It finally happened. I have never been sick on my trips back here. But I'm a bit sick now. I think only a good cold but I feel totally drained. Many have prepared traditional cures for the common cold and I've been drinking every concotion they are preparing.

  This morning I had to have breakfast at Patience's to finish the last of my treatment. I may be drinking a bit too little as well. Yesterday I spat a health volume which normally would have landed well beyond. I hadn't however counter on the decreased viscosity and long story short, my beard got wet. Yvette offered a tissue to maintain the little dignity I have left.

  Today ends Tany's sessions so she will be joining me this evening here at the guesthouse. On Monday is our trip back to \Kinshasa. Michael(He is African himself. a Eritrean\)  phoned me today. He wanted to send me money to help out the poor people in the Congo. I told him I have all the money I need..

 

  I brought ample iphones and laptops with me to give to friends. However a couple friends were able to purchase them so I bought 2 new.  The one sale went smoothly but Robert here in Kikwit had envisioned a larger model. He was convinced that the larger the laptop, the more power it had. Long story short, I sold a $330 laptop for $150. Robert claims, God will reward me. The way I see it, God now owes me $180. 

  Tany should be arriving tomorrow, I believe. After 3 days of meetings for her, we will spend a few days visiting together.

   My doctor was correct, Covid-wise, I'm much safer here than in Alberta. I went into a nice airconditioned office today and was barred at the door and had to buy a mask to enter. As soon as I got inside, I noted that all masks were hanging below the chin and the employees seemed mask less. I'm beginning to believe what everyone claims, there is simply no Covid in Kikwit.   I connected with Ana, the chief of police today, so I'm well covered there. The teachers across the country are on strike. Just one demand, raise salaries from $90/month to $400. I hope they get at least half that. Well, I'm beat. Good Night.

 

It has been a few busy days since I have arrived in Kinshasa. My nights are at the Methodist Guesthouse (MPH) and the days spent at homes of friends. Some have asked when I plan on starting to blog again. Seemingly, so much that has happened seems normal already. A special moment is always stepping out the doors of the aircraft and being greeted with that hot, humid air and the smells that accompany it. So much of what happens defied description. How does one describe a smell? How does one describe an intersection of solid steel with about 20 cars inches from each other awaiting the one who holds the key to the unscrambling to move only to have the space liberated filled with a dozen motorbike taxis? Can there be any understanding why my friend Jonas’ TV still has the clear plastic cover over the screen and a part of the picture is obscured by the original price tag which has never been removed just in case the $11/month payment can’t be made, and the set can then be resold as almost new. How can one relate to a young girl looking to marry looks past any notion of love but whether her suitor has a job or not. How to explain to fellow Canadians who believe in a better life beyond Trudeau that the Congolese have given up on a better life but long for me to bring them to Canada, Trudeau and all.

So this is the reality of the Congo and how does one talk about it? One has to live it or it is just talk.

Possibly the one point one can bring home is a lesson one learns here; when all else fails, there is always God.

Just a parting comment. The book that inspired me to self examine and even to open up myself to others is an important read for anyone and any library: "Love Henri  Letters on the Spiritual Life". The book is compiled and edited by Gabrielle Earnshaw (my cousin).
  An additional comment: don't be a cheap Mennonite, buy a new copy.

 Some of you may know the famous country singer, Johnny Reid and if you don’t, you should. He sings a lovely little song where a young girl and boy ask their parents how they will know who to love and marry when they grow up. The reply is, “you’ll just know”. There will be so many indicators that you won’t be mistaken. This describes my Congolese experience. I know I have hinted at this before, but I just know that my life here has to end sometimes and I also know that this is the time.

  I will always love Africa and Africans as I have come to know them. They have given me so much in love, hospitality and generosity. My greatest frustration is how to give back. Easiest of course is just to distribute my money, but that seems unsatisfying and so temporary. It costs me very little while the gifts I will again come home with have come at considerable sacrifice. 

  It is easy to become Congolese by tossing a plastic bag into the street, but much harder to become poor to understand and relate intimately to the poor. That is the spirit in which I would have to come back in and I doubt very much that I am willing.

  In the meantime, I made it back to Kinshasa today after a 10 hour daylight bus trip which I found very exciting. I have made that trip several times 45 years ago by motorbike but was fascinated that I remember none of the landscape. I had a warm shower on arrival and it felt so good. I had a salad for supper and it tasted good even though I'm not a salad person. At heart, I have to accept that I'm still a Canadian.

 I just scored another dress for my wife, Del. At this rate she can forget about the Thrift Store and just send me to Congo more often. Perhaps I’m painting too sorrowful a picture of her staying at home working while I’m having all the fun.

 I’m forever amazed at the cleanliness of the Congolese. For public appearance, I believe they wear a set of clothes only once before laundering them. Someone in the yard always seems to be washing clothes. I attempt to fool them by rotating multiple sets through the week, though Guy did catch me once and pointed out that my jeans were dirty.

 This begins my final day in Kikwit. I anticipate a socially full day. I have already totally overbooked my day, but like the airlines, I hope some of my appointments don’t materialize. Tomorrow will be a full day of bus ride. This is the first time I will have taken the day bus so I’m kind of looking forward to it.