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What an adventure and life-changing experience going to Africa was. We visited Congo, Angola, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Kikwit, Congo was the area that influenced me the most. On arriving in Kikwit in the little 16-seater plane (four of us: David Wiebe, Mary Anne Isaak, Ike and I) we were royally met by approximately 40 church members. Included were a number of choirs.
We arrived three hours later than expected due to plane delays. Typical cheers, singing, and special greetings of handshakes and face touching (three times) were joyfully given and received. Then we were whisked off to the church where many more people were waiting for us. Many choirs sang and we worshipped God like I never had before. In Kikwit we were each assigned an interpreter, except for Mary Anne, who is fluent in French.
Standing out in my mind are: the children; the mamas – working so hard; the heat; no electricity (except for 15 to 30 minutes each evening); no running water; wonderful meals of peanuts, bananas, baguettes, and leukeu; great times of listening and praying; visiting the piggery, chicken farm and Mbamba farm; visiting many parishes and participating in services; sharing in a pastors and spouses seminar with the pastors presenting projects.
I have never in my life seen such poverty, and such joy and thankfulness for God’s mercies. Now what do I do with all of this? What would you do?
Shirley Bergen works in the B.C. MB Conference office in Abbotsford and is a member of Northview Community Church. She, together with her husband Ike, visited the Congo and Angola prior to the Mennonite World Conference.
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