Ro and Glo in the Congo

Thursday, May 21, 2015

My Moninga Valenteen

MY MONINGA VALENTEEN

Na lingi yo

LUBUDI COMMUNE, KINSHASA,

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

2014-2015

I have made such wonderful, memorable and precious friendships in D R Congo. I am especially fond of the children and mature women. The life expectancy in DRC is 55 years, so there aren’t a lot of what we westerners would consider elderly. One little girl in particular has stolen my heart. In April 2014 we visited the commune of Lubudi where Valenteen lives with her mother and grandmother. The residents of Lubudi had never had clean water. Valenteen’s mother like all of the women of the commune would leave her home (cement block cubicle) at three each morning, trek through the jungle to a watering hole all the while off animals and rapists. Filling her bidon to its sixty pound limit then loading it onto her head, mother would trek back to feed her family their quite possibly only meal of the day, fufu. On the day of our first visit to Lubudi Valenteen’s mother was eager to show us where she went each day to get water and how desperately they were in need of a well and clean water. Valenteen, age 2 was fascinated by this tall “mundele” visitor (Lingala for white face). While my husband was discussing construction options and well possibilities I was playing peek-a-boo with Valenteen as she hovered behind her mother’s pagne (the wrap around skirts we Congolese women wear). Valenteen was quite afraid of this strange looking woman. Her grandmother kept encouraging her to come closer but she was very reluctant even to the point of tears. I told her grandmother that I really didn’t want Valenteen to be forced to get closer to me because she was obviously frightened. Grandmother insisted and ultimately Valenteen inched a little closer. In the photo below you can see the tears on her cheeks. I was saying, “na lingi yo” (I love you) and she consented to my being allowed to give her a kiss on the cheek.

April 2014- Lubudi Commune. Valenteen age 2.

May 2015- Lubudi Commune. Valenteen age 3.

Over the next year as Humanitarian Missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we were able to work with contractors and members of the community. Ultimately 6 wells were constructed in the Lubudi Commune. While observing construction I occasionally was able to see Valenteen. She was still quite cautious. Occasionally willing to get close to me, but not long enough for a photo op.

Our time here in DR Congo is growing short. I very much wanted to see Valenteen for a last time and to give her a little gift. Just this week we trekked through the jungle into Lubudi one last time. I sent our Lingala translator Felix ahead to her home to let her mother know that I really hoped to see Valenteen. When we arrived Valenteen was standing outside waiting for us. Congolese children in the communes have no commercial toys, so I didn’t want to give her something that was purchased out of a store. I had previously asked a man who does some sewing for me to make a simple doll for Valenteen. A joyful reunion and a fond farewell with my dear little Valenteen. I hope she will remember her mundele moninga (white face friend) and forever have clean water. What a precious little soul there will always be a place in my heart for Valenteen.

Valenteen, grandmother and mother.

Two grandmothers- I love these beautiful mature Congolese women.

Friday, March 6, 2015

Masina Maturation Project and Group Photo

Closing Ceremonies of the Masina Maturation Project.

Some look serious but really we are a FUN BUNCH!!!! Missionaries and temple production staff.

Two projects: Strengthening Marriage and Wheelchairs

A three hour overview of the Strengthening Marriage course was presented in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo Saturday, February 7^,2015. Prior to the presentation we asked Stake Presidents to invite perspective teachers the class and to include themselves, Relief Society Presidents, Bishops and High Counselors.

We were told that 25 participants had been invited. We came prepared for 25 but felt sure that we would be lucky if 15 actually attended.

Much to our surprise and delight 47 people ultimately attended. Not only did they attend but they were zealous participants. It was a most successful experience. Several days after the class and while we were still in Brazzaville, a member of one of the Stake Presidencies came to our hotel and gleefully reported, “My wife can already see a big improvement in me”.

After evaluating class content and presentation considerations we are offering a four hour Strengthening Marriage over view class to perspective teachers in Kinshasa Stake and Mont Ngafula Stake Saturday, March 7, 2015. We will offer the class again in April to Masina, Kimbanseke and Mokali Stakes. Our plan is to offer the course to the remaining two Kinshasa Stakes, Binza and Ngaliema in early May.

We are grateful for this opportunity to assist in strengthening marriages. We are especially grateful to supportive Priesthood leaders and enthusiastic participants. The Brazzaville class was not only inspiring, we had a very good time and lots of fun while bonding with the saints. We pray for the same experience in Kinshasa.

This gentleman, a former High Counselor had not been to church for many years as he had a stroke leaving him paralyzed on one side of his body.

He had no idea that the Church was involved in a wheel chair project until Sister Manon Delisle asked the Welfare Services couple Johnson for information about clinics offering wheel chairs. Sister Delisle made an appointment and took him to the clinic. He met all qualifications and was given a wheel chair. He was over joyed to the point of tears. Returning him to his home Sister Delisle realized that the front of his home was not conducive to getting a wheel chair from the front door to the street. She contacted the Gombe Ward Elder’s Quorum President and arranged for the Elders to come to his home prepared to lay planks and gravel for easy exit from his home. The brother is again overjoyed that he can now return to activity in the Church. Just a great example of what one caring person can do to help another. Thank you Sister Delisle for being an angel of mercy in this man’s life and the lives of so many others.

Brazzaville Valentines

We have been working on several projects in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo (a 6 minute speed boat ride across the Congo River) Laurent and Eric are two of our friends who have been extremely helpful to us with our projects. I being a hopeless romantic felt it my duty to explain the importance of Valentine’s Day to these men. I discovered the perfect surprise for each one of them to give to their wives. Na lingi yo says “I love you” in Lingala. We left Brazza before I learned if the cakes were well received.

PULULU MBAMBU WATER PROJECT CLOSING CEREMONY

DTA Chief of Operations Francis and Site Monitor Eric Kahunda at the completed well.

Well being drilled by hand.

More closing ceremony, ribbon-cutting, and first drink of clean well water.

Tman in the light blue jacket is the village chief, Jean-Pierre, and our good buddy who we worked with since March 2014.

More Pululu Mbambu. The tall character in the colorful blue suit, boots and sash is the bourgmestre of the commune of Selembao, the ranking dignitary.