2020

Just a few months after some of our family came for a visit we received instructions from the church authorities that we were to evacuate once again. We were unaware of the deadly tribal conflict that had started in the Blukwa area and that there were concerns that it was spreading. To be the advocate for missionaries, trying to evacuate without passports, was amazing.

On our first furlough I had a farm job and lived in a trailer behind the main farmhouse with my small family. I eventually bought part of the family farm including the other old farmhouse where we are now retired. I have come to enjoy caring for the animals we have accumulated, many teaching us very basic lessons about our relationship with God.

A disease far more deadly than the virus that is now shutting down our activities threatened us in Zaire many years ago. Those contracting the pneumonic plague, without treatment faced a 100% death rate, yet employees happily showed up for work. It was easy to get around the barriers. We had more than a Posy in our pocket.

Ongoing news from Congo made it ever more evident that government efforts and fences cannot settle tribal differences. So much of what we do in our own strength does nothing to communicate the Love of God and what He has provided to give mankind a reason for living. The RTK radio broadcasting has been blessed of God. Only He can build His church.

Shortly after leaving Rethy we heard of undreamed atrocities as hatred spilled over between the Lendu, Hema and Alure tribes. There had been indications earlier in the struggle for control of the church. The ancient Alure story teller, Lawi, fully understood what was happening when I went to see him after the dorm cows had entered his corn garden on a moonlit night.

Trying to solve problems the way I thought best didn’t necessarily help reduce tribal tensions. I was an outsider even though I had lived at Rethy from my childhood. My son found adjustments to boarding school to be difficult. With workers from several tribes God blessed us as we built the radio station and erected the tower to hold the four bay antenna for RTK.

After the rebellion, the missionary radio communications and the travel connections to Rethy didn’t exist. News of my mother’s death arrived after a delay of several days following no news for months. Traveling by bus across Uganda was uncertain, untried by us, and definitely dangerous. Uwor reassured us, “If it is your day, it is your day”

To fulfill my responsibilities at Editions CECA I depended on Ukumu’s help. Purchasing paper at the Pan Paper mill in Kenya, traveling through Uganda and importing into the DRC had to be done the only way possible in Africa. We were able to account for most of the expenses. With tons of paper on hand the plan to print thousands of hymnbooks in Pazande was realistic.

The tensions between the tribal groups at Rethy were becoming obvious when the Alur would not pay their electric bills since a Lendu was the manager of the electric company. The manager would not pay an Alur for purchases made for him. At the press I found the Alur working together and we were able to get things done.

When nothing was the same after the rebellion and looting, being given the same responsibilities at Editions CECA, offered a new challenge. Working again at Rethy, but unable to fulfill the expectations of all those who had depended on missionary services, was a big adjustment to many. The radio station became my focus.