Mbila

Friday morning after chapel, Marie Aza (director of our Women's Literacy Center), Jean Kapinga (wife of the national director of Laban Congo), and I went to the village of Mbila. Last Sunday morning as Jim and I started up Aerobic Hill, we were met by seven women carrying a stalk of bananas. A stalk holds up to twelve bunches of bananas. It weighed close to 70 pounds and was about four and a half feet long. Wanting to console us in the loss of our two grandbabies, they made the long seven mile trek by foot, carrying that heavy stalk all the way. I had chosen Romans 11:33-36 and the entire twelfth chapter to share with the policemen's wives at the local sheriff's office. So a few days later, the ladies visited us. I decided to teach them this portion of Scripture as well. Radio Glory gave them a heads-up regarding our arrival.

As we approached the church, we heard the milolo in greeting us. The women cupped their hands over their mouths to show their excitement as they screamed. All but one corner of the roof of the church was covered with tin. Large tree branches composed the walls and connected to the roof. The "pews" were made of logs. In the front was a small table draped with Africa cloth and decked with beautiful flower bouquets. Pastor Hosea started the singing and the crowd gathered quickly. Soon we were underway. It turned out to be a regular church service and I was touched by their rapt attention. Their hunger for the Word of God is astounding.

Out of the 90 present, only six had Bibles. We just cannot find Bibles anywhere. I took seven radios, one for each of the women who came to the mission campus. They were overjoyed. Sixteen people made professions. Word spread and in addition to sharing this same portion of Scripture on Radio Glory, for the next two weeks, I will be traveling to Longo, Itwai, and Mbila again. I will be traveling with Mama Marie Aza and Mama Jean again.

Out of all the Lord has done in this region of Bandundu, the greatest and most rewarding that we have been involved with, is exposing the Word of God. It will never return void--no never! Please continue to pray with us!