon eons ago, but I am fully aware that my table IS a hot spot. It is conveniently located, large, and flat, so it will hold a LOT of stuff. Some days it looks like a page out of one of those I Spy books with the hidden objects. I had just cleaned it off yesterday. Now look at it.

I didn't have the heart to move any of it. All of those things are his and they illustrate him so vividly. And I love that in addition to all his little toys and his treasures, he also carries around that pocket Bible. Very cool beans, Daniel, very cool beans. 

One day, all too soon, the last bird will fly from our nest and there won't be any more puzzles, army guys, bubbles, legos, or other gizmos on my table, my floor, or in my washing machine. So today I just sat at the other end of the table with my Bible and my books and smiled while I had coffee with the little green army guys. If only they could talk to me of their adventures on my table with my son. 

Yes, I had just cleaned it off. But look how the space is being used now! Isn't that the whole point? Yes, that table is the first thing folks will see if they come visit and enter my house. Big deal. Maybe they would like to join in the fun or help put the puzzle together. I have plenty of other hot spots I can work on.

Meticulously Planned

I saw this at the grocery store today and thought it was funny. Everybody needs a "meticulously plannd kitchen thing." (spelling theirs)  Don't they?

Even though the package says: "advanced stainless steel," it is rusted already. Hmmmmm. 

For me this was a humorous reminder that I was indeed meticulously planned.  Unlike the makers of this kitchen gadget, though, God does not make mistakes or false claims. He says I am fearfully and wonderfully made, that He knew me before I was in my mother's womb, and that He loves me with an everlasting love. And THAT is somethingeverybody really needs.

"I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

 your works are wonderful: I know that full well." Psalm 139:14

Trusting Truth

I'm a Missouri girl, so I can't think of a better place to be refreshed and renewed than Missouri in spring and early summer. Everything is blooming and the colors are vibrant with newness. Baby birds and animals are everywhere and all around you can see and hear their parents keeping vigil and finding food. Everything smells, well, like spring. It's a balm for the senses and the soul and I loved getting to enjoy the season again.

You would think with all of that newness I would have returned to Congo recharged and ready to go. The reality is that a struggle began in me before I left the states and followed me here. It didn't help that I was sick the last three of my four weeks home. That wears on a person. Missionary life has made me more acutely aware that every moment with a loved one, every walk down a favorite path, every routine activity we so often take for granted could be the last, so you better savor it. 

I didn't want to just savor the moments. I wanted to keep them. Watching my kids interacting with their cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents reminded me of all they miss when we are away. My first-born went off to college at 18 and for two years he was the only one in our immediate family on U.S. soil. When breaks and summers came and other students went home, his "home" was 7,000 miles away and unreachable. He had places he could go stay, but they weren't "home." Now my daughter is in the same predicament. My youngest struggles with isolation and life without electricity most of the time and he can't even get packages from his grandparents. 

I felt like I had cheated my children. 

Feelings cannot alway be trusted, though, and I know that. How I feel can be affected and manipulated by many things but Truth never changes. The truth is that God is our Shepherd and takes care of us as a shepherd cares for his flock.  A shepherd safely leads his flock to where they need to be to find nourishment and rest to grow strong and healthy. He carries the weak ones and the littlest ones because he knows how fragile they are and how hard the path is. God knows the path ahead of my kids and He's got them in his arms. A shepherd leads the mamas in his flock with gentleness. He knows my feelings and doesn't disregard them, but gently beckons me to trust Him. To trust Truth. 

"He tends his flocks like a shepherd: 

he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; 

he gently leads those that have young." 

Isaiah 40:11

Cool Beans In My Luggage!

The other night Daniel and my nephew accidentally spilled popcorn in my open suitcase. Today it is filled with blessings instead of butter.

These are gifts for the orphanage and the Mitendi Women's Center. Some items are still yet to arrive! I have amazing, generous friends and I am grateful to all who donated to make this possible. You know who you are. Dry season is beginning, bringing cooler temperatures, so the blankets and caps will mean a lot to the little ones at the orphanage. The yarn and sewing supplies will help the girls at the Mitendi Center learn to sew and crochet to earn a living. There was even some money donated that will go into the scholarship fund to the Mitendi Women's Center! 

Daniel and I leave for Congo early Friday morning and will arrive late Saturday evening. I am still having problems with my ear infection and residual coughing from the bronchitis so would appreciate prayer for no ear pain and no coughing fits that cause anxiety for my neighbors on the plane, as well as safety and that all of our bags arrive on time, undamaged, and with nothing missing. Can't wait to see David. 

Mother of the Groom

my lovely gift from Kristen's aunt Terry

Here are a few of my favorite photos from Josh's wedding. I know that no one is as interested in the wedding as I am and I have been ill so this post will be short and sweet. The first two photos are mine but the wedding photos are posted with permission and were taken by Andrea Cahill from Distinctive KC.

Rehearsal was fun not just because it was for Josh's wedding, and not just because we got to see Josh and Kristen again and meet Kristen's family, but also because we got to see our pastor, Brother Michael, again. 

Daniel escorting Kristen's sister, Amanda. It was a very emotional moment when I saw both of my boys in tuxedos at the same time. Josh is already taken, but look out world, here comes son number two!

Josh escorting me to my seat. Lots of mixed feelings here but pride and joy were way up there, along with a little bit of sadness and a big dose of "phew, we did it, we raised a boy!" 

I love this one because Josh and Kristen have a strong desire to keep God the center of their marriage and life together.

It was a very joyful day. We are so blessed and happy to add Kristen to our family.