Leaving Congo

As our final month in Congo began, we found ourselves spending less time planning projects and more time simply serving the people the Lord had placed in front of us. Whether it was encouraging families, investing in children, or spending time in the village, we were reminded that ministry is often found in the ordinary moments.

One opportunity came through five boys living on the streets of Goma. As we got to know them and hear their stories, we did what we could to help. We spent time with their families, found a house mom and teacher, and began taking small steps toward helping the boys return to school and rebuild relationships at home. It wasn't a perfect process, and there were many challenges along the way, but the experience reminded us that ministry is rarely as simple as we expect. Even so, we remain thankful for every conversation, every lesson, and every seed the Lord allowed us to plant.

Before returning to the United States, we made one final trip across Lake Kivu to Miramba. This time, we spent the night in the village for the very first time.

That evening we had planned to show a movie we had translated into Swahili and project it outside for the village. After running into some sound issues, though, we ended up showing everyone our wedding video instead, which thankfully needed no translation. The whole village came, and it was so much fun listening to the children giggle and the families laugh and talk about what they were watching, all under the beautiful stars.

Even after we went to bed that night, I could still hear the village around us. Families were talking, laughing, and some were even playing music. I remember lying there surprised by how easy it was to hear the lives of the people around me and how comforting it felt.

Waking up before sunrise the next morning was the quietest I had ever experienced the village. Before anyone else was awake, Elijah and I walked to the property where we hoped to one day build the school. As we walked around it, we prayed that if it was truly the place the Lord had prepared, He would open the door for us to one day own it.

As we made our way back to the village, it was hard to believe our time in Congo was already coming to an end. Saying goodbye to Miramba wasn't easy, but it was special to look back on all the Lord had done through One By One Ministries over the past four months and the relationships we had formed, while looking ahead with excitement for everything He still had in store.