Dear Friends and Family,

We just got back from our visit home to the States. It was so good to visit with children, family, and friends during the month of June. We truly enjoyed the familiar surroundings, creature comforts, security, and the abundance of everything. The life of meetings, appointments, and deadlines seemed so strange at first, but soon we were in our element again. Too bad.

We were often told that our work here is a "ministry of presence." Being first-term missionaries, we did not quite understand what that meant—we thought those words were mainly to ease our anxiety over not being very useful here at Tshikaji. Many friends told us that our "presence" in Congo provides to them a tangible and real context to being one in Christ. They said they are infinitely more aware of happenings in this region and got to remember us and the people here in their prayers. We put faces to the strange places and news stories. God can use us in any way He wishes.

Many friends also asked whether we believe our work here makes a difference. Our honest answer is that we don’t know if it makes a difference in the lives of Congolese friends, but it certainly makes a big difference in our own lives. We entered into mission work wanting to "give back" part of the blessings we received. We were arrogant enough to think that by applying some of our professional knowledge, mixed with Christ’s love, we could help move forward this society that has stood still for hundreds of years. It did not happen as we had hoped. Instead, God gave us an uninterrupted period of time to kneel before Him and cry out to Him for understanding and strength to carry on. He answered! One day in May, as we were preparing to go up to Kinshasa for our journey home, God told us very clearly. "Do not be afraid and do not lose heart. When I ask you to be my servants and carry out my commands, I am not asking you two, rather the command is directed to the life of my son Jesus who abides in you." We knew that! We had just forgotten the life-giving truth for a moment because we were so busy trying to do something for Him and seek His approval. There will be difficult times, but with this answer we know we can continue to live and work here for another year.

We must not fail to mention our medical exams, the primary excuse for going home. It was a tight schedule, but we got our teeth cleaned, got fitted with new glasses (Haejung with bifocals) and had physical exams. Simon needs to improve on his blood glucose control, but it was much better than when the diabetes was first diagnosed. Simon has to control those snacks taken behind Haejung’s back. All other tests came out in the normal range, although the real big tests for Haejung were left for next year.

We got on the plane back to Congo on the July 4 red-eye flight from Chicago to Brussels. We checked four action packers full of food items, videotapes and the letters to Congo. We knew enough to pack only enough clothing for one carry-on bag. We did another red-eye from Brussels and landed in Kinshasa at 7:50 a.m., and we were able to continue to Kananga early the next morning. When we got to the airport at 6:30 a.m. we learned that the cargo aircraft that was to take us to Kananga was drafted to take a group of soldiers to an unknown destination. We just had to wait until the plane came back. After a few hours, the craft came back and we were quickly processed for boarding. There were many more passengers than seats, so small children went two to a seat, and toddlers were on the laps of adults. There is always a room for one more! O, Congo!

Our house was the same as we left it and the village children still remembered our names. We disappointed many by not bringing back many things they wanted. There is a big change in our life here at IMCK though: The Board of the institute accepted Simon’s request that he be relieved of his daily responsibilities as business manager and spend his final year as a consultant, developing systems and training Congolese staff to take over the administration of the hospital. As with any change, there were some concerns over the transition period, but they accepted the goal of the hospital being run by the Congolese and the necessity of developing the management capacity to do so. The hospital has yet to find a Congolese business manager, but Simon is staying out of the business office and helping on the sidelines whenever asked.

John and Gwenda Fletcher returned to the States for family matters, and Simon has to take over some of John’s duties. He was not only a surgeon, but an excellent general mechanic and a computer technician. Simon is reasonably competent with the use of computers, but mostly in applications. With the departure of John, Simon became the "Renaissance man," unfortunately, in name only. The first week back was spent in the computer lab (correctly placed in the surgery wing) trying to breath new life into several donated (discarded) computers from the PC(USA). Thus far the success rate would not qualify Simon as a surgeon. Good thing dead computers do not sue for malpractice.

Life is pretty much back to normal. Needy people found out that we came back, so they are at the doorsteps again. But, seriously, Congolese people see our presence as a proof that Christians in the United States have not abandoned them. Some even say that it is the evidence that God keeps His promise to be with them always. Us? Proof of God’s promise? Humbling! God can use us any way He wishes—we are only providing the presence. During the coming year we shall concentrate on "being" rather than "doing." Also being with Jesus rather than doing things for Him.

We had three wonderful days with our children, John and Kevin, in Louisville. We do not remember ever simply enjoying the time together as much as we did this trip. Kevin and John both seem healthy and happy. During our separation from each other we all grew in maturity and in faith, it seems.

From the other side of the Big Drink!

Haejung & Simon

The 2000 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 29