We get a lot of visitors at Vanga, which we missionaries take care of in our homes.This week we had the privilege of keeping one of Vanga's very own.She has not been back to Vanga for 20 years but when you hear her converse in Kituba you know it must be her mother tongue.Her arrival was not announced in advance, so person after person here on the Mission Station shouted for joy, jumped up and down and gave bear hugs when they saw her. What love was displayed for one of their very own.How did they know who she was after all these years?Well quite frankly she looks just like her mother when her mother was this age.Who is she?Here's a clue, the Hospital Christian School is named after her father.Need another clue?She served as a BIM missionary in Haiti for 14 years with her husband and two boys before they were transferred here this year. Still don't know?She's Katherine Niles Fountain, and as everyone around here kept saying to me about Katherine… "Yandi kele mwana na mono".I'm looking forward to hearing Jesus say the same to me when I get home some day…She's my child!

Katherine came on an unexpected visit to Vanga as a fact-finding trip.This May we will have 8 college kids and 3 professors coming to spend a week in Vanga and a week in Kinshasa.So together with the other missionary wives here we spent a few days planning the lodging, meals, activities and opportunities for their visit.

Katherine grew up here in Vanga and she is quite versed in expressions used by the Congolese.Katherine visited the Fountain Elementary School with me to encourage the kids in their studies and in their faith.You should have seen the smiles on their faces as she rattled off in Kituba to them.As the director introduced Katherine to each class he would first compare me to "ngai ngai."In my limited Kituba I know that to be an edible plant. One you eat at the last resort when one has nothing else to eat. It grows wild in people's yards. I didn't know if this was an insult or a back handed compliment. Katherine was able to tell me later it was a compliment.The director was saying I am always behind the school when there is an urgent need.(Just like ngai ngai behind your house).This is possible of course thanks to gifts from ABC churches.

Like I said, we ladies discussed possibilities for lodging, especially for a group as big as this one.MAF and IM are presently doing a joint project of making a Guest House. Recently with the help of two volunteers we were able to refurbish a very old, little house, which is now equipped with a western style kitchen and bathroom.This month another volunteer is helping us extend the house by adding on two more bedrooms and a second bathroom.Our hope is that the extended part might be mostly done when this group arrives.

We would appreciate prayers for this group from King College.For their safe travels, good health and an eye opening experience while they are here.Please pray for us missionaries as we plan for their visit and for the opportunities to present themselves that will allow them to interact with the Congolese here in the Vanga area.Also pray for calm to reign in the country during their two-week visit!

In Christ's Service,

Sandy Jo Thompson