Wednesday 27th February 2013 continued

Sunday Feb 3rd 2013


When, in our last Blog posting, we said that we probably would not be able to send any more Emails or post to our Blog once we set off on the WEC Centenary Prayer Walk Trek through DR Congo on the 4th February; we were right!! Even though our mobile phones were unpredictably active at some of these remote forest locations, there was definitely no internet, and the only electricity we had for lighting and for charging cameras and phones was from generators or solar panels, and that very limited.

In the morning of Sunday 3rd February Janice and Dr Nancy attended the French speaking church, CECCA20, and John and Dr Philip attended the WEC founded Swahili speaking (and other local languages!!) church, CECCE16 and we said final farewells to our friends in Bunia.

Monday 4th February.

We have enjoyed the hospitality of Mele and Rose Kiraire and their large extended family, and it was sad to leave them.

Drs Philip and Nancy Wood took us to Bunia International Airport (!!!!) to meet our 5 companions for the Trek off the MAF flight from Entebbe. We all took our luggage to Shalom University, Bunia, where we were to spend the night. Then it was off to CECCA16 church for a “Royal Welcome” and Service of Praise Blessing on our two weeks Centenary Trek.

Tuesday 5th February.

After breakfast at 6.30am we were due to leave for the1 ½ hour road journey to Nyankunde. We had been apprehensive to see 2 mechanics working on the old minibus the previous evening! It was missing one front wheel! They were still working on it in the morning!!

 Extra passengers meant 11 adults and 3 children plus all our luggage were eventually “shoe horned“into the vehicle for a very cramped journey on very bad roads!

At Nyankunde we had time to visit the hospital before an MAF flight to Nebebongo.  We flew for an hour over dense forest and landed on the grass airstrip where about a hundred people were waiting to welcome us with a large banner saying “Welcome to Nebobongo” in true MAF style!!

We were then taken to our accommodation in an MAF Guest House, and then to a meeting followed by a big Congolese “feast”!


Wednesday 6th February

The next morning we visited the Nebobongo Hospital wards, clinics and offices.

After lunch with Dr Jean-Claude, the Medical Director,  and his wife, Christine, we prepared for our road travel to Ibambi.  This was an exciting but gruelling   journey through the forest, again over very bad roads; in very crowded vehicles.

Thanks for your interest.  We will try to get the next installement posted in a day or two!!

Janice & John Franklin