(John’s comments in blue!!)
Friday 7th February
I am sitting on the veranda typing
this. It's 5.30pm, and in about half an hour it will suddenly get dark! Solar
panel little lights should come on then...and mains electric ones later,
if all's well with the power supply!
This morning I attended the students
weekly Worship Service
....with lots of singing by little groups ofstudents. (Picture from
earlier visit) I had forgotten the tradition of introducing and
welcoming a foreign visitor, so had to be nudged into standing up when the
Pastor indicated [in French!] that now was the time!!!! Not sure what was said
about me, but there was cheering and applause.....and I managed a few words of
thanks in French, saying how happy I am to be here again! [At least, I hope
that's what I said!!!....yes, I'm told it was good!!].
I hope you like the 'stretcher
bearers' carrying the huge lumps of rocks....they are trundling about all day
long! All seem happy, and I get nice cheers from them as I go around
photographing the progress every day, as part of my assignment! Today one man
asked me if I was the Manager!!! Director Mele says I should have said yes!! I
just said I was "part of the team"!!!
A woman in one area is employed to
cook a daily meal for one group of men.....it could be the grey
bricks/blocks-making group. All these are made by hand on site....I know 600
bags of cement have been used so far, and many more of bags of sand. (1 bag of
cement + 4 barrows of sand = 30 cement locks)
I am definitely going on the 4-5
hour car journey to Beni on Monday; and Rose and I will stay 2 or 3 days [I
don't know which of the many relatives we'll be staying with!!...I know there
are other places they want to show me in that part of DR Congo....and it is
said I will find an Internet Cafe somewhere there!.....We shall see! So, you
may or may not hear from me for some while. Life here can be one round of
surprises!
Saturday
8th February
It is Saturday morning 11.am and I
have been out and about with Dr. Nancy since 8.30am. We first called at a large
Catholic Complex with Church, and Schools [day, and a Boarding school for
boys, a girls boarding school is planned], where Nancy had a meeting with the
Director [assistant to the Bishop!] to see about setting up a clinic for
Nancy to check staff for Diabetes. 
This is Nancy's speciality, and she travels
around to try and get people to come on a set day for tests. He was receptive
to the plan. She has recently completed a programme of test clinics for many
Pastors and their Wives from a wide area in this part of DRC.
Congolese folk don't go to a
Doctor until they feel really ill, and by then have often been treated by
the local Medicine man/woman with stuff that has probably worsened the
condition! Nancy tries to encourage people to come BEFORE they are ill, and be
tested, then encouraged to go to a Clinic for treatment. Mild or serious they
are encouraged to stick to a diet she gives them.....not all do, judging by
their continued weight/size!
We then went to do some shopping in
the Market......an experience in shopping!! I love the atmosphere in all the
markets and shops!
This evening I am out for a meal
with Nancy and Philip at a family, Robert and Reta and children, who John also
knows well. (Robert
is a Director of the College and Rete is a midwife)
After Church tomorrow morning it
will be back home for lunch.....and after a short rest, I need to sort and pack
for my visit to Beni.....needed to be done before the light fades at 6pm, and
if anything like yesterday it could be VERY dark indoors because the
electricity failed! The packing will be 'difficult enough' anyway!!
We ate a meal by a little solar
light, not much brighter than a candle! It is SO difficult following
conversation in the half-light....all black faces, accents, and you can't
see their lips moving!!!! By the way, those that know I got a hearing-aid not
long before my trip here, mainly for meetings and/or group type gatherings, it
is working VERY well!....
The internet is VERY, VERY slow this
morning.....it is now 11.30 [have had various interruptions!!!] and I may leave
my Laptop plugged in here with Nancy if they haven't all been sent by the time
I have to return 'home'. Nancy and Philip would bring it back when they collect
me for this evening meal. I will close now.
Love and
best Wishes,
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