2020

What do we do with the dominion we have been given over God’s creation? The Zande, the sportsman, and the two farmers each treated guinea fowl differently. Our different perspectives determined what we did and each man’s actions may be viewed very differently by those who aren’t quite sure what a guinea fowl even looks like!

When hunting guinea fowl with Mboligihe in Africa, I made a bargain with God and then had to keep it! Starting before the sun rose, walking for hours, and checking every peanut garden we had all but given up. We would never find them in the blistering heat! God answered then and has even now given me some guinea fowl to enjoy on the farm.

Building an incubator to hatch Rhode Island Red chicks at Rethy proved to be quite a challenge. As the one who thought himself a skilled craftsman and an intelligent science teacher, I scored zero against the little hen from Zandeland who hatched 100% of her eggs. God designed the hen and I failed with my intelligent design. Chickens evolved? NEVER!

Any farm will have chickens around somewhere and the first chickens I cared for in Africa were descendants of the little red jungle fowl given to Ellen by the Zandes. That small colorful bird had no idea that birds four times his size were of any threat to him. I think the Banties I now have on Grandpa’s farm have inherited the same attitude.

Learning about farming with my father in law was quite different from caring for my own animals. My calves grew up demanding ever more to drink as I did everything I could to satisfy their thirst. When the spring on the hill stopped flowing and the stream became became a trickle we turned to an old well in the marsh. Then freezing weather came.

We certainly weren’t in control of events when we were asked to evacuate Congo the second time. We didn’t even fully understand the reasons behind the decision. We were absolutely certain, however, that God had not lost control, even though we had no idea what was next for us. We missed our group debriefing and went swimming instead.

We are simultaneously faced with three events: drought, locusts and COVID-19. Why? A disease far more deadly than the Corona Virus originated in the garden of Eden. It has a 100% death rate and is inherited from the first man. God communicates with His people in these days too, and offers a way to heal the land.

To enjoy a time away from Rethy at the Koda river falls, like we did every vacation, we needed to avoid Kabila’s young soldiers who were looking to commandeer vehicles. We actually enjoyed our picnic in peace. Working together at the RTK studio building site offered lots of very special times and challenges. It was a good vacation.

With Jeff home from boarding school for a month we were privileged to have two old motorcycles, a box of tools, and a pick-up truck to use. Teaching my son how to repair the bikes and drive the truck was easier than getting a driver’s license or a learner’s permit for him. He was three years too young but the arbitrary authorities helped solve the problem with a white rag.

While we were preparing places for other returning missionaries, and working on the possibility of once again offering a school for missionary children the country was becoming less and less settled. Unrest between tribes was intensifying and the government authorities were focused on collecting taxes. What was to happen to the unfinished projects?