Congo - 2006

Congo Missions Trip - 2006

Wayne and Sylvia Turner have been on the mission field to the Democratic Republic of Congo for 32 years. A couple of times they had to evacuate for a time because of political unrest. I was pleased to get to know them and learn about their work. Wayne is primarily a t4eacher but with the Bible School expansion has had to oversee that as well.

Our group of 24 people accomplished a significant amount of work.  Part of the team painted a good sized chapel, inside and out.  The other part laid blocks and poured concrete for a new classroom building at the Bible School in Kinshasa.

I worked with the construction team and have taken a great liking to masonry work.  I laid a lot of blocks on this trip.  We worked alongside some Congolese workers who spoke French and Lingali – none of us new either of these languages.  We had to rely on the missionary Wayne Turner to interpret from time-to-time.  Some of the Congolese new a few words of English.  But our communication depended a great deal on gestures.  After each days work my body ached.  The worst was after the first day.  My body gradually got acclimated to the strenuous routine.  Although, by Saturday (we put in half a day before getting ready for our flight home) it seemed like I had had it.  My right wrist could hardly wield the trowel anymore – that mortar is heavy stuff.

Some time ago they had a conference for pastors. Fifteen pastors, who I believe had been students at the Bible School, showed up that Wayne said he did not know where they had gone to. It turns out they had gone to outlying areas to start churches.

Another story Wayne told that awed me was of a pastor who had begun a building program for his church.  In the process of the building program and before the building was completed  he had started 32 other churches.  The Assembly of God churches there are expanding rapidly.  The Gospel of the Lord Jesus does change lives.  The Bible School we worked on will help to train the local pastors.

2 Cor. 5:10-11a For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in our bodies.   It is because we know this solemn fear of the Lord that we work so hard to persuade others.

Why did I go? I have had an interest in missions for a long time. Steve Walters invited interested people to listen to the information briefing on this trip. I went and listened. I kept going to the meetings. I had no good reason not to go. Next thing I know I am on the plane to the Congo. I had to take 10 days leave from my retirement to do this.