Here We Go Again

The day after Leadership Training we headed out to the Republic of Congo and Cameroon to visit and interview the missionaries there.  The first leg of this trip is the Congo River crossing. I just keep talking about it because it never ceases to amaze me.  We sit in the truck for about an hour while our assistants do the "formalities."The woman in the pictures is the person who navigates the governmental maze, the man on the left  is the porter, who hauls all of bags around,  and then there's Thierry (in the center). He's our office manager, travel arranger, missionary support person, friend to all and a most wonderful and amazing young man.   We couldn't do this without their help.

  

It's impossible to explain what this hour of waiting is like, as we watch the daily life of people at the "beach." But we sit in awe as we watch what transpires. 

One of the things that is overwhelming is the work of the handicapped at the beach. Because a person with a handicap can cross on the barges at a reduced price, as can those who are with them. They are partnering with people who are going across the river to buy and sell their wares.  The seller pays the handicapped person a little money and they go together. The blind person walks with their hand on the shoulder of the sighted person as maneuver through the throngs of people and cross the river on the  barges. 

  This man is carrying his helper who doesn't have the ability to walk or access to a wheelchair.

Others make their living at the beach by carrying or pulling enormous loads, by shining shoes, exchanging money, selling snacks, washing cars, cutting hair and a host of other things.

  

The things we see there are beyond imagination and we have great respect for these people who are blind or unable to walk, or have no education to do other jobs. They just don't give up. They make a living in a hard way, but they just keep going. Would I be that courageous? Would I continue to make an effort if life was so hard?  These people continue to inspire and amaze me.