DR Congo day #2

We finally arrived at our destination today, the city of Luputa. I'm sitting on my bed in the monastery feeling "clean" again after a sponge bath. The monastery is bare bones, but its also quant. It's amazing what the Catholic Church has built around the world in the most remote places. They are rarely kept up now though and many of the buildings are in disrepair.

They did however bring Christianity and education to many places and there missionary work has laid a foundation that we are benefiting from today.

This morning as we were in Mwene Ditu (2 hours away by vehicle) some Church members introduced themselves to us. They said they were getting ready to start walking to Luputa for District (small version of a Stake) Conference tomorrow. I was not looking forward to the 2 hour drive, but I was humbled quickly when I met them and realized they would be walking for 10 hours, (25 miles) in order to get to their Church meeting. The Branch President was walking around to the homes of his members so they could all walk together. AMAZING!

  We also went with Elder Moody to fill up some jerry cans with water from the springs we captured. We're using that water to wash our clothes and take sponge baths. We drove up the road to    where the newest distribution point is and  their was a group getting water. It was fun sneaking up on them without notice so we could see real life. It was so fun to observe the blessing clean water is in their life and the happiness you could feel in the air. The people swarmed around us and showered us with love. I of course had to play with the kids while the older women in the village insisted on cleaning our jerry cans with clorox, filling them up for us and carrying them to our vehicle. I think it was the most warm welcome I have ever received and my eyes started tearing up it was so strong. We always receive warm welcomes where ever we go, but this one was different. The grandmas were doing their African chant of gratitude and they fully  embraced me and greeted me with cheek to cheek welcomes as everyone else was yelling and laughing.

We met with the Chief of the province and he talked about how the Lord sent us here. We had a good interview with him and I told him we lucked out because he was a good interview and also a handsome man. The translator said, "He wants to know if you'll become a member of the Church?" Um... The others quickly corrected the translator and told the Chief what I really said and he blushed and expressed his thanks. What a blunder for the translator. Needless to say we didn't use that translator for the rest of the day and won't for the entire trip.  

While the film crew was interviewing some families I took the time to talk "business" with our partner, Dominique from ADIR. He is a real champion of his people and has done an excellent job with this project. He's the real reason why this has been so successful, which follows our ideal pattern of having projects driven by local champions and not the missionaries.
Later on in the afternoon while we were waiting for an interview I snuck out and played soccer with the kids in front of the monastery. This is the funnest part of my trips, simply playing with the kids and seeing them smile and laugh.

I love each of you and miss you. I hope things are doing good for you at home
Love,
Dad