The first MCC/Seed program in DRC is over!

And just like that it’s over! Two years of supervising, mentoring, reproaching my Seed “kids” and they’ve flown from the nest. 

Seeders at Partner Gathering

We had some good times together here at the end! Many of the supervisors and colleagues from our partner organizations came to Bukavu and participated in a day-long meeting (afternoon and the following morning) where we went through some formalities, but mostly importantly, all the Seeders led small group discussions about a subject they’ve studied during the course of Seed and that’s important to them. We used the “World Café” process that worked really well in this setting, and we discussed topics such as African solidarity, reconciliation, accountability, democracy, and others. To be honest, I haven’t even looked at the evaluations yet, but from the way people were participating, I’d say it was a success! 

Serge and me at Partner Gathering

Then the Seed team moved together to Kigali where we stayed at a 7 bedroom Airbnb for three days together as we went through debriefing, celebrating and saying our goodbyes. Mark was awesome and led a number of experiential learning activities which kept up some of the energy – by that time we were all really tired already! It was a sweet time together, but I was really relieved to get them on their way home and out from under our supervisory responsibility! 

Our "Last Supper" as Seed team in Kigali

When we got home on Thursday, I was happy to realize it’s okay if my phone is not accessible for a while because there’s no one who should call me in case of emergency! Phew! That feels good.

We finished well and as planned (not early!), and we finished with all ten members of our original team! Praise God!

Approaching the end of Seed!

It’s hard for me to accept that it’s been nearly two years since I met this crew who has become like family. We’ve had lots of highs and lows and scary situations and celebrations together. I’ve gotten annoyed at their questions (mostly about finances) and gotten teary witnessing how they are growing personally. It won’t be easy to say goodbye to this group of dear brothers and sisters, knowing that it’s very unlikely we’ll all come from our corners of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, the US and Canada to be together again on this earth. 

I’m realizing that I need to mourn the loss of these relationships just like our Seeders do. At the same time, I’m the one organizing and facilitating the debriefing. I find that family is actually a pretty good analogy, that I’m sending my chicks out on their own, trusting that they’ve learned what we’ve been trying to teach them. I will feel like an empty nester when I come back to Bukavu without them. But I’m also REALLY looking forward to the relief of not being responsible for anyone but myself!

Part of this approaching culmination is very sentimental, and part of it is very practical. I have been SO BUSY! (Okay, not as busy as the beginning of the program, but still!) We’ve got lots of final reports and visits and a partner gathering and a final retreat and logistics of selling household goods and airline tickets and finances of course. January has been pretty much full-speed for me. 

At the same time, Mark and I continue to communicate with various organizations with whom we may potentially stay in Congo as missionaries working with our local church. So that adds to the busyness. At the turn of the New Year, it’s been good to look back on how far we’ve come and to dream about what this coming year may hold. We’re very thankful to know with confidence that it means seeing dear friends and family at home for good part of it!   

Sending two of our Seeders off in prayer at our church

Sweet people! And good-looking, too! ;)

I will miss the relationships I've built with the Seeders!