Most Sundays, we go to the French service at our church in the morning (10-12:30ish), and we go again to the English service (4:30-6:30). Often, Mark will play music in the English service, so he goes earlier. Yesterday he also led the congregational prayer at the beginning of the English service ("culte" in French), and I read the scripture passage (ALL of Ezekiel chapter 3!).
One of the songs we sang in the English service yesterday touched me, as we sang
"Your name is a strong and mighty tower
Your name is a shelter like no other
Your name, let the nations sing it louder
'Cause nothing has the power to save but your name"
- (I can't figure out if credit goes to Paul Baloche or Phillips, Craig and Dean)
There was a Congolese man with a strong voice who was singing really good harmonies right behind me, and I was touched by hearing him and singing with the whole congregations "let the nations sing it louder!"
We had a little bit of rain last week that was enough to settle the dust and keep it from covering our patio every day. Things aren't yet turning green. Last week started out with a scare - someone had tried to break into our office, but, thankfully, there's a door that's always difficult (Mark has often called me to ask how to open it or to say that he thinks he's locked in), and the would-be thieves were thwarted. They did smash up the locks, but God protected us.
After that, we had a pretty ho-hum week, just Mark and me in the lonely office most of the time with not a ton to do. (Serge is still on vacation). Friday morning held some challenges - unexpected visitors in the office and unexpected news on a couple of fronts. None of it was bad, but it was a challenge to adjust our attitudes to new realities.
We spent a really lovely late afternoon and dinner doing some self-care at the hotel with really nice grounds and lake access. We swam, read, watched the sunset, drank a glass of wine, ate pizza and thanked God.
Saturday, we felt a little earthquake, then we got to play Ultimate Frisbee with a crew of eight! It was fun and we look forward to being here long enough to help it really gain traction among interested Congolese.
One of the songs we sang in the English service yesterday touched me, as we sang
"Your name is a strong and mighty tower
Your name is a shelter like no other
Your name, let the nations sing it louder
'Cause nothing has the power to save but your name"
- (I can't figure out if credit goes to Paul Baloche or Phillips, Craig and Dean)
There was a Congolese man with a strong voice who was singing really good harmonies right behind me, and I was touched by hearing him and singing with the whole congregations "let the nations sing it louder!"
We had a little bit of rain last week that was enough to settle the dust and keep it from covering our patio every day. Things aren't yet turning green. Last week started out with a scare - someone had tried to break into our office, but, thankfully, there's a door that's always difficult (Mark has often called me to ask how to open it or to say that he thinks he's locked in), and the would-be thieves were thwarted. They did smash up the locks, but God protected us.
After that, we had a pretty ho-hum week, just Mark and me in the lonely office most of the time with not a ton to do. (Serge is still on vacation). Friday morning held some challenges - unexpected visitors in the office and unexpected news on a couple of fronts. None of it was bad, but it was a challenge to adjust our attitudes to new realities.
We spent a really lovely late afternoon and dinner doing some self-care at the hotel with really nice grounds and lake access. We swam, read, watched the sunset, drank a glass of wine, ate pizza and thanked God.
Saturday, we felt a little earthquake, then we got to play Ultimate Frisbee with a crew of eight! It was fun and we look forward to being here long enough to help it really gain traction among interested Congolese.
Glad you guys are having replenishing worship services and relaxing, restorative breaks at the hotel.
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