I have spent the last couple days out in the market while Ivette sells her used clothing. Used clothing is gathered in developed countries, baled into 100 pound bales and sent to countries like Congo. Ladies buy the bales and spread the clothes out on the ground selling to pass-byers. Like so much of the work here, I suspect it is a lot of effort with small returns. Most of the shirts are too large, so Gi cuts a strip off each edge of the shirt and sews it back together. (Shirts from obese nations to subsistent nations).

Ivette has always been concerned with me walking alone in the ville(commercial part of town). It is generally packed with people and a certain number of those are thieves. Today it finally happened. Luckly Ivette insisted in accompanying me and she was the one who noticed a group of fellows preparing to lift my phone out of my shirt pocket. She grabbed me, led me around them and yelled something at them. I still have my phone and will be carrying it in my pant pocket henceforth.

It finally rained today, torrentially. I'm sure, 4-5 inches in an hour with wind. Lots of damage to trees and homes again and no MDS(Mennonite Disaster Service).

The MCC country rep, Larry Prieb drove in from Kinshasa yesterday and we had a good chat.

My days are coming to an end here in Kikwit and are also filling up with engagements. A couple meal invites this weekend yet. Mama Kakesa dropped off a wonderful pineapple the other day, wow, what a taste. I must look for another.

I hear a pig in torment just over the wall. They were selling pig meat in that area a few mornings ago so this particular pig must have a premonition of what may be in store.

I generally don't like to end my post on a negative note, but the pig just went silent.