Voyage to Demba

Last week we were invited to go to Demba for an annual congress of the Laity of CPC. It was a good introduction for us to the life of the church and some of the challenges that many people in Congo face in their daily lives. We realized (not for the first time!) that our expectations here need to be adjusted, and that we have a lot to learn!

We arrived on Monday around noon, because the meeting was supposed to have started Monday morning. When we arrived, we learned that the 2 cars traveling from Mbuji Mayi (in East Kasai) had trouble on the road and were stuck somewhere near Kananga. There were 20+ people in those 2 cars, and they had spent the night on the road because of the car trouble. The meeting would not start without them, because the leaders determined that it would not be right to begin without representation from this significant region. The cars arrived that evening, and the meeting began the following morning. We were impressed with the culture that would value the event (e.g. everyone being there to participate) over the time (e.g. starting at the appointed time/day).

Many of the people attending the meeting had made extraordinary efforts to be there. Many had come by foot—20km, 60km, even some women who walked more than 200 km! Others had come by bicycle, often traveling for several days. Those few fortunate to find a ride in a CPC vehicle also had challenges, like spending the night on the road. The roads in Congo are incredible…like nothing we have ever seen. Travel here is definitely not something for the faint of heart!

 Elder Bungibuabo Jean, center, is
66 years old and rode a bicycle at
least 200 km to the meeting!

We did not understand very much of the meeting with our limited Tshiluba, but we were able to introduce ourselves and give greetings in the meeting and got to know many of the leaders who attended. During the meeting, reports from each region were given about projects that are being undertaken to help meet people’s physical needs, as well as activities of the churches. They then broke up into committee groups to discuss specific topics and make decisions about future actions.

One of the key learning times was our ride home. It rained hard Wednesday morning, so we waited for the rain to finish before departing for Kananga. We were barely out of the city of Demba when we faced the first rough spot. I (Kristi) thought it was DEFINITELY impassable, as the road was split into 2 levels with about a 3-foot gap, with gullies made from the rain. Tatu Sammy (our driver) plunged in, and after some precarious leaning to either side, we were through. “injila wa Congo!” (“The roads of Congo!”) Bob shouted out as we continued. There were two spots where we got stuck in the mud going up a hill. There were about 12 of us packed into a land-cruiser, so in those spots everyone got out, they took out the shovel and cleared a path. At the second spot (A rather long hill that was VERY muddy), I was poised to take a short video as we drove up the hill, but was too scared as I watched the vehicle sliding and lurching that I couldn’t bring myself to record it! One vivid picture was after one of those rough spots—as people were getting back in the vehicle, we heard some squawking and realized there were chickens in the back. One of the passengers got in, collected the 2 (live) chickens, put them back into the plastic bag they had been in, and stuffed them under the seat. Isn’t that what you always do with chickens??

We were struck by the poverty around us as we drove—children with distended stomachs from malnutrition, the many bicycle porters who have a risky and difficult journey, the poorly constructed mud-brick houses. The most disturbing event of the journey was coming upon a dead body laying at the side of the road. One of the pastors in the car with us recognized the man, and we learned that he had died the night before near Demba, where we were coming from. Because he lived in Kananga, they sent the body back to Kananga for burial. The motorcycle carrying the body had some trouble, and had to leave the body in the road. We were not able to take the body with us, but we met the elder brother in the next village, then farther down the road saw the wife of the deceased arriving on a moto, followed by a moto carrying a coffin. It is so hard to see situations like this…we have seen people stretch resources here in amazing ways, but that also means there is suffering in the process.

Toyota Land Cruiser (a poem)

Yesterday we returned from Lake Munkamba, 90k from where we live in Kananga.  Below is a poem eulogizing the amazing feats of the Toyota Land Cruiser, amidst the renowned and tumultuous roads of the Democratic Republic of Congo.  

 

Toyota Land Cruiser

 

Toyota Land Cruiser, the best Japanese built

to weather hills and crevices throughout.

Up and down, down again and up -

surmount we ever, this endless bump?

 

Toyota Land Cruiser, nimble powerful quick -

“Punch it baby, through this endless thick!”

Like a ballerina we glide slide and pirouette

keeping form, as out-a-that hole we get.

 

Toyota Land Cruiser, if ever a vehicle was made -

rock stone and stubble, we miraculously evade.

Red thick clay we find, archenemy no doubt…

but I tell you comrade, we will certainly pull out.

 

Toyota Land Cruiser, queen of Africa’s dirt -

sway we may, out-a-control we furtively spurt.

Hang on, endless wheels roar round,

not so bad, this dang car can pound!

 

Toyota Land Cruiser, Six Flags may not be

but I tell you, such fun here is almost free!

Our experience is only one, so wait again for more,

Of endless tirades chant we, regarding Congo’s floor.   

 

a poetic description, by Bob Rice

 

 

The Pied Piper

We have just finished our second week of language learning! We’ve been looking for ways to let the words really be imprinted in our minds, like acting out words as we practice. We have a fun example of strategic language learning:

We went to the small local market to buy a few things for dinner. Before we had reached the market, we had a following, mostly children, who seemed very interested in observing our every move. After awhile, we were rather tired of having such a following, and decided it might help to go separate ways—Bob to look for some fruit, and me to head back to the guest house (and try to keep the crowd from following Bob). I meandered slowly, greeting people en-route. I heard a commotion, and realized that Bob had seized on a language-practice opportunity with the entourage of kids. They were coming down the dirt road like a band in a parade, while Bob called out in Tshiluba “Sombai! Imanai kuru! Yai kumala! Imanai! Pingana tshia nima! Bendai ku dia balume….” (in English, that is “Sit down! Stand up! Go forward! Stop! Go backwards! Turn right! etc….”) All the kids would follow suit with his instructions, and it was so amazing to see them coming down the road joyfully acting out our most recent lesson. I wish I had a picture! You can imagine the bikes and people heading to market having to swerve out of the way, while the kids dodged mud-puddles in their march. The adults watching from their yards got a good chuckle, and it seemed a great opportunity for having some fun in the community while we learn. I was so impressed with Bob for seizing a strategic learning opportunity!

“Mutshi mukese” - as the Congolese care for their baby trees, God cares for us!

God sometimes gives us word pictures to help us remember things, and to teach us lessons.  Concerning providing for our needs, I (Bob) think about how Jesus taught his disciples how the birds of the air do not sow or reap or sore away in barns, and yet God feeds them.  Moreover, the lilies of the field neither labor nor spin, yet Solomon in all his splendor was not dressed like one of these (Matthew 6: 25ff).  Thus Jesus encourages his followers not to worry; God will take care of them. 

I believe that God spoke a word picture to Kristi and I last week.  On our way home from our walk to the nearby airstrip in the village of Tshikaji, where we are currently living, we saw several “mitshi mikese,” small baby trees.  Immediately upon seeing one of these trees, I thought to myself, “that is a picture of us right now.”  We are weak.  We are vulnerable.  We are small.  We are living in a new country.  We do not speak the language.  We do not understand the culture.  So many things are new.  We are in a position of vulnerability. 

 

Mutshi mukese (baby tree) 

In the area where we are staying, we have seen many small trees which are protected by walls of small sticks, branches and leaves.  These walls have been carefully and purposefully placed by persons to protect the young tree from predators such as goats.  It is obvious that someone has intentionally sought to protect them. 

Likewise, I believe that God has placed special people around us who serve as a shield, as protection, as a buffer during this vulnerable period of transition.  Several leaders and members of the Communaute Presbyterienne au Congo (CPC) have come alongside us.  Among them, just a few are:  Dr. Mulumba, Pastor Mboyamba, John and Gwenda Fletcher, and Simon Ntumba.  Dr. Mulumba, the General Secretary of the CPC, met us on the tarmac of the airport when we arrived and escorted us to a pleasant waiting room.  He and a few others chatted with us, served us cold drinks, and allowed us to relax as we waited for our luggage to be handled by other members of the CPC.  Dr. Mulumba has invited us to join him for worship and fellowship the past two Sundays.  He has also arranged for us to live with six different families where we will build relationships and friendships, and learn more about Congolese culture.  Pastor Mboyamba, the Director of Evangelism for the entire denomination, has taken two weeks out of his busy schedule to spend time teaching us Tshiluba each day.  He also invited us to his home where we were introduced to his family and to Congolese culinary delights.  John and Gwenda Fletcher, PC(USA) missionaries, have bent over backwards to make us feel welcome.  They have invited us over for several meals and helped us with important logistical details.  Gwenda even spent one morning taking us to our new apartment, where we will eventually live, and helped us get a picture of what our future dwelling place will be like.  Simon Ntumba, who runs the printing press, made a special trip on Monday to come see us.  He invited us to his home on Saturday, and to introduce us to more of the town where we will eventually live.  In all of these ways and in manifold others, God is using His people here in Congo to help us during this infantile time of growing, learning, and becoming.  How good it is to know that the God of the universe cares for us, His children, even as the Congolese care for their baby trees.       

Visit to Pastor Mboyamba’s house

This week we have been studying Tshiluba with Pastor Mboyamba, the Director of the Evangelism Department for CPC. He is the person that Bob will be working most closely with, so studying Tshiluba with him is also a great way to get to know him. He has been a tremendous ‘interpreter’ for us, introducing us to Kananga, culture, the church, and all of life here. On Wednesday, he invited us to come to his house for lunch and to meet his family.

Pastor Mboyamba and his wife, Charlotte, in front of their home

Pastor Mboyamba lives in Kananga, and has a large family. One of the great things about African culture is their inclusive sense of ‘family’, and hospitality for all in their social circle. That said, Pastor Mboyamba usually has a few relatives or the children of friends staying with his family. We were excited to meet them! The youngest two—4-year old twin girls who are Pastor Mboyamba’s grand-daughters, were terrified of us (white people are not so common in Kananga!), but tearfully agreed to greet us while their mother held them.

We had a wonderful meal of bidia, rice, tshiteku (pig-weed), salted fish, chicken, buse, and bananas. They have a large yard that is mostly garden, where they are able to grow most of their own food. We even got to see their goat who recently had twins! The picture below is of buse—it is common in Congo, but no one seems to know the name of the plant/vegetable in French of English. Any ideas?

 Buse—the leaves are chopped up, and cooked,
and make a brown soupy substance—delicious!

After lunch we saw their garden and talked about their family. Much of the conversation we were able to do in Tshiluba, although by the end of the day we were exhausted from the extra exertion that it takes to try to speak and hear in a new language! We are so impressed at the desire of this family to love and serve people in Congo, and we look forward to getting to know them more!

 Pastor Kazadi, Bob, Pastor Mboyamba, and Tatu Samuel, the driver.