Well, we made it home sweet home to Congo! There were only two times that I thought we must be on Candid Camera or in a bad movie – maybe Home Alone Strikes Back? But we made it home. Thanks to all who were praying for a safe, productive, restful Read more…
In case you missed it, the Snapshot series began here. We will be taking a break from blogging in July to have a family vacation and get ready for another school year. Don’t worry, we’ll be back to posting updates in August! And you’d rather be picking luscious berries, hiking Read more…
I don’t know that American English deserves to have this word in our language: Hospitality. I have known Americans who practice hospitality, some more than others. I am positive I have not usually been among them. I don’t think we know half what it means. Congolese Hospitality (and African Hospitality Read more…
Walking along our muddy street last week,I noticed a few kids throwing rocks at my house.Band of ruffians doing harm?Nope. You see, we have mango trees.It’s mango season.Any fruit falling over the edge of a wall is fair game.It’s practically a law.But sometimes the mangoes need convincing. They chuck rocks Read more…
In case you missed it, the Snapshot series began here. My Mom used to tell me stories about her mother.The grandmother I never knew.She would go every few days to the local Beauty Parlor.To have her hair set.It became an idyllic 50’s scene in my head. Ladies sitting under driers Read more…
In case you missed it, the Snapshot series began here. Over tear-streaked cheeks, wails of sorrow ring out.Our family attends the funeral of an employee.The crowds mourn a beloved provider.Father.Grandfather.Husband.Son.In his late sixties, Obedi had the national life expectancy rate beat by 17 years.But his Mom is still around to Read more…
I wake to the rolling and rumbling in the distance.1:45AM.Wondering if (hoping?) it was just something on the roof.But no, the rumbles grow.A thunderstorm approaches.The counting begins.Sheer force of the King of Nature.Silhouettes of the barred window panes flash bright light across the dark house.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Read more…
News spreads like wildfire here even without social media. There are only a handful of foreign families in residence.Wherever we go, people stare.White people! Mzungu! Look! It’s his wife! And children!They check out our shoes.They critique our clothes.The children touch our skin cautiously.Once, someone I’ve never met or seen called Read more…
Main street never rests in the daylight hours.It is a constant bustle of activity.Traffic can stop you.But not like any traffic you’ve ever seen.Anywhere. Women carry heavy loads of firewood on their heads 8 feet long.Young ladies chat in groups about the latest fashion, crossing the road ever so slowly.Porters Read more…
Two of the hours I normally would have spent sleeping last night were instead spent confirming myself as a bona fide Congo resident (or so I hear), as well as confirming a few things I’ve learned recently about rodents: They will stay where they are hidden until at least 90% Read more…