African Congo

Wednesday we flew to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  What an experience.
We went out to train our 5 Assistant Area Auditors (AAA's) and what wonderful men they are!
Here are some pictures I took from the car window:

We arrived a day early because there were no flights on Thursdays.  That extra day allowed us to hire a driver and we went to see the Bonobos.  Bonobos are endangered cousins of chimpanzees and this is the only place in the world where they live.  As I was aiming the camera at one, it shrieked at us, picked up a handful of dirt and threw it at us square on!  We got a dirt shower. 

The jungle where they live is a preserve and there is an electrified fence between them and us.  We finished off the loop enjoying the beautiful jungle and I was glad I didn't know about the deadly snakes (on ground & in trees) to watch out for until it was all over!

These darling school children were on a field trip. :)

Click to enlarge and see the pineapples growing along the side of the trail.

Beautiful tall flowers growing in the jungle

Our conference dinner was on Friday.  Elder Mabaya of the 70 spoke to us (in French) and we had a translator. He told us that this church is not just an organization but it is the Kingdom of God.  The devil is working hard so if we don't work harder, we will fail.

 Saturday was our conference.  The training went well thanks to Google translate helping us put our power point in French and thanks to Br. Kusambidila translating for us.  We were so thrilled to meet our 5 French speaking AAA's.  They are knowledgeable and humble and anxiously engaged in good works.  Each of them taught a section, Chris instructed us on what's going to be coming up new this year and  I spoke on the "Sacred Trust".  

Standing:  Clement Kavuala, Nestor Ilunga, David Bowman,
Dede Kusambidila, Danatien Makabu, Safari Alexis, Blaise Ngangou
Front: Chris & Debbie

After the conference, Br. Bowman, area controller, took us to his friends place for a lovely dinner.  I wish I had my camera to take a picture of the Grana family. They have two darling girls that taught us how to play "Black Magic" and we enjoyed their company very much.

On Sunday President Muhemedy (In the stake presidency) took us to church.  We wound our way deep into a Congolese neighborhood.  The road was made of layers of mud and litter.  It was all very dirty but the people were so clean and wore beautiful clothing.

Hair salon

As we were waiting for the guard to open the security gate, 3 little African children stared into our car.  I smiled at them and waved.  They grinned and stared as though they had never seen a white visitor before. Same thing happened as Pres. Muhemedy showed me to the RS room.  I passed the youngest primary and the children looked surprised and ran to the door grinning with a look of wonder.  Ha ha!

In RS all the windows were open for fresh air and outside was singing.  I so wanted to get up and record it. It was really rather loud and you had to really listen to the RS teacher speak.  Of course, it was in French and I didn't understand it so I listened to the music.  There was a drum and a soloist and a chorus of harmony singing an African story in the Lingala language.  It went on and on nonstop through the whole class period.   A rooster chimed in now and then.  The teacher and others didn't seem to even notice.  It must be normal.  Perhaps it was a band of brethren in a worship service held outside - (as many do in Africa).  

In Sacrament meeting they confirmed 7 new members!  I loved seeing their baptismal clothing drying on a line outside the church.

The bishop asked us to bear our testimonies & Pres. Muhemedy translated.  (see Chris's description of sacrament meeting at the end of this post).   After church - such surprise!   I now know what it must feel like to be a famous celebrity!  First it was a darling little wide eyed bright smiling boy who ran to us and said "good morning!"  He seemed so thrilled to be able to say that to us.  In fact he followed us out and said it to us a half dozen times.  Everyone shook our hands and so many children came to us and also excitedly said "good morning!"  It seemed we shook every hand in the congregation!  Especially all the kids.  Even Mothers came carrying a child who was maybe a little shy but wanted to shake our hands and say "good morning."  ha ha.  We felt very loved.

Aren't they beautiful!

Several women in their beautiful Hawaiian looking style of dresses were gathered.  I told them they were very beautiful.  One understood me and told the others and they all smiled warmly and said "Merci!"  I asked if I could take their picture and they were excited about that.  At first it was just a few but other women saw them posing and ran to be in the picture.  It was so cute.  They laughed like kids as they viewed their little photo on the camera.

Pres. Muhemedy invited us to eat with him in his home after church.  What a sweet family and his wife and her friend and sister helped her cook an amazing meal.

Monday we had a bit of a wait at the airport because we made good time getting there.  Apparently they've made some great changes in the airport and except for some mice running around the floor it was just fine.

It is so great being involved in this great time of hastening - of helping to build up the Kingdom of God in preparation for the second coming of the Lord!  Everything we do, every calling is important and a part of this great latter day work.

View from hotel window

It's hard to get good photos while riding in the car but here are some more photos through the window.

This is a regular sedan style car, not a truck!  ha ha

Notice this is a medical center!

                           

CHRIS'S SACRAMENT MEETING MUSINGS

8 December 2013

Sacrament Meeting Musings (Bumbu Ward, Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake)

Bright faces with white teeth

Testimonies burning within the members’ hearts that is apparent to all

Hum of a microphone system; roosters crowing outside

Young Man with red belt, blue jeans, white shirt, black tie reverently passing the sacrament with his left arm folded neatly behind his back

8 large windows open on each side of the chapel as if they are expecting a breeze (orange drapes)

Ladies with heads wrapped in colorful scarves (lime green, black, blue, multi-colored African print)

Young girls with neat rows of braided hair

7 converts confirmed

Visiting white brethren suffering in suit coats; Bishopric in simple white shirts; Temperature is 84 degrees

The brother who is the organist is wearing a sequined tie

Sister Missionary about to complete her mission wears a black skirt, purple jersey shirt, and a purple woven scarf in her hair

8 ceiling fans are over the congregation; 6 of them are working.  There are no ceiling fans over the stand

Hand held microphone is being used because the podium mike doesn’t work

Sacrament bread is broken from fresh baguettes.  An 8 liter water jug sits under the sacrament table and it has seen much use

There is a fine layer of sand covering the tile floor

In the air is a strong smell of Kinshasa deodorant (human sweat)

Heavenly Father loves all of us, his children.  We are grateful to the Savior for His atonement and His love which encircles us.

 Reverence prevails. The congregation focuses on the message and the Spirit which is strong.  Faith is evident.  All are edified.