Dear Friends,

Just a quick note before my batteries are drained.

It has been a long week. We have had board meetings at the pastoral school, and at the hospital. I am on both boards. They were tough meetings, but we have good Congolese chairpersons. I think that responsible decisions were made, but it is difficult for both the hospital and the pastoral school to function without outside (your) assistance. Both institutions are fulfilling a fantastic ministry in this part of the continent.

Complicating the meetings was the sudden death of a woman here on the station. The church has not been quick to take charge of the mourning and funeral arrangements. The villagers jumped in where the church center failed. We have had things going on that have never taken place here at Kikongo before. For example instead of the station choirs singing around the family, the villagers have been doing their "village dancing" for four days now. Neither of the two pastors have taken charge to control any of the behavior. Church centers have always been a place where the church takes charge, and keeps the village culture out. It is like we are being dominated now by the villages. It isn't just this conservative (social conservative) old time missionary who feels this way. Many are scratching their heads and wondering what is going on. Again, we are seeing a lack of local leadership. I will try this next week to have a station council meeting and see where we have left the door open.

Today, Sunday, Rita and I walked up the hill to the village 5 km. away. I took my projector and power point, and showed people pictures of our trip to Israel. People were very impressed. It was fun to help make the Bible come alive for them. Another church has been established in that village during the year we were absent. That church has attracted lots of youth. It is a "revival church." They go into prayer meetings at any time of the night. The "pastor" seems to advocate lax moral standards. It seems that he "marries" a woman where he establishes his church. After awhile when he is in need of "revival", he goes to another village where he "marries" another woman. I asked if it was a real marriage. The answer was that he had not given the bride price yet. I said I wouldn't let my daughters attend that church.

Lots of news about different parts of Africa, and also the Eastern part of Congo, but it is as calm and peaceful as ever here.

Blessings,

Glen and Rita