Update from Paul and Marty Law -March 2009

March 24, 2009

Dearest Friends,

We have had a WONDERFUL time in the states these last few months.
However, we were more than ready to get back 'home.' We loved being with our
children and grand children. We had the chance to make many new friends
during our visits to the several churches where we were able to share about
our work and ministry in Congo.

First we want to share with you that our web site is updated and we have
some new items as well as new pictures. Please visit www.appointmentcongo.org.

Also, it is possible to make contributions now online via 'Pay Pal' for
your convenience. Has technology reached 'Appointment Congo?'
While in Kinshasa we were able to borrow some missionary friend's
vehicle which allowed us to accomplish many things that would have been
impossible otherwise.

God has not given us grace for Kinshasa but we have to be there in order
to purchase supplies for the interior. We were able to purchase 4 barrels of
gas and got them on one boat while it took literally all day to get 11
barrels of diesel that ended up on another boat. I will not give you the
impossible details!

We arrived home at Lodja this past Friday. It was good to arrive on the
rough dirt/gravel strip. We praise the Lord for His watchful care whenever
we fly out here in 'these' planes!

Our supplies from our last container sent last July arrived a week
before we did. Paul has been so excited. It has been a 'bitter sweet' tale
though. We put the contents on a boat back in Sept. but it did not leave from
Kinshasa until the end of the first week of Dec. Our supplies did arrive in
our area about 6 weeks ago.

I am like most of you women as I like to have a nice home. We do live
pretty primitive in many ways here so I was looking forward to our prefab
cabinets. However, they were not protected and got rained on for months.
They look pretty bad. Also, I wanted a nice easy chair to relax in during
the evenings after a tiring day. It too is water damaged. Then there are the
box springs and several other items. Fortunately, we had shipped our
mattresses up via air back in Sept. Between the rats and water damage, it
has been a challenge.

I bleed like the rest of you and life is not always peaches and cream in
central Congo. It has been hard to see such expensive long awaited items in
such condition. YET this afternoon, I had my first Memory Class again.
Six of the children have memorized the whole book of James and the
others are still working on it! I am giving them more time as I have asked a
big thing from them... a 'second chance' as Jesus does for us in so many
ways.

I brought several soccer balls with many colors. The boys had fun
choosing which ones they wanted! I will take the girls to the market on
Saturday afternoon to purchase their new dresses-they are excited!
The children remind me that it is worth it ALL! My small personal loss
is nothing compared to their gain as they hide the Word of God in their
hearts!

In His Service, Marty and for Paul, too

 

March 18, 2009

We arrived safely back to Congo on Sat. Eve. We have hit the road running errands and purchasing fuel in barrels to get on a boat heading toward Lodja.
Yesterday, we moved our cook wood stove and kerosene freezer from the Methodist warehouse to the beach. They left the states on Feb. 14, 2007 in the ocean container and they are still not at Lodja yet. Finally they are on their way!

Our good friends, Brian and Gwenda Trapp have loaned us their vehicle which allows us to get all kinds of things accomplished in this huge city that we would not get done otherwise. What a blessing it has been to have wheels. We keep asking the Lord to provide a car for us but thus far He has said "no."

We check in today with our baggage and leave it overnight then we catch our 17 place plane tomorrow morning. The planes here are not great to fly on so we would especially appreciate your prayers as we fly to Lodja tomorrow. Right now, Kinshasa is 5 hours ahead of KY. Lodja is 6.

We are more than ready and are excited about getting home. We have missed it yet have had a wonderful time visiting churches, family and friends while stateside.

Please keep us and our Congolese friends in your prayers. I still need a cook, which is a full time job. This is one of my major concerns right now as my children's ministry is really taking off as well as having the opportunity to teach English in both high schools on the mission. I am, also, interested in getting involved in working with the student pastor wives.

The container supplies we shipped out last July have finally arrived at Lodja just last week awaiting our arrival. Paul is like a little kid waiting for his new 'toys'-a new portable sawmill, The Jesus Film' equipment, wood working shop equipment, etc. Fun, fun.

Blessings to all,

Marty and for Paul, too