Making of a Missionary (on furlough):
000As I begin this newsletter I am sitting in an outdoor courtyard in the outlet mall area near Palm Desert, California. It is hot and dry and very pleasant. I am sooo used to the humidity of the Congo and the equator that here I do not even sweat! There is a backdrop of a huge mountain range less than a mile from where I am sitting. I could enjoy a lot of time here. It seems so much easier to pray here in the mountains—sure wish I knew why?!
000Well, I am not fully out of culture shock—or, I have just become very culturally “a clod”! I seem to make more messes and trip more than ever. There seem to be so MANY new conventions or inventions …..I kept waiting for the moving table at the grocery checkout to quit moving and it just would not stop. The clerk seemed irritated that I had an urge to be amused by nothing. I tried to explain I was waiting for it to stop when she barked: it will stop, ma’am WHEN you put your things on it….how mortifying.
000I am enjoying all the variety of foods and flavors—more than ever. They sure have a lot of calories don’t they??? Everyone has been so kind and gracious to make delightful meals or take me out to eat. It is almost stunning the abundance of food that we have available. Needless to say, I have some pounds to sweat off when I return.
000I have been taken shopping for clothes by family and friends. I really needed some nice summer things as I have not been shopping in at least 9 years. I won’t look quite so “frumpy” in the Congo when I return. Ok, please keep your thoughts…..
000I wonder if you knew there are many different sounds or sound-bytes for flushing toilets?? You could make a “sonic symphony of sorts”. How wonderful to take a hot shower; and no, I did not clog the tub with my Congo dirt. I do seem whiter tho’! On my return I did not use sink or tap water to brush my teeth for at least three days—I forgot the water is not dangerous.
000I have had a couple of small “panic attacks” over electricity. When switches didn’t work (or a light bulb was just out) I did not know where the candles, matches or kerosene lamp were, and they had left me alone in their house! Honestly, my first thoughts were: Oh my, the electricity is out!
000Mostly however, I am amazed and even full of tears as I write this—you have been so gracious and kind and loving to me. To say thank you seems so small by comparison to your thoughtfulness. I promise to pray for you and all of your needs. I keep a prayer journal with your names/needs.
Travels and Tasks:
000I have been truly amazed at what there is to do when a person is on furlough. Somehow I envisioned sleeping in, praying lots, chatting with folks and “catching up”, of course playing with grandchildren and just being content. Guess I do not now what planet this missionary thought she was visiting!!! Yes, I did get to sleep in sometimes until 7-8 am. Yes, I got to chat and truly enjoy my friends, family and supporters; and, of course play with the grandchildren. HOWEVER, (the Bible uses the word “But…” quite often):
000I have had to be on the phone weekly with problems and challenges at the home—no electricity for a days (problems with our wires and now they have broken again, and they charge us to fix the public lines!).
000Water did not run for over a week and Patrick had to haul it in with his car in 20 liter jugs and we paid well over $50 for gas (at almost $1 per liter or $3.75/gal.)!
000Have had challenges with workers, schedules, work ethics (had to dismiss one worker while gone because 3 of the new boys ran away not being supervised correctly).
000Had to arrange the budget again as all prices for food and gas have gone up immensely in my absence.
000Have had numerous details to arrange for visas and travel for Barb and I, plus work on the ministry—incorporation docs, board meetings and planning for my return.
000There is just work to do here to manage well the next year or so in Congo. I have averaged 2 hours a day on administrative issues including emails, calls, planning, buying supplies, sending M-bags of books and office supplies ahead of me by boat which will arrive in July and August, and organizing details for future plans and short-term missionaries hoping to come. Still haven’t written a grant but hope to do so while in Dallas by God’s grace.
000Where have I visited?
000 I started in Dallas for 12 days during which I made many contacts, attended a Christ for the Nations conference, and a big banquet to celebrate the Bible college’s founder’s 90th birthday. Frieda Theresa Lindsay is still working in the office and going strong—what a model to follow—and an INSPIRATION! Next I was shuttled to Oklahoma City by a friend and picked up by my oldest daughter and grandchildren who brought me to Wichita briefly. Then, my son-in-law’s parents gave me a car to use and I drove to Kansas City and Alma Missouri to the House of Prayer, Children of Promise for a meeting, and to Alma to be one of the speakers for a women’s meeting. From there it was Topeka, KS for several days with friends, my son and a brother and his wife.
000The 4th of May found me on a plane to Palm Desert, CA to visit another daughter and daughter-in-law. I got to do some great shopping and ride a horse again. Friends from Idaho came down and took me for 4 days to the Bakersfield and LA area to meet other friends from missions and to make some wonderful new ones. This was the unique part of my visit—with some special treasures of its own. Then back to Wichita and on out to Minneola, KS (south of Dodge City—where Gunsmoke and John Wayne used to hang out. Ha ha) for 10 days with my oldest daughter, her husband and their 4 terrific children and number 5 due July 9th. My cell phone did not work in that town of 500 people, so I got a brief reprieve.
000Memorial Day weekend found me on the road again with all of the children coming from different directions to rendezvous in Des Moines, Iowa for a family reunion. That had been my one request of the children and they did a great job planning. We had fun and ate very well. I will definitely need to walk and sweat again in Congo! June 1st I headed north (driving) to spend 11 days with the youngest daughter, her husband, and their 2 terrific girls. We have been to summer festivals, toured Walmart a few times and watched it rain and flood!
000Even with all of the ministry demands it has been a tremendous time home. NONE of you could have been more wonderful or caring if you tried!!! It has been soooo good and precious to me that I am finding it really difficult to leave and to say good-bye….sure glad this isn’t our permanent home.
000Now I face less than two weeks before returning on June 24th. Of course it will be a joy to see the boys and workers. I won’t miss your fast-paced and very demanding lifestyle but I sure will miss you and the hot running water, electricity, flushing toilets, wash machines, carpet, and no ants crawling on me all the time. I am leaving for Minneapolis, MN area to visit 2 sisters and their families before returning to Wichita via Topeka. I will see some of the children and grandchildren briefly, get a perm and hair cut, pray with some friends and rent a car to return to Dallas. Have 3 days of meetings and final details for the ministry to prepare before flying out. Have to pack carefully 5 large luggage of 70 pounds. I have lots of supplies and resources for the ministry and for the boys. It costs $110 for an extra luggage but this is cheap compared to any kind of mailing you would do at about $10 a lb. Pray for safe arrival for all –Barb and I and supplies.
000While on furlough, friends and family helped me to get a physical, blood work, eye exam and new glasses, and dental cleaning and exam. I got 3 deep tissue massages during this time and several new clothes and great things for the boys. I had to get 4 shots and another large supply of Doxycycline for malaria. I am so “spruced up” and fit I am good for another 3 years!!!! (hope I get back before that tho’). My health is excellent. My bad cholesterol declined by 24 points and my good increased 20 points. I am 12 points off the charts for good cholesterol!!! Triglycerides, too, are low. My son-in-law said I am 9 or 10 out of 10 for a healthy heart or chances of having a heart attack. My astigmatism in both eyes reduced by 50% also. Guess there is something to be said for eating beans, spinach, rice and walking and SWEATING! Don’t worry I made up for it this past 2 1⁄2 months—it is time to return and get healthy again :>)
000ONE FINAL NOTE: CONGO has been in the news the past two weeks with new problems and coup attempts. Friday was an attempted assassination of Pres. Kabila by his own body guards. It has created some definite turmoil but things are peaceful now from everyone I have spoken to recently. This young president of 33 is really trying to unify his country and make changes but greed for power, tribal hatred and the love of money is blocking this road. Please pray those of us called to work there and many Congolese to be BOLD for Jesus and to walk in the bold Faith and Presence that Paul walked. God CAN and WILL change a nation by “the word of our testimony and not loving our lives to death”. I believe the death needed is a “death” to selfish ambitions, self-centeredness, and letting our actions be the PROOF of our Faith in Jesus and our love for Him.
000Psalm 1 says: Ask of Me and I will give the nations to you as an inheritance.
000That truly is the cry of my heart—to have an inheritance –so, may I, Theresa, be willing to “die” to myself and the worldly pleasures, impatience, frustrations, and little aggravations…and to count it all joy when I have trials so that I may persevere and truly be found with the Faith of Jesus in my heart and Spirit. The Faith of Jesus is Very Different than having Faith IN Jesus. Faith of Jesus brings miracles, signs and wonders which Paul the Apostle brought to the places he went.
000Thank you so much for always being there—please do not forget me with your prayers—how desperately I need them and count on them. During my visit I have seen all of your trials with job, health, personal and family struggles. You have so many difficulties and challenges too. Please know I keep you in my prayer journal. The boys, the ministry team and I will keep you lifted before our Lord each day.
000Much love and prayers—from my heart to yours—with the Precious Love of our Savior—
000Rev. Theresa Cox, M.A., C.P.E.
000President, International Director and Legal Representative in Congo
000CRVF is the Congo branch of FLRC, Inc. a 501© 3 corporation.
000All donations are tax deductible for USA income tax purposes.
