Giving it Back

There is nothing that surpasses the feeling of being called to a specific task by a higher power.  This is especially true for those of us who get to make this calling our life's work.  However, sometimes we have to admit our shortcomings and failures.  We have to be ready to give our calling and our work back to the Lord in order to see it renewed and refreshed.  This has been the case for the work of the Church of the Nazarene in the country of Cameroon.

More than 12 years ago, some contacts were made by Nazarenes moving from another country to Cameroon.  They were members of the COTN and through their witness, deeply impacted the Christian Community they joined upon arriving in the city of Douala.  Soon after, the local church expressed its desire to join the Church of the Nazarene.  Unfortunately, long distances and other difficulties made it so that these connections were lost.

Over six years ago, a Nazarene pastor moved from his fruitful ministry in Western Africa to his home country of Cameroon.  He worked in the western part of the country and evangelized many people who didn't know the name of Christ.  Once again, there were many challenges related to isolation from church leadership, personal issues, and growing political unrest leading to violence in the area.  

Just about six months ago, the Church of the Nazarene sent a missionary family to Yaoundé from Goma, DRC.  In the short time since their arrival, God has used them to lead people to Christ, re-establish old contacts, and meet new people of peace.  Last week, we just received the first members of the Church of the Nazarene in Cameroon.  Eight people from old and new ministry efforts came together to officially join the Church of the Nazarene.  There is so much to be done and we know that we are still at the beginning of this journey of having a sustainable work of the church in Cameroon.  However, we know that none of this could have happened without recognizing our weaknesses and giving our ministry efforts back to the Lord.  

Sometimes on the path to faithfulness, doors are closed.  At some points along the way, it may be necessary to regroup.  The need may even arise to go back to step 1 and give the ministry back to the Lord. This can allow fresh ideas and new collaboration to arise.  Giving our callings back to the Lord may be what is needed to get over a seemingly insurmountable obstacle.  Phillipeans 1: 3-6 reads, "I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Receiving New Members

It is true that Paul was speaking about the work of these believers being saved and transformed into the image of Christ.  But I believe there are valuable implications for our ministry efforts as well.  God, who began this good work, will carry it on to completion.  This reminder takes the burden and pressure off of God's people who understand that our callings, and the people they bring us into relationship with, belong to God.  For those of us working to establish the Church of the Nazarene in Cameroon, it wasn't until we took a step back and committed to allowing the Lord to start our efforts over from scratch, that we were able to have this first fruit.  We will keep working as best we know how, but we will be waiting for God to carry it on to completion. 

Church of the Nazarene in Cameroon (sorry that its not in focus)

A Feeling of Expectation

Hope; a feeling of expectation. 

This is my (Jill) absolute favorite time of year! Because we believe in and follow Jesus Christ, we observe this time of year called Advent. It’s beautiful, hopeful and filled with joy. Our hearts turn towards hopeful expectation. We put ourselves in the shoes of the Israelites, who were awaiting something spectacular in The Messiah. And, while His coming was unconventional, it was just like God. God who uses the unordinary, the unforeseen and unexpected, sent His Son as a baby. 

May God fill our hearts with hope, faith, joy and peace as we seek Him! “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NLT

Merry Christmas (Joyeux Noel) from Chateau d’Eau Church of the Nazarene, in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. 

This Is Brazzaville

The Congo River

Driving through the city of Brazzaville, one will see a number of interesting things. Palm trees, swaying in their tropical setting. Sand blowing across the road or stuck to shoes making their daily commute. Fishermen out in their canoes along the Congo River, throwing down their nets for their daily catch. Young men gathered at highly trafficked corners, selling tissues to wipe beads of sweat from one’s brow or newspapers in French, containing the most current events. Encircling the nearest gas station receiving petrol, there are green taxis lined up in disorganized rows. Tables piled high with fruit and vegetables or freshly butchered meat are seen for sale, blue jumpsuit wearing street cleaners are working hard to make the city look its best, and khaki colored school uniforms worn head to toe by children and youth making their way to school. Cleaned laundry hung out to dry in the bright sun. Embassies, representing many countries from around the world, scattered across the city with their cement block buildings, surrounded by gates with barbed wire. A grand wall hides the Presidential Residence. Young adults in red aprons, piled in truck beds, shouting from megaphones, advertising a local cell phone company. Smiles and handshakes, even a wave from a car, as friends reunite and pass by one another. Sirens blaring, lights flashing and people piled in cars, following a procession for a loved one who has died. Traffic police, hiding in the shade of trees, taking turns directing cars or stopping them to check their documents. True to its name, The Green City, you’ll see shades of green through plants, trees and local crops everywhere you look. But even beyond these sites, you’ll see beautiful people. Congolese men, women, youth and children walking, riding motorcycles, driving cars, sitting in front of shops, all waiting for what the day holds. This is Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. 

Local shops

Street Cleaner working hard to keep the city looking its best

Central African Franc (local currency)

Teenage boys sporting the local uniform, on their way to school

Hibiscus flower - used to make a
delicious local juice

Handing Off the Baton - DR Congo West

This past week, Gavin had the privilege to assist with the handing off of the baton on the DR Congo West District. Rev. Hermenelgilde Matungulu stepped down from his position as District Superintendent (DS) after 15 years of leading the Church in this area of DR Congo. His leadership was a gifted one. He raised up leaders, started new churches and is a great example of a life of service to the Lord and the Church. During this 20^thDistrict Assembly, Rev. Matungulu handed off his DS baton to the newly elected Rev. Dieu Merci Nzola. 

Honoring Rev. Matungulu for his service 

Rev. Matungulu praying over Rev. Nzola and his wife

To Rev. Matungulu, we honor you for your years of service to God and the Church. We pray God’s richest blessings upon you as you continue to follow Him and serve Him. May you continue to share your testimony and lead others into a right relationship with Christ. 

To Rev. Nzola, we congratulate you. May the Lord grant you wisdom, vision and strength as you lead God’s people in DR Congo West District. May the Lord’s face shine upon you as you shepherd multiple pastors, evangelize and take on new responsibilities within the Church. 

To the DR Congo West District, we implore you. As dearly loved brothers and sisters in Christ, may you know the love of Christ and be ready for the future ahead. Be supportive. Do Right. Go and make disciples in the Nations. 

In a country where political elections have almost always turned bloody and where current presidential elections are more than two years past-due, there is always the possibility that hostility can creep into the church.  We are so grateful for the amazing example given by the West Congo District and are hopeful that other districts will follow suit when it comes to leadership transition and empowering the next generation.  

District Centers Becoming Reality

Since arriving in Central Africa, it was clear our districts could benefit from ministry centers. With our eight districts spread across vast distances and no real roads to connect them, we realized that our strategy would have to be a center in every district as opposed to one for the field that everyone came to.  The vision was for these centers to be used for a large meeting space, teaching pastors, gathering together for combined church services (Such as district assembly) and an all-purpose building. There would also be an added bonus of a local church congregation that would be a part of the community where the building was to be located. With eight districts on our Field, and only one with a center, we knew this was a big dream and one that would take prayer, time and partners to put together. 

Over the last 4 years, we’ve been able to purchase land for three district centers, making only two districts where no land or building currently exists.  We’ve also started construction on five centers through alabaster funds, Work and Witness teams, partners and local district fundraising.  These dreams are slowly becoming a reality. 

In August, the South Katanga District in DR Congo held their first celebration service in their new center. Construction started in 2015 with a W&W team from Lovington, NM and while construction is not complete, the building is at a point where it can be used. 

Photo by District Superintendent, Rev. Celestin Chishibanji. District Center DR Congo, South Katanga District

In September, the capitol city of DR Congo was able to use their new center for the first time. Thanks to partners from the United States, this building will be a great blessing to the DR Congo West District. 

Photo by Pastor Dieu Merci Nzola. District Center and Church DR Congo, West District

Photo by Pastor Dieu Merci Nzola. District Center and Church DR Congo, West District

We praise the Lord for all He is doing, for patience in seeing these dreams become reality and for the lives that will walk through these spaces and be changed. Glory be to God!

Life and Other Happenings

Church praying for our kids in Florida

Church welcoming our family in Michigan

A week ago, today, we arrived home in the Republic of Congo.  For the past six and a half weeks, we had been on Home Assignment in the U.S. and it went very well. We were able to share about Central Africa with many churches and individuals, spend time with our families and visit doctors for annual check-ups. Macy has had a heart murmur since she was born, that has always been deemed “innocent”. Our pediatrician recommended an echo-cardiogram, just to check on it since one hadn’t been done since Macy was born. We praise the Lord that although the small murmur still exists, it is something she can live with and won’t hinder her day to day living (especially living in Africa). We’re thankful for old friends we had the chance to catch up with and the new friends we’ll be keeping in touch with from this point on. And, while we’re reminded daily that our kids are just kids, we had some fun learning moments being with people so often. While meeting a family we’d be staying with in their home, the wife states that they have a cat. Connor immediately blurts out, “My mom hates cats.” While at another house, eating hot dogs and ribs for dinner, he says, “I ate hot dogs for lunch today, too, but my Mom told me not to tell you.” Our kids are kids. We’re learning as we go! 

View across Congo River to DR Congo

As we’ve arrived back in our apartment, we’re slowing getting settled in. Our complex has about 16 buildings with 10 apartments in each one. We’re beginning to realize that our lives will be very different in our new downtown home. It is surrounded by a gate with guards and has a small open area where cars cannot drive, so kids can run around and play. Every evening around 5pm, kids gather together in this area. We’ve been so thankful for this community, because already our kids have made friends. Also, we have no yard or green space to continue agricultural experiments as we used to.  Based on the success or failure of our home garden, we have been able to implement new ideas in our district gardening projects.  Here, we may be able to have some potted plants, but won’t really have much of a garden.  Church has even been a new experience for us.  For the most part, the Nazarenes in this capital city worship in French; a totally new experience for us. They start at 8:30am and get out by 10:30am, whereas church in Lubumbashi generally went from 9:30am until long after 1:00pm. This is a welcome difference in a city where the temperatures rise quickly before noon. While traffic police still pull people over and there are still potholes in the roads, traffic appears to flow more smoothly and there is a greater general respect for traffic laws. 

While there are differences in our new city, there are familiarities as well. We are still in Central Africa. People speak French and we’re working with the same District Superintendents and leaders across our Field. People are friendly and hospitable. Our job will more or less remain the same. We’re excited for the days, weeks and months ahead.  

Main road along the Congo River

City view from our apartment

Kids ready to play in the apartment courtyard

Moving Between Congos

Moving and packing up all your earthly belongings can be quite the process. These plates we received at our wedding, that I love, but are too heavy…sell. The books we use for teaching or preaching…pack. This baby toy bought for Connor before he was born; but that he’s too old to play with anymore…try to sell what I think it’s worth in sentimental value, sold for pennies to a new kid. Clothes that are too warm for the tropical climate we’re moving to…give away. It is humbling and freeing and nerve-wracking, all at the same time. It’s a reminder that material things are just that…things.

            Tomorrow begins our process of moving from Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo to Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. Like many things in DR Congo, it’s going to be a bit more difficult. Last week, we started our move by putting 700lbs of our belongings on a cargo plane that went to the capitol city of Kinshasa in DR Congo. Tomorrow, our family flies with the rest of our things (260lbs) in suitcases to Kinshasa, where we will stay for 3 days applying for and obtaining visas to gain entry into the Republic of Congo. Our first set of belongings will meet us at the guesthouse where we are staying. Once we are granted visas to the Republic of Congo, we’ll collect all our tubs and suitcases and cross the Congo River (which resides between the two capitol cities of the Congo’s) by speedboat.   

            Please pray for us as we have a week of moving ahead. Pray for safe travels. Pray for our visas from the Republic of Congo to be granted and returned in good time. Finally, pray for our border crossing across the Congo River by boat, with all of our earthly belongings.

            Let the adventure of moving in Central Africa begin…

Farming for the Win!

Shortly after moving to a home from apartment-living, I discovered that I had a knack for keeping plants alive and keeping my grass green (even in the desert).  I never thought of myself as a farmer, but when we moved to the DRC over five years ago, we were struck by several disturbing factors.

1. Many people lack access to food.
2. Many people are unemployed.
3. Most food is imported.
4. The Church lacked a means for supporting itself.

At this point, we looked around and noticed lots of open space combined with great weather and made the decision to do something about it.  We were met with lots of resistance about starting something with agriculture.  After all, in a dominantly mining area, agriculture seemed an awful lot like "small potatoes."  We settled on buying one banana plant and prepared a place for it in our yard.  The dogs quickly destroyed it and we ended up replacing the plant a few days later; which they also happily destroyed.  The plants were resilient and kept sprouting amidst the constant attacks, so I finally thought to put protective fences around them and they evolved well.  Eighteen months later, the banana plants had given fruit and 36 additional banana plants had sprouted in our yard.  This lot of bananas became our factory of sorts, and we have transplanted their offshoots dozens of times.  Today, we no longer live at that home, but we have shared and replanted hundreds of plants from these first two.  

The small success with banana production in various locations encouraged us to keep going.  Today we have goats, chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs and talapia that we are raising.  We also have planted pineapples; passion fruit vines; sugar cane and orange, guava, avocado, mango, soursop, and pomegranate trees.  We've even expanded to include several other varieties of bananas including red, 3-inch and 20-inch bananas.  In several locations we have grown everything from corn and sweet potatoes to strawberries and raspberries (smuggled into the country in my suitcase of course).

It hasn't all been easy and we have been met with a fair number of challenges.  God has also provided partners from home and abroad to help these projects succeed.  We are learning what works and what doesn't while we are also discovering that communities are transformed by farming projects in their area.  Churches are being planted and meager support given to the church through these efforts.  Please continue to pray for the DRC and for the agricultural projects going on there; that the Lord would give an abundant harvest and transform lives through divine grace.

Check out these photos of what we've been up to over the last year of serious farming initiatives.

Small Vegetables Beside Fish Ponds

Cross-bred Local and Imported Chickens

Rabbits, Not Just For Cuddling

Harvesting the Fish Ponds

First Crop of Pineapples

Transporting Banana Plants

A Different Kind of Year

This has been a different year for our family. Unfortunately, this has resulted in less writing for the blog. From homeschooling Connor and switching our kids to English education from French education to Gavin’s travel schedule to our ministry responsibilities, we’ve found ourselves in a different place. Here’s a bit of what’s been going on.

All the books Connor (and I) have read this year

After doing a lot of research online and talking with friends who homeschool their children, we landed on a curriculum called Sonlight to homeschool Connor in 3^rd grade. It worked great because everything was outlined for me, the teacher, and all the school subjects and materials are provided (including Science projects). Really, it was the best deal for my need for organization and first time homeschooling. Connor has excelled and we are thankful we made the right decision. We’ve taken a journey through early American History, learned about the ways of life for Native Americans and the unfortunate circumstances surrounding their migration through the “New World”. We’ve gotten a small glimpse into astronomy and how early sailors navigated the seas to import and export goods (and how they steered clear of French and British ships they came across at different times due to rivalries and disputes of the time). We’ve been taken back in time to see how early settlers lived, ate, made livings and traveled. Connor and I have really enjoyed our time together. What started out as a bit of a rough start (realizing Connor is an auditory learner instead of a visual learner like me), ended in a successful 3^rd grade year! We have three weeks left and couldn’t be more excited. 

Central Africa Literature/Translation Team

As Gavin’s responsibilities as Field Strategy Coordinator grew, so did his need to travel and visit our leaders and be a part of important trainings and meetings. He has been part of an ordination service, where 21 ministers across our Field were ordained. He’s taken part in meetings concerning missionaries, a theological conference and training for leaders across the field learning the best ways to translate materials for our people and work towards being better disciples. The main languages of translation focus for this year will be Swahili/Congo and Lingala. We are excited for the materials that will come for people to read in their heart language. We’re also excited to see what comes of the discipleship training other leaders went through to take back and share with their districts. Our Field is growing and people are coming to know the Lord, but we want to be intentional about discipleship and coming alongside believers, teaching them and training them to go out and be disciples, also.

Leaders taking a Discipleship Training Course

Our ministry responsibilities have always been spread across our whole Field. Communication with District Superintendents and Field leaders has been vital and proven to be more of what we aim to accomplish. Gavin oversees the work of the Church across 4 countries, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Gabon and Cameroon, but most of our churches lie within the Democratic Republic of Congo. As we look to the future and making Christ-like disciples in the nations, we see the need to move to a capital city more centrally located between these four countries. So, in June our family will move to Brazzaville, Republic of Congo before heading back for Home Assignment. We’ll make a quick settlement and return in August after Home Assignment in the US.

The Lord has been, is and will continue to be with us. We’ve seen His hand move and look forward to all that lies ahead for His Kingdom to advance in Central Africa!

This time, I'm preaching to myself

The future is uncertain.  I am surprised by how often we tend to remind ourselves that we don't know what is going to happen tomorrow.  The best that any of us can do is to read the signs and try to interpret what will come to pass in the days, months, and years to come.  At times, we look around, we read the signs, and the outlook seems pretty bleak.  When reading the signs uncovers the threat of war, injustice, suffering, political insecurity, environmental destruction, etc. we stand together and say, "The future is uncertain."  In this way, I believe that we are expressing our hope; our hope that things may yet turn out ok.

As Christians, I believe that we pronounce these words believing that God will intervene.  Yes, things may look bad, but God is alive and hears us when we call.  Our hearts may ache, but there is a future in which they will be restored in Christ Jesus.  The way seems blocked, but the Spirit is leading through each tomorrow.  As I look around me from my Central African vantage point, it is clear that the future is uncertain.  Our needs are through the roof, stability in the region seems to be hanging by a thread, and we are often isolated in our ministry.  In spite of this, we are not without hope for a future in which the Kingdom of God advances from day to day.  God is moving.  People are being touched, challenged, and changed by the Gospel.

It was in part to this sentiment, felt by his followers, that led Jesus to proclaim,

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit come on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

Jesus was leaving and the disciples had a big job to do.  How would they carry on without their master?  What if nobody believed in their message?  What if they could not produce the signs and wonders that the people were accustomed to seeing in Jesus?  What if they failed?

The past is less uncertain, or not really uncertain at all.  We have proof of God's faithfulness, abondant love, and awesome power.  So, it is in times like these, where I keep thinking about my uncertain future, that I find myself looking to the past.  The Lord has provided and will provide.  The Lord has moved in mighty ways, and will continue to do so.  We have seen the Lord build up a team for ministry and another team will be formed for tomorrow.

Lord, remind us of who you are and reassure us of who you will be.  Let your Kingdom come!

5 Years In Congo

Today is the 5^th Anniversary of arriving in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In honor of our anniversary, I’ve asked the kids a few questions:

What do you like most about Congo?

Macy: I like my school; I like speaking two languages, the singing and dancing in church and the bright, beautiful fabric that women wear.

Connor: I like that I have friends. I like church because of the singing. I like that people can be helpful.

What are some of your favorite memories?

Macy: My favorite memories include learning French, being baptized and making all kinds of new friends.

Connor: My favorite memory is going to school for the first time and meeting my best friend Agneau. I was so nervous, but he helped me so much. We’ve been best friends since then. My other favorite memory is the first time I ate a fish eyeball. It tasted good.

When we are away from Congo, what do you miss most?

Macy: When we go to the United States, I miss the singing and dancing in Congo. I miss not being able to walk barefoot outside. I miss our 4 dogs.

Connor: I miss our dogs and my friends.

What are some of your favorite words in French?

Macy: coquillage (seashell), mouche (fly), beurre (butter) and chou chou (a term of endearment i.e. darling)

Connor: bonjour (hello), je t’aime (I love you) and ami (friend)

What is your favorite Congolese food?

Macy: fish

Connor: fish and chicken

This has been an adventure for our family and we wouldn’t trade any of the joys or trials. As I think about 5 years ago today, stepping off our plane and taking in the sights of our new home, we had no idea what to expect. From our first night sleeping on mattresses on the floor under mosquito nets and relying heavily on our church members here for buying food and learning new customs to learning how to take bucket baths, drive on pot-hole filled muddy roads, dealing with inconsistent electricity and days without water, it’s been a lesson in humility and relying on the Lord and the community around us. Today, we live in a home with solar panels and a generator and have a well that provides unlimited water. We feel spoiled! We’ve watched children grow into teens, youth grow into adults and pastors trained and ordained. It’s where we call home. We love Congo and her people. We love the hospitality and commitment to community and helping your neighbor. We love the singing and dancing and vibrant worship. We’ve come to call our Nazarene church members family. Unfortunately, on the other side of that coin, we do miss being close to our families and the way we celebrate certain holidays in the US. We’ve not enjoyed getting malaria or hassled by police. But, through it all, we’ve been stretched, learned more about God and seen Him move in ways that can only explain His love for His creation.

We pray the Lord continues to use us, mold us and watch over us through the years to come! It’s been an honor and a privilege serving God in Africa! 

Our first Sunday, meeting many new friends!

Our first ice cream cones...that made us all sick. We learned our lesson on street ice cream!

Macy and Macy: In February Macy (left) turns 5. 

So blessed for serve God in Africa these last 5 years!