The Likasi Tour

We took the mission president and his wife to Likasi and Pres. Shimbi, the District President, gave us a tour of all the buildings and future building sites in Likasi.

The church where we met him is the standard small chapel used everywhere in the Congo. It has windows along both sides of the chapel, which are opened during meetings to give ventilation. It also has fans in the chapel, RS and Primary rooms, but people here don't like them. They think the moving air is not healthy and they get cold easily. It can be 80 degrees and they're all bundled up. So, they must have even thinner blood than we Arizona desert rats. It is a very nice building, despite the fact that it has no frig, stove or drinking fountains and is often without power and water, which was the case that day.

Our trip was quite an experience. I wish that somehow I could have people at home be in this world for just an hour. It's impossible to explain or photograph it in a way that others could understand what "normal" "everyday" life is like here.

From the church we went to a piece of land owned by the church where they plan a chapel soon.

It's on a road that we would call a foot path. I'm sure that you can only access it on foot or with a four wheel drive truck. That's not so much of a problem here because most people are on foot. Usually ours is the only car in the parking lot at the big church in Likasi. The path becomes too small for our truck just beyond the church property.

The plot of ground is small and will probably need to have a different type of building on it. Those buildings are made much simpler, just a square brick meeting room in one building and primary, RS, etc. in smaller out buildings. Many members live nearby and it would be very helpful to have a building closer. Transportation is always a problem here.

From there we went to see a rented building where Likasi 2 branch meets. Again the roads are a wonder to behold. We were never quite sure we were really turning onto a road when being directed by Pres. Shimbi. But then, suddenly we would see a church sign.

This building is too small already. They open the doors and some people sit outside on the patio in plastic lawn chairs during Sacrament meetings. It has rooms that would fit only about 20 chairs for RS and Primary. The rooms are about the size of the usual classroom in our chapels.

They were pleased to show me that they had a working sewing machine with a hand turned fly wheel. I'd like to have it to go with my antiques. We see them everywhere. I just love them!

Several Relief Society sisters were there. This beautiful young woman lives in a tiny house on the church property.

Curious children who live next door came to see the strange visitors. We always draw a crowd of small, curious onlookers.

This is the daughter of the First Counselor in the Branch Presidency. They live by the church.

Next we headed to another neighborhood, or commune. It's called Kikula. It's probably our fastest growing area in Likasi.

This is the main street of Kikula.

Brent and Pres. Shimbi at Kikula 2 meeting hall.

Here's the view of the street from the chapel.

A lady selling her wares next to the church.

Then we went to a neighborhood where the church is planning to buy 12 houses, tear them down and build a chapel. The people thought that it was going to happen in Dec. and when they saw us they wanted to tell us how anxious they are to make it happen.

While the men were talking business, I started talking to the groups of children who were playing in the street.

The girls had made a hop scotch in the dirt street. I used my limited French on them and they responded. We started to talk and laugh and soon we had quite a group of us enjoying a few minutes together.

I tried to use all my French to talk to them. We could actually carry on a small conversation. It was so fun!!

One little boy knew some English. He told me he could count to ten in English and then demonstrated his ability.

I tried to get all the children counting in English. They mimicked my words and then giggled with embarrassment. I also counted in French and they did that with me several times.

Then they tried to teach me 1-10 in Swahili. Boy, did they enjoy that! They squealed with delight at my every strange sound. Crazy American! Can't even make these sounds right! It was one of the best times I've had in the Congo. I love the children and we are able to connect despite the language and cultural barriers. I hated to leave them and they stood and waved for a long time as we drove off. It was awesome!! This will be a treasured memory!