In the beginning in New York,  Rev. Charles Jones asked who wanted to lose weight on this trip. Several hands went up; but some of us thought it would be the luggage that lost the weight from the items going to the missionaries. Little did we know.

We had some movie fanatics and some sleepers but when we arrived in Durban, South Africa we were raring to go. We split up with our newly adopted families to enjoy some Indian hospitality.

Easter Sunday we joined with both Baptist Associations in Durban City Hall for an amazing experience as we prayed and worshipped together.

We went on a safari in Zululand where we were charged by a huge bull elephant. He didn’t realize we were Baptist women. The giraffes didn’t want to give up the right of way. We felt like we were on a roller coaster.

We traveled to the villages with Drs. Rick with Anita Gutierrez and the health builders for health screening for HIV, TB and other diseases. We had a great time singing with the villagers. We were invited into one family’s home which is dedicated solely to conversation.

Back in Durban we spent our last day with our adoptive families at a pot luck banquet. As we said good bye we encircled our families praying for their ministries across the region. You know the weight we intended to lose – it didn’t happen in South Africa. We feasted day after day.

The first thing we noticed about the Congo was the intense heat as soon as we got off the plane. We felt shock and awe as we drove the city streets of Kinshasa. The traffic was amazing. We loved getting together for supper with many of our missionaries. No strange food that night. Our first caterpillars were eaten Saturday night at the C. B. Co (Congolese Baptist Community) dinner. We wanted to make sure they weren’t walking. Alongside them were fou fou, pandu, spinach, chicken and fish. To our surprise we were measured by a tailor for custom made shirts.

We were greeted by girls waving palm fronds singing the welcome song at the Mitendi Center. Another feast of Congolese food. Each of us were matched up with a prayer partner from the resident girls. Wendy Bernhard was excited to share her ministry at the Bible Institute when we arrived in Kimpese. We loved high fiving the preschool class.



There were scary moments
coming back to Kinshasa
because of the overloaded
trucks crowding the roadway.





Katherine Niles shared with us and emphasized how important roller bandages, baby gowns and baby blankets are in Congo. We had the privilege of seeing 3 new borns – all girls at Kintambo Maternity Hospital.

Keep on rolling. We shopped until we dropped. We didn’t lose any weight, nor did our luggage.










Miriam Noyes shared about her literacy ministry and how the women are learning to read. What an accomplishment for them!







Our Missionaries are special and we were glad to be part of their ministries during our stay with them:

Jill Lowery, Katherine Niles, Miriam Noyes



Wendy Bernhard

God has truly blessed us and these were a few highlights, but in all sincerity we encountered God everywhere we went and witnessed the awesomeness of what our missionaries do day in and day out.
We hope that you have enjoyed the blog and our travels through South Africa and the DR Congo. Thank you for the support you gave us through your prayers and love. It has been a journey we will never forget.

Still hot and humid! After breakfast we gathered in prayer with Nzunga and Kihomi to share in their grief of the unexpected murder of her nephew in DR Congo. After climbing in the vans we left for the First Baptist Church located in BandalI, where we had the privilege of viewing the final stages of the young girls Center. This new center will enable young girls from Mitendi Center to practice the skills learned there. Eventually they will be able to support themselves. Once the program is up and running, the Center plans to reach out to other young girls in the community. Piling back into the van, we arrived at Kintanbo, our own Baptist hospital specializing in maternity care. Following the birth of an infant, the staff carefully monitors the weight gain of the baby. Mothers are encouraged to return on a monthly basis for shots and nutritional information. 25% of the babies suffer from malnutrition. A highlight was visiting the nursery where 5 baby girls had been born (future CBCO leaders!).

Does White Cross actually go to Africa? YES, we saw the room where White Cross is divided and sent to different stages such as Vongas hospital. Watching 25 women between the ages of 15 to 80 learn to read was inspiring. The literacy program, started by Miriam Noyes, is considered one of the finest in Kinshasa. As AB Women we are extremely proud of all our work in South Africa and the DR Congo. We praise God and celebrate the work of our ABC missionaries. We closed the evening with communion and a moving devotion that encompassed Jesus’ grace. We washed each other’s feet (symbolically) and sang reflective hymns. Amen!

What a day! We gloriously sing ‘Jesus loves the little children of the world’! We witnessed preschool through high school students receiving Christian education in Kimpese. Wendy Bernhart, our missionary in Kimpese, guided us on a tour of the center.

First stop:  The Bible Institute where we were introduced to the faculty, students and their wives. We were thrilled to meet the gentleman who translated the Bible into Kikongo for 17 years! We were graced by the wonderful men’s chorus.

Second Stop:  We visited the preschoolers. They were divided into three groups by age. They were dressed in navy and white uniforms. The children demonstrated exercises, singing and ended by reciting the Lord’s Prayer. Everyone wanted to bring the children home!

Stop Three:  We were impressed to see the medical complex where medical students are trained to become doctors. Also, there are primary and secondary students as well who are receiving a Christian education.

Stop Four:  A highlight of the morning was witnessing the children at play. We recognized the children singing ‘Farmer and The Dell’ and playing other active games. We left after giving each child a high-five as they were assembled in a circle. In the excitement of seeing us, as we left, they ran after our vans waiving and yelling ‘good-bye-!

Stop Five: We had a short tour of the administrative offices and met most of the staff. The highlight was seeing the White Cross storage room. We desperately need White Cross supplies such as quality new sheets, gloves, uniforms and bandages.

Stop Six: Lunch time! We shared a delicious meal with Wendy and ended with a circle of prayer asking God’s blessing upon her life and ministry in Kimpese. We had a bumpy six hour ride back to Kinshasa after dark on a winding, narrow road! Yikes! We thanked God we arrived back at MPH safely.
 

After another hearty breakfast at our hostel, we loaded into two vans and headed for Mitendi Women’s Center on the outskirts of Kinshasa. We were greeted by Momma Koba, President of Women of CBCO and 15 young women waiving palm branches. They sang and welcomed us with hugs and smiles. The at-risk young women are learning various crafts that will benefit them when they return home. After each girl introduced themselves to us, they showed us the clothing they had sewed using crank and pedal sewing machines. The others were happy to show us their knitting and crocheting. We took a tour of the center where the girls live. The women of Kinshasa bought the land where the center is built in 1985. ABW became involved in the project in 1995 under the Wings Project. After a delicious lunch, we presented the center with two bolts (30 yards each) of fabric and other sewing notions. When the time came to travel on to Kimpese, Momma Koba burst into song singing “Yesy Awzali Awa” as the girls joined in dancing arm in arm with us around the courtyard, they led us to the van. It was great to see Mitendi Women’s Center, a place we have read and learned about for years.

Dr. Jo Lusi, a world renowned Women’s rights activist, surgeon, father, friend. He silently ate dinner next to Laura, Margaret and Ally. Unbeknownst to the AB Women, we were about to be enlightened. After opening a conversation with this jovial man, he described the work that needs to be done here in DR Congo and across the globe to equalize women’s rights and heal the broken gender constructs of a raped woman as she says “I am a wife”.

Dr. Lusi is a surgeon Goma, DR Congo which houses the highest number of rapes in the country. He tends to women post violation and explained how complicated yet ingenious God’s design is on a woman. Although, the most important part of a curative method is not only physical. It is of a woman’s belonging, inner beauty and ultimate womanhood. Rape victims pass through a medical tent, Clerical tent and finally a tent covering a female lawyer to assist in victims’ justice proceedings. She is also given the opportunity to speak with a counselor for 3 months as she processes the event(s).

Dr. Lusi authored Article 15 of the Congolese Constitution that states a woman’s rights are EQUAL to that of a man’s. He was the first individual to step into the Senate and argue that a chicken is not a worthy exchange to drop rape charges, nor is it human to physically and morally violate women as objects. He is a walking message of hope, endurance and morality with a hint of Jesus mixed in.

We know Dr. Lusi is quickly and quietly passing through MPH, but feel his presence here, with us, as we have read Half The Sky is no coincidence. We were surprised to find out he had no recollection of being published in this acclaimed book, so we gave him our only copy! We wish him the best as he travels to France to see his son, a NATO solider. We have been honored to meet him and pray his visit to France is successful and his fruitful endeavors continue to spread God’s word and love.


Ngaba Kidima Church
Sharon, Charles, Linda M., Sarah, Missionary is Jasmine Clemmer
We were welcomed the minute we got out of the van by singing, dancing, clapping, ululating as the ladies led us to our seats of honor. They took each of us as a partner and danced with us. There were literacy classes for all ages being taught in the sanctuary with only black boards and chalk. One of the teachers who had been unable to read or write successfully completed the program and is know a teacher. The light of Christ was on the faces of her students. In front of the church were rows of tables and women who demonstrated a variety of crafts. We showed our appreciated by purchasing some of their work. Everyone joined in singing Jesu Azoli Awa and the joy of the Lord was over flowing!


Djelo Binza
Margaret, Lori, Deann, Laura, Missionary is Katherine Niles
We were welcomed by welcome song.  We sharing handicrafts and how they are made. They asked us how we cared for our widows.  They had charcoal cooking on the ground and washed the hands of the guests before meals. They prepared many meat proteins - a true financial sacrifice.

Second Baptist Church of Masina
Marcia, Ally, Pam, Linda M. Missionary is Miriam Noyes
Traveled with Missionary Miriam to Second Baptist Church of Masina where the pastor is Ernestine Mujinga. She and her husband are involved in the government and had to leave before we arrived. A joyous group of women were singing songs of praise when we arrived. We were seated on the platform and we soon decided to join them in the dance “Walk with Jesus”. We were gifted with beaded necklaces and earrings which they placed on us and cheered!! After the service we went outside to see and learn through detailed description of the foods they prepare, perfumes and disinfectants they make to sell for income. The highlight of the ministry is the literacy program. We watched a class being taught by the literacy teacher. We heard testimony of how learning to read has given them opportunity to read the Bible. We ended our time with food, fellowship, joy and much picture taking!


Second Baptist Church of Bandal
Chris, Dottie, Carolyn, Missionary is Jill Lowery
We came together in song, prayer and devotions and worshipped in a spirit of oneness. During the time of singing, the song leader shared “Even though our skin is different, our Father is the same”. During our time of worship, the woman came and grabbed our hands to dance around the room singing “Walking with Jesus gives You Joy”! When the service was over, we were led into a room where we watched as a woman demonstrated making Taro chips over a charcoal brazier. Other women showed us their handicrafts such as beaded purses, cell phone cases, beautiful dresses, perfume, insect repellent, soaps and doilies. Naturally, being women, we helped the local people by buying items! We ended our trip by visiting a store where we purchased two bolts of material for the Mitendi Christian Center. Another day in which we saw God at work and we were blessed.
 

Mikongo Church
Pam, Carolyn, Marcia, Ally, Katherine Niles-Missionary
After an exciting hour ride through the slums of Kinshasa and experiencing the kindness of 10 men pushing our stuck SUV out of the sand, we arrived at the Mikongo Church. The expecting congregation treated the 5 of us, including our missionary Katherine Niles, with the utmost respect, as if we were royalty! Over 900 attendants greeted us in unison as we were seated in the front of the church. The biggest surprise came at the end of the service when the women prepared unexpected gifts for us. We glanced far back into the church to see women dancing in procession down the aisles, their hands laden with their gifts of eggs, vegetables and fruits. We were the only group to have been bestowed with this honor (and the first American visitors EVER!!). We found ourselves being pulled into their joyous dancing surrounded by their radiant smiles. We are awestruck that the love of Jesus Christ knows no boundaries, no borders, no color. No number of miles can keep us Baptist women apart!


Bumbo I Church
Ellie, Dottie, Charles, Jasmine Clemmer Missionary
Our group headed out at 8:30 with Jasmine Clemmer to go to Bumbo I church. As we walked in a vibrant men’s choir was singing. Looking around there was between 400-500 people. What a joyful noise when everyone praised the Lord! The sermon revolved around Matthew 28 “Casting your net, will it be full or empty?” You could feel the Holy Spirit flowing through the hall. There are usually two services, but on the first Sunday of the month, they combine services. After service, the women invited us for lunch. They served chicken in a peanut sauce, steamed plantains, fufu and amaranth greens with palm oil. We then asked questions and visited with some of the women. They have a Sunday school with 700 children in attendance at the same time as the church service. They also have a children’s choir of 180 which we missed. The church is raising money to build a balcony in their building. The women themselves are raising money to build a retreat center where they can host other women’s groups of all different churches. They already have the land! They are raising money by hooking rugs. These rugs take 2 to 4 weeks to complete and only cost $5. They are hard on their fingers and back. They are very loving and joyful people.


Ngaba Kidima Church
Linda Lucas, Sarah, Avis, Chris, Lori, Miriam Noyes-Missionary
The congregation welcomed us with open arms and placed us in seats of honor. We enjoyed congregating with the Ngaba Kidime Church for two worship services, each lasting two hours long. We felt truly blessed by their spirited singing, dancing and musical instruments.

We were privileged to listen to five different choirs plus a praise team. As we left the second worship service the congregation, 362 people shook our hands. This was such a happy, loving exchange as we looked at the joy in everyone’s eyes.

This experience taught us that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. For lunch we feasted on boiled eggs, rolls, peanuts and bananas and had a great conversation with those who were there from the church. The women shared about their programs while Miriam translated for us. This church has been the motor for adult literacy throughout the city. Like the other churches visited they have a big school for primary and secondary children. A great day celebrating Jesus together.


CAC – Cité de Ancienne Combatant
Sharon, Laura, Margaret, DeeAnn, Jill Lowery - Missionary
As we arrived we heard joyful singing, were greeted by Pastor David and many others. Early in the service when introduced, a group of women sang to us, hugged us and kissed us three times alternating cheeks.

We enjoyed five choirs. The tunes were traditional with words teaching Bible truths and Christian values. The Sunday School choir of about fifty consisted of children ages 5 – teens. As each choir sang they inspired dancing and celebration some blowing whistles and shaking rattles. Women danced before the choirs to show their appreciation.

The offering was received by people coming and dancing and singing to the front where there were four plastic laundry baskets. First the tithe was given by members, then baskets for widows, orphans and special projects. Offering was brought during the choir singing showing joy for the music. The message centered on celebrating Easter; living out a resurrection life honoring Christ through our daily actions and the choices we make. We toured the school facilities.
 

After a wonderful breakfast, Ann Clemmer and Jill Lowery took us on a tour of Kinshasa. Ann enlightened us about some of the history in the D.R. Congo. We are surprised to learn where Henry Stanley landed in the Congo, what is now an older port with what appeared to be little movement. Everywhere we looked you see barbed wire, guards and police. We are not allowed to take pictures of any government person, building, or policeman.

Sims Chapel was the first built in Kinshasa, as well as the FIRST FREE STANDING BUILDING in the city!! We enjoyed our visit there and the beautiful stained glass decorated by children. You may be happy to know it has been maintained over the years by Baptists!

We had lunch at a Lebanese restaurant where the missionaries eat regularly. Sandwiches and French fries were shared alongside some refreshing cool drinks in the sweltering heat! The sandwiches consisted of sliced chicken, pickles, parsley, tomato, and onion wrapped in a tortilla. Guess what, French fries were also wrapped in the sandwich! Yummmy!

After lunch, we all went to Katherine and Wayne Niles’ house on the Congo river. Overlooking both downtown Kinshasa and opposing Congo’s capital. Next, we went shopping!! The Congolese clothing market vendors were lined on the side of the road and down a narrow alley. The quality and cost ratio was much different than in the US! The impressive quality of the cloth was sold to us (Thank you Charles and Jill for helping to negotiate!) for $10-$20 per 10 yards. There were hundreds of beautiful colors and styles, many depicted the natural Congolese nature and Kuba styling, others were embellished with butterflies and sequins. It was hard to make up our minds! We quickly retreated to our air conditioned vans and headed home to prepare for the exciting Congolese meal with Congo Baptist Community Churches (CBCO), men and women.

Chris and Charles introduced the AB women and Laura shared greetings from our National President. You should have seen us, we ate caterpillars! The rest of the menu was mackerla, makayalou (salted fish), pondee, manioc greens, rice, fried chicken, amaranth greens with palm oil, fufu, Kwanga steamed in leaves, pilipili, French fries and coke/fanta.

After we filled our bellies, we enjoyed singing and dancing with the vivacious Congolese Baptist Women. Music is a universal language! The Congolese women surprised us with a seamstress that came to take measurements for fitted tunic-style shirts they are going to make all of us! What a joy and gift of love! We were blessed with the fellowship we shared with these happy Christian people.  

It was an early morning for all of us. The sun was not even coming up from the darkness when all seventeen with our host family showed up at the airport by 5:00 am. Yes, some were even up at 3:30 to make it to the airport on time. Not surprising some luggage was over the limit, but they still allowed us to go on through without paying a charge.

Our flight to DR Congo was about four hours. Some of the women were lucky to have their seats changed to the front of the plane (Business section), while the rest suffered in the back economy style. As we departed the plane we knew we were in Congo. It is very very hot and humid. But God blessed us through the efforts of our missionaries for a bus with air conditioning. We were greeted by Jill Lowery and it was great to see a familiar face. She helped us with our luggage and with the Jefferies Limo service off we went into the streets of Kinshasa. Jill shared with us many of the sights along the way and some about the Congo history.

Traffic was like you never experienced. At one point there were seven car lengths on the opposite side and on our side 3 car lengths that went into one. Cars all over going in different directions making lanes as they went along. There are no traffic lights. Jill shared that at the time Kinshasa was built it was to accommodate about 25,000 people. Today there are between 11 – 14 million people living in the city. You can see why traffic is a problem. She also said we were not allowed to take pictures. If we did and got caught we would need to buy our way out of trouble, especially if you take pictures of the police or military.

We stopped by the Baptist Community of Congo (CBCO) and were greeted by the General Secretary, Rev. Mgutu. Around 4:30 we were at our final destination the Methodist-Presbyterian Hostel.

Ann and Bill Clemmer came and took us to the American School of Kinshasa (TASOK). We viewed a power point of their ministry and then gave us insight as to their new plans for ministry in the Sudan. Ann and Bill have many challenges ahead as they leave Congo and begin a new path they feel God has led them to do. We shared gifts with them and prayed for their new ministry.

Dinner was at the home of Jill and Mike Lowery. There we fellowshipped with our other missionaries, Katherine and Wayne Niles; Miriam Noyes; Ann and Bill Clemmer along with their daughter Cassie; Wendy Bernhard and Kihomi and Nzunga, missionaries to Haiti, who are taking vacation back to their home country for the first time in thirteen years. It was a wonderful time together.

Our day was closed with Katherine sharing the itinerary for the rest of our stay and came back to the hostel for updated information and closed with devotions. It has been a very long day, but once again God has blessed us. We go to bed feeling very tired and looking forward to a good night sleep.

 

All of us woke up to another beautiful morning in which we spent time with our host families. We’ve done different things with them and it has been a wonderful experience as they wanted to show us a great time. Some have seen the sights around Durban, others shopping and going down to the beach. For me (Chris) it was a time of going to the zoo. Seeing the lions, white tigers, different birds and the orangutans that when he saw us poised for a picture.

We all met at the home of Rick and Anita Gutierrez where we had a great lunch and Rick shared with us around the table on their patio more details about their Health Builders Ministry. They have a vision for Durban and the surrounding areas to expand in training health care givers so they can go into their communities and do testing for HIV/AIDS and other health issues so that medications can be given to prevent further more serious health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, TB and other illnesses. Most of these people are in need of medical care and it is Rick and Anita who have the passion to make it happened. As we listened you could not help but think of what they could do with more resources. White Cross contributions have been a great help to them as they use those funds for providing medical supplies. Rick shared his appreciation for those who continue to provide these funds so their ministry can continue in a positive way. He wanted us to thank you for all you have done.

The group presented the family with gifts to them before leaving. Marc and Paul, their sons have been with us for the week and they have blessed us with their presence of music, sitting on the ground and sharing their thoughts of what it is like to live in South Africa, their schooling, sports and all those things that keep them busy.

At 6:00 we returned to the Phoenix Baptist Church where our encounter began last Friday. We had a potluck supper with all our host families. It was a time to say good-bye and share about our week. Our evening concluded with pictures taken by Charles Jones and a time of worship with singing, sharing and prayer.



During our stay all of us built strong bonds between our families. We found it was difficult to say good-bye. To show our appreciation we all gathered around our host families in a circle and shared the many blessings of the week. For many of us we found new friendships in Christ.

For me it was surprising how close we became in such a short period of time I shared with my family that we traveled many miles and found brothers and sisters in Christ. The relationships will continue long after we depart Durban. – Lori

We had the opportunity to be with families that really showed God’s love and they had so much to give of their love to us. What a wonderful opportunity Rick and Anita gave us when they asked these families to take us into their homes for the week. Thank you. - Chris

 

We woke up this morning to no electric and little water. It was a great way to start our day.

We made history today by being allowed to go to the Tribal Court for the Zulus. This Tribal Court is held every Tuesday and we were invited to come. This is the first time that Drs. Rick and Anita Gutierrez were recognized by the Tribal Court for their leadership in the Bethel Health Builders. God had his hand in opening these doors. The other organizations represented were the Izulu Orphan Project and Christian Family Church International. Other Idunas (elected leader of their community), Counselors and the Chief’s police were present and were introduced.

Picture this: eight blue dome shaped open tents placed near shade trees on a high side, black plastic chairs sitting in rows under the shade trees and children, a few moms and many grandmas with a few men waiting patiently for us to arrive. Such a beauty of color in the clothing and smiles from everyone made us feel at home.

What fun to watch the children line up to receive their sacks of goodies we brought and then more than happy to have their picture taken. Oh what joy to know that in each little tent basic health care was happening and more important for the hours of training that Rick and Anita do in giving these young girls the information they need to know for the health care program.

We went to a kraal, a family compound, for the Health Builders to screen individuals for blood sugar, high blood pressure and HIV. The Christian Family Church International shared the salvation story, a call and the distribution of Zulu Bibles. The young women in front of me were encouraged to write their name, date and one twenty year old mother of two wrote, “This is my special day, the day the American women came”.
Forty-Five people were screened.

A young fifth grader was noticed kissing a large bouncing dice that was placed in the gift bags that we organized yesterday. Approaching the young boy, surrounded by many others, we asked for others to find the dice. An interpreter from the Izulu Orphan Project interpreted as mathematics games were played with youngsters on a table then the doorway at a home.

Our evening activities were ended by a power outages every few minutes during a thunderstorm. It is now time for bed for an early rise tomorrow. 
 
 

Stretch Group led by Ally after a yummy breakfast!

 

     The group split up between two homes in an impoverished village. Drs. Rick and Anita Gutierrez have provided 8 days of training to prepare the health builders for local assessments. We exchanged spiritual songs with the locals and danced to their Zulu songs! An Izulu Orphan Project employee shared the gospel and several locals raised their hand accepting Christ and received Bibles written in the Zulu language. We were invited into their homes and saw the typical house that a large family lives in. All roofs are corrugated steel, most walls built from mud and stone, with very little decorations and little amenities. The shape of the homes are circular huts called Rondevals.

The promise of Christ, love, and strength was reinforced by the rainbow we saw in the sky as we drove back to our compound.