Coopers in the Congo: Adjusting to Life

September 6, 2022

Greetings friends and family,

We are writing from North Carolina where we find ourselves for the fall. Fall is upon us already and the mornings are the 40s here in the Blue Ridge Mountains and the leaves are changing shades. Soccer season is in full swing, come rain or shine.

As it is for many missionaries transitioning between both worlds, it is a bit rocky at the beginning. We all contracted Covid at the end of July. In fact Emmanuel and I fell sick on a transcontinental flight after having a negative PCR. Then there were other health challenges in Lindsey’s family, near accidents, car issues….but I think like has finally equilibrated and we are all in good health again thanks be to God.

One of the big reasons we are stateside for a few months is so that Emmanuel attend second grade and we can receive support for homeschooling. We have been somewhat isolated this last year as the only medical missionaries living and working in in our area. He is loving it and prospering! It feels like such a privilege to have help with his schooling, an abundance of books, and peers to learn from. He has gained the confidence to play on a soccer league and is taking swimming lessons. We want him to feel grounded in a stateside home as well as overseas. We hope to continue to use this curriculum approach in future years when find ourselves in North Carolina. We were guests in his second grade classroom to talk about equatorial Africa-the flora and fauna and cultural aspects to life. Emmanuel was very proud to share a bit of his world in Congo through us.

We will use this time to reconnect with friends and supporters and to be nourished spiritually. It is lovely to have the time to do this! We love the Blue Ridge Mountains and look forward to the vibrant fall colors and having time to work with our hands on our home. Even last night we saw a large cat walk across our driveway…mountain lion have been spotted not so far way. I (Lindsey) have enjoyed cooking with foods here that are simply unavailable overseas like peaches in cobbler and a variety of vegetables and meats. I am used to going to the market in Congo and finding a limited number of things such as onion, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, squash to work with. Overseas I have to plan meals around these things which takes some creativity, but in America I can cook almost anything! We are enjoying re-connecting with old friends and making new ones! Here are a couple of our visitors these last weeks, the Peterson family and Stafford family, Ellen and Iyad. I love how friendship bridges space and time-we are so thankful for good friends.

We had a fun birthday party for Emmanuel last week complete with a chocolate volcano cake, piñata, and games like tug of war and charades. He felt special and valued by his friends. There was a geological theme in the cool rocks and crystals he received as gifts. Again such a privilege to have this time together.

Warren converted a regular bike to an ebike and has been exploring the area with new found abilities to negotiate hills. I have been able to start swimming almost daily. We are enjoying freedom of movement which we have in the USA…especially me not needing to be accompanied by a man everywhere I go. This is another privilege of being in America which I do not take for granted.

So this is the beginning of our time in the United States this fall. I am sure there will be plenty of funny stories of a missionaries re-experiencing life in America-fast internet, an abundance of chocolate, eating out, driving miles and miles, reflecting on the price hikes of food (!) yet feeling deep cultural shifts, and trying to figure out our place, etc. Stay tuned…We would love to connect with you. We carry our Congolese brothers and sisters close in our heart in this season.

Blessings

Lindsey for us