Greetings From Lubumbashi

 

 

 

It is Sunday September one and I am on Ethiopian Airlines traveling so it seems half way around the world, actually the first leg of my flight will only be some seven thousand plus miles which will take me to Addis Abba, Ethiopia. But I am ahead of myself.

I was up and dressed by about 7 am, amazed that I had gotten a good nights sleep because usually I do sleep well before such a momentous event. My son in law took me to the airport and planned to see me off but the waiting time to get checked in and ticketed was about 90 minutes so had to go off to work.

I am traveling with four bags.  Much of the baggage relates to gifts and supplies for the orphans and the poor. It seems to me that shipping charges have been outrageous--$750.00. Does it make economic sense to send so much at such a price—probably not. But then I ask the question, does it make emotional sense?  My answer, is a resounding ‘yes’ because it is a concrete e expression of Christian love from one part of the family to another part.  I am remembering that the Apostle Paul went forth eager to remember the poor.  Like Paul I want to put a face on God’s love for the poor. So do a lot of others who sacrificed monetarily to send gifts of love to the church family in The Congo. Thank you, I cannot imagine what happiness is in that baggage.

Upon arriving on the plane, it seemed as if every baby (and there are many) was crying. Before we were aloft, they were quietened. Mothers should be declared to be an International Treasure.

We were more than an hour late getting off the tarmac, but that does not bother me as I have more than three hour to wait for my next flight in Ethiopia.  It did bother my stomach because it was around 2:00 pm by the time we were served lunch—mashed potatoes, green beans and carrots, beef and gravy, ravioli salad, bread, carrot cake and marvelous Ethiopian coffee.   Wonder why I like to fly Ethiopian Air?

 Ever notice that after lunch everyone on a plane has to make an excursion to the bathroom? On a large international flight such as this oft times the bathrooms turn into disaster areas. Went to the bathroom and on the   way out, I noted that there was soon going to a shortage of T-paper. Expedited the matter by stealing a small remnant. Ashamed no!

 

Current time is 7:10 pm, according to the video map which I am watching we are about half way or more across the Atlantic.

There is a group of 16 from a United Methodist Church in Texas on this plane headed to Ethiopia to do micro-finance--which is teaching small business--and helping in an orphanage. Hope to visit with them before the trip is over.

Monday September the 2^nd.

Arrived in Addis Ababa, we were unloaded on the tarmac and trucked into the airport.  I was exhausted on arrival as I probably did not get an hour of sleep during the flight.  Adrenalin was flowing, I was super-charged and was very nervous hoping that I would not miss my next flight which was on to Lubumbashi. 

Another four hours on the plane if I remember correctly. I would have preferred a beating.  We traveled about 3 hours and then set down in a place which started with the letter N.  We  were there for about an hour and then off for a 45 minute flight to Lubumbashi. 

Unloaded on the tarmac and then walked maybe ¼ of a mile into the airport.  Breezed through customs without a problem. Went outside looking for Didier.  But there was no Didier.  I am starting to get scared because I am trying to figure out what I would do, if he was sick or in an accident.  All of the incoming passengers have left the airport and I am in a sea of black faces.  Some of them want to help.  Questions are being asked of me.  I have no answers except to say that I am waiting for my ride.  Didier shows up all apologetic, the van is having clutch problems.  He had to get a friend to him to the airport. 

My luggage did not arrive with me.  No Cliff bars, no dried meat, no clean clothing and I have been traveling for two days.  We have gone  to the Jambo Market for bread, fruit, clean shirt and underwear.  Hopefully  things will come in on the next plane which is 2:00 pm today.  If I understand correctly a special plane will bring in the luggage. By the way that meant no Via, Starbucks instant coffe, for me this morning. 

I enjoyed a special meal of wild chicken, rice, fu fu, green beans, and  boiled potatoes with Didier and JP—the man who drove us.  JP is a Christian man who works with the Methodist here in Lubumbashi and is apparently self=employed also.  He gave me two of his company’s polo shirts.  How nice it was to get cleaned up.  Felt like I had washed off at least five pound so dirt.

Before dinner Pastor Peter came to visit, with moist eyes he told me what a blessing I had been to him two years ago.  Compliments on a sermon on Sunday are pretty much to be expected even if the person never comes back to Church.   A compliment a week later is wonderful.  But two years later….During dinner Judge Phuna—the judge who is responsible judgments for problems relating to children—phoned to welcome me to  his country and to tell me that he wanted me to come for a visit today.  Apart from the judge’s signature we would never be able to bring a child into the U. S.   I certainly feel welcomed Didier is trying to protect me until I can get some rest.  I had 7 visitors before 9:00 am.  All I have to do is open the door and go out on the breeze way. 

Hopefully I will get access to the ‘net today and you will find this on Fbook.  Please overlook errors and poor grammar, etc.

Wednesday

Yesterday afternoon we had great plans, I was going to visit the orphanage, call on Judge Phuna, our attorney wants me to come by for a visit.  I have not seen Pastor Mickey and his wife Saundra yet.  So many things to do that we planned on and what did I do?  We took Annie to town to buy food which is an everyday occurrence. Imagine if you had to buy for about 30 people daily and had no refrigeration.  While she made the necessary purchases, Didier and I hashed out some plans about getting electricity to the Mission Station.  By noon I was absolutely exhausted, so tired I could hardly keep my eyes open. I came back to the guest house, grabbed some squirrel food, a banana, drank a bottle of water and off to bed I went.

About two hours later I woke up looked out the window, saw the sun was shining and thought that I had slept all night.  I went back to sleep for about two more hours.  Then I got up went to Didier’s house, the doors were closed, thought maybe he was napping so back to the guest house.  About half an hour later he came in and told me that he had come by, seen how I was sleeping and did not want to wake me up. 

For our evening meal we had goat stew, okra, potatoes and rice.  It was all very flavorful but I find the meat a little chewy.  The sauce over the potatoes or rice is excellent. 

 

I went outside this morning as I like to watch the morning arrive: women are carrying water, children are on the way to school, etc.  But it was so very cold out that I was driven back in.  We are South of the equator so summer is arriving, by noon it will be so hot that I will not want to be outside.  Fortunately the guest house provides a break from both the heat and the cold. 

I mentioned that I  have not been in the Orphanage yet.  Plans were that I would go yesterday afternoon, apparently the workers need all morning to get the place cleaned up and ready for a visitor. I did get to peek into the Church in the morning to see the children being taught French.  They were learning body parts: eyes, ears, mouth, etc.  Stephan a Christian man who teaches in the local school was working with them.  He was enthusiastic and they were so excited as he pointed to a part and they all shouted out the name of the body part.  I have yet to have the Browns’ children pointed out to me.  Hopefully today.

Again today there is shopping for food and I hope to get my luggage as this is the fourth day in these socks.  

More later as I need to get this in the mail.