This is likely to be my final entry before returning to the U.S.  I have retyped this entry 3 times.  Words do not seem to convey the joy in my heart.  I feel as though I have known Pastor Didier all my life.  As servants in Christ we are bound so closely together.  I desire to stay in Congo to work; however, I want to be home to share all the exciting things that have happened, and are continuing after I leave.

I hope that I may return to continue teaching English to the many friends I have come to know.  Pastor Didier and I have had long conversations about God’s plan for this ministry.  I also look at what has already been accomplished.

When Pastor Didier and Jim Hagen first looked at this property 6 years ago there was absolutely nothing here.  Roads had to be cut to the property.    The property now has a home for Pastor’s family, an orphanage, a guest house, 2 wells, a nearly finished church, and an 8 foot wall surrounding the property.  Since that time an entire city of make shift shops and homes have grown up around here. 

God has planted 2 other churches in the area, and Pastor Didier is mentoring these young pastors.

There are several children in the process of being adopted.  Some of you have asked for pictures.  I have been able to take a few.  Please email me if I do not have your addresses so that I may pass them along when I return home.  My e-mail is jaysockol@gmail.com.   Thank you for your continuing prayers of support.

   The paved road ends, the dirt road begins, much like racing down Baja Mexico peninsula.  along each side of the road are small stand selling various essentials.

Bags of charcoal for cooking

Here it is Friday evening.  Living on the Equator it gets dark by 6 here.  It is rather nice living by the natural rhythm of the light.  We have a precious 3 hours of electricity for charging computers, shavers, tools, phones.  It is a simpler lifestyle, one I now realize I have been praying for for quite some time.  God answers pray in the most unexpected ways.

For the past 2 days I have been using verses from the Bible for teaching pronunciation.  The class is staying with the challenge.  They not only pronounce with clarity, but read entire sentences with intonation.  Everyone without regard to age tries their hardest.

As I am getting to know my students, and listen to their conversations, I do not hear complaining.  I hear a joy for the Lord, I hear their struggles, and I hear their peace.  I am humbled as these believers seek our Lord first.  Their circumstance has little to do with their fervent love of Jesus.

My initial struggles in missing my family, adapting to a new environment, and coping with a rustic lifestyle have all fallen away.  I am enjoying the each day more, and appreciating the life God has given me.  Pastor Didier has been very accommodating.  He teaching me with gentleness; showing me the cultural customs of this country.  I am truly blessed.  I look forward to sharing this time when I return to Hollister.

The weather has taken a definite turn to be cooler.  The sky has remained overcast all day.  It even drizzled rain during the night and early morning.  I also learned that one needs to confirm their reservation two days before leaving.  In addition to which there is a mandatory $50 tax before you can board the plane.  It is for maintenance of the runway.

Class continues to go well.  Students are now asking more challenging questions.  The time is going by way too quickly.

I remain grateful for everyone’s continuing prayers.  They are sustaining me through this time.

Today I was introduced to the owner of a TV station.  God has put some very interesting and powerful people into Pastor’s life to make this ministry continue.

It is amazing that an entire small city has developed since Pastor Didier first bought land out here.

(from left) unknown, emery, Jim Hagen, Pastor Paul

4 of Pastor Didier and Annie's children

My English class at CS Galaxy School.

In the first picture, the yellow container are water containers that are filled fromthe well and carried to the site for making cement.  All the bricks you see were made on site.

Those of you that have responded to this blog, thank you.  Please forgive me if I do not reply at this time.  I have limited time on the internet.  I promise to read and respond at some point.  Blessings to all of you.

Saturday, August 04, 2012

I learned today that students hear take English as a class, but unfortunately do not use it nor is it taught as a conversational class.  However, they are beginning to recall some of what they learned.  They are starting to ask more questions, and that is great.

The wind is picking up in the early mornings.  That is like a dust storm out where we live.  It clears by 8:00, than the heat of the day begins.  It was about 90 today.

Driving is interesting here.  There are no stop signs, and few signal lights.  Although they drive on the right side of the road, the steering wheels in the vehicles are also on the right side of the cars.  Minivans are the common cabs.  One can buy one for about $18,000 and have it paid off in 6 months if you work hard.

With so little, it is delightful to watch the children entertain themselves with whatever is available.  Today four of them had a band using nails, bottle tops, discarded wood, and some rope.  Afterwards, the rope doubled for jump-roping.  Despite the hardships and poverty they are happy.  It makes me embarrassed to think of the abundance we have in our country.

Monday, August 06, 2012

I am teaching so much.  The students are eager and hungry to learn.  They are asking lots of questions now, taking us into areas I had not dreamed of going.  My lesson plans are very fluid at this point.

Pastor Didier introduced me to the judge that handles the adoptions.  He too has a heart for these children, and he expedites their cases.  God is truly at work in this ministry.

Wednesday was a relaxed day.  We traveled about 6km to a Christian school, where the owner was very excited to give us a classroom to use for our classes.  Pastor Didier suggested 2 sessions, 10 to 12, break for lunch, then 12:45 to 2:45.  I may have a translator some of the time.

What was fascinating was the owner, Henri.  He has a vision to go beyond the elementary school.  He hopes to build an upper grade school, then a high school, and finally a university.  He is a strong believer, and one can sense God working in his life.

I am surprised at not having any jet lag.  I arrived at 3:00pm on Tuesday, and fell into the day’s activity.  Finally, went to bed at 10.  There has been a full moon making it feel like dusk most of the night. 

For those of you who may have seen The Gods Must Be Crazy you would have a good idea of the landscape--a lot of dirt and dust, shrubs and small trees.  In town there is a lot of poverty.  Since the Belgian left many years ago, the new governments have not maintained the infrastructure of the country.  Hence the roads are bad, sanitation is poor, and buildings are ragtag.  Yet these people continue thrive.  They are friendly and helpful.  Westerns could learn from them.  I hope I am.

Pastor Didier’s first letter to me suggested there might be 20 to 30 people attending class.  When I arrived, he asked if 40 would be okay.  Yesterday he thought the number had grown to 50.  There is still a strong desire to learn English.  Interestingly, school is an option here.  If you want your children to go to school you must pay a tuition, plus extra to use the computers.  Those children fortunate to go are serious about their education.

Coincidently, in my reading this morning in Job 28: 20-28, Job is discoursing on wisdom and understanding.  He says, “Where then does wisdom come from?  Where does understanding dwell?.......God understands the way to it and He alone knows where it dwells……..And He said to man, The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”

Wherever you may be at this time, I hope and pray you are having a blessed day.