It's been 5 days since my last entry.

It's been a while since I was able to enter information in my blog. The reason I couldn't was because I was very deep within the country at Lubondai, where there is no internet access. Now, I am at Tshikaji, where Mike and Nancy Hanninger serve. Internet access is available and I am glad to be back in touch with you.

Let's see, where to start?

On October 1st, we met with the Session of the Presbyterian Church in Lubondai. They expressed to us a frustration at the lack of communication from many who come and visit them from the "outside" world. There are big organizations who come and promise that and promise this, but do not deliver on those promises. There are other organizations who come and speak to the Hospital Adminstrator and the Chief of the region, but do not speak to the Session or members of the Church. Unfortunately, the Church folk often feel as though they are relegated to second-class citizens here.

John, Bill, and I have assured the Session that we will discuss whatever we are doing in Lubondai with them first and then with other organizations secondly. We believe that church to church discussions and partnerships should be just that: between one church and another church...just like we are doing with our beloved brothers and sisters in Christ at the First Korean Presbyterian Church in Virginia (FKPCV). This message was met with applause and much delight.

Went to the dam today. The damage to the canal that was "blown out" is much more severe than we ever thought possible. The canal is fine from the dam for about 100-125 yards. It is about 12 feet wide and 9 feet deep. Then, all of the sudden, the canal disappears and one sees a very deep 25-30 foot hole! It is massive! This was disparaging, but with the help of the engineer who is here, we have worked out a possible solution...using pipe to "bridge" the gap, instead of rebuilding the canal/channel. Filling in the deep and large hole would take forever. Putting a pipe that leads the water to the highest point...from where it can drop down into a new hydro-electric turbine and produce electricity...will be much more efficient, economical, and doable. And, it still leads us to the same result...anywhere from 10 to 20 kilowatts of electrical output...maybe more.

In addition to the hydro-electric power...a project that will probably take 3 years to complete...we have designed a solar electric component. The idea is to put a solar electric power plant (producing 5 to 10 kilowatts) in the courtyard in the area between the hospital, school, church, and primary school. This could be completed much sooner for a lot less money. However, great care would have to be taken into consideration in terms of keeping it secure (so no soar panels are taken), training the people from Lubondai to run it properly and maintain it properly (ie. replacing the solar batteries every 2 to 3 years and replacing the converter units every 3 - 5 years). Installing this source of power would eliminate provide electricity to the hospital, schools, church, and community center. It would benefit all of the people in Lubondai, including the people in the outlining villages, because of the increased benefit of better health care...ie. no operations by flash light power!!! And, it could be the beginning of a micro-enterprise project that is necessary and desired by the people of Lubondai.

Micro-enterprise: There are many ways the people of Lubondai could produce products for the local Market (held every Saturday), for distribution throughout the DRC, and even internationally. They have more papayas, pineaples, mangoes, and red clay (for brick production) than I have ever seen in any one place! With a source of power, micro-industries could be set up to produce products that would elevate teh standard of living for these beautiful people.

All of this is very exciting.

There is much more to write, but I am very, very tired. O, by the way Montazuma has arrived in the DRC. I got hit with a bad case of stomach aches, headaches, and diarrhia. But, feel much better now...yes, Genny...I took my medicine.

Am very, very tired. Will write more tomoroow.

Until the next time...

In Christ's Precious Love,

Dr. Chris Looker