From Our Pastor in the Congo

The following will reveal some of the beautiful heart of our Pastor, Walt Shepard, from the International Protestant Church of Kinshasa (IPCK). He wrote this to me and another friend and I got permission from him to post it here. It describes the situation here in Congo and shares how we should handle ministry here in the midst of a tough world. Enjoy it........Here goes....

I took a two-week break with my wife Val and our 3 children, as the school my kids go to (TASOK) elected to take a two-week break to avoid the difficulties of the run-off election in the DRC, and the subsequent problems with the announcement of the winner. I did not want to miss another Sunday away from the International Protestant Church of Kinshasa, where I am privileged to pastor such a brave and hard-working multi-national congregation. I came back to the Congo on Friday Nov. 24th, and started calling our people and getting up to speed on the state of our church after my time off.

Last week the Supreme Court building had been torched and EurFor troops rescued the Justices. The Court was deliberating inside when the pro-Bemba mob attacked the building. That night while talking with some good friends downtown, a phone call came in from a Congolese friend and we were told that a rumor had hit the streets that the Justices had come out in favor of Bemba, the candidate who was contesting the election. Cheering and celebrations started up based on the false rumor. The next day the country waited as they heard that the announcement of the Justices would be made that evening, but then they delayed the announcement until Tuesday, Nov. 28th. It was understandable, as the assault on the Justices and the Supreme Court did hamper the deliberations. On Sunday morning we worshipped at the Church, and it was a beautiful time of worship as we prayed for the Congo and celebrated the Lord's Supper. The theme was ‘Joy in belonging and being in the family of God’ was accentuated by the desperate condition of the many in Kinshasa who have no real sense of belonging to anything. And the threats of the loyal supporters of one candidate only brought home the urgency of seeing the necessity of belonging to Christ. Imagine being in the service of someone who promised you everything and you wake up to the reality that he would lose the election and all those promises in which you had hoped would be empty! Only the Cross makes sense out of the brutal suffering this country has endured. If we side step the atoning work of Christ on that Cross, we offer some more empty promises to a people hungry for more than today's meal.

Tonight, Monday night, at 6:pm, Kinshasa time, the Justices appeared before the television cameras and took an hour patiently going through nearly thirty different allegations of fraud brought forward by Mr. Bemba and the ArchBishop of the Roman Catholic Church (many are still wondering about that alliance) and declaring after what seemed like 50 pages of report, "No grounds!" At the end of the report the Chief Justice announced that there was no substance to the allegations. Thus President Kabila was declared the President Elect of the DRC.

Now, in my quartier where we live there was definitely some cheering from the populace. But President Kabila is not the Kinshasa hometown favorite. Across the street from me lives a large family that I knew were avid Kabila supporters. So I went over to the house to congratulate them on 'their' victory and their winner. They are Swahili speakers and my Swahili was not that helpful, the French was working barely. While I was congratulating them a firecracker went off, and everyone dove for cover onto the floor. I was standing alone and one little girl saw me standing there and ran as hard as she could and jumped into my open arms. A few awkward moments later while we expressed our nervous appreciation that it was only a firecracker, I was seeing myself in that little girl, happily running and jumping into my Father's arms. I count on that!

It is our prayer that tonight will not be full of violence, but a time for people on both sides to soberly reflect on the fact that this country enjoys the hand of God in blessing upon her. As for the ex-patriots, there is some concern--but no panic. For this ex-patriot my eyes will not be looking to the hills, or the high places where the worship of idols took place, or the soldiers; but to the Lord who made heaven and earth and is able to keep all this under His control and, most important of all to me, to keep me from falling and present me one day without blemish. One thing about living and working here is meeting lots of courageous folks, women as well as men who have been through staggering suffering--and not just survived, but triumphed in the midst of incredible temptation and intimidation. These are my brothers and sisters, and it is one huge (that is Oprah's and my word!) honor to work alongside of them.

My wife Valerie.....Steve's note.....(this is Jim Elliott's daughter...the missionary that gave his life for a people group in South America in the 1950's), who is also my fellow co-worker, is still in South Africa with our three kids (and Grace and Kiki). She will join me on Friday, as we pray for a calming to take effect here in Kinshasa. Pray with us and many other co-workers (missionary’s, relief workers and UN staff, as well as the Congolese family of Christ here) that we will be faithful to God in this exciting time in the nation of Congo's history.

Just Announced...Joseph Kabila Won the 1st Election in 46 Years!

Even as I write...the supporters of Pres. Joseph Kabila are celebrating in the streets as it is OFFICIAL.....Kabila got 59% of the vote and his opponent Mr. Bemba got 41%. When the results were made known as official to the people of the DR Congo, about 7:45pm Congo time, a huge roar was heard from our school as the Kabila camp is literally just a stones throw away. Please pray with many of us that Congo will be safe and grow a strong government that honors God and the Congolese. There are many many challenges ahead....the first is to overcome any residual hurt feelings from Bemba and his supporters....pray that the opponent would embrace peace and that this great country could get back on its feet.

My immediate prayer request is for the next 24 - 48 hours especially!!!! It seems like it will probably be during this time in the next day or two that the opposition would try to disrupt things here. Even as I write....I hear a huge crowd marching down the street next to our compound...singing, shouting (in Lingala), beating sticks, and whistling.....I hear pops like firecrackers going off (which makes me just slightly nervous to be honest), not too much but a little bit.......celebrating I assume....this may carry on for the wholenight. Pray that it wouldn't get out of hand, that it is orderly. Thanks all....we so depend on you guys out there to carry us in prayer. Honestly, I'm really glad that Grace and Kiki (and the others who traveled with us) stayed just a few more days. I really believe that this will settle and all life with get back to work here in just a short time.

Steve is back from South Africa

I arrived yesterday to Kinshasa where, thankfully, it has been quiet. Last week you may have heard that there were a few people who tried to stir up trouble but it was very quickly quelled. I left Grace behind (with Kiki and Katie) and a group of 15 others who felt like it might be wise to hang in SA until the 'official' announcement happens...it was suppose to be announced at 5pm tonight (Monday, Nov 27th)....and fallout that might occur from that announcement. Many here are predicting some will protest and cause trouble but most are saying it should be short-lived. Pray for us as we don't want to see anything happen here, and especially don't want to see anything happen to the innocent folks here in the Congo.

On a much lighter note I wanted to show a picture of one of the many beautiful sunsets we saw from the farm we stayed at....Monte Cristo Ministries let 24 of us Congo refugees stay at their camp. What an awesome time we had together hiking, going to Cape Town, eating good food for not a ton of money. Great meals there cost about the same as the states whereas here in Kinshasa....great meals cost $30 minimum and probably much more! We had a great time and enjoyed a Thanksgiving celebration with 36 folks. It was awesome! We got 2 huge turkeys in Paarl, SA and cooked those babies up! I'll tell you more about SA soon with more pictures!

Please pray especially for Grace as is feeling quite homesick...missing all of you family members, church family members, and friends. She missed her first Thanksgiving EVER from her folks this year and it was really hard on her. We can't wait to get home to see you soon...Grace leaves here Dec 13th and I leave Dec. 23rd. We'll be at LBC on Kiki's birthday...Dec 31st. Can't wait to see ya'll.

Katie and Kiki on the Equator!!!!!!

This picture shows that Kiki and Katie did make it at to the equator...and they are even more south than that right now! They just wanted to show everyone they made it to the center of the earth where the world travels faster. WOW! How many of you out there have stood on the equator? You are awesome like these girls, then!

Loss

After women’s Bible study today at our Congolese church, 17 of us walked down a hot, dusty road to a nearby house where one of our ‘sisters’ is grieving. Yesterday, her 7 month old baby boy passed away. He had malaria (an easily treatable disease). We all squeezed into her 8x10 foot room (similar to the one in the picture here) with concrete floors and walls, crammed with couches and household supplies, and very little air circulation. A few of us shared words of encouragement and then we sang, prayed, sang and prayed again. While we were singing, I watched ants crawling up and down on the couch and tried to make sense of it all. Impossible. Then I looked at the young mom’s face with tears streaming down her cheeks trying her best to sing a song declaring that God gives and takes away, blessed be His name. Death is a part of life here, but it doesn’t mean that mommies hearts break any less. Please pray for the family. Sarah (my partner here in ministry) will spend the night with the family tonight. That is what they do here. Amazing. gc

Safari Time for Kierstin and Katie

These are a few of the animals that Kiki and Katie saw on their safari in Kenya after their teaching English to orphan's in Kenya, and before coming to the Congo. Kierstin's very favorite thing ended up being the flamingo's! She loved them and was amazed at how many there were in one place. She thought they were the most graceful creatures and they were beautiful! The warthogs were her least favorite!

Kierstin and Katie's Work in Kenya....An Orphange School

I have to tell you what Kierstin and Katie did in Kitale, Kenya 'cuz it is so cool. From an earlier blog you may remember that they went to a refugee camp in Tansania. There they watched refugee families function in a very difficult situation and survive. Following that experience they went north to Kenya and these 2 college grads (Cal Poly SLO) gave of themselves at an school full of orphans. Looking at the pictures, you'll find it hard to tell if the chidren are boys or girls. For a month they taught English and Math to 2nd and 3rd graders. Again, the kids fell in love with Katie and Kiki and the girls fell in love with the kids! And saying goodbye was very very hard. Evidence is those BIG 'OLE TEARS on the little girl that Kiki is holding. As a dad, I'm so proud of the girls for giving of themselves and sacrificing so that these children can have some joy in their lives...have someone to love on them. Below are pictures of the girls and their classes. Obviously they had a great influence on the kids and had a great time with them.

Before and After Grace's Arrival to Congo

These are before and after pictures of our living room and dining area in our home. I really thought the place was sharp and well put together before Grace got here. She went to work and you can see the difference! People are always complimenting us on making our place "feel like home". We have enjoyed our place here and do feel we are very blessed to have such a nice place to live.

Trick or Treat....Halloween Night 2006

So......you don't think that they do halloween here in the Congo, huh? BahHumBug! These were our 1st Trick or Treaters of the night (and the last). They are Hannah Lowery as Wendy (in the nightgown), JoJo, a senior at TASOK, as Peter Pan (the green outfit), and Matt Lowery as Coach Cabalka (in my outfit).

Personally.....Matt looks nothing like Coach Cabalka and it really ticked me off that he would even attempt....how can you duplicate perfection????? Oh well, he tried and I'll give him a little credit though he really doesn't have my powerful physique and muscular tone...let alone the good looks....