Vision 2020

Vision 2020 has caught on in the DRC South Katanga district. The Church of the Nazarene cast Vision 2020 as a global outreach initiative. The hope and prayer is that by 2020 there will be:

3.5 million members, 2.5 million people in discipleship groups and worship attendance and 50,000 churches.

We could look at this and say it’s all about numbers. But, it’s more than numbers; it’s people. Each member represents a life that belongs to Christ. Each person in a discipleship group represents teaching and responsibility that comes with being a follower of Jesus Christ. And, each church represents the living and breathing body of Christ.

The DRC South Katanga district, made up of churches in Lubumbashi (where we live) and surrounding cities, has decided to make Christlike disciples in their nation. New churches are being formed in new communities and villages; people are coming to know of the saving grace that is real and true in a life given to Jesus Christ.

On Saturday, 5 churches in Lubumbashi gathered together as 71 people were baptized! God is moving, people are responding to His call and lives are being changed. Praise be to God!

Guest post by Macy

One day as I was writing a blog, Macy curiously asked what I was doing. As I explained what a blog is and what we write about, Macy asked if she could write one. I happily obliged. So, here you have thoughts about life from our eight year old daughter. 

Coucou. This is Macy. In French, this is a common greeting that friends say to each other.

I want to tell you what life is like for me in the Congo. I take horse-riding lessons. I go to a French school and learn science, math, French vocabulary, how to write in cursive (which is different than the way my mom and dad learned it), grammar and French history (which is my favorite subject). We also get to watch a movie about the world.

I have four dogs and their names are: Nala, Samson, Bowser and Jupiter. We have four dogs because we want to be well protected and also to give them a good home.

In Congo, if someone wants to sell bananas, cucumbers, tomatoes or carrots, they carry them in a bucket that is put on top of their head. Do you know how they keep the bucket on their head? I do. They put a little cloth under the bucket before they put the bucket on.  Which, I think is the answer.

My best friends at school are Mélanie, Maéva, Jessica and Ève. We play robbers and police; freeze tag and a ninja game at our recess. We don’t have playgrounds at school, so we have to make up our own games. Every Wednesday, I have personal aide for vocabulary and grammar. My teacher’s name is Patricia and she is very kind. The first day I went to school for Kindergarten, I was a little nervous because I didn’t know that much French. But, now, I’m in 3^rd grade and understand almost everything in French (except for a few words).

We live in Congo because we want to teach more people about God. We do this by teaching stories from the Bible, like how Jesus’ parents were Mary and Joseph. We talk about how Jesus died on the cross for our sins. On Easter, He rose from the dead. Jesus sacrificed for all of us, not just one or two people…so, that’s why we want to share about God’s love and what he did for us.

I like life here, I really do. If you ever want to come and visit, you are sure welcome. But, only one at a time, because we only have one guest room. J

One last thing, I want to teach you how to say something in French. Moi, j’aime Jésus (Me, I love Jesus).

À toute a l’heure mes amis (See you soon my friends)! 

What's In A Name?

For the Congolese, naming your child is important. It is an honor and a privilege to name your child after a guest or visitor, a prominent family member, a mentor or someone from the Bible. In the DRC, there are now two Jillian Elizabeth’s, one Gavin Fothergill and one Macy Paige.

Our family has become close with the pastors across the DRC, but especially those in Lubumbashi because that is where we live. Rev. Aimé, who lives in the village of Kafubu, right outside of Lubumbashi, informed us in March that his wife was going to have a baby. He further explained that if she gave birth to a boy they wanted to him after Gavin’s father, Don, who passed away last November. Not knowing what the gender of their child would be, they didn’t make any promises, but wanted to let us know this was their desire.

On April 19, we were more than thrilled when we heard that Rev. Aimé and his wife gave birth to healthy baby boy, named Don Fothergill Nawej. Today was the first day we were able to visit the family. This sweet and humble family that is a true servant in their community thought enough of our family and Gavin’s dad, Don, who visited back in February of 2014, to honor us in a priceless way.

April 19, 2016 will now be remembered as a very special day to our family and easily remembered. Gavin’s dad, Don was born May 19, 1938 and passed away November 19, 2015.

Mother's Day Quiz

In honor of Mother's Day, I asked the kids some questions regarding me and Moms in general. Some answers I'm still questioning, and others made my heart happy to hear. It was fun doing this with the kids. Connor is 6 years old and Macy is 8 years old. Love these two amazing gifts from God! Enjoy!

What is a mom?

Connor: It’s someone that takes care of you and feeds you and someone that protects you and loves you. And, someone that is nice and sings you songs before bed.

Macy: A Mom is someone who loves you, who cares for you and who no matter how many times you mess up she tries to help you.

What does a mom do?

Connor: A Mom works, a mom is pregnant and Mom’s pick up their kids from school. Mom’s are in charge.

Macy: A mom always makes sure that their children get extra hugs and kisses each and every day.

What is something that Mom’s always say?

Connor: I love you!

Macy: I love you!

What makes your Mom happy?

Connor: Not fighting with Macy.

Macy: When I tell her jokes or color really nice pictures.

What makes your Mom sad?

Connor: When I fight with Macy.

Macy: When I get in trouble.

If your Mom became famous, what would it be for?

Connor: For being on stage.

Macy: For being a famous baker and making soups.

How old is your Mom?

Connor: 33

Macy: 33

What does your Mom do when you aren’t around?

Connor: Work

Macy: Work on her computer and do laundry.

What is your Mom’s job?

Connor:  Cleans stuff, works on her computer, picks up dog poop

Macy: Writing messages to people around the world

How are you the same as your Mom?

Connor: That she always has a secret to tell me, but I know it. It’s always that she is going to tell me, “I love you.” And, I do the same to her.

Macy: We think alike.

How are you different?

Connor: We aren’t the same age.

Macy: We have different colored hair and skin color. You also wear glasses and I don’t.

How do you know your Mom loves you?

Connor: Because she always tell me.  

Macy: Cause she tells me everyday.

What is the most important thing your Mom has taught you?

Connor: If someone robs me, I have to scream and she will hear me and save me.  But, if the robber gets me before she hears me scream, I can bite him or kick him or I can lick him. Or, I’ll just call my dogs.

Macy: That I am loved by God.