Well, this is it...I guess. Tomorrow morning, Bill and I are going to fly out of the DRC to Addis Ababba, Ethiopia. I'll continue on immediately to the US...and Bill will stay the night in Addis and then go to Entebbe Airport, where his daughter will greet him and they will have a visit.
I really can't wait to be with my wife and children...with all my ecclesiastical brothers and sisters in my church family at Annandale...sleep in my own bed...etc. I'll miss this place because it has made a pretty big impact on me.
Before we left John Metzel, he took me aside and told me that he felt as though a piping system to pipe water from the damn to a turbine was the way to go at Lubondai. He was going to begin working on the modifications that are needed to make that happen...instead of trying to fill in the "blown out" canal hole...which is about 50 feet wide, 100 feet long, and 30 feet deep. It really is impossible to rebuild the canal the way it was with that kind of damage. He agrees and I agree. I'm glad that he has come to that conclusion.
I am absolutely convinced that putting a small 5 kilowatt solar system in the area in front of the hospital will provide enough electricity for the hospital to get going, working well, saving more lives...the school to function better...the community center to be more welcoming and usable...and, of course, the church to be more accessible and usable by more and more people.
When I left John, I said that we should stick with our two-phase plan (the one that we had discussed before coming over here) to combine solar and hydropower. I would concentrate on the solar power. And, he would focus more on the hydro. The grant monies that have been "granted" should all go toward the hydro project. I will seek to find other sources for the solar system...including the head of the USAID organization here, Mr. Larry Shlegle (I think that I mispelled his last name...but he's a great man).
Well, that's about it for now. I'm going to let another missionary use this computer and get some rest.
THIS HAS BEEN A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL TRIP. I have about 500 picturs and short movie clips to bring back home and will be able to put together a presentation of anywhere from 5 minutes to 45 minutes, depending on the situation and application.
I love you all...
Thanks to EVERYONE who made this trip possible...ESPECIALLY GOD!!
In Christ's Precious Love,
Dr. Christ Looker, Congo
P.S. By the way, they gave me a Tshiluba name!!!! I'm so excited: It's Matombidi. The Rev. Dr. Chris Motombidi. Sounds Great...don't you think. Motombidi literally means "Looker". I think that I'm mispelling it, but I love the way it sounds...especially when I shorten it and jazz it up a little...I'm the BIG MO!!!! The people loved it over here when I called myself the "BIG MO" using a voice like Fat Albert (aka...Bill Cosby). But, I digress...
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Visited hell yesterday and today...
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
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
Begging
Dear Loved Ones:
It is Oct. 8, 2008 and I am beginning my trip back to the US from the Congo. I am so grateful to be coming back to my homeland...the land that I love so very much...the most blessed country in the world. Yet, I am struck with the realization that I am coming back to the great land that I love so very much a begger myself...for the people of the Congo. This scares me.
I can honestly say that while here I have been approached by literally 1000's of beggers and asked for everything I had. I have given a lot of money away and most of my clothes. It is so easy to do here when there is so much suffering.
I have had to refuse many of the beggers and that is hard. Begging is a way of life here.
Now, I come back to the US, the greatest country in the world...and I am a begger myself. Asking money for this and for that...to fix the roof of Christ's church in Annandale...to help the people of Cumberland, Maryland, to help the suffering people of the Dem. Rep. of the Congo...
Maybe that's what we pastors are: beggers. Beggers for God. Beggers for Christ. Beggers for the poor. Beggers for the needy. Beggers for the starving. I hope and pray that when I get back home to the US too many people will not hate me for being a begger-pastor. I just hope and pray that I can "beg" for the right things...for what Christ wants me to beg. May God be with me...with us.
America is the most generous nation on the planet earth. I don't think that I'll have any problems. It will be so very good to be with my Christian family, whom I love so very much, again at FPCA/FKPCV and to be with my home family, who I have missed so very much while here.
Thank you for the honor and privilage of coming on this fact finding mission trip to Congo. I came to this blessed and needy country one man...and I am returning home another man. I came as one with much in the ways of the world...I am coming home a begger.
I love you all very, very, very, very much. See you soon.
Until the next time.
In Christ's Precious Love,
Dr. Chris Looker
It is Oct. 8, 2008 and I am beginning my trip back to the US from the Congo. I am so grateful to be coming back to my homeland...the land that I love so very much...the most blessed country in the world. Yet, I am struck with the realization that I am coming back to the great land that I love so very much a begger myself...for the people of the Congo. This scares me.
I can honestly say that while here I have been approached by literally 1000's of beggers and asked for everything I had. I have given a lot of money away and most of my clothes. It is so easy to do here when there is so much suffering.
I have had to refuse many of the beggers and that is hard. Begging is a way of life here.
Now, I come back to the US, the greatest country in the world...and I am a begger myself. Asking money for this and for that...to fix the roof of Christ's church in Annandale...to help the people of Cumberland, Maryland, to help the suffering people of the Dem. Rep. of the Congo...
Maybe that's what we pastors are: beggers. Beggers for God. Beggers for Christ. Beggers for the poor. Beggers for the needy. Beggers for the starving. I hope and pray that when I get back home to the US too many people will not hate me for being a begger-pastor. I just hope and pray that I can "beg" for the right things...for what Christ wants me to beg. May God be with me...with us.
America is the most generous nation on the planet earth. I don't think that I'll have any problems. It will be so very good to be with my Christian family, whom I love so very much, again at FPCA/FKPCV and to be with my home family, who I have missed so very much while here.
Thank you for the honor and privilage of coming on this fact finding mission trip to Congo. I came to this blessed and needy country one man...and I am returning home another man. I came as one with much in the ways of the world...I am coming home a begger.
I love you all very, very, very, very much. See you soon.
Until the next time.
In Christ's Precious Love,
Dr. Chris Looker
Monday, October 6, 2008
I've gotten some rest and read my three earlier entries. Wow! Was I upset! O well!
Dear Loved Ones:
First of all, I would like to humbly apologize to anyone who has read this blog and has been offended by its contents. I am not very good at knowing what things are "politically correct" to say or write. As a matter, I think that the whole idea of being "politically correct" is rather foolish when it is held up against the basic right provided for us in the First Amendment to the Constitution (Bill of Rights), that being "free speech". But, anyway...
I preached yesterday in the Presbyterian Church here in Lubondai. About 500 men, women, and children crammed into the church to worship for about 2 hours. My sermon was about 30 minutes. John translated it and did a magnificent job. The sermon focussed on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I pointed out that the very first evangelist chosen by God and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ to "deliver" the Good News of Jesus' Resurrection was Mary Magdeline. In this respect, I preached, she was the first "pastor" chosen by God to deliver...to preach...the Good News of the resurrection..."I have seen the Lord!"
Speaking about a woman as a pastor was a little on the edge for this society, but one of the surgeon's wive's asked me to address this issue. The pastor said it was OK, so I did. To date, the people in the Lubondai Presbyterian Church have never allowed a woman to preach the sermon...I've been told. After I was finished with the sermon, I was told that that practice was going to be changed as soon as possible. We'll see.
Even more important than standing strong and advocating for women's ordination and the right of women to preach and teach in the church, I felt moved by God to point out to the people that every life has periods of "death" and "resurrection" in it. And, for the Christian, death can never be considered as an end unto itself. Death...disappointments...loss of a job...are tough on us, but for the Christian, every "death" is always followed by "resurrection". Resurrections are when power is restored, buildings are repaired, lights go on to guide the hands of the surgeons and nurses, water flows, and micro-enterprises flourish. Death is the precedent to resurrection. Death is an opportunity for new life. Death is good...As St. Paul so beautifully wrote in Phillippians, "For me, living is Christ AND DYING IS GAIN!!!" Imagine that, "dying is gain".
For the Christian, death is how one gains eternal life!!! Thanks be to God.
After church, we met with Chief Kananga and 24 of his subchiefs. We discussed the basics of the project and the "partnership" we hope to see started and continued between National Capital Presbytery/First Presbyterian Church of Annandale AND the church and people of Lubondai.
Then we got on our way and have come to Tshikaji, which is where we spent last night.
I had the best night's sleep I've had in quite some time and am feeling a lot more positive about things. I think that when I was not eating and not getting rest, I got a little cranky...and it shows in my three previous entries to this blog. But, I'm going to stick with what I wrote. It not only represents what I felt at the time, but how I felt at the time...which was tired and sometimes sick to my stomach...some of the food did it to me.
Anyway, I have to go now. Nancy has to do her rounds. Thanks for bearing with me through the bad times...and the harsh words that I wrote. This place has really gotten to me.
I love my country. I love my home. I love America. I love the American people. I love my wife and children. And, I thank God every single day for blessing me and my family and my country so very much. I'm sure that whoever wins the presidency, the world will be able to survive it. Hopefully, whoever wins the presidency will be able to do some good not only for our country, but the world.
I wish every single American could come here and see what I've seen. I think that it would do our country some real good!!!
Until the next time...
In Christ's Precious Love,
Dr. Chris Looker, Congo
First of all, I would like to humbly apologize to anyone who has read this blog and has been offended by its contents. I am not very good at knowing what things are "politically correct" to say or write. As a matter, I think that the whole idea of being "politically correct" is rather foolish when it is held up against the basic right provided for us in the First Amendment to the Constitution (Bill of Rights), that being "free speech". But, anyway...
I preached yesterday in the Presbyterian Church here in Lubondai. About 500 men, women, and children crammed into the church to worship for about 2 hours. My sermon was about 30 minutes. John translated it and did a magnificent job. The sermon focussed on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I pointed out that the very first evangelist chosen by God and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ to "deliver" the Good News of Jesus' Resurrection was Mary Magdeline. In this respect, I preached, she was the first "pastor" chosen by God to deliver...to preach...the Good News of the resurrection..."I have seen the Lord!"
Speaking about a woman as a pastor was a little on the edge for this society, but one of the surgeon's wive's asked me to address this issue. The pastor said it was OK, so I did. To date, the people in the Lubondai Presbyterian Church have never allowed a woman to preach the sermon...I've been told. After I was finished with the sermon, I was told that that practice was going to be changed as soon as possible. We'll see.
Even more important than standing strong and advocating for women's ordination and the right of women to preach and teach in the church, I felt moved by God to point out to the people that every life has periods of "death" and "resurrection" in it. And, for the Christian, death can never be considered as an end unto itself. Death...disappointments...loss of a job...are tough on us, but for the Christian, every "death" is always followed by "resurrection". Resurrections are when power is restored, buildings are repaired, lights go on to guide the hands of the surgeons and nurses, water flows, and micro-enterprises flourish. Death is the precedent to resurrection. Death is an opportunity for new life. Death is good...As St. Paul so beautifully wrote in Phillippians, "For me, living is Christ AND DYING IS GAIN!!!" Imagine that, "dying is gain".
For the Christian, death is how one gains eternal life!!! Thanks be to God.
After church, we met with Chief Kananga and 24 of his subchiefs. We discussed the basics of the project and the "partnership" we hope to see started and continued between National Capital Presbytery/First Presbyterian Church of Annandale AND the church and people of Lubondai.
Then we got on our way and have come to Tshikaji, which is where we spent last night.
I had the best night's sleep I've had in quite some time and am feeling a lot more positive about things. I think that when I was not eating and not getting rest, I got a little cranky...and it shows in my three previous entries to this blog. But, I'm going to stick with what I wrote. It not only represents what I felt at the time, but how I felt at the time...which was tired and sometimes sick to my stomach...some of the food did it to me.
Anyway, I have to go now. Nancy has to do her rounds. Thanks for bearing with me through the bad times...and the harsh words that I wrote. This place has really gotten to me.
I love my country. I love my home. I love America. I love the American people. I love my wife and children. And, I thank God every single day for blessing me and my family and my country so very much. I'm sure that whoever wins the presidency, the world will be able to survive it. Hopefully, whoever wins the presidency will be able to do some good not only for our country, but the world.
I wish every single American could come here and see what I've seen. I think that it would do our country some real good!!!
Until the next time...
In Christ's Precious Love,
Dr. Chris Looker, Congo
I met with the Stated Clerk of the Muoyo Lulua Presbytery and the President of the Muoyo Lulua Presbytery's Presbyterian Women.
Dear Loved Ones:
Met with the Clerk of the Muoyo Lulua Presbytery. There are 12 churches in this presbytery. He was a very nice person and a deeply committed Christian. Also met with the Moderator/President of the Muoyo Lulua Presbytery's Presbyterian Women's Group. What a wonderful leader! She is a go-getter! We had a long conversation about the needs that have become so primary in my view here...mainly getting the hospital up and working. And, setting up solar power that provides the hospital with the power to do what it has to do. Right now, it is a disaster. Operations on women by flashlight, rooms that are dark, damp, dirty. Women giving birth and dying. Babies being born premature and dying because there is no power or incubators to keep them warm and alive. Caesarian Section Births that are done in the dark, often causing the women to suffer reproductive damage, scarring, and other debilitating hardships.
Really, it is the women and children here who suffer the most. They have many, many babies because they want to have many babies who are not necessarily spaced properly a part, thus leading to a reduction in energy, medical problems, and health problems for the women and babies. If a woman cannot conceive, she is labeled by the society as a scorcerer and/or witch. She is shunned from the community and eventually dies out in the wilderness. Very, very cruel and harsh!!!
Thus, having a baby is a critical means of survival here in the Congo. If one is a woman and one cannot have a baby, one dies. Unfortunately, it's as simple and as cruel as that.
This is an offense to me because I am a feminist and cannot conceive of human beings (especially women) being treated like property...witches..."things" to be used and discarded...to be shunned to die in the wilderness. This makes me mad. I realize that there is very little that I can do about it and know that I am very blessed to live in a land that, compared to most of the world, provides women with almost-equal and inalienable rights that empower woman to make the world a better place...and, in my estimation a less "male" place...one which seeks to strive for a more balenced society that is, in and of itself, an express of male and female values, which God created to be complimentary and beautiful.
But, as I have seen here and in so many of the other second and third world countries that I have visited, what we have in America is at the same time is as wonderful as it is surreal and unrealistic when compared to most of the rest of the world.
I am now being reminded by the poverty that I am seeing, living in, and experiencing that I come from "La-La Land"! The United States of America, the place that is blessed by God to have it all...while the rest of the world has so little. I have no idea what is happening in America right now. We don't get the papers and the radio only works part of the time. I know that a new president is going to be elected soon, but elected for what? To make sure that America grows more powerful and more wealthy? To make sure that everyone in America is given the rights that they are entitled to just because they are American? To pay back with legislation and exectuve orders those who have given the candidates the most money? To make all the Americans happy? Right! To represent only the people who elected him/her to office...and let all the rest of the people who didn't vote for him/her wither on the vine?
Elect a President...for what? To see if he/she will be "the one"...the human "messiah" who will finally make everything right? Who will inspire us? Who will give us hope? Who will make the changes necessary? Who will do this and will do that...all so that he/she will be able to build a big library at the end of his/her term and celebrate his/her legacy?
It's all a game, isn't it? Let's elect someone who is the closest thing to a messiah that we can. Let's role the dice and hope that it comes up 7. Let's give the most powerful office in the world to the person who says what we want to hear...who produces the most "Oprah Moments"...who thrills the most people...and who promises to do what will please the most people. The Election of a President: The Ultimate Popularity and Beauty Pageant/Contest!
I'm sorry for venting like this, but since I have been here, I have seen 3 children die, a woman being operated on at night by surgeons whose only light was a flashlight, I've prayed with men and women who have tuburculosis, malaria, ovarian cysts and tumors, leprosy. I've seen woman giving birth on a "birthing table" from the 1940's...experiencing pain and complications that no human being should have to go through. I have seen the medical problems caused by sexual abuse, having too many children over a too short of time, and malnutrition.
I watched a child die, whose body was covered with sores that were the result of advanced starvation. I prayed with a woman who had malaria...only to return to where she was lying to find that she was gone and had died.
IT IS ALL UNACCEPTABLE! And, please forgive me, it all makes ANY issue of suffering, distress, injustice, fairness and/or politics that is being used in this rediculous presidential political campaign look like Disney World, compared to what's going on here.
How can we possibly think that ANY issue that is "of critical importance" to ANYONE in America compare to the hell that I am witnessing here?
This has got to stop! I fear that we, as a nation, can do so much more for the world (without putting ourselves in jeopardy)...but for some reason, we are not doing it. Don't get me wrong, I love my country and I sincerely believe that God has blessed our nation with blessings that are overflowing! However, the same God who has blessed American and us with so much also clearly says to every human being, "To those who have been given much, from them much will be required."
What does God require from us? It's a good question. And, if we don't meet that requirement, what will happen? to us? to our nation? to the world.
I'm getting too deep here and need to get some rest. Will comment later.
Until the next time...
In Christ's Precious Love,
Dr. Chris Looker
Met with the Clerk of the Muoyo Lulua Presbytery. There are 12 churches in this presbytery. He was a very nice person and a deeply committed Christian. Also met with the Moderator/President of the Muoyo Lulua Presbytery's Presbyterian Women's Group. What a wonderful leader! She is a go-getter! We had a long conversation about the needs that have become so primary in my view here...mainly getting the hospital up and working. And, setting up solar power that provides the hospital with the power to do what it has to do. Right now, it is a disaster. Operations on women by flashlight, rooms that are dark, damp, dirty. Women giving birth and dying. Babies being born premature and dying because there is no power or incubators to keep them warm and alive. Caesarian Section Births that are done in the dark, often causing the women to suffer reproductive damage, scarring, and other debilitating hardships.
Really, it is the women and children here who suffer the most. They have many, many babies because they want to have many babies who are not necessarily spaced properly a part, thus leading to a reduction in energy, medical problems, and health problems for the women and babies. If a woman cannot conceive, she is labeled by the society as a scorcerer and/or witch. She is shunned from the community and eventually dies out in the wilderness. Very, very cruel and harsh!!!
Thus, having a baby is a critical means of survival here in the Congo. If one is a woman and one cannot have a baby, one dies. Unfortunately, it's as simple and as cruel as that.
This is an offense to me because I am a feminist and cannot conceive of human beings (especially women) being treated like property...witches..."things" to be used and discarded...to be shunned to die in the wilderness. This makes me mad. I realize that there is very little that I can do about it and know that I am very blessed to live in a land that, compared to most of the world, provides women with almost-equal and inalienable rights that empower woman to make the world a better place...and, in my estimation a less "male" place...one which seeks to strive for a more balenced society that is, in and of itself, an express of male and female values, which God created to be complimentary and beautiful.
But, as I have seen here and in so many of the other second and third world countries that I have visited, what we have in America is at the same time is as wonderful as it is surreal and unrealistic when compared to most of the rest of the world.
I am now being reminded by the poverty that I am seeing, living in, and experiencing that I come from "La-La Land"! The United States of America, the place that is blessed by God to have it all...while the rest of the world has so little. I have no idea what is happening in America right now. We don't get the papers and the radio only works part of the time. I know that a new president is going to be elected soon, but elected for what? To make sure that America grows more powerful and more wealthy? To make sure that everyone in America is given the rights that they are entitled to just because they are American? To pay back with legislation and exectuve orders those who have given the candidates the most money? To make all the Americans happy? Right! To represent only the people who elected him/her to office...and let all the rest of the people who didn't vote for him/her wither on the vine?
Elect a President...for what? To see if he/she will be "the one"...the human "messiah" who will finally make everything right? Who will inspire us? Who will give us hope? Who will make the changes necessary? Who will do this and will do that...all so that he/she will be able to build a big library at the end of his/her term and celebrate his/her legacy?
It's all a game, isn't it? Let's elect someone who is the closest thing to a messiah that we can. Let's role the dice and hope that it comes up 7. Let's give the most powerful office in the world to the person who says what we want to hear...who produces the most "Oprah Moments"...who thrills the most people...and who promises to do what will please the most people. The Election of a President: The Ultimate Popularity and Beauty Pageant/Contest!
I'm sorry for venting like this, but since I have been here, I have seen 3 children die, a woman being operated on at night by surgeons whose only light was a flashlight, I've prayed with men and women who have tuburculosis, malaria, ovarian cysts and tumors, leprosy. I've seen woman giving birth on a "birthing table" from the 1940's...experiencing pain and complications that no human being should have to go through. I have seen the medical problems caused by sexual abuse, having too many children over a too short of time, and malnutrition.
I watched a child die, whose body was covered with sores that were the result of advanced starvation. I prayed with a woman who had malaria...only to return to where she was lying to find that she was gone and had died.
IT IS ALL UNACCEPTABLE! And, please forgive me, it all makes ANY issue of suffering, distress, injustice, fairness and/or politics that is being used in this rediculous presidential political campaign look like Disney World, compared to what's going on here.
How can we possibly think that ANY issue that is "of critical importance" to ANYONE in America compare to the hell that I am witnessing here?
This has got to stop! I fear that we, as a nation, can do so much more for the world (without putting ourselves in jeopardy)...but for some reason, we are not doing it. Don't get me wrong, I love my country and I sincerely believe that God has blessed our nation with blessings that are overflowing! However, the same God who has blessed American and us with so much also clearly says to every human being, "To those who have been given much, from them much will be required."
What does God require from us? It's a good question. And, if we don't meet that requirement, what will happen? to us? to our nation? to the world.
I'm getting too deep here and need to get some rest. Will comment later.
Until the next time...
In Christ's Precious Love,
Dr. Chris Looker
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Well, I'm back again.
Dear Loved Ones:
I'm now at Nancy Hanninger's house again and able to use the internet. She and I have wonderful conversations and she is an absolute a delight...bright and wise as a tack! I am in the presence of greatness!! Mike is a brilliant man whose medical knowledge is so extensive...he has rewired his house here, hooked up this internet system, and so much more...not to mention operating on person after person day and night.
I am so blessed to be in the presence of such great people. Thank you Lord for the Hanningers.
Now, back to the dam. The damage at the dam is extensive. In my estimation, it is too much to repair, as we originally planned. However, by using piping and supports, water flow can be restored and a turbine installed. Then, the issue is getting the power 5 kilometres from the turbine to mission. It is a big project that is going to take 3-5 years and a great deal of money. If it works, then it will provide supplemental energy for this blessed community in a way that will lead to better medical care, micro-industries, and improved living conditions. What I am most concerned about is getting solar energy installed for the hospital as soon as possible. Larry Stareshley is a Consultant for National Public Health run through the Ministry of Health and US AID and PCUSA, etc. He trained with John Metzel and is involved in so many projects here. He has access to millions of dollars and is a mover and a shaker. He is very interested in the same short-term solar solution to fix the problems facing the facing the hospital. Unfortunately, in our discussions with Larry, he does not have a very favorable view of the dam project. I do not know why this is because I do not know the issues. However, I do believe that the efficient and cost-effective solution to the dam project is one that could work in combination with Solar Power, which is consistent with the goals and plans that we established before coming here.
At present, it looks like the money that has been generously provided by the National Capital Presbytery and matched by the First Presbyterian Church of Annandale (up to $10,000 per year for three years) is going to be put to good use. And, it is good that this money is going to be set aside by John for the Hydro-Power Project at the dam. It will be my goal to seek to influence anyone who will listen to assist us financially to get a solar system (5 kilowatts or so) installed near the hospital as soon as possible. Important issues to be incorporated into this project will be creating a security system to keep the solar panels, converters, batteries, and transmission lines safe, training specific persons here who have expertise to use and maintain the system, and factoring in financial assistance that will enable the people here to begin developing small micro-enterprises to raise money to become self-supporting and self-sufficient. Once the hydro electric system is added to the solar system, increased development by the community can ensue.
On a completely different topic, I drank some palm wine with Chief Kabenga on Wednesday evening. He asked me why I had only two children, when I was living in such a rich and prosperous country. He has 16 children. One needs to remember that 1 out of 2 children will die before reaching the age of 5 here in the DRC. So, being a basically agrarian economy, having bodies to do the work and be there when someone else dies is a basic standard for family and community survival.
I told him that where I lived in America was very different. I told him that my wife was in charge of how many children we had, since she was the one who carried the child for 9 months and gave painful birth to them. Since I was only the donor of the sperm that began the process the led to the beautiful and wonderful birth of our wonderful sons, Ben and Sam, and Genny did all the work after that, I thought that she should be the one who sets the number of children that we have. Well, that didn't go over too well with the Chief! He wants me to have more children. And, constantly brings it up with great laughter. There are many differences between the ways people view and do things here in the DRC and the ways we do things in America.
Fertility is a very big thing over here in the DRC. It is considered very important because there is when a man and woman conceive a child, there is only a 50 % possibility that that child will live beyond the age of 5. Thus, in many cases, the men and women are actually acting in a way to produce twice as many children as they need to subsist and exist in an agrarian society, knowing that half of them will die. I'm only guessing here, but I don't think that too many men voluntarily decide to have vascectomies here.
But, I degress!!! I thank the good Lord for the two fantastic children that Genny and I have, Ben and Sammy! And, I also think that we would not fare too well if we had 14 or 16 children. We once had a dog, Tellie, and we couldn't even take care of him in addition to our two children. Imagine us with 14 children!!! PREPOSTEROUS.
Well, I degressed again!!!
Anyway, you can imagine the cultural clash that I had with the Chief over how many children we Americans should have, how different our cultures are, etc. I have to say that I just love this Chief (Kabenga). He is funny, respectful, and very wise. He is like the County Supervisor of the community, but with much more power. As a Chief, he has the power and authority to decide any disputes, maintaining the oral tradition of the group, give out land to the people in plots so that they may have land to live on and build houses on, he is the traditional spiritual leader of the community whose knowledge goes back before Christianity got here. He has the power to punish people with fines. He can take their land away from them. He is responsible for the distribution of land and the redistribution of land. He has 24 sub chiefs who work with him, but he is the FATHER CHIEF. His word is the last word.
As you can see, a Chief over here is a very powerful person. This chief excercises his powers very compassionately and wisely. He was a school teacher before he became the Chief. Being a Chief is based on one's family lineage. So, he comes from a long family of Chiefs. He is a Christian and worships at the Presbyterian Church. Has a great education and speaks five different languages. He is a very, very wonderful man. I can see how a Chief could abuse such powers traditionally given to chiefs. However, Chief Kananga is not someone who has fallen prey to the addage: "Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely"...like so many of our politicians and presidential candidates have fallen prey in the U.S.
Well, let's see...I've covered the dam project, solar energy, size of families here, fertility issues, vascetomies, a brief explanation of the local government system (Chiefdoms), and the heavy emphasis on agrarian society here.
What else?
I'll continue in the next entry.
Until the next time...
In Christ's Precious Love,
Dr. Chris Looker
I'm now at Nancy Hanninger's house again and able to use the internet. She and I have wonderful conversations and she is an absolute a delight...bright and wise as a tack! I am in the presence of greatness!! Mike is a brilliant man whose medical knowledge is so extensive...he has rewired his house here, hooked up this internet system, and so much more...not to mention operating on person after person day and night.
I am so blessed to be in the presence of such great people. Thank you Lord for the Hanningers.
Now, back to the dam. The damage at the dam is extensive. In my estimation, it is too much to repair, as we originally planned. However, by using piping and supports, water flow can be restored and a turbine installed. Then, the issue is getting the power 5 kilometres from the turbine to mission. It is a big project that is going to take 3-5 years and a great deal of money. If it works, then it will provide supplemental energy for this blessed community in a way that will lead to better medical care, micro-industries, and improved living conditions. What I am most concerned about is getting solar energy installed for the hospital as soon as possible. Larry Stareshley is a Consultant for National Public Health run through the Ministry of Health and US AID and PCUSA, etc. He trained with John Metzel and is involved in so many projects here. He has access to millions of dollars and is a mover and a shaker. He is very interested in the same short-term solar solution to fix the problems facing the facing the hospital. Unfortunately, in our discussions with Larry, he does not have a very favorable view of the dam project. I do not know why this is because I do not know the issues. However, I do believe that the efficient and cost-effective solution to the dam project is one that could work in combination with Solar Power, which is consistent with the goals and plans that we established before coming here.
At present, it looks like the money that has been generously provided by the National Capital Presbytery and matched by the First Presbyterian Church of Annandale (up to $10,000 per year for three years) is going to be put to good use. And, it is good that this money is going to be set aside by John for the Hydro-Power Project at the dam. It will be my goal to seek to influence anyone who will listen to assist us financially to get a solar system (5 kilowatts or so) installed near the hospital as soon as possible. Important issues to be incorporated into this project will be creating a security system to keep the solar panels, converters, batteries, and transmission lines safe, training specific persons here who have expertise to use and maintain the system, and factoring in financial assistance that will enable the people here to begin developing small micro-enterprises to raise money to become self-supporting and self-sufficient. Once the hydro electric system is added to the solar system, increased development by the community can ensue.
On a completely different topic, I drank some palm wine with Chief Kabenga on Wednesday evening. He asked me why I had only two children, when I was living in such a rich and prosperous country. He has 16 children. One needs to remember that 1 out of 2 children will die before reaching the age of 5 here in the DRC. So, being a basically agrarian economy, having bodies to do the work and be there when someone else dies is a basic standard for family and community survival.
I told him that where I lived in America was very different. I told him that my wife was in charge of how many children we had, since she was the one who carried the child for 9 months and gave painful birth to them. Since I was only the donor of the sperm that began the process the led to the beautiful and wonderful birth of our wonderful sons, Ben and Sam, and Genny did all the work after that, I thought that she should be the one who sets the number of children that we have. Well, that didn't go over too well with the Chief! He wants me to have more children. And, constantly brings it up with great laughter. There are many differences between the ways people view and do things here in the DRC and the ways we do things in America.
Fertility is a very big thing over here in the DRC. It is considered very important because there is when a man and woman conceive a child, there is only a 50 % possibility that that child will live beyond the age of 5. Thus, in many cases, the men and women are actually acting in a way to produce twice as many children as they need to subsist and exist in an agrarian society, knowing that half of them will die. I'm only guessing here, but I don't think that too many men voluntarily decide to have vascectomies here.
But, I degress!!! I thank the good Lord for the two fantastic children that Genny and I have, Ben and Sammy! And, I also think that we would not fare too well if we had 14 or 16 children. We once had a dog, Tellie, and we couldn't even take care of him in addition to our two children. Imagine us with 14 children!!! PREPOSTEROUS.
Well, I degressed again!!!
Anyway, you can imagine the cultural clash that I had with the Chief over how many children we Americans should have, how different our cultures are, etc. I have to say that I just love this Chief (Kabenga). He is funny, respectful, and very wise. He is like the County Supervisor of the community, but with much more power. As a Chief, he has the power and authority to decide any disputes, maintaining the oral tradition of the group, give out land to the people in plots so that they may have land to live on and build houses on, he is the traditional spiritual leader of the community whose knowledge goes back before Christianity got here. He has the power to punish people with fines. He can take their land away from them. He is responsible for the distribution of land and the redistribution of land. He has 24 sub chiefs who work with him, but he is the FATHER CHIEF. His word is the last word.
As you can see, a Chief over here is a very powerful person. This chief excercises his powers very compassionately and wisely. He was a school teacher before he became the Chief. Being a Chief is based on one's family lineage. So, he comes from a long family of Chiefs. He is a Christian and worships at the Presbyterian Church. Has a great education and speaks five different languages. He is a very, very wonderful man. I can see how a Chief could abuse such powers traditionally given to chiefs. However, Chief Kananga is not someone who has fallen prey to the addage: "Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely"...like so many of our politicians and presidential candidates have fallen prey in the U.S.
Well, let's see...I've covered the dam project, solar energy, size of families here, fertility issues, vascetomies, a brief explanation of the local government system (Chiefdoms), and the heavy emphasis on agrarian society here.
What else?
I'll continue in the next entry.
Until the next time...
In Christ's Precious Love,
Dr. Chris Looker
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
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
Sorry I haven't been in touch for a while. Been deep inside the Congo with no internet access.
Am a bit sick to the stomach. But, am doing OK.
The people here have a joy on their faces and in their actions that literally overwhealms me. I can't beleive that so many people who do not have saving's accounts, stocks and bonds, 401k's, regular salaries and benefits, credit cards, cars (not even one!!!)...they don't even have clothes or shoes!!! I can't believe how happy these people are!!! How can this be? How can anyone without all that stuff be happy?
Amazing!!!
The people here have a joy on their faces and in their actions that literally overwhealms me. I can't beleive that so many people who do not have saving's accounts, stocks and bonds, 401k's, regular salaries and benefits, credit cards, cars (not even one!!!)...they don't even have clothes or shoes!!! I can't believe how happy these people are!!! How can this be? How can anyone without all that stuff be happy?
Amazing!!!
Sept. 30th
Tuesday, September 30, 2008:
Today was an unbelievable day. We saw starving children at the hospital in Tshikaji (Nancy’s Hospital). Then, we went to Lubondai. We arrived here to a welcoming party of about 200 hundred people. They sang songs and paraded us down to the church, where we had a worship service. Then, we had a magnificent meal…goat, rice, beer, soda, vidia, gravy, potatoes, red beans (grown beans), chicken. Wow, what a feast.
Then, we went to the hospital to watch a surgery. A young woman was being operated on for a cyst in her ovaries and appendicitis. She did very well. The operation was done at night using a car battery and a light. I took pictures and filmed (videoed) the operation as well. Imagine operating using something a little more powerful than a flashlight!!!
The women here have fistulas that occur during birth, because of rapes, abuse, lack of hygiene, etc. They are tears within the urethra that cause urine leakage to seep into other parts of the body, leading to terrible infections. Sorry to be so graphic, but these injuries cause a major portion of the infections that women have here. The doctors operate on these women day and night.
There is no electricity here in Lubondai, so this will be my last entry for a while. I’ll begin writing down my notes so that when I get to some electricity I can cut and paste the information into my blog.
As we have moved deeper within the DRC, there is more and more poverty. Children are naked and dirty…because they have no water or soap. Many of the children have bloating stomachs and whitening hair…a sign of starvation. If it weren’t for the smiles on all of the children’s faces, the incredible smiles on all of the people’s faces, and the hospitality of the people toward us, I would have to say that this place is hell. But, God is here…in the people’s souls…in the people’s faces…in the people’s hearts. It’s amazing. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound…
Because of God, this place is still heaven. There is a presence of goodness, decency, kindness, love, joy, and peace which surpasses anything that I have ever seen anywhere else…especially in the U.S.
Why can’t there be more missionaries in the Christian Church? Why are the Presbyterians and other mainline Christian denominations cutting mission funding…especially internationally? Why are Americans so rich and unhappy and the Congolese so poor and happy? Why is there so much suffering here?
The Good Book points out that “from those who have been given much, much will be required.” Is God requiring the U.S. and other wealthy countries (who have been given much) to give up more of what we/they have? If so, why aren’t we giving more to the poor? Why are we so worried about having enough, when we have more than we need? If God is requiring us to give up more for these people (the Congolese), then why are we not responding faithfully to that requirement.
If giving up more is a requirement, like a contract, why aren’t we (who have been given so much) fulfilling our part of the contract? And, if breaking the contract that God has called us to honor is what is actually happening, then what is the punishment for breaking the contract?
As you can see, I’m confused…and upset...just like I was when I was a missionary 20 years ago. But, I guess that a little confusion never hurt anyone. Maybe some enlightenment will come of this? I don't know the answers and find great solace and peace in prayer.
Got to go. The battery is going to go out.
Until the next time,
In Christ’s Precious Love,
Dr. Chris Looker
Well, it's been 6 days since my last entry. The reason I haven't written any
Today was an unbelievable day. We saw starving children at the hospital in Tshikaji (Nancy’s Hospital). Then, we went to Lubondai. We arrived here to a welcoming party of about 200 hundred people. They sang songs and paraded us down to the church, where we had a worship service. Then, we had a magnificent meal…goat, rice, beer, soda, vidia, gravy, potatoes, red beans (grown beans), chicken. Wow, what a feast.
Then, we went to the hospital to watch a surgery. A young woman was being operated on for a cyst in her ovaries and appendicitis. She did very well. The operation was done at night using a car battery and a light. I took pictures and filmed (videoed) the operation as well. Imagine operating using something a little more powerful than a flashlight!!!
The women here have fistulas that occur during birth, because of rapes, abuse, lack of hygiene, etc. They are tears within the urethra that cause urine leakage to seep into other parts of the body, leading to terrible infections. Sorry to be so graphic, but these injuries cause a major portion of the infections that women have here. The doctors operate on these women day and night.
There is no electricity here in Lubondai, so this will be my last entry for a while. I’ll begin writing down my notes so that when I get to some electricity I can cut and paste the information into my blog.
As we have moved deeper within the DRC, there is more and more poverty. Children are naked and dirty…because they have no water or soap. Many of the children have bloating stomachs and whitening hair…a sign of starvation. If it weren’t for the smiles on all of the children’s faces, the incredible smiles on all of the people’s faces, and the hospitality of the people toward us, I would have to say that this place is hell. But, God is here…in the people’s souls…in the people’s faces…in the people’s hearts. It’s amazing. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound…
Because of God, this place is still heaven. There is a presence of goodness, decency, kindness, love, joy, and peace which surpasses anything that I have ever seen anywhere else…especially in the U.S.
Why can’t there be more missionaries in the Christian Church? Why are the Presbyterians and other mainline Christian denominations cutting mission funding…especially internationally? Why are Americans so rich and unhappy and the Congolese so poor and happy? Why is there so much suffering here?
The Good Book points out that “from those who have been given much, much will be required.” Is God requiring the U.S. and other wealthy countries (who have been given much) to give up more of what we/they have? If so, why aren’t we giving more to the poor? Why are we so worried about having enough, when we have more than we need? If God is requiring us to give up more for these people (the Congolese), then why are we not responding faithfully to that requirement.
If giving up more is a requirement, like a contract, why aren’t we (who have been given so much) fulfilling our part of the contract? And, if breaking the contract that God has called us to honor is what is actually happening, then what is the punishment for breaking the contract?
As you can see, I’m confused…and upset...just like I was when I was a missionary 20 years ago. But, I guess that a little confusion never hurt anyone. Maybe some enlightenment will come of this? I don't know the answers and find great solace and peace in prayer.
Got to go. The battery is going to go out.
Until the next time,
In Christ’s Precious Love,
Dr. Chris Looker
Well, it's been 6 days since my last entry. The reason I haven't written any
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Redy to leave the hospital to go to Lubonda.
Dear Loved Ones:
I'm here at the hospital with Nancy Haninger. She is the most gracious, kind, capable, loving, fantastic nurse/healer I have ever met (in addition to her husband). Yesterday, we went throught the hospital and I held a severly malnurished 7 month old because the family who brought their four children in didn't have enough "hands" to help. So, I just picked the beautiful child and took him to all his tests (blood, urine, stool, etc). Nancy showed us all of the Pediatric and Gynecological Units (Women's Health). Problem pregnancies here would not be considered problems in the States. The slightest problem with a pregnancy is cause for extensive treatment. Mike operates non-stop on women who have fistulas (I think that that's what he called them). They are holes between the bladder and Uterus, Vagina Cavity, etc. They can be terribly injurious and even fatal if not taken care of. He does such fantastic work.
We saw the station where the children who had "sever starvation or malnutrition" came in by the vanloads!!! Immediate observation shows that they have whitening hair, bloated stomachs, scarring on the legs and hands, open sores, discoloration in the eyes, fevers, diminished growth, etc. We saw a number of children who were in critical condition...some appeared to be better than others, but were (clinically) much worse. It took the medical expertise of Nancy to figure that out. Measurements of the upper arms are critical. Evidence of Diarhea. Length of growth compared to age, weight, etc. One of the children came in with open sores all over his lower extremities. We saw him and shortly after we saw him, he died. We were in the hall when his mother began to scream and cry. It was horrible.
We also visited a woman who had triplets...here a very difficult and "problem" pregnancy. One of the babies, who were all seemingly healthy according to the sonograms, died shortly after birth. Did not make it in the incubator. The two babies who survived were doing well. And, I say this without any humor or lack of respect in any way, the attitude here was "two out of three is not bad". In other words, the people here are used to death, starvation, poor growth patterns, crying, and moaning. They are used to not having enough to eat.
Which brings me to the Morenga Tree. What a Godsend!!! It was introduced here at the hospital by someone who brought the seeds from India and Napal!!!! It has leaves that contain exactly the missing nutrients, enzymes, vitamins, etc. in the average Congolese diet...especially in the children's diet.
Seeing dead or dying children is hard. But, knowing that the Morenga Tree leaves are making a difference (a good one) and watching Nancy and Mike work somehow provides hope to all who may come this way to witness the miracle of truly Christian mission work.
We met the Secretary General of the Presbyterian Church in the Eastern half of the DRC. He was a very wonderful man who works very, very hard serving as a pastor to the pastors here.
We also met the first Governor of Kasai last night in his home. Unfortunately, the lights were out (as has been the case for much of our trip...they have "rolling blackouts" here quite often because the generators and electrical production cannot meet up with the loads being "pulled" by electrical things). The government put in an electrical line from what is going to be the largest damn in the world...back near Kinshasa. However, they have forbidden the people between Kinshasa and the copper/diamond mines in the Eastern part of the country to use the electricity from those lines. In other words, this is just another way of the centralized and corrupt government in Kinshasa to control the people completely. Outside of Kinshasa the "ruling" government has absolutely no support...they are by far a minority party. But, because of the way they manipulate the politics here, they somehow stay in power. The opposition party in the last election wasn't even allowed to participate!!!! If they would have, the current President would have been trounced in the election!!!
But, just to give you an idea, as I said, there is a "switch" in Kinshasa that controls the main electrical line that runs from the damn near Kinshasa to the copper/diamond mines hundreds of miles away. Whenever the government in Kinshasa wants to "turn off the switch", they can. The electricity produced by that one electrical line could power all of Africa, not just the DRC!!!!! But, the government uses it as a "club" against the people. No electrical power = they stay in power...or so the sinful, horrible, evil theory goes.
We are going to Lubondai this morning as soon as John and Bill get here with "Jim", who studied at Appalacian State University in America and is the former/first Governor's son (after Independence). He has been a Godsend. The Landcruiser that we paid to fix is still not ready, but will be when we are ready to leave Lubondai and for the time that John stays here completing the first stage of the project. This is no problem because "Jim" is driving us to Lubonda...he is running for Mayor of Kananga and I told him that I wanted to vote for him. He told me that I couldn't. What a shame!!!
He wants to see the damn at Lubondai. He wants to help try to figure out what to do there. And, the network (a huge one) that John has put together is lining up to help. If I haven't said it before, John Metzel is amazing! His Tshilube (local language) has "come back" (maybe it never left) and his French is amazing. He is truly "home" here. The emotions that he is experiencing are often present in ways that I never witnessed back in the United States. Tears of joy have been common...walking hand in hand with his "brothers" is a common sight (the men hold hands here in the Congo)...it's a beautiful and totally sexless thing. Unfortunately, since we are so preoccupied with sex in the United States, something like this innocent practice would never (or almost never) occur. Here it is a beautiful, holy, and loving sight...and it means a lot to the people. The women hold hands here too...it's just that when we Americans see men holding hands, it appears strange to us. Here it is a sign of friendship.
I wish we weren't so preoccupied with sex, money, ownership of "things", critical, negative, and so prone to point fingers in the US.
Innocence is a beautiful thing. I think that innocense left the US a long time ago.
Well, they are coming for me right now. I will probably not be entering any entries into this blog for quite a while because of the remoteness of Lubondai. Maybe, I'll get a opportunity to do so, but will back up my comments on WORD and then transfer them to the blog when I get back to Bujimon or Kinshasa.
I want to say to all of the Congolese who may read this that I know that I am butchering (mispelling) a lot of the words...as well as the English words... I do know how to spell, but you can't imagine how precious the time here is on the internet and I have to rush, rush, rush when I make these entries. I am so truly sorry.
Bill is doing very, very well. He is experiencing things with a maturity and gentlemanliness that comes from his blessed generation. We young bucks don't have a clue about all of the decent manners that were so traditionally and regularly taught in their lives. Those of us who are below 50 years of age, have no idea.
Nancy just showed me what a "Capped Spring Water Source" is. Basically, the water that runs down two ravines on either side of Tshikashi (the place where the hospital is) have gravel, stone, and sand areas that naturally filter the water that comes running down the ravines. The water then enters a pipe. Then flows at a rate that "flushes" out other forms of hurtful small things in the water. And, at the other end of the pipe, out comes perfectly clean drinking water. The two systems that they have here provide enough clean drinking water for 9000 people!!!! Can you believe it. Shallow wells do not work here. The Capped Spring Water Source System is the best system and it is relatively easy and inexpensive to build. Amazing.
Maybe we ought to think about using this at Lubondai???? I'll ask John.
Well, I really miss my wife, Genny, and two boys, Ben and Sam. I miss the my church family. I am an emotional person and there have been a few times when I have cried a bit. But, it's good to get the tears out...it just proves to me that I truly love my wife, kids, FPCA, FKPCV, and my home in America. The tears often come uncontrollably and seemingly "from no where". Thus, they much be "talking" to me from deep within my subconscious. It's nice to know that deep within my subconscious, I love my wife, children, FPCA, FKPCV, and all my friends at home as much as my conscious self. But, enough of the psychobabble!!!!
Apparently, John told the people here that I am a hunter. They told him that there is a crocodile or two in the damn at Lubondai. They have gotten a 12 guage shotgun and want me to shoot the crocs (or are they called Alligators here???). I said, if it helps the cause, I'll be glad to go hunting!!!! If Paul or Diane Malone are reading this, I'll use this "hunting practice" to get ready for hunting season down in Louisa County!!!!! By the way, hello Paul and Diane...give my love to everyone in the Malone clan...expecially that softball allstar daughter of yours!!! I Sandra. Hi, Emily!!
I wish to say a hearty hello to all of my loved ones at the church too. Hello Marta, Isabelle, Ruth, Jack, Judi, Barb, Hugh, Susan H., Susi, Nadine, John (oops, he's here), Sandy, etc. I think that's all of the Elders. Hello everyone in the congregation.
I love you all.
Here comes John to yank me away so that we can get to Lubondai. I have to go.
Until the next time...
In Christ's Precious Love,
Dr. Chris Looker
I'm here at the hospital with Nancy Haninger. She is the most gracious, kind, capable, loving, fantastic nurse/healer I have ever met (in addition to her husband). Yesterday, we went throught the hospital and I held a severly malnurished 7 month old because the family who brought their four children in didn't have enough "hands" to help. So, I just picked the beautiful child and took him to all his tests (blood, urine, stool, etc). Nancy showed us all of the Pediatric and Gynecological Units (Women's Health). Problem pregnancies here would not be considered problems in the States. The slightest problem with a pregnancy is cause for extensive treatment. Mike operates non-stop on women who have fistulas (I think that that's what he called them). They are holes between the bladder and Uterus, Vagina Cavity, etc. They can be terribly injurious and even fatal if not taken care of. He does such fantastic work.
We saw the station where the children who had "sever starvation or malnutrition" came in by the vanloads!!! Immediate observation shows that they have whitening hair, bloated stomachs, scarring on the legs and hands, open sores, discoloration in the eyes, fevers, diminished growth, etc. We saw a number of children who were in critical condition...some appeared to be better than others, but were (clinically) much worse. It took the medical expertise of Nancy to figure that out. Measurements of the upper arms are critical. Evidence of Diarhea. Length of growth compared to age, weight, etc. One of the children came in with open sores all over his lower extremities. We saw him and shortly after we saw him, he died. We were in the hall when his mother began to scream and cry. It was horrible.
We also visited a woman who had triplets...here a very difficult and "problem" pregnancy. One of the babies, who were all seemingly healthy according to the sonograms, died shortly after birth. Did not make it in the incubator. The two babies who survived were doing well. And, I say this without any humor or lack of respect in any way, the attitude here was "two out of three is not bad". In other words, the people here are used to death, starvation, poor growth patterns, crying, and moaning. They are used to not having enough to eat.
Which brings me to the Morenga Tree. What a Godsend!!! It was introduced here at the hospital by someone who brought the seeds from India and Napal!!!! It has leaves that contain exactly the missing nutrients, enzymes, vitamins, etc. in the average Congolese diet...especially in the children's diet.
Seeing dead or dying children is hard. But, knowing that the Morenga Tree leaves are making a difference (a good one) and watching Nancy and Mike work somehow provides hope to all who may come this way to witness the miracle of truly Christian mission work.
We met the Secretary General of the Presbyterian Church in the Eastern half of the DRC. He was a very wonderful man who works very, very hard serving as a pastor to the pastors here.
We also met the first Governor of Kasai last night in his home. Unfortunately, the lights were out (as has been the case for much of our trip...they have "rolling blackouts" here quite often because the generators and electrical production cannot meet up with the loads being "pulled" by electrical things). The government put in an electrical line from what is going to be the largest damn in the world...back near Kinshasa. However, they have forbidden the people between Kinshasa and the copper/diamond mines in the Eastern part of the country to use the electricity from those lines. In other words, this is just another way of the centralized and corrupt government in Kinshasa to control the people completely. Outside of Kinshasa the "ruling" government has absolutely no support...they are by far a minority party. But, because of the way they manipulate the politics here, they somehow stay in power. The opposition party in the last election wasn't even allowed to participate!!!! If they would have, the current President would have been trounced in the election!!!
But, just to give you an idea, as I said, there is a "switch" in Kinshasa that controls the main electrical line that runs from the damn near Kinshasa to the copper/diamond mines hundreds of miles away. Whenever the government in Kinshasa wants to "turn off the switch", they can. The electricity produced by that one electrical line could power all of Africa, not just the DRC!!!!! But, the government uses it as a "club" against the people. No electrical power = they stay in power...or so the sinful, horrible, evil theory goes.
We are going to Lubondai this morning as soon as John and Bill get here with "Jim", who studied at Appalacian State University in America and is the former/first Governor's son (after Independence). He has been a Godsend. The Landcruiser that we paid to fix is still not ready, but will be when we are ready to leave Lubondai and for the time that John stays here completing the first stage of the project. This is no problem because "Jim" is driving us to Lubonda...he is running for Mayor of Kananga and I told him that I wanted to vote for him. He told me that I couldn't. What a shame!!!
He wants to see the damn at Lubondai. He wants to help try to figure out what to do there. And, the network (a huge one) that John has put together is lining up to help. If I haven't said it before, John Metzel is amazing! His Tshilube (local language) has "come back" (maybe it never left) and his French is amazing. He is truly "home" here. The emotions that he is experiencing are often present in ways that I never witnessed back in the United States. Tears of joy have been common...walking hand in hand with his "brothers" is a common sight (the men hold hands here in the Congo)...it's a beautiful and totally sexless thing. Unfortunately, since we are so preoccupied with sex in the United States, something like this innocent practice would never (or almost never) occur. Here it is a beautiful, holy, and loving sight...and it means a lot to the people. The women hold hands here too...it's just that when we Americans see men holding hands, it appears strange to us. Here it is a sign of friendship.
I wish we weren't so preoccupied with sex, money, ownership of "things", critical, negative, and so prone to point fingers in the US.
Innocence is a beautiful thing. I think that innocense left the US a long time ago.
Well, they are coming for me right now. I will probably not be entering any entries into this blog for quite a while because of the remoteness of Lubondai. Maybe, I'll get a opportunity to do so, but will back up my comments on WORD and then transfer them to the blog when I get back to Bujimon or Kinshasa.
I want to say to all of the Congolese who may read this that I know that I am butchering (mispelling) a lot of the words...as well as the English words... I do know how to spell, but you can't imagine how precious the time here is on the internet and I have to rush, rush, rush when I make these entries. I am so truly sorry.
Bill is doing very, very well. He is experiencing things with a maturity and gentlemanliness that comes from his blessed generation. We young bucks don't have a clue about all of the decent manners that were so traditionally and regularly taught in their lives. Those of us who are below 50 years of age, have no idea.
Nancy just showed me what a "Capped Spring Water Source" is. Basically, the water that runs down two ravines on either side of Tshikashi (the place where the hospital is) have gravel, stone, and sand areas that naturally filter the water that comes running down the ravines. The water then enters a pipe. Then flows at a rate that "flushes" out other forms of hurtful small things in the water. And, at the other end of the pipe, out comes perfectly clean drinking water. The two systems that they have here provide enough clean drinking water for 9000 people!!!! Can you believe it. Shallow wells do not work here. The Capped Spring Water Source System is the best system and it is relatively easy and inexpensive to build. Amazing.
Maybe we ought to think about using this at Lubondai???? I'll ask John.
Well, I really miss my wife, Genny, and two boys, Ben and Sam. I miss the my church family. I am an emotional person and there have been a few times when I have cried a bit. But, it's good to get the tears out...it just proves to me that I truly love my wife, kids, FPCA, FKPCV, and my home in America. The tears often come uncontrollably and seemingly "from no where". Thus, they much be "talking" to me from deep within my subconscious. It's nice to know that deep within my subconscious, I love my wife, children, FPCA, FKPCV, and all my friends at home as much as my conscious self. But, enough of the psychobabble!!!!
Apparently, John told the people here that I am a hunter. They told him that there is a crocodile or two in the damn at Lubondai. They have gotten a 12 guage shotgun and want me to shoot the crocs (or are they called Alligators here???). I said, if it helps the cause, I'll be glad to go hunting!!!! If Paul or Diane Malone are reading this, I'll use this "hunting practice" to get ready for hunting season down in Louisa County!!!!! By the way, hello Paul and Diane...give my love to everyone in the Malone clan...expecially that softball allstar daughter of yours!!! I Sandra. Hi, Emily!!
I wish to say a hearty hello to all of my loved ones at the church too. Hello Marta, Isabelle, Ruth, Jack, Judi, Barb, Hugh, Susan H., Susi, Nadine, John (oops, he's here), Sandy, etc. I think that's all of the Elders. Hello everyone in the congregation.
I love you all.
Here comes John to yank me away so that we can get to Lubondai. I have to go.
Until the next time...
In Christ's Precious Love,
Dr. Chris Looker
Monday, September 29, 2008
I'm about to take a tour of the Hospital with Nancy Hanninger.
Dear Loved Ones:
I'm here with Nancy and we are having such a wonderful time.
I only have 12 minutes to make this entry.
We went out with the former Governor's son last night. Went to a lovely restaurant...lovely by Congo standards. I had the most delicious chicken and potatoes. I met the former Ambassador of Rome to Afganistan, Bishop Corosa. WHAT A GIANT OF A HUMAN BEING. We hit it off and John and Bill couldn't tear us apart!!! He wants to start a library here in Tshikaji and/or Konanga. He has 150,000 books (French and English) stored in warehouses in the country. But, no one wants to help him. He asked me for $40,000 to help him. I said that I didn't have that much on me, but do know some people in the States who value precious gift of the written word (books) more than just about anything...me being one.
I remain committed and focussed on the project at Lubondai, though. We haven't even gotten there and I've been asked for money to build a church ($30,000), a library ($40,000), hospital ($25,000), and much much more...about $200,000 so far. As instructed by John and Bill, I have promised nothing. It is not good to promise something that one cannot keep. Discussion is fine, but promising is a sacred vow that should always be kept. I have promised nothing.
Lubondai awaits us. We have gotten some very good counsel on hydroelectric power advances...solar power advances...different options. John is focussed like a laser on getting the channel or chute that leads from the dam fixed. Without that first step, other things will not be able to follow.
John is often welling up with emotions that speak to the incredible power of this experience on his life. He is always commenting on how good it is to be "home". He really is home. And, so is Bill. Their Tshaluba and French is fantastic. I often stand in the background and stay quiet...I know...Amazing, isn't it!!!!
The poverty here is truly beyond explanation. People die every day. Nancy and Mike try to save every single life, but that is not possible. Out further in the country, it gets more and more diffictult...like in Lubondai.
We have seen our share of bloated stomachs, begging children, tattered clothes, wounds from the "war", faces dismembered, legs and arms missing...yet, in all of the people we have met and seen, there is still that smile...that joy...that desire to go on with hope...hope that can only come from some other place than here. Because, here there is much dispair and hopelessness...from a worldly standard. The hope that the people have here comes from their faith in God...thank God for the missionaries. It comes from knowing that Jesus Christ is with them...no matter what. And the "distance" between literal death, starvation, and misery AND regular life is very small.
There is no question that the hope that these people have comes from somewhere other than here...on earth. They know something that others don't. And, it is that whatever may happen to them here on earth, they will be taken care of by a Savior in a beautiful life to come.
I am starting to feel so guilty about how much the people of the United States moan and gripe about "how disastrous things are in the United States"..."how bad the economy is"..."how America has gone downhill"..."how it has never been as bad as it is now in the US"...ALL ANYONE HAS TO DO TO LEARN HOW BLESSED WE ARE IN THE UNITED STATES IS COME HERE FOR A DAY OR TWO...NOT TWO OR THREE WEEKS...BUT JUST ONE DAY!!!
I love my country and always will. But, we are doing just fine, thank you very much!
It sickens me to think of what the candidates for the Presidency (both of them) are saying in order to get elected as President. Being president of the most blessed people on the face of the earth...what challenge is that. How about being the president of the beautiful people of this country? Now, that would be hard work...good work...meaningful work...and work that would really mean something. The people of the United States could go for 4 or 8 years without a president and still be way better off than these people...however, we would still probably not be as joyful. Complain, Complain, Complain. Bitch, bitch, bitch.
I'm venting now. I am sorry. I have to go with Nancy to visit the hospital.
I love you all,
Until next time,
Chris Looker
I'm here with Nancy and we are having such a wonderful time.
I only have 12 minutes to make this entry.
We went out with the former Governor's son last night. Went to a lovely restaurant...lovely by Congo standards. I had the most delicious chicken and potatoes. I met the former Ambassador of Rome to Afganistan, Bishop Corosa. WHAT A GIANT OF A HUMAN BEING. We hit it off and John and Bill couldn't tear us apart!!! He wants to start a library here in Tshikaji and/or Konanga. He has 150,000 books (French and English) stored in warehouses in the country. But, no one wants to help him. He asked me for $40,000 to help him. I said that I didn't have that much on me, but do know some people in the States who value precious gift of the written word (books) more than just about anything...me being one.
I remain committed and focussed on the project at Lubondai, though. We haven't even gotten there and I've been asked for money to build a church ($30,000), a library ($40,000), hospital ($25,000), and much much more...about $200,000 so far. As instructed by John and Bill, I have promised nothing. It is not good to promise something that one cannot keep. Discussion is fine, but promising is a sacred vow that should always be kept. I have promised nothing.
Lubondai awaits us. We have gotten some very good counsel on hydroelectric power advances...solar power advances...different options. John is focussed like a laser on getting the channel or chute that leads from the dam fixed. Without that first step, other things will not be able to follow.
John is often welling up with emotions that speak to the incredible power of this experience on his life. He is always commenting on how good it is to be "home". He really is home. And, so is Bill. Their Tshaluba and French is fantastic. I often stand in the background and stay quiet...I know...Amazing, isn't it!!!!
The poverty here is truly beyond explanation. People die every day. Nancy and Mike try to save every single life, but that is not possible. Out further in the country, it gets more and more diffictult...like in Lubondai.
We have seen our share of bloated stomachs, begging children, tattered clothes, wounds from the "war", faces dismembered, legs and arms missing...yet, in all of the people we have met and seen, there is still that smile...that joy...that desire to go on with hope...hope that can only come from some other place than here. Because, here there is much dispair and hopelessness...from a worldly standard. The hope that the people have here comes from their faith in God...thank God for the missionaries. It comes from knowing that Jesus Christ is with them...no matter what. And the "distance" between literal death, starvation, and misery AND regular life is very small.
There is no question that the hope that these people have comes from somewhere other than here...on earth. They know something that others don't. And, it is that whatever may happen to them here on earth, they will be taken care of by a Savior in a beautiful life to come.
I am starting to feel so guilty about how much the people of the United States moan and gripe about "how disastrous things are in the United States"..."how bad the economy is"..."how America has gone downhill"..."how it has never been as bad as it is now in the US"...ALL ANYONE HAS TO DO TO LEARN HOW BLESSED WE ARE IN THE UNITED STATES IS COME HERE FOR A DAY OR TWO...NOT TWO OR THREE WEEKS...BUT JUST ONE DAY!!!
I love my country and always will. But, we are doing just fine, thank you very much!
It sickens me to think of what the candidates for the Presidency (both of them) are saying in order to get elected as President. Being president of the most blessed people on the face of the earth...what challenge is that. How about being the president of the beautiful people of this country? Now, that would be hard work...good work...meaningful work...and work that would really mean something. The people of the United States could go for 4 or 8 years without a president and still be way better off than these people...however, we would still probably not be as joyful. Complain, Complain, Complain. Bitch, bitch, bitch.
I'm venting now. I am sorry. I have to go with Nancy to visit the hospital.
I love you all,
Until next time,
Chris Looker
Sunday, September 28, 2008
I'm at Dr. Mike and Nurse Nancy Haninger's House!
Dear Loved Ones:
It has been three days since my last entry. I have not had access to internet service and am able to access it here in Tshikaji. We are at the Mission Station/Hospital where Mike and Nancy do such amazing work for the people. They have opened their home to us and I am staying in a very nice Guest House. I have taken a tour of the hospital and visited with many local families here. This morning (Sunday), I was holding a baby and playing soccer at the same time with some children. John and Bill had to pry me away from the kids to go to church.
Church was fantastic! The pastor preached on passages from Proverbs, Hebrews, and Revelation. I don't have time to go into what he said. It was the singing that was amazing. There were four choirs...the Nurses Choir, the Church Choir, the Presbyterian Women's Choir, and a Men's Duet. We had Holy Communion and it was beautiful.
John, Bill, and I spoke for brief periods of time. I brought greetings, in the name of Christ, from the PCUSA, National Capital Presbytery, and the First Presbyterian Church of Annandale. And shared with all of them how much I see Jesus Christ here...in their smiling faces, in the way they freely reach out with hospitality, and in the way they so lovingly help someone like me who hardly understands what is going on. I do know some French, so I can relate to those who speak French. However, now that I am in the deepest part of the Congo, Tshiluba is mostly spoken and only John and Bill know how to speak or understand that language.
Bill said a prayer in Tshiluba at worship. And, John pronouced the Benediction. John had a very, very difficult time getting through it. His emotions are very thin because this is the first time he has come "home" in 21 years. Without going into many details, John's youth was spent here...from 6 weeks of age to 8th grade, I think. He hasn't been here since. Today, we met a young man who was born after John left...whom he had never met...whose name is John William Metzel, he is actually named after John! For John. Because of John! Wow! And, John had never met him before. The tears were really flowing when they met for the first time this morning...this Sunday.
On to other things...the landcruiser is not done yet. It will be done tomorrow. We'll be able to get to Lubondai on Tuesday. That fits right in with our schedule. We'll be there from Tuesday to Sunday. Then, we'll go to Bujimai to see two mission projects that Bill has a great affinity and passion for, a Girls Orphanage and a school.
We've met some amazing people. The former Governor of this region and his son, Jim, who studied in the US and was supported by the Metzels. Jim is reaching out to us and helping us in ways that are truly fantastic! He is such a wonderful man. We have meet one Secretary General of the Eastern Community and the Assistant Secretary General of the Western Community (like big presbyteries) that make up the Presbyterian Church in Congo. We've met the Dean of the Seminary at the Protestant University of Congo. We've met the Haningers...I'm in their house right now. We have stayed with a wonderful family's home...no bathroom...but, very, very loving.
I am seeing Christ in every single person I meet here. I hate to say it, but I love being in the mission field. I LOVE being the pastor at Annandale. But, having the honor and opportunity to have this experience is something that awakens a passion/calling that has been asleep for quite some time. Life is so, so very good. God is so very, very good! First Annandale is so very good. The Haningers are so very good. Bill and John are so very good.
Jesus Christ is very, very much alive and well. And, the smiles on the faces of these people, who are the poorest of the poor are proof positive that Jesus Christ is still alive and well.
I am hearing now from the Haningers about a scary event in his life when he hit his head on the back of the plane while skydiving. He was jumping with his wife. He was knocked out and an automatic mechanism opened his parachute. He was seriously injured, but life-flighted to the hospital and is fine. I'll write more about this later. He is telling it to us right now as I type!!!
I have to go now. There is so much more that I have to write, but John wants me to go with the son of the former Governor, Mukenge-Shabantu, father of the people here, right now.
I love you all very, very much.
Until the next time...
Chris Looker
It has been three days since my last entry. I have not had access to internet service and am able to access it here in Tshikaji. We are at the Mission Station/Hospital where Mike and Nancy do such amazing work for the people. They have opened their home to us and I am staying in a very nice Guest House. I have taken a tour of the hospital and visited with many local families here. This morning (Sunday), I was holding a baby and playing soccer at the same time with some children. John and Bill had to pry me away from the kids to go to church.
Church was fantastic! The pastor preached on passages from Proverbs, Hebrews, and Revelation. I don't have time to go into what he said. It was the singing that was amazing. There were four choirs...the Nurses Choir, the Church Choir, the Presbyterian Women's Choir, and a Men's Duet. We had Holy Communion and it was beautiful.
John, Bill, and I spoke for brief periods of time. I brought greetings, in the name of Christ, from the PCUSA, National Capital Presbytery, and the First Presbyterian Church of Annandale. And shared with all of them how much I see Jesus Christ here...in their smiling faces, in the way they freely reach out with hospitality, and in the way they so lovingly help someone like me who hardly understands what is going on. I do know some French, so I can relate to those who speak French. However, now that I am in the deepest part of the Congo, Tshiluba is mostly spoken and only John and Bill know how to speak or understand that language.
Bill said a prayer in Tshiluba at worship. And, John pronouced the Benediction. John had a very, very difficult time getting through it. His emotions are very thin because this is the first time he has come "home" in 21 years. Without going into many details, John's youth was spent here...from 6 weeks of age to 8th grade, I think. He hasn't been here since. Today, we met a young man who was born after John left...whom he had never met...whose name is John William Metzel, he is actually named after John! For John. Because of John! Wow! And, John had never met him before. The tears were really flowing when they met for the first time this morning...this Sunday.
On to other things...the landcruiser is not done yet. It will be done tomorrow. We'll be able to get to Lubondai on Tuesday. That fits right in with our schedule. We'll be there from Tuesday to Sunday. Then, we'll go to Bujimai to see two mission projects that Bill has a great affinity and passion for, a Girls Orphanage and a school.
We've met some amazing people. The former Governor of this region and his son, Jim, who studied in the US and was supported by the Metzels. Jim is reaching out to us and helping us in ways that are truly fantastic! He is such a wonderful man. We have meet one Secretary General of the Eastern Community and the Assistant Secretary General of the Western Community (like big presbyteries) that make up the Presbyterian Church in Congo. We've met the Dean of the Seminary at the Protestant University of Congo. We've met the Haningers...I'm in their house right now. We have stayed with a wonderful family's home...no bathroom...but, very, very loving.
I am seeing Christ in every single person I meet here. I hate to say it, but I love being in the mission field. I LOVE being the pastor at Annandale. But, having the honor and opportunity to have this experience is something that awakens a passion/calling that has been asleep for quite some time. Life is so, so very good. God is so very, very good! First Annandale is so very good. The Haningers are so very good. Bill and John are so very good.
Jesus Christ is very, very much alive and well. And, the smiles on the faces of these people, who are the poorest of the poor are proof positive that Jesus Christ is still alive and well.
I am hearing now from the Haningers about a scary event in his life when he hit his head on the back of the plane while skydiving. He was jumping with his wife. He was knocked out and an automatic mechanism opened his parachute. He was seriously injured, but life-flighted to the hospital and is fine. I'll write more about this later. He is telling it to us right now as I type!!!
I have to go now. There is so much more that I have to write, but John wants me to go with the son of the former Governor, Mukenge-Shabantu, father of the people here, right now.
I love you all very, very much.
Until the next time...
Chris Looker
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Finally, a hot shower! Yippee!!!
Dear Loved Ones:
Today, I had my first hot shower! What a great feeling that was!!! The electricity was on, the water heater worked, the water came out of the shower, and I experienced a wonderful "baptism" that lasted about 1 hour!!! That's enough information on that!
We went to the Protestant University of Congo. We met with officials, professors, students, and the dean of the Seminary. They have a Law School, Seminary, and School of Economics. The students were fantastic. While there I visited the American Corner, a building where students and graduates seek to provide information about the USA...both negative and positive.
While there the students began asking me questions about God, the Bible, Jesus, the Book of Revelation, why there is poverty, why bad things happen to good people, and much, much more. Three hours later, the students and staff members still had questions, but it was time to move on. Boy, can I talk a lot!!! I can only hope and pray that God used me to His glory during this wonderful time of evangelism. I guess I had forgotten how much I loved to teach students who have such exceptional and inquisitive questions.
During the discussion, I really felt that God's Holy Spirit was beautifully present. One of the young man told me how he almost lost his life to sinful living. He didn't go into the details, but began to cry while he was sharing his pain with Bill and me. Another young man expressed his longing for a real relationship with God. I shared the Good News of the Gospel with him. And he received it with an amazing amount of excitement. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed being an evangelist to young men and women who are searching for a deeper relationship with God, Jesus Christ, and God's Holy Spirit.
We covered a great deal in the discussion. I can't really remember what I said, but Bill said that I did a good job. I thought he did a great job. I guess we make a great Evangelism team!!!
I have to say that it was one of the greatest days in my life! Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with young people who were so hungry for it and eager to receive it into their lives. God is so good. I know that this event was not something that Bill or me could ever have planned. It just happened. God caused it happen. And, it was amazing! God's amazing grace!
By the way, did I mention that I had a hot shower today?
After visiting the students, we went to the cathedral next door. Believe it or not they told us that it could seat 24,000 people. IT WAS HUGE!!!!! We sat and prayed inside and I took some pictures.
Then, we went to a little restaurant to have lunch. The waiter was nice enough to tell us what they had to serve: fish or beef. Then, he informed us that most Americans who eat the fish (smoked) get sick. Guess what? We both ordered the beef!!
Next, we visited the Christian printing press. They had some amazing equipment. I love looking at printing presses. The power had gone out and the people and machines were not working. But, as soon as we went into the main printing press room, the lights went on. Bill and I received a standing ovation from the workers, as if we had anything to do with it!! They knew we were pastors and just assumed that somehow we were the reason that the electricity went back on. It's amazing how pastors are sometimes looked at as "good luck charms."
Then, we went to the downtown area and looked at the buildings and the Old Post Office. It was very impressive. When I got my camera out to take pictures, a policeman came up to me and told me that I could only take pictures if I paid him 5 dollars (American). I declined. Walked away to the place where we were going to catch a taxi, waited until he turned away, and took one or two pictures. I am such a rebel!!!
By the way, have I mentioned that I took a HOT SHOWER today? It was GREAT!
After downtown, we went to the American School of Congo. Bill wanted to show me the plaque that was erected in loving memory of his son, Jeffrey Metzel. It was beautiful and reminded me of a moment not to long ago when I visited my brother's grave stone in Lock Haven, PA with my two sons, Ben and Sam. Bill was very strong and noticed that there were three small trees that were growing in front of it. He held them back while I took his picture in front of the beautiful memorial. And, then we turned to leave and I felt an urge to go back and push down those three small trees. I pushed them down and the memorial was clearly visable and so very beautiful. We're going to go back and clean it with some soap and water.
I have been and continue to be so impressed and in awe of Bill Metzels faith and physical strength. I hope and pray that I can move like that when I'm 81 years old!!! I can hardly keep up with him! And, that moment at his son's memorial. All I could think of was how he must have been feeling...how John would feel when he saw it. And, I thought that his desire to come back and clean it up was a beautiful moment. We're going to do it tomorrow. It's the right thing to do.
Finally, we left and walked down the hill to the Methodist/Presbyterian Hostel, where I we are staying and where I am right now. We ate dinner with a wonderful and faithful Mennonite missionary...just the three of us. John and his beloved friend (and adopted brother), "Andre", were out doing chores and visiting Andre's sister, who had just lost her husband suddenly of a heart attack.
We had all visited her the night before and had prayer together. She prayed in Tshiluba (I hope and pray that I am spelling that right). It is the language of the Lubondai area. John and Bill speak it fluently. I don't understand a word of it, but coming from Marilyn's mouth, it sounded like the most beautiful and sacred music I ever heard. We visited for about an hour in her apartment, half of the time we sat and talked in candlelight. Then, about a half hour into the visit, the lights went on. Again, Bill, John, and I received a rousing ovation. Again, as if we had anything to do with the power going on!! It was funny and all of us laughed together.
We went back to the Methodist/Presbyterian Hostel, talked into the wee hours of the night, and went to bed.
O, by the way, did I mention that I got my first hot shower in four days today? I guess I did!
Now, it is about 12:00 midnight (Kinshasa time) and I'm the only one up. I'm going to conclude this so that I can get some much-needed rest.
I love you all very, very much. And, I miss you terribly...especially my beloved wife, Genny, and sons, Ben and Sammy. I received a text message from Ben today. I was pleasantly surprised. It filled my heart with joy. I texted him back and hope that he received it. I'm not all that skilled at text messaging or advanced technological stuff. This is my first blog and I still am not all that sure how it works.
Unfortunately, I am not able (or knowledgable enough) to find any comments that any of you may be writing in response to my blog. I'll keep searching and trying to figure out how to access that. Please don't stop commenting on this blog. When I find the comments, it will be a real shot in the arm filled with joy.
Finally, if you want to reach me by email (my Cox email account doesn't work over here), please email me at: revdrlooker@gmail.com. Gmail works over here like a champ!!!
Please continue to pray for us as we take our next step in this missionary journey. We're going to fly out to Kananga (I hope I spelled that right) and then drive down to Lubondai on Saturday. It's Thursday now (woops, it's now Friday because it's 12:08 am!!!).
I've got to get some sleep.
By the way, did I mention that I got a hot shower today...
Until the next time...
Chris Looker
Today, I had my first hot shower! What a great feeling that was!!! The electricity was on, the water heater worked, the water came out of the shower, and I experienced a wonderful "baptism" that lasted about 1 hour!!! That's enough information on that!
We went to the Protestant University of Congo. We met with officials, professors, students, and the dean of the Seminary. They have a Law School, Seminary, and School of Economics. The students were fantastic. While there I visited the American Corner, a building where students and graduates seek to provide information about the USA...both negative and positive.
While there the students began asking me questions about God, the Bible, Jesus, the Book of Revelation, why there is poverty, why bad things happen to good people, and much, much more. Three hours later, the students and staff members still had questions, but it was time to move on. Boy, can I talk a lot!!! I can only hope and pray that God used me to His glory during this wonderful time of evangelism. I guess I had forgotten how much I loved to teach students who have such exceptional and inquisitive questions.
During the discussion, I really felt that God's Holy Spirit was beautifully present. One of the young man told me how he almost lost his life to sinful living. He didn't go into the details, but began to cry while he was sharing his pain with Bill and me. Another young man expressed his longing for a real relationship with God. I shared the Good News of the Gospel with him. And he received it with an amazing amount of excitement. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed being an evangelist to young men and women who are searching for a deeper relationship with God, Jesus Christ, and God's Holy Spirit.
We covered a great deal in the discussion. I can't really remember what I said, but Bill said that I did a good job. I thought he did a great job. I guess we make a great Evangelism team!!!
I have to say that it was one of the greatest days in my life! Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with young people who were so hungry for it and eager to receive it into their lives. God is so good. I know that this event was not something that Bill or me could ever have planned. It just happened. God caused it happen. And, it was amazing! God's amazing grace!
By the way, did I mention that I had a hot shower today?
After visiting the students, we went to the cathedral next door. Believe it or not they told us that it could seat 24,000 people. IT WAS HUGE!!!!! We sat and prayed inside and I took some pictures.
Then, we went to a little restaurant to have lunch. The waiter was nice enough to tell us what they had to serve: fish or beef. Then, he informed us that most Americans who eat the fish (smoked) get sick. Guess what? We both ordered the beef!!
Next, we visited the Christian printing press. They had some amazing equipment. I love looking at printing presses. The power had gone out and the people and machines were not working. But, as soon as we went into the main printing press room, the lights went on. Bill and I received a standing ovation from the workers, as if we had anything to do with it!! They knew we were pastors and just assumed that somehow we were the reason that the electricity went back on. It's amazing how pastors are sometimes looked at as "good luck charms."
Then, we went to the downtown area and looked at the buildings and the Old Post Office. It was very impressive. When I got my camera out to take pictures, a policeman came up to me and told me that I could only take pictures if I paid him 5 dollars (American). I declined. Walked away to the place where we were going to catch a taxi, waited until he turned away, and took one or two pictures. I am such a rebel!!!
By the way, have I mentioned that I took a HOT SHOWER today? It was GREAT!
After downtown, we went to the American School of Congo. Bill wanted to show me the plaque that was erected in loving memory of his son, Jeffrey Metzel. It was beautiful and reminded me of a moment not to long ago when I visited my brother's grave stone in Lock Haven, PA with my two sons, Ben and Sam. Bill was very strong and noticed that there were three small trees that were growing in front of it. He held them back while I took his picture in front of the beautiful memorial. And, then we turned to leave and I felt an urge to go back and push down those three small trees. I pushed them down and the memorial was clearly visable and so very beautiful. We're going to go back and clean it with some soap and water.
I have been and continue to be so impressed and in awe of Bill Metzels faith and physical strength. I hope and pray that I can move like that when I'm 81 years old!!! I can hardly keep up with him! And, that moment at his son's memorial. All I could think of was how he must have been feeling...how John would feel when he saw it. And, I thought that his desire to come back and clean it up was a beautiful moment. We're going to do it tomorrow. It's the right thing to do.
Finally, we left and walked down the hill to the Methodist/Presbyterian Hostel, where I we are staying and where I am right now. We ate dinner with a wonderful and faithful Mennonite missionary...just the three of us. John and his beloved friend (and adopted brother), "Andre", were out doing chores and visiting Andre's sister, who had just lost her husband suddenly of a heart attack.
We had all visited her the night before and had prayer together. She prayed in Tshiluba (I hope and pray that I am spelling that right). It is the language of the Lubondai area. John and Bill speak it fluently. I don't understand a word of it, but coming from Marilyn's mouth, it sounded like the most beautiful and sacred music I ever heard. We visited for about an hour in her apartment, half of the time we sat and talked in candlelight. Then, about a half hour into the visit, the lights went on. Again, Bill, John, and I received a rousing ovation. Again, as if we had anything to do with the power going on!! It was funny and all of us laughed together.
We went back to the Methodist/Presbyterian Hostel, talked into the wee hours of the night, and went to bed.
O, by the way, did I mention that I got my first hot shower in four days today? I guess I did!
Now, it is about 12:00 midnight (Kinshasa time) and I'm the only one up. I'm going to conclude this so that I can get some much-needed rest.
I love you all very, very much. And, I miss you terribly...especially my beloved wife, Genny, and sons, Ben and Sammy. I received a text message from Ben today. I was pleasantly surprised. It filled my heart with joy. I texted him back and hope that he received it. I'm not all that skilled at text messaging or advanced technological stuff. This is my first blog and I still am not all that sure how it works.
Unfortunately, I am not able (or knowledgable enough) to find any comments that any of you may be writing in response to my blog. I'll keep searching and trying to figure out how to access that. Please don't stop commenting on this blog. When I find the comments, it will be a real shot in the arm filled with joy.
Finally, if you want to reach me by email (my Cox email account doesn't work over here), please email me at: revdrlooker@gmail.com. Gmail works over here like a champ!!!
Please continue to pray for us as we take our next step in this missionary journey. We're going to fly out to Kananga (I hope I spelled that right) and then drive down to Lubondai on Saturday. It's Thursday now (woops, it's now Friday because it's 12:08 am!!!).
I've got to get some sleep.
By the way, did I mention that I got a hot shower today...
Until the next time...
Chris Looker
My all for hot water!!!!
Dear Loved Ones:
Well, I'll get right to it! I haven't had access to hot water in four days now! "Spit baths" with a wash cloth and cold water...just like the old days in Egypt! Amazingly enough, I don't worry as much about myself. I worry more for those around me. I'm sure glad I brought that Pinaud Clubman Fragrant Talc Powder!!! MMMMMMM Fresh! Not necessarily clean, but fresh smelling. I think I'm getting into the politically correct area where those who may be reading this are shouting out: TMI!!! TMI!!! Too much information. So, I'll move to another topic.
We're here at the Presbyterian/Methodist Hostel in Kinshasa, DRC. The power (electricity) goes off periodically and every time I go to take a shower, it seems that the power goes off. Power goes off, pump goes off, no water for Chris.
Other than that the people here are FANTASTIC. Who needs water!!? We've just talked to a surgeon whose work here is legendary. Unfortunately, I can't remember his last name. But, I think that his first name is Kevin. He's in his thirties and the people love him. He is a vascular surgeon back in the states and spends 2-3 months here in the Congo operating on those in need. What a truly Christian human being.
He told us about the main problem that we are here to try and solve in Lubondai: mainly that in the hospitals the solar and hydro power goes out often and premature babies and those who need surgery die unnessessarily. Often times, he cannot operate without basic power and when the power goes out, he has to sit there and watch the people die...not because he doesn't have the skill to save them...but because he doesn't have any power to see what he is doing in the operating room, run the basic instruments he needs to operate, etc. It's tragic!!
Also, I think the hardest thing to hear is about the premature and newborn babies that die because there is no electric power to power the incubators and basic life support instruments and equipment that is basic to newborn care. Imagine that back in the states: having no power to keep infant babies alive. It would be unthinkable back in our incredibly wealthy country...not completely absent...but generally unthinkable.
Clean water is a huge problem. They don't have the filtration systems to create enough drinking water. They boil it and then let it cool...having to wait and wait and wait for enough water for 30 people to drink, when there's 100 or 200 hundred who need water. Imagine that, only 15% to 30% of the people who are thirsty getting to have a drink of water. The rest go thirsty. And, some of those die...just because there is not enough water to drink. Who picks the 15% to 30% people who will get the water? God only knows. But, it must be a heart wrenching process! And, the worst part of it is this has been going on so long that the people in these poorest of the poor villages and towns think that all of this is normal. It's just the way it is. God bless them.
We are meeting with engineers and specialists trying to determine whether solar and hydro power can be used in Lubondai in such a configuration that it will not only bring power to the hospital, school, and church (and other gathering places), but also how much "load" will be needed to do this effectively and in such a way that the loads are properly proportioned between the hydro and solar power units. Load is the amount of "push" and "pull" is needed in terms of the electricity produced and the electricity used...and in what proportions. It's sort of like water. The pump pumps the water and the faucet "pulls" on the water source so that the water can come out the other end. Except as my wife properly points out to me, electricity is NOT like water in that it has to keep flowing from source to use (or batteries or something that pulls it thorugh) or it stops. I guess it's as simple as this: You can't just turn the faucet off with electricity. The faucet has to stay open or the whole flow of electricity stops. Thus, you always need to match the production amount of electricity with what's using the product, creating maximum load periods (usually the daytime) and minimum load periods (usually nights). I'm probably making this as clear as mud. But, I think that you all get the basic idea.
Basically, it's a problem for the Electrical Engineers and Hydro Engineers to figure out. As you can see, IT IS NOT AN ISSUE A SIMPLE PASTOR LIKE MYSELF CAN FIGURE OUT.
John Metzel is doing a FABULOUS job of overseeing this project! He is driven by a love for the people of the Congo that is nothing short of heroic!!! He is extremely intelligent and can think in various ways: engineering, human needs, practicality, and Christian love. He is involving himself in every single aspect of this project. I don' t think I have ever seen a more Christ-driven person approach a huge task like this with as much love, wisdom, intelligence, ferver, energy, and practicality. With Christ, we can move mountains...or at least build bigger dams that hold more water that creates a strong flow of water that turns water wheels (turbines) that generates electricity that brings fresh water and electricity to the poorest people in the world. Maybe that's what that phrase means: With Christ, we can move mountains. In John Metzel, I see Christ working in that incredible and miraculous way. Praise be to God.
And, how about his father, the Rev. Bill Metzel. I can hardly keep up with him. Today, we're going to run around Kinshasa to see the sights. I hope that he doesn't lose me. Notice that I didn't say that I hope that I don't lose him. He has more energy than the energizer Bunny!
Also, watching John and Bill communicate in French and Chaluba (the native languages) is nothingshort of miraculous! I can understand about half of the French, but not any of the Tshiluba. But, if I were here alone, it would be very, very difficult. Also, they are taking very good care of me. I often feel like a sack of potatoes that they have to lug around, rather than an asset to this project.
I guess I will be meeting with the Secretary General of the Presbyterian Church in the Congo today and will be able to formally and officially bring the greetings of the National Capital Presbytery and the First Presbyterian Church of Annandale/First Korean Presbyterian Church of Virginia to him. And, I will be doing my share of preaching and sharing of the Gospel with the people in the villages to which we'll be travelling. And, I guess I'm a pretty good objective sounding board for John to bounce ideas off of. But, my role in this is limited.
I am taking lots of pictures and will attempt at some time to send some home...once I learn how to!!!
Gotta go now. I'm going to meet with some Assistant to the Ministry of Health, named Larry.
Until the next time...
Chris Looker
Well, I'll get right to it! I haven't had access to hot water in four days now! "Spit baths" with a wash cloth and cold water...just like the old days in Egypt! Amazingly enough, I don't worry as much about myself. I worry more for those around me. I'm sure glad I brought that Pinaud Clubman Fragrant Talc Powder!!! MMMMMMM Fresh! Not necessarily clean, but fresh smelling. I think I'm getting into the politically correct area where those who may be reading this are shouting out: TMI!!! TMI!!! Too much information. So, I'll move to another topic.
We're here at the Presbyterian/Methodist Hostel in Kinshasa, DRC. The power (electricity) goes off periodically and every time I go to take a shower, it seems that the power goes off. Power goes off, pump goes off, no water for Chris.
Other than that the people here are FANTASTIC. Who needs water!!? We've just talked to a surgeon whose work here is legendary. Unfortunately, I can't remember his last name. But, I think that his first name is Kevin. He's in his thirties and the people love him. He is a vascular surgeon back in the states and spends 2-3 months here in the Congo operating on those in need. What a truly Christian human being.
He told us about the main problem that we are here to try and solve in Lubondai: mainly that in the hospitals the solar and hydro power goes out often and premature babies and those who need surgery die unnessessarily. Often times, he cannot operate without basic power and when the power goes out, he has to sit there and watch the people die...not because he doesn't have the skill to save them...but because he doesn't have any power to see what he is doing in the operating room, run the basic instruments he needs to operate, etc. It's tragic!!
Also, I think the hardest thing to hear is about the premature and newborn babies that die because there is no electric power to power the incubators and basic life support instruments and equipment that is basic to newborn care. Imagine that back in the states: having no power to keep infant babies alive. It would be unthinkable back in our incredibly wealthy country...not completely absent...but generally unthinkable.
Clean water is a huge problem. They don't have the filtration systems to create enough drinking water. They boil it and then let it cool...having to wait and wait and wait for enough water for 30 people to drink, when there's 100 or 200 hundred who need water. Imagine that, only 15% to 30% of the people who are thirsty getting to have a drink of water. The rest go thirsty. And, some of those die...just because there is not enough water to drink. Who picks the 15% to 30% people who will get the water? God only knows. But, it must be a heart wrenching process! And, the worst part of it is this has been going on so long that the people in these poorest of the poor villages and towns think that all of this is normal. It's just the way it is. God bless them.
We are meeting with engineers and specialists trying to determine whether solar and hydro power can be used in Lubondai in such a configuration that it will not only bring power to the hospital, school, and church (and other gathering places), but also how much "load" will be needed to do this effectively and in such a way that the loads are properly proportioned between the hydro and solar power units. Load is the amount of "push" and "pull" is needed in terms of the electricity produced and the electricity used...and in what proportions. It's sort of like water. The pump pumps the water and the faucet "pulls" on the water source so that the water can come out the other end. Except as my wife properly points out to me, electricity is NOT like water in that it has to keep flowing from source to use (or batteries or something that pulls it thorugh) or it stops. I guess it's as simple as this: You can't just turn the faucet off with electricity. The faucet has to stay open or the whole flow of electricity stops. Thus, you always need to match the production amount of electricity with what's using the product, creating maximum load periods (usually the daytime) and minimum load periods (usually nights). I'm probably making this as clear as mud. But, I think that you all get the basic idea.
Basically, it's a problem for the Electrical Engineers and Hydro Engineers to figure out. As you can see, IT IS NOT AN ISSUE A SIMPLE PASTOR LIKE MYSELF CAN FIGURE OUT.
John Metzel is doing a FABULOUS job of overseeing this project! He is driven by a love for the people of the Congo that is nothing short of heroic!!! He is extremely intelligent and can think in various ways: engineering, human needs, practicality, and Christian love. He is involving himself in every single aspect of this project. I don' t think I have ever seen a more Christ-driven person approach a huge task like this with as much love, wisdom, intelligence, ferver, energy, and practicality. With Christ, we can move mountains...or at least build bigger dams that hold more water that creates a strong flow of water that turns water wheels (turbines) that generates electricity that brings fresh water and electricity to the poorest people in the world. Maybe that's what that phrase means: With Christ, we can move mountains. In John Metzel, I see Christ working in that incredible and miraculous way. Praise be to God.
And, how about his father, the Rev. Bill Metzel. I can hardly keep up with him. Today, we're going to run around Kinshasa to see the sights. I hope that he doesn't lose me. Notice that I didn't say that I hope that I don't lose him. He has more energy than the energizer Bunny!
Also, watching John and Bill communicate in French and Chaluba (the native languages) is nothingshort of miraculous! I can understand about half of the French, but not any of the Tshiluba. But, if I were here alone, it would be very, very difficult. Also, they are taking very good care of me. I often feel like a sack of potatoes that they have to lug around, rather than an asset to this project.
I guess I will be meeting with the Secretary General of the Presbyterian Church in the Congo today and will be able to formally and officially bring the greetings of the National Capital Presbytery and the First Presbyterian Church of Annandale/First Korean Presbyterian Church of Virginia to him. And, I will be doing my share of preaching and sharing of the Gospel with the people in the villages to which we'll be travelling. And, I guess I'm a pretty good objective sounding board for John to bounce ideas off of. But, my role in this is limited.
I am taking lots of pictures and will attempt at some time to send some home...once I learn how to!!!
Gotta go now. I'm going to meet with some Assistant to the Ministry of Health, named Larry.
Until the next time...
Chris Looker
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
A Special Note to my Brother and His family.
Dear Steve, Lynne, Jamie, and Liam:
I'm writing to you from Kinshasa, Dem. Republic of the Congo. We arrived today from Addis Ababa. In Addis Ababa, I met the brother of Bikembe. Motumbe, the 15 year 7'2" All-Star NBA Center. His name is Tchetombe. He's only 6' 7". He is a great guy and owns a TV station over here. He's going to film us tomorrow or Friday meeting with the Secretary General of the Presbyterian Church in the DRC. He also lives in Germantown, Maryland 6 months out of the year. So, we may get together back home and go fishing or golfing a Manor. What ever?
We're planning our trip out to Lubondai. We'll fly out to Kananga, West Kasai Province. Then, we're going to drive a fixed up Toyota Landcruiser down to Lubondai. Hopefully, we'll be able to begin a partnership with the Christians there and focus our efforts on rebuilding a Hydroelectric Plant on one of the canals that is 6 kilometers away. It's going to be a $750,000 project. So, it's going to take a few years. But, all looks well so far!
The people here are very, very poor. I am reminded of all the impoverished places I went to when I was doing my mission work some 20 years ago. We know that the poverty and suffering will be greater once we leave Kinshasa. However, the poverty here is something that words cannot describe.
We visited a wonderful woman who is the sister of our main guide ,Melanie Bakabimona, tonight. Our main guide is named Muebelayi ("Andre"). He's really cool and is going to get us out there and through all the Army checkpoints, etc. Yes, they have those here and the soldiers are apparently pretty hard on travellers...wanting money to let traveler's go by on the roads, etc. But, we'll be OK. They don't shoot people. They just try to scare people...especially Americans (and not because our President is George Bush)...but because they know we're supposed to have money. They are so poor. It's really sad.
We have been mobbed by street children and others who beg for one American dollar, which goes a long way here. It really tugs at one's heart strings. I don't have any single dollar bills left. I purposely had some with me because I knew that I was going to be too weak not to give them some. The rest of my money is safe elsewhere.
Please pray for me and for John Metzel and his 82 year old father, the Rev. Bill Metzel. Boy is he a trooper! I can hardly keep up with him.
Also, my foot is holding up surprisingly well. No pain and only a little swelling. No limping. I am really amazed. God definitely has his hand on me and those who are with me.
Well, I hope that you are able to see Mom. I sure can't right now. But, will visit her when I return with all of my stories. I'm taking a lot of photos.
Got to go. I hope that this gets to you.
I love you all, very, very, very much!
Moonriver
I'm writing to you from Kinshasa, Dem. Republic of the Congo. We arrived today from Addis Ababa. In Addis Ababa, I met the brother of Bikembe. Motumbe, the 15 year 7'2" All-Star NBA Center. His name is Tchetombe. He's only 6' 7". He is a great guy and owns a TV station over here. He's going to film us tomorrow or Friday meeting with the Secretary General of the Presbyterian Church in the DRC. He also lives in Germantown, Maryland 6 months out of the year. So, we may get together back home and go fishing or golfing a Manor. What ever?
We're planning our trip out to Lubondai. We'll fly out to Kananga, West Kasai Province. Then, we're going to drive a fixed up Toyota Landcruiser down to Lubondai. Hopefully, we'll be able to begin a partnership with the Christians there and focus our efforts on rebuilding a Hydroelectric Plant on one of the canals that is 6 kilometers away. It's going to be a $750,000 project. So, it's going to take a few years. But, all looks well so far!
The people here are very, very poor. I am reminded of all the impoverished places I went to when I was doing my mission work some 20 years ago. We know that the poverty and suffering will be greater once we leave Kinshasa. However, the poverty here is something that words cannot describe.
We visited a wonderful woman who is the sister of our main guide ,Melanie Bakabimona, tonight. Our main guide is named Muebelayi ("Andre"). He's really cool and is going to get us out there and through all the Army checkpoints, etc. Yes, they have those here and the soldiers are apparently pretty hard on travellers...wanting money to let traveler's go by on the roads, etc. But, we'll be OK. They don't shoot people. They just try to scare people...especially Americans (and not because our President is George Bush)...but because they know we're supposed to have money. They are so poor. It's really sad.
We have been mobbed by street children and others who beg for one American dollar, which goes a long way here. It really tugs at one's heart strings. I don't have any single dollar bills left. I purposely had some with me because I knew that I was going to be too weak not to give them some. The rest of my money is safe elsewhere.
Please pray for me and for John Metzel and his 82 year old father, the Rev. Bill Metzel. Boy is he a trooper! I can hardly keep up with him.
Also, my foot is holding up surprisingly well. No pain and only a little swelling. No limping. I am really amazed. God definitely has his hand on me and those who are with me.
Well, I hope that you are able to see Mom. I sure can't right now. But, will visit her when I return with all of my stories. I'm taking a lot of photos.
Got to go. I hope that this gets to you.
I love you all, very, very, very much!
Moonriver
Catching Up After Ethiopia.
Dear Friends:
Since I have not been able to enter any blog comments for the past two days, this one may be much longer.
First of all, my computer and phone/wireless card did not work when we arrived in Ethiopia. Now, we are safely in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and it seems to be working. Thank the Lord.
Secondly, our flight from Rome to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia was very, very good. The food was great. We all got a lot of sleep...at least I did. The service was fantastic. And, it was a very, very comfortable flight.
On the flight, I met Tchitenge Motumbo. He is the owner of a TV station in Kinshasa and is the brother of Dikembe Motumbo, the 7 foot 2 inch all-star NBA center for the Houston Rockets. He wants to travel with us to film some of the things we are doing in Kinshasa and maybe send a TV crew with us to Lubondai!! The Lord's wonders never cease. He is a wonderful Christian man whose father served with the Rev. Bil Metzel here in Congo. It's a small, small world.
We are hoping to meet with him here in Kinshasa and get thing started. He also wanted to facilitate the broadcasting of sermons from pastors in America broadcast every morning here in the Congo. Well, we'll see.
Next, we stayed in a wonderful hotel in Addis Ababa. The most amazing thing was that the hotel and all the food (dinner and breakfast) was included in our ticket over here!!! The food was great!
We went back to the airport and flew to Kinshasa. Good flight, good food, safe landing and we're here!!!
Now, we are at the Methodist/Presbyterian Hostel in Kinshasa. We are relaxing and now discussing the scope of the project that we are going to assess in Lubondai. We are going to fly to Kinanga and drive down to Lubondai with a rebuilt Toyota Landcruiser. That should be fun.
We are now talking with Larry Sthreshley, a 21 year Missionary here in the Congo who knows and loves Bill and John Metzel. He is catching up us on some of the particulars about Lubondai and other communities to provide us some up-to-date information that will be very, very useful.
On the way, we're going to see hippos, giraffes, and other African wildlife. And, no, we're not going to get eaten by any lions, tigers, or bears!!!! (Ben and Sam).
All in all, this trip has the Blessed Hand of God upon it/us. There is no doubt in my mind that God is guiding us every step of the way. The people we are meeting. The contacts that we are making. The information that we are gathering. And, the possible hope and help that we can bring to the blessed people of the Congo and Lubondai seems to be endless. Now, we need to go to the site (Lubondai) and see if for ourselves, meet the pastor, tribal chief, and people to begin the process of developing a partnership with Lubondai. What form that "partnership" will take will be, I don't know yet. But, we do have some ideas. The ideas for the partnership will come from our meeting the people, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit while we are there. The most important thing that we need to do is listen, listen, listen.
That is what we are going to do. I'll be doing some preaching while there and probably here in Kinshasa at a church where the pastor has invited me to come and share the gospel with the people. All of these things are yet to be and I feel filled with God's Holy Spirit in a way that reminds me of my earlier missionary journies of some 18-20 years ago.
I am so blessed by God. WE are so blessed by God.
I/we cannot thank God enough for what we have experienced so far. I/we cannot thank the people of the First Presbyterian Church of Annandale and the First Korean Presbyterian Church of Virginia for praying for us, providing for us, and making this trip possible.
May the Lord bless all of the people that we love so very much back in the States. I send special kisses and hugs to my blessed sons, Ben and Sam, and the precious gift from heaven that God brought into my life, my wife, Genny.
Until the next time...
Dr. Chris Looker
Since I have not been able to enter any blog comments for the past two days, this one may be much longer.
First of all, my computer and phone/wireless card did not work when we arrived in Ethiopia. Now, we are safely in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and it seems to be working. Thank the Lord.
Secondly, our flight from Rome to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia was very, very good. The food was great. We all got a lot of sleep...at least I did. The service was fantastic. And, it was a very, very comfortable flight.
On the flight, I met Tchitenge Motumbo. He is the owner of a TV station in Kinshasa and is the brother of Dikembe Motumbo, the 7 foot 2 inch all-star NBA center for the Houston Rockets. He wants to travel with us to film some of the things we are doing in Kinshasa and maybe send a TV crew with us to Lubondai!! The Lord's wonders never cease. He is a wonderful Christian man whose father served with the Rev. Bil Metzel here in Congo. It's a small, small world.
We are hoping to meet with him here in Kinshasa and get thing started. He also wanted to facilitate the broadcasting of sermons from pastors in America broadcast every morning here in the Congo. Well, we'll see.
Next, we stayed in a wonderful hotel in Addis Ababa. The most amazing thing was that the hotel and all the food (dinner and breakfast) was included in our ticket over here!!! The food was great!
We went back to the airport and flew to Kinshasa. Good flight, good food, safe landing and we're here!!!
Now, we are at the Methodist/Presbyterian Hostel in Kinshasa. We are relaxing and now discussing the scope of the project that we are going to assess in Lubondai. We are going to fly to Kinanga and drive down to Lubondai with a rebuilt Toyota Landcruiser. That should be fun.
We are now talking with Larry Sthreshley, a 21 year Missionary here in the Congo who knows and loves Bill and John Metzel. He is catching up us on some of the particulars about Lubondai and other communities to provide us some up-to-date information that will be very, very useful.
On the way, we're going to see hippos, giraffes, and other African wildlife. And, no, we're not going to get eaten by any lions, tigers, or bears!!!! (Ben and Sam).
All in all, this trip has the Blessed Hand of God upon it/us. There is no doubt in my mind that God is guiding us every step of the way. The people we are meeting. The contacts that we are making. The information that we are gathering. And, the possible hope and help that we can bring to the blessed people of the Congo and Lubondai seems to be endless. Now, we need to go to the site (Lubondai) and see if for ourselves, meet the pastor, tribal chief, and people to begin the process of developing a partnership with Lubondai. What form that "partnership" will take will be, I don't know yet. But, we do have some ideas. The ideas for the partnership will come from our meeting the people, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit while we are there. The most important thing that we need to do is listen, listen, listen.
That is what we are going to do. I'll be doing some preaching while there and probably here in Kinshasa at a church where the pastor has invited me to come and share the gospel with the people. All of these things are yet to be and I feel filled with God's Holy Spirit in a way that reminds me of my earlier missionary journies of some 18-20 years ago.
I am so blessed by God. WE are so blessed by God.
I/we cannot thank God enough for what we have experienced so far. I/we cannot thank the people of the First Presbyterian Church of Annandale and the First Korean Presbyterian Church of Virginia for praying for us, providing for us, and making this trip possible.
May the Lord bless all of the people that we love so very much back in the States. I send special kisses and hugs to my blessed sons, Ben and Sam, and the precious gift from heaven that God brought into my life, my wife, Genny.
Until the next time...
Dr. Chris Looker
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
If there is anyone reading this, please comment or write in a short note. I'm already missing you all at home!!!
I'm such a wimp. I miss all of you...especially Ben, Sammy, and Genny. AND I'VE ONLY BEEN AWAY FOR 8 HOURS!!! O well...
Please write and let me know how all of you are doing?
Until next time...
Chris Looker
Please write and let me know how all of you are doing?
Until next time...
Chris Looker
We just landed in Rome.
Well, we're in Rome. We're not allowed to leave the plane. I feel blessed that we made it safely thus far. I also feel blessed that I have had the blessing of seeing Rome before. It's beautiful.
I got about 4 1/2 hours sleep. There's a little and absolutely precious 1 1/2 year old sitting behind me and he kept kicking my seat. "Suffer the little children" and let them kick the seat that you're sitting in on a long flight to Itally! Isn't that what Jesus said!!!?
Bill and John are doing well. They got some sleep as well.
The people with whom I have spoken on the plane have been so nice. The food was great...dinner and breakfast.
We'll be here for about 45 minutes to refuel and then get on our way to Adis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Until the next time...
Chris Looker
I got about 4 1/2 hours sleep. There's a little and absolutely precious 1 1/2 year old sitting behind me and he kept kicking my seat. "Suffer the little children" and let them kick the seat that you're sitting in on a long flight to Itally! Isn't that what Jesus said!!!?
Bill and John are doing well. They got some sleep as well.
The people with whom I have spoken on the plane have been so nice. The food was great...dinner and breakfast.
We'll be here for about 45 minutes to refuel and then get on our way to Adis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Until the next time...
Chris Looker
Monday, September 22, 2008
It's almost time to go!
I'm sitting here on the steps of my home in Vienna, Virginia. I'm waiting for my whole family to come and pick me up to take me to Dulles Airport, where I will be flying on Ethiopian Airlines to Rome, Ethiopia, and then Kinshasa, Congo.
One thought keeps coming to mind: What am I most afraid of concerning this trip? First of all, I am afraid of how much I will miss my wife, Genny, and my two sons, Ben and Sam. Secondly, I'm afraid of how much I will miss my church family...all of whom I love so very, very much. Thirdly, and surprisingly to me, I will miss all of the things that I have come to take for granted: my own bed, my own pillow, Genny sleeping beside me, saying "Goodnight, I love you" to Ben and Sammy when we're all going to sleep, using the remote control for the T.V., watching my favoriate T.V shows, eating whatever food I want, listening to my favorite radio stations, driving my Rangerover, writing a sermon and preaching to people I love so very much, going to the office and seeing Judi Reitman, Susan Hanson, Susi Ennis, Marta Strada, and all of the other wonderful people who come into the Church Office to do the work of the Lord.
It's amazing when I think about going to one of the poorest countries in the world and one of the most remote parts of the planet (Lubondai), how poor I suddenly feel myself. Not that I am, but everything that I am used to is going to be out of reach for me. My comfort zone will be smashed and I will be experiencing all that is different with my beloved friends, Bill Metzel, John Metzel, and all the brothers and sisters in Christ who I will be meeting on this amazing trip.
Thus, it is the newness...the difference...the change...the unknown that I both fear and welcome at this time...when I wait on the steps of my house for my family to come and pick me up to take me to the airport so I can fly far, far away.
It's an interesting life. It's a wonderful life!
They're here now. I have do go. I called my mom and talked to her. I thanked her for giving me life and told her that I loved her very, very much.
Now, I'm going to hang my house, car, office keys on the hook inside of my front door and walk to the car to go far, far away.
Just writing this helps me to believe that no matter where I go in this world, as long as I cling to my faith in Jesus Christ and realize that He is with me...I'm really not all that far away at all.
What do people do who don't have a faith in God? in Jesus Christ? How do they bridge the long distances that separate them from the ones that they love? Christ will remind me that I am married. Christ will remind me that I have two wonderful and amazing boys. Christ will remind me that I have a home waiting for me when I get back. Christ will guide me to do whatever I can for those who are genuinely in need. Christ will enable me to make new friends...brothers and sisters in Christ. And, Christ will make this trip an amazing success...His success.
And, somehow that makes any fears I have at this moment just drift away...
Got to go and catch the plane!
Love to all,
Until next time...
Chris
One thought keeps coming to mind: What am I most afraid of concerning this trip? First of all, I am afraid of how much I will miss my wife, Genny, and my two sons, Ben and Sam. Secondly, I'm afraid of how much I will miss my church family...all of whom I love so very, very much. Thirdly, and surprisingly to me, I will miss all of the things that I have come to take for granted: my own bed, my own pillow, Genny sleeping beside me, saying "Goodnight, I love you" to Ben and Sammy when we're all going to sleep, using the remote control for the T.V., watching my favoriate T.V shows, eating whatever food I want, listening to my favorite radio stations, driving my Rangerover, writing a sermon and preaching to people I love so very much, going to the office and seeing Judi Reitman, Susan Hanson, Susi Ennis, Marta Strada, and all of the other wonderful people who come into the Church Office to do the work of the Lord.
It's amazing when I think about going to one of the poorest countries in the world and one of the most remote parts of the planet (Lubondai), how poor I suddenly feel myself. Not that I am, but everything that I am used to is going to be out of reach for me. My comfort zone will be smashed and I will be experiencing all that is different with my beloved friends, Bill Metzel, John Metzel, and all the brothers and sisters in Christ who I will be meeting on this amazing trip.
Thus, it is the newness...the difference...the change...the unknown that I both fear and welcome at this time...when I wait on the steps of my house for my family to come and pick me up to take me to the airport so I can fly far, far away.
It's an interesting life. It's a wonderful life!
They're here now. I have do go. I called my mom and talked to her. I thanked her for giving me life and told her that I loved her very, very much.
Now, I'm going to hang my house, car, office keys on the hook inside of my front door and walk to the car to go far, far away.
Just writing this helps me to believe that no matter where I go in this world, as long as I cling to my faith in Jesus Christ and realize that He is with me...I'm really not all that far away at all.
What do people do who don't have a faith in God? in Jesus Christ? How do they bridge the long distances that separate them from the ones that they love? Christ will remind me that I am married. Christ will remind me that I have two wonderful and amazing boys. Christ will remind me that I have a home waiting for me when I get back. Christ will guide me to do whatever I can for those who are genuinely in need. Christ will enable me to make new friends...brothers and sisters in Christ. And, Christ will make this trip an amazing success...His success.
And, somehow that makes any fears I have at this moment just drift away...
Got to go and catch the plane!
Love to all,
Until next time...
Chris
Today's the Day!
Well, today's the day we leave. I'm all packed and think I have everything I need. We had a beautiful Fact-Finding Mission Trip Commissioning at church yesterday. The Elders (Active and Inactive) came forward for the laying on of hands. Elder John Metzel and I stood there as Soon-to-be "Rev." Susi Ennis commissioned us with beautiful questions, words, and a lovely prayer. I teared up a bit, but not too much! I really felt the Holy Spirit present and am so thankful to be the pastor of such a loving, generous, kind, and mission-minded congregation! If I believed in luck, I'd have to say that I'm the luckiest pastor in the world! However, since I don't...I'll just say that I am the most providentially blessed pastor in the world! Yes, I'm Presbyterian through and through!
Until later...
Until later...
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
This thing works!!!!
This is my second entry to my new blog. I really did not believe that I could do this. BUT I CAN!!! At least, I think that I can!
Anyway, I just talked to one of my dearest friends, Elder Nadine Dingess, who was checking in on me to see if I am getting excited about going to the Congo AND to see if I found my son, Sammy, who decided to go somewhere after school without telling either his mom or his dad! We love him so very, very much and when we don't know where he is (even though he is 12 years old and very responsible), we do worry...especially in this troubled world. But, enough about that. He's home and safe.
And, as I said...we love both him and his brother, Ben, who is 14 years young. That's about all for now.
Dr. Chris Looker
Anyway, I just talked to one of my dearest friends, Elder Nadine Dingess, who was checking in on me to see if I am getting excited about going to the Congo AND to see if I found my son, Sammy, who decided to go somewhere after school without telling either his mom or his dad! We love him so very, very much and when we don't know where he is (even though he is 12 years old and very responsible), we do worry...especially in this troubled world. But, enough about that. He's home and safe.
And, as I said...we love both him and his brother, Ben, who is 14 years young. That's about all for now.
Dr. Chris Looker
Preparing for the trip.
In the last two months, I have been mentally, psychologically, physically, and spiritually preparing to go to one of the poorest countries on the earth: the Democratic Replublic of the Congo. As a former missionary, I believe that Christ's command to "go into all the world, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit" is an important part of what it means to be a Christian. It's just that I'm feeling a lot older than when I first went overseas to serve as a missionary in Egypt, Israel, Northern Ireland, and South Korea! That was 20 years ago and my body was 20 years younger and stronger. But, enough of a pitty party for me!
I am thankful to God for all the generosity that has been shown to me and to the other two saints who are going to travel with me on this Fact-Finding Trip to Lubondai, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (hereafter referred to as the "DRC"): Elder John Metzel and the Rev. William Metzel. It is our goal to find out whether or not it is truly feasible to repair a canal that brings fresh water and hydroelectric power to the Lubondai community.
It is our hope and prayer to be able to repair the canal that comes into the community of Lubondai so that they will once again have fresh water and electric power, especially for their hospital and schools. If it be God's Will, this trip, along with many other follow-up trips with mission workers and supplies, will follow.
Thank you.
I am thankful to God for all the generosity that has been shown to me and to the other two saints who are going to travel with me on this Fact-Finding Trip to Lubondai, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (hereafter referred to as the "DRC"): Elder John Metzel and the Rev. William Metzel. It is our goal to find out whether or not it is truly feasible to repair a canal that brings fresh water and hydroelectric power to the Lubondai community.
It is our hope and prayer to be able to repair the canal that comes into the community of Lubondai so that they will once again have fresh water and electric power, especially for their hospital and schools. If it be God's Will, this trip, along with many other follow-up trips with mission workers and supplies, will follow.
Thank you.
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