Dear, dear praying friends,

It is 10:25 AM Johannesburg, South Africa time.  I am staying in a hotel 5 min. from the airport for the 24 hours between flights.  I will be leaving to return home this evening at 7:10 PM.  My flight will take me first to Frankfort Germany, where I will have just a couple of hours to transfer planes and head home!  Do I sound eager to get home?  Well, really I am, but not because my trip has been bad… just because it has been long.  It wasn’t really until Friday that I started to look forward to going home.  I guess that is because my work was wrapping up.

Indeed, it has been an incredible trip. My next few weeks will be spent writing reports, talking with my leadership, setting strategy for the next steps, and following through on projects I have set out to do.  But, without going through a review of all that has happened in the past 5 weeks, for you have heard bits and pieces of that, I will instead tell you about this past week in Congo, for that was the crowning jewel of the trip.

To describe travel in Congo is a story in itself.  Suffice it to say that of all the airports in this trip… and I have been in the best and the not-so-best… Kinshasa takes the cake.  Were it not for the excellent church people on the ground whose job it is to help us navigate the chaos, it would have truly been a traumatic experience.  Instead, with that help on the ground, landing in Kinshasa and processing through immigration, luggage retrieval and getting to the mini van that took me to the Protestant guest house (called CAP) I had the liberty to stand back observe in amazement and chuckle.  It is a given that everyone in a uniform of any kind considers himself the ultimate authority… even if it totally contradicts another of higher authority.  Therefore, as one immigration official instructed me to follow him through a certain gate, as soon as he passed through, the uniformed person in charge of that gate, slammed it shut and would not let ME pass through! J The two argued it out, and I was finally let through.  The reason?  I have absolutely no idea.  That is only one example.  Add into it the chaotic jostling of “porters”, police, other officials, passengers, greeters, chauffeurs of “taxis”, and the dirt, dust, heat and noise, and you will appreciate with me the profoundly precious service of Pastor Deolo, his assistants from the church, and a church member who is one of the airport police and assigned to help us each step of the way.  His name, translated into English is Three Hundred.  I say he is 300% worth his weight in gold!  I just had to share that scene from the airport to set the stage and contrast for the rest of my trip, for this trip was certainly one of contrasts.

After staying for the night at the CAP guest house, and enjoying the company of the President of the Evangelical Free Church of Congo (CECU) and his wife and littlest boy, I headed to the airport the next day to go to Gemena.  Just a note: Pres. Selenga has been in Kinshasa for one month trying to get visas to come to the States with his wife and an orphan next weekend.  They will be traveling to many of our Free Churches in the States helping us to bring attention to the needs of AIDS orphans that the CECU is trying to help. We at Compassion Ministries are kicking off an AIDS orphan sponsorship program to assist their work, and this two month tour is to help that effort.  As of this writing, he has been unable to get those visa.  Pray NOW and URGENTLY that he get those visas so that they will be able to depart on Saturday.

At the airport, Pastor Deolo introduced me to a young woman who had grown up in the CECU church in Gemena, was educated at our girls’ school at Bau, and was now elected to the Assembly as a Deputy (Congressman) in the Congolese government.  She is a Christian, has a deep desire to serve the Lord for her people in her new position of government, and was on her way to her district, Gemena, to work on preparing her district for elections.  Her number one goal as she works these weeks at the registration process, is to get women to vote.  Realizing that so many of the women are illiterate, she wants to get those who can’t read or write to at least learn how to sign their own names and write the name of the candidate of their choice.  If not, when they go to vote, there is no guarantee that the person assisting them will not write a different candidate’s name on the ballot.  Pray for Deputy Gabrielle Bofio as she operates in a man’s world to assist women to voice their vote.  One other remarkable note is this.  Gabrielle was married in January to a well trained Dr who is working at a fairly new hospital (not our mission) a ways away from Gemena.  Two weeks later she was elected to this post.  She wanted to refuse the post, but her husband told her that it was God who placed her in this place for “such a time as this” to work for Him and her people.  She must take the post and she must go to Kinshasa to do the work.  So 2 weeks after her marriage in January, she did just that.  She was returning to Gemena to see her husband for the first time just this day, Oct. 1st!  Pray for this couple.  The will to be faithful and strong and serve the Lord is there.  It is a difficult thing in this culture.  What hope it gives me for the recovery of Congo.

Depute “Gabi”, as her friends call her, was accompanied by a major in the Congolese Army of tall stature and sharp uniform. It so happens that this soldier is her close relative, so that helped too in the hustle and bustle of the airport.  After the formalities (in a rather informal setting to say the least) were accomplished, my new friend Deputy Gabi had me join her entourage to go to the VIP lounge to wait.  As the wait was to exceed 4 hours, and there are no chairs in which to wait in the main rotunda of the airport, I was deeply grateful for the VIP treatment.  There I sat with two Senators from the Equitorial province (the province Gemena and all our mission stations are in).  I chuckled inside at the way the Lord was taking care of me.  Some of you who have  been on my list got the story of being in the middle of Sumatra late at night awaiting the last flight to Kuala Lampur and obtaining the assistance of a Major General of the Malaysian army up until the point that my contact in KL picked me up.  Was this the kind of treatment God wanted me to have to help me know that I was an Ambassador for Christ?  Well, I think so, for upon my arrival in Gemena, the illustration was even more intensely emphasized!

After passing through the formalities at the Gemena airport – much calmer than Kin, but not so calm J. I got on the back of the motor bike of the Vise President of the CECU (VP Ibenge), and got a ride to the station.  The truck was full, so I agreed to go on the bike… no big deal as I had traveled to church just 2 weeks before in Sumatra that way. J  Little did I know what awaited me!  Lining the road in the station was a huge delegation of our beautiful CECU “Mamas” dressed in their best, wearing handmade little hats over their scarves that were decorated with fresh flowers, and waving flowers and branches and singing and dancing to welcome me!!!  I was overwhelmed and overcome with emotion!  A darling little girl and boy presented me with a pan of eggs and a bouquet of flowers and a memorized welcome message. I was introduced to the President of the women’s work and other officers of the women’s work and then introduced to a delegation of orphans whose hands I shook.  The oldest one at the end of the row also had a memorized speech for me that said basically, “On behalf of the orphans here, I want to thank you and Compassion Ministries for your help and for the clothing you have sent.”  It was precious.  The hand shaking and singing continued until I got to the house and there we gathered to hear a few words from the officials of the women’s work and the Deputy I had traveled with and then me.

My Lingala is rusty at best.  Recall is difficult.  The matters I had to explain to the women were more complicated thoughts than I needed to express when I was a child, so I even lacked the vocabulary.  I asked Thelma to stand by to help me.  Miracle of miracles, I spoke smoothly, fluently, and said all I needed to say to introduce why I was there.  I cannot say that that happened ever again, as I often stumbled and needed prompting for words, but at that one moment, I was able to make a strong start!  

I must say I was embarrassed by all of the attention. If I was to come to this job to work out a partnership, I did not feel at all good at being treated like I was better than them.  During the meeting later on I leaned over to Mama Ndoa, the president of the women of the CECU and quietly said, “Mama Ndoa, you have welcomed me beautifully as if I am a “mokonji” (royalty), but I am NOT a mokonji!”  She solemnly lean toward me and answered firmly, “No you are NOT a mokonji, but you come representing the Mokonji and the work of the Mokonji.”  That wise and profound statement set me at ease and set the stage for the rest of the week.  This was not about me.  After working that week with Mama Ndoa and Mama Kossa (the leader in charge of Development, Family and Women), it was clear that they too knew that it was not about them either.  

I will not, at this time lengthen this already too long message with the details of our trip to Gemena, Tandala, Bau, Mbari, and Bondenge.  That can come later.  I will also not go into details about the projects, needs, hopes and dreams, nor about ways that we can and will partner with our women there.  I need to discuss what I have observed and my recommendations with my leadership first.  I will say that I leave Congo with HOPE.  I leave also with a profound burden for the hard lives our women there are living.  They are courageous, strong, hardworking, motivated by God’s Word and His Love, visionary in their work and deeply dependant on the Lord to help them.  But as Thelma and I bumped along the road returning to Gemena from Bau, she observed a sentence written in large letters on the side of a mud village house.  “Le courage ne suffit pas toujours.”  (Courage does not always suffice.)

Be praying for me and my leadership as well as my counterparts in Congo as we plan and strategize our next steps in this new partnership.  On the way back to Kinshasa my VIP traveling companion was Dr. Nupanga, one of our professors at FATEB, our seminary in Bangui.  He is not only a PhD and Pastor, he is a “movie star”, as he played the part of Pelendo in the up and coming film of the story of Pelendo’s life. I just had to tell you his credentials to impress you yet again with the traveling companions God has given me! J  But as I described to him my time with the women and our hopes and dreams, I also was explaining how I thought we might begin.  He affirmed my observations by saying, “If you want to help your brother, and he is in a hole, you must first help him out of the hole!”  This is truly the state of a desperate country emerging from a terrible war.  It is even more so for the women. 

Thank you for your patience in reading this very long letter.  Thank you also for your prayers.  God has answered every one and even more than what we asked of Him.  I hope you spend some time praising Him today for His goodness to me, and I hope you experience clearly His goodness to you this week too.

Serving Him with you,

Rachel Bliss

(I’ll be home at 10:30 AM Central Time on Tuesday the 11th.)

Dear Praying friends and family,

I have spent the last 3 weeks in South Asia–Indonesia, Malaysia, & Singapore–seeing the work of our partners in the region and investigating ways we can strengthen and partner with the work that is going on to reach several un-reached people groups (UPG).  The time has been rich and full of opportunities for us. Today I am in Frankfort awaiting a flight at 8:30 tonight that will take me to Congo to do the same.  I will be spending my day in my hotel room processing the Asia material I have gathered and starting to write reports. I look forward to this time as it will surely be a time of giving glory to the Lord for what He is doing to answer the heart cry of many who are lost and living in the darkness of Islam and other religions in the region.  It is a privilege to be invited by Him to participate in His mighty work.  I hope when I have all my notes together and have composed a report for you, you will feel the tug on your heart to join Him.  Pray for me today that I do well putting the pieces together in a report I am preparing for my leadership.

An immediate need I will put out now – pray about this please.  I am looking for 14 women, mature in the Faith, diligent in intercessory prayer, and willing to invest significant and mighty prayer for just one young woman ( CP worker in Indonesia) each.  Each one will receive the details and photo of that girl and will, hopefully, be getting updates on a regular basis.  This particular team has expressed the need for prayer, and I saw first hand how important this is to the success of their presence in that region.  Let me know if you are one of those women I am seeking.  This is serious spiritual battle, so don’t take this on unless you know you can and will through.

Thanks to all of you for praying.

I will send my next report, most likely, when I am stateside, as Congo isn’t an easy place to send e-mail from,.

Lots of love,

Rachel Bliss

As Rachel and I finish our preparation for our trip to help out the Tsunami victims, Satan is alive and well.  How else would you explain the crash of Rachel’s hard drive.  Unfortunately, all of her e-mail addresses were stored there.  Luckily, all of your addresses were on a message she had written to me earlier – SO – with the wonder of technology, I can let you know that she will be “up and running” with e-mail shortly.  We are in the process of re-building same with the help of this list.  Pray for our entire team – For flexibility and servant hearts.  We are ALL very excited and feel privileged to be part of the first team sent by EFCA-IM. 

Dear Supporting Churches,

 I know that you received my note last week informing you that I had applied to serve in the tsunami affected region.  The dates of that trip are May 7 – 18th.  Currently there are 2 who are committed to go and 3 who are considering it seriously.  If the team is not sufficient, we will need to cancel this trip and go on the June trip.  In most short term situations that might not be a big deal, but in this situation, the window of opportunity could end by late August.  It would be a shame to have to cancel even one of the trips planned for this summer.  Please pray that the Lord would raise up the right team to go, and that those nudged by the Holy Spirit would respond. 

While there, I understand that part of my role will be to serve women and children in the IDP camps and part of it will be to assess further ways that we can assist.  I hope to be able to help encourage others to serve and be equipped to do so. 

The attached brochure is for you to share with those in your church you think might be suited for this kind of service.  Please feel free to make as many copies as you need.   The heart of the mission is Love.  We trust that the Holy Spirit will open the eyes and hearts of the lost.  We hope that each one who goes to serve will be the image of Christ to those we serve. 

If you want to get more information on this opportunity, go to www.CompassionMinistries.org. Feel free to call me at 651-308-3359 (my cell).

Thank you for praying and helping in this effort.

Serving Him with you,

Rachel Bliss

I’m writing you to let you know that I will be joining a team in May to serve in an area in the tsunami affected region for about 10 days.  My work will be primarily with women and children in one of the hard hit communities and/or an IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camp.  I will also be assessing needs and determining more specific ways that we can assist these women and children in future short term trips.  

Each team member is responsible to raise the $2500 needed for travel and expenses.   I invite you to consider partnering with me in this way.  Support can be sent to the Evangelical Free Church of America – International Mission, 901 East 78th St., Minneapolis, MN 55420-1300.  Please designate it to go to Acct # 1999.

Even more important to me, however, is the development of a prayer team.  This assignment will be very difficult and I anticipate physical difficulties and spiritual warfare.  If you can commit to praying for me and the rest of the team, would you please let me know as I will be putting together a special e-mail prayer team list.  All of my updates and prayer concerns will be sent only to this list. 

Thank you for considering being a part of the “ground crew” as I take off on this assignment.

May your Easter be filled with the joy that HE IS RISEN!  HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Serving Him with you,

Rachel Bliss

Dear Supporting Churches,

 Most if not all of you have by now received the broadcast e-mail sent to all Free Churches regarding the recent catastrophic natural disaster in South Asia and the opportunity to respond.  We will be continually updating the Compassion Ministries website with information and material to help you guide your congregations in responding to this disaster.  Currently we have available a downloadable bulletin insert that can be reproduced and a Power Point slide.  Just log onto www.CompassionMinistries,org and click on the South Asia Disaster Relief link.  That will take you to a page that will be kept up-to-date. 

 This catastrophe will, no doubt, occupy a great deal of our time, energy and resources in the coming months and maybe years.  Thank you for making it possible for Rocky and me to help Compassion Ministries in such a time as this.  We appreciate your prayers for strength, good health, and all that it will take to assist.  Thank you for your response.  We trust that the Lord will use this to bring honor and glory to Himself, and to bring many many to a saving knowledge of Him.  We grieve that so many souls were swept into eternity without knowing their Savior.  The urgency of sharing the Lord Jesus while there is still time is ever more intensely impressed upon all of us. 

Serving Him with you,

Rachel Bliss