There was always a question at our home whether Ivette and Gi, my friends here had actually named their daughter who was born shortly after I had left in 2013, Del. It is true. There is a cute little Del running around here now. She still hasn't warmed up to me, but then no Del ever has until I release my true charm. Today was spent meeting the important people in Kikwit. Tradition has it that a visitor addresses the 'chief' first before his subjects. Ivette and I went down to the ville, the commercial hub of the city and to the Mennonite Brethern headquarters where I introduced myself to the head of the MB Church. Then I walked down to the home of Mamma Kakesa, the wife of my former boss here in Kikwit. (He died about 12 years ago). I got a great hug from her and that is the first for here. She is a great lady who still runs a significant farming operation, all hand farmed by hand by women.

I bought a roll of cloth this morning which Ivette picked out. I will be getting a shirt, our African Del some dresses and I'll bet, Ivette a skirt as well out of that piece. The girls are already wearing some clothes Tany picked out for them in Pincher and sent along.

My program is filling up. I ate at Gi and Ivette's last evening, am invited to Pastor Dennis tomorrow evening and Mamma Kakesa wants me to attend a woman's service Friday. I'm not sure yet what my role will be at a women's event.

I just requested and recieved another foamy for my bed. I could feel every cross member on the bed frame the last couple evenings and decided I can't sleep like that.

Just a comment on culture. Yesterday when Ali, a tailor that works with Gi arrived and found me here, he claimed to be so happy that he couldn't work. This demonstrates the relational importance of Africans as opposed to our western emphasis on the task. I do however also remember my father shutting down his work when company arrived even at inopportune times.