Still working on a large puzzle. But I am making a dent.

My parents have come to the DR Congo. It was so amazing to see them and for them to see how God has been working in my life for the last 10 months. I was praising God for how blessed I am to have parents that are willing to come and see me, I think for my family I assumed that they would come at some point, just because that is how us Haun family rolls. But I am so fortunate to have a loving family that cares and supports me.

Along with my parents the Forest Hill team had a great time, it was a very productive and fun trip. I was able to see Gods hand at work with this team. I saw how they helped change people lives by being here speaking truth and just spending time with them. I think mostly everyone had the opportunity to share something about themselves or what is going on personally with them. And in this culture that is more than appropriate. They definitely made a dent.

The last few months I have read through some great books. Which is different for me to be saying. I have ready Tony Dungy’s book Quiet Strength, The Great Divorce by: C.S. Lewis, Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson twice! Victor Hugo’s Les Misérable, Donald Millers new book, A million miles in a thousand years. Great book by the way I will come back to that. And currently reading another Victor Hugo, The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Having grown up in a storytelling family I love stories that the underdog becomes a hero and is successful for something he or she does. And also overcoming a difficult situation or time where the character is stretched beyond what they think they can handle.

In Donald Millers book this is talked about a little bit, and by a little bit I mean most of the book. Our story is something that gets us to an appreciative state of God and heaven. We are meant to live a life of hard choices and difficult times because ultimately it helps define who we are and we realize how great God is. We see the little details in our life that come together like a beautiful mosaic that is masterful piece of art. Nothing can match its beauty on this Earth only the Heavenly father. Our stories are meant to Glorify God and tell others that this is something special about a life with Christ. Start doing things that make life more memorable. Make decisions that are going to be difficult because it will produce fruit. Life is short but it is also eternal. I say this because we are here on earth to practice and try to do what we are meant to do in Heaven. I want to make a dent. I want people to notice Christ in me wherever I go. I want to spend time with people that can help change my life, and help me become more like Christ. I want fruit.

I know that this is something we all desire and we are sometimes caught by a wave of sadness, but that sorrow is a major building block that helps us move at a little different pace of life and Examine our motives and attitudes. My daily devotional Steams in The Desert said; “ It opens within us the capacities of the heavenly life, and it makes us willing to set our capacities afloat on a limitless sea of service for God and for others. God never uses anyone to a great degree until He breaks the person completely. It takes sorrow to expand and deepen the soul.”

So that is what I am thinking about as of late. I am also starting to think and ponder about my time ending here and going to Nepal and then back state side. God is still doing and will always be doing amazing thing here and I have been blessed to be a part of it. I hope and pray everyone is doing well.

P E A C E from the M O O S E

I met a man named Paluku...

Hey folks hope and pray everyone is well. Just wanted to send a quick note and story.

The FHC Congo team is here and is doing very well.

They are having a great time.

They have been hanging out with students and kids all over Beni Twon, Still working on a few people to try the goat, but other than that mostly everyone has ventured into the unknown well.

Thanks for the prayers.

So...

I met a man named Paluku. God is so alive in this one man it is quite possible for him to change the whole of Congo. Most would pass this man and think he is just a crippled man that is handicapped to the point of the inability to speak or think. Looking upon this person would be difficult for many. He travels around with a walking stick and crippled gander that is humbling for others to see. His sandals are barely hanging on to his disfigured feet and are covered in dust. At first my heart hurt for this man because I had little idea of his story and felt bad for a man in his condition in the DR Congo. This man made me desire the gift of healing so I could help him to live a more “normal” life not confined to a crippled life style or impeded speech. But me, of little knowledge and faith, wanted to take something away that was ultimately defining this man’s spirit. The first few interactions with this man I would be praying for healing, and for his mouth to work and feet to function like a “normal” person. But Normalcy is what God is trying to get rid in us. He doesn’t want normal people who do normal things he wants us to be different, like Paluku. I usually catch him standing on the corner of one of the streets down from my home, waiting on someone or something. Conversation with him was and is still difficult, he is speaking Swahili and I know very little and with his speech impediment makes it all that more difficult to decipher. I do try to make a point every time I see him to spend some time with him and just love on him like Christ would. My heart still pulls hard on him, and in my mind, he makes me just want to fix him or ease his pain.

I had seen him sitting from time to time at Dr. Kasali’s home. They would sit and talk with him and give him water to take back home. So this man that I think needs my prayers and time was walking home from in town he was about 2 miles from his home, and is picked up by Mama Kasali. I learned in that conversation where he was coming from. He was returning from a daily prayer meeting. He is a Prayer Warrior. This man goes everyday to have intercessory prayer for those he loves, knows, and those he doesn’t even know, but the Holy Spirit put on his heart. When I heard this I started to tear up. Not knowing that this man all those times I was with him was really praying for and spending time with me and praying for healing. He told mama Kasali that the reason he is an intercessory prayer warrior is because he is handicapped, it is the only thing that he knows he can do well. He said that God didn’t bless him with legs that function right or a mouth that says what he wants. But He said God blessed him with a heart for others and prayer. I also learned that Paluku cannot read, and is currently looking for someone to teach him how to read so he can read the bible. He is on fire for the Lord and can’t even read His Word. This man has a heart of gold, and is on the front line of the spiritual battle.I now wish that I could have the faith and determination of this man. His unique situation and handicapped body is what made him into the man God wanted. I still hang out with this man and just sit with him when I can. I get the biggest smile on my face when I see him. It does my heart good to be with this man. He looks like an idiot to the world but in actuality the idiots are the ones that feel sorry for this man. He is the richest in the Kingdom of God. I have been honored to spend time and get to know this man of God. I met a man of God named Paluku.

Pray for this man and pray for his ministry... whatever it might be.

Thanks for the continual prayer for me here in DR Congo.

P E A C E from the M O O S E