A Journey of Faith and Resilience
The Democratic Republic of Congo has a rich history that extends beyond political and social transformations. For the past century, the country has witnessed the powerful impact of the gospel, marking a significant milestone in its spiritual journey. In November, I had the honor and privilege to be present in Karawa to celebrate 100 years of the gospel coming to this region. The Covenant Church of Congo baptized 700 new believers the weekend before I arrived! The vitality and missional focus of the church is beautiful to witness.
The warm hospitality of our brothers and sisters in DR Congo was extraordinary. Thousands of people came out to greet us as we landed on the grass airstrip with singing, hugs, handshakes, and the beautiful sight of smiling children weaving through the crowds.
Our Congolese family offered us their best. They served us generously with their traditional foods supplemented with plenty of meat, a rarity they do not indulge in often. It was humbling to experience this hospitality knowing that those who served us would not have the same menu. President Théophile Duale Langba and church leaders showed great kindness in making sure our needs were met, and they graced us with their presence and gifts.
It was gratifying to see the fruit of our partnership in countless ways, thanks in part to generous Covenanters. The hospital in Karawa is now managed by trained Congolese doctors and nurses. Through training offered by Paul Carlson Partnership medical teams, maternal mortality has decreased by 78 percent. This is remarkable considering the lack of the equipment we are used to seeing in North American hospitals. Yet those conditions do not stop our sisters and brothers from facilitating healing, performing surgery, and helping to educate people in preventative care. We were able to stop and pray with three malnourished children and their parents. I was so grateful they were able to get the care and life-saving sustenance that offered them the opportunity to grow up healthy.
Visiting Lycée Vanette, a school for girls who otherwise would not receive an education, was one of the highlights of my visit. Covenant Women have long supported this ministry so girls can receive scholarships to attend school, and many have gone on to continue their education.
In Karawa we were able to visit the gravesite of Dr. Paul Carlson as well as others who dedicated themselves to serving in the Congo. I am so grateful for the global personnel, past and present, who have made a home in Karawa. The Congolese people love the global personnel who reside with them, and they expressed a sincere desire for us to send more people who could put down roots and partner with them in important ways. I hope and pray we can answer their prayers. Presence—and relationship—is a high value for our Congolese brothers and sisters. They feel our love and support when we visit, but they long for their Covenant brothers and sisters from North America to live among them and work side by side in their efforts.
One morning we attended a worship service over which three women presided, and one of them, Pastor Kanda, preached. Multiple choirs sang and danced with contagious joy. The next day we participated in a six-hour worship service that drew about 9,300 people. Celebrating and praising God for his great faithfulness takes time, and worship is a priority. I learned that one of the choirs traveled for three days on bicycles over rugged roads to participate in the celebration. Many people stood in the hot sun throughout the worship service as there was not enough space under the thatched palm fronds for everyone. To experience the vibrancy of the faith of Congolese Covenanters was overwhelming. I was asked to preach at the Sunday service, and I felt both honored and inadequate. Paul Noren (global personnel) did a fabulous job of translating into Lingala. The Holy Spirit did what only God can do as my message on the Great Commission echoed themes that had been emphasized all week. Worshiping together felt like what I envision heaven will look like.
When we left Karawa on our small Mission Aviation Fellowship plane and groups of children ran alongside of us waving and smiling, I was overcome with emotion. I am quite sure I left a piece of my heart in the Congo among brothers and sisters whom I hope to see again on another trip but certainly will see again in eternity.
The visit was so impactful that I almost forgot the traffic accident and high-speed car chase through chaotic Kinshasa traffic, or the heat and humidity, the huge cockroaches, and the spider the size of a large tarantula that lunged at me when I tried to get rid of it. (That resulted in a comical scene in the middle of the night involving Grace Shim, executive minister of Serve Globally, and Renée Hale, executive director of Paul Carlson Partnership, and it may later have been characterized
as a “security incident” when the police rushed to see what the commotion was all about in our house!) Even with those “adventures,” I will likely return to this gorgeous place and the beautiful people who are part of our Covenant family.
Join me in praying for our Congolese brothers and sisters as they faithfully pray for us too. Please pray also for our own efforts that we might prioritize making disciples with as much vibrancy, joy, and dedication as our Congolese sisters and brothers.
For God’s glory and neighbor’s good.
