Christmas Eve Day 2009

(Letter written to a friend on December 24; Life in the Congo)

"I am beginning this in Word since our Internet is almost impossible right now. We hardly get it on and it kicks off so I will see if I can get this sent this way.
The last week and a half have been busy going through barrels, trunks and action packers in order to give the student pastors used clothing and any other such items we had. We did ship out a lot of my folk's things. There are now 23 students. Last week, we gave them their coffee sacks of items from clothing to Tupperware. They all seemed to be thrilled. I had wanted to get pictures but it was pouring rain so that was not an option. (The coffee sacks hold up to 100 kilos so are quite large!)

Then I discovered several more action packers full in the attic this week so yesterday I was at the guest house sorting and putting out 19 piles. Today before the workers leave, I will give each of them their bundle plus a $20 bonus for the year. As we all know in stateside terms that is certainly not much but out here it is a lot. We would love to give more yet that is not possible.

Then this morning we gave out our usual beans, rice and salt to the 19 poor folks we feed every Friday plus today we gave each of the women a wrap around piece of clothe (about 2 1/2 yds.) and a blouse; the men shirts and all of the tin cans and table oil bottles we have been saving for months. They seemed to appreciate it all. With the help of some of our workers it did take a while to get it all given out. I found myself teary for them and thankful that we can be here and be of some small help to each of them. 'It is definitely more blessed to give than to receive.' I am the one who has received the blessing.

Yet out here there always seems to be the one or two who are not quite satisfied. One of the men wanted to know where his pants were!

Then one of the ladies had just received a nice piece of clothe and jacket but that was not enough. Finally, when I came out with a large basket of tin cans and plastic bottles that seemed to make her happy.

I found myself hurt and disappointed that they were not completely satisfied yet suddenly the Father spoke to me and asked me if that is not the way I am with Him! He is daily blessing me and supplying my needs yet too many times I find myself saying but...

Seemingly, I am never completely content with His supply. I am sorry that my attitude is a sin.

Well, as I am writing this one of the blind men that Bobbie Johnson gives money to each month for his medications just came to 'give me' several cups of new rice and four eggs. I just talked to our workers in the kitchen and asked them that if I accept these gifts then he expects something in return? 'Yes. If you accept his gift then he wants you to give him something better!' So I promptly returned his bucket of rice and eggs and told him to eat them and Happy New Year! So goes life in our dear beloved Congo! I guess I could get another spiritual lesson out of this one too-I give my tithes to the Lord expecting Him to give me more in His return to me. I mean it is His duty, isn't it, since I am a child of the King?!"

Pray for us, Marty