February 04, 2006
UPDATE 5
Greetings from Congo,
Today is Saturday, February 04, 2006. Yesterday we went to the market for Diane and Carol to find African fabric and garments. Nick went along to serve anyway he could. The expedition was led by two ladies from Chrisco church, one of which could speak some English.
A third world open market is a place that is very hard for an American to imagine if he has never experienced one. It is a feast for the eyes while, at the same time, a place of adventure and even some danger. The crowds are like the North Carolina state fair but with most people busily going about their business. If you are not careful you might get swept along by the throngs. The market area is a series of small dirt streets with small shops on either side. In addition there are countless street vendors selling everything from various food items (which we must carefully avoid) to articles of clothing or accessories, such as shoes, belts, etc. There are multitudes of fabric shops, which carry African prints of every color in the rainbow. Around the corner you might find a very small shop with dirt floor housing a lady with a sewing machine who is tirelessly producing dresses, which are works of art. Also, there is the multitude of pick pockets and others diligently seeking a moment when some unsuspecting target might get careless. So each one in our group had a job to do. Diane and Carol focused on the shops with their fabrics while our guides and I kept watch as to where we were walking, what we were stepping on or in, and what traffic was coming from either direction. All the while the driver brought up the rear keeping us all together and carrying the purchases.
Last night we learned that the first container has arrived in Matadi. The second one left Spain almost a week ago and is expected at Matadi within two weeks. We will be present when the containers are checked through customs and will take lots of pictures to show when we get back. Everyone wants to see the van we have sent. Of all the things on the containers, that seems to be the item, which attracts the most attention. Please be in prayer for these valuable containers; that all would go smoothly and that they will, in fact, be the blessing to these people that we have intended
The work on Oshwe 53, the building, which is to house the hospital is proceeding well. Very soon it will be ready to receive beds, equipment, and supplies. Quite a few modifications have been done, walls knocked down, some rooms expanded, paint inside and out, etc. The builders are routing a new electrical supply from a main trunk line several blocks away. This will give the hospital more dependable power. Also, a large transformer must be added to reduce part of the power in the facility to 110 volts to operate the US equipment which has been donated.
The work on the new church building at Songololo is also proceeding. Papa has said they wonft use it for church meetings until the interior is finished. This is wisdom as they might be tempted not to finish it if they start using it. The offices for all of Chrisco in Congo are upstairs there and are being fully utilized every day. The only problem remaining is the addition of a booster pump to get the water to the second floor so the bathrooms will operate. Currently they cannot use them.
On the first Sunday of each month all the Chrisco churches in Kinshasa meet at Mongita in an old theater which holds perhaps seven or eight hundred plus what can be crammed in the isles and between the first row and the stage. The purpose for this meeting is to update all the churches on the progress of the hospital and the work on Songolo and to receive the offerings for the continuation of the work.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
This morning we had a wonderful meeting of the combined churches at Mongita. We had an overcast which gave us quite a bit of relief from the heat. Nick preached and was well received. Papa Samuel announced to the crowd that the first container had arrived in Matidi and would be in Kinshasa next week. They were jubilant and just canft believe that this dream is finally becoming a reality. They are so grateful for your prayers and help in getting this hospital started. Many of these people will be receiving medical care for what may be the first time. It is a great day for the Christians here in Congo.
Carol was invited to watch a surgery today performed by the lady who will be the doctor in charge of the new hospital. She is a gynecologist and is operating on a woman with fibroids. They left right after church and have not yet returned. Wefll write more when we get a report.
On Tuesday Carol has a very important meeting with an American based international NGO. Please stand with us in prayer that this meeting will forge a relationship, which will open many doors in Congo. One objective of Carolfs while here is to evaluate whether the Lord would have House of Joy become an international NGO. More on that later.
Andy Williams is due to arrive soon and we are all excited about greeting him. Next Saturday Andy and Nick will go with some UN representatives to see the land, which Chrisco church has obtained. The person who has invited us to go is sister Ndombe, who is an agricultural specialist with the UN as well as a long-term member of Chrisco church. Nick is really glad to get this opportunity and will evaluate the land for the possibility of adding an irrigation system.
Soon after Andy arrives Carol and Papa will travel to Nairobi, Kenya to bring High Faith back to Congo. Diane, Nick and Andy will be speaking at the Africa House of Prayer and will be looked after by Pastor Chota, who has been a wonderful interpreter for the past two and a half weeks. Also, they plan to be on hand a soon as the first container is unloaded. Wefll give a full report.
Many Blessings
Nick, Diane, and Carol