Back to Kolwezi

May 8-10, 2010 we made our third trip to Kolwezi. This time we flew both ways. I am not getting used to the tiny, prop airplanes, but it's much easier to have 45 min. of terror in the air than three hours of it on the horrible, dirt road to Kolwezi. The air field is at least paved, and the terminal is about the size of our bedroom in Arizona. There were two tables on the porch with souvenirs. I admired a copper bracelet and some earrings and Brent bought them for me as a Mother's Day gift.

Brent was assigned to preside at the conference of the Kolwezi District. We were excited to find that the building had been connected to electricity for the first time in its 10 months of use. It happened just the day before the conference, so we had the organ, lights and microphones and everybody was thrilled to have power. These are some faces to remember from Kolwezi.

The hope for the future in the Congo

Two young men from Kikondja & Papa Jean Two of the 5 people we saw baptized that Sunday

We spent "a three-day, all-expense-paid trip" to the Hacienda Hotel (aka Pepto Hotel.) We discovered it's not all pink. Each room has it's own color. This time ours was turquoise.

For some reason, these hotel rooms feel like caves to me. I have no idea why. It's a comfortable hotel by African standards. The owner is very nice, and the service is excellent. They also have three very friendly black Great Danes, who I always enjoy. The restaurant has safe, tasty food and this is a really pleasant "cave" to stay in. We also had Brother and Sister Monga from Lubumbashi staying there, so we ate all our meals together and enjoyed their company. It felt a little like a vacation. One of the things that I like about this hotel is that they always have fresh flower arrangements in the lobby and restaurant. Fresh flowers are a rarity in the Congo. On Sun. evening, as we left the restaurant, the owner was on the patio arranging flowers. I couldn't help but stop and admire them and tell her how much I enjoy them. A few minutes after we got to our room, her daughter brought a bouquet of two dozen delicate pink roses for me to enjoy. It was such a treat to get Mother's Day flowers in Africa. These beautiful flowers and communications on Skype with our children made a it a good Mother's Day, despite the fact that there is no such holiday in the Congo.

We also had some mission business to do while we were there. Before the district conference we went to look at a home we're renting for our elders. We are sending six missionaries to Kolwezi in May. This will be the first time that full-time missionaries have been there since the early 90's. The house was near the Diur church building and in a good place, although located on a road not easily accessible by car. We signed the contracts and delivered the money to the landlord. Then we went to look at furniture that had been chosen by Frere Nicolas, one of the high councilors. The beds, tables, and chairs will be made by the district president, who is a furniture maker. The other things we saw were very adequate and the apartment should be well supplied.

We feel like this will be a good place for our elders. We have a couple who will serve a part-time church-service mission to help supervise their well-being and missionary efforts.

Our district conference was wonderful. By the time the Sunday session started, the chapel and cultural hall were filled nearly to capacity with members and about 50 "friends of the church."

We each gave two talks and a workshop. All of them were translated from French to Swahili. The district, which has three branches, really needs more attention than they have had in the past. They're eager to learn and having missionaries there will bless them. They will have leadership from the mission coming every six weeks to see the elders and if training for the district happens then too, it will be a great blessing.

One of the wonderful things that happened while we were there was that we saw the people from Kikondja. (see the earlier blog entitled THE GIANTS.) We saw three of them last Oct. when we were in Kolwezi. They had walked for over 300 miles, taking two weeks to do it, just to bring their tithing and attend district conference. This time there were seven of them, including a 12 year-old boy. Some of them were not wearing shoes at the meeting because of foot problems encountered in the walk. But they were there, on the front row, taking notes and soaking in every word. We had a few minutes to visit with them after the conference. They are truly an inspiration to us all. In their village there are about a dozen baptized members, but they usually have about 40 who attend their weekly services. Many of them pay tithing. Three of the people who came have not yet been baptized. Because they live a great distance from a center of strength in the church, they will have to wait for the blessing of baptism, but they are faithful and believing and patiently waiting. You can see the light of the gospel in their eyes and meeting them has been a privilege.

Freres Paul, Jean-Gilbert, Patient , Delphin, Jean, Mwilombe and young, Brice

Pres.& Sr. Ilale and the saints from Kikondja

District Presidency with Brent at the dedication of the Kolwezi Chapel

Brent was also assigned by the Area Presidency to dedicate the Kolwezi chapel while we were there. It has been in use since Aug, but hadn't been dedicated. So, at the end of the conference, he offered a dedicatory prayer on the building. He prayed that this building would be a beacon in Kolwezi to bring many to the light of the Christ. I think that it will be just that. It's a beautiful building and will certainly attract people to see what's there. It was very special to share this experience that will tie us permanently to the history of the church and people of Kolwezi.