Some Beauty in Kinshasa, DR Congo

Here are some pictures of the beauty of the Congo. I haven't any clue what any of these flowers are named....but they are really amazing in color. The top center flower is a flower growing from a tree...the right and left top are huge roots from a tree in one of the yards here at TASOK. The lower pictures of the flowers grow all around the grounds here at the school. The Congo is really special in its ability to grow pretty much everything (except grapes!), they say that here in the Congo...all you need to do is take a plant and put it into the ground and it will grow, but here in Kinshasa....all you have to do is take any plant and lay it on the ground and it will grow. Apparently, when the rainy season comes, it turns absolutely beautiful and lush...green everywhere and everyone I have talked to says it becomes an absolute feast for your eyes!

Stunning Congo Sunset

I think this is an amazing picture of a typical sunset here in the Congo. I have never seen the sun so ORANGE and BIG as I have here...nearly daily I've looked at the sunset and shaken my head and tell myself "it's true Steve, you really are here". It still hasn't really sunk in that this is where we are living...seems like we're suppose to go home soon and resume our Bakersfield living...but that's not the truth! We miss you all so much....Sun, Fun, Stay, Play! Well, mostly sun and stay! If you all come we'll do the fun and play thing!!

Scenes From the Congo

This is Grace's boss and his beautiful family...his wife Sarah, and children Jimmie, Miriam, and the smallest boy is David! Deo is in the States ministering to people on the East Coast and will return this week.


Here I am at the TASOK picnic, in charge of course! How does that happen? It was fun to see all the international families together. We wanted to eat at the Indian families table, they were having a feast! We enjoyed samosa, kind of like an indian version of a taco.

Last night, we were up at midnight mopping our floor due to a flood. We were without water for a day or so and accidentally left a faucet open in the sink. Not too fun. Plus, Grace discovered it and wiped out on her way to turn it off. She fell and hit her head on our tile floor. She's okay, just very sore.

Here is Jonathan and Marti and their son. They are from Canada and have been here for almost 3 years. We have enjoyed getting to know them. They are here with MCC (Mennonite Central Committee). They have a store where local artisans sell their craft. Sadly for us, they will be moving to Kenya to start the same type of project at the beginning of 07.

2 weeks, but who's counting???

I've been here two full weeks now, not counting travel time. Things are becoming more familiar. Driving around is less scary, and I'm actually remembering names of people I've met. It's very strange to not know anyone, and to not be known by anyone. This is a first for me! I have to admit, I've had waves of homesickness. I know we are where we are supposed to be tho. Political tension is a new thing for us as well. The rumors are flying, but we are at peace. It's nice to be surrounded by people who have been here many times before. Hopefully it's all a rumor and things will go smoothly. I guess this is to be expected in a country that has not had a democratic presidential election in thirty something years.
Kiki went monkey hunting today in Kenya. She said it was a blast. We will post some of her pictures when she gets here to Kinshasa. She fed them bananas and mangos. We too are enjoying the mangos! They are all around us. Papayas too.
I've decided I will give a BIG prize to the first visitor to come here from the states. So...you'd better hurry!
gjc

Sunday morning in Kinshasa

just had to start with Milo Ross...
just wish he was here!

Steve is going to try and sneak some photos in this week, so we will try and post some pics from our hood soon.
We go to the International Protestant Church of Kinshasa. Pastor Walt Shepard is our pastor. We love it so far. Much simpler than what we are used to, but very sincere and it truly is a lifeline for us. We miss LBC tho! Here are a few pics from our time this morning...

Pastor Walt

the International Protestant Church of Kinshasa (IPCK)

Grace Finally Got Here In The Congo!

Grace finally got here after a 5 day trip from California. She had an extension added to her trip in Nairobi for 2 days because she missed the plane due to traffic problems going to the airport after a great nights sleep with ICM staff members the Mairori's. But she finally made it and I (Steve) am so happy that we are finally back together!!

Now, getting her luggage was a whole other adventure. We thought we would get it right off the bat on Saturday but the company that the school pays to receive and bring the luggage to the school failed to get it. We ultimately needed to go back to the airport on Monday (about an hour's drive away through the entire city) and show them Grace's passport to claim the luggage. We first 'found' several pieces of the luggage in the customs area where customs agents opened up every box and went thru all of our things. After going thru it all they told us we needed to pay $200 to receive the pieces! We said no we can't do that and basically had a 'stare down' until one of the agents asked us for a computer router that we had in one of the boxes. We said sorry but we can't give that up because we need it to help us communicate to our loved ones...so FINALLY they let us get out of there...with very little dignity and our stuff. Grace still needed to claim some more baggage which was at the Kenyan Airlines baggage claim department. That was no easy feat either... But all in all...about 5 hours later we were home with our luggage.

Now that she is here, life feels way more normal. We have really enjoyed setting up the little apartment that we are in...Grace has transformed it into a homey feel and the food situation is lots better for Steve! I was subsiding on PB&J for the month and I have come to appreciate the finer eats that Grace has put together.

We are excited about the next few weeks in that we both feel we'll really get a much better picture of what God has in store for us to do thru ICM, our church fellowship (The International Church of Kinshasa), and TASOK (Steve's school). God is already really working in us...refining our view of Him, who we are in Him, and what He needs to do in us to get us to a place of humble servanthood for His sake.

We would ask you to pray for us in earnest these next few weeks.....that we would really see where God wants us to put our energy and efforts. Thanks faithful friends! We know we couldn't begin to do this without your love and support!

PS...this is a 1st! I finally got the school to take off the list of 'guarded web sites' BLOGGER.com so that we could update our blog and inform you all of our what's ups (is that a legal phrase???). so check regularly for more updates...thanks!

Our Home This Year.....We Love It!!!!

This is a picture of our apartment on the TASOK campus. It has a very spacious living room, a dining area, an efficient bathroom, our bedroom and a small kitchen. Plus a really cool porch that should be really fun to sit in during the torrential rains that we have been promised are coming. The rainfall is 56" on average.....Can't wait!

Grrace in Nairobi...still

Hello! It's Friday afternoon and I was supposed to get to Kinshasa Thursday am. Well, I missed my flight and the next one doesn't go til Saturday, so I am staying at the Mairori's home. It has been nice to be here, but I am anxious to get to Steve in Kinshasa. Steve was given a Congolese name last Saturday when ICM men met with him and prayed for him. His new name is ESENGO and it means "man of joy." Seems appropriate.
I took my first 'matatu' ride to the store today with Roslyn. It was a great experience. Kiki is in Tanzania by now, probably in a refugee camp. So, please pray for her and her friend Katie. I am sure they are seeing things they have never seen and there will be hardships to witness beyond words for them.
I read in Proverbs 16 yesterday before leaving for the airport that we make plans in our hearts, but it is the Lord who directs our steps. Those words were (and are) very applicable today.
Hopefully, the next time we write, it will be from Kinshasa. Steve has had trouble logging onto this, but we hope to figure it out. Thanks for reading this and for your prayers. gc