Living Like a Villager

The more time that I spend in Congolese Villages, the more that I realize village life is not that different from city life, in principle.  Adults go to work or work around the home and children go to school and “play.”  What tends to look quite a bit different is how people pass their time. 

I have yet to see a tv in a village, although I know that several families will share a radio and pass some time listening together when they have working batteries.   Listening to the radio allows villagers to feel connected to the outside world, that is, to life outside their village.  In the city, I have seen many adults run inside when the electricity comes on so that they can watch tv, usually before a big soccer match.

A boy throws rocks at birds, girls dance and sing in background

Children don’t have video games in either the village or city, that I have seen, and yet they still pass the time quite differently.  In the village, passing the time for boys typically revolves around some sort of hunting – and thus – probably cannot be considered time wasting even if their prospects are futile.  Usually, hunting means throwing rocks at or chasing wild animals and in most cases, their efforts only bring them fruit once or twice a year.  Most boys in the cities are working instead of playing.  They run around town trying to do odd, and often unwanted, jobs in hopes of earning cash.  Usually these jobs include things such as shining shoes, selling boiled eggs, sausage, or sodas on the side of the road, working as in prompt to parking attendants, etc. In my experience, they are not gaining much fruit in these practices either, but it does pass the time and teach them about city life. 

For girls in the village, passing time usually revolves around dancing and singing, which probably should not be considered wasting, as it tends to be a source of cultural learning and storytelling for them.  No matter how long I watch what they are up to, I can’t seem to figure it out, although they never seem to miss a step.  In Lubumbashi, most would consider water and electricity to still be scarce, even though it is easier to find than in villages.  Girls then, because of the availability of resources, tend to play less in the city.  They are usually fetching water, washing clothes, preparing meals, etc. and only spend time playing during break times at school. 

In French the word for “villager,” villageois, sound exactly like the phrase, “joyful city,"ville à joie.  Perhaps there is some reasoning behind that similarity.  On the whole, African culture seems to be more laid back and more communal than American culture.  But in village life, these differences are compounded.  Perhaps we all could use a bit of ville à joie in our lives; less time working and more time enjoying life and those in it.  Maybe this is the reason for the Sabbath rest, the 4^th of the 10 commandments.  It seems to me that long before the Sabbath was designated as a day to spend a few hours at church, it was meant to be a day of rest and simple enjoyment of life; a day where we didn’t have to toil and labor, but could trust the Lord to take care of us and to enjoy God’s Creation.  Perhaps the villageois, have figured this out to some extent, or perhaps they have fewer distractions.  Either way, I’d like to experience more of the joy that the Lord has to offer and enjoy more Sabbath in my life.  Who’s with me?

Empowering Women In Africa

Being a woman in the DRC (and other countries in Middle Africa) can be hard. Most families live on around $100 a month. Many women don’t have the opportunity to complete their education because they leave school early in order to help earn money for their family. If they do work, they still have to cook, clean and take care of their families; most of which have at least 8 children.  In parts of the Congo where war has plagued the land, it is the women who have, in many respects, suffered the most.  Even in many churches, women are often not allowed the opportunity to speak or hold leadership.  Indeed, being a woman in the DRC can be hard. 

In the Church of the Nazarene, women are given the opportunity to be pastors. Women are recognized, go through proper education and are given charge over a congregation because the Church of the Nazarene equips all those called by God to serve as pastors. This March the Africa Region is holding it’s first annual Women’s Clergy Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. We would love to give as many women as possible from the Middle Field the opportunity to attend this most important gathering.  Our hope is that these pastors would not only receive encouragement from other women clergy, but would also benefit from further education through learning and discussing important topics that arise as a woman in leadership…in Africa.

Unfortunately, our pastors can’t do this alone. We need your help. Would you join us in prayer and financial support? Most women from our Africa Middle Field will need to raise around $1,000US to attend this conference. Our goal is to send 15 women clergy as representatives from our Field, which we must present by the 31^st of December. The Church of the Nazarene believes that women have a part to play, a voice to be heard, and a place to belong.  As you think about and pray for ways to give over the Christmas season would you consider assisting a woman from the Africa Middle Field to attend the Africa Region Women’s Clergy Conference?

Women's ministry group from DRC

*Contact me at jillfothergill@gmail.com for more information or the best way to donate.

Tips for Riding a Motorcycle in Rural Africa

*Note that these tips are for those riding - not driving - a motorcycle in rural Africa.  Some of these will not be advisable to the driver.

1. Check all sense of manliness at the curb.  Nothing is more humbling to this state of being than men riding two or three deep on a motorcycle.
2. Keep your eyes squinted and breath through your nose. When the nose fills with dust,  breath through your teeth - picking bugs and dirt out of your teeth is better than sucking them down your throat.
3. Pack light.  There is nothing like clamoring to your stuff while trying to grip the driver with your knees to make your life flash before your eyes.
4. Get ready for celebrity status. If you thought walking through a crowded city quartier would bring you attention, then just wait until you come zipping through the village between two men on a motorcycle.  All eyes will be fixed on you and your bewildering presence.
5. Keep a weary eye on the road.  Your driver is most likely taking the path beat into the road by other motos.  This path is not the smoothest, just the one that he will take.  If you can see when the bumps are coming, perhaps you won’t fall off.
6. Beware the passing vehicle.  When the seldom vehicle does pass, close your eyes and mouth.  If possible, hold your breath and wait out the 30 second dust bath.
7. Lean how the driver leans.  It may feel uncomfortable as he is already sitting in your lap, but sitting straight up will only make him wobble - and who needs that?
8. DONT TALK TO THE DRIVER.  This will only cause him to turn his head to the side, taking his eyes off the terrible road for periods of time that you will not be comfortable with.

This has been a public service announcement from the Fothergills; your friendly Nazarene Missionaries to the DRC.

Kasumbalesa

On Sunday we were able to take a small trip to the village of Kasumbalesa, which is located on the border of Zambia and the DRC about an hour and a half from Lubumbashi. We were greeted warmly at the pastor’s house and then took a 2km walk to the church.  This new village was settled several years ago outside of the town and general services such as water, electricity, and roads aren’t yet available there.  It was an easy walk in the morning, but was difficult on the walk back because of the over 100 degree heat and high humidity.  I now know why people always have a piece of cloth to wipe their faces and why men are wearing wet washcloths on their heads. But, that’s a whole different subject.

This church has been built partly with the congregation’s own funds, funds that the district has raised, and just recently the church was able to put a roof on through Alabaster funds (the Church of the Nazarene’s special offering for land and buildings.) Like most churches in the DRC, the service was mostly in Swahili, with some translation into French for our sake. After worship through singing, prayer and hearing the Word, we were able to dedicate this church building to the Lord. The people were so excited for the work the Lord is doing amongst them. They have a soccer ministry and their next goal is to build a soccer field on their church property. There are also plans to plant sweet potatoes and peanuts to help fund their ministry.

Afterwards, we were served a traditional meal of ugali, rice and beans, small pieces of chicken and linga-linga (a spinach-like vegetable). Our kids were especially excited because we got the opportunity to eat using our natural silverware (our hands).   As a true testimony to the roads in the DRC, we were also blessed with the ability to change a flat tire, our second in two weeks, on the way back to Lubumbashi.

We count ourselves fortunate to travel to different Nazarene churches and see what the Lord is doing among His people. 

Kafubu

It never ceases to amaze me how children can still make us feel like celebrities here. Every time we visit a village, the kids are running to the car singing and dancing all along the way. And, the minute you step out of the car every hand is stretched out to greet you with a handshake…some not wanting to let go.

This weekend, we spent Friday morning with our Nazarene church in Kafubu, a small village right outside of Lubumbashi. Last November, with the first rains of the rainy season, the Church building was destroyed. Since then, they have been meeting under a large Mango tree. Despite their setback, this church has remained faithful and continued on as the church, without a building. We were fortunate to see the large piece of property they are using as a farm. They are growing cabbage, corn, tomatoes, zucchini and a few green leaf vegetables eaten by many in Congo. This is great for the village, not only in supplying food for themselves, but also to sell and use as income. This church has also begun a literacy program for women. Many women have not had the opportunity to go to school. In fact, here in Lubumbashi, school is not free. You must pay to attend school. The ladies in the church were very excited to show what they had been learning. Using the chalkboard, each woman took a turn writing a new word she had learned to write, as well as her name. It’s beautiful to see their confidence and excitement. We were finally privileged to help with the feeding program they have for kids. Gavin, Crystal (an American visitor who has been ministering in South Africa, but came to see what ministries she could be a part of in Lubumbashi) and I filled up bowls with fufu, fish and linga, linga (a green leaf vegetable).

God is so good! They have begun to build a new church, with their own means and hope to begin building a school soon; giving every child the opportunity to be educated. Bonne Samaritan Church of the Nazarene, in Kafubu is carrying out the mission of the church. 

“You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you. And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect purity. The peace that Christ gives is to guide you in the decisions you make; for it is to this peace that God has called you together in the one body. And be thankful. Christ’s message in all its richness must live in your hearts. Teach and instruct each other with all wisdom. Sing psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing to God with thanksgiving in your hearts. Everything you do or say, then, should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks through him to God the Father.”

Colossians 3:12-17

Being Stared At...

No matter how long we live here, I'm not sure that I (Gavin) will ever get used to how much we get stared at.  Whether I am walking through a neighborhood, driving through town, or just shopping, I (we) will usually command a lot of attention. There is almost a pause, like a hush falling over an unruly crowd, as people stop what they're doing and focus their attention upon us.  Besides the many pairs of eyes that are usually fixed upon me, I normally hear a variety of interesting things.  On any given day, I will hear most of the following:

• "Mazungu!" meaning "white person"
• "Petit" meaning "little one"
• "Chinois, hee-haw" meaning "Chinese," and I think they think hee-haw is "hello" in some language
• "Père blanc" meaning "white father"
• "Way" or "Way-way" meaning "YOU"
• Kissing sounds….oh, the constant kissing sounds…from men

It's not all bad to receive constant attention, just as it is not all good to constantly go unnoticed.  However, we are learning how to get used to life in a fishbowl.  For the most part, these things remind us that we are different, and that we need to look at the world with fresh perspective.  For instance, one of the most amazing parts about being a missionary is getting to share life with people who are so vasty different from you.  There is something special about learning to live and interact with those around you in new and exciting ways.  As a family, we often talk about how the Lord is using these experiences to deepen our faith and stretch the ways in which we see others and the world.  In John chapter 13:33-36, Jesus gives his disciples "a new command."  He says:

"A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Jesus tells his followers the true mark of their new identity.  It seems a bit significant that our Lord basically gives them this command three times in a row, almost to be sure that it sinks in.  If we are to follow this command, then it applies even to those who are so different and strange to us that its hard to love them.  I hope that we are being faithful to Jesus' "new command" even when it is all weird or totally backwards to us.  I know that our brothers and sisters in Christ are trying their hardest to love us even though we are weird and backwards in their eyes.  We are reminded of our "differentness" every time we visit a church or walk through a neighborhood, but we can't forget our call to love in the midst of our disorientation.

After all, no matter how different we look, sound, or act from those around us, we know that all these things are mute in reference to what we have in common.  Namely, new life in Christ such as what the apostle Paul speaks about in the 3rd chapter of Colossians, culminating in his statement "There is no Jew or Greek..."  For the Christian Church during this time, these were radical words.  There could be no greater difference between these people, and yet Christ has made them one, just as we are one Christian Body today.  

Sharing The Journey!

One of the amazing things about the Church of the Nazarene, along with a great list of others, is that missionaries across the world are truly supported and cared for. One of those ways is through L.I.N.K.S. Every missionary is paired with a district, and then within that district a few churches, that focuses on encouraging them through prayer, sending thoughtful correspondence through emails and sometimes we even receive small gifts in the mail. Churches are able to connect with what God is doing in that area of the world through the missionaries. It’s a beautiful reminder that missions involves everyone. 

Yesterday, we had the great opportunity to connect with one of our L.I.N.K.S churches, in San Angelo, TX via Skype. It was an amazing time of sharing what God is doing in the DRC with their Sunday morning congregation. We praise the Lord that we had electricity the entire time and our connection was one of the best we’ve experienced since being here. What a fun and special time!

We want to thank the San Angelo First Church of the Nazarene for meeting with us during your Sunday morning worship! We give God all the glory and all the praise for what He is accomplishing across the world.