Home Assignment 2016

Home Assignment. Furlough. Deputation. It goes by many names. Whatever you call this time back in your home country after spending multiple months away to raise funds, make new partnerships, catch up with old friends and share about the ways God is moving around the world, I imagine most missionaries will tell you it is loved and not so loved. It is loved because of the time meeting new people. It is loved because we get to share the ways in which we see God moving “over there”. It is loved because we get to see old friends and family. It is loved because we get to enjoy some of our favorite things we may not have access to otherwise. On the other hand, it is not loved because frankly, we live out of a suitcase (and our car) for 2, 3 or even 6 months. It is not loved because we gain weight (if you are a missionary reading this and have a secret, please let us know). It is not loved because we find ourselves in a world of; this is home, but not home scenario.  

Since June, our family has spoken in 5 States and driven over 7,000 miles across many more. We’ve seen vast and different terrain across the United States. We’ve met great new partners with Northeastern and Midwest accents. Do you know what a dooryard is? We learned the correct way to pronounce Nevada (hint: the first “a” is pronounced long, as in dad). Our kids have learned to swim. Macy participated in children’s church camp for the first time. We’ve spent precious time with our families. We’ve shared about our farming initiatives and met many farmers who shared their wealth of experience with great advice. We’ve seen old ministry partners and joined in conversations with others around the world about the future of reaching our cities. We’ve seen friends from college and reconnected like years hadn’t separated our time together. We stayed at a ranch in Texas, run by retired missionaries who served in the DR Congo for 2 separate terms (and despite the already discounted rate for missionaries, refused to let us pay for our time staying in a cabin). We’ve been provided countless meals, gas, offerings, prayers and amazing conversations.

God is great. God is vast. God is everywhere and in everything. We thank Him for his protection, His provision and His people. May we continue to share the ways in which God is moving around us with each other. Through these times, we see what an incredible journey we are on…being His workers in His fields to further His Kingdom.

The Grand Canyon

The kids visiting my Mom at work.

Macy and cousin Lennox at Mid-Atlantic District Family Camp.

Connor and his new group of friends at Mid-Atlantic District Family Camp

Ready for our 4th of July celebration with lots of fireworks

Macy loves swimming

Gavin, Connor and I enjoying a picnic after a long drive in the car

We Are Not The Same

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

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!