Sept. 30th

Tuesday, September 30, 2008:

Today was an unbelievable day. We saw starving children at the hospital in Tshikaji (Nancy’s Hospital). Then, we went to Lubondai. We arrived here to a welcoming party of about 200 hundred people. They sang songs and paraded us down to the church, where we had a worship service. Then, we had a magnificent meal…goat, rice, beer, soda, vidia, gravy, potatoes, red beans (grown beans), chicken. Wow, what a feast.

Then, we went to the hospital to watch a surgery. A young woman was being operated on for a cyst in her ovaries and appendicitis. She did very well. The operation was done at night using a car battery and a light. I took pictures and filmed (videoed) the operation as well. Imagine operating using something a little more powerful than a flashlight!!!

The women here have fistulas that occur during birth, because of rapes, abuse, lack of hygiene, etc. They are tears within the urethra that cause urine leakage to seep into other parts of the body, leading to terrible infections. Sorry to be so graphic, but these injuries cause a major portion of the infections that women have here. The doctors operate on these women day and night.

There is no electricity here in Lubondai, so this will be my last entry for a while. I’ll begin writing down my notes so that when I get to some electricity I can cut and paste the information into my blog.

As we have moved deeper within the DRC, there is more and more poverty. Children are naked and dirty…because they have no water or soap. Many of the children have bloating stomachs and whitening hair…a sign of starvation. If it weren’t for the smiles on all of the children’s faces, the incredible smiles on all of the people’s faces, and the hospitality of the people toward us, I would have to say that this place is hell. But, God is here…in the people’s souls…in the people’s faces…in the people’s hearts. It’s amazing. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound…

Because of God, this place is still heaven. There is a presence of goodness, decency, kindness, love, joy, and peace which surpasses anything that I have ever seen anywhere else…especially in the U.S.

Why can’t there be more missionaries in the Christian Church? Why are the Presbyterians and other mainline Christian denominations cutting mission funding…especially internationally? Why are Americans so rich and unhappy and the Congolese so poor and happy? Why is there so much suffering here?

The Good Book points out that “from those who have been given much, much will be required.” Is God requiring the U.S. and other wealthy countries (who have been given much) to give up more of what we/they have? If so, why aren’t we giving more to the poor? Why are we so worried about having enough, when we have more than we need? If God is requiring us to give up more for these people (the Congolese), then why are we not responding faithfully to that requirement.

If giving up more is a requirement, like a contract, why aren’t we (who have been given so much) fulfilling our part of the contract? And, if breaking the contract that God has called us to honor is what is actually happening, then what is the punishment for breaking the contract?

As you can see, I’m confused…and upset...just like I was when I was a missionary 20 years ago. But, I guess that a little confusion never hurt anyone. Maybe some enlightenment will come of this? I don't know the answers and find great solace and peace in prayer.

Got to go. The battery is going to go out.

Until the next time,

In Christ’s Precious Love,

Dr. Chris Looker
Well, it's been 6 days since my last entry. The reason I haven't written any