Back to Africa - the first weekend

We are back in Africa and thankful all the gifts and books made it from California to Congo. I couldn't find the luggage claim tags so there was a bit of drama at the airport, but in God's providence I had taken a picture of them with me before we left, which we were able to use as proof they were ours, praise God.

We arrived at the orphanage Friday afternoon and were blessed with their wonderful hospitality, delicious Congolese food, and a great guest house. That evening we joined their Kitumaini orphanage family worship time with the children where they were enthralled by the children's Bible story that goes from the garden to the cross and presents biblical theology with beautiful illustrations. They don't have children's resources for teaching here and were captivated by it and curious to witness a white man able to read French so well (not me:)

Saturday morning we met with the core group of men at Didier's 5 church plants, who along with their wives will attend the Bible teaching conference. Some are elders/pastors and leaders in training and others are deacons or men working for the church building, and some involved in ministering to women and children and youth. They are all so sweet and so serious about the Lord and eager for next week and it was special to hear them sing as the Africans do.

Then we went to visit the clinic run by the mission, which is on the far part of town, so we had to drive through the poorest and roughest area of the city. The desperation and darkness was evident but the love of Christ on display through this Christian clinic outreach was also very clearly seen. The doctor and delivery room are pictured below and the clinic also helps with the most common health conditions and employs some of the faithful young adults from Didier's orphanage who have aged out of the orphan system.

We also visited the hospital and nursing school where some of the older orphans have attended to help provide themselves a possible future. Lastly we visited the Christian school where Didier's children and the orphans attend. The principal will attend the conference next week and generously provided a significant sum for us to be able to rent a place to do the conference. It's a great school from what we can tell where "Jesus is Lord" (as the sign says in French).

If you are reading this by Saturday evening California time, please pray for myself and Tyler as we preach in 2 different churches tomorrow, and pray Christ's people will be built up and encouraged. The below picture is us with Didier and his wife Annie, their daughter Annita on the far left, and Patience (Ahmed) who will be the interpreter for Tyler. Merci beaucoup