Seed Orientation number 2

It’s good to be back in Bukavu, in a place I am familiar with, although it’s a bit different having seven 20-something year olds here with us.

Tomorrow, our orientation will begin here in DR Congo, although it’s a bit “loosely planned” let’s say. I think I may have the hardest time with it, but it’s also the only way to live in this context. I am trusting God that the topics we need to cover will be covered well, and also for making final decisions on placements of who will be with which organization.

Mark and I are very happy to be back together again. One of the things we’re both aware of and not sure about is language school. Please pray for God’s guidance on when we should go and for peace for both of us, that it will be neither too soon nor too late.

We’re going to stay put in our current house for at least a couple more months, but we appreciate prayers for guidance to a new place, too.

This month of March is going to be intense for me (Karen), Pray for presence of mind in teaching, leading conversations, and coordinating day to day life for our Seed participants. Pray for health and for unity between Serge and me, and that I would find ways to rest in the midst of it all.

Mark is still trying to figure out what his job looks like day to day and he sometimes feels discouraged, like he’s not doing anything.

Thanks for reading and for caring!

Sharing another blog post from central/east Africa

I read this blog from a JBU grad who lives in Uganda with her family, and it was helpful to me and may help you, as you live with people, anywhere.

http://www.agenerousgrace.com/2016/02/18/if-it-makes-you-happy-why-happiness-doesnt-equal-good-lovin/

In our context, there are lots of people asking us for money in many different circumstances, and it is a struggle to know when to give. This was an encouragement to me, and also a challenge to be connected to God and know His voice.

In case you haven't seen this already - written on the cusp of Seed

Everything I (Karen) have been working on for the past three and a half months leads up to this. I’m in South Africa where we’ll meet most of the team for MCC General Orientation. Sadly, some of them are having visa complications and won’t arrive when we’d hoped.

Mark with beautiful mountains in Rwanda Karen at the beach near Durban, South Africa

There have been a lot of setbacks and frustrations. We really are working in a context that requires so much flexibility with planning on every level – we don't know whether or not someone will be able to travel the day they plan to (there have been frequent boat strikes recently), if necessary documents will arrive as anticipated (and if they will be accepted as legitimate), or if we will have access to needed funds when unexpected expenses come up, etc. It’s challenging. But today, we get to meet the young people we’ll be working with for the next two years! I know there will be an aura of excitement all around the conference center where we’re staying. I’m really looking forward to my role as hostess. I feel like I can step out of my introvertedness when I know it’s my role to make new people comfortable and welcome, and I really enjoy that. I’m also looking forward to being a mentor and spiritual director of sorts. Part of that is sharing a devotion one day this week. Here are some of my thoughts that are brewing in preparation for that: “Real training for service asks for a hard and often painful process of self-emptying…Training for service is not training to become rich but to become voluntarily poor; not to fulfill ourselves but to empty ourselves; not to conquer God but to surrender to his saving power. All this is very hard to accept in our contemporary world, which tells us about the importance of power and influence.” – Henri Nouwen, Reaching Out The idea of self-emptying speaks to me of forgetting my own rights, letting go of how people think of me or if they say something that seems offensive to me, and acknowledging that I don’t know the answers. And when I empty myself, I am humble before God. I am also more of my “true self” – who God made me to be! Or, in a different light, simply "who I am." I was not created to know everything, to have the power to change things on my own, or to be more respected than others. When I empty myself of my self-will and the fantasies of my own importance, I can be filled by the Holy Spirit and centered on Jesus. Abiding in Him. Connected to the life-giving vine. I fix my eyes on His glory and kingdom. I wanted to share with you, as I’m on the brink of this big day, and say thank you for your encouragement and support of Mark and me in our adventures, as we follow God’s leading, as He gives us abundant life in the places He’s called us to. God's peace, Karen And Mark sends his greetings from Kinshasa. Can't wait to be back with him in ten days ! Prayer requests: Resolution on visas for three of our eight Seed participants Safe travel back to DR Congo for the whole team on 25-26 Feb Good team bonding and protection from the enemy's attacks Energy and health during this busy learning season Wisdom, discernment, flexibility to roll with the changes in schedules Grace for us in the three week absence from one another For Congo to have free, fair, and peaceful elections (more on that later)

A little bit about Seed General Orientation

Here I am. In South Africa. Ready to go home. To DR Congo. And to my husband!

I have reached new levels of accepting flexibility this week as there have been constant updates/problems/questions on the Congo visas of our North American participants. (In an unusual flip-flop from the normal ease for North Americans, the visas for the regional participants into South Africa have all been resolved!) Last night when I was in the midst of the fourth round of "What should we do with X's passport/visa process/flight? What's the priority for x person to be present for?" I felt like throwing my hands up in the air - like this crab who really startled me when I was out walking yesterday morning.

So six of the eight participants are here for orientation, and it's been a good time together, learning about MCC, getting to know one another and having good discussions. I especially enjoyed hearing from Mulanda Jimmy Juma, who is from Congo and also has taught at Eastern Mennonite University's Summer Peacebuilding Institute. We spent a day in Soweto, and visiting the Hector Pieterson Museum opened up some good conversations about groups who have a lot of influence as opposed to those who do not. We had a skype session with one of our participants who couldn't be here, and here's a photo of us right after that.

We're still working here on Saturday, as usual, so I'll leave this short for now. Happy weekend!

filling in the gap

Yes, I've been MIA, working on last minute details for our Seed program commencement! And I still don't have much time for updates, but I do have some pictures.

The first few are from my little breath of fresh air vacation in Durban, South Africa, with my dear sister from another mother, Ruth, and her sweet Gina. We stayed together in Zambia nine years ago and have been supporting each other ever since. We got to hang out with them in Capetown in 2013, and it was so good to be together again. And they live close to a very gorgeous beach.

Now I'm in Johannesburg with other Seed program leaders, discussing our shared challenges and victories. It's been sweet. Thankfully, there's a pool close by too. Also gorgeous scenery! Emjoy!