Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III

"He looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God." – Hebrews 11:10.

This was my third visit to South Africa. I first visited just after the end of apartheid immediately following the first democratic elections in 1994. I returned again in 2001 joining former U.S. President Jimmy Carter in constructing 100 homes in Durban as part of a Habitat for Humanity blitz build.

Today, along with other members of our delegation, I visited the office of the President of South Africa and met with his chief of Staff, Frank Chikane. We spent much of our time with him discussing South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

The TRC is South Africa's unique contribution to the world as it addresses wrongs suffered at the hands of others by righting those wrongs in the sand and affirming historical acts of mercy and fairness by writing those acts on stone. The TRC developed a process of dealing with the evils of 50 years of apartheid that avoids both cheap grace and retaliatory and debilitating injustice.

A phrase Rev. Chikane used in describing the work of the commission stands out for me: "We refused to use the past to destroy the future. While we had the capacity to obliterate each other, we had a greater desire to save the country we all love."

It seems that a generation of South African leaders has learned that their own suffering could indeed become redemptive. While others meant it for evil, these leaders emptied themselves of self and opened themselves to any alternative future.

I praise God for the relatively bloodless revolution that turned apartheid on its head. I pray that we too can open ourselves to a fruitful future by turning our backs on every painful past that threatens our life in Christ together.

Roy Medley - South Africa

Today we received an extraordinary glimpse into South African history. It began with a visit to a national shrine built by the apartheid regime to honor the voortrekkers- the Boer settlers who fled the British and pushed north into tribal lands. The monument celebrated these folk heroes and became a shrine to the permanency of apartheid, a ruthless system of segregation imposed in 1945 when the British ceded rule to the National Afrikanner Party.

Later in the afternoon we met with Dr. Frank Chikane who serves as head of staff to the president of the Republic of South Africa. In planning for this trip, I had asked that we be able to meet with someone who could reflect on the remarkable efforts at reconciliation in South Africa. Dr. Chikane, an ordained minister and former General Secretary of the Council of Churches of South Africa, had been active in both the freedom struggle and in the building of a new South Africa.

Many of the things he said shed new understanding on this volatile time in South Africa's history.

• During apartheid, the dispersion of South Africans throughout the world gave them a valuable perspective on various political systems and international systems. Thus, there was an incredibly informed and prepared cadre of black leaders.
• They were also gifted with a group of selfless leaders, such as Mandela, for whom years of imprisonment had not generated bitterness but a will to birth a new social order to benefit all.
• They also had the benefit of learning from both the successes and failures of post-colonial African countries.
• Unlike segregation in the US where a minority was oppressed by the majority, in South Africa it was the minority who oppressed and exercised absolute control through the police over the majority.
• Afrikanners, unlike the British and others, had no other homeland than Africa. That meant their future was linked to South Africa's future
• During the civil struggle, neither side was interested in destroying the country, therefore the infrastructure of the country was not harmed.
• When the struggle for equality was won, both sides sat down at the table and counted the cost of what must be done to preserve the nation. This involved compromises such as keeping former president de Klerk on as a vice-president of the country because that was what was necessary for a smooth transition. The overriding concern was the good of the nation as a whole.
• The Truth and Reconciliation process was envisioned as a way of holding accountable those who had been involved in apartheid while not bogging the nation down with a long judicial process which might effect strict justice but could never effect reconciliation. "We were not willing to sacrifice the future for the past," he said.

These were powerful words because Dr. Chikane had been targeted for elimination by the apartheid government. Their attempt at poisoning him was unsuccessful. Now, in his current position, he is charged with the care of retired presidents of the country including those who enforced apartheid and sought his death. Reflecting on the incredible ways in which the country and its leaders have sought to deal with former oppressors with grace, he said, "When our great grandchildren hear these stories fifty years from now they will not believe them."

As we sat with him in his office, which were the very offices from which apartheid had been conceived and implemented but now serve as the offices from which a new future for all South Africans will go forth, I was struck afresh by what a story of redemption this is. And I wonder, how do we apply these lessons in America where the offenses of the past and the problems of the present still keep the wound of race raw and bleeding? What can be learned from South Africa that can help reconciliation occur in Jena, La? Neither cheap grace (pretending as though no wrong has occurred) nor the demand for strict justice (the accused black students will not be found to be perfect saints nor will the accused white students be found to be utterly demonic) bring about reconciliation. There has to be a way that transcends either cheap grace or strict justice. There needs to be a way that the harm can be owned. As another has said, "without metanoia our only option is paranoia." And the injured must be free to forgive, for as Desmond Tutu has said, "Without forgiveness there is no future." This could become the sacred task of the churches of Jena: to assist that community to move to a new level in facing the dis-integration of their community.

Do we in the American Baptist Churches have the courage within our own fellowship to own the fact that we have no other place to go and to deal more forthrightly with our future as a racially diverse community? Can we do the same with our theological diversity? Can the work of reconciliation within us become a light to others even as South Africa has become a symbol of worldwide hope?

This visit has placed within me a desire to bring a group of ABC folk to South Africa to explore these issues with our sisters and brothers here for we have been entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation, God making his appeal through us. (II Cor 5:16ff)

Reid Trulson - The Holy Spirit At Work In Zambia

The Spirit of God is like the wind, says scripture. We do not know where the wind begins or where it will end. Nor can we control it. But we do know when the wind is with us for although it is unseen, we experience its presence. So it has been with missionaries Charles and Sarah West, serving in Zambia with the Baptist Convention of Zambia.

Sarah leads a weekly Bible study with several women who have found themselves in various ways snared into prostitution. One woman who has now opened a prayer chapel in her home was HIV positive. But like the wind, the Spirit moves in ways beyond our understanding or control. This woman is now HIV negative. And she has her prayer room open 24 hours a day for the praise of God and for ministry to others.

Recently Charles was asked to serve as the preacher for a series of annual meetings held by associations of churches around the country. It was a grueling schedule: preaching twice a day for five days in succession, then moving to the next association to repeat the pattern.

As Charles puts it, while preaching at one of these locations in the north of Zambia, "the Holy Spirit fell upon us."

At the conclusion of his preaching, Charles asked if there were any present who wished to give their lives to Christ Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. One after another, people stepped forward to speak and pray with local pastors from their own language groups. The prayer and counseling went into the night. The following day, 147 men and women were baptized in public witness of their commitment to Christ. Similar things occurred elsewhere where 40 or more people became followers of Jesus. Charles says emphatically, this is not because of anything special about him or his preaching. It is the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit.

All those who have made professions of faith have been brought into contact with the local pastor and church where they reside. Young children, who expressed a desire to follow Jesus, have also been placed under the pastoral care of local churches.

Among those present to hear Charles preach were people who had walked three days to the event. In a show of appreciation for Charles and his ministry, some villagers presented him with a goat. Others gave him a chicken. Both were gifts that Charles received with deep gratitude and joy.

The Spirit is like the wind. Come, Holy Spirit, blow upon us today!

Reid Trulson - On this rock...

It is a scene that we have observed in the D. R. Congo and again in Zambia -- women or children seated alongside the road breaking stones into smaller building stone or paving gravel. Hammers or pieces of iron are pounding tools for some. Others may have no tool and must simply break one stone upon the other. This was the case for six orphaned children that I met today. The oldest of the children cooks for the younger, and an impoverished aunt does what she can to help. But the pile of gravel and the yet unbroken stones in front of the children's mud wall house testifies that this is the work that provides the small income for the children.

Yet in the midst of this deep poverty, one can see a sign of the kingdom. The Kabanana Baptist Church makes regular visits to these children bringing assistance out of their own meager resources. The congregation located in a township on the outskirts of Lusaka, is a member church of our partner, the Baptist Convention of Zambia. Pastor Joseph Sabala and the members of the Kabanana Baptist Church believe that God has called them to care for the wellbeing of their whole community. They seek out those who are vulnerable, attempt to keep family ties intact, and bring what resources they can to promote wellness in the name of Jesus. They conduct community classes for these children, all of whom are too poor to pay school fees, buy books and uniforms that are required in order to access "free" public education. The church wants the children to have basic "three R" skills to equip them for survival.

Who is to say how many of these children may grow to become followers of Jesus? Caregivers to others? Leaders within the community? Bearers of the good news to other towns, languages, or nations? Upon the rock of confession that Jesus is the Anointed One of God, Lord and Savoiur, God is building the church. Among the women and children breaking stones into piles of gravel, one can see the power of the Rock of Ages and signs of God's kingdom.

Reid Trulson - Vital Partners

One of the joys of today (Oct. 19) has been the opportunity to meet and talk with three men from an order of German Brothers who are serving alongside our missionaries in Vanga and Lusekele. Brother Reinhart had worked in Afghanistan before coming to Congo. He spoke of the priviledge he felt has been given to him to be able to assist the American Baptist mission in Congo. He said that the Brothers' first priority has been evangelization. They have learned, however, that understanding the needs of people and working in very practical ways to meet those needs is in fact the pattern of Jesus' own ministry. Brother Reinhart said the holistic approach through which our missionaries are working is an embodiment of that "Jesus pattern" and a reason that he is so pleased to have a part in the work.

Brother Friedrich is 71 years old and was among the first of the German Brothers who came to Vanga some 27 years ago. He assists in the medical work. Some have speculated whether the time is coming when he will need to leave Vanga to enter retirement. He has been heard to say that when he leaves Vanga he would prefer to enter into heaven.

Brother Kurt, from Switzerland, rides a bike over the deeply rutted road between Vanga and Lusekele each day to assist with the agricultural ministry alongside Ed and Miriam Noyes. He said that few men were entering their order at present. That raises concerns over the ability of the German Brothers to sustain the level of participation in this shared work in the years ahead. However he said the most important thing is to give attention to what the Lord wants us to do here and now rather than to divert attention to forms and functions that God may only have intended to serve the present generation. Perhaps God's surprise for the next generation is something new, rather than an exact continuation of that which the German Brothers have known and loved in their time.

These three men are dearly loved and respected by the missionaries and local leaders alike. They are providing indispensible assistance out of their love of Jesus and out of their deep desire that the Congolese people may also experience the love of God and the joy of walking in the ways of the Holy Spirit

It was a great honor to meet with the German Brothers and to thank them on your behalf for their dedicated and sacrificial service. For 27 years they have shown themselves to truly be vital partners to the glory of God.

Roy Medley - Hospitality Of The Poor

Traveling to Vanga, Lusekele and Kikongo reminded me anew of how rich is the hospitality of the poor. In every setting we were greeted by large groups of pastors, students and hospital staff who gathered by the airstrips. In some places they had waited for hours for our delayed arrival. But in each place we were treated as honored guests and were greeted by songs, cheers and official proclamations drawn up for the occasion. The welcoming Spirit of Christ is rich among our brothers and sisters in Christ.

I was also reminded of the power of the universal church. What encouragement both the churches here and our missionaries have felt through this visit.

Thus, we have been doubly blessed as your delegation. First we have been showered with love not because of who we are but because of you whom we represent. And secondly we have been blessed to be able to offer encouragement on your behalf to the church in the DRC.

Words and even pictures are but poor vehicles to communicate our experiences: the glory and beauty of our worship together; the tragic limitations wonderfully-trained hospital staff face in treating the injured and ill; the heartwarming dedication of pastors serving isolated rural villages; the hope the church represents in the urban community, and the challenge of being one in Christ across tribal loyalties and divisions.

The church in Congo, like the church in the US, both transcends and is a product of its culture. In the midst of that dynamic tension the church seeks to grow in wisdom, love and service. Let us pray that God will bless their biennial meeting which is now in session and the decisions it will make.

Reid Trulson - Remembering Family

This is our first full day (Oct. 17) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (D.R.C.). This morning we met with the Executive Committee and pastors from the Convention of Baptist Churches in the Congo (CBCO). Our meetings took place on the grounds of CBCO headquarters located on a hill overlooking the portion of the Congo River known as Stanley Pool. Here is where Henry Morton Stanley assembled boats for use in the upper portions of the Congo River. Stanley is familiar to most Americans for the newspaper reports that chronicled his feat of “finding” David Livingstone who was presumed to be lost in Africa.

Pastor Kembo, CBCO’s General Secretary, and I exchanged public remarks about our respective organizations. This was followed by a brief question and answer session. I was struck by the fact that American Baptist International Ministries is still primarily known here as ABFMS--- The American Baptist Foreign Mission Society---which of course is our legally incorporated name. Most importantly, the use of ABFMS recognizes our historic ties with the Baptist movement in Congo reaching back to the start of our mission service here in 1884 when American Baptists were invited to take over the ministry begun by the Livingstone Inland Mission from England. Repeatedly the leaders and pastors of CBCO spoke of CBCO and American Baptists as being one and of the role of ABFMS in helping to birth their movement.

Later in the morning we celebrated the remembrance of more of our family ties as some of our group met for discussion in Sims Chapel, the historic place of worship built by ABFMS missionary Aaron Sims. Others of us visited other buildings on the CBCO grounds. When we entered Pastor Kembo’s office, we saw portraits of Aaron Sims and Henry Richards (see photo above) on the wall. One Congolese leader immediately began telling how Richards had been sharing the gospel with little response from the villagers. Then, one day, a villager pointed to something Richards owned and asked for it. This was followed by others who did the same until Richards was left with a completely bare house. Dejected because the villagers had stripped him of all his belongings, Richards decided that he would need to leave the Congo. The next day, however, people began to return his goods. They had concluded that he was truly a man sent from God and that they should listen to him. People began giving their lives to Christ in such large numbers that the movement became known as the “Pentecost on the Congo”.

I was able to contribute part of the story that was unknown by the CBCO leader telling this story. Namely, that Richards had been translating the gospel of Luke and then gathering the villagers to read and discuss each newly translated passage. When he came to Luke 6:30 he hesitated. That text says, “Give to everyone who begs from you; and of him who takes away your goods do not ask them again”. Richards feared that the people might take that verse literally and he had to confess that he had never literally obeyed it. Finally he translated the passage and read it to the villagers in spite of his fears. That text is what motivated the villagers to test Richards to see if he could obey its command. His response to being stripped of all his goods led to the villagers’ response of faith in Christ.

Of all that I have experienced today, the most profound has been to reconnect with our family in the Congo---family consisting of our missionaries past and present, and family consisting of Congolese brothers and sisters in Christ.

Virginia Holmstrom - White Cross

American Baptist Women, you have done it again! I’ve seen strong evidence of your White Cross projects in Congo. The mission hospitals I’ve visited depend on the linens, bandages, and material goods you prepare. In Kikongo, Rita Chapman invited me to deliver a baby layette to a family related to the pastors’ institute there. The pastoral student’s wife had had her second child two weeks ago. We hand carried a layette package to their small, humble home on the campus. Some dear woman in the Pacific Northwest had crocheted a hat and sweater from soft, green yarn. Also in the gift package were 2 diapers and a baby blanket.

The family was waiting for our visit with open door. Rita introduced the pastor, his wife, a three year old child, and the newborn baby daughter (see photo above). How precious she was! I cradled her in my arms. The pastor accepted the layette package on behalf of his family. We prayed for his baby. For a family with nothing, for a family who had traveled to Kikongo so that the husband could train to be a pastor, for a family that had left their village and now had no extended family support, for a family who lives in two small rooms with no electricity or running water, or mosquito nets to sleep under, this gift is treasured. Thank you, American Baptist Women, for making a difference for this family.

Later in the morning, I passed by the family’s hut and the father held his newborn daughter by the window---her tiny head was cradled in a soft, green, crocheted hat.

Sumner Grant - A Changed Life

Over the years I had heard so much about our American Baptist Mission in the Congo. My congregation at The Baptist Church of Franklin, New Hampshire included Annis Ford, a former missionary teacher in Kikongo. When I was Executive Minister of American Baptist Churches of New York State, missionaries Dr. Dan and Miriam Fountain were members of Homer New York Baptist Church. Now I would finally see the mission for myself.

What a joy it has been! In Vanga I have seen the seeds sown by the Fountains. I was struck by the enormity of the hospital, and with my New York City perspective, when I say, "big," I mean, "big." The hospital with its ancillary services must cover more than 10 acres. I was particularly impressed with the rural health ministry. Medical care is extended to remote communities by trained personnel who travel by motorcycle to stations exceeding 200 square miles. And you wouldn't believe the terrain . . . dirt and rutted roads.

From Vanga we were flown to Kikongo in a 10 passenger plane owned by Mission Aviation Fellowship. There we saw the work of Glen and Rita Chapman and Mike Lowrey. The Pastor's Training Institute is amazing. Pastors and spouses are schooled for three years. They learn not only theology, counseling, teaching and church administration; but also life skills and nutrition.

So, what I had heard, I now have also seen! And something has happened to me along the way. I have been touched. My life has been changed as my path has crossed the paths of our missionaries (Dr. Bill and Ann Clemmer, Mike and Jill Lowrey, Glen and Rita Chapman, and Catherine and Wayne Niles). But the biggest change has been effected by my contact with the people who have been transformed by their ministries. I can't begin to describe the feeling of love and welcome that has been extended to me . . . and our whole delegation. The Congolese people have made the love of Jesus Christ real. Though I am from America; though I speak a different language; though my skin is a different color; I have been received as a brother in Christ.

Nowhere was this made more real than this morning in worship. I was invited to officiate at the service of communion. As we gathered around the table and broke bread, I sensed the Holy Spirit breaking down all walls of country, language, tribe and color making us one in Christ Jesus.

Roy Medley

We arrived in Kinshasa yesterday afternoon (Oct. 17) where there was a decided change in temperature and humidity from Johannesburg. One really begins to understand how big this continent is when you fly it. In the amount of time it takes to fly coast to coast in the U.S., you have traveled less than half the distance across Africa, north to south. I remembered how shocked I was several years ago when I viewed a flat map of the earth that was drawn in true proportion to size and saw just how large Africa was shown to be. It dwarfed North America.
Not only is this continent large, it is also home to an overwhelming diversity of cultures, tribes, religions and languages. Adding to the complexity is the history of colonization which reshaped the political and social contours of the continent.

The Congo experienced a particularly ruthless and rapacious colonization under King Leopold of Belgium. The Congo was his private domain and he extracted great personal wealth from the Congo through her rich resources. The whole native population were basically his slaves. Therefore, he built no infrastructure such as hospitals or schools to serve the people. When the Congo declared independence in 1960, literally only a handful of nationals had any higher education.

European exploitation was then succeeded by exploitation by one of their own, President-for-Life Mobutu. Only in the past year have the people experienced a free and democratic election. Yet, even that is threatened by the militias and private armies in eastern Congo. War has devastated the lives and economy of the Congo.

In the midst of this, the gospel beckons to “all who labor and are heavy laden” to find rest and security in Christ, and the church is growing here as in all of Africa. It is growing so fast that many churches are without Bibles and pastors, and the new, remote ones struggle to be authentic Christian communities as they resist syncretistic forces. Interestingly, the fastest growing churches here are those which embrace a whole gospel and minister to both the spiritual and social needs of the people.

The gospel also speaks to me as I am here. It reminds me that God loves the Congo and desires her salvation and shalom as much as God desires the same for America. God also desires justice for the Congo. It was the early missionaries who exposed to the world the brutality of Leopold’s regime of terror and began to force changes. It is important that as we work for the evangelization of the Congo that we also speak to the world about her burden of poverty and war, of her struggle for democracy and peace. When we turn a blind eye to her in the West we abandon cherished brothers and sisters, we turn our backs on family. We, too, need to practice the whole gospel.

Virginia Holmstrom

Okay, I confess. I caused a glitch in the plans today. Having been warned on Tuesday by the South African customs personnel that I must visit a U.S. Embassy to have blank pages added to my passport immediately, I spent the morning not with the rest of the delegation, but with missionary Jill Lowery who took me downtown to the U.S. Consular offices in Kinshasa. My predicament had caused the others in our group to check their passports, and Aidsand Wright-Riggins discovered that his passport pages were also filled to capacity.

Antione, the official at the Consular office listened to Jill plead on our behalf to have pages added to our passports quickly, because our group planned to fly to Kikongo and Vanga early tomorrow morning. (Tonight we were thrilled to learn that Antoine had prioritized our request for same-day service. Jill was able to retrieve our passports later this afternoon.)

Our trek to the Consulate’s office was an adventure in itself. Kinshasa is home to about 10 million people, and quite a few of them were on the road today. Jill maneuvered her car skillfully through the thick traffic. I pointed my camera at the fascinating daily life happening all around us. Jill was constantly advising us not to take photos near government property and buildings. On the way back to our group’s meetings at CBCO, we stopped at stores where Jill purchased some cheese and two battery powered lanterns. We stopped for lunch at the IMA offices where Bill Clemmer and Wayne Niles work. I had my first tastes of manioc and greens made from crushed and boiled manioc leaves.

We rejoined the rest of our delegation at the CBCO headquarters and were introduced to the Congolese Baptist pastors and leaders gathered there. Present in the room of thirty were three women, and I was one of them.

I had a delightful exchange with the two women in the Women’s Ministry office, and we were joined by two more Baptist women. One translated French and English to facilitate our discussions about women’s ministries in D.R. Congo and in the U.S.

Alice Ngaliema Koba, President of the women’s work in Congo, expressed deep gratitude to American Baptist Women’s Ministries for funding a national mission project some years ago to build a women’s center at Mitendi and for AB women in regions who have funded other projects in Congo. The Congolese women are presently seeking to have a wall built around the center at Mitendi. Sadly, during the war here, the army invaded the women’s center property and removed much of the furnishings and equipment.

In Kinshasa this week I have also visited with Rev. Maman Mujinga and Rev. Gabrielle Kasavubu, two leaders we had planned to greet at the 2006 National Women’s Conference at Green Lake. They were not granted visas and had to cancel their trip to the U.S.

Pray for the 35,000 women who make up CBCO’s women’s department. They serve God in challenging times.

Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III

"I was a stranger and you welcomed me." —Jesus

Some of the first words of greeting I heard after landing at the Kinshasa airport were "welcome home." These words were spoken to me by a leading female pastor in the Congo. I didn't know if the context of her words were a greeting sometimes spoken to African Americans when they visit Africa, or if her words simply meant that as a newly welcomed stranger, her home was now home to me too. Either way, I felt like I had come home.

About 30 pastors from throughout the Congo surrounded our delegation in greeting at the airport. In addition, a large choir sang joyfully as we entered the parking lot. Both then — as well as today and this evening when our delegation was greeted heartedly by pastors, laypeople and children in several sites around Kinshasa — I was amazed by the gifts of hospitality and welcome. We have been welcomed and greeted with open arms, even though our hosts have little idea of who we really are and what we do.

It occurs to me — how different this welcome has been from the welcome we extend to visitors at the Mission Center in Valley Forge. I cannot remember ever having a choir perform or children dance, or Mission Center staff gather to ring bells, blow horns or shout with joy in celebration. My experience here in Congo encourages me to do better and encourage my colleagues to do the same. I somehow suspect that the Congolese do believe that when they welcome a stranger, they are in fact really welcoming Jesus Christ.

Reid Trulson & Bill Clemmer

American Baptist leaders are enaged in meetings with Kinshasa-based missionaries in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The gathering has been an opportunity for missionaries from International Ministries to share their work and calling with denominational leaders while serving in a difficult geographical and political context such as the DRC.

ABC and International Ministry leaders affirmed the diverse ministries that this group has been involved with and conveyed the prayerful support and affirmation of Valley Forge based staff and ABC churches across the United States.

Eleazar Ziherambere - Intinerary

Joining hands, joining hearts: itinerary of Africa Trip for American Baptist Leaders

Leaders from various agencies and ministries among American Baptists departed on Monday Oct. 15th on a non-stop flight from the United States to Johannesburg, South Africa. We stayed overnight in Johannesburg, and departed for Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo on Wednesday, Oct 17. The group will be in DR Congo for one week. Our missionaries in Kinshasa have arranged accommodations for us. After an afternoon with our missionaries and an early dinner, we hope to have a time to rest. On Thursday Oct 18, we will spend time with both our missionaries and our partner: the Baptist Community of Congo. Our missionaries in Kinshasa are Ann and Bill Clemmer (Ann is our local coordinator), Jill and Mike Lowery, and Katherine and Wayne Niles.

On Friday Oct 19, we will fly from Kinshasa to Kikongo, where Glen and Rita Chapman live and serve. We will have a chance to see the hospital of Kikongo, the secondary schools and the Pastoral Institute where Glen teaches. In the afternoon, we will also enjoy a ride on the Congo River with a Congolese crew, trained by Glen.

On Saturday, Oct 20, we will fly from Kikongo to Vanga. We will visit the hospital at Vanga and the schools. We will also visit the village of Lusekere where our missionaries Ed and Miriam Noyes live and serve. On Sunday Oct 21, after the service in Vanga Baptist Church, we will fly back to Kinshasa.

On Monday Oct 22, we will fly from Kinshasa to Durban, South Africa. At Durban, Drs. Anita and Rick Gutierrez, our missionaries in South Africa, will be our hosts. They will take us to some of the churches where they train local people in health. They will also take us to the William Carey School of Mission where they serve also, impacting students from all over Africa.

On Wednesday Oct 24, we will fly to Lusaka, Zambia. Charles and Sarah West, our missionaries in Zambia will be our hosts, together with Rev. George Zulu, the General Secretary of the Baptist Convention of Zambia. On Thursday Oct 25, we will visit various ministries around Lusaka where the West family is involved in. On Saturday Oct 27 the team will fly to the Copperbelt where we will visit the Youth Training Center, a gift from International Ministries and the American Baptist Churches of the South. That region is officially a partner with the Baptist Convention of Zambia.

On Sunday Oct 28, the team will leave Lusaka after morning service for Johannesburg, South Africa. Rev. Paul Msiza of the Baptist Convention of South Africa will be our host. On Monday Oct 29, we will visit historic sites and people who have been involved in the uprise and struggle that lead to the collapse of the apartheid and the independence of all South Africans.

On Tuesday Oct 30, we will fly back to the USA!

Roy Medley - Day One

Sixteen hours of flight time -- that was the length of our flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg with a one-hour stop over in Dakar, Senegal, for fuel and a crew change.

As we flew across the Atlantic I was treated to hearing a number of languages – a reminder of the rich mixture of cultures that would await me in Africa. Often I have wondered how I could preach meaningfully in such diverse cultures from my own. What I have found is that the stories in the Old and New Testaments communicate widely and, in fact, are sometimes better understood in cultures that are more similar to that of scripture than our own.

We are in Johannesburg just for the evening Early tomorrow we fly to Kinshasa where we will be met by Baptist leaders and missionaries. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has more than 200 African ethnic groups. About 70 percent of the population is Christian (50 percent Catholic and 20 percent Protestant).

The per capita income is $700/year for a population of around 65 million people living in a country one-quarter the size of the United States. The capitol city, Kinshasa, has a population of more than 6.5 million people. For 2006 the inflation rate was estimated at 18.2 percent.

The life expectancy is just under 52 years. The infant mortality rate is 86.6/1000. Roughly, 66 percent of the population is literate.

The country has been wracked by political unrest in recent years, both from inside and outside of the country. Things are relatively peaceful now, though one never knows when other forms of terror, such as the recent outbreak of Ebola virus, will erupt, shaking this society.

The full breadth of ABC mission: evangelism, medical, educational, and agricultural is present here. Dr Fountain (retired) was recognized by the United Nations for his pioneering work with village-based health care. Even now his work is a critical link in the health delivery system here. When the recent outbreak of Ebola surfaced, our medical missionary Dr. Bill Clemmer was on the frontline, helping diagnose it and initiate public health practices to contain the outbreak.

This will be a rich visit. I look forward to the statistics becoming faces and friends.