Poor

Today while doing my devo I ran across this saying "Truly, it is worth being poor and greatly tried in faith, for the sake of having day by day such precious proofs of the loving interest which our kind Father takes in everything that concerns us". George Muller 

As I read this, I reflected on my life here as a missionary. I was thinking, am I happy that I am poor in money, there are many days when my answer is no. I think of all the things I could do if I had more money for our ministries. If I didn't have to continuously pray for more support and if I didn't have to continuously ask for more money. My least favorite part of being a missionary is asking for support. But I see that with being poor in wealth is making me strive to be rich in faith. I have to rely on God to provide because I have no other way to provide for myself. He has put on people's heart to support us and I'm so happy for that. I have to continue to trust in His will for my life. This can also be very hard. When we go to these villages, there are so many needs and everyone asks us for help. How do I chose who gets what and how do I chose what to tell people at home. If I wrote down all the needs that are here I would never stop writing. This is where my mind wonders off and I think how did I get this role. I do not want to let anyone down, I want everyone to have someone speaking on their behalf. I guess I have been dong a lot of thinking since coming back. I don't have answers to all the questions I ask myself. But I do have God who is in my corner, cheering me on, telling me what to do and how to do it. Yes I may be poor in wealth but I feel that everyday I'm becoming richer in my faith.

Hawaii

I can't even begin to describe how blessed I feel for our time here in Hawaii. The second day we were here the new quarter started at YWAM, this meant that we got to witness all the new students arriving in Kona. The campus has a welcome night were they bring people who are native to the land, to dance and sing to welcome the new students to their land. It's such a beautiful event to witness. Hawaii has such a special history and wonderful culture. After they perform, they bring a flags of every country that has a student attending the school. They will say the country and the person holding the flag will run through the crowd. As I was watching and listening to this I got tears in my eyes. I felt so overwhelmed by how many countries had Christians in it. United States was last and for some reason I didn't expect a big cheer, but when the said United States the crowd was so loud. I don't know what it was but I was so happy to be part of the United States. I was glad that everyone no matter what country they were from are proud of their country. I just felt so happy to be part of this global love for the Lord.
We didn't know but the first weekend we were here, they were celebrating 195 years since the first missionaries came the Hawaii. All I can say is wow. I didn't know anything about how the gospel came here to Hawaii. As we went to different celebration, once again I saw how much Hawaiian culture means to the people. They were so happy to be able to share their culture with everyone who had come to visit. I was really inspired by everything I saw during the Saturday celebration.

The reason we had come to Kona was to be part of an African leadership conference. We got the chance to met three other pastors from Africa, who were also part of the conference. I have to say that we were so incredibly blessed  by every person that we met with. I believe that we met with every leader from every department from University of the Nations/YWAM.  We met with Loren and Darlene Cunningham who are the Founders of YWAM. As we met with Loren his dream is to get a Bible into every home. He knows that to make this happen we have to translate the Bible into the Languages that don't have Bibles. We are going to partner with him to help translate as many languages as possible in Africa. The idea that everyone will get a Bible, no matter their language is truly amazing.
We were busy everyday that we were here but we are so inspired but what we heard. We know that we cannot do this ministry ourselves, we are going to need help and ideas. I feel like our time here was to realize that there are so many things that we can do for the Kingdom. I have to admit I was a bit overwhelmed by hearing every one's visions and ideas. We heard from people who can teach language and reading in two weeks, the I.T department, education, event planning, media department, Word by Heart, ETC. My mind has been blown by how many ways we can serve the Lord. We have made important partnerships, where people are willing to come to D.R Congo to help us train people in certain areas to improve the community and to bless the ministry. We have been so encouraged by all the people who took time to pray for us or give us encouraging words.

On Monday we will be traveling back to Africa. It feels like we have been gone for so long. We are really excited to get back and start working. As we go back there are some things we do need prayer for:
-safe travels
-more staff
-our new partnerships
-land for our base
-car
-monthly support

Thank you everyone who has blessed us while we were here in the States. It was so nice to see such an outpouring of love. God Bless.

Extended time in the US

We are so excited to say that we are staying in America until April 27th. This last week we were invited to the University of the Nations YWAM base in Kona Hawaii. While we were there we saw so many blessings. We had meetings with many leaders at the base and even got to speak at the thursday night gathering that had over 1,000 people. While we were there we were asked to come back in April to attend an African Pastors Gathering. Below is what the gathering is about. 

“We are in an amazing season of time, as Bible translation is progressing at a pace never before seen. We expect the last of the 7000 languages spoken on earth to begin translation sometime between 2020 and 2025. And we can expect that the translation and publicationprocess will have progressed so much that by 2033, everyone on earth will have the Scriptures available in their mother tongue! That year will mark the second millennium anniversary since the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ! What an important milestone! Just think of it: for the first time in history everyone will have access to God’s written Word in his/her own heart language. What an exciting time to be alive! Indeed, God is certainly at work around the globe preparing for a great new wave of Kingdom harvest. We believe this coming spiritual awakening will be fed and undergirded by a new level of engagement with God’s Word. As Bible poverty is eradicated and the Scriptures spread throughout the earth we can expect God to draw people to Himself, resulting in the redemption of individuals and the transformation of nations.

In light of this opportunity we felt it imperative to visit with key leaders who represent the various streams of the Christian tradition as well as those engaged in filling the world with God’s Word. Our purpose was to be cheerleaders, encouraging these leaders to encourage their constituents to engage afresh with God’s Word. At the same time we wanted to explore with them means of collaboration and cooperation around the Scriptures: getting them translated, produced, distributed, read, used, understood, and applied. We wanted to hear what these leaders are doing in these areas and learn from them as we also shared with them what we see happening in these categories. Though these leaders represent many different Christian traditions we all agree that the Bible is God’s Word, and it needs to take a vibrant place in the life of the reader.” Lauren Cunningham

When Fahamu and I heard about this meeting, we were so excited. As we prayed we realised that it was very important for us to attend. We looked at our finances we saw that we could just move our tickets back a couple months rather then fly to the D.R Congo and back to Hawaii. This means we will be in America for another two months. 

As we shared our dreams and visions with so many people in Kona it was so exciting to see how many  cared and encouraged us.  We saw this small dream we had, become more and more real. We know that what lies ahead of us will be tough but we have so many people who are standing behind us. Thank you everyone who is praying  for us and supporting us. You really don´t know how much it has blessed us. I will write a more detailed account about our time in Kona. We just wanted to share the big news of our extended time in the states. 

Only a couple weeks left

I can´t believe that in less then a month we will be back in Africa. So far we have been to Oregon, Idaho, California, Nevada and soon Hawaii. We have been blessed and humbled by all the support we have seen. We have spoken at many churches and small groups to tell people about what we are doing in the Congo. The response we have seen is so great. People and churches have come to stand along side us, to encourage us and to comfort us. I have seen how my first impressions of a person and church can be misleading. That God has taught me to look much deeper then skin deep. Churches may be small but their hearts are huge, someone may look poor but their riches are in God. I have been blow away at just how many people really care for us and our ministry. God has called us to do this ministry but He has also provided encouragement for us. He knows what we need and who we need, then He placed those people and things in our lives.
I think that when we meet people we never know what role they will play in our lives. We never know what experiences will change or guide our future. I was once told that I put God in a box, but I think I do the same with people. I think that they haven´t changed in the years since I knew them, that they are the exact same person I went to school with. People change and God changes people´s hearts. There has been so much encouragement for Fahamu and I, that I know that I can´t put people in a box. God can and will use anyone for anything. I feel honored that God has blessed us with so many caring people. Last year when I went to the Congo, I felt alone. This time going back I can feel the encouragement and love from the people here. I´m excited to go back and see all our friends, family and our ministries.
As we prepare to head back to Africa we are still in need of a couple of things we need a laptop and camera bag and need a pelican case. We ask that you continue to join with us in prayer as we continue to prepare for our trip to Africa. Tomorrow we will be speaking at at Northwest Christian University and on the 23d we will be headed to Hawaii where we will be speaking at the YWAM base there. Thank you for everyone who has taken time to listen us and to pray for us. God Bless.

Christmas for the widows

I can remember one of the first meetings with the widows. She told us that she felt worthless and forgotten about. I can remember how sad I felt for her. She had said that the church had forgotten about her and her family, that they didn't care. As I'm here in America I see how much money we waste. I look at the TV commercials and see how they are trying to get everyone to spend money on things that will bring temporary happiness. Last sunday I was at Church and we talked about the difference between having joy and happiness. To put it simply joy comes from inside while happiness is an outward feeling. The Lord gives us joy, what we do with that joy depends on us. Happiness can result in the joy we have but we can have joy and not be happy. This is very simple but one of our goals for these widows is to show them what joy is. We want them to see how much God loves them and how much that can bring joy to their lives. As this is the Christmas season, the season where we recognize the joy of the virgin birth. The joy that we received because God became man. We want to give joy to our widows this Christmas season. As a ministry we would love to bless these women and their families with food. We would love to raise $300 USD for meat, beans, rice, oil, salt and Fanta (Soda). This food will be such a blessing and a special gift to these families. Receiving this gift they will see that they are not forgotten but loved. Most of the widows barely have enough food for three meals a day. One of our widows only eats cassava roots. Everyday is a struggle for food, lets bless these families with food this Christmas season.  We ask that you join us in raising the $300 so we can bring joy to these families. 

9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  Luke 2:9-11

Donate here to bless these widows 

http://www.gofundme.com/4lmgdo

One month in

We have been in America for a little over a month and its been an incredible experience. It has been fun to watch Fahamu go through this experience to watch him see and do things for the first time. Things that I think are small and not that exciting are the complete opposite for Fahamu. Going into a grocery store is something that I find boring, but Fahamu finds it exciting to see all they items they have in the store. There are times where I forget that this is Fahamu's first time here. The other night we went to the bowling ally and for me it was just another place. For Fahamu, he was experiencing the bowling ally for the first time. The smell of the shoes, the sounds of pins being knocked over and just the atmosphere of the bowling ally. I try to put myself in his shoes and try to think of how strange America must be to him.

Our first trip was to Crater Lake and it was such an amazing experience. There was lots of snow but the sun was out and shining. The lake looked like glass and that it would break if anything hit it. Fahamu's smile was so great to see. He was experiencing snow for the first time. 

Fahamu got to experience what its like have Thanksgiving in America. Yes we did have a lot of food but we also had family there. We got to sit and visit with family and share stores of the past. It was nice to be with family just relaxing and having a great time. 

We got to experience the American bus system. Instead of driving to Idaho we decided it would be better to take the grey hound bus. I have to say that I do enjoy these buses much more then the buses in Africa.  While in Idaho we got to stay with friends who are pastoring a church. This was the first church that we to speak at and it was such a blessing. I saw how excited people were to hear our story. It encouraged me to see that people truly care about what we are doing. We also got invited to a spanish speaking church. We shared a brief over view of who we were and what we were about. The spanish speaking church was so caring. Not really knowing who we were they did an offering for us. This trip to Idaho really made me feel better about our ministry and our future. Also on this trip Fahamu got to experience what its like to cut down a Christmas tree. 

This last month has been so much fun. We are excited to share our story and ministry with everyone. We have seen how generous people really are. I have felt so much love and support. Fahamu has been busy helping my dad around the farm, feed the cows, fixing fences and chopping wood. Its nice that Fahamu gets to see how I grew up and where I am from. As we continue our trip I hope to make many more memories. I will try to write more so everyone can experience this trip with us. 

Visiting Burley First Christian Church

America

Today was our last day in the Congo. I can't believe that we are headed to America. We will spend two days in Burundi and three days in Rwanda before flying out on the 13th. It seems weird to be going to my childhood home as a vacation rather then coming home to stay. To know that I only have four months in America before we head back to my new home is a very strange feeling. I'm so thankful that I have gotten the opportunity to live in the Congo and learn a new culture. As we were driving to Burundi, I remember my first day getting off the plane. Thinking to myself what did I get myself into. I don't know anyone but Fahamu and I don't know the language. Now as I'm leaving the Congo I think of all the new people that I have met. I can't believe that I'm as lucky as I am to have met the people I have met. I can't wait to share with my American family about my new African family. 

This will be Fahamu's first time in America and I can't wait to share this experience with him. He has heard me talk so much about America and where I'm from and now he get to see all my stories come alive. We ask that you continue to pray for us and this trip. We are also still trying to raise $500 for our widows and their small businesses. 

Meet Leontina Chabaziza

Today we received some bad news about one of our widows. Leontina Chabaziza passed out (from lack of food) during her time working in the fields and hurt herself very badly. Leontina's knees were injured and she can not stand nor walk. This means she cannot work.  

Leontina is in her 50s and has been a widow for two years. She gave birth to six kids but only one remains alive. Her hardest week is when she lost her daughter, then one week lost her husband and grandchild the same day. When her daughter died she knew she couldn't care for her child so she tried to put the child in a orphanage but  they refused the child. The baby ended up starving to death the same day her husband passed away from illness. Now in her house their are six children who are from other relatives who have passed away. Now with this injury she has no way of feeding these children. This is why we want her to have a small business. She wouldn't have to walk far distances to do hard back breaking work. She would make more money then she does now. We want to bless all our widows before we leave with a small business. To get each widow a small business it would cost a total of $500 ($50 per widow). Please pray and see if you can give to our widows. 

http://www.gofundme.com/4lmgdo

Kalausi Charlotte

This is Kalausi Charlotte, 

she is one of our widows. She is in her 50s (a lot of people here don't know their exact age), with five kids. Her kids have caused a lot of problems because of the extreme property that they are faced with. One of her sons is a drunk who has been own to come and steal from his mom and neighbors. One of her daughters is a positute and has two children. Kalausi is the care taker of her two grandkids. The house she lives in is very small. Her bed is in the same room as the kitchen and living room. With five people in the house there is almost no room. She makes her money buy cooking corn and selling it. Kalausi tells us that there are many days where she doesn't eat, because she doesn't have enough money. Everyday is a struggle for her to provide enough food for her grandkids. 

Her prayer request

-She would like to have a small business (selling fruit, veggies, fanta, etc) to make more money so she can feed her grandkids.

-For her kids that they will find a good life.

Help us raise $500 for our widows so they can have their own small business. This will give them self worth and make their lives a tiny bit easier. 

http://www.gofundme.com/4lmgdo

one year anniversary

I have been married a year now and there are so many things I have learned. My husband and I are from very different places so it has made our first year of marriage very fun but also full of challenges. I come from a first world country where as Fahamu comes from one of the poorest countries in the world. I come from a ME culture and Fahamu comes from a WE culture. Even the way we grew up was completely different, but yet here we are married and spending our lives together. As we moved into our apartment I remember thinking, here we go this is it, let the fun begin. 

Growing up I had the best dad. He was always put his family first. He was a hard worker that loved his family. Yes he had his faults but to me he was the perfect father. As I grew up I saw the qualities in my dad that I wanted in my future husband. I don't think its weird to want a husband that is like our fathers, especially if they are great fathers. They are the men who are our example of how a man should treat a women and an example of how a man should treat his kids. Now that I'm married I'm thankful that my father was such a great example for me. 

Fahamu also came from a family with an excellent father. He learned from his father want it takes to be a great husband and leader. 

I see how much Fahamu loves me through his actions. While I was sick he took care of me. Went above and beyond what he had to do. He doesn't see loving me as a chore but as choice and a choice that he loves to do. 

He listens to me. Fahamu is the only person I can really talk to here (only one other person in his family can really understand english). So Fahamu gets to hear me talk a lot. But he takes the time to listen to me as well. There will be times that I will say in passing "oh I love pineapples or mangos" and the next day pineapples and mangos have appeared. 

He knows me. Fahamu can tell when I'm having a bad day or when something is on my mind. He wont let me sit and stare off into the distances, he wants to hear whats on my mind. I love this because I use to keep my feelings really bottled up in fear of being made fun of or being hurt. Now I have a husband who knows when I have something on my mind and he wants to hear about it. He doesn't make fun or judge me but he comforts me. 

I love Fahamu because he accepts me. As an American in the Congo, I'm very different. I think different, I eat different food and wear different clothes. Fahamu has let me be me. I know I can be weird, goofy,  and random, but Fahamu sees that as my charm. He doesn't expect me to be like the African women. He wants me to be me. He tells me thats why I fell in love with you, because you are different. 

When I started to write this blog I had a completely different idea of what I wanted to write. I wanted to share all the difficulties of being in a marriage with someone from a different culture. Then I realized that we have had challenges but I think they are the normal challenges of marriage. We are missionaries, living a life of faith. I think this is where most of our challenges have come. When you don't have a steady income or you don't have any idea where your next meal is coming from it can put stress on any marriage. I understand now why they say money is one of the biggest causes of divorce. Money is stressful. 

God knows what he is doing when he places two people together. He is building a team. I have seen how Fahamu has given me strength. He challenges me at the right times and pursues a relationship with me. He doesn't see marriage as the last step but as the first step in a long journey. Marriage takes work but its also so much fun. Fahamu and I spend everyday all day together. I love being around him and sometimes we just sit in peace together. He has shown me how to enjoy the simple things in life. I don't know how to describe marriage but I feel like it should be something that gets better with time. Everyday I realize  just how lucky I am. I thank God for placing Fahamu in my life. 

The Challenge

The last two days we have done home visits with some of our widows. We are reminded of just how hard their lives are. We are blessed with the cassava machine, but the income that comes from this is just enough to pay for medical needs for our widows. We see that they need more. As we talked to these women we noticed that all they need a small business to help pay for food, rent, etc. So we want to challenge our friends and family. If we can raise $500 dollars we can get each one of our widows their own business. They will need $50 each. We feel that this is possible and reasonable. How great will these women feel having their own income and being able to feed their families. They wont have to worry everyday if they will eat or if they can pay rent.  We would like to receive the $500 before the end of October. It can be one person who gives all of the $500 or even 20 people giving $25, even if you can give five dollar that is great. Please join us in praying for this challenge. This would be a dream come true to this women who have lost their hope and joy. 

http://www.gofundme.com/4lmgdo

One Year in D.R Congo

October is a very exciting month for me. On the ninth I will have been in the D.R Congo for one year. I can't believe its been a year since I boarded the plane and started this adventure. As I sat down to reflect on this year I realized there are so many things that have happened and that I have learned. I want to share with you the best I can about this year. 

I have realized that I gained an amazing family. When I left my family and friends back in the States it was the hardest thing I could ever do. I knew that I would be missing out on my niece and nephew growing up, spending time with my parents and even losing family to death. What I couldn't imagine is the family I gained here in the Congo. The Kibambazi's have made me feel so welcomed and so loved. They have opened their hearts and home to me. I still miss my American family so much, but life is easier having such a great family here too. 

I have learned that Malaria and Typhoid are the real deal. Before I moved to the Congo, I had heard people talk about these two sickness. I knew they were bad and could kill but I never had taken them too seriously. Now its a different story. I don't think I have ever felt worse then when I had Malaria and or Typhoid. It makes me think differently about these diseases and realize they are a big deal here. Now when I get a mosquito bite I say a little prayer hoping that I don't get Malaria again.

Through this sickness I learned how much African's can and will help. They will go out of there way to ask if you are ok, make you juice or even make you some yummy food. When I was sick up in Lemera away from home I had to rely on people I didn't know to help me. The doctor who came to check on me twice a day, a nice women made me pineapple juice to drink. They don't know me, but they knew that I was sick and they wanted to help me. Fahamu's mom wanted to come the four hours to be with me and help me. Its hard to miss home when you have people like these helping you. My biggest help was Fahamu. He would clean up my throw up, get me a cold rag, go get my medicines, watch Dawson's creek with me and through all of these never complained. He would pray with me, force me to eat when I didn't feel like eating. He showed me what the vows mean when we say in sickness and in health. 

I have learned that just because its normal in my culture doesn't mean its normal here. In America people usually call the day before they come over so you can prepare. Here its a very different story. I'll be reading a book hear a knock at the door and SURPRISE we have a visitor. I ask Fahamu, "did you know they were coming"? Then they go through all your stuff. If you have things on your couch or table they pick it up and look at it. Its just so different then what I'm use to.

I have learned to always make enough food for company. Like I said before we never know when people will show up, but they tend to show up when its time to eat. This means that we give them a plate of food. There have been a couple of times where we made just enough food for the two of us and then two people show up and we have to run around and make them something. Yes there are things that drive me nuts but I love this culture and I love that its different then what I'm use to. 

Here is a list of some of the differences in culture:

-Men can wear women shirts (not all men do this just some)

-You can listen to music as loud as you want. We can hear the bars music that is two blocks away.

-You can listen to LOUD music anytime of day. Our neighbors play there music at 6am

-Honking isn't rude, it means move to the side of the road.

-They don't have the word please.

-Parents don't need to watch their children 24/7.

-If you want to have chicken for dinner you go and buy a live one and kill it then eat it. 

-You don't just smile at people as they pass, they will think you are weird. 

-You don't need to wear deordernet. 

-If the van seats 18, in Africa it seats 30

-Seat belts what are those??

-What are rules for the road?

-When you say something in their language and they laugh its not to be mean. It just means they are happy you are trying to learn their language. 

-You hide everything you are carrying. Even if it is a tomato you put it in a bag so no one can see. 

-They clean there shoes before they got out. 

Thats just some of the cultural differences that I have picked up.

I have learned the struggle of the people. The Congo is a country that has seen many wars, corruption, and poverty. Growing up I read about what poverty was and how people in Africa were starving to death. I have read about what corruption can can do and how it its harmful to many countries. Then of course I have seen pictures of war and the after math of what a war can do. But being here in a country that is still effected by all these things is different then reading it. Talking to people who saw their father murdered in front of their eyes, women who saw their child ripped out of their hands to become child solders and seeing children who are really starving to death, nothing can prepare you for this. I have learned that forgiveness doesn't come easy and people don't forget. They have seen what evil can do and how it can tear apart families and countries. As we go into the villages and try to develop leaders, we see how the past is effecting the future. 

I have learned that a simple life is hard but is joyous. I have the best mom and dad, they provided my with an amazing childhood. I had everything I needed and more. I was not spoiled by American standards but I had things that I could survive without. As I have lived here in one of the poorest countries in the world I see that my life can be simple and I can still be happy. Yes I would love to have a hot running shower, but I can survive with a cold bucket shower. I would love to have power 24/7 but I can survive on the limited power we receive. I really miss watching  American TV, but I have learned to live without it. I love sugar but I have learned to live with out that. There are days when I really miss my comfortable life back in Oregon. Then I realize that I am truly happy here. Yes there are things that could make my life a lot easier (washer and dryer) but I can live with out those things. 

I have learned that American sayings are very hard to explain. Here is an example of things I have said, and Fahamu has asked me to explain and I have no idea how to explain them:

"as easy as pie"

"as happy as a clam"

"close but no cigar"

"face the music" 

"hold your horses" 

If I said these sayings in America no one would ask me to explain. Its funny how we can pick up on things and we don't understand the meaning or where it actually came from. 

There are so many things I have learned while being here. My life has completely changed from a year ago. I can say that this has been one of the hardest years of my life. But through the hardships I seen pure joy and love. This year I become a wife, a full time missionary, a Muzungu (white person), a teacher, a disciple, a adventurer, and someone who just loves life. I have no idea what the next year is going to bring, I know that I can handle whatever it may be. 

As my first year in Africa comes to an end, Fahamu's first trip to the US starts. I have received my visa but we are still in need of $380 dollars. As the days go by Fahamu and I get more and more excited. We are really looking forward to this trip. If you would like to donate to help us come home you can go to our gofundme page http://www.gofundme.com/4lmgdo  

IF you would like us to speak at your church or small group we would be more then happy. Just e-mail me Jonni05@aol.com and we can discuss the dates and time.