By now we're out of superlatives to describe the enormity of the hospitality and care we've been shown. We are overwhelmed. Each day is more than the one before. But this is the day we've been waiting for. Nervously. Excitedly. The most exotic of all. The day on the river. Visiting congregations that can only really be reached in this era by dugout canoe. This day the story of generous hospitality will remain consistent with only a few variations: live fish instead of live chickens. One pastor and his youth director walk an entire day in order to be with us, since we can't make it to their village on our time schedule. They carry their gift of a jar of honey, a specialty of their village. Unbelievable.
But this day is marked by new blessings, as well. At our first stop, in a riverside church built up on stilts, little children peek in from beneath the floor boards, where they are standing on the now-dry ground beneath us, Rev. Ilumbe, Rick Spleth's counterpart, invites Rick to bless the young baby of the congregation's pastor and wife. As Rick takes that baby in his arms and prays the prayer we pray at baby dedications - of thanksgiving for this precious life, asking God's care for this family, and promising on behalf of all the community to help raise this child into the desire to be baptized one day, I am overwhelmed by this commitment, too. Yesterday, Bolenge, but today, we stand as a global community, responsible for each other's care and well-being. This child, all these children, are our family.
Over the course of the day, I listen to Rev's Ilumbe and Spleth share stories of their common work. Of course, the regional minister of Indiana doesn't ride a day and a half in a canoe and then walk 50 kilometers by foot, fording streams, to get to his congregations, but it is the same work of encouraging and equipping pastors and congregations for mission. It appears that the two of them are developing a bond that will ensure the success of this partnership. I am reminded of former General Minister and President Kenneth Teegarden and his United Church of Christ counterpart Avery Post and the partnership between Disciples and United Church of Christ that was incubated in the warmth of their friendship.
The day takes longer than planned, and on our way home darkness overtakes us. Though not really sure how our captain can see where we are going, we are transfixed by the beauty - and the number - of the stars. We follow the southern cross up the river. Every so often from the shore we hear cheers and laughter - as we pass the villages where we had been earlier in the day, and our brothers and sisters in Christ hurry to the bank to wish us well and safe journey once again.
Back at missionary house - tired and wishing for an early evening - we are in for yet another treat. The musical soiree, planned for earlier, will now come to us out on the veranda. What music!! Choirs from the parishes, men's choruses, mixed choruses - of breath-taking, joy-inspiring top quality. We are renewed.
Then off to the president's house for a late dinner (of fresh fish!) and the beginning, as Ilumbe reminds me, of the sad process of saying good-bye. Tomorrow we will return to Kinshasa. The last item of business for the evening is to share evaluations of the trip. But really it's to make the last personal gesture of family. This is the night the Disciples of Congo will give us our Congolese names. In sharing names, we truly become one family.
Sunday, May 25, 2008 »
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