First I wanted to do a post about how God has been speaking to me about a particular issue the past month or so. Trust. I don't consider myself an un-trusting person so it has taken awhile for the lesson to really sink in. For a couple weeks prior to my trip my daily devotional lessons all revolved around trusting God even when things go wrong, looking to him for peace, He is all powerful, all knowing, and in control of everything, etc. On the day that I found out from my agency my documents were not going to be ready to file in country, one of my verses for that day was Ps. 112:7 "He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD." Then I went to a ladies Bible class Wednesday morning, and the question we ended with was "What will it take to trust God?" It gives me chills to think about!! Although I have been discouraged and disappointed with setbacks through this process, I am handling it much better than I would have if God wouldn't have been working on my heart the past month.
Even in the Congo God was still working on me. We went to a local church with our translator who is an amazing Christian man. One part of the lesson was about quit trying to fix all our problems. Trust and know that God is in control. Sunday night I gave it up to God. I had desperately hoped I was going to be able to get some documents while I was in country, but the political person I needed to meet hadn't gone in to work the 3 days prior. I was leaving the next day (Monday) with absolutely nothing accomplished with my case. I still went in to his office again Monday morning but with a different spirit and attitude. And praise the LORD he was there! No I didn't get to file, but progress was made!
I still don't know when our sweet little girl will make it home to our family. There is still much to accomplish since the adoption laws in the DRC are changing as we speak. We will bring her home, but there are delays anytime processes and laws change. I will work to get her home, but my goal is to do it with a spirit that seeks and trusts God and His timing and not a spirit of control, anxiousness, and worry.
Here is a 1 minute video of what you constantly see while driving along the streets there in Kinshasa. I've put music to it that we recorded at church.
There were a couple things I really loved about their church service. The first 20 minutes is devoted to prayer (kids are divided into 2 groups/classes outside). Some of the time was spent with a member leading the prayer, but much of it was spent with individuals praying. There was music in the background while some knelt, stood, or sat. Some whispered their prayers aloud and others said it to themselves. Regardless of how they prayed you could feel their heavy hearts and devotion to the LORD. I can't even describe how it felt to witness and be a part of those casting their burdens at the feet of cross. I honestly had no words to speak. All I could do was cry and ask the Holy Spirit to speak on my behalf. Then after the prayer time there was much rejoicing in the Lord. It's as though you start by unloading your burdens so the rest of the service can be focused on praising and worshiping God without the worries of the world to get in your way. The other thing I loved was how they did their giving. Everyone is given an envelope for your offering. At that part of the worship there is a joyous song of thanksgiving sung while row by row people drop their offering in the box at the front. You can't help but give cheerfully!
