Dear Loved Ones:
Two days ago, we drove for 5 hours on roads that better resembled a long, long, long series of roller coasters than a road. Travelled first to the large lake, called Munkamba. It was absolutely beautiful...like heaven. Crystal clear water. We went swimming in it and bathed in it. We stayed in the cottages where Presbyterians for years and years stayed when they met for the General Assembly here in the DRC. After sleeping in the cottages, going swimming, and taking pictures...we continued on for another 5 ours on roads that now resembled blast sites in a rock quarry!!! In all, we travelled about 200 kilometres in 10 hours of driving...in the States, that would have taken about 2 hours or less!!!!! That's the Congo!!!
On the second part of the journey, we descended into Mbujimayi literally, "Goat Water"). This is where, for years and years, outsiders have mined for diamonds, gold, and other gems. Many thousands have died in this land of "blood diamonds". 12, 13, 14, and 15 year old children...not to mention adults as well..."pan" for diamonds in the streams and dig for diamond in the dirt...and if they get too close to one of the places "staked" by those who have bribed and paid the government for access, they are shot and killed. Shoot first and ask questions later!
It's a very large, busy, bussling, dog-eat-dog, money is everything, cold, joyless city...Mbujimayi. I couldn't believe how I felt emotionally when I descended out of the mountains where I had shared so many wonderful moments with those who lived out meager, but joyful lives based on an agrarian economy...only to enter a city filled with people trying to look for a quick buck...it felt like I was descending into hell!!!
But, I have to say that once in Mbujimayi, we met with the Church Officials. They were very nice. They took care of us very well. The government officials extracted as much money from us (unfortunately) using the church officials, which was odd. We had not been treated like that in the Western Kasai Region. But, the Church Officials have to survive too...and they must make some sacrifices to Caesar in order to keep the church going, I guess.
I wonder how many sacrifices a denomination of the Christian Church...either here in the DRC or in the US... has to make until it no longer is a "church"...but is, in fact, just another organization of human beings rallying around principles that may or may not have anything to do with God. I wonder!
Anyway, while there, we visited the fantastic school and orphanage that Ruth and Bill Metzel helped to start here...what a "diamond" (and I certainly do not mean "blood diamond") in the rough those two organizations are...literally! In the midst of all the dog-eat-dog...people-eat-people...1 in a million person finding their fortune without getting shot and killed...there is the church, the girl's orphanage, and the school. Ruth and Bill are saints for being able to discern God's Will for these people and make God's Will happen. Both institutions are amazing and are really shining examples of Christ beaming with light, love, and grace in the DRC.
Have to go now...dinner is on the table.
Until the next time...
In Christ's Love,
Dr. Chris Looker, Congo
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