Well it is strange – when there a group of teenagers around, by themselves or in a class that you are trying to lead, you can hardly get them to stop talking amoungst themselves long enough to pay attention to you. Get them up in front of an audience and you can hardly drag an answer out of them. It was quiz time for the returning CHICers today. I guess the real answers will come out in the changes we see in their lives not just in what they verbalize(or not) in front of a crowd.
Greg, who is getting ready to travel out to the Congo to spend 8 months living and working with Dr. Kongawi, did a very good job of presenting why and what he was going for. He is generally a very quiet guy. He actually has learned how to ask where the toilet is in Lingala. At least he can always go there and hang out if the more complex linguistic challenges get to him. Could be a bit like hanging out with the roaches in the back though – toilets being what they are in the Congo.
I think we did OK with the fundraising for him today too. I think he will learn a bit about living on a lot of faith these next few months. We had better hold down the flip side of that one – give and pray faithfully. He will have a totally unique experience as he will be living with little contact with other North Americans, no phone service, no stores, no place to get away – immersion into Africa. Dr Kongawi is the father of the two guys who have lived with us for the past nine years so we know he will be well looked after.
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