A contrast of people

Will surely talk about our wonderful Agape in this post, but wanted to share with you two experiences we had with locals today.

This morning we were walking in the market with Agape when a lady in a bakery saw us through a glass window.  Once she noticed us she began to desperately get our attention and motioned us to come to her.  She spoke only French, and we let her know that we could not understand her.  She immediately went and found a co-worker who spoke English to translate.  The baker was trying to ask us if we could give her any work back in America.  We were sad to inform her that we did not know of any work her back home.  Gratefully, she understood, and went back to her work.

That afternoon we had the chance to visit with the family that took care of Agape after her surgery (will talk about more).  Agape went to say hi to one of the neighbors who lived in a house with no electricity or running water.  The family sat in a living room that was smaller than our bathroom back home and welcomed us in to say hello.  They spoke enough English to flat out say, "give us some money" when I stepped out to follow Agape down the alley.  Jen was tactful enough to answer no in a way that they did not see any point in being pushy.

Not to mention the many street vendors in Kinshasa.  They will try to sell literally anything.  We have seen a few young boys walking up and down the streets selling travel sized tissues (probably for a high price).

Are you seeing the picture?

Though all of their methods are different, their needs are the same. The people in this city need help, and can't seem to find it where they are.  I was talking to a traveling priest who is staying at the same guesthouse doing some work just East of the city.  He was telling me how good it was that we all were adopting children, because there is no future for anyone in this country.  Many people do not have electricity or running water in the city, outside the city no one has it.  He was noting that the world is picking up speed moving into the future, and the Congo is only spinning its tires.

Many skeptics of global charity or missions would say that a country's problems are not ours, and they need to take care of themselves.  After reading all this, how is Congo suppose to do that?  Is it possible to make something from absolutely nothing?  The Congo is one of the wealthiest countries in natural resources, but had no way of harvesting it for their own capital gain.  Left alone, and the country will have no way to improve.  With our help, they have a chance.

Now back to our little African princess, we love her so much.  Getting to know her is so much fun, and we are so proud of the person she is without us even raising her.  God has truly been faithful to her in building her character.

As I mentioned before, we and another family went to visit the family who took care of our children after their surgery for the jiggers.  The family was a truly Christ loving home of a father who pastors a church, a mother who is a nurse, and their three children.  While sitting and talking with the family they told us about Agape.  Every parent dreams of hearing this said about their child.

They said that she was full of wisdom and understanding, prays very well, and loves to help take care of younger children (can we say baby Justice!).  Later on the pastors family feed the children some beans with rice, and they asked Agape to pray for the meal while our social worker translated for us.  If we hadn't of fallen in love with her before we would have then.  We could not think of a more sincere and humble prayer come from even the Pope himself (no offense to our Catholic friends).  A little girl who, a few days ago, had absolutely nothing still thanked Jesus for what He had done for her, and prayed for those who had less than her.

Yes, I will give you a minute to get some tissues.  I need some anyway.

What more can we ask for in our daughter?  I'm not at all implying that she is a perfect little angel.  She's had her moments today that she wanted her way, and didn't like us telling her no.  But it does show you that things don't bring you happiness.  A peace with Jesus in your soul will bring you happiness.  Agape has found this in what seems to be a barren and miserable land.  Maybe America can use some help from some humble Congolese?

Blessings to you all.