Christmas in Congo

LaBorne put on a great Christmas Eve program! The night was filled with children reciting the Christmas story, verses, and songs. The youth choir was exceptional with their songs in English and French. The second half of the program was the LaBorne choir singing "The First Noel" in french, with only candles illuminated and walking in from all different directions. It was beautiful! In between each of the songs, Pastor Jacques shared parts of the Christmas story. It was quite a celebration, one that can only be experienced in person. God was glorified in it all!! It was great to see so many children there and participate in the worship!

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!...

It snowed on Thanksgiving Day! I was able to enjoy the snow in Michigan, just before leaving the States. It is so beautiful and I will miss it for Christmas. Maybe I will try to make a poster of one of these pics and put it in my apartment somewhere.

Two Months=12 States & 13 Opportunities

I have had the incredible opportunity to minister 13 different times and in many different states. In the last two months, I have travelled through 12 different states.

New York

Connecticut

New Jersey

Pennsylvania

Minnesota

Wisconsin

Michigan

Missouri

Tennessee

Indiana

Illinois

West Virginia

What a joy it was to share about my ministry in the Congo to 3 different churches, a missions class at VFCC, a choir, two life groups, an elementary school, 4 children's churches, a sunday school, and with many of my family members. I enjoyed the time with my family and many wonderful friends. I am looking forward to returning to Kinshasa, DRCongo very soon!

Back at Home!!

Family is so much fun!! Me and my 4 other siblings in age order. Our newest sister-in-law, Melissa

These 7 beautiful children are my six neices (Bianca, McKenzie, Bailey, Ashlyn, Lexie, and Allie) and one nephew (Billy) My sister, Linda, is expecting a boy in January, to make an even 8!

My two brothers James and Mark with my niece Ashlyn.

My two sisters with their husbands, Joy & Bill and Linda & Andy!

Grandpa and Grandma Biffert with the grandkids!

Mark and Melissa below

Since the moment I arrived, I hit the ground running! (literally!) My family arrived from all over the US for my brother's wedding. It was beautiful and a lot of fun! Staying up late each night took care of the jetleg. My neices and nephew have grown so much over the past 14 months. I am enjoying every minute with them. Enjoy the pics!:)

Blessings in Abundance!

Thousands of books came for the LaBorne Schools. They are excited about having one of the biggest libraries in the area!

Madame Vernaud and various members of the church thank God for the abundance of blessings!

The LaBorne A/G church here has received a container from Europe full of blessings. LaBorne has recently purchased a medical center to expand the one they had before. Through numerous past contacts made by the daughters of the Vernauds, this container was sent with many needed items for the new medical center. They have received many beds, medical equipment, furniture, clothes, books, and much, much more. God is so faithful!

School has begun!

The secondary students take time from writing notes to pose for a picture.

Maternelle enjoys spending time outside.

The teachers and students of the LaBorne Schools gathered together to begin the school year with singing and prayer!

My First Tire Blow-OUT!!

This morning on the way to school, I experienced my first tire blow-out. I knew smething was wrong the night before on my way home from church. I checked the tire and it didn`t look like it was going flat. On my way down the road, the next morning the flapping noise got louder and louder. The next thing I know, the tire blew loud. I did not hit anyone and everything seemed fine. I was about 300 yards from the church and was hoping to make it there. I called the mechanic of the church, Gaston, and he arrived 45 min. later. You are probably asking, "Didn't her father ever teach her how to change a tire?" The answer is YES! There are several reasons why I did not do it. I was wearing a skirt, the ground was full of dirt and sand, men here do not allow a woman to do it (I`ve never seen a woman change a tire here), and I have never changed a tire as big as a 4x4 before. While I was waiting, I had several men wanting to help, but I informed them that another man was coming. I did not take pictures of Gaston and my flat tire, because there were too many people walking along the side of the road. It is not safe to take pictures here. Although I was able to take a picture of it in the back of the jeep. I thank the Lord for His protection! He will never leave us nor forsake us!

ZONGO FALLS!!

We travelled through many small villages and enjoyed seeing the children run to the side of the road to wave.

A week after the team left, some friends and I took a 3 hour trip outside of the city to find Zongo Falls. It was a wild ride and we made it home in the same day. The falls are beautiful! It was awesome to see how God brings rest to us while enjoying His Creation!

LWCC Missions Team August 2007

The Youth camp had 250 youth in attendance. Many accepted rededicated their life to Christ.

One activity we did with the youth was Nose painting. We used this to illustrate that all parts of the body has a specific purpose. Trying to do another part's job, isn't always the easiest.

Vacation Bible School had between 500-700 children throughout the week.

The team had the children participate in many activities, including putting the memory verse in the right order.

Pastor Jacques and Johanna Vernaud

The LWCC Team from Minnesota (Erika, Dawn, Heidi, Gwen, Ellee, Colleen, and Liliane.

Krista, me, and Liliane Rood (daughter of Pastor Jacques & Johanna Vernaud)

A Day as a Congolese Women

As we were visiting our friends at the orphanage, only a few of the young children and most of the older children were home. The rest went to a ministry day for children at the church. The older children(about 6 of them) wanted to show us where they went to get their water. It was a thirty minute walk through a village and down a pretty steep hillside. Halfway down the hillside, my foot got caught on a tree root. In the midst of trying to catch myself from tumbling down the hill, both of my sandals broke. It was quite an experience to feel the ground under my feet. I have a profound respect for Congolese women and children who walk this path everyday with no shoes. It was amazing to see all the mamas and children at the water source. They were washing their clothes and dishes, and filling their buckets with water. We helped some of the children and mamas to carry their water back up the hill. I wanted to try to carry it on my head, but I was afraid I would spill the precious water they had come so far for. Once we returned to the orphanage, one of the papas and mamas there saw my bare feet and said, "Vous etes Congolese maintenant!" (You are Congolese now!) They were impressed! Tresor, one of the older boys of the group, wanted to take my sandals to get fixed. It was so sweet! When he returned with them about 15 min. later, they were like new! What a blessing! It was a great day!