Returning to Congo

In April of 2023, Elijah received his permanent residency, and we knew the Lord was telling us it was time to go. Four months later, after two years of waiting, praying, and preparing, we boarded a plane for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, excited to see what the Lord had in store.

Getting there was an adventure in itself. Between last-minute travel changes, long flights, and a few unexpected hiccups along the way, we finally landed in Goma, the city we'll be calling home for the next four months. While we'll be living there, much of our time will be spent making the forty-minute boat ride across Lake Kivu to Miramba, Elijah's home village, where God first began stirring our hearts for what would eventually become One By One Ministries. We were exhausted by the time we arrived, but incredibly thankful to be back.

Life in Goma has changed since we were last here. Years of ongoing conflict in eastern Congo have displaced thousands of families, and many have come to Goma looking for safety. The city feels busier than we remember, and everyday life requires a little more caution than it once did. While we're thankful to be back, it's also been a sobering reminder of the challenges many families here continue to face every day.

One afternoon, while riding to the market, several street children asked me for food. One little boy had a bloody nose, and all I wanted to do was scoop him up and take him home. I went into a nearby store to buy bread for them, but by the time I came back outside, they were gone. On the ride home, we passed four more children sitting together along the road, none of them looking older than six years old. Moments like these are difficult to forget and continue to remind us why the Gospel and practical opportunities like education are so desperately needed here.

One of the greatest highlights of our first month was gathering with our One By One Ministries team for one of our first ministry meetings in Congo. Made up of close friends and family, this group will be serving alongside us as the ministry continues to grow. We began the afternoon with a team-building activity called the Human Knot. The first time they tried, everyone quickly gave up and sat back down. I wasn't about to let them off that easy. After a little more persistence, they finally untangled themselves, and when I asked if they wanted to try again, they all enthusiastically said yes. This time I gave them one simple rule: "No talking." About two seconds later everyone erupted into conversation anyway! It was a fun reminder that while problem-solving doesn't always come naturally, communication certainly does. We laughed a lot that afternoon before beginning our first Firm Foundation training together. Our first lesson centered on our identity in Jesus, and it was exciting to begin laying a biblical foundation together.

As we continue settling into life here, we're reminded daily that the Lord has gone before us. Looking back over this first month, we're grateful not only to be back in Congo but to be taking these first steps as One By One Ministries. Thank you for continuing to pray for our family and for the work the Lord is just beginning.