Kinshasa is beginning to feel like home! It has only been 2 weeks, but seems like
more. A volunteer team from Gainsville,
FL arrived in Kinshasa 6 hours after we did, so our first week included a
whirlwind orientation to the city, including visits to
- The Protestant University of Congo (UPC)
- The University of Kinshasa
- The Missions and Leadership Equipping Center (CEMILER)
- A ministry to gangs and center for street children
- Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital
- The offices of the Eglise du Christ au Congo (ECC), an umbrella organization for all Protestant churches here
- Several churches
Each of these visits led to invitations to strengthen and
support the excellent work already being done here. As you read through this post, will you
please pray for these important subjects even as you read?
- Pray for us to know which opportunities to engage and which ones to decline
{view from our balcony}
Our transition to Congo was made easy by our teammates, Jeff
and Barbara Singerman, who had our apartment move-in ready when we landed. This past week we were able to further set up
our home and begin exploring our neighborhood.
Within walking distance are several grocery stores, restaurants, banks
and department stores. Kathy has found a seamstress and hairdresser. Jay has found electronics and hardware
stores. Gorgeous avocados, bananas,
guavas and passion fruit are sold on the street. Kathy has reconnected with a good friend from
Ouagadougou, Lieve Lugunda, who is now living in Kinshasa and offered to take
her to the outdoor Central Market. It is
only a few blocks from our house, bustling and overwhelming. If something can be found in Kinshasa, it
will be there!
- Thank God with us for a good start in Kinshasa
- Thank God with us for Jeff and Barbara and the Lugunda family
High on our priority list is language study. This week we have begun classes in Lingala,
one of the official languages of DRC and the main language spoken in
Kinshasa. We will devote over 50% of our
time to learning Lingala over the next 6 months, in class and on the street. The beginnings of language study include
walking around and saying things to people like “Hello, how are you? I am learning Lingala. I can’t say much. This is all I can say. I am leaving now.” Our goal is to use new phrases and vocabulary
with 10 people each day. We have been
told that it is an easy language to learn, but at our age we’re expecting the
path to fluency to be paved with hard work, frustrating moments, and a few
tears.
- Pray for us to learn Lingala quickly and to practice everything we learn everywhere we go
In just a few days the Christian church around the world
will be celebrating its most important holiday:
Easter. Many people will attend
church this Sunday who don’t usually attend church.
- Pray for pastors to clearly communicate the message of forgiveness and freedom in Christ
- Pray for people to accept Christ's leadership in their lives
We love you and appreciate your partnership with us in this
adventure!
{a new pastor friend and family}
{teaching school girls}
