How many ways can a heart be torn? Abbe Jack called us tonight. He said the electrician finished wiring the outside lights at the clinic in Tshibombo. They now have two lights in the front, two in the back, and one on each side. Abbe says the sight is something to behold. He didn't have the words to describe it but he just had to call us and let us know.

This is my last night in the Congo. I have been here for almost a month and I'm ready to go home. But, I wish I were back in Tshibombo celebrating with Abbe and the people there. And yet, I want to be back in Houston so I can talk to my sweet friend Katie who just got back from her first mission trip. But what I really want is to be in Honduras with my wonderful husband and the Tsebaoth family. But then I can't wait to see my Ethos Church family and my in-laws in Houston. And my mother is coming to visit me soon, so I absolutely have to be there for that...... God is allowed to be everywhere at once, why can't we do that... just for a little bit? :-D

The clinic in Tshibombo finally has full power! The boards arrived in Mbuji-Mayi yesterday. We picked them up at 6 in the evening and went straight to Tshibombo. We had dinner at Abbe Jacks house and then went to work at the clinic. I swapped out all the boards with the help of Jacky, via flashlight, and was able to turn the lights on sometime after 11 pm. We had a mini celebration with Peere, our chóferes, the electrician, and the nurses who were on night duty. Finally at midnight we decided to leave the light and go get some sleep at Abbe Jacks.

We are now back in Kinshasa. We checked on the clinic this morning (all is well) and went directly to the airport in Mbuji-Mayi. Jacky is currently visiting with her mother and I am using the wifi at a Presbyterian guesthouse nearby, where I will have my first shower in weeks (bucket baths are the only options in Mbuji-Mayi). We have one more full day here and then we fly out Saturday. I will be back in Houston Sunday afternoon.

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us and for this installation!! God has surely been with us every frustrating/stressful/blessed step of the way :-) I also have to give props to Peere, the most patient man ever. He went to the DHL office around noon yesterday and stayed there all day waiting for the boards. His presence prevented the office from closing until we got our box! Praise God in the Highest and to Him be all the glory forever and ever!

DHL tracking says the boards have cleared customs in Kinshasa. Hopefully that means we can get them here to Mbuji-Mayi today and possibly even get them installed. If not then we should have them tomorrow, but today would be better. Keep praying for us please. Thank you :-)

So it looks like I will be in the Congo for an additional week with Jacky. The scheduling didn't really work out for an earlier departure. Jacky called her work and was able to get clearance for a couple more days. So we are flying out of Mbuji-Mayi on Thursday the 15th and leaving the Congo on Saturday the 16th. I should be back in the States on Sunday the 17th. I'll let you know when the boards get here. For now we are going to relax some :-)

We have encountered a pretty big problem. One or more of the electronic boards inside the inverter malfunctioned. The manufacturer is sending us a new set of boards today, but they will not be here before our Saturday flight out. So the current plan is that Jacky and I will change our flights, at a considerable expense, in the hopes of getting the new boards installed.

The boards should take 3 days to get to Kinshasa and then another day to get to Mbuji-Mayi. That gets the boards here on Sunday. Jacky needs to leave the Congo on Wednesday for her job back in the States. That leaves a very small window for error. The boards have to get to Mbuji-Mayi by Monday at the latest.....  So we need a lot of prayers please and thank you! I know God is in control and capable of providing the means to get this installation completed :-D

We are doing well here in Mbuji-Mayi. There is a scrap of internet at the edge of the compound that is working today :-) The solar system is now installed and running at the clinic in Tshibombo.  Tomorrow we will make some final adjustments and train the people on how to best use it. Tuesday is the official commissioning ceremony and celebration. Thursday we fly back to Kinshasa and Saturday we start the long trip back to the States.

There is much to say about the past few days, and no way to sum it up in a few sentences. I also have pics and more videos to share, but I will wait until I get a better internet connection. Just know that God is with us and we are crazy blessed to be able to be here helping His people. All glory to God!

It is 5 in the morning and we are leaving for the airport to fly out to Mbuji-Mayi. Our flight is scheduled to leave at 9 am. I doubt internet will be available so if you don't hear from me for about 10 days that's why. I'll try to get some good photos and maybe some more videos. Keep up the prayers and thank you :-)

Church yesterday was quite lovely. We went to the Limgala service. Limgala is the local language spoken here in Kinshasa. They also had a French and English service. But the worship is best in the local language :-)

One of the scriptures referenced in service was Psalm 121. Most people have heard the first two verses, but the last two really spoke to me. This is for those of you praying for us, and perhaps are concerned for our safety. Do keep sending up the prayers, but also be comforted by the promises of God.

I have included some videos from yesterday's worship service. The first is a women's group, then a young adults group, and then the men.

We arrived safely last night. Our flights were delayed some but we made all of our connections. Our hotel here in Kinshasa has some limited internet :-) Today we are going to church and then getting plane tickets for the trip to Mbuji-Mayi. Have a blessed day.

I am in Chicago sitting on the plane to Brussels. I'll be in Kinshasa in another 18 or 19 hours. If I can do any posts while there then I will. Perhaps I'll get internet in Kinshasa, but don't hold your breath :-) I know many of you are/will be praying for us and I thank you for that. See you on the flip side :-D