Come Along With Us

It's the end of March - we leave in less that two months.  We've been to the travel clinic and will be handing over passports to the visa service next week.  Our final group is now fixed at eight pilgrims - arrangements are being made for flights, lodging, and all of the many other details that need to be taken care of in advance.

Even while we still complain about cold temperatures, our Congolese friends call and tell us about sun and very hot weather.  My thoughts are turning to the joy of seeing them again, and the great experiences we will share together.  We were told in 2008 that we were "pricked by the palm", meaning that a part of Congo would always be with us, and we would return again.  What a true statement, for in many ways, the Congo has never left me.  The video we created (Indiana Region 2008 Congo Trip Video), the many talks with Indiana churches, the visits from our partners, the Lokoleyacongo post (see link on this blog), and now plans for the upcoming pilgrimage all assure that Congo is in my heart.

I hope, through this blog, others will be able to experience the hospitality, the joy, the sorrow, and most of all, will be able to "meet" our Disciples partners in Mbandaka.  Someone said once, "God is everywhere in the world, but at night He comes home to Congo".  It's true that this is a place where the presence of God is a constant reality.  We want to bring some of this reality back with us.