We’re home! Home! #1 home that is, back in Michigan. It is not always easy to return home. The trip itself is grueling and the changing of cultures is not an easy transition emotionally, physically or mentally. There are challenges to living in the States, too, as you well know. So the transition requires changes in our thinking, as well as our habits that at our age may not be as simple as once, was, even after only a few months of being away.
Jet Lag is real. It means we can fall asleep at inappropriate times. 4:00 pm here means it is 10:00 or 11:00 pm in Congo depending on Daylight savings time. We are usually asleep by 10:00 in Congo which means here we cannot stay awake at dinner time. Our bodies, it is said, take 3 weeks to readjust to any time change, especially such a big change. Plus, we cannot sleep during the right times. Consequently, we are tired all the time and the brain does funny things.
Crazy things. For example, I am making a meal and I KNOW I have Parmesan cheese and I KNOW exactly where it is, I can “see’ it in my mind’s eye. I go to the refrig to get it from the third shelf down in the door. But it’s not there. I go to a certain shelf in the pantry….but it’s not there either. Not only is the cheese not there on that shelf but that shelf is not there either! I stop to think….. that Parmesan IS in both those places…….BUT IN CONGO. Oops. Shift gears. (And remember to put that on my grocery list)
Swahili words slip into our conversion when we are unaware. Some Swahili words are better in their meaning than English words. Some appropriate phrases just roll out of our mouths without even being aware we are not speaking English. Oops. Shift again.
Things we are so happy to have when back in the States:
For Ray –
being able to drive at normal speeds without police stopping us to demand money. (Top speed in Congo is 25 mph for certain blocks, all other times = 10mph)
Freedom to come and go at any time of day or night without explanations.
Ice Cream and real Butter
For me: –
Eggs that I don’t crack open and throw out. 1 out of every 4 is too old or worse. (Actually, I still cook them but feed them to the dog)
Vegetables, many, many kinds!
Family and friends!
Freedom to come or go without police stopping us to demand money
Water to shower and wash my hair, no tension that I won’t have enough to rinse out all the soap (or hair color, shhh).
There have been plenty of problems that cropped up in Congo since we left. But I will praise God, for He has been faithful to His Word. What men may have meant for evil, He has successfully turned things around for good! Tracy’s Heart has been inspected and qualified to become recognized as a legal Congo school. That’s a really big deal and government officials will not cause us any problems. Wonder of wonders, it also means we can finally begin a school for orphans, until now only a dream! There have been crises’ but in almost every case the problem was overcome, even bringing unexpected blessings!
SOS: NEWS JUST IN…
The Volcano north of Goma has erupted causing major tragedy. Thousands of homes have been destroyed. People had to leave Goma with little more than the clothes on their backs. Certain areas as yet unaffected have been told to evacuate as another earthquake may be imminent. The refugees are flooding Bukavu, hoping to find food and shelter. That means prices are sharply rising and food is in short supply. Now, everything is shut down meaning more shortages of food for residents and refugees alike. People have heard that Tracy’s Heart fed people during the Covid epidemic so they are knocking at our gates pleading for food. As a result, we are taking donations to purchase food that our co-workers can pass out to refugees. This is a catastrophe that not only centers around Goma but is bringing long-lasting serious problems for Bukavu.
The danger doesn’t stop there. If the Methane bubble at Lake Kivu’s bottom gets disturbed by more earthquakes or Lava, it could literally blow up. All living things would be snuffed out immediately. We are praying for the blessing and mercies of God to prevent that from happening.
Under His wings, Jay for the Harkemas
Heart For Central Africa
Building Bukavu and Prison Ministry
DONATIONS
Donate button on Website: buildingbukavu.org Can use credit or debit card or PayPal
Snail Mail: HFCA ℅ Harkema’s, PO Box 355, Middleville, MI 49333