International Ministries

Full of Gratitude

March 29, 2005 Journal by Virgil Nelson
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First of all, we are giving thanks for our Author and Finisher in Whom we live and move and have our being. We rejoice that we can be Easter people because Christ returns good for evil, forgives and lives!

Secondly, we are full of gratitude because many of you have so freely and generously given through WMO and other channels to make possible another year for the Nelsons in the DRCongo. Frederick Buechner puts into words why we are here: "The place where God calls you is the place where your deep gladness and the world's hunger meet."

Thirdly, we give thanks for God's loving care in family matters. Even though we are an ocean away, God opened a way for Lynn to be able to have 2 weeks in February with her Dad before he passed away in March at the age of 91.

Here is how God ministered to us through our Congolese brothers and sisters:

When our local pastors and friends heard of the death of my Dad, the local traditions for a family in grief ("eprouve"--literally, "tested") went into effect. I was counseled not to work for 2 days, to rest and reflect. Thankfully they modified the normal inundation of visitors by not publicizing the death until the day of the memorial service; anyone who knew was told to keep is confidential until Thursday the 17th. The church in the neighboring village, where our worker Mundele lives, sent three women to be the core of kitchen help to prepare refreshments. They were here almost 12 hours, preparing, serving, and clean-up. They brought food for themselves to eat while working and to share with us for supper. One woman even brought a small regime of bananas as a gift. Later when their Pastor and church president came they brought a bouquet of flowers and an envelope of money. This is a very poor village giving to "rich" missionaries. Our hearts have been extremely touched.

Later in the day after our Women's school was out, two of the women teachers and the wife of the Sentinel came to help with making fire to make a HUGE pot of coffee. They missed a women's meeting to stay here and sort peanuts, which had been shelled and grilled, so that no one would receive a bad one. Our local women's president and wife of the head pastor also came to help off and on during the day. The refreshments were simple: tea or coffee and peanuts. But water has to be hauled, cooking and grilling fires made, and for a large crowd that takes much time.

5 choirs came to sing at 7pm. We were astounded. We thought perhaps one choir from the Pastoral school would come. Benches had been brought to our yard from the church, but the overflow crowd sat on the grass. The worship service was punctuated by sheet lightening and there was a sliver of a moon showing now and then through the clouds. Candles and 2 Kerosene lanterns were our lighting, with occasional flashlights. We had a chance to give a "Mot of Circonstance" which means a brief biography and circumstance of the death. I wrote it and Virgil, with his fine voice, delivered it. There were many "oohs" when Dad's age of 91 was told. It was a wonderful time for us to share a bit about Dad's life and character with the people of our village here. The preaching was dynamic-- of Lazarus being called to leave his tomb, and being freed from his grave-cloths by his community. This teaching is applicable not only to afterlife, but to the many enslaving "addictions" during life.

Many sweet friends came two-by-two during the day and after the service to share with us. With some we gladly shared some photos of our great Dad. This past week two other friends who had not had a chance to visit before came for prayers and to share a gift with us (one brought a chicken; the other brought 3 eggs!) Such an Easter with all the symbols of new life after death!

And lastly, we thank God and you that we are able to be in the teaching ministry. It is such a great pleasure when we see students begin to engage in reflection rather than just memorization and recitation. Recently some of our first-year Pastoral students, having been dragged to the Library for a class, left there excited by books they "happened" to find in the process. They couldn't wait to get back to the Library that evening. God has placed us in housing along a central route where we can get a "pulse" of the village as people come and go to their fields and to the springs. Lately we've heard people of many ages animatedly discussing Bible passages. Helping folks to experience Bible truths as a guide for personal and community life is why we are here.

Prayer Requests:

So, thank you for your prayers and your partnership!

Love Virgil and Lynn