This week in Kinshasa

My first women's Bible study in the Congo!

Kiki, Katie and I have had a great week. The girls have been teaching ESL at the ICM facility, and also at the church that Deo is helping to start. The Congolese people have fallen in love with them! On Wednesday we had a meeting with women from the remote neighborhood that the church is in. I had the privilege of telling them the account of Jesus' birth, life and death and how much He loves them. For some, it was the first time they have heard or understood what Jesus' life was really all about. Not legalism, not rules, but love and grace. Here is a picture of the women that were there that morning. Some women from LBC in the U.S. are helping to buy them Bibles that I hope to give them this week.

Friday at the home of Lucress and Yambayamba

On Friday, we spent the day at Lucress' home (Lucress is on my WM team). She has eight children. There are at least 10 living in her home (maybe 300 sq.ft). She and her husband, Yambayamba, are gracious people. Yambayamba also works with ICM. We had a great day with them.

Sarah and I in Lucress' home. We had a sweet lunch with them.

This is their youngest child, his name is Isaiah
We have all been given Congolese names now. Steve is Papa Esengo (man of joy),
Grace is Mama Myombe (woman who prays),
Kierstin is Bilongo (love)
and Katie is Kimia (peace).
They wait until they have observed you for a while before they give you a name. They actually now call us by these names. We are honored to have them.