Blog
Trip Updates & Upcoming Events
Congo Trip: Humbled. Sad. Mad. Tired. Overwhelmed
One reason that God sends me to Congo is that I am a control freak. He knows that I need to let go of that at times. Being a control freak can make me quite valuable in solving problems for businesses – particularly in troubled situations where speed is important....
Jan 18- Congo Trip: Perspective on Pain, Hope, Obedience and Change
Ivan Giraldo is back for his second trip to Bukavu. He was born in Colombia and immigrated to the US as an adult, ultimately becoming a citizen. When he came to the US, he did not know English. He started in the commercial landscape industry as a laborer and now is...
January 14- God’s Surprises
I forgot to mention that the last email about obtaining the video permit was written by Josh Cox, our highly esteemed rookie. He lost his rookie status after the first day! This email is from our other video expert and a three time veteran, Mike. Greetings to...
January 13- Day One: Life in Bukavu is difficult, but God is at work
Hello everyone, I wanted to take a moment to share with you the experiences of my first full day in the Congo. Two things happened today.The first thing was that Mike (the other videographer on the trip) and I had to get photography permits from the local government...
Congo Trip Update-Reality- 2 Quick Stories
Whenever I return to Bukavu, I always need to get jolted back to the reality of the situation “on the ground.” Being away makes things seem simple and makes the problems seem easy to solve. Here are two quick stories: A good friend is majoring in philosophy at...
Update and Trip 8 Info (Posted in November)
There’s so much to say and so little time to say it (or for you to read it). With that said, I think you will enjoy the stories below. One of the reasons I enjoy traveling to Africa is that God expands my view of Him and helps me see His view of our culture (and me)...
: Congo Trip 8 Begins / What Does God Have Planned? / Will You Pray?
If it’s January, it’s time to flee the cedar pollen in Austin and fly to DR Congo! Ivan, Mike, Josh and I left on Wednesday and will arrive in Bukavu Friday afternoon. We return on January 21. We are looking forward to building existing relationships and beginning...
DR Congo: The Good, The Not So Good, and Life in Their Words
Good news: Keep praying! The Word of God is penetrating the hearts and minds of His people in the Congo. Their stories appear below in their words. I want to give you an update from Trip 7 in June. Who would have guessed that the first trip exactly five years ago...
Trip 7 Photos
I have posted below several photos from trip 7. Take your time to look around and get a glimpse of what we experienced during our trip.
Trip 7 is underway!
“Without training, we cannot succeed.” – Solomon (a young man in Bukavu) And that is why we go. We follow the model that Jesus demonstrated long ago. We proclaim truth; we demonstrate love; we develop relationships; and we train. We try hard not to “do” for them....
Trip 6 Final Letter (April 27, 2013)
“Even rats store food.” That statement really got me. How could people living in a fertile, productive land live in such a subsistence manner? The answer is complicated, as are all things in the Congo. I’ll get back to that quote in a minute. This letter is in two...
It’s Working! (February 2, 2013)
It’s working. That’s the overwhelming sense that I have from Trip 6. Now, to be clear, I’m not bragging – for several reasons – it is a work of God; it is very much “in progress;” and it is a very tiny work, like a few drops of rain in a dry lake. I was telling a...