One of our family rituals has become sharing lunch around
the table after the kids come home from school. We share a meal and talk about
our day. Many times the kids talk about school, about friends, about serious or
funny events that have taken place that morning and we love this time in our
day together. About two months ago, I noticed our children would frequently
talk between English and French. When they would tell us about a conversation
or something someone said, they would tell us in French. This change really hit
me…we are not the same. When we arrived in the DR Congo 3 ½ years ago, we were
babies when it came to speaking French and most of our church services were in
Swahili, of which we didn’t know any. Everything was new. Everything was different.
A lot of times we felt uncomfortable. We didn’t understand certain cultural
nuances. We didn’t know anyone. Life was complicated and a big adjustment for
our family. It was hard!
But, 3 ½ years later, we can look back and see how these
things, every frustration; every uncomfortable interaction; every loss of money
to traffic police, and every period of loneliness has made us different people.
Today, we feel comfortable. We understand (mostly) how life flows here. We try
hard to think with a “we” mentality. We have friends. We can think on our feet
and not become as anxious about annoying everyday commodities that should work,
but don’t. We can function well in French. And, we know enough Swahili to make
people laugh when we say words or small phrases (which could be a good thing
and a bad thing).
This month ends our second term in the Democratic Republic
of Congo. We leave for the United States for 2 ½ months before coming back to
DR Congo for another 2 years. We’ve been told and have experienced that it
takes time to enter a new culture, a new ministry, to understand differences
and newness. Language takes even longer. Even now, there are things I know I
will never understand about Congolese culture, even though I try. I could hit
my head on a wall with frustration or try and see if from a Congolese
perspective. These are things we’ve had to learn.
We know we haven’t learned all there is to know. There is
still a long road ahead. But, as we come back in September, the Lord has been
laying on our hearts new ministries and goals. Through our time in the U.S., we
hope to share about God’s faithfulness, about standing firm and being patient,
but mostly about obeying God’s call. This is our desire and this is our prayer.
 |
| Macy playing with friends at a District event |
 |
| Jill teaching one of our English classes |
 |
| Connor at a carnival with his best friends, Agneau and Vasil |
 |
| Gavin leading the South Katanga District Assembly |
