Dear Friends,

Mbote diaka! (Hello again!)

Well, here we are in November right in the middle of rainy season in Congo. In fact, it rained so hard today that they had to cancel classes at the Pastor's school where I teach. I didn't mind too much having to stay home today. It's the first time that our family has been together here in Kikongo since our last update in July. That certainly wasn't the way that we planned it. But it was how it worked out. Let me fill you in on some of the things that have been going on since last July.

In July we were privileged to have a work group come out to Congo from our home church in Bakersfield, California. They were with us for almost three weeks and we were able to build a bridge, repair the hospital electrical system, put in new lights in the operating room, fix the church bell tower, do evangelism in a local village and our own Sunday School, and manage to have lots of time for reflection on Christ-like ministry in the world today.

Our family flew from Kikongo to Kinshasa to say good-bye to the group and to see Jill off as she was going to the States for two weeks to attend a conference on women's ministries. Little did Jill know that she wouldn't be returning to Kikongo for almost four months?

Just before Jill left for the States we found out that the couple that our children boarded with for school would not be returning. While she was gone we found out that the two couples that initially were willing to take on that ministry decided against it at the last moment. So, it fell on Jill and me to cover this area. When Jill returned from the conference she had very little time to adjust to a new home, a new city and a new ministry.

For the last few months Jill and I have been the parents of our kids and two others in Kinshasa. We have Elaina Chapman, the daughter of Glen and Rita Chapman and Naomi Thompson, the daughter of Mark and Sandy Thompson living with us.We share a house that is on the campus of the American School of Kinshasa where the kids all attend school. It has been a big adjustment for all of us. It was especially difficult for our youngest son, Matthew, who had to change over night from being home schooled to attending public school. Because we weren't sure that we would be staying in Kinshasa, Matt started school two weeks late and had lots of catching up to do. He seems to be doing fine now.

When we agreed to take on the new ministry in Kinshasa it was with the condition that I could continue teaching at the Pastor's Institute in Kikongo. Once a month for a week I travel up country to Kikongo mission and teach our pastor's there.I'm working on designing courses that the students can work on while I'm away and that we can discuss when I'm in Kikongo. This year we have 38 families studying at the Pastor's school. That 's the maximum number of students that we can accommodate at the school at this time. So, we feel that our prayers for new pastors are being answered.

In early October Jill was asked by International Ministries to return to the States to help with the promotion of this year's World Mission Offering. Considering the possible missionary recall if the WMO does not reach its target, Jill was ready and willing to help. She spent almost three weeks on the west coast sharing what she has seen God doing in Congo. She had a great trip, met many new friends and visited many new churches.

When Jill returned last week, we immediately flew up to Kikongo for a short school break. It was the first time that Jill and the kids have been in their "real" home in almost four months. It's been quite a blessing to be able to back in Kikongo and to take part in the community that we call home in Africa. We have had a great "home coming" and a very fruitful visit in the little time that we have been here. It was especially good for the family to re-establish relationships, practice their language and get away from the city. It was great for me to be able to teach our future pastors.

As we fly back to Kinshasa tomorrow to resume our ministries there, we ask for your prayers for our transitions. I'm always telling people here that change is good. Sometimes, however, it's not easy. Please pray that God will give us the wisdom and the strength to handle the changes that are ahead.

Thank you for your love and support.

In Him,

Mike and Jill Lowery