Tuesday, 12th February 2103 Cont:-
After our visit to the Church Schools there was just time
for a brief rest before we walked to the home of CECCA 16 Church President Modibale
and his wife Bettina. Bettina is German and has been a missionary in DR Congo for
25 years with S.I.L. International doing major translation work.
Before enjoying the evening meal together,
we spent a
couple of hours in the garden discussing church issues and looking at the ways
forward for their very widespread communities
is in this very large country.
Apart from the common needs and concerns as previously
mentioned, there were some which had saddened and shocked us all. There are no pension schemes (government or
private) or retirement structures for Pastors; (or anyone else for that matter)
so when they retire they have to leave their church house and find other
accommodation. Sometimes this might be with family, but.............?
The government has no interest in their future or well-being (or anyone apart from themselves it sometimes seems!) and pastors do not receive any income other
than via the church community, mission
donations and other ways of supporting themselves.
And in all these large districts these pastors and their
senior church staff seem to carry out very similar work to our UK local
councils in looking after the welfare of their community, providing and
supporting most of the clinics, schools and teachers. A very small number of
teachers have government pay and if four out of ten get government pay in one
school, we believe that they share it among themselves along with any money
from the church. Yet these teachers and pastors are dedicated to their work in
providing the children with a good education.
Wednesday, 13th of February 2013
At 9.30am we
set off for a day visit to Nala. That’s 1 ½ hours in the usual two vehicles
over even worse roads and hazards than we had traveled before.
Crowds cheered us into the village including
many schoolchildren in their blue and white uniforms lining the road.
We were welcomed and seated under a purpose
built canopy of bamboo and palm leaves.
The Gamba band folk had come with us on the back of the pickup truck so
they soon joined in with Nala’s music and singing groups!
Introductions and welcomes from the pastors before
the speakers on various subjects.
We toured
the schools and health center before having a typical Congolese meal!
Suddenly it was obvious that there could be a rainstorm
within the next hour or so, which meant a hurried departure amid excitement and
crowds waving us goodbye and safe journey!
We watched the black clouds during the 1 ½ hour ride back to Gamba, Isiro,
because a storm while driving through the forest would be pretty awful!! Our prayers were answered for a dry drive, and
as we were clambering out of the vehicles the heavens suddenly opened, and the
ground was soon like mud rivers!
It was
cooler with the rain and we sat on the veranda and relaxed before we had a meal
and wondered what we would be doing tomorrow!
amazeing xxx
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