We awoke at 6:00 AM Sunday morning in Kinshasa...which was 11:00 PM Saturday night in Denver. We knew it was going to be a long trip home but were not anticipating all that we would face before finally arriving at our motel in Denver 46 hours later...9:00 PM Monday night.
We almost had our souvenirs confiscated in Kinshasa and again in Chicago. We had guards and immigration agents yell at us, in French (which we couldn't understand), because we could not complete our customs information, without the assistance of the MAF friends, with whom we were travelling...and they didn't understand our attempts to communicate to them that we had visual and reading limitations and could not complete them. We had issues with our carry-ons at all three airport security checkpoints, with something showing up on the x-ray machines...yet always clearing, in the end. We had TSA people telling us to do one thing at the start of the line, then the next person telling us something completely opposite, requiring us to go to the back of the line to put something back in an x-ray tray.
When arriving in Chicago, Mike's passport was withheld and we were escorted to another area...with no explanation as to what was happening. They simply kept saying "Bravo", as they passed his passport off to different people. We were finally told that everything would be okay but that he had a similar name as somebody on the "watch list" and they needed to further investigate. After being interrogated and having to take his hat off (and smooth down his messy hair), he was cleared. If I hadn't been so tired, I would have laughed at the thought of my missionary husband being thought to be a terrorist.
I must admit I shed a few tears along this journey...and Mike kept insisting he would never fly again. Yet, the number one thought that kept going through my mind--and I said to Mike many, many times--was "Don't let the enemy steal our joy." I knew the enemy was taking advantage of our exhaustion--and even preyed on our uncertainties and weaknesses of dealing with an unknown language at the Kinshasa airport--to try to steal the joy of all God had done during our time in Kinshasa. He wanted us to forget all the good of that trip and focus only on the bad...the frustrations of our trip home. So, we held on to Jesus as we flew through the furnace.
After some much needed sleep, at the motel in Denver, we were able to refocus and see how God had brought us through that furnace. He had been with us all the way, even allowing us to keep our souvenirs. Debbie opened up her Facebook, Tuesday morning, and listened to all the comments from people saying they were praying for our safety. It hit us that God had indeed kept us safe. He hadn't allowed it to be easy but He had kept us safe...and that was what really mattered. Maybe He wanted to see if we were willing to live out what we (Debbie, in particular) had been teaching while in Kinshasa). Could we have joy in the furnace?
Another big thing we see has to do with something in which God set Mike free while we were in Africa. After 48 years of smoking, Mike gave it up while we were there. He celebrated his birthday by quitting. Normally, the times he would pick up that cigarette is when he felt nervous. Debbie noticed such a relaxed spirit about Mike during the time we were in Kinshasa. He was so at ease around the MAF families and others in which we interacted. He even talked to strangers on the airplane. And God really used him to minister to the Francises' sentinels. God took away the anxious spirit which would drive Mike to smoke. However, the trip home definitely created tension and frustration within Mike. Yet even when given the opportunity to purchase cigarettes, Mike was not even tempted, showing him that God is teaching him how to handle situations like that, without smoking. He knows he can remain free of this addiction, with God's help.
We had a wonderful time in Kinshasa and saw God work in our own lives as we reached out to those who live there. We are glad to be home, though, where it is quiet...with very little traffic. I know our lives will be forever changed and I pray God has touched the hearts of many through our work there. We may never know how He used us...that is His business not ours.
I hope to post another update, sharing some specific praises and ongoing prayer needs for those in Kinshasa.
I had to laugh when you said those people had to make sure Mike wasn't a terrorist. I really laughed hard. The name Martinez is on the news a lot....and it usually is trouble related. That really hit my funny bone. All joking aside, I am sorry you guys had so much hassle....but all turned out good. You guys are amazing, and God is so awesome. He always comes through for us. Congrats to you Mike for quitting smoking. God Bless, and welcome home.
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