I have re-entered the white world and again am finding it difficult. So many foreigners coming to save the Congo, but I want to talk about our own efforts of 30+ years ago.
 P.A.P. was an agricultural development program Del and I worked with. The program had about 400 cattle, a flock of breeding hens, incubation and chick rearing facilities and feed mill. It was a large program that included about 4 North American couples plus probably about 50 nationalists at one point. As I listen to the people in Kikwit that still recall it, it was a significant program- I would say, one of the most important Ag programs to have ever been in the area. However, It was also a highly financed program, heavily dependent on outside resources and as we started fazing out the expatriate involvement we realized that the program probably wouldn't survive. In addition, the economic conditions of the country were also deteriorating. Del and I were the last to leave and it was with a sense of sadness and frustration that we left. I understand the program did run on in ever limiting ways for about 5 years.
  I would love to see an entrepreneur, even expatriate, commit to staying in Kikwit and starting a program such as P.A.P was. Unfortunately, outside money in this country would rather search for diamonds and other minerals rather than produce chicken feed.
  For those in Kikwit who remember our program, and especially our former employees, my visit was understood as the 'Second Coming of Msr. Willms' to restore the 'Kingdom of P.A.P.' They were tremendously disappointed. All the church leadership wanted to meet with me to hear about my plans to start selling chicks and feed again. In some ways , I would have loved to do so. The grassland that supported all those cows in the past is now standing empty.
  Edgard, one of my hosts here started and runs a small ag program that supplied improved seed stock and planting methods to multiple small producers. He and his agents make frequent trips out to the villages to supervise. As opposed to P.A.P., he has begun a truly Congolese based program that can and is working. I'm encouraged by that. He does get some support from Presbyterians and individual Manitoba Mennonites.
  As a final note, I believe I'm one of the first white 'tourists' that has ever visited Kikwit. Most come with some kind of mission or 'help'. I've made it clear that I'm here to help no one, but rather to be helped. I think that has happened.