It seems that nothing is ever easy in the Congo. I got this poem from Juneve Anderson today. It seemed about right to describe things.

POEM OF LIFE

At times we've thought what is the usefulness
To brave the world and its abuse?
Trouble and sorrow seem everywhere
Surely 'tis more than we can bear.

But then a still, small voice would say,
There's joy for you if you'll but pay.
Should roses grow without a thorn?
To unearned ease are mortals born?

The sweetest flowers ofttimes are found
Amid the thorns in roughened ground.
And richest joys you'll find are those
Which spring from work and not repose.

Hamblen

Today the road was so muddy on the way to church that we almost didn't make it using four-wheel drive. The power was out for 17 hours, as was the water. In RS. they spoke as much Swahili as they did French and I'm pretty lost in French, so with Swahili thrown it, it was a real challenge. We sat through five hours of church on very hard seats until our backs hurt like crazy. We were without power for the 31 of the last 37 hours. We had to cook outside on the gas stove by the light of a big flashlight two nights in row. When the power finally came on, it was on for 15 min and went off again. It returned about an hour later.

BUT THEN............. the elders called with their report of baptisms this week. Count.......

Baptisms today in Likasi 5 ... in Lubumbashi 41 . Total.... 46 baptisms TODAY. We were there to witness 16 done by three companionships in one baptismal service.

Is it worth a few inconveniences? OHHHH! YES!!!