October 23, 2000

Dear Friends, Family, and Mission Partners,

Two years after our initial interviews and assignment to medical mission work at Good Shepherd Hospital (IMCK) near Kananga, we have completed our preparations and arrived for initial welcome and orientation in Kinshasa.

Kinshasa is the capital and hub of all commerce, communication, and government for this large tropical country. Foreign travelers must get special permits to enter and work in the interior. There are currently seven armies and three armed refugee groups fighting each other, supporting or resisting rebellion against the present government and/or exploiting the natural resources. More than half of the country is now in "rebel" control. Travel is difficult and hazardous anywhere and impossible many places.

While we wait for our resident visas, permits to travel "upcountry," and medical license, we have been busy visiting church offices and becoming familiar with the 110-year history of Presbyterian mission work here. More importantly, we are meeting and forming friendly relationships with Congolese Christians and other missionaries involved with the continuing effort. We have had the opportunity to see, listen and appreciate what they have done and are doing. We have attended their churches and have been entertained in their homes.
Slowly we are beginning to appreciate the people, history, culture, social interactions, problems with communication, transportation, and differences in cross-cultural expectations. Our calling promises to be difficult but interesting and challenging at the same time.

Former missionary Virginia Law Shell, in her biography of her remarkable husband, titled Appointment, Congo, relates of a time she and her husband were driving to their mission station in the bush. They came upon the local village chief in an old truck, being pushed down the road by many women. They stopped, greeted the chief, and her husband, being a mechanic, opened the hood of the chief’s truck to see if he could assist. He abruptly closed the hood and after saying good-bye to the chief, returned to their car and proceeded down the road. Virginia asked her husband why he hadn’t attempted to fix the motor. He replied, "There was no motor. Who needs a
motor when you have thirty wives?"

Another story: Missionaries Bill Clemmer and Brother Rudy Schwartz were taking supplies to Vanga Hospital in their pickup. They met a women walking along the road with a heavy bag of rice on her head. They stopped to ask if she would like a ride. She did indeed. After they had gone a short distance, they looked in the back. She was sitting there with the bag still on her head as they lurched down the road. They suggested that she lay the bag down in the bed of the truck. She politely declined their offer, saying that it was enough to
accept the ride. She wouldn’t impose on them to carry the bag, also.

Isn’t it so with accepting Christ into our lives through faith? God comes along unexpectedly and not only offers us a free ride but takes our individual burdens upon himself as well. We are miraculously "saved" by God’s grace by faith in the simple acceptance of His offer. So, rejoice in the Lord always with repentance and thanksgiving for the free gifts of his spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, and Hope which passes all understanding. Remember, it takes one to tell one of this wonderful reality.

We hope to be writing you soon from Tshikaji. Please care for yourselves and each other. We love you.

Paul and Timothy wrote, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you" (Phil. 3: 8-9).

If you write us at the address below, please send letters and cards only. They will be held in the church office and hand-carried when someone travels to this country. E-mail is the best means of communication. Please see the box on this page for special instructions on how to email us.

In His service,

Bill and Sue Sager

The 2000 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 29