625

Bomill

Jim and Susan Farmer

with Pioneer Bible Translators and African Christian Mission
Field Address: Jim and Susan Farmer

ZAIRE
*

AFRICA

Bukavu

Fonvaiding Agent:
Valerie Sierens 543 Minneola Ave.

Public Relations Representatives Martin and Georgette Miller

13621 Helen St

Box 53435 (ACM-BKV)

Nairobi
KENYA

Clermont, FL 34711

Clermont. FL 34711

{904} 394-6507

(904) 394^833

May 1991

Dear Friends in Christ,

GREETINGS FROM AFRICAI

It's so good to be herel Joy, Fuinilment, and thankfulness are a Few words which describe our emotions. As many of you know, we had a very difficult time trying to leave the States and get on to Africa in January. With Jim's emergency surgery (the problem started the day before our original departure date, January 3) our flight tickets being "lost" (on our second scheduled departure date, January 12) and the middle east situation (which fell apart during our travel to Cameroon) we began to wonder if we were ever going to leave. We did finally get to leave on January IS and arrived in Cameroon on January 17, one week late for the African ori entation Course (AOC) we would be attending there.

PRACTICAL, CONFIDENCE-BUILDING, AND A GOOD TRANSITIONAL TIME These are the best words we can use to describe the AOC. We are very thankful that Pioneer Bible Translators (PBT) requires AOC as part of the prerequisite training to work in Africa. Jim had wanted to skip AOC thinking he knew enough about roughing it that we could get by all right After all, he has butchered chickens and hogs, knows how to build a campfire, knows some about car pentry, and a little auto mechanics (very little you might say a microscopic amountl). But AOC goes far beyond these skills and has
given us some very practical training for dally life in the remote place we will live. During the first seven weeks classes about water

and solar systems, basic furniture-making, maintaining health and hygiene in the tropics, language learning, cross-cultural aware ness, maintaining spiritual vitality, and waging spiritual warfare. These are just a few of the areas we examined. The best thing
about the classroom this time is that it was in an African context

THE BIBLE SAYS . . . OR DOES IT?

The Hnal three weeks of the course were an opportunity to apply what we had learned as we spent three weeks living with a family of the Kenyang people of southwest Cameroon. During this time we worked, ate, slept, and got firsthand experience learning
what daily life is like for the rural African so that we might be more sensitive to their situation in our ministry. What impressed us the most about the Kenyang, however, is how spiritually barren these people are and the experience more than ever has renewed our vision of how important it is to get the Bible into the languages of the peoples of the world who do not yet have it. Trying to witness to them was so frustrating. You cannot say, "but the Bible says . . ." or "God says in His Word . . ." because, for the Kenyang and many people like them, no Bible exists. For them, to go to the nearest Catholic, Presbyterian or even a Christian Church (if one were there, and it is not) means you are a Christian. Even the Bahai cult is considered a Christian faith. The people often say, "may God bless you" but the god they have in mind is distant removed from life and he has given them their traditional beliefs of ancestral worship and witchcraft to cope with the realities of life. Even the way to approach this god of whom they speak is through these evil means. The passage in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 came to mind several times. "But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled tr those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." Satan has deceived the Kenyang with a veil of darkness. They have no idea what worshiping the true and living God is like because the glorious gospel of Christ has never penetrated their hearts. The good news is that a New Testament translation for them is underway and one day God will speak to them in Kanyang, their mother tongue, and the veil of darkness now over them will be penetrated.

^^CALCOUt^

childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to

mcFnl

give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ
Jesus." n Timothy 3:15

WHAT NOW?

AOC ended on March 23 and on March 26 we left Cameroon for Zaire. We are now getting settled into African Christian Mis

sion's (ACM) guesthouse here in Bukavu where we will live for the next 3-6 months while we brush up on our French, get a house in Bomili village ready to move into, and learn about ACM and CECA (the Christian Church/Church of Christ) in Zaire. During this time, Jim will also be recovering from hepatitis, his going-away present from Cameroon. We have all had our share of sickness since being
in Africa (which we expected until our American bodies build up some African immunities) but the most serious so far has been Jim contracting hepatitis during the village phase of AOC. We are thankful that so far it has been a relatively mild case and he has been able to continue with some work, as long as he doesn't overdo it. The only treatment is lots of rest and good nutrition. The disease can last anywhere from one to twelve months, so we would especially appreciate your prayers for his quick recovery.

ABOUT ETHAN AND ABRAM

A newsletter wouldn't be complete without a brief report on the kids. In a nutshell, they're doing great! Ethan is rapidly ap

proaching his fourth birthday (August 28) and has become quite a bug collector. He is er^ioying lots of new friends of all shades and colors. He doesn't yet speak much of any language besides English but we're sure he'll soon be speaking an African language better than we will, as soon as we stay in one place for any significant amount of time. So far he has picked up bits of at least four lan guages. Abram is just one month away from his first birthday Qune 14) and is beginning to walk and talk. He is usually Just a pleas ant little person, and still has his strawberry blonde hair. He is crazy about his big brother, and it is a real Joy to watch them play to
gether.

CURRENT PRAYER NEEDS Please thank the Lord with us for:

the good experience we had at AOC rapid progress in our review of French. the other missionaries here ~ what a privilege it is to work with them. Please petition the Lord with us for:

Jim's complete and rapid recovery from hepatitis with no long-term side-effects. complete healing for both boys' ears with no permanent hearing loss.
adequate financial supporL God's timing of our move to Bomili village.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP

To all of you, our supporters, who pray, give, and write

to us, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH! We feel your prayers

daily, and read your letters with eagerness. Your financial support helps keep us here and we want you to know we will do the best Job we can possibly do for our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ We are an extension of you and working to gether we can share the gospel wherever we are. May God richly bless you.

With love in Christ,

SUk

fHhr,

Jim, Susan, Ethan, and Abram

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625

NEWS FROM THE FARMERS

Bomlll *

IN THE FIELD
newsletter of Jim and Susan Farmer
SerWng With

ZAIRE
*

AFRICA

Bukavu

Pioneer Bible Translators

and

African Christian Mission

Fie/d Address:

Forwarding Agent:
Valerie sierens 543 Minneola Ave.

Jim and Susan Farmer

Box 53435 (ACM-BKV)
Nairobi
KENYA

Public Relations Representatives: Martin and Georgette Miller

13621 Helen St

Clermont, FL 34711
(904)394-6507

Clermont, FL 34711
(904)394-4833

SepCembefi 1991

A TYPICAL DAY IN BOMILI

byjim

Each morning our alarm clock goes off at five a.m. and I feel like shooting him (a newly acquired rooster which happens to roost outside our window). Once awakened, I ask our nightwatchman (who is needed to guard the house from thieves, etc.), "Diko na dibho Indizuwo, kirlkiki," which means "bring some hot water for coffee, please." As we drink a cup
of coffee we listen to VOA (Voice of America radio broadcast) to hear a bit of news of the

outside worldl

Before breakfast the drums begin to beat, which means, "get ready for

devotions." Later they sound again which means "come to devotions." The local church has

devotions each weekday morning from 6:30 to 7:00 or so. We sing several songs and someone
gives a teaching.
After devotions we return home to eat breakfast before our radio schedule ("sked" for short) which is from 7:45 to 8:30 each morning. We let fellow missionaries at Bukavu know

we are doing all right and receive any news they may have for us. The radio is a real blessing and life-saver as we are able to call for the airplane to come at any time If we have an emergency, and it can be there in about three hours. But we'll be talking more about that later (in "A Non-Typical Day in Bomlll"). After radio sked we get started on the real work for the day. Thus far most days have
seen me busy helping build our temporary house. Some days this entails a trip into the forest to gather materials: trees, vines, and leaves, other days the job is to make mud with which to plaster the house. We would dig a pit, pour water Into it, then jump in with both feet After a lot of stomping around, the mud is ready to put on the walls. The house is close to completion
now.

At least a few hours each day I get to spend in the office working with the co-translators,

Apos and Longolongo. We recently translated a sermon from French into Kibali. The sermon is based on Luke, chapter eight, the parable of the sower. We also translated Ephesians 6:1018. It really is exciting to see their eyes light up when they clearly understand the passage for the first time, although they have read it in Swahili, the trade language, for many years. For example, it was difficult for them to understand the analogy of the Roman soldier who, after having finished a battle, was to go back into a position of authority ready to do battle again when the enemy attacks. Their response was, "when we go to battle we go in force and completely neutralize the enemy so they are no longer a threat to us." I explained to them that our enemy, Satan, is always at hand, ready to attack us and when we defeat him in battle, he will return to attack us again and that's why the Bible exhorts us to always be on our guard. It's exciting to be involved in this kind of discipleship. Meanwhile, a typical day would find Ethan out to play with the other kids soon after breakfast. They might be playing soccer, climbing trees, or pretending to hunt with their sling shots and bows and arrows. He is fitting right in. He likes to try to carry things on his head the way the people here do and is learning Kibali, Swahili, and a bit of French alt at the same time. Sometimes he's a good source of information for us as to the meaning of a word or phrase. He's not forgetting English, though, and can say his ABC's and write several of them. He also ei^oys reading books and we are thankful to God that he often asks to read the Bible and prays freely about most anything on his mind. Abram is doing his best to keep up with his big brother and most days will find him following Ethan around while being watched by his babysitter, Zabu, and calling, "Etan, Etan." He cannot say "th" as of yet. He has begun to display a little temper at times and I have more than once described him as "a wolf in sheep's clothing" because he looks so innocent and harmless until... . He really is a joy and is veiy
funny. Susan's day usually begins by getting started on household chores: gathering the laundry

for Awowo, who will take it to the river to wash for us, and talking with Patrice, who helps us in the kitchen, about what to fix for lunch, which usually begins with his butchering something since we don't yet have a refrigerator in which to store meat It has taken Susan a while to get used to cooking on the woodbuming stove, but other missionary women keep insisting she'll like it better once she gets used to it. We'll seel Up to this point she has also spent quite a bit of time cleaning, sorting, organizing and in general getting moved in, and that will probably continue for another month or two; but we have hopes that by November our house
will be finished and we will be all moved in and settled. She also tries to fit in at least an hour

or two of paperwork during the morning when Abram naps. After lunch, Ethan takes a nap and Susan has a language session with her tutor, Anita. We're both looking forward to knowing more Kibali since only a small percentage of the population speaks French. Later in the afternoon, after I am done in the office, Ethan has awakened, and Susan has finished with what she has been doing in the house, we usually take a walk around the village to greet people, practice Kibali, and visit someone who is sick or just a church member whom we would like to get to know better. Before we know it, the sun is going down and it's time to eat supper, bathe, spend some time with the kids, and get to bed. Obviously this doesn't include everything that happens in a day, but at least it gives you some idea of what our life is like here. The days pass quickly and we're really beginning to
feel at home.

(feft): Susan receives instrucdons on tying the African baby backpack.

(below, left): Ethan really enjoys ajf the onimals around, even If we do hove to eat some of
them.

pilot's wife, Cheryl Doggett, is the one who runs the radio sked she immediately called Tim, the
pilot, to the radio to discuss the situation with me. He first wanted to know the sick woman's

symptoms so he could call Juanita Miller, a missionary nurse in Bukavu,, to assess the situation. Tabu gave me the information and Tim then told me to go see the lady myself and come back on the radio with any additional information I might find. In the meantime he would be
talking to Juanita.

(below): A drink of water sure tastes good

after o long walk - just have to make sure it is boiled and^itered.

Tabu took me to the woman's house and she appeared to me to be in even worse shape
than what he had described. I had a prayer with her and her husband and went back to talk to

Tim again. When this situation comes up the most difficult question is: is it a true emergency or can it wait until the next flight (which in this case was in only three days, on Tuesday). The infirmier had said he thought she would likely die by Tuesday and Juanita had agreed that it did sound like a true emergency. Tim's next major question to me was: would we be willing and able to pay for a charter flight to come and evacuate the woman, which would likely cost a little over $500? Jim wasn't available for me to ask, but I was certain he would agree with
me that we should certainly use whatever resources we had if it would save this woman's life.

So Tim made the flight and arrived in a little over two hours. Jim and company were on their way home when they heard the airplane. Jim knew this must mean an emergency situation of some kind, so they made their way back to the village at an almost running pace. He was, of course, worried that something had happened to me or the children. They arrived at the
airstrip not long after Tim had landed and were relieved to find out that we were all o.k. Tim

had the lady to the hospital within an hour and she was treated and got better, thank the Lord. The people in Bomili realize that the money for emergency flights like this one comes from you, our supporters in the States. They are very appreciative and want us to convey their
thanks to you.

IT'S NOT ALL IN FUN

by Jim

Independence day for the country of Zaire is always a big day for the local soccer team. I

could tell it was a really big event as I watched the young men prepare for the match. I was honored they asked me to play with them. The day of the match we met to discuss our game plan and to have a time of prayer. After this we lined up in pairs and jogged to the field. It
was really neat to hear the villagers cheer us on as we ran onto the field. After the formalities

of the national anthem, greeting the audience, and explanation of the rules, the game began. I was the defensive fullback, position #3, which is the last man before the goalie. We were able
to score one point and hold the other team scoreless in the first half. We had missed seven

A NON-TYPICAL DAY IN BOMILI

bi| Susan

easy attempts to score and it seemed things were just not going well for us. The second half, our defense was stronger than before (maybe because the weakest player

was on the sidelines the second half: mel) but the opposition's offense was stronger still. The
It was a quiet Saturday in June. Jim had gone out hunting in the forest with a couple of friends and I was at home with Ethan and Abram. I was busy with the morning radio schedule when Tabu, the infirmier (nurse) for the clinic in Bomili came in, told me there was a medical emergency, and asked if I would be able to call the plane. We had only been in Bomili a couple of weeks and this was our first experience dealing with something like this. Since the game went on and on and on and I knew something was not right As it turned out, the game

went 20 minutes over the expiration time and, as a result, the game ended in controversy as a
foul was called on our team which allowed the other team to score 19 minutes after the

official end of the gamel

But this soccer game was not typical by any means. Later 1learned the opposing team had

gone to the graveyard for a prayer vigil to Satan for power to win the match. The next day they went again and had another prayer time asking Satan for power to defeat us as we were scheduled to play them again. Our team decided not to play them again because of the fact they had prayed to Satan for victory. Was my team's decision based on principle or fear? I do not know for sure, but this is only one example of many of how the Babali seek "belozi" or witchcraft to bring a curse on their enemy. Even many who profess to be Christians continue in this practice. Most of those who have become Christians have never really understood the power of the gospel and therefore are afraid to abandon their traditional beliefs. This is not an artificial belief, but one which brings the people into direct contact with Satan and he will grant them their requests, but at a terrible price: dominion over their lives through ignorance and fear. These people have known Satan's power for many centuries and it is time they learn of the power of Jesus Christ to bring freedom to their lives. They will not relinquish their traditional beliefs and practices until they know beyond any doubt that, "greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world." This is our responsibility as Christians and this is why Susan and 1are living among the Babali: to preach the power of the gospel to save and deliver
the Babali from Satan's dominion.

EVACUATION

by Susan

[Only a couple of weeks after sending this newsletter to be printed, our Jives took an unexpected turn. I will try to put it in a nutshell.]

The political situation in Zaire has been a bit unstable for over a year now ~ since President Mobutu announced in April of 1990 that the government would be changing from a one-party dictatorship to a multi-party democracy. Over 200 new political parties have formed, tension in the country has been rising, and elections were to be held in November of this year. On top of all this, the country has also been in a terrible economic
crisis as the value of the currency plunges and prices are soaring. It was in this setting that the soldiers were paid the third week of September. Because of the devaluation of the currency, they were paid the equivalent of less than $10.00 for a month's wages. They refused the pay and revolted. They closed the airport in the capital

city, Kinshasa - not allowing any planes to land or take off. They began looting and rioting. Within a couple of days, this had spread to other major cities in Zaire as well.
So, on Wednesday, September 25th, the American Embassy advised alt Americans to leave Zaire. On Thursday, the 26th, we left, along with most of the other missionaries in

CURRENT PRAYER NEEDS

IN CASE YOU'RE INTERESTED

pfeose thank the Lord with us /on

-the welcoming attitude of the Christians In Bomili and the interests they are already showing of reading God's Word In their own
language.
We have sent home a total of four and

Bukavu and a busload of Peace Corps volunteers. We have come to the neighboring country of Berundi to wait for a short period of time to see how quickly the situation in Zaire may settle down. It doesn't look real promising and we ask for your prayers for the country as the people seek to make these major changes in their government. Pray for a peaceful transition and for the people in positions of authority to be submissive to God's will. Please also pray for us since the immediate future looks a bit uncertain. We don't

a half hours of video tape. Contact our public relations representatives if you
would like to see the uncut version

- rapid progress on building our house. - overall good health for all of us.

(YAWN) or a short program.

We can now send and receive FAX

know how soon the situation in Zaire will stabilize enough for us to take our family back in to work. Pray for the Lord's will to be clear to us - whether that would be serving in another country for a short period of time, returning to the States for a brief time, or some other plan He might have that we're not currently aware of. Please also pray for peace of mind for us and all the other missionaries who have had to leave their work since, as one friend said, "Limbo is never a comfortable place to be, since you're always bent over
backwards to one degree or another."
Before you move, please send the mailing label with a copy of your new address to MISSION SERVICES ASSOGATION, PO Box 2427, Knoxville, TK 37901-2427.
Mission Services Association
PC BOX 2427

messages fairly easily.

Address it to:

Please petition the Lord with us fan

-- steady progress learning. in our Kibali language

Jim and Susan Farmer

African Christian Mission
c/o CAP Bukavu
B.P. 356

Non Profit Org.

37950-9998

Knoxville, TN 37901-2427

U.S. Postage Paid

Knoxville, TN
Permit #374

ADDRESS CORRECnON REQUESTED

-a peaceful transition in the government here. It is in the process of changing from a dictatorship to a multi-party democracy. - requests mentioned at the end of the "EVACUATION" article (see next page)

c;yangugu, RWANDA
FAX# 011-250-37514

625

\LpcLcc^
Fax to MisDion Services, f<no>:vjUe, TN. USA (615)577-9743 froiii Fai"mer, c/o Rose, Hotel Club du L^c, Bujumbuia,
R-irurdi 00-257--225057

PIease add this article to our newsletter dated September. 19J3, ar)d then Rend it out. EVACUATION by Susan. [Only a couple oi" weeks after sending this newsletter to he- printed ovir lives took

We requested the ACM office to call you and tell you to stop work on our newsletter uiiti 1 you received an update fr"oin yis.
an unoq^ected turn. I will tiT to put it in a nutchel 1. (New

Par^jgi-aph-NP) Hie political situation in Zaire has been a bit

Apj-il of 1990 that the gcvernriient would be changirig from a oneparty dictatorahip t,o a multi-party democracy. (>er ?nn ns^jw piolitical parties have formed, tension in the country has ]:>een rlsiiig^ arid elections wei^e to be held in November of this year. On top of all this, the counti-y has also iDeen in a terrible
economic crif^is at; the value of the currency plunges and prices

uristablo for over a year now, since lYesident Mobutu aiiimnced iii

cu-e coai-iny.
the

thirxl week of September.

in

It was in this setting that the soldiers were paid

Because of the devaluation of
not

the

cuiTency, they were paid the equivalent of less tiian $10 for a nionth's wages. Tliey refused the pay and revolted. Tliey closed
the
Zaire

aiiTort

the capital city, Kinshasa,

allowing
the

any

planes to lartd or take off. They began loc/ting and rioting. Within a couple of days this had spix^ad to other major cities in
at? well. on Wednesday. September 25th, American

Eiiiljas.sy advised all Ainericans to leave Zaire.

2r.th, we left, along with most of the
Bu)'.ftvu and a busload of Peace Corps volunteers.

On Thui'sday,
We have come

the
an

other missionaries

to of

the neighlx>ring counti-y of Berundi to wait for a short period the country as the i:)eople seek to make these major changes a

time to see how quickly the situation in Zaire may settle down. It doesn't look rea) promising ai'^d we cisk for your prayers for

in bit

their goveiTiment. Pray for a peaceful transition and for the people in positions ot autl'iority to l^s subanissive to God's will.

Plejise also pray for us since the immediate future looks

uncertain.
foithe

We don't know how soon the situation in

Lord's will to be c^ear to us. whether that

Zaire
would

will

stabilise enough for us to ta]<e our family back in to work.

Pray
lix?

sei-viny in another cc^itry for a shoi't period of time, returning to the states for a bi-ief time, or some other plan He might have that we're not currently aware of. Please also pray for' peace of
mind for as and all the other missionai'^ies who have had to leave their work since as one friend said, "Limbo is never a comfort]jukv/vaj. Je- Lv ::>aiiL.c yvju'ic! alwa/ 1^: iL ibL [jlati? Lu 1-

degree or another."] Also, please change the CUiil^. Pl^YER NEEDS Gect3on a little bit, Keep the praise section the same. For the petition section; keep tlie first one the saioe; change the second one to "requests
mentioned at the end of the "EVACUATION" article";
deletean
r 1

the

thii'd one concerning Susan's feet. If addijig this additional article requires adding page, that's fine. If you have any questions or need

insert
-Ft r-A

tion on anythii"^, you can fa>i us at the ^j>&v!rnii5^r.

Than}<s.

4-

f^G^yyvu^