Sat. November 20

All is well! It's now Saturday afternoon in the Congo. The past two days I feel I have really gotten into the thick of where I believe God has been leading me to for this trip. Yesterday, I preached a sermon in front of a full house of doctors, nurses, patients, and other staff of HEAL. I spoke on Romans 12. The joy that happens when all parts of the body are united. I was relieved when the room abrupted in laughter after one of my jokes!

At the end, I felt the Lord came through and that the message was very well received. I was so thankful for the CPC team here that was incredibly supportive before, during and after. I have since had many Congolese people at the hospital approach and encourage me for what the message meant to them. Praise God for this. (Bwana asi fiwe)

Yesterday, I took some time at HEALing arts. This is a building located at the compounds of the hospital where women who are ill, awaiting surgery, or recovering can sew clothes and make crafts. They sell the goods and earn a profit that they live off. I bought my first African shirt! and a few other knick knacks to bring home.

This morning I preached again at the church. This time it was a smaller crowd (Fri, Sun, and Tuesdays are their big services). I spoke on Mark 5, when Jesus heals a sick girl. The girl tried everything just to touch Jesus' clothes, knowing if she could just do that she would be healed. Jesus tells her that it was her faith that healed her. The message was that the doctors and spiritual counselors offer the tangible touch where healing takes place, but that the healing happens through faith.

After the service, I went around with the chaplain pastor to many of the different wards here at the hospital. There were broken legs, burn victims, those with AIDS. Chelsie translated get well cards written by our 4th and 5th graders at home and also brought a special treat for the kids. After the visit, we sang a song and then I was able to pray out loud in each room. It amazed me the joy everyone had when we sang a song together. And an honor to be able to pray for them.

We are heading to the market now, as the hospital works a half day on Saturdays (other than ER of course).

Pray for:

The kids, we are teaching Sunday school tomorrow
The people I visited today in each ward of the hospital
Team unity
Chelsie has she flies back to her home in Beni, Congo tomorrow

Thanks!

Jambo from Congo!

After a long 30+ hours of traveling we arrived safely in Goma, DR Congo! It was difficult to imagine what things may be like here until arriving. Surprisingly, it seems to fit some of my imaginations despite being far different from Arusha. I am amazed by how a group of nine of us, with very unique and separate skill sets, can all arrive and immediately be plugged right into service. Our nurses have each jumped right into their respective specialties, and our doctors have already performed a number of surgeries. Yesterday, our general surgeon amputated a leg! Our IT specialist has already brought great joy to the hospital with basic accomplishments such as installing two printers. Steve has been busy filming interviews, and This morning Pastor Paul delivered a sermon in French. I have been preparing for two sermons (in English, thankfully) that I will give tomorrow morning (MN time = Thurs. @ 10:30 pm) and Saturday morning.

One of the neatest experiences so far has been reuniting with Chelsie Frank. Chelsie is a friend of mine from the Univ. of Minn. days. She has been on staff with CPC as our 'Congo liaison' for two years and is just starting her third year. She is fluent in Swahili and fully in her element and running in her area of ministry. We spent today, and will continue spending time with the kids here at Heal Africa. With Chelsie able to translate i feel i am able to communicate with the kids much more easily than before. Today the kids at the school within the hospital all received letter written by the 4th and 5th graders at CPC. They were so happy that they wrote back! We also gave them puzzles that were made by kids back home,which they absolutely loved.

Please be in prayer:

Thankful for a safe arrival, a wonderful experience so far, total health for everyone on the team so far, and thankful for a wonderfully warm welcome from the people at Heal.

Asking for continued strength, wisdom among our medical team, and for God's presence during the next two mornings that i will be speaking at the church.

Lots of love,
Andrew