We accept the pain of longing, for it is also joy…

Julian of Norwich and Congo?
I have always connected with the words of Julian of Norwich a 14th century anchorite. She desired to know more of Christ and became a spiritual advisor to many who came for her words of wisdom and spiritual direction. This morning as I reflect on my time in Congo I have come to realize that Congo is with me every moment of the day - every hour, every morning, every afternoon, every night. I see faces, hear stories, see pain and see hope. I see God in action in Congo and I get so much joy when I hear of all that continues to happen in Congo some of which I’ll tell you about today. Yet my struggle is that I feel so far away and I want to be there – to be with people who have become so dear to me and to be able, in a small way, be present with people who are so broken and wounded but who yet seek so boldly to recover and bring hope and peace. It’s not a romantic thought or feeling – because life in Congo is not easy and I am a person who loves my comforts and organized life. But I have come to realize this time that part of my heart is not with me here at home in the US – it is in Congo – I left it behind. The only joy in that is that I know I have to go back because I have to be whole again but the pain comes in longing to be there. And hence the words of Julian of Norwich: “we accept the pain of longing, for it is also joy.” Life is so paradoxical…

This may sound strange but it is true. The joy comes in the praying, the planning and the figuring out how it is going to happen again. Instead of one trip to the Congo next year, let’s plan two – or more. Instead of just waiting for the trip to come around, what can I do in the meantime to support my sisters and brothers in Congo, how does the work continue, what can I do? There is pain in the longing – because it is so hard to be here and not there and I long to be back. And then there is joy in hearing the stories of what is happening since we left.
Discipleship and training:
The women from the prostituted women’s conference that we held last July who became Christians and signed up for skill training have since then been meeting three times a week. They meet every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for discipleship training, literacy classes and skills training making soap and beads. There are over 40 women who have faithfully done this. Kassie, Mama Dorcus and Decky have been the teachers. Last week, the women had three full days (7AM to 5PM) of teaching and discipleship. These women are serious about changing their lives and living in the hope that Jesus gives them. They have discovered a new life and are determined to do their part. David Kasali the founder of Congo Initiative said to me “There is a move of the Spirit that we cannot stop”. Is that not amazing? Is that not the way it should be? That is such an encouragement to me that the work God did through us during our trip has prospered and given these women such hope. God is good. I love the redemptive power of Jesus, the hope that Jesus gives and the new life – really our original design – that Jesus gives when we call on Him. The photos show some of the women who had signed up for the skills training and discipleship.
Romans 10:11
For the Scripture says. “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.”