Last Saturday I went around visiting people in the cité the place where the poor people live in Likasi. We walked and walked even after dark to try to reach as many houses as possible. Finally the church administrator sadi we had to stop for the night but in the morning at 7 we would visit as many more peoepl as we could before church at 9. When i began doing evangelism with the pastor he warned me to not wear sandals but it is so hot here especially when I am walking countless kilometers during the hottest time of the day so I continued to wear sandals knowing from expereince that eventually cracks would develop in my feet causing pain. That day was Saturday. In fact the cracks even began to bleed as we walked all around the area. I persevered but i was far from excited to walk all around the next day. God helped me and after the first kilometer my body adjusted and it wasnt bad. The cracks have finally healed thank God.
The service was great! It is the time of Pentecost so I was able to preach about the Holy Spirit. The peopel loved it so much they begged to me to come back this week but I had to refuse because I have a different church I have to preach at. Everyone is so excited that i am here. I met with our chuchs leader and he was so happy about everything and told me testimonies of hos peopel have been encouraged and affected by my ministry here. When I think about the harvest fields it is easy to forget about how nice it is to have running water and all the other things I now live without.
I went to the Univeristy one day and started talking to the students of theology. I was shocked to find the youngest person in the program in 35. The college has thousands of students almost all are in their 20s so i was shocked. I thought maybe in was a requirement that you have already pastored or something but they told me there were no requirements. They said the young people dont care about Theology. Honestly i can say that has largely been my expereince. The people my age dream about nothign but money and will cheat and steal to get it like so many do here in this corrupt nation. They have so little knowledge about the Kingdom of God because they are apathetic at best about it. The exceptions I have found are so entangled in meaningless legalism they are just as ignorant of God as the others. My heart so desires to reach them before it is too late.
I am in serious countdown mode since I am leaving next Friday for Zambia. I am looking forward to a shower and not washing clothes by hand and speaking English! Being understoodand able to communicate is a wonderful thing. Thanks for your prayers!
15 May 2008
08 May 2008
No Water, No Lights, No Keys - No Problem
Generally the water comes on everyday. It may stay on for 30 minutes but at least there is water. Some times it comes on every other day or at worst skips 2 days. It was out for 5 days. Everyday i prayed and hoped for water but nothing. It made everything more difficult and frustrating. Finally I found a member of the church who had water and we hauled bucket after bucket of water to my place. And the next morning at 6AM water flowed for hours and has been on every day since. All that hard work for nothing.
Pretty much everything about Congos infrastrsucture is horrible. The roads are almost noexistent. The electicity goes out everyday. The questions is when and for how long. There has not been a single day that it has stayed on all day. Last week the electricity was off every morning and that meant no coffee for every morning which was not good for me at all. So I finally bought an African charcoal brazer to cook on. I have started many fires in my life but with 2 major differences. First I always used wood and second I was in the bush where finding good fire starting materials was easy. I finally learned the system of using grass African brooms and wax candles to start the fire. Of course as things usually work many times right after I get the fire going the power comes back on.
Another problem I encounterd was yesterday someone came to take me into town early and being in a hurry I forgot that I had taken the key out of my camera bag and locked myself out. I remember thinking when I moved the key that it was a bad idea but did it anyway. Unfortunately I dont have any idea how to pick a lock and I had been given the lock with only one key so there was no spare. Thankfully I do know how to use a hack saw and that hack saws cut metal quite well so I bought one and in just a few minutes cut through the lock and was in my house again. It was a very foolish mistake which i have now taken many precautions against but I did discover that my door is not at all secure and am in the process of buying a better designed door.
So although the problems continue to come I always learn many things and can live a happy coffee filled life electricity or no electrcity.
Pretty much everything about Congos infrastrsucture is horrible. The roads are almost noexistent. The electicity goes out everyday. The questions is when and for how long. There has not been a single day that it has stayed on all day. Last week the electricity was off every morning and that meant no coffee for every morning which was not good for me at all. So I finally bought an African charcoal brazer to cook on. I have started many fires in my life but with 2 major differences. First I always used wood and second I was in the bush where finding good fire starting materials was easy. I finally learned the system of using grass African brooms and wax candles to start the fire. Of course as things usually work many times right after I get the fire going the power comes back on.
Another problem I encounterd was yesterday someone came to take me into town early and being in a hurry I forgot that I had taken the key out of my camera bag and locked myself out. I remember thinking when I moved the key that it was a bad idea but did it anyway. Unfortunately I dont have any idea how to pick a lock and I had been given the lock with only one key so there was no spare. Thankfully I do know how to use a hack saw and that hack saws cut metal quite well so I bought one and in just a few minutes cut through the lock and was in my house again. It was a very foolish mistake which i have now taken many precautions against but I did discover that my door is not at all secure and am in the process of buying a better designed door.
So although the problems continue to come I always learn many things and can live a happy coffee filled life electricity or no electrcity.
Conference
I have been preaching a lot recently, which I love but it would be nice to have more time to really polish the sermons and look up words in French that could pose dificulties to interpreters who have never been around native English speakers. Th first night I was pretty confussed about the program. The second night was awesome. I keep having people come up to me to say they were touched by it. The confereence was all about the Holy Spirit. I was restricted to a certain degree on what I could say because of doctrinal differences but all of us could tell the Holy Spirit was there that day. I am realizing more and more that in order for people to regain hope all that is necessary is one hot coal in the midst who can with the help of the wind (Holy Spirit) spread hope to everyone around.
The third night was hilarious. I showed up at the church and the pastor explained to me that there was no interpreter. I was slightly disapointed but I just told the pastor that I was looking forward to his message. He looked at me like I was crazy and said I was still preaching. I tried to explain to him that it was a bad idea and I did not want to. I even refussed but he didnt understand me. He was convinced I had to preach. It was frustrating because I had had no warning and couldnt even look up words in French to somewhat prepare. I then went to an elder in the church who can understand my broken speech and tried to explain to him. He just kept saying it had to be me and even challenged me that I had to have faith that the Holy Spirit would help me. So we started by praying and I was very fervrent. I went from thinking it was impossible to being excited to try. When I got up to the front I was thinking wouldnt it be incredible is Swahili tounges hit me and I could preach to the people in tounges especially since we were talking about the Holy Spirit. Maybe my faith was too weak because broken sentences of confussion is all I could do.
The beginning was awful and then a lady in the church encouraged me with the little English she knows by saying just speak. I was reminded of how Jesus wanted to help me and the Holy Spirit helped me. I abandoned the sermon I had prepared and instead picked one of my points and dove in using whatever came to mind. The Holy Spirit really did help me remember words. Mostly though I used actions. I was jumping and flopping on the ground and grabbing people and using whatever I could find as an example of what I was trying to say. At the end I had made 2 clear points and it was simple but everyone got it. I left the church feeling really stupid for how I had acted and the difficulty I had had but the was quickly encouraged by how much the people loved it. Everyone was laughing and no one was bored. They all thought it was amazing and made comments about how I am becoming Congolese. I survive but I have no ententions of ever doing that again!
Thankfully on Sunday I had an interpreter. I was really excited about my sermon for Sunday it was all about how being a good Christian is like being a good football player but I dont know how well it went across. Part of it was harsh so i think that might be why. Plus the interpreter had a lot of trouble with simple things I think he was nervous. I was more thankful than ever to have an interpezter though.
That afternoon I started the sports program for the youth. Unfortunately the 2 youth in our church who speak English were both at a wedding in Lubumbashi so i was without a translator. Also they sent out little chldren to play like 10 and 12 years old. It was not what I expected but it was really great. We found some random people who played with us and everyone loved it. Walking around with the football made lots of people ask about it. A lot of people like to play football but arent organized enough to make teams and set times. I am really excited for next week.
The third night was hilarious. I showed up at the church and the pastor explained to me that there was no interpreter. I was slightly disapointed but I just told the pastor that I was looking forward to his message. He looked at me like I was crazy and said I was still preaching. I tried to explain to him that it was a bad idea and I did not want to. I even refussed but he didnt understand me. He was convinced I had to preach. It was frustrating because I had had no warning and couldnt even look up words in French to somewhat prepare. I then went to an elder in the church who can understand my broken speech and tried to explain to him. He just kept saying it had to be me and even challenged me that I had to have faith that the Holy Spirit would help me. So we started by praying and I was very fervrent. I went from thinking it was impossible to being excited to try. When I got up to the front I was thinking wouldnt it be incredible is Swahili tounges hit me and I could preach to the people in tounges especially since we were talking about the Holy Spirit. Maybe my faith was too weak because broken sentences of confussion is all I could do.
The beginning was awful and then a lady in the church encouraged me with the little English she knows by saying just speak. I was reminded of how Jesus wanted to help me and the Holy Spirit helped me. I abandoned the sermon I had prepared and instead picked one of my points and dove in using whatever came to mind. The Holy Spirit really did help me remember words. Mostly though I used actions. I was jumping and flopping on the ground and grabbing people and using whatever I could find as an example of what I was trying to say. At the end I had made 2 clear points and it was simple but everyone got it. I left the church feeling really stupid for how I had acted and the difficulty I had had but the was quickly encouraged by how much the people loved it. Everyone was laughing and no one was bored. They all thought it was amazing and made comments about how I am becoming Congolese. I survive but I have no ententions of ever doing that again!
Thankfully on Sunday I had an interpreter. I was really excited about my sermon for Sunday it was all about how being a good Christian is like being a good football player but I dont know how well it went across. Part of it was harsh so i think that might be why. Plus the interpreter had a lot of trouble with simple things I think he was nervous. I was more thankful than ever to have an interpezter though.
That afternoon I started the sports program for the youth. Unfortunately the 2 youth in our church who speak English were both at a wedding in Lubumbashi so i was without a translator. Also they sent out little chldren to play like 10 and 12 years old. It was not what I expected but it was really great. We found some random people who played with us and everyone loved it. Walking around with the football made lots of people ask about it. A lot of people like to play football but arent organized enough to make teams and set times. I am really excited for next week.
02 May 2008
Lubumbashi, the Government, and Preaching
I boarded an already overcrowded bus headed to Likasi with Gaston, a young man from our church who speaks English, as we started off a pastor began to preach the word of God and pray for our journey. When we reached the outer part of the city the bus stopped and the pastor got off to walk back into town. Gaston explained that there are many accidents in Congo so the bus drivers asked pastors to pray for their journey. I think it’s a wonderful tradition and so far so good no accidents. We arrived in Lubumbashi and I got to work figuring out how the government works and how to register everything properly in the Congo. Two trips later I still haven’t figured very much out. Every government official gives you a different story and a different price. As far as I can tell there are no fixed prices it’s all a negotiating game with corrupt officials. I can see why nothing was getting done while I was in Zambia. It does seem that with every meeting I have I find another piece to the puzzle. I think given enough time I will be able to figure things out. Thankfully I am connected with a lot of great people here who are helping me learn more. It is looking like I will return as a missionary for the church and then when possible begin to register Noah Ministries. Thankfully the church’s statues are very broad and will enable me to have freedom to do many projects. Plus missionaries are well respected. Because of Congo rich mineral wealth many outsiders have come to take but for hundreds of years missionaries have come to help. At every meeting people come late one man came over 5 hours late. My meetings are continually getting postponed at the last minute. It becomes incredibly frustrating to get things done here but polepole as they say in Swahili things are happening.
I was around English speakers or with a translator for a whole week so I feel like my French and Swahili has regressed. It makes me wonder if I will forget a lot when I return to Zambia. I sure hope not!
I was asked to preach in a church in the cité, the area the poor people live in, I loved it and the people. The pastor is incredible. Then this week I have been preaching a conference on a combination of Pentecost and the Bible. It has been incredible so far! Please be praying for the conference as it continues. Next week I am supposed to be going to another area for a few days to meet the local pastors. Pray it goes well.
Now for some testimonies! First of all in Kapolowe I was bitten by so many mosquitoes I am sure I made all the mosquitoes in the area obese. This is the worst time for malaria too. Every time I was awakened at night from the buzz of mosquitoes I would pray against malaria and it has now been long enough that I know God protected me from malaria. Also a woman I shared a room with got malaria so I know there were malaria mosquitoes in the room but God is good!
I visited a family who was so discouraged. They had dreams of becoming pastors but everything was going wrong and they were ready to give up. I encouraged them and immediately the man asked if he could accompany us as we encouraged others. He expressed that he realized the devil was trying to keep him from reaching his destiny and thanked us over and over again for helping him see that. I thank God for how he is moving. Also we are seeing sick people get healed. Not so much instantaneously but much faster than should be and God is getting all the glory. People are beginning to expect God is healing them which is a big step for a lot of these people. I thank God for how he is moving! I have also noticed that by now it’s like as soon as I enter a house God reveals to me the scripture to share and after I hear the problem it is confirmed to be perfect. It is wonderful to be lead by the Holy Spirit!
I was around English speakers or with a translator for a whole week so I feel like my French and Swahili has regressed. It makes me wonder if I will forget a lot when I return to Zambia. I sure hope not!
I was asked to preach in a church in the cité, the area the poor people live in, I loved it and the people. The pastor is incredible. Then this week I have been preaching a conference on a combination of Pentecost and the Bible. It has been incredible so far! Please be praying for the conference as it continues. Next week I am supposed to be going to another area for a few days to meet the local pastors. Pray it goes well.
Now for some testimonies! First of all in Kapolowe I was bitten by so many mosquitoes I am sure I made all the mosquitoes in the area obese. This is the worst time for malaria too. Every time I was awakened at night from the buzz of mosquitoes I would pray against malaria and it has now been long enough that I know God protected me from malaria. Also a woman I shared a room with got malaria so I know there were malaria mosquitoes in the room but God is good!
I visited a family who was so discouraged. They had dreams of becoming pastors but everything was going wrong and they were ready to give up. I encouraged them and immediately the man asked if he could accompany us as we encouraged others. He expressed that he realized the devil was trying to keep him from reaching his destiny and thanked us over and over again for helping him see that. I thank God for how he is moving. Also we are seeing sick people get healed. Not so much instantaneously but much faster than should be and God is getting all the glory. People are beginning to expect God is healing them which is a big step for a lot of these people. I thank God for how he is moving! I have also noticed that by now it’s like as soon as I enter a house God reveals to me the scripture to share and after I hear the problem it is confirmed to be perfect. It is wonderful to be lead by the Holy Spirit!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)