Congo Adventures Day 7--A Piece of Congo

Saturday, October 27, 2012:

With each passing day at the hotel, Addy was becoming more and more comfortable with us. We were beginning to see her little personality emerge, and for the first time, she seemed to genuinely WANT us to hold her, comfort her, and play with her. After the uncertainty of our first few days together, watching her slowly open up was such an incredible feeling!

We spent a good portion of the morning doing exactly that.
Playing,
laughing,
and learning more about our sweet girl.

We quickly discovered that Addy LOVED playing hide-and-seek and giving high fives. Thinking back to our day at the transition house, I remembered watching the older children walk around giving one another high fives, even stopping to include the babies. Apparently, Addy had learned the game from her little playmates, and she was more than happy to show us how it worked! She would raise her hand in the air and wait patiently for one of us to give her a five.

Of course, we had plenty of time to play, so that's exactly what we did! We tried everything we could think of to get her to laugh, and every little giggle or attempt to mimic us felt like the greatest accomplishment in the world. I spent much of the morning taking pictures and videos, trying to capture as many precious moments as possible. Somehow, I think I was hoping to make up for the nine months of her life I had missed!

Saturday was also the day we were FINALLY going to get out and experience a little more of Congo. After our usual morning routine, we headed downstairs for our afternoon soda in the courtyard to wait for our driver and escort. Much to our surprise, they actually arrived EARLIER than expected! WHAT?!?! They joined us for a few minutes while we finished our drinks and fed Addy some potatoes, which were quickly becoming her favorite food.

Our driver, M, didn't speak English, but C, who was accompanying us, did. Throughout the week, I had often found myself wondering what everyone around me was saying, and this afternoon was no exception. As we sat together, C and M chatted in French for a good five minutes, frequently looking over at us and giggling or smiling.

I was beginning to get a little annoyed. What on earth were they talking about?!?!

Finally, C turned toward us and explained their conversation. Apparently, M had been telling her just how special Generose was to him. He admitted that when he first learned her parents were coming to Congo, he had been nervous. He loved our girl so much that he wasn't sure anyone would be quite good enough for her! But after spending the week with us, he was thrilled that WE were her parents. He said it was obvious how deeply Bobby and I loved her and that he could see how happy and comfortable she was becoming with us.

Oh, my heart!

M kept looking at me with the biggest grin on his face. He would glance at Addy, look back at me, and say, "Good Mamma. Good Mamma."

What an incredibly sweet moment. After all the uncertainty, waiting, and emotions of the previous week, hearing those words from someone who loved our daughter so much meant more to me than I could possibly express.

Before long, we were on our way to the market! The drive through Kinshasa was just as chaotic as it had been on the previous days, but this time I found myself giggling as we twisted, turned, and bounced along the streets. It was that nervous giggle I get when I'm scared or uncomfortable and don't quite know what else to do. Those of you who know me well know EXACTLY what I'm talking about! Part of me wanted to close my eyes and ignore the madness around us, but another part simply couldn't look away from the reality of life unfolding outside our windows.

By the time we pulled up to the market, I was feeling pretty anxious. Before traveling to Congo, we had been told that if we wanted to visit the market, the women would go shopping while the men stayed behind with the children. But C assured us that we could all come along for the adventure, so there we were, preparing to step out of the van with Addy in our arms.

The moment we arrived, we were surrounded by people eager to do business with us. Even though C had prepared us for what to expect, I was still uneasy. I took a deep breath, held my head high, and followed her through the crowded aisles, repeatedly shaking my head or answering, "No, merci," as merchants called out to us and tried to get our attention.

"Mamma, Mamma! Look, look!"

"Please! You need dis!"

"Come, come!"

"Only twenty dollars!"

Everywhere we turned, someone was inviting us to stop and look at their merchandise. Rows upon rows of merchants were competing for our business, and it was unlike any shopping experience I had ever had.

As we worked our way through the market, we stopped whenever something caught our attention. Before long, we had found jewelry, little toys for the kids, a nativity set, a picture for Addy's room, hand-carved serving bowls and a platter, and a couple of large canvas paintings. There were so many beautiful, unique things that I wanted to bring home a little bit of EVERYTHING!

It was also fascinating to watch C negotiate with the merchants. I had never experienced bargaining quite like this! Each purchase seemed to involve a good ten minutes of back-and-forth conversation while we stood nearby, looking from C to the merchant and waiting to see what the final price would be.

By the time we finished shopping, something had changed. I was no longer intimidated by the market or the crowds. In fact, I didn't want to leave! I had been so nervous when we arrived, but now I found myself wishing we had more time to wander through the aisles, interact with people, and take in every little detail.

This was a little slice of Congo that I had been longing to experience, and I wanted to soak up every minute of it.

We returned to the hotel completely exhausted from all the excitement and, of course, the HEAT! It was our final evening at Hotel Royal, and we spent it in the restaurant, chatting with the waitstaff who had become our friends, watching Addy and Josee play together, and reflecting on everything we had experienced throughout the week.

Looking back, I think Saturday was my favorite day in Congo, other than the day Addy was first placed in our arms, of course!

All week, we had watched Addy light up whenever Josee was around. The girls clearly shared a very special bond, and we had learned that they had been together since Addy's birth. They had even lived at the same orphanage before moving to the transition house in Kinshasa.

Whenever Josee was nearby, Addy's familiar smile and playful personality would come shining through. But on Saturday, we began seeing that same side of our girl even when Josee wasn't around. She was laughing with us, reaching for us, and showing us that she was beginning to feel comfortable in our arms.

What an incredible gift!

It was a beautiful reminder that Addy was learning to trust us and beginning to understand just how deeply we loved her.

Our hearts were FULL!

Up tomorrow...worshiping in Congo and what would turn out to be the absolute CRAZIEST hours of our entire trip: our unforgettable experience at the airport!

Able...but Willing?????

Last night was Book Club.  It may not be the highlight of my month, but it's definitely something I look forward to each month.  A night away with friends, talking about books, and enjoying a glass of wine and yummy food.  A night of bonding for Bobby and the kids.  A night to relax and enjoy some great friends.

Last night was Book Club...but I was not there.

I just so happens to be that I was supposed to host this month's gathering but cancelled the day before because our house was a mess--between the excavator, plumber, and countertop installers we had a mess to say the least.  But, by Thursday morning the house started to come together and I was thinking I could have hosted after all.

Turns out God had other plans for my Thursday evening and needed my house to be ready for His purposes.

Thursday afternoon I got a call at work asking if we were willing to take in a foster child.  Every inch of me wanted to say, "No, it's just not a good time right now." 

You see, life has been crazy lately.  And I don't just mean the day to day life of raising 4 kids crazy.  I mean hectic crazy.  Building a house, adopting sweet Addy, working, ministry, moving, AND every day life has been tiring.  I've been feeling like we deserve a break.  We NEED a break.

BUT, God had other plans. 

Bobby and I struggled for a long time with the decision to build our house.  It's a rather large house and we were comfortable in our previous home.  We had everything we needed and building a new house and moving to the country was going to be great, but we almost felt guilty for WANTING more. 

We prayed and prayed about whether or not it was the time to build and whether or not this house was what was in store for our family. 

We were reassured that this house WAS the next step for us and we promised each other that our house would be used for His glory.  We were going to be open to at least one more child through adoption and would be willing to take in foster children when it was needed and we were able.

Here's the thing.  I've come to realize there's a BIG difference between "able" and "willing." 

Were we going to be willing to take in another child amongst life's chaos when we were more than able to?    We definitely have the room.  We definitely have the love.  Yes, it would add more chaos and time and energy and......

But what about this child?  What about his NEEDS...not his wants......his NEEDS.  He needed a home and he needed love.....so we must be WILLING.

So, instead of being with my friends enjoying a night "off," I was home tucking five children into their beds and sitting on the floor of the boys' room until 11:30 while this sweet little boy wrestled himself to sleep.


1 John 3:17
But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?

Look Whooo's ONE!

One year ago in the Democratic Repulic of Congo, a sweet little girl was born

 to her birth mommy and daddy...

 One year later she is bringing continual joy to her forever family

EVERY.SINGLE.DAY!

Words cannot express how thankful we are to have Addy in our lives...

and we pray her bio daddy has peace in his heart and knows that she is loved beyond all measure. 

 I wish he could see her smile and hear her giggle....

 

Addy Rose, you are one special little girl.  I just know you are going to continue to change people's hearts...just as you have ours.  May you always know how much you are loved!

1 John 4:19

We love because He first loved us!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy 1st Birthday!

Congo Adventures Day 6--View from Above

Friday, October 26, 2012:

(Yes, I realize this post is nearly three months late! Life has definitely gotten the best of me lately. We've been working tirelessly to finish our house and have spent five weeks living with my parents while working nights, weekends, and just about every spare moment we could find. We FINALLY moved into our new house two weeks ago, but we're still trying to get everything put together while keeping up with everyday life with four kiddos. Needless to say, things have been a little crazy around here!)

But back to our adventures in Congo...

Friday began much like the previous days. By now, we had settled into a daily routine that helped us pass the time while spending most of our week at the hotel: breakfast, sitting on the balcony, a short nap, a snack, a longer nap, a walk around the hotel, Coke and Diet Coke in the courtyard, another nap, a long dinner with A and Josee, Skyping with the kiddos back home, uploading pictures, and finally, bedtime.

Sounds like a pretty exhausting schedule, doesn't it?!?!

Addy eating her morning potatoes!

  

Looking back, I have to laugh at how incredibly lazy we were! Bobby and I had both brought books to read and paperwork we hoped to finish while in Congo. And even though I absolutely LOVE reading, I didn't open a single book during our six days of sitting around the hotel!

Honestly, I was far too busy staring at Addy in complete disbelief that she was finally ours. I spent most of my time cuddling her, playing with her, and trying to get her to giggle. We had quickly discovered that our girl had the most contagious belly laugh, and I couldn't get enough of it! When I wasn't soaking up every minute with Addy, I was communicating with the moms back home whose children I had been privileged to meet at the transition house.

Although Friday followed our usual routine, there was definitely an added layer of tension. We were still waiting for Addy's exit letter, and we had been told it should be ready that day. If it wasn't, we would likely miss our flight out of Congo on Sunday. After all the waiting we'd already done throughout the adoption process, being this close to bringing our girl home and still not knowing whether we could leave was incredibly frustrating.

So we waited. And waited. And tried to enjoy the time we had together rather than spending every minute worrying about paperwork.

While we waited, we relaxed on the balcony and wandered around the hotel. Addy seemed perfectly content to sit and watch the world around her, and there was certainly plenty to see! No matter what time of day we looked outside, the streets below were filled with people. It seemed as though the city never stopped moving.

 Addy sat so perfectly still, watching the life around us. 

 

There were this many people on the streets (often times much more) 24 hours a day!

Bobby enjoyed watching construction, Congolese style!

 

One of the things we had witnessed throughout our stay was how quickly the weather could change. Just after I took one photograph, another enormous rainstorm rolled through. In the picture, you can see a mother standing against a wall with her four tiny children. Within moments, they were surrounded by mud and water as the rain poured down.

Seeing things like that was incredibly difficult. It was a constant reminder that the inconveniences we experienced during our stay were nothing compared with the everyday challenges faced by many of the people living around us.

Every time we ventured away from our room, we passed a long stretch of windows near the elevator that overlooked a police station. We had been warned repeatedly not to take photographs while in Congo, so I was always a little nervous whenever I stopped to look out those windows. Below us, we could see officers carrying whips, clubs, and machine guns.

I honestly don't know how to put everything we witnessed from those windows into words. The photographs tell part of the story, but even they cannot fully capture what it felt like to stand there, watching a world so different from the one we knew.

The police station

Where the police ate and trained

View past the police station

One woman in particular caught my attention throughout the week. She lived right next to the police station with her daughter, and the two of them spent nearly every day outside. I loved watching her little girl entertain herself, sometimes sitting in a chair for hours, perfectly content to observe the activity around her.

One day, I watched the little girl carefully study a bucket sitting about a hundred yards from where she and her mother were staying. It had filled with rainwater during one of the downpours, and she seemed to be waiting for just the right opportunity to retrieve it. Eventually, she made her way over, carried the water back, and poured it into a basin so she could wash clothes. When she was finished, she returned the bucket to its original spot.

I sat there watching her work, struck by how much effort went into a task that is so simple for us at home. What I could accomplish by turning on a faucet and starting my washing machine required her to collect water, carry it back, and wash the clothes by hand.

The daughter's hard work after getting the water

Throughout the week, Bobby had also gotten to know Wilson, the hotel's doorman. Nearly every time we went downstairs, Bobby would stop to say hello and chat with him. Wilson became a wonderful resource for us, helping us better understand Congolese culture, the challenges of finding work, and what everyday life was like for him and his family.

As we got to know him, Wilson began sharing more about his own circumstances. He worked EVERY SINGLE DAY. No weekends off. No holidays off. And as though that wasn't enough, he also walked ten kilometers to work!

His salary?

Seventy dollars a month.

Wilson explained that this was actually considered a very good wage for someone in his position in Congo. And that $70 wasn't just supporting him. He was also helping provide for his extended family.

Remember our grocery bill from Day 3? We spent $70 on just five items at the supermarket. The very same amount Wilson earned for an entire MONTH of work!

I simply couldn't wrap my mind around it.

Wilson also explained that Kinshasa was a major destination for people looking for employment. Congolese people traveled to the city from all over the country in hopes of finding work, often because their earnings would support not only themselves but also family members living elsewhere.

Our conversations with Wilson gave us a much deeper understanding of the things we had been witnessing throughout the week. The poverty we saw was no longer simply a collection of images outside our hotel window. We were beginning to learn about the lives, responsibilities, and challenges of individual people.

And then, during one of our afternoon trips downstairs for a Coke and another chat with Wilson, D arrived.

WITH ADDY'S EXIT LETTER IN HAND!!!!!!

PRAISE THE LORD!

We were absolutely overjoyed! After days of uncertainty, one of the biggest hurdles standing between us and our journey home was finally behind us. We could make our flight on Sunday and bring our precious girl home to meet the rest of her family!

Unfortunately, our excitement was mixed with disappointment for our dear friend Amy. Her daughter's exit letter still hadn't been released, which meant she would now miss her flight. The entire process seemed to have no rhyme or reason, and we knew how blessed we were to receive Addy's letter in time.

As much as we had enjoyed our quiet days bonding with Addy, we were definitely ready to go home. Friday had probably been our longest day in Congo, with so much time spent anxiously waiting for that letter and growing increasingly tired of hotel life.

But every time I found myself getting impatient, I looked down at our sweet girl and was reminded of what an incredible blessing this time had been.

Our daughter was finally in our arms. After all those months of waiting, we had been given an entire week to do little more than hold her, love her, and begin getting to know one another.

What a precious gift!

God was reminding us to be still, be grateful, and enjoy the time we had been given.

And now that we FINALLY had Addy's exit letter, we could relax a little and look forward to our final full day in Congo.

  

Up "tomorrow": trip to the market!

Celebrating Jesus

I've made a lot of plans lately that haven't gone as planned....one being to get our trip to Congo journaled within a month and not post anything in the meantime.  However, life's a bit crazy right now and we've now been back for almost 2 months and I've yet to finish our 8 day journey (oops).

AND, today is Dec 26 and I can't help but write a quick post about Addy's first Christmas!!

Our house is A.L.M.O.S.T done, but not before we had to be out of our old house so we are staying with my parents for a few weeks.  We are thankful they were willing to take on the entire bunch and all the hustle and bustle that comes with 4 crazy kiddos who are out of their ordinary routines. 

Here, there, anywhere, this Christmas is one we won't forget!

I don't know if it's the holiday cheer, the change in living arrangements, her age, or if she's just now feeling 100% comfortable with us, but little Miss Addy has changed sooooo much this past week!  She is still a very happy/hardly ever cries baby...but boy oh boy does this girl have spunk and personality!!!  She is HILARIOUS!  She literally wakes up giggling and hardly stops all day.

Addy enjoyed every minute of the family gatherings on Christmas Eve & Day.  She was more interested in eating the wrapping paper and bows than the presents she received, and enjoyed all the hugs and kisses she got from everyone.

It's overwhelming to think about the meaning of our lives thanks to God's love for us. 
It's so easy to get caught up in the busy holiday season and not remember what the season is really all about.  But the thing is, we really hope to not only celebrate Christ during this time but every day of our lives.

Oh how our lives would be so completely different if God had not sent His Son to save us. 
To give us new life. 
Just as God has chosen us to give Addy new life. 
I look at Addy playing with her siblings and it's hard to remember life without her.
It's hard to see her once as an orphaned child living in an orphanage a half a world away. 

She is a constant reminder to us that God has redeemed us and adopted us into His kingdom. 

Thank you God for loving us, for adopting us into your heavenly family through Christ Jesus whose earthly life we celebrate.

Yes, this is a Christmas we'll NEVER forget!

 

Congo Adventures Day 5--Hair &Fabric

Thursday, October 25, 2012:

We traveled to Congo with four large suitcases: two filled with donations, one for Bobby and me, and one for Addy. And let me tell you, that girl had a LOT of clothes! We had packed extra outfits in anticipation of the stomach issues we'd been warned about, which unfortunately turned out to be a very accurate prediction. We'd also been told that Addy was wearing size 2T at just eight months old! I certainly hadn't been prepared for that, considering I already had all these adorable little 12-month outfits washed and ready for her. So, just to be safe, I brought clothing ranging from nine months all the way up to 24 months.

One of the outfits I packed was the very first matching outfit Ayla had picked out for her little sister. Unfortunately, it was a size 12 months! I was determined to see Addy wear it anyway, so I squeezed her into it despite the rather obvious size problem. Not exactly my brightest idea, and the outfit lasted all of a couple of hours! But at least I got to see her wearing something her big sister had lovingly picked out for her.

After our usual breakfast buffet with A and Josee, we headed back to the room for a quick snooze. Well, at least Bobby and Addy did. I watched a movie while the two of them slept, and judging by the amount of sleeping they did that week, I think Daddy got in more than his fair share of cuddles! ;)

 

I had also come to Congo with a brilliant plan regarding Addy's hair: I simply wasn't going to touch it until we got home. The nannies had arranged it into the cutest little puffs, and since I had absolutely no idea what I was doing, I figured it was best to leave well enough alone. Surely, her hair could survive a few more days without any help from me.

Well, that plan didn't last long!

The thread holding her little puffs together began breaking, and before I knew it, several sections were coming loose. I decided that rather than letting the whole thing fall apart, I had better figure out how to take care of her hair. Somehow!

So off to the bathtub we went again. This time, I blew up the little inflatable bathtub we had brought along (thanks, Mary!!!), and Addy LOVED it! What a difference from our first attempt at bathing her! I let her sit and splash for a while before tackling the shampoo and conditioner.

(She really did like the tub----but was still very leery of the camera!) 

The one thing I knew before traveling to Congo was CONDITION, CONDITION, CONDITION! So I lathered her sweet skin with lotion and generously applied leave-in conditioner to her hair. Much to my surprise, combing through her curls was incredibly easy, and she seemed to thoroughly enjoy the little head massage.

I decided to leave her hair alone for a while and let her sport a cute little fro. Of course, that only lasted until after lunch, when I couldn't resist getting my hands back into it and arranging it into a few little puffs. I still had plenty to learn, but I was having so much fun figuring it out!

After another nap, we headed downstairs to wait for D, who was supposed to pick us up for an afternoon outing. Our plan was to visit a fabric store and, hopefully, a local market. D had told us to expect him around 2:00, so we were downstairs right on time, although by now we knew better than to expect that everything would happen according to schedule!

After waiting about half an hour, we decided to order a Coke. Naturally, just as our drinks arrived, so did D. But unfortunately, he wasn't there to take us shopping.

The one major hurdle we still needed to clear before leaving Congo was obtaining Addy's exit letter. We had been told to expect the letter within four working days of our arrival in the country, and we were hoping it would be ready that afternoon. Once we had it in hand, we could finally relax a little and know we could leave on Sunday as planned.

Unfortunately, D arrived with some disappointing news. The DGM, Congo's migration officials, would not release Addy's and Josee's exit letters unless we paid an additional fee. So we handed over the money and settled in for another round of waiting while D went to take care of the paperwork. He promised to return afterward and, if there was still enough time, take us on our outing.

About an hour later, D and M, our driver, returned, and we were FINALLY off to do a little Congolese shopping!

The fabric store was only a few blocks away, so it wasn't long before we were out of the hotel and walking among the hustle and bustle of the city. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to experience a little more of Kinshasa beyond the walls of our hotel.

The store itself was rather small, but there were at least twenty people inside, all searching for the perfect fabric. And WOW, were there choices! From floor to ceiling, the shop was filled with rows upon rows of beautiful, colorful African prints. There were so many patterns that I hardly knew where to begin!

We spent about forty minutes taking it all in and deciding which fabrics to buy. Every time I thought I had found my favorite, another pattern would catch my eye. In the end, I simply couldn't choose, so I bought six yards each of four different prints!

While we shopped, M happily held Addy. It was so sweet to see how much love the ALBB in-country staff had for her and all the other children. The moment we stepped out of the vehicle, M asked if he could hold her, and he spent the entire time walking around with her, smiling from ear to ear.

Once we finished shopping, we climbed back into the Jeep and began another bumpy drive through the city. Unfortunately, D told us that we wouldn't be visiting the market after all. He still needed to get back to the embassy, and the afternoon was quickly slipping away. He promised to try to take us another day if our schedule allowed.

I was definitely a little disappointed. Visiting a local market had been something I was really looking forward to, and I knew our time in Congo was limited. Still, even this short outing was a wonderful opportunity to get out of the hotel and experience another little piece of the country.

We returned to the hotel for another nap, followed by a wonderful dinner and some time Skyping with our family back home. Before we knew it, another day in Congo had come to an end.

Our week was going by so quickly! We were enjoying every moment with our sweet girl, but that exit letter was still hanging over our heads. I was praying that everything would come together in time for us to make our flight home.

And, of course, I was still hoping we'd have another chance to visit the market before we left!

Congo Adventures Day 4---Who Are You???

Wednesday, October 24, 2012:

Addy spent most of the night snuggled between the two of us. Around 4:00 a.m., she woke up, looked at us, and seemed just as confused as ever. I pulled her onto my chest, and she quickly nuzzled into my neck and drifted back to sleep for another couple of hours. Oh, how I loved having that sweet girl in my arms!

Once we were up for the day, Bobby and I were anxious to give Addy a bath, get her cleaned up, and spend some time bonding with her. Unfortunately, she wasn't quite as excited about our plans! The moment we tried to put her in the bathtub, she looked at us as though we had completely lost our minds. She refused to sit down, and even after I helped her bend her little legs, she continued giving us a look that seemed to say, "Who ARE you people, and WHAT are you doing to me?!?!"

Judging by her reaction, I'm guessing this was her first experience with a full bath. She didn't cry or whine, but she was clearly unsure of what on earth was happening. And honestly, who could blame her? Here she was, in a completely unfamiliar place, with two people she had only met the day before, and now those same people were trying to bathe her!  

For the first couple of hours, Addy remained incredibly timid and uneasy. She never cried, but it was obvious that she was still trying to make sense of everything. We cuddled her, played with her, and did our best to help her feel safe and comfortable. She watched us closely, taking it all in, but we knew it would take time for her to become comfortable with us.

It wasn't until breakfast that morning that we finally saw a little more of our girl's personality. The moment she saw Josee, her whole face lit up! There was our sweet, smiley Addy! What a relief it must have been for her to see someone familiar amid so many changes. She even ate a great breakfast, polishing off some yogurt, potatoes, and a few bites of mango.

We spent the rest of the day in our hotel room, cuddling, playing, and doing everything we could to help Addy feel comfortable with us. Oh, and NAPPING. Lots and LOTS of napping! We were SOOOOO tired! Between the exhaustion of traveling, the excitement of finally meeting our daughter, and the emotions of the previous day, I think we were all perfectly content to spend some quiet time together.

We also managed to Skype with the kiddos back home for a little while, and it was SO wonderful to see their sweet faces! As much as I loved every minute of finally having Addy in my arms, seeing the rest of our crew reminded me of how incredible it would be to finally arrive back in North Dakota. Our WHOLE family, together at last!!!!

As the day went on, Addy began to open up a little more, but it wasn't until we met A and Josee for dinner that we really saw her personality come through again. Having familiar faces nearby made such a difference for our girl. I cannot begin to express how thankful I am that we were able to spend the week with them. Their presence helped Addy transition from everything she had ever known to these two crazy white people who were suddenly holding her, kissing her, and loving all over her!

Wednesday evenings at Hotel Royal featured live African jazz and a dinner buffet, so we decided to enjoy both. We started in the courtyard near the music but quickly moved inside when we found ourselves surrounded by people smoking. Thankfully, we could still enjoy the jazz from inside, and we were now just steps away from the BUFFET!

Oh, my goodness. What a dinner! I seriously wish I had taken a picture of our plates. There was beef, tuna, salmon, chicken, potatoes, and an enormous assortment of salads, including one with large tomatoes stuffed with crab and tuna. Everything looked incredible, but the SAUCES! OH. MY. They were absolutely D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S! There was one spicy orange sauce that I swear nearly lit my mouth on fire, and yet I couldn't stop eating it!

We also had the chance to try Primus, a local beer we had heard so much about. It was surprisingly tasty, reminding us a little of Blue Moon, only without the citrusy flavor. Between the delicious food, live jazz, and wonderful company, it was a fantastic evening!

After dinner, A and Josee came up to our room for a while, and we settled onto the balcony to watch the streets below. As we sat together, our conversation gradually turned from the excitement of the day to the poverty surrounding us. The three of us still couldn't get over what we were witnessing.

At one point, I almost felt horrible sitting there, looking down at the streets as though we were watching a television show. Except this wasn't a show. These were real people, real families, and real children going about their everyday lives. We had just enjoyed an incredible dinner in a beautiful hotel, while only a short distance away, people were living in circumstances we could hardly imagine. The contrast was difficult to comprehend.

We had a wonderful conversation about our faith in the Lord and the things we had seen. I kept thinking about how difficult it was for me to imagine enduring such extreme poverty and sickness while still holding tightly to the belief that God loves you beyond all measure. And yet, so many people facing circumstances far more difficult than my own have a deep and beautiful faith in Him. What an incredible reminder that God's love and presence are not dependent on our circumstances.

As we talked, I began thinking about all the times I've questioned God over the smallest things. All the times I've wondered, "Where are You, God?" when life hasn't gone the way I wanted. I complain about a difficult day in my comfortable home, surrounded by my healthy children, while there are mothers living on the streets with their babies and young children, some facing serious illness and unimaginable hardship.

My heart ached as I thought about the people we had seen that day. I was overwhelmed by the contrast between their circumstances and my own, and I couldn't help wondering why I so often allowed life's smallest inconveniences to overshadow the incredible blessings God had given me.

Oh, how much I still had to learn.

As we ended another unforgettable day in Congo, I found myself praying for those mothers, fathers, and precious children. I prayed that they would know the Lord's love and care in the midst of their circumstances and that one day, they would inherit the highest seats in glory.

I was reminded of the beautiful promise in 1 Samuel 2:7–8, which tells us that the Lord sends poverty and wealth, humbles and exalts, raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy to places of honor.

1 Samuel 2:7-8

The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor.

What a beautiful reminder that the Lord sees those whom the world so often overlooks.

And what a humbling reminder of just how much He was teaching me through our time in Congo.