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Pederson's Progress
"The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul.
The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forever." Psalm 121:7-8


     We are writing our first prayer letter from Nyankunde, DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo)!
By God's grace we have begun to adjust to our life and ministry here. We face many challenges, but also
receive many blessings.

     It was very exciting to fly into Nyankunde for the first time. We all had our noses pressed to the
windows. Samuel cheered and Anna clapped as we touched down on the grass runway. We were met by
several nationals and the other two MAF families. The kids and I then had our first BUMPY ride in the
old MAF pickup up the hill to our new home. However, we were very thankful to have a ride since it is a
long hot walk, especially with little kids. Garth stayed at the hangar while the customs officials and
military (holding machine guns and hand grenades) riffled through all of our bags.

     Our first week we spent getting used to having no electricity - which means having to boil all our
water on charcoal fires (instead of on the stove), lighting kerosene lamps or candles at night, and cold
showers. The electricity has been somewhat more available recently. It usually comes on for part of the
day at least. I always hope it will be on time to make supper!

     I spent our second week here getting used to all the people coming to the door. They come
selling anything and everything: baskets, carved elephants, live chickens for your dinner, eggs, fresh pork
with the skin still on, fruits, vegetables, and even a monkey. There is one senile lady who comes by every
day looking for handouts and Saturday is the official beggar day when many poor people come for
whatever we will give them. Most of them are obviously poor wearing tattered clothes and no shoes.
Some have physical defects and a couple are blind. I pray for discernment when giving to these people.
It is impossible to give to everyone and some have been known to pretend to be poor just to get a handout.

     Garth has been working at the hangar every day helping to get it back into shape. The hangar,
and MAF houses near the hangar, were extensively looted, so there is much to do. He has completed the
parts inventory and helped with a 100-hour inspection on one of the two airplanes here. He started flying
during the first week of September and has enjoyed being back in the airplane. When he returned from
one medical emergency flight he remarked, "I felt just like I was in one of the MAF videos!" Flying to a
remote jungle strip, landing and having a huge crowd of curious nationals surround the airplane. Then
loading the patient and two attendants in the airplane and flying quickly back to Nyankunde where the
patient could receive life saving medical care, and hear the Gospel.

     Our kids, Samuel and Anna, seem to be adjusting well to life in Africa. Sammy reminds us to
thank God for the electricity when we pray at meal times. The kids enjoy riding through the village on
our motorcycle calling "Jambo!" (the Swahili word for hello) as we pass people on the trail. A family of
four riding on one motorcycle always seems to cause people to turn and look. We all miss our family
back in the US, but we're very thankful for the e-mail link we have using MAF's HF radio.

     We appreciate your participation with us in the ministry here in Nyankunde. Your prayers and
financial support are essential to our effectiveness here. Thank you for your faithfulness. Our hearts are
also thankful for God's faithfulness as we have many opportunities to trust Him.

Prayer Requests and Praises:

  • Praise for safe arrival in Nyankunde, DRC.
  • Pray for our continued adjustment to life and ministry here.
  • Pray for our safety and increased stability in the region.
  • Pray for wisdom for us as we daily confront the many needs here.

The Top 10 Adjustments to Living in Congo... The Top 10 Reasons Why We Thank God...
1. The unreliable electricity. 1. We appreciate electricity more now.
2. The many needy people. 2. That we are able to help many people.
3. Cold Showers. 3. Cold showers are refreshing after a hot day.
4. Lots of different bugs. 4. If the lights are out, you can't see the bugs!
5. Roosters crowing early in the morning. 5. We don't kneed an alarm clock.
6. The threat of malaria. 6. Mosquito nets and malaria medicine.
7. Lizards on the walls. 7. Lizards eat other bugs & usually stay on the walls.
8. Everything tastes different. 8. Chance to try different foods.
9. Roads that are rutted and very bumpy. 9. Our motorcycle can go almost anywhere.
10. Military guys hanging around the hangar carrying machine guns and hand grenades. 10. Luke 12:4-5!


Serving Christ in Congo with MAF,
Garth, Jody, Samuel, & Anna Pederson