Blessed with House Guests

Lydia and I just finished having house guests for the past 2 1/2 weeks.  The Senga's are church planting missionaries here in Kinshasa.  Jean was born and raised in Congo and has become an American citizen.  Deborah was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland.  God called them to Congo to plant a church 3 1/2 years ago.  I met them at a yard sale when their son, Micah, picked up a book on homeschooling that I was selling.  I asked him if anyone in his family could or would read it.  He looked like every other French or Lingala speaking child around.  He responded in English that his dad would.  
Before long I met Deborah, Jean, Micah, Jonathan, and Michelle and invited them to our weekly playgroup.  They had been praying to meet other home school families.  It feels good to be a part of other peoples' answer to prayer. 

These don't give you the crowded effect but it is Kinshasa.

The Sengas actually lived on the other side of town but their church is very close to our house.  For the next three years they spent hours on the road going from ministry to home which was very taxing in many ways.  Kinshasa traffic can only be described where people drive like you would walk in a huge crowd.  Do not expect rules to be followed. 

Enjoying one of the trees in our yard. 12 foot wall!

Sengas went on furlough six months ago and enjoyed some great times in the U.S.  On January 26th they returned to a house full of mold and very few groceries.  Within three hours Deborah was having an allergic reaction to the mold. She sounded like she had a cold and her fingers were swelling up.  They called to come take showers and do laundry at our house.  Since Lydia and I are enjoying this huge house alone we invited them to stay rather than settle in one house only to move to another.  They were looking for a house to rent on this side of the city.  They have now rented a new home on this side of town and today they are officially moved in. 
With every home in Kinshasa comes surprises.  Just read Acharchelle's blog from today: http://brooklyntwinsinccongo.blogspot.com/2013/02/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-x-none.html  This house is attached to two others and after getting the water turned on they found out that the neighbors downstairs are getting flooded.  So we are praying there is a quick easy solution to water problem. 

The Sengas and the "New" House

I am so thankful that God sent the Sengas into our lives.  Not only have they become great friends but they came along just when I needed something to think about besides my husband being on a long trip.  Our God is good all the time!

Never Say She Can't

Emily getting ready to start kindergarten

She did it!  This is the child who couldn’t make heads or tails out of phonics.  She was almost nine years old and going into 3^rd grade.  Reading had just not happened even though we worked daily at it one on one for the past three years and more.  She was a hard determined worker so I couldn’t claim laziness in any of it either.  I asked my professional teacher friends, “What do I do?  I think she might be dyslexic.”  They responded, “Work with her one on one”.  She was headed into third grade and still could barely read a beginning reader with help. 

Just before starting college

I had ordered the full 3^rd grade literature based curriculum hoping for some miracle that summer and she was supposed to be reading chapter books.  Well school was starting and there was still no miracle.  So I committed myself to continue the basic phonics with basic readers and then I would read aloud the books.  We began school and during that first week something clicked.  Phonics went out the window and sight reading and context clues became the way to read.  I had received my miracle.  Emily was reading. This wasn't the beginning, this was part of the journey, part of the adventure, and part of what has built an amazing character. 

Her first summer of college was spent being a nanny.

My Emily, with her determination and hard work graduated with honors from High School 3 ½ years ago and has now finished her Bachelor of Arts in Family Consumer Science, Fashion Track this week.  She will not be there to receive her degree from Mount Vernon Nazarene University because she already is headed to Thailand.  First she will spend two months raising support since she is going as a missionary under a small mission called Remember Nhu.  Then she and her friend Janel will be committed for one year to work with young girls who have been at risk of child trafficking.  This will include living in a dorm with them at least for a while. 

Her Birthday gift of a fashion manican.

“And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.” Galatians 6:9