Drumbeats from the Congo

One of the many things I love about the Congolese they are very frank and yet kind and rather child like for instance the following:

Currently Marie and Van Christensen who are Immunization Specialists sent by Church Headquarters in Salt Lake City to help us prepare for a massive immunization campaign are here in Kinshasa.  They were the Humanitarian missionaries here 2007-2009.   They of course made many wonderful friends while here so there have been many joyful reunions.  One of the first things that the locals say to them is, "Oh you have gained weight".   Now they are certainly not obese people but probably have filled out a bit since 2009.  I was at first taken aback by this comment but Christensen's reassured me that this is a compliment!   I am not sure I want that sort of compliment.  

Speaking of compliments, this is what I would describe as a "left-handed" compliment.  I was chatting with a local woman and she said to me, "I think that when you were not so old you were probably a very beautiful woman".  It was one of the few times in my life that I was at a loss for words! :-)

The congolese women are amazing .  Such hard workers.   They have a very hard life.   So they love this crazy mondeli lady who comes to visit them and tells them they are beautiful  wonderful  and leaders of their communities.  They love it that I have a little lingala and hug them and kiss their cheeks.

More hugs from precious women.

He in his congolese shirt and she in her pagne.

 L to r   Eric  Eddy  Felix   Don't have a clue who the other guy is.    The congolese  love to have their  pictures taken and will often jump into a shot uninvited.   I love our guys.   Fine men they are.

Heading into jungle, I met this girl on the trail. Eddy was thrilled that our pagnes were made from the same fabric.