Thursday, March 24, 2016

Again Congo

I realize that I have not blogged in several weeks.  I just haven't been in the mood to write.  My emotions have been all over the board, up and down--ever changing.  I'm not really used to that.  I am usually more stable.  However, these past few weeks have been hard.  And good.  Yes, they've been good too.  That's why things have been so topsy-turvy for me.  Sometimes I feel as though I am riding a roller coaster, and I hate roller coasters, I really do.  I tend to like flat surfaces.  Easy, steady, comfortable--you know, safe.

Yes, it's been a long few weeks for me.  You see, my husband once again is in the Congo.  The DRC, the continent of Africa.  As I've watched him make purchases, pack his bags and talk incessantly about this trip, it's been tough--for me.  Not for him.  He's been so excited that it's been hard to bring him back into reality, reality being me.  Because after all, isn't it always all about me?  No?  OK, I guess not.

So, for these past few weeks, I've tried hard to be supportive.  When he told me that he wanted to go back to the Congo, back into that dangerous country, fly on old unsafe planes, stay in missionaries homes that have guard shacks, and eat foods that I can't even imagine--what was I to say?  I guess I did what most spouses would do--I said, do it, go, I'll pray for you.  And then behind closed doors, I cried.  I didn't really want him to go.  Not really.  I hate the thought of him being in any kind of danger, especially when our own government suggests that we not go.  But, go he did.

It's just been a few days but so much has happened that I don't even know where to begin.  So, I'll start with this part.  He wanted to fly through Brussels to visit our friends on his way to Africa, but alas, there were no available seats.  He was so disappointed.  He ended up making flight arrangements via Paris.  And then look what happened that fateful horrible morning in Brussels!  I was so concerned for our friends who live there, I immediately had to make sure that they were all ok, which thankfully they were.  I didn't hear from my husband until a few hours later that day to even share stories with him.  It seems that half their missionary team flew through Brussels and are now stranded there until tomorrow or the next day.  But, at least they are all fine.  Some have lost their luggage, they are all tired and wondering what will happen next, etc.  My husband sounded exhausted, but at least he was able to make contact with me.  I am so thankful for that.

This time around he is working on a project to bring electricity to a local hospital.  Can you even imagine checking into a hospital without electricity?  I can't.  However, I've seen the pictures and wow, I am so grateful for where I live and the modern conveniences that I've grown up with.  So very thankful for all I take for granted in this modern world.  And yet for some, it's not so modern.

I've noticed that my prayers for him and the team are very different this time around.  There is an urgency to these prayers of mine.  It's hard to explain.  I'll just have to pray as God directs me I guess.  There's really nothing more that I can do than that.  I realize that I have absolutely no control over what goes on in this world.  All I can do is pray.

I am wondering now how many more trips there will be.  Is this the last one?  Or just another one of much more to come?  I know where his heart is.  It's with the people of Congo.  He loves them.  It shows in his facial expressions as he speaks of them.  So why would I ever talk him out of going?

He just called.  A local missionary lent him his phone.  He is missing home, and although he's hot, tired, a little dehydrated--he sounded happy.  They are working hard on this project.  The rest of their team will hopefully be joining them in a few days.  I hope they make it.  I hope they get to experience what he is feeling.  Joy, happiness, thankfulness and most of all obedience to his God.  He is doing what God has called him to do.  He is content.  He is in Congo.  Need I say more.

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