Another day of teaching. We were picked up at about 8:30am and arrive at our classroom location at about quarter to 9:00. I was up for teaching this morning. I presented a paper on “the Art of Preaching.” We discussed the proper distinction between Law and Gospel at length. It was a good morning and had some very good questions. We closed at 12:00 for lunch and returned to our hotel for some rest. I have begun to pick up a little bit of French after being here for a week. Bonjour, Merci, Pardon, Savat Bien and a few other words help us to manage a bit in this French speaking country. Most of the people speak Swahili as well, but it is a mixed Swahili and is a bit different from that which I have learned in Kenya and Tanzania. Every little bit helps and you can tell that people are glad when you try to speak their language.
The men of the ELCC led by Pastor Mutombo Muzakuza (back row in the dark red shirt).
After our lunch break, we picked back up again with the Art of Preaching. When I finished it up, I handed the floor over to Todd who went through a more thorough study of Infant Baptism. This is an important topic in Africa, and seems like there are always churches that are teaching contrary to God’s Word. So it is always an important review. It went well, and while there were a few questions throughout, everyone was satisfied in the end. We concluded again at about 4:30 and visited for a while after we had concluded.
We then returned to our hotel and then decided to go out and find a place to eat. We had driven by a pizzeria earlier in the day and decided to try it out for supper. We found it, only a few blocks from our hotel and walked in following a European group. Inside it was like stepping out of Africa and into a US diner. They had Ice Cream like a Basking Robins, and a menu in English (first time we’ve seen that since we’ve been in the Congo). We both ordered the cheeseburger, Todd with a water, and me a Coke. My Coke was in a 330ml can that cost over $3! Our burgers, while alright, were ale carte, and not worth the $5 each that they charged us. But that was that. And it was nice to have something other than eggs!
Coke is a big thing here in the Congo as it is throughout Africa. It is the main staple – you find it everywhere you go. I’m sure my brother would be happy to hear that I only seen Pepsi once on this trip and that was on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa to the Congo. Other than that is has been Coke, Coke and more Coke. (Check out the Coke concession stand!) How about getting some Cherry Coke over here?
Two more days of teaching. I’ll be up again tomorrow and Martin Essien will be arriving here from Nigeria. So it will be another big day. Thanks again for keeping up with us and keeping the work here in your prayers!
In Christ,
Nathanael
“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” – 2 Timothy 4:1-2
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