Highlights of Africa - Part X

Pictured here are two of my favorite men: Dr. Charles Fuller on the left and Robert Krause on the right.

After three days of conference we prepared to leave for Nairobi, a stop-over where we would catch another charter to Kigali, Rwanda, and then take a road trip for about six hours across the border into Congo (formerly called Zaire). We were headed for Bukavu, Congo, a port on Lake Kivu, which borders Rwanda and Congo.

But before arriving for our stop-over in Nairobi, I had developed an infection from an insect bite just below my inside ankle bone on my left foot. Overnight, the infection spread and in spite of oral and topical antibiotics given to me by a couple of my teammates, it got worse. I ended up unable to put any weight on my left foot and soon the infection had spread down to my toes and up to just below my knee. No doubt, those who see the show will have an opportunity to see it. My lower left leg swelled, was bright red, hard to the touch, and hot. I had shooting pains whenever I tried to put weight on my foot, or even with just the weight of gravity, and had a constant severe ache all the way to the bones.

During the long ride through Rwanda, my neck began to get stiff and ache and I began to feel chills. I could no longer walk on my own due to the pain.

When we finally arrived at the Swedish Guest House in Bukavu, Congo, one of the two missionary women who runs the guest house, and happens to be a nurse, looked at the infection and said I would have to stay in bed that night – the night we were scheduled for an all-night prayer vigil with our hosts. I really didn’t want to miss this because earlier when we had arrived at the Congo border I saw so many people who had traveled for miles to welcome us, but by now I had a high fever and would have to miss out.

Bukavu was one of the towns where Rob had stayed during his time as a missionary there, and the people were so excited to see him return. They broke out in song, shouting and clapping, happy to see Rob and Dave and the rest of us. Rob had often told me there’s nothing like the vocal music of these people – and I finally found out first hand just what he meant. They are so gifted in song!

I had heard that over 600 pastors had registered for this two-day conference in Bukavu, and we’d be kicking it off with the all-night prayer vigil. I didn’t want to miss it! I whined and complained, but Nurse Maggie insisted that I could pray from my bed there at the guest house. So I obeyed.

The following morning it took me about thirty minutes to get my left foot from an elevated position to where I could stand on just my right foot. But standing was quite painful.

I hobbled on out to the van which took us to the conference, where we began with praise songs like I’ve never heard in the U.S. The spirit of praise and prayer was so strong coming through their voices, yet another experience I wish each person reading this could have.

After several minutes of praise and worship, each of the ATC team members, including the media personnel, were introduced to the conference attendees. We were welcomed warmly.

The rest of our experience in Congo gave me some of the most incredible, touching, deep spiritual experiences I have ever had. It was a time I wish you all could have been there to live it, and breathe it, and be changed by it.