23 August 2005

Dear Friends,

We are here! Yes, as of 6:30 p.m. August 18, we are finally here in my Beloved Congo. Ndjili Airport was an interesting set of challenges, so that we could start out a little humbler, but what an overriding joy to finally get here! The folks here—under the leadership of our co-workers Larry and Inge Sthreshley—have been knocking themselves out to care for us. We started immediately meeting some of the great team and community the Lord has been building here.

Our first Sunday was only three days ago, and it was terrific. The Lord was pleased to show Himself in all sorts of wonderful ways. The all-African choir was superb—powerfully moving in the harmony only Africans can achieve. The rush of emotions was overwhelming. The kind introduction by an old friend almost wiped me out, but the Lord rescued me and ennabled me to preach His Word. I was pleasantly surprised to find that many of the Africans who make up our congregation come from the Kasai region, where I was raised. Standing outside to greet everyone after the service I was amazed at the diversity of that body. I think we counted about 20 different nationalities there. What a privilege to stand where my old heroes (with names like Murray and Sthreshley) pastored so faithfully.

Jet lag? There has been no time for that. Only one of us is injured: our son Theo hurt himself in a jump from a ledge, the height of our ten-foot ceiling. No broken bones, but torn ligaments in both feet. He is sad to miss the first days of school and is in a lot of pain, with his feet in splints, but we trust he’s on the mend. Sarah and Evangeline are crazy about their new school. We have a lot to adjust to, and it is one huge adventure just learning how to set up house here and drive the kids to school.

I am hoping to soon join up with our partner church here in Kinshasa, the CPK (Presbyterian Community of Kinshasa). They are all very busy at their General Assembly. We do beg you, when you think of us, to please pray for us. There are lots of ways to mess up here. I haven’t figured out all of them but the few I do know are huge. But oh, how we have a great God who can put it all into perspective. Trust Him with us, that we will be faithful to His great commission here in Kinshasa.

Very gratefully,

Walt Shepard