A Haitian proverb says, “very near, isn’t home” (byen pre pas lakay) but when you’ve been international, nearly back feels pretty good!  Mr. Emoyo and little Espedi arrived back in Kinshasa last week after their journey to Kenya, where Espedi underwent three different surgeries (hydrocephalus).  Dr. Jerry met them at the airport and brought them back to the Kintambo health center long enough to verify that Espedi was strong enough for the 300 mile road trip back to his village.  Though still far from Espedi’s mother, as soon as Mr. Emoyo dug his fingers into a ball of “fufu” (cassava – the starchy, staple food in Congo), provided by Mama Sophie, he was home.  It was evident surgery had been successful because the little boy who also ate “fufu” on his father’s lap sported impressive scars, but he smiled, “talked”, and courageously made efforts to hold his head high

 

The journey now nearly ended, Mr. Emoyo counted the ways he saw the goodness of God.  They received wonderful care and people treated them kindly.  A Congolese nurse in Kenya became their special friend because she could interpret for them – language, food, and culture.  Successful surgery enabled Espedi to gain strength and ability each day.  Emoyo could never have afforded this treatment, but many contributed to make that possible.  The only drawback along the way: there is no “fufu” in Kenya.  There people prefer potatoes and corn meal.  Emoyo determined that as soon as he got back to his village of Lukwila, he would find a way to send to Dr. Friedhelm (missionary physician who orchestrated the trip from the hospital at Vanga), Dr. Jerry (his traveling companion) and Mama Sophie, (Espedi’s surrogate mother and guardian angel) some cassava flour, as a token of appreciation for their love and sacrifice.

 

Espedi and his father transited through the Kintambo health center two nights waiting for a bus to the city of Kikwit.  From Kikwit, they’ll look to catch a commercial truck back to their village.  There is no phone service there, so Espedi’s mother has been without word from them since they left.  We printed pictures of the journey to take and show to her.  The health center staff gathered to say goodbye to father and son as they left for the “home” stretch of their journey. 

 

Like Mr. Emoyo, we count God’s goodness to us: family, health, shelter, safety, challenges, opportunities, and for the many who contribute to make it possible for us to serve in Congo. God’s goodness to us includes each one who prays and gives.  Would that we could send each one some cassava flour as a token of appreciation, lest anyone be suffering for lack of “fufu”!  Give generously to the World Mission Offering so we, and others, can continue to build the Kingdom around the world.