PEOPLE GETTING TO WORK IN AM

I figured out how to upload video off of our Flip. This is the street scene outside of our apartment. We are on the 5 floor. For you Francophone, you will know that that is called the fourth floor. The ground floor is the RC. So, floor numbering starts with 1 on the actual second floor. It all makes sense after awhile.

Note the concrete and wire of our front wall. The plaza out front is very busy. Many people grab the "transport" there.

Also note the chaos of the cars. The street leading into the plaza is the main Boulevard in the center of the business district. There is a round about just beyond this picture that circles the plaza. Logic would tell you to make the circle, but many drivers just cross traffic and honk.

The Blue and Yellow rigs are the major "transports." They can pack 20 or 30 people inside of them. I will get a video of the loading and unloading, which is interesting.

The Congo Franc is the currency here. The largest bill is a 500 FC, with the equivalence of 50 cents. When one exits the "transport," one gives the driver's assistant 500 FC. So, it costs about 50 cents to take a transport. At this point, we have not taken a transport. Suzanne does not think its a good idea. Actually, as if common sense told us to stay off of them, we have been warned not to ride one.

The "transport" drivers give a new meaning to "Quick and the Dead." You never know when one may stop, turn, slide, or who knows what into you. It make driving a great adventure.

Something happened to the last post.

Yesterday we went with Marda, the Seminary and Institute office secretary to a get a few office supplies - we needed ink cartridges and some stuff. It was an unusual experience to say the least.

So glad to have a Congolese with us. She showed us the ropes. We went to two shops looking for cartridges =they were within a few blocks of each others. One was "off the Boulevard" and was too dangerous, too much street activity, and roaming vendors to go to alone.

The shops were "paper store" as they call them were very small - maybe 10 - 12 feet wide and about as deep. Displays hung on the wall - most behind glass - all for display, not for sale. e.g. plastic binders, scissors in shallow plastic covered cabinets - see displays on pictures posted on previous post.

When you wanted something, you told the clerk who was seated at a table in the center of the store what you wanted. He hand wrote it on a receipt book, like you would see before computers. After he listed item and price, you took the paperwork to the cashiers window (second picture) where the cashier takes your money, and yells at the guy in the back to bring your order out. Then bags the products and ceremoniously stamps the receipt.

Side note 1: We were looking for 3 ring binders to keep track of the 5 stakes with whom we are starting the Perpetual Education Fund. And a 3 hole punch. Unable to find a three who punch, we learned that they use two hole binders and two hole punches here.

Side note 2: The paper is a different size. A4 size (210X297mm) on my printer selection and is about 1/2 inch longer.

Side note 3: Prices were not too bad. The HP cartridge cost 30 USD.

We learn something new every day.

A TRIP TO PAPER STORE - NOT A STAPLES

I took the pictures secretly with my iPod, sometimes people don't like you to take pictures, so they may be a little blurry.

Trip to “paper” store – not your usual trip to Staples. They call them “paper” stores here.

Yesterday we went with Marda the S&I office secretary to get a few supplies – we needed a printer cartridge and a few other items. It was an unusual experience to say the least. So glad we were with a native Congolese. She showed us the ropes.

It felt like we were buying illegal lottery tickets or something. We went to two shops looking for the cartridge – they were within a few blocks of each other. One was off the Boulevard and we would never go there by ourselves – too much street activity and roaming “vendors.” Both shops were set up the same. Small shop – perhaps 10 – 12 feet wide – not much deeper. Displays hung on the walls – most items behind glass – all for display not for purchasing – e.g. plastic pouches hung with thumb tacks, scissors in a glass covered shallow cabinet – I think you can see the displays in the picture. We needed some binders for each of the five stakes with whic

h we are starting. There were several types hanging on the wall with handwritten tags with the price.

If you wanted something a clerk, sitting at a table in the middle of the store, started a hand written “tab” – one of those receipt books that you saw before the day of the computer. You pointed to the item, told him the quantity. Once our purchases were listed we went up to a barred window – think tight security bank – and presented our “receipt. The picture of the “pay window” is blurry but I think you can get an idea of how it was. They pulled the items, bagged them and took your money. Then they stamped your receipt “paid.”

The prices were not unreasonable – perhaps double the US – HP color cartridge for $30.00. They just did not have a lot of selection. A side note – they do not use three ring binders. They use two ring binders. I couldn’t figure out why the paper punches on display only had two punches. Then we went looking for the binders and figured it out. Another side note – printer paper is a little different – it is called a 4A (210 X 297mm) on my printer selection and is about 1/2 inch longer.

We learn something new every day.

OUR COLLEAGUE AND FRIEND DIDIER

From time to time, we will introduce you to our friends and colleagues in the Congo.

This is Didier. He is the Executive Secretary to the Country Coordinator for Seminaries and Institutes for 4 countries in central Africa.

Didier served a Mission and returned to the Congo. He made a decision to remain here, rather than going to South Africa or elsewhere, for school and work. He is one of the real pioneers. He remained here, went to school, and now works for the Church Education System. He is a leader in his family, the Church, and the community.

He speaks English very well. Working in the office next door to ours, he is always helpful. I have asked him to review emails or documents that I have prepared in French. He always cheerfully edits and often corrects my written French. He is always kind and helpful to Suzanne. She enjoys speaking English with him.

He always has a smile and a pleasant word.

He married and has a little baby. They have saved enough money now to go to South Africa to be sealed in the Temple. It is expensive for our members in the Congo to go to the Temple. They go to South Africa. The travel documents are sometimes tedious to obtain, and the flight is expensive. He is very excited about going.

Didier is an example of the dedication and commitment of the Congolese members of the Church. They are true Christians, they don't have a lot, but they are happy, industrious, and committed.

We feel fortunate to call them our friends.

SOME KINSHASA STORE FRONTS

While traveling the city Saturday, we saw some cool shops and stuff. Suzanne was snapping pictures out of the window.

OK, we were not exactly traveling the city, we were dead lost. We were on our way to church, but streets were closed and detours were required. Now, being a) me, and b) at typical male, I thought I could find my way back. Finally, even I gave up and admitted that we were lost. Not only lost, but had no way of telling anyone where we were. Suzanne said, "Let's pray." We offered a prayer. I was struck immediately with the thought, "Call Alfred." Alfred is the Country Coordinator for Seminaries and Institutes and he was conducting the meeting to which we were heading. I called him, he said, "Oh, I know where you are, I am just minutes away from you, on my way to the Church. Stay there and I will come and lead you to the church." We are thankful for the tender mercies of the Lord.

From top to bottom. 1. Cart Guy: The beginnings of recycling in Kinshasa. Suzanne described these hard working cart pushers who move all kinds of goods and debris around the city.

2. Traffic Jam and Street Vendors - this guy is selling bottled water. We think the water comes from the river or other such place. NEVER BUY THIS GUYS WATER. 3. 4. 5. are various store fronts along the streets.

OUR FAVORITE PRIMARY CHILD

This is our bishop's daughter. I don't think that is actually snot on her nose. She had just finished a banana and I think she was a little messy.

On a side note: This is days 18 if monkey watch. I have yet to see a monkey. Very disappointing.

We actually went to a fast food restaurant on Thursday. We were out visiting schools in order to qualify them for the Perpetual Education fund. We went to a chicken fast food. I looked in the kitchen to see if it was actually monkey, but no, it was chicken. It was actually clean and we had 1/2 chicken and fries for $5.00.

This afternoon, Sunday, we went for a nice walk along the Congo. It was nice. The temperature was in the nineties, with no breeze, but still it was nice to enjoy.

There is a great Humanitarian Missionary Couple here. They are working on more clean water projects. A second Humanitarian Missionary Couple from Church headquarters is also here for the week. A third couple, serving in Uganda will be in tomorrow. The Uganda couple will spend the night with us. They are all going to Laputa, where the Church has a clean water project. Since it opened a year or so ago, over 250,000 people have moved there to access the water. The Humanitarian Couples are searching for new water sites. It seems spring and mountain run off waters are a good source of clean water, in addition to the ground wells. It is such a great project. Over 85% of Africa has bad water. The lives that this project has saved from water-borne illness are numerous. These couple have remarkable stories of mothers who thank them for saving the lives of their children.

We love this opportunity. Any of you "old fogies" reading this, think seriously about serving a mission soon. We have received untold blessings and tender mercies since we decided to serve.

Children are always a hoot

This is an activity of the Kasabubu Ward (the ward we attend). The kids are having a snack. In the background are kasava plants that are part of the ward garden. Kavava is an important part of the Congolese diet.

Our ward is fairly large. As you can see by the junior primary group, it is fairly large.