63. Well, It's Fixed! That Means Fans and Breathing Machine On Tonight!!

 

The electric Hydro is officially fixed as per John - who came over to tell us. Now the wifi is down after last night's huge storm. So I am in a holding pattern again. But when we get back from Kananga and N'Desha, I can at least use the computer to write- hoping all stays copacetic with the hydro. Then hit send when the wifi comes back on which it just did! Yea!!

Had hot coffee, tea, toasted sweet rolls, toast, eggs ,and papaya for breakfast. Yum.

Cook is a Lubondai native. Gardner/sentry also here.  Both are Lulua. Nice guys! Wish we could hire for these prices in the US. Yea, right!! I'd have a dozen! ;). Football game still on in USA! California teams according to the BBC radio Marcia has. The other day at one of our meals, Marcia told us that Dr.Galdys Smithwick’s name and Lubondai is written on the back of the china cabinet here at her house! Wow!!.

FYI. Let me set the local scene. We have basically had no electricity since we arrived- much to poor Marcia’s dismay. It is hot. I am hotter. But I have dealt with that. We are in the bush country and I knew what to expect. I have a Japanese computer. Bought  in Texas. Used by a basically computer illiterate girl born in South Carolina. Since MPH does not have a computer for the manager, I used my personal lap top. (as does Cindy)- glad we both have one! When folks needed to make copies they put their zippy-de-do-da deals into my computer to print out stuff- always in French. Plus I had to download another browser for MPH’s mail which was also all in French. From time to time the private areas of my computer/blog would totally switch to French and it took me forever to get it back to English. Pain! Plus Andrew wasn't there anymore so I was alone- "tech less" -until poor Markus arrived and saved the tech day for us. Thanks to both of you young gentlemen!!!

I am not an English Lieutenant much less an English Major. (I'm an American History and US Government- “Colonel” I guess! ;)) ). (I think I put a grammar and spelling disclaimer in a very early blog.) I did speak the native language here as a kid. I never learned to read or write it- didn't need to - I was a kid. Missionaries always told me that it is spelled just like it sounds. So it should be Chee-luba, twa-sock-a-deal-a, Chee-kashi, etc. but I know better than that. So with taking notes- still no electricity-I'd write my blog long hand- still no electricity- then when we had the two hours or less of power, I - a none speed typing person- typed like crazy and got it out to you. I did spell check but my computer does not speak Chee-luba or Tshiluba either. Asking poor Marcia every time I need a word is bothersome. So, I’m sorry if I have been misspelling some words. ;). But I think they were close enough. I'll use the standard -It's Congo! Or better yet- It's Lenore!

After our trip to church I wanted to tell you about the “roads” here in Congo. You know from my earlier blogs that most in Kinshasa are not good. But here is how the government actually classifies their own roads!!

“There are five categories of roads here in the Congo as actually released by Congo’s National Bureau of Roads!  “Very good (paved), good (dirt road with some potholes), medium (dirt road, deep vehicle tracks and many potholes), bad (deep sand, mud holes, extreme vehicle tracks, expect to be frequently stuck), very bad (almost impassable).”

After leaving Kinshasa, I watched from the plane window and realized that there are hardly any dense jungle areas near Kinshasa. I only saw dense tree growth near rivers. On the flight to Kananga we flew over the savanna areas.Once again trees were only close to the rivers. We could see the paved road for awhile and then lost it from the air. Guess “Very Good” roads ended.

Villages, just like the ones before them, were all along the route to church on Sunday. They have not changed since we were here 53 years ago! Huts with palm roof, mostly made of branch frames filled with clay. Inside there is still a single room where the whole family and often their critters sleep. Outside the hut is the kitchen where all meals are prepared. The toilet is a hole in the ground- sometimes screened by matting. Beside every hut, manioc is almost always being prepared by the women- dried, pounded or made into bidia. It is a totally rural and subsistence way of life here in the bush country of the Kasai.

The major road’s traffic is fortunately/unfortunately commercial trucks. These worn out trucks look like they have been constructed for a Star Wars scene from various scrap heaps in a movie lot. Things for sale are piled up several feet high on top of the trucks. However- out here in the bush- on top of all the mish mash of merchandise sit the passengers -as many as can get on the top and not fall off. The overloaded and very top heavy trucks add to the destruction of the poorly made roads.  The tracks made in the road by these huge, heavy and overloaded trucks get so deep that the road becomes impassable. The belly of the cars- even with everyone having 4 wheel ones- get hung up on the center dirt. Mud holes and sand pits (in the sandy areas the car tires are often deflated so the car does better??) are dug deeper and deeper each day by the trucks.  The next choice is to make a new path through the tall grassy (Tshisuka –sp?) area next to the road making another new path/road. Rural Spaghetti Junction- ah, no - Petticoat Junction!  When these top heavy trucks break down or roll over from tilting too far in the ruts, the road is totally blocked. So you again chop a new path or wait!

The next issues that have to be dealt with on these roads are the streams and rivers. Most of the bridges are left over from when the Belgian’s owned the country 50+ years ago and were built way before that. Trucks were not this big or heavy nor were there so many. The bridge’s iron frames are no longer safe and the boards laid over them on which to drive have been chewed by termites so some look more like Baby Swiss Cheese. As you cross it you wonder if your vehicle will be the one that “breaks the camel’s back.” Then it is “Go around” to a low water area and try to make you way across or go to a canoe ferry or “real ferry”. The ferries are very unreliable and one can wait at least a day if it has already left today for the other side or weeks if a part is missing.

Pretty much once one is off the beaten path and in less populated areas it is bicycles- like you see in photos of China- to carry it all. Folks say the bikes are loaded with up to 300 pounds of agricultural stuff, handmade bricks and charcoal from the rural area. They are actually pushed to Kinshasa and then loaded with merchandise and pushed all the way back to trade! These walks can take up to 1-2 weeks.

Trade products are also gotten up country by being carried on the heads of women- dressed in their brightly colored Congolese garb They usually also have a baby tied to their backs. The loads they carry are often so heavy it takes two men to lift the load up and get it situated on the lady’s head. Then off she walks with all balanced on her head and she uses no hands. Just walks off into the sunset- so to speak! It is amazing!  On our way to church we only saw the bicycles and ladies as the methods of moving trade goods. We saw a total of two other cars and no big trucks.

Last night the sound of the rain, thunder and lightning gave us an almost 1812 Overture inside this old mission home! Fabulous sounds on the tin roof and dripping off the eaves. Then during a pause in nature’s music, I heard a tiny little drip from a tiny secret little hole in the eave’s tin roof as it delivered a sweet little ping, ping, pong-its own quiet little song- outside our window against the fallen mango leaves.

 I am trying to share as much of what I see, learn, hear, answer as many of your questions as I can and get y'all as many pictures etc as I can. I have been posting as soon as we have electricity for long periods. So, please be patient with me for a few more blogs and all of the issues.

On way again to Kananga. Same road. Worse- after the night ‘s rain- more of the basically none existent road washed away.  Our driver can dodge a bunch but it is a major challenge on the first part of the road between the station and Kananga proper. Found out as we stopped at the hospital on the way to town that the Birthing tables have arrived at the hospital here on the station! Speedy! Thanks, Charles and all from San Antonio.

Once we arrived, we drove and saw all of the old memory places for Ken and Marcia in Kananga/Luluabourg as we knew it as kids and pre Mobutu’ name change orders. Water tower, Bonne Auberge - now Centre Protestant, Pax Clinic, Butcher, Movie Theatre, Sandy Marks’ Dental Clinic, where the old patisserie was and I got my Swan Éclair, what I call THE Circle and a few red flowers still ;)).  The smells entered the car as we drove; I kept asking Marcia is that coffee roasting? Tshiombe? Palm nuts roasting? Amazing- I got all smells right!

Next on to N’Desha - Old station . Roads not so bad- relatively speaking. Neat old houses.  Saw the old homes that belonged to the Halverstadts, Cranes, Vernon Andersons. Mary Crawford, Madge Rice, Audrey Brunkhurst Skelton the three different houses the Murrays lived in while stationed there, the Treasurer’s office, Dad Murray’s office, and the Soccer field.  We met the director at N’Desha school. Great English. When I told him my name he just beamed and hugged me. “You are my child. My family. My daughter is also N’Seya!” What a day! Life is good out here! 

Once back in Kananga we had to go by Western Union for Marcia- thanks, LeeAnn- and the printing press for the station. They are still -for some things- using the old Luebo printing press and actually still set some press by hand. Also got a few groceries. Marcia and I climbed out at one and the second one- much nicer- I let her go in alone. Guess what! She came out with 5 packages of P-Nut M&Ms for me and Snickers for Ken. Drinks for us all! Probably cost her an arm and a leg! It’s that Yaya thing! ;))

Marcia and I are in the back seat and remember, unless you are the lead dog- the view’s the same! ;) And when I’d say, “Ken, take that picture,”  it was too late! So I have learned that at Lubondai I will just walk it all. Getting in and out with a front seat that won't move forward is tough.

We came home after shopping to a set table, and lunch of rice, Kasai peas, turnip greens, beef and fresh mushroom gravy, AND iced tea!! Also a cook in the process of making bread. Life is good. Wifi and Hydro still working. However it is now pouring again so hope all stays working.  So I will post for today. Wednesday is supposed to be “go to Lubondai day.” But it is Congo. So I won’t count our goats yet! ;)

Have a great rest of the day!

Love ya! Me

62. Luayi, Tunemekele Nzambi. Remember? ( Praise God, From Whom All Blessing Flow.

Saturday night with no electricity sent most on to bed early. No bar across the street like at MPH.  But someone had a battery operated radio so we had music for awhile.  (I remember growing up -music from Ntolo’s village at nights at Lubondai.) Then all was quiet here and SO dark!

We had three choices for church today. The one here on the station that is mostly all of the school kids and Med students. A real Native village church with the log bench “pews” – unless you bring your own plastic chair. Or the church about 40_/- minutes away that is Marcia’s church. She often goes to it on the back of a motorcycle. She has a helmet of sorts! ;) What a missionary she is!

Left Tshikiji headed for Lukonga II for church at the church Marcia is a member of by the way of sort of heading to Mweka and sort of towards N’Desha – so now you know how we went. With sand pits to dodge and others to squiggle back and forth and get through, with washed out roads with gullies deeper the Land Cruiser, with sand pits as deep as the window of the Cruiser, with bunches of folks headed to Market and or church, with kids on the loose and little naked ones barely able to walk along the edges of the road, with bicycle loads of brick and charcoal – so heavy it was taking three grown men to push them up the hill, with dodging pot holes that at any minute can take out a tire, with the back end full of the Chauffeur’s family- Marcia did not know about-, with a stop along the way to pick up another man, with a stop at Pax to drop off the family, with a stop in the middle of a market place in Kananga to drop off the man, with being told we would have to leave at 12 noon because the car had to be back at 1 for an airport run, with Marcia calling the minister to tell him we had to leave at 12 and so lunch would have to be fast and with the car going so fast we all had a death grip on the handles in the car. It was a nerve wracking 40 minute trip with a queasy stomach when we arrived for me. Right into the minister’s dirt home we were escorted after shaking hands with the elders and other pastor. Dirt walls and pounded clay floor, the smell I remember of being inside of a hut, family then coming to shake our hands and mom and chicks scurrying out the back door. I asked to go see the Babas cooking out back and also a young boy warming the drum skins for church. They were so honored I came out back. Called the foods by name and that also went over well in addition that I did it in Tshiluba! Then I saw the kids and went to them! Took out my phone and began to take and share pictures. It was Christmas! They wanted to see Mama Nseya and Tatu Kueta and touch our white skin. Got cute pictures .“Take mine, Mama!”  No time to get poses just snap and go! Did get my phone recharged in the car on the gut wrenching, head banging drive so I was all set for pictures.

Church began at 9:30 and I immediately spotted the communion table all set up. (When we were at Lubondai my Dad had the industrial school guys make communion tables for all of the little nearby village churches. He had them carve into the front of each table- “Thus Do in Remembrance of Me”. After days of making the tables one of the students asked, “Tatu, how many tables do we have to make before you are sure we won’t forget you?”) ;)) We were seated in green plastic chairs of honor to the left of the pulpit. No sound system this time so we did not get blasted by the speakers. We sang, danced, and clapped and oh did we take up the offering. I lost count after 7 and each had its own labeled plastic trash can container for the offering. First were the kids, and then Elders, Deacons, Women, Men, Youth, Pastor’s New House, Charity and on. Each member has a tally sheet they are given as they arrive and they have to write down what they are giving at each offering and drop it in at some point. Even Marcia got a tally sheet!  They then get the tally sheets and if you are there and did not turn one in, they come call you on it.  One way to make budget- I guess! Then all of the announcements and a Treasurer’s report of what each church group has been giving. The kids of all ages sit together up front and are so very quiet and well behaved. Lady Deacon was watching them like a hawk! Then they asked Ken to speak. And he did a great job. Told them he was one of them and use to drink out of the same stream they were still using! They “Humm, Tatu.” and then clapped. Then the sermon. Then more singing etc. Then Communion. Then at 11:30 -as the preacher had promised Marcia- we followed the preacher etc out and started shaking hands with the Babas and all of the kids attacking Ken and me. One lady remembered Mom and Dad Murray from their time at N’Desha Station. Native lunch in the Pastor’s home. We were given a basin with water poured over our hands, a bar of soap and a towel.  Ok, this is what was served- bedia, rice, spaghetti, greens and eggplant, chicken in palm oil, whole fried fish, peanuts, palm oil gravy, pineapple and bananas. A feast. The men and the three of us ate and the rest waited. We left right away and were driven this time through the Congo Army Military Camp since the car has a pass on it and only IMCK people were in the car. Roads were just as bad and then we met back up with the road to this station and had the sand, gullies and pot holes to dodge. Do you know how you head feels when you have been on too many Fair rides or gone too fast on a curvy road? My head is all wooly.

Rumor is that the electricity we came home to is the hydro and not the generator. So maybe John was finally able to rig the Hydro one more time. Bless his heart!! It is VERY expensive to get a whole new one but the parts are not much cheaper- if they can be found.  So they keep getting it to last as long as possible. The diesel for the generator is horrible expensive -at least a barrel a day.

Skyped with our son Jon yesterday. A little more of a delay here than in Kinshasa but still clear. Got caught up on Soccer- Emery scored her first goal on her  6^th birthday. Her birthday party was at a ceramics place. Football and Homecoming at TTU and life goes on. Electricity went out mid conversation! Jon sent a video of Emery scoring and the little rascal pumped her arm like Tiger Woods when she finished!

We made oven fried chicken in the AM and partially cooked potatoes and Chinese cabbage while we had elec. Then when the lights came back on at 7PM we heated up the potatoes and cabbage, I made cream gravy and we had a great supper. Used a hand masher for the potatoes and had to make the milk so I could make the cream gravy and mashed potatoes. Fun!

Lights went off early so dishes were done by candle light using the Braille System! Was trying to get the blog off to all of you so I did not get scores. Last we knew Tech was behind. But apparently that changed! Yea! 5-0! We heated water and put it in a thermos so we could have hot tea and coffee this morning. It also rained during the night. A short gentle rain so I got to hear the first Kasai rain on the tin roof!

Bicycle bell! Sweet memory sound. Looked up and on the bike’s handle bars and holding on for dear life  was a baby about two, being peddled by a 4+ year old with his leg under the bar and then about a 6 year old YaYa sister keeping it all balanced and going.

Ken is still smiling. His absolute happiness on this trip has all but enabled me to check off my Bucket List of this trip etc for him. Still have Lubondai to get in for him and then we’ll see what’s in store next!

Woke up to radio music instead of choir music. So someone had their battery radio on.  Sound travels so out here! We also have not had the usual forever choir practices each night since the lights have been out.

Saturday was laundry day. They wash it in a rubber bowl/tub on the porch, beat/ smash it sort of all rolled up against the cement to help wash it and then spread it out all over the ground and the bushes and plants nearby for drying. It was also hair doing day. Most of the men in Kinshasa and here have their heads shaved. The women in Kinshasa wear wigs or hair turbans to match their outfits. Here there are some wigs- but not the expensive ones so they look “wiggy.” But also here the school girls and Med school nurses have close cut hair. But today at church I saw it all- the braids all sticking out, close cuts, extensions and wigs. Just “ Stylin’.”

I have not seen any slithery things. Have not seen those jumping African Cockroaches my science teacher showed us. But have seen the one critter I was looking forward to seeing!! ;)) The clearish body lizards that scurry up the walls and across the ceilings.  My friend, Gail, in Hawaii, hates lizards and they are everywhere there. Well, this one has an unusual survival technique. When the predator gets too close, the lizard drops his tail and scoots on to safety and on to grow another one in awhile. So when this chase happens above the table you can get some tail with your meal. Have not really gotten any mosquito bites here in the bush country. Marcia says they are only out at dusk and dawn and we aren’t. Plus here we are sleeping under the net.

We are the animals in the zoo. If we don’t keep the little privacy curtains drawn-the kids especially- just stand out there against the fence and watch- “Hello, Whitie”. Guess they haven’t heard about Political Correctness! ;) There are a total of 5 whites -now that we are here- on the whole station. Not many more in this whole area about the size of Texas. A long retired peace core man, an older and retired ,German, lady doctor that runs an orphanage and a couple of visiting folks that come and go in Kananga. The people out front always ask for money or food. Marcia says they really don’t expect it but live in hope. Once we have now said no for multiple days, they just sit and wait for a glimpse of us! Several Americans are working here as independents with specialties in agriculture, education, roads, water, etc but raise their own funds through their churches etc and do not tie themselves to PCUSA or CPC. Sort of their own boss. Many of the former missionaries here in Congo have gone to Zambia, Lesotho, Malawi- all English base language plus tribal ones and to Cameroons where they can still use their French. These countries sort of have more infrastructures, though I use that term loosely.

I have been in either a dress or a skirt since we left Kinshasa. Miss my slacks. From 1965 ish – 1990ish it was against Mobuto‘s laws for ladies to wear pants. For some reason some still tow the line. Not the younger ladies both here and in Kinshasa. Times are changing. When he became President it looked good. But when it was time for a democratic election- as demanded by the West, he won by 100%. There were only two ways to vote. A Green for Mobuto and a Red for no. Only at many of these ballot boxes there were no red markers.  Hummm. Names were changed, had to pray to Mobuto before school, and after his visit to China he had a Green Book like Mao’s Red Book. Kabila, the Father took over next with a huge military coup  in the early 1990’s when lots of the missionaries left- some for good and others to return later. Kabila tried to continue a lot of Mabuto’s ways. He was later killed- poison – I think. Now his son is the leader. I’ll admit all of this is gleaned in the last four months from conversations- probably slanted-from different folks around the MPH meal tables. So divide by 100 and it still is not enough to get you a cup of bad coffee. Politics is often an ugly and evil game and very profitable for those in it- no matter the country or the era – modern to ancient and even Biblical.

Well, the lights might go out unless it really is fixed. Tomorrow is Kananga and N’Desha – where Ken and Marcia lived. Then Lubondai sometime this week.

Have a great rest of the day! Have a great week.

Love Ya, Me

 

61. First Kasai Memories- Sights and sounds of Tshikaji

We have awakened each morning not only to the singing of the birds but to the pretty and harmonious voices of the school kids beginning the day with chapel. The music flows out over the whole station. Familiar old Hymns that folks my age all grew up with-not the new fangled stuff that I don’t yet recognize and can’t sing without the Power Point words or songbook-since I have not sung it for years like I have the hymns!

During the day the baby bushi and mikoko’s bleatings and their mother’s responses bring a smile as I remember those sounds. The scrawny, old, and very ugly rooster is flapping his wings, and strutting around as he crows. And the hens are still giving the “Are You kidding me?” look! ;) The piglets and mamas are all tethered (as are the sheep and the goats) for the most part. These three wreck havoc on the unfenced gardens. Once the first rain comes and gardens go in the chief orders all of these three -everything and anything eaters- be tethered until harvest. But it is Congo and, ”Sir, my goat is very smart! I don’t know how he got into your garden!” is tried every day!

Tshisuka grows all over the station at varying heights. Is only cut when someone from PCUSA pays just before a big Church meeting when USA folks are coming. Long ago the Belgians told/paid the chiefs to keep the roads and the grass cut. Now no one does it- “It’s not my job.”  However, the chiefs of some villages and former stations do have their people do the roads and “mow”. Different from tribe to tribe and their self pride. So right up to Marcia’s and then around her fence and in her yard it is “mowed.”  They use coup-coup (a swing blade-ish sort of contraption).So when I step back to get a picture of her whole house it looks like she lives in a grass and weed jungle. The tshisuka- grass- is still razor sharp on the edges. They still burn the grass right before the beginning of Rainy Season- even here on the station. Escaping critters are caught in traps set the opposite end from where the fire is started and then served in meals.

Marcia’s house is currently snow white. She had it painted while she was up in Kinshasa with us. It looks so pretty and makes the others look more neglected. As we sit in the living room there are two paths in front of Marcia’s house. One is a foot path and occasional motorcycle path and the other is large enough for the occasional car. One –like in days of old – does not have to look left or right. If a motor vehicle is moving anywhere on the station you can hear it and know to watch out. We still have to look up and down for slithery critters. I am wearing tennis shoes here. Flip flops only in the house. The constant parade of folks in front of the house runs the gamut. Men in suits and ties, barefooted folks in torn clothes, lady in a black velvet skirt and an Indiana University Men’s Basketball shirt, no naked folks as there were long ago, ladies on whose heads are huge loads of firewood, charcoal, or greens, and little boys with a bicycle rim and pushing/chasing it with a stick. As I sit by the window in the living room a little voice asks, “American Mama, can I jump the fence get that Mango on Mama Shangu’s side of the fence?” I tell him no – that he knows the rules. Over he jumps and gets it anyway. Smiles, says thanks and jumps back over. “To ask is not to steal” – no matter the answer they will take it. It’s Congo!

The medical school IMCK (Institute Medical Christian du Kasai) that use to be at Lubondai is now here at Tsikaji. I had heard two stories on why it was moved and got it verified by Marcia. Lubondai is off the beaten path, poor roads and beyond it are not church work areas. So it’s sort of a dead end. Pretty valley views but sort of “a bridge to no-where” location. Plus there were some tribal issues that made it difficult for other tribes who had families in the hospital. So the school was moved here. Although I am not sure about the ”good roads’ part here either. So Lubondai, had its a “Pretty Woman” moment- “Mistake, BIG mistake!” Oh Well- It’s Congo and my tribe is better than yours is still a way of life here. Amazing!! Guess the “Cutting your nose off to spite your face,“ has not been heard of here! Hospital protocol is still that when you have a sick family member in the hospital, you have to send a woman to cook for them. The hospital tried feeding the sick but it became cost prohibitive.

With no electricity as a constant I am having withdrawals.  Guess I am addicted. I may have to have a Facebook and internet “Intervention” after I write my last blog. I really miss reading the news about home area, USA, and World.  Also Sports and Weather. So where are the hurricanes? Dangerous ones? Is our government still screwed up? Never mind! That is an oxymoron!  It’s a Someone, so No One does what Everyone could do!! As I got from a friend- “Don’t try to explain yourself to Stupid! You are not a Jackass Whisperer!” So two of our three branches of government qualify! End of my Soap Box!

If the hydro still has issues, I will try to get a word blog out as often as I can- but this writing on paper is killing me because I am so use to thinking and moving things and re-writing and cutting and pasting! So if necessary, I will do all of the pictures when I get back to Kinshasa. Sorry, but as you know, that part takes me hours and the electricity is only on for two hour intervals. It’s Congo!

We walked the Tshkaji station this morning when it is cooler. Well… guess it’s all relative! This is a former Belgian school compound and then an APCM and now a PCUSA one. I can’t keep up with all of the initials of Presbyterian churches. ;)) It’s like these African countries- what are their names this week? I still know my 7^th grade Congo History names. What ever  happened to Rhodesia? Oh well!  It’s Lenore!

Anyway the design here is a little different from the stations we grew up on. What’s cool is the Congolese have made the little foot paths where they want them like they did when I was here in Congo last! (But so did the Texas Tech students. So Tech didn’t make paths to new buildings until the students began to walk a path into the grass and then they put the path there! Smart!!) The houses here are all in need of repair and some are showing neglect more than others. Depends on who lives in them and the pride they take in their home. While out walking we ran into several folks that had stayed at MPH and were delighted to see me. Word had spread of Ken’s mastery of Tshiluba still and they ran out to talk to him and verify. “Kai,Kai Kai, Tatu! Your Tshiluba is perfect!” Big thrilled smiles. Sweet!

Next guest was a young lady that sat next to Marcia on the plane. She rode here on the back of a cycle. She just came out to see us. Then the reason, would we pay her apartment’s rent.  Told her thanks for coming but we tell all no because  if we can’t pay for all we will pay for none. She was gracious and left.

Artisan’s began at 7 AM to knock on the door to be the first to try to sell their wares. Told them I had done my shopping in Kinshasa. Also that we had grown up here and already had a lot of things in our home. So it has slowed down.

Yesterday beggars came to her door asking for hospital $ and food. She is so good and patient with them. Some of the beggar folks worked for former missionaries our folk’s age. “ But, Mama, we wrote them and got no money from them.”They think we all still know each other all over the place and are still the age when we left!  Guess they don’t have Alzheimer here and nursing homes and… So sweet Marcia gives for those missionaries and the kids of those same missionaries who are not here and probably never got a letter. Having been here 4+ months begging happened at first in Kinshasa, now a perfect stranger that we were nice and spoke to on the plane comes begging and I am sure it will happen at Lubondai It gets old – and Marcia says they come back to here at least once a month!  It’s Congo!

I have sketched out on my computer and numberedthe buildings on the Lubondai station as it was when I was there. (I am not a draftsman!) I have drawn what I remember and who lived in which house when I was there. So if you think of it as your house and I think of it as __’s house, sorry! My goal is to take a picture of every building still standing and tell you what it is. I can’t remember who told me not to send any pictures. So I will try to remember to announce not to read Blog #__ if you don’t want to see Lubondai. But hey, I’m GOING there and we’ve had that discussion! Lots of you have sent requests of things you want pictures of while we are there. We will do our best. We will have two phone cameras and a little camera. And I am sure I will take pictures on the way so…Also barring any road issues we will only be there 3-4 hours. So, “Que, Sera Sera!”- What will be, will be!  And it’ll be just the way you like it!, RIGHT?? Be careful how you answer that!! ;))

Have a great rest of the weekend.

Love Ya!, Me

60. AH!!! Sweet Home Again! Sweet Home!

 All  were out at MPH to wave goodbye. Neat. Plans were set for a welcome wreath etc. on Dunn’s door. Papa Mata had made us a lunch. I had told Helen to be there before I left and she was actually there at 8:30- she usually mosies in about 10.   Marcia is the Yaya- the oldest girl- after the death of Betty Lou. Their job is to take care of all of the younger kids. If any get hurt it’s her fault! So she mother hened us all through immigration and luggage and protocol. So we were spoiled by YaYa!

Scenes in Kinshasa proper were the same as we headed to Njili Airport.  Saw the rock crushers- they sit and crush -with a sort of pestle -large rocks into 50 cent size rocks. Sit all day for days and make a mountain of rocks and then get another load and start again. Also the Kinshasa version of United Van Lines- a push-push loaded. It is a sort of trailer basket sort of thing for hauling by hand. One hires them to move almost anything! Ladies with “head Bread” (carrying a tub of bread) were selling their bread next to the guy urinating on the wall.  It is such a filthy city of ever present trash. Once we hit the construction area cars were driving anywhere to get into the two lanes over the bridge. They are also trying to build a cloverleaf- but now it is red clay mud and added to the mess and confusion. Since there were no cement barriers -cars were all over – at us, beside us going a different way every other car.  Ambulances were ignored in the traffic- no one moved. But the black, tinted window, flashing lights- Lexus SUV got everyone moving. Police saluted it! Motorcycles zooming everywhere. Seeing the airport area for the first time was a shock. It was bad in the dark on arrival but worse in the daylight. I can’t imagine being the group from Montana that ran at night in that area all the way to catch their plane – with or without a police escort. We got right into the airport with no hassles. Having Jeffrey Travel –whose drivers make the trip many times daily was a blessing. He knew the sneak in areas. Then when we got to the airport our car did not get inspected- guess the bribes had already been paid. ;)) Went to their private AC area to get carry on weighed, passports stamped and wait comfortably. Went to the restroom. New definition of filth. Unisex one- as I was told to go on and enter there were men standing there peeing- the Congolese version of a man who can hit an antelope at 250 yards but can’t hit the toilet or urinal! At least I had a door. Luckily I had taken Kleenex. I don’t think I have enough hand sanitizer with me! ;) Did spot a snack bar- cheese and salami in a baguette "Head Bread". She had hot mayonnaise too- not from heat but sitting out with the flies. Guess two proteins for the price of one! ;)

Travel by plane on a National carrier in a third world country is so different! The plane leaves when they want, they hold the plane for folks- when they want to, cancel when they want to, and bump you for someone else when they want to. Police with machine guns are ever present. Yes, loaded, I asked!  They can re-search you and your luggage at the bottom of the plane’s steps- if they want to!  But real security is a joke. Said we could bring what we wanted through. Then he liked the look of my bug spray for cloth and took it saying I could spray it in the pilot’s eyes. They were talking about the nice big bottle and I did not bother to tell them it is for cloth only and can burn and cause sores on the skin. Paybacks are heck! Weird thing was that they let me keep a small bottle of the same thing!! They let all three water bottles through. Wands and scanners for bags. Then into the waiting room.  They had cooling fan deals but not really working very well since all the security doors to outside were open a good deal of the time The fan near us was not a pleasure because- a man with major BO and wearing a dashiki -was trying to cool off in front of it! Gag!! Ate more of our picnic since we were there way early. Then through screening again to leave for the plane- men in one line and Mamas in anotherfor personal searches.  Man looked at briefcases and a woman looked at my bag asked me to drink a sip of water and took it anyway! Then both lines re-joined so one MAN could up close screen us with a wand that kept not working. Then out to get on a bus to ride 40 yards. Then inspection of bags- at his discretion- again and another wand man!! Little kids screaming, Smoked fish stinking, no live animals and life in a Congo airport as we know it.  Saw more modern clothing than Congolese outfits. Stylish. Men and women have unbelievabaly pointed shoes! Little girl about 10 dressed in a formal off the shoulder formal dress.

Doors to the tarmac were locked until a lady tried to go out the open door and put her key in it. Key would not come out. But while the doors were locked- if you wanted out you went to the door behind the curtains and it was open and you could get out that way. There were a million ways to get to an airplane! Scenes inside were fun to watch as they are at all airports. Women kissing each other three times, men head butting three times side to side, make up and wig bags like long ago, safari suits for many of the men, muslim garb, folks harking wares and were finally going down in price because no one was buying their stuff. Cell phones at every ear including the folks doing security.

Our last Restroom break made the other one look like a palace! And again we paid 50 cents to use the unisex place that they were saying was clean with the cleanser they were walking around with. NOT!! No water in the toilet or urinals. Men peeing again. There was soap on the sink and the blow dryer worked! ;))

Area got hotter as the day progressed. I was past Southern Dewey and we Southern girls are not supposed to get past Dewey. My hair was drenched.  Once we got on the plane it was cooler. Same sepal we get on the planes everywhere. Clear the couloirs/aisles/halls. Until the very end of boarding we were able to have empty seats by us! Lunch was a burger in aluminum foil with a tiny pill dispenser container deal of ketchup and mayonnaise and fizzy pineapple juice and a sealed glass of water. Was good.

The air trip was a little bumpy as we flew towards the interior. Rainy Season storms formed boiling clouds and lightning was screaming across the sky off a little to the right of the plane. Mother Nature was letting us know she knew we were coming home. It was as if she knew we had left the big dirty city and were headed for the grassy plains- green again from the new and frequent rains.

My face was pressed against the window looking for a memory scene of villages below. The plane was full of Tshiluba words at machine gun pace. My ears were able to easily hear- after 4 months- the words-“Home, Food, Family, Funeral, Surprise for Mama, Are we there yet? ;)  

Had to pay a bribe to get Ken in to Kananga. The man said Ken’s visa was no good. It is just like mine but one number different.  Son of a Biscuit! Our protocol guy from here at the station took care of it. Luckily it was not me because the P-nut M&Ms are gone other chocolate from Ruthie and David( Not John- don’t know where that came from—Sorry!!) are in checked luggage,  Patient Panties are wearing thin and I am not sure I would have kept my mouth zipped and the “get a life look” from my face! Got luggage without a bribe- just a tip. Saw our first Sagger- droopy pants- on a Congolese. Funny and pathetic and folks gave him grief- big time and laughed in his face. He was wearing mariachi type pants with the brads on the legs, a cowboy shirt with fringe, a hat like the father in Sound of Music, and strutting like a peacock! Lots of clicking of teeth which is real disapproval. Folks arrived with lots of crying because there was the madilu noise. Baggage guys trying to get and deal with folks grabbing for bags. (Bags were dragged/pulled from the plane by hand on baggage carts. Police everywhere BUT several of the guns I saw were held together with masking tape. Unorganized chaos!

In a car for 5 we had 8 plus luggage and a stop by Pax to get hospital supplies. Chauffeur finally said no more- someone would get it the next trip in. One Passenger was a man that stayed at MPH last week. Small world.

Road to Tshikiji was very washed out. The rains had helped a little with the sand pits. Roads got progressively smaller and worse as we approached the station. By the time we arrived it was all but dark. So unloaded, found and lit candles and flashlights since there was no electricity and generator was to only be come on 7-9 ish. I had progressed from warm to warmer to warmest!

Marcia’s home is so nice and cute. A two bedroom one bath with living room, Dining room and kitchen. Front and back porches.  All of the furniture is Craftsman like and so pretty. Couch, chairs and rocker all with cushions. She has turned it into a home and not a house. Pretty curtains. It is real close to the path to and from the school and hospital so it sounds like they are in the house with us. And of course we can ease drop and understand every word they are saying.

The sentry/gardener was waiting to let us in the gate. He has a great garden with lettuce, kale, corn coming, onions, radishes, egg plant, tomatoes & green peppers. Trees in the yard are mango, avocado and papaya. He uses the short hoe. I remember some missionary at Lubondai being so excited about bringing out long hoes for the workers so they would not have to bend over all day. By the second day all of the handles had been cut off to short!  My culture- My way!

Marcia’s cook had left flowers on the table for us- gardenias, impatients and an orange flower that is sort of poppy looking. He also prepared treats to welcome us home. Mango sauce and plantain chips - the old Kasai flavors we know. Beautiful! Excellent! (It was like tasting again your favorite meal your Mom fixed when you were a child at home!) The Fletchers had asked us over for supper and we had tuna fish casserole, carrots, mango sauce, peas and carrots. Then she surprised us with bellibellies and oatmeal crisps for supper. MMMM good. Taste memories!!

We slept in a double bed beneath a mosquito net hung on the rectangular form- like I had as a little girl -instead of the little round one.  Thumps of mangoes on the metal roof through the night as they fell from the trees also brought memories. No Air Conditioning. No breathing machine for Ken- and he was not too loud-no fan either with no electricity. It was “can’t see your hand in front of your face” dark! (Cool -as I am typing –I  just heard train whistle!!  First one in 4+ months!!) ;)) Anyway, I remembered all of this because Beth Gold asked me to be sure to take paper and write notes so I wouldn’t forget one thing if I ran out of battery power. Of course, another one of you is saying ”where does she find all of these words!” ;)

My first morning in the Kasai was a different chorus of bird calls except the Kingfisher that I recognized from Kinshasa. We are also getting to enjoy the mocking sounds and caws of the two African Gray parrots next door at the Fletchers. Then there was also a rooster, dogs -other than a Basenji that can’t bark-  and goats joining the chorus. Have not seen a single cat!!!

For our first breakfast in the Kasai we had a fresh papaya, granola with all ingredients from here, and home-made cinnamon rolls left by the cook. Before we finished -the welcoming us home continued from last night. They want to shake our hands, give us gifts and say prayers with us. One lady came by with a baby – about 2 or so tied on her back. I spoke to him in Tshiluba. “Mama, we are only teaching him French.”  I switched languages and he spoke to me. So cute. Word is also spreading that we may be going to Lubondai -so now everyone and his cousin wants a ride. We are full is our story after one or is it two and we are sticking to it- I hope!

After breakfast we sat on the back porch. The folks begging get to be too much on the front porch. Because she has finally gotten her yard fenced things are sort of considered hers if they are on this side of the fence. However a stick and a machete can help a mango jump that fence to the other side!;))

The hydro is having major issues and John Fletcher – a surgeon by trade and a mechanic by hobby has been working on it for a week. We get  generator lights from 11-?  until the surgeries are done and again from 7-9PM  until he gets it fixed. He had to make some tools before he could do some of it!

Home is even prettier when you return after a long absence! We are back and some things are gone from sight but not memories. The people are not gone. Their joy at seeing us- “the children of people” in their tribal lore- is awe inspiring! It is just us- Ken and me.  Kueta and Nseya-but to them it is something different! They are indeed thrilled to see, touch and listen to us! And we have never met any of them. I did not even live on this station. But we are home and we are family! Home is the love and excitement in their eyes. We can feel our Congo life begin anew as we see each face!  Seeing that this “long ago home” has survived makes me realize that even though life and buildings will change or no longer be there, our Congo Home won’t! We did leave something here - the land, the heady air, the sunset hour, the PEOPLE… We CAN “Go Home Again!” A part of us is still here! Wow!! Home is indeed a state of mind- for me, it is having Ken at my side as we have made this trip.

All is new and yet not. Different -yet the same. The same- yet different. Our memories are flowing like beads off of a string!

We left here fast and suddenly 53 years ago. We are coming HOME to our yesteryears- where our different memories run rampant. It is amazing what our hearts and minds are feeling. So different from the feelings and sights we had in Kinshasa!

My cute Ken! He took out a chair to the front porch and is visiting in Tshiluba with everyone on the path. Having a ball ! What a guy I was lucky enough to marry!

Sorry this was so long. Have a great weekend!

Love Ya! Me

59. "Let Mikey Eat It! Mikey Will Eat Anything!"

“Ruthie Bobb”( We called her that when she was iddy-biddy) Shadd and John were worried about me only having 2 P-Nut M&Ms left so they brought me some Amarula Chocolates from South Africa. They are made from the fruit of the Marula tree and are the ones you “hear” about the monkeys and elephants getting drunk eating. So hey- guess my last days here will be GREAT!!!! Yee! Haw! Thanks Shadds! Although, I’m not sure if she was calling me a monkey or an elephant! – or both!! ;)).

 Inventory on food and meat count done and it was good. Budget done and I don’t have to deal with the MPH money again. Have I told you I don’t like math!!?? However, I have been dead on for the last 15 weeks and three times I was right and Helene had to figure it out! She may have just done that to make me feel good!! It worked!

Mango sauce is being made in the kitchen. Sloppy Joes for supper, fresh fruit, mango sauce, French Fries and chocolate cake!  Have some carbs! Congolese chow for lunch. Sorry that we won’t be here for lunch on Thursday for Chicken Muamba one more time! It is SOOO good. (Mwambe is a way of cooking chicken with peanut sauce and palm oil.) But we will be here for it on our return trip Thursday before we leave Congo-Ken will be thrilled.

We have been eating Congolese menus daily at our lunches here at MPH. Congolese meals are usually made up of bedia/fufu along with a green vegetable and meat in the form of a stew. The bedia is a paste or mash made of cassava/manioc and/or corn flour. It is eaten family style- usually from a few bowls holding the main dishes . The bedia is rolled into golf ball-sized balls and dipped into the stew. Plantains, sweet potatoes, beans and rice can also be served. There is always a green vegetable such as cassava leaves, tshitekutaku/ matamba (a spinach-like plant) or okra. Just add more dips and pinches of stuff to your bedia. (Only the right hand is used in eating and dipping into the bowls- because it is an insult to conduct any transaction with the left hand, which is used only for bathroom purposes.). Here at MPH we use silverware not our hands.

The mighty Congo and other huge rivers make fish readily available out here. We have eaten El Capitan at several restaurants while here in Kinshasa and it was very good!! They say the salt water ones are much better than the fresh water ones. Whatever I ate was good. Their fish are baked, boiled , fried, smoked or salted(and  the last two STINK!). One Congolese restaurant in downtown Kinshasa serves the still popular goat- it was hanging outside by the grill- minus his head! Edible insects such as grasshoppers, flying ants and caterpillars are also added to the stews or meals -no they don’t taste like chicken- they tend to have a nutty flavor. Have not eaten them this trip but those taste memories are still there from when we ate out in the back yard in the sentry’s hut or in Ntolo’s village. In the traditional way of eating that was done when we were here 53 years ago, the women of the villages still serve the men first and they and the children get to eat what is left when the men are finished. Even the bedia served here at MPH is prepared by the wife of one of the cooks. “Women’s work” he explained.

Our packing continues- a sort of a reverse of coming out here with one less suitcase than when we came out. We used that one to fill up with for stuff for Marcia. We will finalize that tonight and weigh what we are taking up country- since we check in bags Wednesday for our Thursday flight.  CAA will wrap each suitcase in shrink sort of wrap tape so we’ll believe they are secure. Ok... ;)

News Bulletin! Electrical problems on Marcia’s station -issue with the hydro plant. So it is station generator in the daytime-for the hospital- and then off. So unless it is fixed we really will be living like in the old days in Congo!! Marcia has candles and flashlights, a small Congolese charcoal stove to boil the reddish water to be able to drink it (It has stained her water bottle) and to cook on. Cool! An “inside” camping trip in Congo. It’ll be like in Girl Scouts at CS when Marcia was my Junior Scout Leader- only those were outside- usually at the Dam! ;)) Wow!!

Well, Bye from Kinshasa. If there are Electrical issues in Kananga- I won’t have internet access. Sooo. Off to the Groceries!!

Love Ya! Me

58. My Little Brother and "Big Brother" Are Reading My Blogs!

It’s amazing and sort of aggravating! I was just looking on the net to see if by chance I could find OLD pictures of Lubondai -I wanted to compare them to what I will be seeing. Low and Behold! I did find some – the ones I have been posting on my blog! Well duh! “Big Brother Google” has actually put up some of my blog pictures. Gee, I guess nothing is private on this thing. My Grandmother, Bonka, always said,”Don’t write on a piece of paper anything you don’t want read against you in a court of law!” Now, of course it applies to the net.(I always stressed this golden nugget to my students who were forever leaving notes on the floor and in desks and would turn 2 million shades of red when I pulled one out and threatened to read it! Never did- but they got the point!) I am amazed at what key words made my blogs jump to Google’s attention. Oh Well! Now I guess complete strangers can see what a strange sense of humor I have and -Bless Their Pea Pickin’ Little Heart’s -Ken did not even get a chance to apologize to them first!! ;))

The cooks are making a mango cobbler for tonight and I will share my vanilla Birthday ice cream with everyone! (Thanks, Inge! The chocolate is long gone!!) Can’t wait! Had mango sauce last night made by another cook and it was sooo good- they each have their way of making the sauce- the first night one was more like pudding and last night’s was more apple sauce type! Made this time with more greenish ones and that gives it a totally different taste. Memory taste buds had a blast!! Out here as kids- well I got a kid or the cook to get one for me, but Ken and friends would throw another mango to knock down an even better one! Oh, fresh off the tree with the sap sticking to one’s fingers is the best. The mangos were and are so good! We have also been eating them sliced here in the Apartment.

Some emails about Mangoes in response to a note to classmates from Ken:

Hi Ken,

I do love mangoes! We can get them here, but too often they do not have much flavor. If you get to Lubondai, check and see if the Coop shop is still there. If it is still there and you have nothing better to do, go down to the dam and get some lime and give the place a new white wash :). Fond memories. I wonder if the old generator is out back. I suppose the water tower that we put the antenna on is still there. Wasn't there an orchard of some sort back by the generator building? Shannon and I were given plots to work back there for throwing erasers in class - I never worked mine - not sure how I got away with that. Have you felt safe? How are the roads that you travel on? Say Hi to Marcia and Lenore for me.   Love, Harry Bolton

Hey Ken,

As a kid I remember things probably much larger than they really were. Could you take a picture of the water tower at CS if it is still there? I would also like to see the church building in the middle of the station. I have heard that it is in poor repair. I would also like to see any buildings that you take pictures of like around CS and the homes where we used to play. Also maybe the old school rooms and the chapel. I wish I were there with you to see the old stomping grounds. One of the things I remember well was the two of us sitting in the room at the back of the school where the generator used to be and eating cheese. I don't know why I remember this well, but I do. That must have been in the eighth grade. I believe we were the only boys in the class full of girls. I hope you continue to have a good time. Are you planning to be in Montreat any time soon? We are in Montreat now until early November. I haven't had a decent mango or guava sent we left Congo in 1960, 53 years ago. Ann sends her love to you and Lenore. It would be great to spend some time with both of you.     Philip Jung

We began packing today. We will leave most of our stuff here in a storage closet instead of hauling it all to Marcia’s. It is a nice service MPH provides for folks who are on “come and go” trips here in Kinshasa. In the next few days we will move into a room so the apartment can be cleaned. We will then fly the Congo Airways Airline to Kananga on Thursday and then by car the 15ish miles on to Marcia’s. Our flight is at 1 o’clock PM – “maybe” - so we have a pick-up service for the three of us- they want us ready at 5 AM- for the airport to go the 15+ miles. It’s Congo!  We will also take a picnic lunch just in case! Marcia will have taken our luggage to check it in the day before- apparently there is less hassle and bribes this way and is done by most travelers for any airline to avoid the zoo at the airport. We’ve already reserved and paid for the same service to help us with our luggage and take us to the airport for our trip to Brussels.  Extra stuff- baggies we used to secure stuff, unused lotion, suntan lotion, shampoo, Kleenex, envelopes, bug spray, Crystal Lite packets etc. we will leave with Marcia. While she is doing the check in of luggage Ken and I will be doing our last of the grocery shopping trip for MPH and telling all our new ”friends” goodbye.

After 5 months of the same outfits- it’ll be a long time before I wear them again- plus it’ll be cold weather when we get home the end of October. The whites are so stained by the water here that they are a sort of gray-ish color. Marcia says after the trip to her area the whites will also have a red cast. So maybe I’ll just a try a mega Clorox and baking soda treatment  when we get home and if that does not help it’s off to the trash dumpster or the fire pit! Then I have a reason to go lingerie shopping in DFW!!

Ken is listening to 104.3 Radio App from Lubbock. They are talking football -both college and NFL. Oh- it is great to sit here and listen!  Aggies won. Yea!! Thanks for the score updates! USC just fired Lane Kiffin! Wow!!  We are reading on line and the USC folks sound as rabid as the folks at U of Texas do (or “tu” as Aggies call it!) about Mac Brown. Tough way to make a living- especially for families! We use to get amazing messages- from supposedly educated people- left on our answering machine when Tech had a bad season. Had to tell our boys they could not listen to messages until we did!   Geese-Ken was the trainer- never did make any play calls in the 30+ years we were there! I think they just got the Media Guide and called every number! Whew, folks take their football seriously. Never got calls during basketball season. ;))

Ants and centipedes are making themselves at home here at MPH. I don’t dare get out of bed in the dark without my flip flops on. A lot of crunching-as I walk- going on! The cooks say the critters are coming in looking for water. Guess there will be less once we get the daily rains of Rainy Season.

Several questions to answer:

Yes we feel safe. We are always together and have the Chauffeur. I have a death grip on my purse. Most of the security guys now meet us and offer me their arm to help me out of the car! I love being spoiled! Our car has been stopped by the police but they just wanted to see car forms. I know to never give them my passport- just a copy of it. In fact our passports are locked up in the safe and we only go about town with a copy. MPH is in a compound with sentries.

Tires and Roads: Most tires- that I have made a point to look at when we get to lights -have no tread left. Smooth as a baby’s tush! They still use tubes in the tires here and they wear with the sand. And as you said they could also be substandard and patched till there is no where left to patch! The roads are terrible in various parts of the city. What makes one road considered a main city road and therefore sort of paved and the road leading to it not, is beyond me! It‘s Congo. Some of the pot holes- well, one could lose an elephant in them! And they say the holes are worse in Rainy Season! WOW!! And we really haven’t been out in the bush except when we went to see the Bonobos. So no telling what we will see up country. Plus it is already raining up there.

Speaking of red lights- they have a visual countdown of how much longer you have until the light turns green. Not that folks pay attention unless it is at the corner by the UN building and Blvd. 30 Juin. There they’ll stop you for looking funny! The red lights are only on the boulevard. The rest of town has stop signs and Police “looking” at traffic most of the time as opposed to directing it. But to be fair- there is no way to direct this mess. The best way I can describe it is -take I 30,I20,I35 mixmaster in DFW at 5PM and have folks leaving DFW decide- “Hey look the other side coming into Dallas has room….Let’s just drive over there going this direction.”  It’s Congo!

Clothes from the Tailor:

Ken got two scrub shirts that he likes to use as PJ tops and a neat shirt. All custom fitted. He really liked that! Do they do that in the States he asked? I may have created a monster!  I got a lined vest, two skirts, two jackets, pair of pants and a gaudy shirt. “Ten $ for transport, Mama and $135 for all of the rest, is that ok?”  Try that in the USA!

Clint’s Promotion Ceremony:

Yes, I made it through the evening. Jon sent pictures of Clint and all- almost as soon as it was over. He also did a video for us. So have that to look forward to when we get home!! Thanks for your kind comments and patience putting up with my “over brags!” It was a tough thing- for me especially- to miss. Ken was stoic about it. So now Clint needs to make General and we need to live long enough to go to that ceremony!

Your memories of Clint were just heart warming...tear jerking...loving! One could definitely "see" him growing up with his future in his "gut"...right from the start! ….It's just so "Murray" for him to honor Master Sergeant Robles by asking him to give him the Oath! When he went everywhere with tiny soldiers in his pockets, could you ever have imagined Colonel Clinton K. Murray?! Can't imagine how every proud you must be of him! It's so very reassuring to know that our nation is led and protected by such a man! Can you imagine that....the Nation! Oh, Mama! And it was so sweet how you described his girls knowing the difference in his love for his country/job and his love for them! Such a great man needs to feel the love of his loved ones backing him up...and I know Colonel Murray has never had to wonder about that a day in his life! Be safe, my friend! Gail North

Is it still rough out there?

It’s all relative.  Rough- to an American- is an unanswerable question out here. Missionaries are a different breed of cats for sure- or they better be!  We have not been up country yet so I reserve more of that answer until later.

When you get home, you should revert to the 60's and burn your undies...not bras this time...patient panties! BTW, "needy missionary" would have sounded like an oxymoron to me before my extended journey through missionary madness courtesy of your blogs!

Lenore, give us your true opinion of how Congo is now.

I usually tell folks, “If you don’t want to know don’t ask me!” However, with “Big Brother Google” now on the scene, and no telling who all is reading this blog- other than the friends and family I started with-, and the fact that some of you apparently have views angrily different about the past here in Congo from mine, and someone called “Anonymous” is now commenting on my blogs, and Bonka’s “ Don’t ever write anything…” ringing in my ears-- that answer will have to be a face to face conversation depending on who you are, where we are, if I’ve had a Strawberry Daiquiri and how comfortable I feel answering it.  And does my opinion really matter? Nope! ;) So, I guess I will just stick with a Jack Webb’s “Dragnet” approach- “Just the facts, Mam, Just the facts.” – As I see them of course! ;))))) Those of you who really know me have been reading between the lines and already know what my opinion is! Tee Hee!!

Prayers for MPH while we are “alone”.

That is why I am writing an email to you Have you met Wayne and Katherine Niles. They are American Baptist. like myself. and like Glen and Rita Chapman and Ed and Miriam Noyes. Miriam is on her way to the states soon. Anyway, Wayne is a handy man!!!!. If you have an emergency, call or email Wayne.
His email is____, Katherine is ___ I do not have their phone numbers but maybe you could contact them. They live on the Baptist compound. I have not heard you mention any Americans in your blog. I hope you have got to meet David and Ruthie Schaad, Niles, Chapmans, Lowerys, Noyes, etc. I am praying for you as you finish out your 4 month stay. You have been a blessing and a mentor to the cooks and many at MPH. Thanks for being patient. I love the patient panties. Joyfully in Christ, Jeanie Clark Trout, in Congo from 1956-1974, 2008

We have met all of these delightful and helpful folks! Niles are out of town for these three weeks! See a lot of the others at English church and several times here for one of the BBQs.  Miriam has brought gorgeous lettuces from her garden. The Lowerys is/are the preacher- and wife Jill- where we go on Sundays. Have an 8 1/2x11 sheet of paper with all of their phone numbers plus assorted others. Only 2 ½ more days- keep “praying without ceasing”- and then Clay will be here and he “speaks” repairs. Whew!!

So I’ll sign off. Have a great week.
Love Ya! Me

57. Whew!

 Type A ‘Ole Personality me- when I taught school, I went in early- way before we had to report to work. I got three or more weeks of lessons done, copies made, (before the Xerox machines were crowded or broken), and my room decorated (or “living room” as they called it) for my kids. I brought and served a meal for all the Janitorial and Maintenance folks and then took the Principals and Secretaries out for lunch. (“Paybacks” for that were great! A Janitor can always take a long time to get to your room when a student “hurls” if you have been rude to them- or not! The AC- I didn’t care about the heat- ;)) can also take a long time to fix or not!) I was amazed, when I retired, how many of the blue collar staff told me I was one of the few teachers who knew them by name! Anyway, as a school year began to wind down and my Seniors had really begun to file their brains elsewhere, I too was ready to close the grade book for another year. I was at the “WHEW!” stage. Been there, done that-stage! At the “Show me the way to go home, I’m tired and I want to go to bed”-stage ( Not the drink part- but, hey, maybe that would have helped!). “Not sure where my brain was either”- stage!

Well, Whew! Five Days left. However, just as in school, I have to keep the Patient Panties at the ready (I have only 2  P-nut M&M’s left!), keep cleaning MPH- trying to keep things clean and ready to go before needed- and keep things running, have fun with folks (have taught them a lot of my favorite Tshiluba words and we all use them for “situations” here at MPH!), let them know I really do care and understand as well as I can. One of the cooks asked to come home with us in Ken’s pocket. He would love to work for us because we are like “the old Missionaries, Papa” and “Pas de sauce de tomate, Mama!” Sweet!

Clint’s promotion ceremony to Colonel went well. Jon videoed it for us! So we will get to see it all in a month! As I told those of you on Facebook, his Oath of Office was given to him by Master Sergeant Daniel Robles- a double amputee. Clint has been taking care of this man since 2006 and asked him to do the Oath. He has massive infections that re-appear in his legs. So far they have been able to keep his legs below the knee- which gives more “freedom” with his artificial legs. Many of the infections are now resistant to the “regular” antibiotics. So Clint tries old drugs and combinations to control it again for a few months. For those of you who have seen Clint speak or seen his slides, Master Sergeant Robles is the very graphic picture on the OR table in the tent. One question Robles kept asking Clint was why they couldn’t save his legs. Clint invited him to one of his presentations and at the end introduced him to the crowd. Later after the slides and presentation Master Sergeant told Clint, that he could now finally-after seeing the pictures for the first time- understood why the “legs” could not have been saved. When Clint’s girls were younger they prayed nightly for “Master Sergeant Robles.”

It POURED last night. Rainy Season started September 15^th, but no one told Mother Nature. It had already rained three times by then. A friend here at MPH shared this poem with me when she heard I was including poems in my blog. This little poem describes it so well that I’m just using it! I didn’t have to work and think in “poem-ery!!”  I wish I could down load the unbelievable sounds of the thunder and lightning here. Considering my luck with pictures I am not going to make a recording. Just take my word for it or go to your memories! Since all of the Living areas at MPH are open screens to the outside- a storm here is quite sobering! Can scare the Patient Panties off a person! So far the rains have arrived in the order of this poem. But all tell me Mother Nature often just does the last two stanzas!

Listen to the Rain

 

Listen to the rain,

The whisper of the rain,

The slow soft sprinkle,

The drip-drop tinkle,

The first wet whisper of the rain.

Listen to the rain,

The singing of the rain,

The tiptoe pitter-patter,

The splish and splash and splatter,

The steady sound of the rain. 

Listen to the rain,

The roaring, pouring rain,

The hurly-burly topsy-turvy

Lashing, gnashing of teeth rain,

The lightning-flashing

Thunder-crashing

Sounding, pounding, roaring rain,

Leaving all outdoors a

A mishy, mushy, muddle puddle.

Listen to the quietude,

The silence and the solitude of after-rain,

The dripping, dripping, dropping,

The slowly, slowly stopping,

The fresh, wet, silent after-time of rain.

Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault

 

So I will close for this post. Wasn’t going to take my computer to Kananga etc. But realized I could not do the blog with out it. So it is going!

Love Ya! Me