Memorial Day in the Good Ol' USA

We were invited to a party at the home of the American Ambassador to celebrate Memorial Day. They have parties occasionally for all the Americans and their families who live in Kinshasa.  Since we register all our American missionaries with the embassy, we're invited.  It's a wonderful occasion when we go to these events.  We walked through the gates of the residence in Kinshasa into what felt like being back in the USA.  There were several hundred ex-patriots there enjoying this little bit of America.

   

 The tables were covered with blue table clothes. Nice folding chairs surrounded the tables which were under white awnings.  There were red, white and blue decorations everywhere.

There were hot dogs, chicken, french fries, cold drinks, ice cream and cake, popcorn and pizza cones 

(this last item  is a Congolese addition.)  All the foods were free and in abundance.

There was a bouncy play-yard for kids and the swimming pool and tennis courts were available.  

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There was even a place to get information about voting long distance in the upcoming November election.

But the most important and most impressive thing for all of us was when the Marine color guard posted the colors and we sang the Star Spangled Banner. It can't help but touch our hearts and bring tears to our eyes when we saw the American flag proudly displayed and realize what a wonderful country it represents. We're thankful to be American. It's easy to see the blessings of our citizenship when we're far away in a land which lacks many of the freedoms that we enjoy.  I think that none of us will ever again take this citizenship and its freedoms for granted.   God bless America!