Easter did its work in us. The seeming 'end' is, in reality, a "new beginning". We came back for our students and ministries in Kikongo refreshed and energized.

Some HIGHLIGHTS:

Easter sunrise service was held outdoors at the Embassy School (in English!), with trumpets and children's voices celebrating "Christ Arose!"

Then morning worship (in French and Lingala) was at the newly restored historic Simms Chapel, with many youth and our CBCO leadership, and electronic praise music lifting up Christ's victory over death.

Easter afternoon we were welcomed into the homes of the former Director of the Pastoral Institute of Kikongo, and the former Vice President of CBCO for sharing of hearts.

We celebrated our 38th wedding anniversary with some relax-time, a good swim, fresh salads, and in lodging with working fans and the luxury of warm showers.

We praise God for being able to get cash in the city, for good taxi rides to efficiently shop for ministry resources, and for a serendipitous meeting of palm project leadership. We found much joy in book purchases (for which we have received specific gifts) and finding beautiful art cards, Sunday school supplies, hardware, and gift items.

We were delighted to deepen a relationship with a young Mennonite couple whose ministry is with artists and craftspeople. We are collaborating to improve crafts and develop markets for our artisans in the interior. We also found a good outlet in Kinshasa for some of the many underused English books in Kikongo. Now each trip into Kinshasa will include hauling books as well as crafts.

This trip was especially rich in fellowship including potlucks with missionary colleagues and MAF pilot-families. There were informative and inspiring meal conversations with other guests at the Methodist Presbyterian Hostel where we lodged, including Doctors working on TB and AIDS, a theology Professor and his student, Congolese members of the World Vision Staff, a Mennonite organizer of impartial Election Observers from other countries, and a former DRC missionary kid with her PR team continuing to develop her fathers' ministry at the Protestant University and in micro-enterprise projects. And there were prayerful encounters with former students and colleagues now in Kinshasa.

Our first Tuesday back in Kikongo Virgil preached on "priorities: where are our hearts?" and in the evening we hosted the Pastoral staff for our weekly prayer group. Our theme was "Count your many Blessings", starting with who God made us in ourselves, and secondly giving thanks for the special qualities of each other member of our staff team. God enabled a rare season of affirmation which was encouraging to all.

We count YOU as "our blessing." THANK YOU for the many ways in which YOU contribute to the beauty, the justice and the mercy in our lives and for those of others who share our planet earth.