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!