Time in Brazzaville

Mbote (Hello in lingala),

            Greetings from Brazzaville! I have arrived safely here in Brazzaville and have enjoyed my first day in the Republic of Congo. I arrived on Monday evening after a long 24- hour travel day. The flight to Africa could not have gone any smoother. I flew with a Congolese Pastor named Rev. Koumba. He was very helpful in translating for me and making sure that everything went smoothly. The flight to Ethiopia was about 12 hours and after not sleeping for the last few days, I was sound asleep on the flight. I sat next to a South Sudanese refugee from Juba and enjoyed my conversation with him. Arriving in Ethiopia, I immediately could tell that I was in Africa. The culture in the airport was already polar opposite that of Dulles. Everyone was pushing and shoving, willing to run over one another to get a seat or to be first in line. Everything went well during our 2-hour layover and I boarded my flight to Brazzaville, the only white person on the plane. Once in the ROC (Republic of Congo), I was warmly greeted by Aldophone and his English translator. They helped Rev. Koumba and I to get our luggage, which thankfully all came in with no problem. Rev. Koumba was picked up by his wife and I was driven to the Bravo Guest house in Brazzaville by Honore. Honore as well as Michelle (the coordinator at Bravo) only speak French. It was hard to be thrown right into being alone in Africa, unable to be understood. Thankfully Joyce and Laura, the Doctors from Impfondo called back and forth to help me communicate. After enjoying an egg and pea omelet I headed to bed for a wonderful, greatly needed, 12-hour sleep.

            Yesterday, I was informed that I would be unable to leave Brazzaville to reach my final destination of Impfondo until Friday morning. I was supposed to leave early this morning on a United Nations flight, but you have to get special clearance to be on that flight. Unfortunately, the paper work was not able to get in on time so I will not be able to leave until Friday. So I have two more days in Brazzaville. God is really stretching me right now to have me stay here. I am a planner and a doer. I like to be productive and get things done, none of which I can presently do. As a female who doesn’t speak French, I cant leave the guest house unless with a missionary and I can’t communicate with the people around me. It is really forcing me to relax and trust that God has something to teach me. Thankfully, yesterday an American missionary from Nebraska took me to her home for lunch and to talk with a Congolese Pastor who is learning English. I really enjoyed my time with them and it was a big blessing for me. My parents reminded me on the phone last night that if my biggest fear right now is being bored than I am doing just fine.

            Being in Africa is definitely a new experience for me as well. Brazzaville is the most urban part of the ROC, yet is does not seem that way. The city is about ½ dirt roads and ½ paved roads. People are walking everywhere and I am one of the three white people I have seen since arriving here. For showers, you use a cup to pour cold water over you, which actually is very refreshing after being in the heat all day. So far no crazy bug/animal sightings, just a rat outside my room last night and a lizard this morning!

As I patiently wait for my flight to Pioneer Christian Hospital on Friday I have the following prayer requests:

         - That the Lord would use this time of quiet and sometimes loneliness to teach me and grow me
         - That today and tomorrow I would have opportunities to leave Bravo and see parts of    
            Brazzaville

         -  For adequate sleep, I have been waking up a lot in the night and have had a very hard time                   sleeping in the heat

          - That all plans would go smoothly and that I would be able to take the flight on Friday to
             Impfondo

         My parents gifted me with 65 letters from family and friends before I left the US. I have been opening one letter each day and each one I have read to date has been such a big encouragement to me.  Today I opened one from my Mom, where she had written this verse: Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing.” I need to remind myself that even during the next two days when I may feel lonely, the Lord God is with me. Thank you all for your prayers. I am looking forward to reaching Pioneer Christian Hospital, but know that the Lord is already working in my life.

Peace and Blessings,

Lauren