Back at Bongolo

What a tremendous joy it is to be back at Bongolo! As this was our first time to transition back to life and work here after our first home assignment, we didn’t quite know what emotions or thoughts we would have. Would we find it more difficult to leave family and friends again, to leave our home culture? Would we be ready to transition back to a different culture yet the place we now call home? Did we get enough rest while in the US to feel refreshed to jump in again? Did we forget all our French? 

Well, as God the Father always does, He takes care of His children. We have had a smooth transition back to life and work here at Bongolo. Sure, it was difficult to leave our family after extended time with them, especially our sweet granddaughter, Eloise. But, we have been comforted by the Father and feel His hand upon us. We feel rested and ready to go.

Engaging back in work has been smooth as well. Our Gabonese colleagues welcomed us back with open arms and smiles, giving us excitement and energy to continue our ministry here. They kept things going well in our absence and for the most part we have picked up where we left off after two months away. Amy continues her work in the accounting and finance departments and Jeff in the operating room with anesthesia services and teaching. And, praise God, the French language came back fairly quickly. We know many of you have been praying for us during this transition time back to Bongolo. Be assured, God has answered those prayers. THANKS!

A Lesson Learned on Home Assignment

A few days prior to leaving Bongolo back in July to come to the States, Jeff got pretty sick with some sort of viral illness. He tested negative for malaria but some lab values were off, pointing to a virus. The trip home was quite challenging as Jeff was quite fatigued. After getting a check-up with the family doc in the US in early August, some of the lab work showed elevated liver enzymes (3-4 times normal), another indication of a pretty good infection. They ruled out other liver disease with an ultrasound. It took six weeks for Jeff to fully recover which was most of the time in the US. The illness did not hamper our schedule, but did make it more fatiguing.

During the many opportunities to share with individuals, groups, and churches while in the US, Jeff reflected on the lessons learned within our first year at Bongolo. He shared on the necessity to lean on God for strength day-by-day and even hour-by-hour, something required when living and working in a tough environment. Trying to live and work here on our own strength will not work. Well, the same lesson held true back in our home culture! Through this illness, Jeff had to rely on God’s strength day-by-day and hour-by-hour to make it through a busy schedule sharing with friends, family, and churches. It was as if God allowed the illness to remind Jeff that despite the fact you are returning to your home culture where it may feel easier to live and work on your own strength, you still need to depend on me. And, of course, He did provide great time with family to help sustain!

John 15:5
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.