The Final Days in Congo

Jesus provided some fun surprises for us in our last days in Congo.  We have been home now since the last week of March, but slow to post. Dear friends, the VanderMeer family stopped by for a visit. They live and work in Isiro, Congo but were just returning via Bunia from taking their third son to the airport and sending him back to Canada for University.  It was so fun to be with John and Marian and the girls!  They lived in Arua when we first moved here and then sensed Jesus leading them into Congo. It was SO FUN to get to catch up with them one evening!

We also had the privelge to share a meal in the home of our new friend Pastor James Beoncye.  Jesus is doing exciting things in this pastors life and we were thrilled to share a few weeks together as well as looking forward to what ministry opportunities the Lord will provide in the years to come!

Our friend Fauston came to Joanna's rescue one morning...she walked into the office of the house where we were staying and this bird dove at her!  After much sheiking and excitement...Fauston came and rescued both Joanna and the bird from one another! 

The sweetest love gift of our Congo time was being again within a short walk from our friend Sarah Casson. (pictured middle) She was also in Arua when we first moved here and for our first two years!  She has come to visit since moving to Bunia and is a dear friend to all four of us!  It was a great delight to be in her home and meet her friends and colleagues. We are pictured here with Wendy who works in a hospital with Samaritan's Purse in Bunia.

Our Swahili teacher came each weekday of our three weeks in Bunia and sat on our porch to teach us. We shared tea daily and often Bible stories in Swahili. He enjoyed the method that we are using to share the Gospel (he is a pastor) and was eager to help us learn. One day we went to a school where he teaches and Billy got to teach the class for a bit (in Swahili of course). 

We have been home now almost two weeks. Billy has been in Sudan though the last 5 days...so we are missing daddy, but happy to be back in the familiar!  Do pray as Billy and Hubert and Sarah Harriman, along with Joy Phillips travel out of Sudan today. Will you pray for great flight connections as Billy makes his way home. He will hopefully reach us in the morning...but there are some tight connections in Nairobi!

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!

Much love from Arua