We have just returned from a weekend in the Congo: what an adventure! Our “tour guides” were Randy and Alice Matthewson, long-time friends. Randy and Alice served for ten years (1986-1996) as full-time missionaries at the oldest Free Methodist mission in the Congo. In 1996, when civil war broke out, they had to escape for their lives. Now retired, they are back for 2-4 months at a time. Presently, they are helping the local people rebuild from the damages inflicted during the war.
The mission has a major hospital, and a school of Nursing at a village called Nundu. Alice, who is a nurse, was eager for us to visit the school and tour the hospital. We were impressed at the fine job they are doing at Nundu, with such meager resources.
The hospital at Nundu has no electricity, and for two years has been without water. While we were there, we expected to put in place the last valve to supply water to the hospital. But the valve Randy had purchased in Bujumbura broke…and so he is has to get another for the trip back this week.
Randy (who is an engineer) and his crew also have been at work restoring the church and finishing a building begun 15 years ago. It is a beautiful building which will seat 3,000. I preached there on Sunday morning: it was an unusual service orchestrated by God.
The General Conference of Congo is the largest in the FM Church, with 140,000 members. The people are very poor. The country is in worse shape than Burundi.
The road to Nundu, along beautiful Lake Tanganika, is incredibly bad. It took us four hours to go 25 miles. We had to cross five rivers without bridges. Fortunately, Randy has a four-wheel drive Land Rover.
Getting into the Congo also was quite an experience: it took us more than three hours…and that was with the advocacy of Congolese Free Methodists who went to the government offices on our behalf.
Along the road to Nundu, we encountered numerous “checkpoints,” most of them illegitimate. We had to bribe our way from point to point. The “soldiers” and “guards” wanted money. But we got through by giving them cookies, avocados, writing pens and reading glasses!
All in all, it was a great experience, not one we will soon forget. We are grateful to the Matthewsons for this opportunity to visit in the Congo: it gave us yet another perspective on missionary work. We are also grateful for the opportunity to meet some of our brothers and sisters in Christ: we met some of the finest people we ever expect to meet here on planet Earth.
As we conclude this visit to Africa, we are grateful to God for his many blessings.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Between Two Worlds
Today we moved into a second guest apartment next door (to make room for another couple who are returning for the semester). However, I am working at my computer in the first apartment (until they arrive tomorrow noon), where I have electric and printer hookups. So, for the moment, we are living between the two apartments!
It is reminder to me—and a metaphor—of our experience the past six weeks. We are Americans living in an African culture. We still have one foot in the world from which we come, and another in the world where we presently are living. So we are, as it were, living in two worlds!
And believe me, they are very different! We have learned a lot living here, and that includes learning a lot about ourselves. I know for certain that I do not have the personality temperament to be a full-time missionary!
God must have a good sense of humor to put me into the midst of a laid-back, disorganized, time-unconscious culture! Or, is he wanting to teach me something?
It is reminder to me—and a metaphor—of our experience the past six weeks. We are Americans living in an African culture. We still have one foot in the world from which we come, and another in the world where we presently are living. So we are, as it were, living in two worlds!
And believe me, they are very different! We have learned a lot living here, and that includes learning a lot about ourselves. I know for certain that I do not have the personality temperament to be a full-time missionary!
God must have a good sense of humor to put me into the midst of a laid-back, disorganized, time-unconscious culture! Or, is he wanting to teach me something?
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Winding Down
We have only a few days left here at HAU. This weekend, Friday – Monday, we will be in the Congo.
This afternoon, while Darlene is in class, I started moving into the apartment next door. (We are vacating this one for a couple who will be arriving on Thursday, to spend the entire semester here.) We will finish moving out tomorrow. We are going to pack some things in the process of this move: I have already laid out our suitcases in the second bedroom. So that makes it seem, even more so, that we finishing up here.
Darlene will be teaching two three-hour class sessions tomorrow, and then giving a special lecture in a third class. Moi…I set up a computer lab this morning! This evening I am going to set up and test a microscope (which had not been previously unpacked). I continue to hold individual conferences with various students and faculty here.
We are happy to report that our son Mark is home. Thank you for your prayers.
This afternoon, while Darlene is in class, I started moving into the apartment next door. (We are vacating this one for a couple who will be arriving on Thursday, to spend the entire semester here.) We will finish moving out tomorrow. We are going to pack some things in the process of this move: I have already laid out our suitcases in the second bedroom. So that makes it seem, even more so, that we finishing up here.
Darlene will be teaching two three-hour class sessions tomorrow, and then giving a special lecture in a third class. Moi…I set up a computer lab this morning! This evening I am going to set up and test a microscope (which had not been previously unpacked). I continue to hold individual conferences with various students and faculty here.
We are happy to report that our son Mark is home. Thank you for your prayers.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Quite a Weekend!
It’s been a few days since our last blog, and we have much to tell!
Friday evening (2-6-09) we were invited to the residence of the American ambassador for a party and concert. It was a small party of ca. 50 people, a high society affair with which we have little acquaintance. Before the concert, we were invited to the veranda for drinks. We had Schweppe’s tonic water, and (too many) peanuts! The concert was held in the garden, and featured traditional Burundian music. It was both interesting and very lovely. Afterward the concert, we were invited back to the veranda for more drinks! This time, a dozen white-uniformed waiters circulated through the crowd with successive kinds of hors-d’oeuvres, each better than those preceding. We had not had dinner before the concert, but we left stuffed! Before we left, we were given a private tour of (part of) the Ambassador’s residence, which featured a special exhibition of American and Burundian art.
Sunday (2-8-09) we traveled ca. 20 miles south of Bujumbura to a Free Methodist church. It was located in a beautiful countryside: bordered on one side by a steep mountain, and on the other by Lake Tanganika. Before the service, we were given a tour of the medical clinic provided by the church. The service began at 9 am, and included special numbers by nine choirs! But because I preached, we got out a little before noon. Then, we were served a delicious lunch, of goat meat, boiled potatoes, fried plantain, and beans. (Believe me, it was very good!) We took photos the whole time, totaling almost 300! I spent almost afternoon editing them.
This coming weekend, we are traveling to the Democratic Republic of Congo!
Friday evening (2-6-09) we were invited to the residence of the American ambassador for a party and concert. It was a small party of ca. 50 people, a high society affair with which we have little acquaintance. Before the concert, we were invited to the veranda for drinks. We had Schweppe’s tonic water, and (too many) peanuts! The concert was held in the garden, and featured traditional Burundian music. It was both interesting and very lovely. Afterward the concert, we were invited back to the veranda for more drinks! This time, a dozen white-uniformed waiters circulated through the crowd with successive kinds of hors-d’oeuvres, each better than those preceding. We had not had dinner before the concert, but we left stuffed! Before we left, we were given a private tour of (part of) the Ambassador’s residence, which featured a special exhibition of American and Burundian art.
Sunday (2-8-09) we traveled ca. 20 miles south of Bujumbura to a Free Methodist church. It was located in a beautiful countryside: bordered on one side by a steep mountain, and on the other by Lake Tanganika. Before the service, we were given a tour of the medical clinic provided by the church. The service began at 9 am, and included special numbers by nine choirs! But because I preached, we got out a little before noon. Then, we were served a delicious lunch, of goat meat, boiled potatoes, fried plantain, and beans. (Believe me, it was very good!) We took photos the whole time, totaling almost 300! I spent almost afternoon editing them.
This coming weekend, we are traveling to the Democratic Republic of Congo!
Friday, February 6, 2009
God's People
We have been preoccupied with personal matters the past couple of days. On December 21, 2008 (10 days before we left for Africa), our older son Mark suffered a second stroke, and this week (on Thursday, February 5, 2009) he underwent “full on” open-heart surgery. We thank all God’s people for their prayers. We are happy to report that the surgery was a success. Now we pray for his recovery.
This week, Darlene and I helped set up a Medical-Nursing library/conference/study room. This involved carrying a lot of big, heavy books up three flights of stairs, totaling 42 steps! We hope, before we leave, to see the completion of this project (we need mlore bookshelves). Next week, I am going to focus my attention on getting one computer lab functional (only three of the 15 computers “work”) and setting up another…working with various parts and pieces.
This morning we went to visit another clinic nearby the campus. It is a project of the Plymouth Brethren Church: we were quite impressed, most of all with the care-giving personnel. It was a well-run operation, providing medical services to 100+ patients per day.
This evening, by special invitation(!), we are going to the American Embassy for a concert.
This week, Darlene and I helped set up a Medical-Nursing library/conference/study room. This involved carrying a lot of big, heavy books up three flights of stairs, totaling 42 steps! We hope, before we leave, to see the completion of this project (we need mlore bookshelves). Next week, I am going to focus my attention on getting one computer lab functional (only three of the 15 computers “work”) and setting up another…working with various parts and pieces.
This morning we went to visit another clinic nearby the campus. It is a project of the Plymouth Brethren Church: we were quite impressed, most of all with the care-giving personnel. It was a well-run operation, providing medical services to 100+ patients per day.
This evening, by special invitation(!), we are going to the American Embassy for a concert.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Life is Different Here!
For the fourth day in a row, we wakened to no electricity. That means cold showers and warm coffee.
This fall, an electrician from the US installed in the guest apartments shower heads with an electric heating unit: the water is heated (only) as it passes through the shower head. The outgoing water is not exactly hot, but at least it is tolerably warm: Thank God for small blessings! We also have in the guest apartments units that look like office water cooler units, which provide us with instant hot water out of one spigot, and cold water out of another. (The 18 liter water jug I spoke of in an earlier blog sits upside down on top of this unit, and supplies the water by gravity feed.) This is one of true (and few) luxuries of life we enjoy here.
So, on those days when we awaken to electricity, it is possible to have a warm shower, and hot coffee! But, as I have said, for the last four days, we have to be content with cold showers and warm coffee!
This morning I serviced seven bicycles that were shipped over in the last container. Three more are missing parts, which if I can find here, I also will be able to repair. There was nothing very complicated to do, but without the right tools, simple tasks can become quite challenging! But when one has no alternatives, it is surprising (I am surprised myself!) how much one can do with a pair of pliers! Of course, I rather enjoy such challenges.
I have just had to interrupt this blog, to go around the apartment and close all the windows. There is a garbage pile behind the dormitory, and typically late every day they set it on fire. Sometimes, like today, that produces a lot of smoke…bad-smelling smoke.
As you can discern, life here is quite different!
This fall, an electrician from the US installed in the guest apartments shower heads with an electric heating unit: the water is heated (only) as it passes through the shower head. The outgoing water is not exactly hot, but at least it is tolerably warm: Thank God for small blessings! We also have in the guest apartments units that look like office water cooler units, which provide us with instant hot water out of one spigot, and cold water out of another. (The 18 liter water jug I spoke of in an earlier blog sits upside down on top of this unit, and supplies the water by gravity feed.) This is one of true (and few) luxuries of life we enjoy here.
So, on those days when we awaken to electricity, it is possible to have a warm shower, and hot coffee! But, as I have said, for the last four days, we have to be content with cold showers and warm coffee!
This morning I serviced seven bicycles that were shipped over in the last container. Three more are missing parts, which if I can find here, I also will be able to repair. There was nothing very complicated to do, but without the right tools, simple tasks can become quite challenging! But when one has no alternatives, it is surprising (I am surprised myself!) how much one can do with a pair of pliers! Of course, I rather enjoy such challenges.
I have just had to interrupt this blog, to go around the apartment and close all the windows. There is a garbage pile behind the dormitory, and typically late every day they set it on fire. Sometimes, like today, that produces a lot of smoke…bad-smelling smoke.
As you can discern, life here is quite different!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Beginning a New School Year
Today was a special day at HAU, the beginning of a new school year. The annual schedule of classes at HAU is about the same as in our colleges and universities in the US. The only difference is that here, south of the equator, the spring (rather than the fall) semester is the first in the “school year.” The second semester is the fall semester (as we would label it), with graduation in December. As in the US, HAU also has a January interterm of three weeks, and a summer session.
Hundreds of new students were put through New Student Orientation. A shorter version is now going on for students in the “evening” program.
This afternoon Darlene gave away another bicycle to a Nursing student. Then, we were invited to the home of the first student to whom she had given a bicycle. That was quite an experience! We walked the streets to his house (in the company of two students from HAU), taking in a thousand sights, sounds and smells en route. We were graciously served cokes and bananas by people who themselves had nothing to eat. While we there, various members of the household, adults and children, came by to meet and greet us, as well as neighbors, children and adults alike. It was a very communal experience
Hundreds of new students were put through New Student Orientation. A shorter version is now going on for students in the “evening” program.
This afternoon Darlene gave away another bicycle to a Nursing student. Then, we were invited to the home of the first student to whom she had given a bicycle. That was quite an experience! We walked the streets to his house (in the company of two students from HAU), taking in a thousand sights, sounds and smells en route. We were graciously served cokes and bananas by people who themselves had nothing to eat. While we there, various members of the household, adults and children, came by to meet and greet us, as well as neighbors, children and adults alike. It was a very communal experience
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Photo-taking in Africa!
I took my camera with me to church this morning, and had opportunity to capture a few more photos. Then, I spent two hours this Sunday afternoon, reviewing and editing the better photos in our collection.
Kathrine Page, curator of Art at Roberts Wesleyan College and Northeastern Seminary, wants to do a “documentary” exhibit of photos from our time here in Africa. I find that prospect rather intimidating! However, for my retirement, I was given a very nice new digital camera (instead of a gold watch!).
So far, my photo-taking has focused primarily on people: faces (young and old); hands, feet, etc. People at work; people in worship.
Other photos (not the best ones) document our work and experiences here. Darlene in the Nursing lab, examining patients, etc. The Vice-Rector lecturing in Wayne’s class; the students in discussion groups.
Before we left for Africa, my friends John Kells, director of Media Services at RWC, advised me: “Don’t be self-conscious about your picture-taking; just take lots of photos. You can look at them later, and pick out the best!”
Those who have viewed our better photos (Darlene has a second, older digital camera and is more creative than I) agree that a few of them are definitely “winners.” I just hope and pray we accumulate enough of these to merit an exhibition in Roberts Hall!
Kathrine Page, curator of Art at Roberts Wesleyan College and Northeastern Seminary, wants to do a “documentary” exhibit of photos from our time here in Africa. I find that prospect rather intimidating! However, for my retirement, I was given a very nice new digital camera (instead of a gold watch!).
So far, my photo-taking has focused primarily on people: faces (young and old); hands, feet, etc. People at work; people in worship.
Other photos (not the best ones) document our work and experiences here. Darlene in the Nursing lab, examining patients, etc. The Vice-Rector lecturing in Wayne’s class; the students in discussion groups.
Before we left for Africa, my friends John Kells, director of Media Services at RWC, advised me: “Don’t be self-conscious about your picture-taking; just take lots of photos. You can look at them later, and pick out the best!”
Those who have viewed our better photos (Darlene has a second, older digital camera and is more creative than I) agree that a few of them are definitely “winners.” I just hope and pray we accumulate enough of these to merit an exhibition in Roberts Hall!
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