An African Journal - December 4, 2002
An African Journal
Written by: Staff
Post Date: Dec. 04, 2002
Dear Friends and Family,
On Sunday morning I woke early and looked out from the mission house in which I was staying. I saw the rolling hills of Rwanda and the Congo. It was dark outside, but the darkness was deeper where the border was between the nations, few lights and little electricity. I knew in a few hours I would be crossing the border to travel with only one pastor from the Congo into a land that is considered one of the most dangerous places in the world, especially at this time with rebel unrest and the added danger of being a white American woman missionary. Yet, I had no fear. I remembered just a year and a half ago I rededicated my life in Lake Kivi just down the street from where I was sitting. I have walked in the boldness of Stephen the first deacon ever since that moment. I was also reminded of the scripture verse the Lord had given me before I came to Africa, Joshua 1:7-10 "...do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." I believe that God keeps His promises and that includes protecting and watching over me even as I go to such places as the Congo. So I quietly prayed and prepared for the adventure of a lifetime. I smiled as I thought about how God would use me as an instrument to bless and to be blessed by the day's events. Some people have called me tenacious, determined, a risk taker. I prefer to be viewed as a woman of God who is obedient and walks in faith to where God is calling me to serve and a history maker for the glory of the Lord. That is what happened on Sunday, December 2, 2002, on the border and streets of the Congo. It began as the Pastor and I carried the 4' by 8' salvation banner across the border from Rwanda into the Congo. We were not stopped. We then marched it down the street to the church where we were to preach. The banner was placed to bless the over 300 people in the church. They were ministered to by the Bishops and Pastors of the Congo, and also by the message of hope that God had given me for them. We joined in unison to make a prayer tunnel that provided prayer for each child, man, and woman present. It was the most beautiful thing I've ever been a part of. My heart was touched as a crippled man crawled with his right hand and his left foot humbly carried himself through the prayer tunnel. He wanted his own blessings and to do it himself. Dignity is one message that empowers all people, the right to our own blessing regardless of our physical, mental or spiritual condition. We all were blessed.
As we left the church the children carried the banner though six blocks of the rough terrain of the cooled lava flow, as we sang "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and Yellow Black and White, they are precious in his sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world." As I gently held hands with the children on this spontaneous Congo Children's Crusade, I was wearing my blue backpack. It was given to me by a friend specifically for my trip to Africa, the little dancing, happy faced Winnie the Pooh character on it made the children also smile and laugh and join in the march. By the time we reached the end of March we had perhaps 300 children and adults following, watching, and wondering what this was all about. We shared some gentle street evangelism with them, just letting them know that we loved them and that Jesus loved them also.
As I looked into the eyes of these children, I could see the desires of their hearts to just be loved and cared for by someone. I could see the harsh effects of AIDS on the small fragile bodies, but I know that God is in this nations and he will restore all that has been taken away.
The next great victory was as we returned to the border crossing. Last year when Bill Nolt and I traveled to the Congo, we had a very tense and difficult time at the border crossing. They detained us for a long time, took our camera, and destroyed our film. But this year when they came and took my camera they said they were protecting it from being stolen. When they heard that I was a missionary praying for healing of their nation, they asked me to pray for them. The same office that had been a place of fear last year became a place of prayers and victory as I prayed for them, their county, and shared the salvation message along with the banner to the whole immigration office. God is so good.
The smile on my face as I crossed back into Rwanda carrying the Salvation banner could be seen from the other side. History was made this day. The hearts, minds, and actions of this land are shifting to forgiveness, love, grace, and mercy. I believe that there will be a day when this land which has had so much turmoil with the wars and rebels, will someday be a powerful spiritual place of revival and restoration. The people have a heart and hunger for the Lord. Please continue to pray for this country and all nations of Africa. They are worthy; they are precious children of God. They are so very special in the God's Kingdom, just like people in all other nations.
To God be the Glory always,
I am safe, I am blessed, I am humbled by this time in Africa. I thank the Lord and all of you who have helped support and bless this mission. 40 days for the Lord has impacted my life for a life time.
Grace in Gods Hands,
Carol Himsl
On Sunday morning I woke early and looked out from the mission house in which I was staying. I saw the rolling hills of Rwanda and the Congo. It was dark outside, but the darkness was deeper where the border was between the nations, few lights and little electricity. I knew in a few hours I would be crossing the border to travel with only one pastor from the Congo into a land that is considered one of the most dangerous places in the world, especially at this time with rebel unrest and the added danger of being a white American woman missionary. Yet, I had no fear. I remembered just a year and a half ago I rededicated my life in Lake Kivi just down the street from where I was sitting. I have walked in the boldness of Stephen the first deacon ever since that moment. I was also reminded of the scripture verse the Lord had given me before I came to Africa, Joshua 1:7-10 "...do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." I believe that God keeps His promises and that includes protecting and watching over me even as I go to such places as the Congo. So I quietly prayed and prepared for the adventure of a lifetime. I smiled as I thought about how God would use me as an instrument to bless and to be blessed by the day's events. Some people have called me tenacious, determined, a risk taker. I prefer to be viewed as a woman of God who is obedient and walks in faith to where God is calling me to serve and a history maker for the glory of the Lord. That is what happened on Sunday, December 2, 2002, on the border and streets of the Congo. It began as the Pastor and I carried the 4' by 8' salvation banner across the border from Rwanda into the Congo. We were not stopped. We then marched it down the street to the church where we were to preach. The banner was placed to bless the over 300 people in the church. They were ministered to by the Bishops and Pastors of the Congo, and also by the message of hope that God had given me for them. We joined in unison to make a prayer tunnel that provided prayer for each child, man, and woman present. It was the most beautiful thing I've ever been a part of. My heart was touched as a crippled man crawled with his right hand and his left foot humbly carried himself through the prayer tunnel. He wanted his own blessings and to do it himself. Dignity is one message that empowers all people, the right to our own blessing regardless of our physical, mental or spiritual condition. We all were blessed.
As we left the church the children carried the banner though six blocks of the rough terrain of the cooled lava flow, as we sang "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and Yellow Black and White, they are precious in his sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world." As I gently held hands with the children on this spontaneous Congo Children's Crusade, I was wearing my blue backpack. It was given to me by a friend specifically for my trip to Africa, the little dancing, happy faced Winnie the Pooh character on it made the children also smile and laugh and join in the march. By the time we reached the end of March we had perhaps 300 children and adults following, watching, and wondering what this was all about. We shared some gentle street evangelism with them, just letting them know that we loved them and that Jesus loved them also.
As I looked into the eyes of these children, I could see the desires of their hearts to just be loved and cared for by someone. I could see the harsh effects of AIDS on the small fragile bodies, but I know that God is in this nations and he will restore all that has been taken away.
The next great victory was as we returned to the border crossing. Last year when Bill Nolt and I traveled to the Congo, we had a very tense and difficult time at the border crossing. They detained us for a long time, took our camera, and destroyed our film. But this year when they came and took my camera they said they were protecting it from being stolen. When they heard that I was a missionary praying for healing of their nation, they asked me to pray for them. The same office that had been a place of fear last year became a place of prayers and victory as I prayed for them, their county, and shared the salvation message along with the banner to the whole immigration office. God is so good.
The smile on my face as I crossed back into Rwanda carrying the Salvation banner could be seen from the other side. History was made this day. The hearts, minds, and actions of this land are shifting to forgiveness, love, grace, and mercy. I believe that there will be a day when this land which has had so much turmoil with the wars and rebels, will someday be a powerful spiritual place of revival and restoration. The people have a heart and hunger for the Lord. Please continue to pray for this country and all nations of Africa. They are worthy; they are precious children of God. They are so very special in the God's Kingdom, just like people in all other nations.
To God be the Glory always,
I am safe, I am blessed, I am humbled by this time in Africa. I thank the Lord and all of you who have helped support and bless this mission. 40 days for the Lord has impacted my life for a life time.
Grace in Gods Hands,
Carol Himsl
