Refugee Camp

Today we set out for the refugee camp. We had a SUV full of people, plus we rented a pickup to carry the 1200 salted dried fish we bought for distribution. The camp was about 1.5 hours from Goma along some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. The views of the mountains and lake Kivu are spectactular. Most camps are isolated, but this one is situated right next to a village. The difficulty in distributind to this camp is that the villagers want whatever is being handed out. The camp we went to was a pygmy camp. These people had to flee there villages because of the fighting. They are a neglected group and aid does not come very often for them. Three workers from Caritas came with us and were very organized. All the refugees had a registration card and only those people could get aid. We distributed to almost 600 families which covers about 2600 people. The distribution went well until the end. When all the refugees had received their fish, we had some left over. We tried to get them to the villagers that were around, but it turned very close into a mob scene. So we hopped in the truck and left. Along the road on the way back, we stopped and handed fish to people. We had also bought some candy to distribute to kids and had some left ofer. Camille would slow the care down and we would throw the candy to children. It was a lot of fun.

Pretty tired so that's all for now.

Grace and Peace,

Michael.

Preparation Day

Today was a day of running around and getting things prepared for tomorrow. We first went to World Vision to talk to them about feeding at a refugee camp. We ran into protocol and procedural issues, and it did not seem like they wanted to help. We ended up at Caritas, a Catholic organization, and found out that they do a monthly feeding at this camp. Long story short, we care going to the camp with three people from Caritas to do the feeding.

We then went to Heal Africa which in the best source of medical care in most of Congo. We met with the founding doctor and he shared that their operating room in up to date and the best in Congo. All the equipment has come straight from the U.S. The hospital does great work and is the base for their main work. They send teams of medical personal into the bush to provide medical care. They bring the most serious cases back to Goma for treatment. We met with women who where in recovery from surgery to repair damage from sexual violence. Most of the women remembered us from last Friday when we met with them. Once women asked if I would pray from God to heal them, and I was honored to do so.

After a break for lunch and misc. things, we went with Esther to buy salted dried fish for the distribution. When we got in the SUV, Esther asked if I wanted to drive because she was tired so, I go my first experience driving in the DRC. It was not as crazy as Kinshasa, but I certainly was more focused they when I drive at home. The fish buying took awhile, we purchase 1200 fish. They are large and each family will get two.

Pray for us as we go out of Goma to the refugee camp. There are about 500 families living there, with about 5 people per family. These people had to flee their homes in the mountains because of rebel forces.

The connection is here is very slow and I have been unsuccessful getting any more pictures up load, but I will keep trying.

Grace and Peace,

Michael.

Church and Orphanage

This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

It should not be a challenge to preach, I do it every weekend. But this weekend Satan has been playing tricks with my mind. I started to think that I have nothing to offer these people and why would they listen to a white guy from the U.S. I stayed up late last night preparing for the message today and was woken up early thinking about the message. While I was taking a shower, the Lord spoke to me this verse: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." That was the answer, not to depend on myself but to trust in the Lord.

Church started at 9am so we left at 9:15...seriously. When got to church the place was all ready charged up in worship and prayer. There were 400 people in the sancuary with an other 100 in the overflow. Eventhough all the worship was in french, I was able to really enjoy the worship and God continued to prepare me to speak. I spoke on Romans 12:1-2 with the focus on God's will for our lives. Camille is an incredible translator and we had good flow together. Camille led the response and several people make first time commiments to Jesus and a lot more recommitted their lives to Jesus! Great stuff!

A women gave a moving tetimony of deliverance. She was in the airplace that crashed here in Goma a couple weeks ago with her three daughters. She pushed her kids out a window because they were trapped. When the older daughter (not more than 12) saw her mom still in the plane, she went back in the plane to help her mom. The mom ended up with burns to her lower back but generally okay.

Camille and Esther do not cook on Sundays so they took us to a nice restraurt on Lake Kivu. It was a very relaxing time and made me want to take a nap.


No nap because we were off to the orphanage. We have brought a huge sack of shoes to take to the kids, also a tether ball, soccor ball and a pile of bananas that we bought on the side of the road for $5. We met under some shelter with the kids and got to hear a couple of their stories. To say the least, they were very heart braking. One boy had to flee his home by the direction of his parents as they were being attacked, he was 6 at the time. He lived on the streets with other kids stealing to get by. He was brought to the orphanage where he has food, shelter and is getting an education, he is now 13. We were able to out fit most kids with shoes, but we did not have some bigger sizes. Many children were doing a "happy dance" when they got their shoes. Patrick hooked up the tether ball and we tossed them the soccor ball, more "happy dancing".

Tonight we had nice time sitting outside talking about God and drinking tea. We called church and got to hear the combined voices from home, very moving.

Tomorrows plan: UN, Heal Africa, preparing for refugee camp feeding.

Thank you for you continued prayers.

I miss my family...

Grace and Peace,

Michael.

Prison, radio station and motorcycle

I think Patrick summed up the prison experience well, so if you haven't read his entry, make sure you do. It was a truly cool experience and Patrick did do a great job. He was translated from English to French to Swahili. They asked me to share a few words at the end, and it was very invigorating sharing with the men. Camille had been to this prison before and he commented that the inmates reaction and receptivity to the message was far better than when he had came before. The terms the men are serving range from a few months to life. Some are in prison because they could not pay their fine, as little as $10.

We accompanied Esther to the market to buy food items. And when I say market, I do not mean Stater Bros. or Whole Foods, I am talking about an outdoor market on the side of the street. It was actually a drive through, because if you pull up and roll your window down all the sellers run up to you to try to get you to buy their stuff.

We took care of the radio station computer and the station director asked Camille about getting me on the air. He wanted me to do an hour long live program every day next week. Do to our schedule, we can't make it happen, but I might record a program in the Light of Africa studio for radio air play. Camille is going to get the Passion for Souls CD played on the radio in Goma.

We went to the Youth meeting at church where I had spoke yesterday. Patrick did a good job again and then fielded some tough questions. He answered the questions thoroughly and from his heart.

We spent the evening with Camille (Esther was out) talking, and singing outside looking out at Lake Kivu. Patrick taught Camille how to ride a motorcycle, one again the Jedi master gets to use his skills.

We did not get to the orphange today but it is on the schedule after lunch tomorrow. I am preaching in the morning meeting at the Assemblies of God church when Camille and Esther go.

That's all from me for now, it's getting late and I need to finished getting prepared for tomorrow.

Grace and Peace,

Michael.

Prison...& more! Patrick

Hey Family,

At 7:00 am we arrived at the prison here in Goma. So far this country has been all new experiences. Standing out in front of this prison I understand some things are universal. Prisons will always look some what the same & for me feel somewhat the same. This one was no different. If you know, you know & if you don't, praise God. So Mike, Camille & I are greeted by some men out front & in a few moments there is rattling coming from behind the heavy steel door, it swings open & we begin to file in. This is strange for me I have never voluntarily entered a facility like this & never expected to be able to walk back out in a few hours. The Lord put prison ministry on my heart a long time ago. The anxiety I am feeling is over come by the realization that God is working through me, & that I am equipped & ready for the challenge. I have brought my sword to the battle , I have put on the armor & I all ready know who wins.The truth rings through my mind, "All things work out for the good of those that love God & are called according to his purpose"... I am on fire. I expected to be scared, I'm not. This is nothing like when I have seen visitors & Pastors come to prison, usually they come through a safe & secured passage & are escorted by correctional officers. We walked through a door right on to the yard. This "high security" facility was built to imprison 300 men, as we squeeze our way, face to face with the inmates, through the press of the 600 men who live here I realize there are no towers, no guards with mini 14s, it is us & the inmates. who I will later be informed have been left to govern themselves. I am more & more pumped up with each step. By the time we can hear the worship music coming from the room we are headed to I am ready to explode. We walk in & it is dark, the only light is the sun shining through the bars high on the wall, coming in from outside. As my eyes adjust I realize there are approx 300 guys in a room built for 100. Walking very carefully so as not to step on people sitting on the floor we make our way across the room & sit. The worship is amazing, passionate, genuine...tribal. I am moved. The time has come, I stand, these are my peeps, I understand them. I begin to tell them my testimony... & I ignite. It's on like Donkey Kong. This feels so awesome, natural. These guys were more than listening, they were receiving, they were passionately responding. We were all in the middle of a blessing experience & we realized it. So the Lord let me spit fire for a few min.s & then it was time to go. Afterwards we were taken on a "tour" of the facility. Man after man called out my name as we walked by, there is a language barrier but no other words were needed. The Lord is building bridges, changing lives, saving souls.

In the after noon we went with Camille to one of the radio stations he supports & is broadcast on.
Camille gave them a VERY nice new Dell to use for recording, editing, whatever. Very cool, they hooked it it up & it was super fast, nice ...

Next we went to a youth function at the AOG church & I was asked to speak again. I gave my testimony & afterwards we opened it up for question & answer. It was awesome the questions were well thought out & very challenging.

As it turns out Camille has a little Honda motorcycle but he doesn't know how to ride it.this eve we fired it up & Now he is a rider...cool huh?

I'm out.

P

Not the same old thing

There has been and will continue to be many opportunities to preach and teach. I preached at the church Camille and Esther attend today. There service is very similar to ours, except for the language, French. Immediately after the service we went to a meeting with women and girls who have been the victims of sexual violence. They come from their homes outside the city to Goma to get physical healing. Esther works with the women to deal with the emotional and spiritual brokenness and shares with them the healing power from the love of Jesus. The women were at various stages of the mental and spiritual process. In some of their faces you could see hope and others did not believe that hope exists, who can blame them! I could tell you some of their stories, but it is a little to disturbing for this blog. Check out http://www.healafrica.org/ to read more, this is the organization that is taking care of these women. Patrick and I were asked to share, and the women were very receptive to the message. Esther had them respond individually with what the message meant to them. Very cool!



Patrick, Camille and I had a nice walk back to the house as Esther had the car. The weather is fantastic, but it is hard to walk on lave rocks with sandals. 40% of Goma was cover in a new lava flow a few years ago, so lava rock is everywhere.



It has been nice being in constant fellowship with Camille and Esther. They are doing fantastic work and always have new ideas they want to implement. Their cell phones are constantly ringing with people who need help, direction, or many other things.



Tomorrow's plan includes: prison, radio station, assessing a feeding at a refugee camp, orphanage and youth meeting. We are out by 6:30am, so it should be a good full day.



Love to all.



Grace and Peace,



Michael.

friday april 25th 7:00 pm Patrick. A whole new level

Hello all...

A whole new level...

This morning Mike, Camille, Ester & I got to meet with the regional director of World Vision. It was a very exciting meeting discussing possibilities for partnerships.It was very educational & inspiring.

This after noon we went to church & Mike delivered a smoking Holiness in action message.It was Awesome! The AOG congregation lit up! that place was on fire!

Afterwards we met with a group of approx 40 women. They are in a "hospital" that treats women who are victims of sexual violence, some of them have contracted HIV due to the attacks & some have been left pregnant with their attackers baby. There is a woman who has huge, deep, horrifying scars on her face, & one of the victims is just a child,maybe 7 years old.After Mike encouraged & excited them with the story of the woman who was healed by touching Jesus' robe, I was asked to speak...I thought to my self, as I'm reeling from what I've learned & being stared at by these women who's eyes convey all the pain they have been through & are still in. What can I possible have to say. Me, I've got nothing.
I said a short prayer & asked the LORD to handle my business. We started in Romans 8:38-39 & we were off... I don't even know where I ended up I think Hebrews & Job.These women were so hungry for the Word & received the message with enthusiasm. God is Good & continues to bless & encourage me.

Tomorrow morning around 6:30 am we are off to Prison to bring the message to the inmates.

I miss you all.

P.

Safely in Goma

Today was a day of movement. Our scheduled departure to Goma was right on schedule and went off with out a hitch. Last week an airplane crashed on take off from the Goma airport, the same airlines that we flew on. We took off from Kinshasa, then stopped in Kisangani before our arrival in Goma. On each landing most passengers clapped as if a safe landing was not supposed to happen. Our luggage made it safe which was kind of a surprise. We actually had to check in our bags the night before we flew at the airlines office in town. They then drive our bags to the airport and load them, kind of different.

It was great to see Camille and Esther! Esther met us in the airport and help us get through the process faster. I did not think there would be any process for a domestic flight, but... Our accommodations are a little different than what we experienced in Mato, running water and electricity are fantastic. Patrick and I taught a a bible study tonight. Camille had started a 3 week crash course in English, then kept it going through Bible study. They started with worship, all in English and that is a way to learn more. We sang Lord I Lift Your Name and Trading My Sorrows to start. A great way to start the Bible Study! Patrick and I did our bit and left time for questions, a great time. The Bible study was at a restaurant/guest house/hotel owned by a good friend of Camille and Esther's. It was a fantastic safe environment, which are few in Goma.

We gave Camille and Esther all the stuff we brought and they are very happy. Thanks to all of you for making it possible.

We just finished eating a late dinner and having great conversation. In the next week I will be preaching on a few occasions and we will be teaching and sharing in other situations. Keep praying for Camille, Esther, Patrick and myself. Goma is not the safest place but God's will be done.

Grace and Peace,

Michael

Pictures from Mato

Mama Captain with the fufu machine

Motobike Mike

Captain on the moto we gave

Last day in Kinshasa

Kinshas is coming to an end. Today we left money at headquarters for more child sponsorships and for the pig project to be completed in Mato. We are going to souveneer shop and take care a few other things.

I spoke to Camille ane Esther in Goma last night and they are very excited for our visit. I am scheduled to preach on Friday and Sunday, so please pray for me.

I miss you family and ask that you keep praying for us.

To Mrs. Peytons class: I keep reading your notes to me and it makes me smile alot. I look forward to seeing all of you when I get home.

Grace and Peace,

Michael

monday 4-21 12:15 Pm Patrick/ Re:Motorbike Mike

Freeman is now a motorcycle rider!
I only have a second because Motorbike Mike is standing next to me tapping his impatient little shifting foot, waiting for me to grab the keys to the other bike so we can go on a burn run.
This is cool, he is so excited...priceless.

Now he understands :-)

Late.
P.

Tuesday April 22 Michael

I was not looking to the drive back, a truck full of stuff and 6 people in a truck that seats five. Besides the general uncomfort, the trip was fine until we got into Kinshasa. We were pulled over for four people in the back seat of the truck. What is rediculous is that a VW van can have 20 people but 4 in the back seat of the truck is wroung. The injustice. It costs us 12 dollars to get out of the jam and keep moving. Not like getting pulled of at home. The journey back took just over 3 hours and my back side was done with bumpy roads.

We spent the rest of the day in town having lunch and spending a couple hours in the cyber cafe. It is an air condition place with nice equipment. At night we were back in Kitambo and for dinner we had chocotate browine flavor Power Bar dipped in peanut butter, dinner of champions.

Grace and Peace,

Michael

monday 4-21 10:15 am Patrick

Well like I said our driver Alan has priors it is now 10:15 and he just came back w/ the truck. It's all good he came back w/ a goat that will be slaughtered & prepared for a big meal tonight. this will be the first meat we or anyone else has eaten since we have been here. Seeing this little goat tied up & knowing his fate reminded me that I am just a soft Moondeli (white guy).

P.

Monday April 21 Michael

Last full day in Mato. The day started with us waiting for our driver to come back with the truck. He left early to go buy a goat for our feast tonight. The people here do not get much opportunity to eat meat and this is the longest I have gone with out meat. If I was unsure before, I am not a vegetarian. In-N-Out, thats what a hamburger is all about. Day dreaming...I am back and now hungry! With our driver still not back, we will go down to the farm after lunch to wrap up a few loose ends. So what to do...

Did I tell you that we bought a motorcycle? I have never driven one and now I have! I was taught by Jedi Master Patrick on the ways of the motocycle. As I let out on the clutch and reved the gas way to much, I was slowly off with Patrick running behind me. It reminded me of when I took Nates training wheels off his bike and I was running behind him to keep him safe. After a couple laps around the compound it was time to get out in the road. Patrick hopped in the truck and drove with our drive riding next to him. He had fun 4x4ing thought all the mud and water I went around. Once we came back, Partick jumped on the Captians motorcycle and we were off together. We ended up taking a couple rides today with the last one as dusk was approaching. Riding was fantastic! As we were riding back through the village several children were making faces at us thanks to Parteick, you know the one where he twists his ears and puffs his face out.

After lunch we went down to the farm to deal with a hole in one of the pipes, unfortunarly we could not find the hole without the water pumping. I created a fix and showed them what to do. We also discussed the placement for the water tank and what it would take to make it happen. This was the hottest day in Mato with no cloud cover. We were blessed all the other days with overcast skies which keep the sweat factor down.

The goat feast was a huge success! We all sat outside together under the moon and the lights from our truck. They made a couple of speaches thanking us for all that we did there and for the great food. Partick inturn thanked them for making us a part of their family. We need to keep praying for these people.

Tomorrow back to Kinshasa.

Grace and Peace,

Michael

monday 4-21 7:00 am Patrick

I forgot to write yesterday...sorry. We went to church, both Freeman & I were given an opportunity to address the congregation. I shared my testimony & delivered the message of forgiveness & grace, it was well received. We have come here on a mission to spread the gospel & instigate economic development. However after a 3 hour church service I feel like they should be sending missionaries to our country.The way they worship & praise the LORD in the midst of the plight that is life here is amazing & inspiring. After church Freeman were involved in a village meeting where we gave a Fufu machine(huge food grinder) to Mrs. Captain. This will greatly speed up a process that was being done by hand & they will be able to rent out use of the machine for a decent profit. The machine is another investment in the people of Mato from the people of Praiseworks & all of you who offered support. It was very much appreciated & will have a great effect on economic development. Later in the day Freeman & I were stoked to sit in on a 2 hour project meeting, it was actually very encouraging to see the level of organization & the vision that Abendego, Eric, & the Captian are working with. That was Sunday.

Today is Monday & it is back to the veg. farm to do some finish work on the irrigation system.(hold on a sec Mike & I are doing push ups & I gotta do a set) OK I'm back. Well our driver took off this morning to go buy a goat & still is not back (he's got priors) as soon as he shows up we will be off to work.

P.

Sunday April 20 Michael

We do not allow ourselves much Sabbath, a day of rest, in the U.S. Sabbath is commanded by God way back in Exodus and we took Sabbath today. Church started at 10:30, so with travel by foot, we had to leave at 9:59, the church was accross the compound. We had a good sleep and a slow morning. Church lasted about 3 hours and Patrick gave a really cool testimony and the people seemed to really get it. When he talked about his past and the transformation that has taken place, there were a lot of amens being said. I gave a small lesson on peace. Not peace that is absent of conflict, but peace that comes from God that exists even in the midst of conflict. After church walked back to our room, sat on our beds and...fell asleep. Ah Sabbath!

Nap was followed by lunch which was followed by a community meeting where we presented the fufu machine. Mama Captain, received the machine and explained that what the machine will do for the village. They are assembling a team of three to establish the rate people will pay to use the machine.

We then sat in on a staff meeting from the varous areas of the farm. Beef production, vetables, rabbits, and tractor. Each area gave an update and the current challenges they are facing and they looked to Patrick and I for input. The input we were able to give was in the organization and procees which they were using. The team is strong and the future is bright for this farm.

As the meeting ended dusk had set in setting up a beautiful sunset. The sunsets here rival the ones I have watched with my family in Maui.

One more day in the bush...

Grace and Peace,

Michael

Pictures

Fight Quest DRC

Patricks influence

Sunset in the bush

Sat 4:19, 8:00 pm Patrick

I am wore out. What a great day. Mike & I work well & quickly together. we put down & glued all the pipe. We don't have the adaptor we need to get the water from the pump into the pipe. It took a few hours & much creativity but we now have an operational, irrigated vegetable farm, success! Other than bring the money to purchase the farm this is a big part of what we came here to do. WATER IS LIFE.
We got back to the village and started to work on the pig pen. Normally I just neglect picking up after my self & in no time I have a pig pen... this is more involved. I we sunk 10 posts & nailed something like chicken wire (I guess this would be pig wire) to the posts. there is so much more to write I just can't, I'm exhausted. I'll write you in the morning.

P.

I HAVE RUN OUT OF TIME HERE AT THE CYBER CAFE. I MISS YOU GUYS I'LL WRITE MORE SOON

Sat 4:19, 6:20 am Patrick

The big truck w/ the pipe showed up last night! We headed back down to the farm (9 kilometers) & off loaded the pipe. When we got back it was amazing how many people came out of nowhere to get a ride & to bring their stuff to town on the big truck.
This morn. it is back to the veg. farm for Mike & I. Hopefully we will get all the pipe fitted & have water pumping up to the veg rows early so we will have time to come back & work on the pig pen.
The bell is ringing I gotta go to devotion.

P.

Fri. April 18th, evening Patrick. Mfumu

Mike & I just met the Mfumu (leader) of another local village. This guy has crazy bad JuJu, or MoJo...whatever. He is known as a very powerful witchdoctor. Freaky stuff, pray hard.

Peace,
Patrick

Fri. April 18th, 4:15 pm Patrick. pig pen

HA! I thought I was filthy before, now Mike & I are truly dirty.We cleared a 60 foot by 60 foot area that was just overgrown jungle & now it is clean, flat, & fit for a pig! this is just the beginning of the pig farm that we hope to finish before we leave. Now we are going out in to the surrounding villages to get to know our neighbors, their needs & more about life here in the bush.

I'm out.

Patrick

Saturday April 19 Michael

The goal for today was to get water from the well up to the vegetable beds about 800 feet away and then build the pig enclosure.

With 800 feet of trench already dug, Patrick and I got to work laying and glueing the pipe. It was like puting my sprinklers together just much bigger pipe and a lot more of it. We ran the pipe down and created a connection for where the pump would connect. That did not take much time time but the next step would. No one thought of how to connect the pipe to the water pump, a much needed step. Fortunately our driver Alan was also able to create someting out of nothing. He created a connector using misc. parts including a part from the engine! I was relieved that this was only a temporary option! After one failed attempt, it worked. I ran to the end of the line in my rubber book, note to self rubber boots are not good for running, and watched as water come pumping out. The guys who are responsible for the cattle and vegetables where jumping up and down with excitement. Later they are going to add a water take and pump water into it, then irrigate from the tank. The farm willl be hopping with fresh vegetables very soon.

As we were preparing to go back to our compound, 8 children came out of the bush with huge sacks of leaves on their heads. The leaves are used to wrap the kwanga in. These kids were no more than 10 years old and a couple looked no more than 6. The walk back to the village was about 4 miles and these kids would have already walked down and then now to walk back. To make this story shorter, they got in the truck and got a ride, they were very excited.

After lunch and rest,we went to work on the pig enclosure. We had 20 meteres of fencing so the enclusure was 20 meters square, well kind of square. We put in posts then nailed the fencing to the posts. Patrick held the fencing, I nailed and about 20 people watched! No pressure. It did not take long and it was finished. We hope to have pigs in here Monday, but we will see...

All in all, another great day in the bush. We finished the day by washing up in a 3 walled enclosure that faced the bush. There you strip down and use a bucket of water to clean up. That is what the locals do, so we did too. Good to be clean.


Pictures to come tomorrow.


Grace and Peace,

Michael

Fri. April 18th, 12:04 pm Patrick. progress

This morning Mike rode in the truck & I rode the motorcycle, this is very tough terrain. We got to the river we are going to pump water from & most of the trench had already been dug! Mike & I grabbed machetes & cleared a path so we could carry the pump down to the waters edge. we got the pump next to the water & after some messing around with the motor we got the pump started...so now we have pumping water but no pipes to pump it into:-(
The ride back, Well I decided to take this new motorcycle & throw it on the ground a few times. other than some bruises & a busted fender we came out unscathed.

We are going to break for lunch & then we will go & clear a place behind the village where we are going to build a pig pen. I gotta go wash up I am filthy.

God is good.

Patrick

Friday, April 18 Michael

5:30 wake up for 6am devotions. They ring a big bell and the people make it in for morning prayers. The church building is open qnd fairly new. Not sure what the devotions were about but it was somewhere in Revelations.

We spent the moring working on the water well down at the farm. The irrigation system is a top priority as it makes it impossible for crops to grow without water. Up to this point, they have been walking pails of water up from the stream to the field. We got some good time to interact with the locals and even clown around a bit. I know, shocking that Patrick and I would clown around. Patrick helped clear some growth out of the well while I took a machete and cleared off over growth around the well. We both then took machetes to over growth and cleared a path to the road. (Cool pictures to come of machetes).

In the afternoon we cleared jungle to prepare for a pig pen. The growth was well over 6 feet high and we cleard a large area.

Cool thing about how they work, they work hard in the morning then break for lunch and rest. Then pick it up again in the afternoon. We were all about the rest!

We were going to go into the village but the truck with our supplies arrived. We took the supplies, mostly for irrigation, down to the farm so we could work on it the next day. We had a generator repaired so now we can have some light in the evening. We also bought a fufu machine for womens ministries of the Salvation Army. Fufu: take kasava and soak it water, then dry it out, then pound it by hand into a power. This machine will grind the kasava taking the pounding part out. The women will be able to produce more kwanga, a staple, and also charge in the village to use the machine.

Francis , main translator and friend, was a huge help. He stayed back in Kinshasa and made sure all of the supplies made it to us in Mato. When we left the truck it was sti!ll being worked on. Unfortunatly we could not stay with us as he is preparing to go to South Africa for some schooling for 3 months.

Pictures to come tomorrow.

Grace and Peace,

Michael

Fri. April 18th, 5:40 am Patrick. Back in Mato

(all of the following was written in the bush & now we are back and posting to the blog)

We are in Mato now. we arrived yesterday. Mike & I came out in a 4x4 but the big truck w/ the pipe has not arrived yet. The road was not as bad & we took a different route ( big muddy hill climbs) it was a blast! Last night was cool, Abendego the farmer from Kenya who was hired by the SA to run this farming project shared how he was here by himself for a long time and it was very difficult for him. So he requested & was sent a companion (Eric). That reminded me of Ecclesiastes 4: 7-12 so grabbed my bible. By moonlight, around the hood of our truck, standing in the mud we tore into scripture in 3 languages & as I quite often do we ended up in Romans...it was awesome.
Last night was our first night sleeping out here in the bush, these are the toughest people I have ever met. This morning we are going to go down to the veg. farm & start digging.

Mosquitoes are gangsters.

I gotta go there is work to be done.

Late
P.

Thursday, April 17 Michael

Drive out was not as stressfull this time. The back of the truck was piled high with our supplies Congo style, minus all the people on top. We did not try to accmplish too much as darkness was falling. We ( Patrick, Eric, Abendego, Alan, Captain, and I) hung out at the front of the truck and an impromptu devotion broke out. Patrick took us to Eccessiates where it talks about the value and necessity of companionship. I was able to use my wedding ring tatoo as an illustration to the scripture.

A mamma came out to cook for us, not our decision, and she made our beds and cooked for us. We ate local congolese food, rice, kasava leaves, kwanga and sardines. Can you say Power Bar? We ate most of the food but had to consider the effects on our stomachs.

Sleep? We had good accomodations especially for the bush. The temp. was mild and I actually used a sheet over me. In the bush you go to bed early with there being no electricity. Best sleep so far.

Pictures to come tomorrow.

Grace and Peace,

Michael

Education Sponsorship

This is Sonia Nzuzi one of the youths we sponsor. She is 17 years old and is close to finishing secondary school.

We have pictures with the other kids we have sponsored to put up at church.

Congo time...

Well we had planed to buy supplys today & be out of here (kinshasa) early tomorrow. we bought 61, three inch, 20 foot long pvc pipes that we are going to use to pump water from a river to the vegetable farm area. we are also going to be digging the ditch to bury the pipe...pray for strength. The huge Iveco diesel 4x4 we are supposed to use to get the pipes to Mato was supposed to have repairs done on it today...we just came from checking on the truck & nothing has been done :-) . there is also a generator that we are supposed to be taking out to the people in Mato, it also was supposed to have repairs done today... again nothing has been done. I think somewhere along the line brother Michael must have prayed for patience & I have received the blessing of seeing prayers answered right before my eyes.

Ok I was going to give shout outs to some people but I dont want to leave anybody out & ruin my political career. To Melvin, Betty & Michael Peterman thank you so much for never giving up,Much love. The AOG church in Mi. & My Uncle's (Rick Lineberger) church in Fl. thank you for your prayers & support. The Kingdom is moving forward & into the jungle because of you;

To my precious family in Orange(Praiseworks)... I don't even know what to say, I miss you all so much. You are my peeps. Agape

Nate, Dave, & Joanna, Michael & I are taking good care of each other... We love & miss you, be home soon.

Patrick,
John3:30

Kids in Mato

Notice all the smiles? All you have to do is say seca (pronounced say-ka) whick means smile; These are some of the kids out at Mato and we are going to have a nice game of football (aka soccor). I sence significant defeat in our future...

Road to Mato

That is supposed to be a road and not two streams.

Patrick in Kinshasa

This is a picture of Patrick riding in down town Kinshasa. A place he never thought he would ride!

The Farm

Today was an amazing & exhusting day. The day started with a bus ride to T.H.Q. from where we are staying in Kitabo. 20 of us in an 8 passenger bus in crazy trafic for an hour... This is how it is done here in Kinshasa. I made a few adjustments to the motorcycle we bought (they forgot to tighten the front axel,nice) scored some tiedowns, loaded the bike in the back of a 4x4, & headed out for Mato. It has been raining for days so the road was more like a river, It was very difficult driving & very difficult for me as we have someone driving us & I really wanted to drive.

Mato is amazing & beautiful. We will be gathering more supplies tommorrow & then go back out there the next day. We have many very tough jobs ahead of us. It will be extremely challenging but I have faith where God called us HE will equip & empower us. Once we get back out there we will be out of contact for approx a week so do not be concerned when we do not post.

I only have a min. so remind me to tell you about Rebeca, the girl we brought out of the bush & took to the hospital.

Please continue to pray for our health & saftey.

I gotta run, the Jungle is calling.

Peace,
Patrick

Tuesday

I find it difficult right know to share with you today as a lot has happened. Patrick in I are in a cyber cafe using the internet to get this out. He is sitting next to me typing his blog entry.

Todays goal was to get out to Mato and assess the situation. After three hours of driving on the worst roads I have ever been on, we made it. Roads being bad is an under statement. For a long streach, a few miles, it was just mud and deep water. Fortunately we had a good driver and a 4x4 truck. On the way back we hit a hole and we came as close to rolling the truck with out rolling as possible. We met with Abendego, a farmer from kenya whom the salvation army has brought to get the farm working effeciently. We spent about 1.5 hours there, seeing the land and making a list of needed supplies. We could not stay very long as we needed to get back before any more rain hit and it got too dark.

On the way back, we were stopped in a very muddy section in a small village with a man asking for help. I thought money, but it was much bigger. A women had just given birth 3 months premature and needed to get to the hospital. Francis and I jumped in the back the truck and put the women, her baby, daughter, and sister in law in the truck. They only wanted a ride to the main road so they could get a taxi, but we decided best for us to get her to the hospital. In the truck Patrick exposed them to Power bars. I do not know if they liked them, but they ate them. We got them to the hospital and made sure that they had money to pay for the bill. We prayed for them and I ask you to pray for Rebekah and her baby. That is life in the bush. God had that in the plan for the day, and I thank him for the opportunity.

This maybe the last entry for awile. WE will be staying in Mato which has no electricty, water, cell phone coverqae or In-N-Out burger. We will keep a log of out experiences and update the blog when we get back to Kinshasa.

Nate and Davina; Patrick had beaucoup pili pili and it made his mouth on fire. He was sweating a lot and was drinking lots of water. I hear you are being very good for mommy, keep it up!


To much to tell in a blog, but I can fill in small details later.

Grace and Peace,

Michael

PS. Kenny and Jeni called while updating this, very cool to touch home.

Off and running

Mobte!

Everytime I arrive here, I have this felling like I never left. The sites, sounds and smells are so familiar and in a strange kind of way relaxing. It has been fun watching Patrick experience so much for the first time, it keeps it fresh for me.

The "small" incident at the aiport asside, it has been all good. We are staying in Kitambo which is about 15 minutes from downtown Kinshasa when there is no traffic. After resting about and hour we took a 1 kilometer walk to get water at a small grocery store. I do not know why people where looking at us, two white guys who are dressed exactly the same walking in a way that says I know your looking at me. Saturday night we had dinner with the heads of the Salvation Army for Congo at a home accross the street...great local food.

Patrick already gave you a taste of Nzelo, and all I can add is that joy from the Lord is undeniable. These people seemingly had nothing, yet that had everything. The meeting was filled with singing which was crazy good. When we (Castors, Patrick and I) left, they loaded us up with gifts. Sugar cane, banannas, papyas, kasava, squash and...a goat. The goat was not trilled being tied to the truck and Patrick and I tried not to discuss what was going to happen to the goat. If the goat knew what was coming, he would had been even more upset, I know I would have been.

Sunday evening we met with some family of Davinas and shared with them some photos of her. We were then made a congolese meal that was enough food for many people. Francis was translating for us so he heped us with the consumtion of food. We both feel asleep early, then paid the price by being awake from midnight to four in the morning. Needless to say, we are not quite adjusted to the time zone yet.

Thanks to all that have given in various ways for child sponsorship. Being able to see the kids and pay their fees was a real joy today. Patrick was documenting well each child so we share accurately when we get home. By the time we leave, we will have paid school fees for at least 30 children. That is 30 kids would otherwise not be in school.

Our big project has buying the farm and we did that today. I handed commissioner Mungate(head of the Salvation Army for Congo) 12,000 dollars cash money. I commend you church for raising all the money to pay for this worth while project. They told us that they had sleepless nights wondering where they were going to get the needed money for this project. It is very cool that God used you, He used us, to answer the prayers of the people here. Tomorrow we will go and see the "promised land" and work with a Kenyan name Abednego on what we will do over the next week.

About the motorcycle...Patrick as like a little kid at Christmas getting the present he always wanted. We will use the motorcycle in Mato to get around then give it away when we leave.

We hope to get some pictures up tomorrow.

To Mrs. Peytons class: The farm we are going to has no aminals yet. I get to buy pigs and chickens and maybe a dairy cow for the farm that the people here will take care of. Can you guess how many pigs and chickens I will buy? I will tell you later and the winner will get a present from the Congo.

To my family: Some day, we will experience this all together. Nate and Davina, listen to mommy and hug the dogs for me. Joanna...you know...

Grace and Peace,


Michael

Motorcycling through Kinshasa

This letter is from Patrick, chosen by the will of God to serve Jesus Christ. I am writing to the Church in Orange & to you who have been called by God to be his own Holy people.

We do not have much time so I will have to keep it short.

As I walked off the plane into the bathtub that is the air here, I was excited & amazed. When I walked up to the officals who check your passport, I opened mine to the page with my Visa & showed it to them. It was immediately taken from me & I was escorted away from Michael & everybody else. Long story short...God is good, HE gave me the words & courage to prevail, after some convincing I was let go with my baggage & not having to pay any fees.

Church Sunday was amazing was... 12 Kilometers down a 4x4 trail into the bush we came to Nselo a little village in the middle of nowhere. We joined the locals for 3 & a half hours of the most amazing worship. Rejoice my brothers & sisters, here in Africa the truth is being preached, I received an amazing, convicting message about Holiness. I was so blessed. I was also honered and humbeled with an opportunity to address the congregtion on behalf of Jesus.

Today we visited many schools & helped children to get an education for the remainder of the year. We met so many great kids ...what a awesome day. We also purchesed an 175 Enduro motorcycle to take out to Mato tomorrow (farm) . 2 wheels is the only way to roll in this crazy city, I had a blast flying through Kinshasa. Praise the Lord.

There is SO much more to tell but I do not have the time. I miss you all & will see you soon.

Peace,
Patrick

Nairobi

Greetings from Kenya. This last flight was full, but I was ableoget some slept. Patrick wasn't so forunate. Things are well and we are about to board.

So...Grace and Peace.

Michael/Patrick

Best Flight Ever

God takes care of ever the smallest things. We checked in with excess pounds in our bags and didn't have to pay any additional fees. On the plane we had the two seats next to the window on a plane that seemed only half full. After take off, we ended up with a row of seats each. Yep, we laid out and had complete rows to ourselvs and got some much needed rest.

Now we are in London, well we are in a secure part of the airport and technically not anywhere right now. So far everything has gone well, really easy. We are all checked in for the next couple flights and now just have to pass the time. We are both looking forward to what God is going to do and ask that you keep praying for us.

To Nate's first grade class, thank you very much for all the notes you wrote me. I will be reading them often and it will remind me of all of you. There were a lot of good movies to watch on the plane and also so good tv shows. Listen to Mrs. Peyton and learn your memory verses.

Thank you to all of the encouraging texts and phone calls on the day of our departure. Please continue to pray for traveling mercies, those prayers work!

Joanna,Nate & Davina, Na linge yo!

Grace and Peace,

Michael/Patrick

PS, you can post comments. They won't show up on the blog until after we read them.

Here we go.

In less than 24hours, Patrick and I (Michael) will be off to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), for a 25 day trip.  We will be spending the first two week in and around Kinshasa the capital.  We are funding the purchase of a 400 acre farm which will be used to teach poor people how to farm.  This is a project that will help break the cycle of poverty for generation to come.  We are not sure all that we will be doing , so check back here and we will update as much as possible.  We will also we sponsoring 35 children, which will ensure that they are getting an education.  We will spend some time meeting some of the children and getting a look at their schools.

The third week will be spent in Eastern Congo in a city named Goma.  Goma is on the border with Rwanda and has had an influx of hundreds of thousands of refugees dating back to the Rwanda genocide in the early 1990's. We will be with Camille and Esther Ntoto of Light of Africa Network, who came and spoke at our church in February.  Check out their website as well as healafrica.org to see what work they are doing.

Patrick and I are very excited about this trip and appreciate all the support that has been given to us so far. I am personally excited to experience this with Patrick.  I get to experience the DRC through the eyes of someone who has never experienced this before, it keeps it fresh for me.

So I ask you to pray for us as we are praying for you.

Grace and Peace,

Michael and Patrick