Home

We made it home late last night with half our luggage and the other half is supposed to arrive today. Thank you for all your prayers and support during our trip. Keep the Congo in your prayers still, as well as the rest of Africa.

Almost Home

Well, we've made it to Alanta, but are having some weather delays here. But it is good to be back in the States!

Leaving Congo

We dropped our bags off at SN Brussels this morning and leave for the airport in an hour. We were able to finish all the jobs that they had for us and a few more. We should be home by Friday dinner time. We leave a bit sad, but also happy to be going home. See you all soon!

Big job for the day

Here is the plumbing we got done today, and how you work withhout power

Well, we really have one more day here. SN Brussels decided to cancel the flight out today, so we are leaving tomorrow (we hope!) This gives us the time to finish up a couple of more jobs that we didn't think we would get to. Stay tuned to see when we really make it back to the States

Last Day

We put in a hard morning of work chipping and prepping for new plumbing in one of the suites being remodeled. This afternoon it was off souvenir shopping. The old Mennonite Hostel is now an art store and it has been completely redone. I did not even recognize the old volleyball courts as they have been converted into a picnic area. We went to a couple of other local artist stores and found what we were looking for, as as the weather was very threatening, we decided to skip the old Ivory Market. We took our host out for dinner tonight at a Chinese restaurant. It was very good. Tomorrow morning we are off to SN Brussels to drop our bags of and then we wait for our flight out tomorrow night. We will be back home by Thursday night. Thanks for all the prayers and support and we are looking forward to sharing our trip and our hopes for Congo with everyone.

Monday Work

Today we spent most of the time downtown trying to find parts so we can finish up a couple of projects before we leave. We were able to find a battery ($170.00) and a trickle charger ($120.00) so you can see things are very expensive over here, and it takes most of the day to find exactly what you are looking for. We got the lights finished off the best we can, and after dinner tonight, we will install the new gas stove. We have Haricout Congolese for lunch with Fu Fu, and tonight we are headed off to an old friends house who lives in town for dinner. It is hard to believe that our time in Congo is almost over. We have really been enoying ourselves, a bit frustrated at times with the way things are just so hard to do and make happen, and very humbled by how well we really have it in the States. Power and water, things we take for granted, come and go at a whim here, and everything takes time, a long time. Tomorrow we will finish what we can, then we are off the the old ivory market, and to a couple other gift "stores" or markets before we pack up.

Church at IPCK

This morning we went to the International Protestant Church of Kinshasa and the out for lunch at a Chwarma resturant on 30 Juin.

Back from Youth Retreat

We are back from the youth retreat at Bombo-Lumene. There were about 30 kids and 11 adults. Tim Moore, a good friend from when I lived here, was the guest speaker. The Spirit moved deeply while we were there. The kids loved the smores makings and the treat bags made by theVBUMC youth group. It was a wonderful time of renewing old friendships, make new ones, and making more wonderful Congo memories. We swam in the river and hiked on the grasslands of the plateau past N'Sele. Pictures will have to wait until I return, unless I can get to a real computer instead of my phone.

Wednesday afternoon work

We installed 12vdc lighting in the kitchen yesterday afternoon and now just need to get the battery and the trickle charger. We had a prayer meeting for the youth retreat at TASOK after dinner and we leave this morning on the retreat. There will be no new posts until Saturday afternoon.

Wednesday morning work

Clay and I finshed the water filter we started last night. We had to go back to Kintambo for more parts, but our new friends at the plumbing store were happy to see us. On the way back we stopped and got some fried dough balls that the ladies deep fry over a small charcoal fire right there. They are very much like doughnut holes and very good. The kids on the way to Kintambo are getting to know our names and they get a hoot out of seeing us every morning.

Work this afternoon

This afternoon we went back into town to pick up the wire we had ordered this morning but it was not available, so we had to go to plan B. We got what we needed and headed home. On the way back we bought 2 avacados for 200CF or 40 cents for dinner.

Work this morning

Sam has been working on some grass mats while Clay and I walked to Kintambo to by parts for our plumbing and electrical work The congolese are wonderful people as they help us after I murder my converstations in French. It really helps when I tell them I was a child here 28 years ago. Their faces light up and they really help. Of course, walking down the street, the kids are all yelling "Mundele, Mundele" (white person)

Out shopping

Here is a picture of a store we went out shopping

Working

Today we put hasps on close doors in each room, planned out installing some 12vdc lighting, and installing a new gas stove.

Swimming at TASOK

After working today we went up to TASOK swimming. There was a Congloese orphanage going swimming also.

Luggage arrived

Ourluggage was in town today when we went to SN Brussels to file claim. Praise te Lord!

MPH

Here are some photos of where we are staying, and a picture of Sam's new friend.

FW: Happy Easter

Happy Easter to all! We had a wonderful sunrise service at Sims Chapel. Today we are going to get our work assignments. Pictures to follow tonight!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to all! We had a wonderful sunrise service at Sims Chapel. Today we are going to get our work assignments and then head up to TASOK for volleyball. Pictures to follow tonight!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to all! We had a wonderful sunrise service at Sims Chapel. Today we are going to get our work assignments and then head up to TASOK for volleyball. Pictures to follow tonight!

Still in same Clothes

No sign of our bags. We went up to TASOK today and walked arouund and theen had a nice dinner with a bunch of other missionaries at Larry's and Inge's. Tomorrow is sunrise service at 6 am at Sims Chapel down by thhe river. No pictures as the power hhas been out most of the night. Posting this by the internet up on battery back up. Happy Easter all!

Room and unpacking

Things are going to be slow as we recover from the flight. We are going to Larry and Inge's for dinner tonight.

Room and unpacking

Things are going to be slow as we recover from the flight. We are going to Larry and Inge's for dinner tonight.

We made it

We made it to Kin. Our personnal luggage did not. All the stuff for MPH is also here. We are on our third day int the same clothes!

On the plane to Brussels

Finally on our flight. We leave soon!

The waiting game

Here we are back at JFK waiting for the airplane Flight leaves at 7:00pm.

STUCK!

We nissed our flight to Brussels by 30 minutes. We are staying in a hotel with a voucher from the airlines and will be on the next flight tomorrow night to Brussel! Here we are ridinging the air train to the Ramada.

Arriving at airport

We made it to the airport and have gotten all our luggage checked. The airlines charged us for the extra baggage, but it is going! Our flight to JFK is delayed, but we should still mak our connection to Brussels. Next post.... JFK

Packed and ready to go

We are all packed and ready to go. We leave for JFK and Brussels tomorrow! We'll post next from Norfolk Airport!

Packing up!

Here are the action packers and trunks that will be going with the four of us as well as the treat bags that were put together by VBUMC youth group for the youth retreat. We are all packed up and just waiting now!

Getting ready to Leave

This will be our public blog for our trip to Kinshasa, DRC