tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28811670071226068722024-02-07T02:34:57.807-08:00Congo Bongo BinghamsElder and Sister Binghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689033707433734782noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881167007122606872.post-8155188929834284162012-07-15T13:29:00.007-07:002012-07-15T14:51:18.532-07:00Mont Ngafula - Kimwenza 4 springs & school latrine project<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiww0i90JV6zk72Fscme6_a8SX075WNx2a4gTaM-R7odfizzHCqM3Cb4x5jtBBcsqy1J5L1hrUraB7XfvJhnRSsspjb_cI3ew3NQ6SO2Sc89FXNVEU6_D_Y1gs2EbaR3ye-2c_35cUXOzU/s1600/IMG_1770.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765511969189169730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiww0i90JV6zk72Fscme6_a8SX075WNx2a4gTaM-R7odfizzHCqM3Cb4x5jtBBcsqy1J5L1hrUraB7XfvJhnRSsspjb_cI3ew3NQ6SO2Sc89FXNVEU6_D_Y1gs2EbaR3ye-2c_35cUXOzU/s320/IMG_1770.JPG" /></a> Without his own little mundele grandkids to walk with, Elder B was adopted as mundele Grandpa by these two little Congolese boys.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXwn6-i598Exo2yTYQjfPr_CdzL-qPaMD0X1Um5Rs8AUKaLXrbSQq9mQwvfTvJtRC8jFwhLyuOrbTPyGWa3w2MoioBi4OoTDLTB3Lz5km8O1ZdIR_ofzRMnPYa4H_OLbhFcU5ogwxA9c/s1600/IMG_1771.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765510853147650274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXwn6-i598Exo2yTYQjfPr_CdzL-qPaMD0X1Um5Rs8AUKaLXrbSQq9mQwvfTvJtRC8jFwhLyuOrbTPyGWa3w2MoioBi4OoTDLTB3Lz5km8O1ZdIR_ofzRMnPYa4H_OLbhFcU5ogwxA9c/s320/IMG_1771.JPG" /></a> A Congolese family plus Dede in the village of Kinsiona, where we have a clean water spring project.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDeZY7BKRGs454hyj5_JMxhcvnv1zhGU66Xo-gFLO5n__zRACIwCl9yJecz9MPAO1zXa1gTvscDAUc8gBTpp-HpBIH1BasJo0J6XGLBPLH055ht1aNvVI0T5OAvutn8dp2tG8yhJ9GxNM/s1600/IMG_1787.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765510841331062082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDeZY7BKRGs454hyj5_JMxhcvnv1zhGU66Xo-gFLO5n__zRACIwCl9yJecz9MPAO1zXa1gTvscDAUc8gBTpp-HpBIH1BasJo0J6XGLBPLH055ht1aNvVI0T5OAvutn8dp2tG8yhJ9GxNM/s320/IMG_1787.JPG" /></a> Some very cute kids in Kinsiona.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmgs_PTh6WrRmSfIyj-RYEJWc55rBLkL3a86X35zW5cEFBxKQRP4KdejiXrEbAQBs0qovIXASCbd_7WSrYzmSH9QCYz25q9lIhu-8RNf4SX1sdeZagYWsfoGzzMNYWeXQymt0KJMIl2A/s1600/IMG_1784.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765510830383129186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmgs_PTh6WrRmSfIyj-RYEJWc55rBLkL3a86X35zW5cEFBxKQRP4KdejiXrEbAQBs0qovIXASCbd_7WSrYzmSH9QCYz25q9lIhu-8RNf4SX1sdeZagYWsfoGzzMNYWeXQymt0KJMIl2A/s320/IMG_1784.JPG" /></a> This is our newest and best latrine, with Felix, our interpreter. The school latrine was part of a 4-spring project done in Mont Ngafula-Kimwenza area outside of Kinshasa. (You pronounce that Mong-ah-foo-la). The sign says, "Project financed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, realized (built) by GAKI", the organization who did the construction work.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPyWZ9dGKHuGbXJApCL-pkM-mzLPKVimnvulZ5c3ceqxf6mij7z-7-vdlg-4CVJ4QVREAgHs6PxZf_yALW4MNmrDD0M5KpVTkdj7W8yWLD0nDn9hTihZkblnmBNRMMD5D3TpB1YkIQeE/s1600/IMG_1766.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765507944009442674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPyWZ9dGKHuGbXJApCL-pkM-mzLPKVimnvulZ5c3ceqxf6mij7z-7-vdlg-4CVJ4QVREAgHs6PxZf_yALW4MNmrDD0M5KpVTkdj7W8yWLD0nDn9hTihZkblnmBNRMMD5D3TpB1YkIQeE/s320/IMG_1766.JPG" /></a> Elder and Sister B with the village chief of Kinsiona. Where are his African robes? His spear? But note that in his hand he is holding a short fur-covered stick, which is the official token of his position in his village.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qv__WId6poM-S7IpKOYrXeibtSKuPIL_uJMp1Y8HyH9d4D7OQV4kQU0b-DfLAwU9ECBzVpuDujcyj0ONBkOVuNHpc51ElRcSWh4MLsZjKnPtSy_QVMRJKrIILHqiBAr4mEHLWUyE-gU/s1600/IMG_1788.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765507925614197522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qv__WId6poM-S7IpKOYrXeibtSKuPIL_uJMp1Y8HyH9d4D7OQV4kQU0b-DfLAwU9ECBzVpuDujcyj0ONBkOVuNHpc51ElRcSWh4MLsZjKnPtSy_QVMRJKrIILHqiBAr4mEHLWUyE-gU/s320/IMG_1788.JPG" /></a> This is the other side of the new latrine with the ribbon that was later cut after the ceremony, when the latrine was officially 'handed over' from the Church to the school. All our Humanitarian projects are handed over to the communities for them to 'own' and take care of when the construction is completed.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga8nOT_yyuc6QFRRJrwwDAbc4Y-p9LZJVXF3B-ROfVh4T-gvYQxuVjmno9ur-adsU2Lw-g4goql7GRYMv6IqJu7ielnAzh70BkX7gOQmg0eKTJhSEYxlgStfDeYWdeJv_H0g-jRPJkPf4/s1600/IMG_1783.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765506242984425986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga8nOT_yyuc6QFRRJrwwDAbc4Y-p9LZJVXF3B-ROfVh4T-gvYQxuVjmno9ur-adsU2Lw-g4goql7GRYMv6IqJu7ielnAzh70BkX7gOQmg0eKTJhSEYxlgStfDeYWdeJv_H0g-jRPJkPf4/s320/IMG_1783.JPG" /></a> Funny Elder B inside the boys' latrine waving to the camera.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FHoPecKpBsiLzjTfFu_ji_4hso_MOqccaTMnnCdN2cQjfjAEIy_y_UPDAW9vjfl0nGeUdvPrW0zC0wDw7Tdkqx9ttZxphRI8iqK7evZQ2buUIfiTFnS3GLv5Ny1FL9WN5_QDnj5dG5s/s1600/IMG_1795.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765506232201458098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FHoPecKpBsiLzjTfFu_ji_4hso_MOqccaTMnnCdN2cQjfjAEIy_y_UPDAW9vjfl0nGeUdvPrW0zC0wDw7Tdkqx9ttZxphRI8iqK7evZQ2buUIfiTFnS3GLv5Ny1FL9WN5_QDnj5dG5s/s320/IMG_1795.JPG" /></a> Two more village chiefs and a vice-chief, waiting for the closing ceremony to begin.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3Ftr9XD10_jkifPcwOciLC9XCLocZntcEw2JMpbsySCY8ccK55lMQjnUXcgwIIwReQuQLWM4bs6gyJAr7U7M1LGTd1eWGtJ9twdqfFWvDqKc_yrKTgovFsA-rkaM1ILKAJodOdy5hR0/s1600/IMG_1804.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765504265903616530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3Ftr9XD10_jkifPcwOciLC9XCLocZntcEw2JMpbsySCY8ccK55lMQjnUXcgwIIwReQuQLWM4bs6gyJAr7U7M1LGTd1eWGtJ9twdqfFWvDqKc_yrKTgovFsA-rkaM1ILKAJodOdy5hR0/s320/IMG_1804.JPG" /></a> A very sweet family who seemed to be too shy to look into the camera. Notice their clothing is made of the same fabric. The man is part of the organization, GAKI, who constructed the latrine and springs, and all the GAKI employees and family had matching clothing that day. Even the baby girl had a dress made of that fabric under her striped shirt.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-j95y9ofDuuGGpqnGU32AlM4YRd9knClZbU5_cFWppC1rDnbDfrLEDDVIYCmt7t3g6VXJY04ClV_Bj2ZQ8uvyKdYrrOaMBF-pMePf4cIeSf8JUovvcj024jy4IvIq8pF0nj0WIopIxU/s1600/IMG_1820.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765504257911458642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-j95y9ofDuuGGpqnGU32AlM4YRd9knClZbU5_cFWppC1rDnbDfrLEDDVIYCmt7t3g6VXJY04ClV_Bj2ZQ8uvyKdYrrOaMBF-pMePf4cIeSf8JUovvcj024jy4IvIq8pF0nj0WIopIxU/s320/IMG_1820.JPG" /></a><br />We are on our way to one of the 4 springs where there will be another ribbon cutting ceremony and then the water will officially be turned on for the population to use.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDDZifA0e6DADcooXg00uPHpW-TRfnqa32-EuhgpPpb58m9G7j90YMX8ExDnEqZlkc-11t9sXiy0PdzP5y7T6quVkcB7IYFQfWzH8NHm_gmQoRW4_NkXh2G86kWmx-pKd8M1pOzeTFK64/s1600/IMG_1822.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765498362979152098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDDZifA0e6DADcooXg00uPHpW-TRfnqa32-EuhgpPpb58m9G7j90YMX8ExDnEqZlkc-11t9sXiy0PdzP5y7T6quVkcB7IYFQfWzH8NHm_gmQoRW4_NkXh2G86kWmx-pKd8M1pOzeTFK64/s320/IMG_1822.JPG" /></a> Elder B assisting at the spring ribbon cutting - turning over portion of the closing ceremony.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIeFFpoYXrMPi22u1R18FwEvNKMBxWhvWl9o7DfnetNurRjOHLp28-9N-q6uarSfOjzXQcD_uxHKxOjkjlSapro8mGAdF66-HJP49p110lFsEgsITPCooBIwFSc3y71LJZFXH9nbLIgg/s1600/IMG_1824.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765498357045319554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIeFFpoYXrMPi22u1R18FwEvNKMBxWhvWl9o7DfnetNurRjOHLp28-9N-q6uarSfOjzXQcD_uxHKxOjkjlSapro8mGAdF66-HJP49p110lFsEgsITPCooBIwFSc3y71LJZFXH9nbLIgg/s320/IMG_1824.JPG" /></a> One of the chiefs turning on the faucet officially for the first time. Clean water for the village!! It's moments like these that hit us with the realization of how important our work can be for people who do not have clean water. We love this mission!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We will be spending the remainder of our time here getting things ready for the new couple, and then a very tearful goodbye to the Democratic Republic of Congo.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Elder and Sister Binghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689033707433734782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881167007122606872.post-27809591809811707912012-07-08T02:07:00.005-07:002012-07-08T07:36:48.497-07:00Counting Down....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy67lCQWyreA6hXxQt25kE_Zw3HCyDu_2G6qx3WgsxRHwWiyZ8UT8hLLelSALpCRXttD6qkS6N4E-yrJWNIzzlIbqtD8KIseRuvROiota-3we3r1CPTDGTLWvJ-LuUJ6HLrHWvBAl2xu0/s1600/IMG_1651.JPG"></a> <br /><div align="left">Greetings!<br /></div><br /><div align="left">Our time here is quickly disappearing and there is nothing we can do to stop time! It is very strange -- anxious to go home, sad to leave. We can't believe we will not ever be seeing, hearing and experiencing the Congo in a few short weeks -- unless we are fortunate enough to be called again to serve in this amazing place. But life goes on, and we feel we must do something about our grandchildren growing too tall, too big, too smart, without us. How dare they!!</div><br /><br /><div align="left">As for our pictures of the week, below is an interesting little story. We visited one of our new spring catchment projects, and were invited to hike up over the hill and see the "gas plant". So not really understanding what we were going to see, we followed, and lo and behold, in the middle of a remote village of Kinsiona, we find a methane-producing site, complete with a buried brick underground tank where the chicken manure is collected to ferment and create the gas, which is then piped out to various cooking stoves. This is a picture of the small hut where this man, the plant supervisor, lives and has piped the gas into his 'kitchen' stove. The plant is only 6 months old, but they have big plans to charge a small amount to pipe the gas all over the village. The gas will replace the cutting down of trees and bushes to burn for their cooking fires, which will be a good thing. They use the left-over manure waste to fertilize their crops. Let's hope it catches on and can become self-sustainable. Another African country is funding this start-up business. We wish them luck!</div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-VVM-bPf_-qj986Xp8vZUIdIECa6NguzFkIBc3LoqSjITOxFo1vcWRhkI1iRUTu66GCbaJnNIlL7xRYV9zMv4Wany_PPURW89sxhUg0jkZcY48pEtBUAowYGbtmPlQbuSZxP_u2JMaU/s1600/Methane+gas+stove.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5762731401234026402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-VVM-bPf_-qj986Xp8vZUIdIECa6NguzFkIBc3LoqSjITOxFo1vcWRhkI1iRUTu66GCbaJnNIlL7xRYV9zMv4Wany_PPURW89sxhUg0jkZcY48pEtBUAowYGbtmPlQbuSZxP_u2JMaU/s320/Methane+gas+stove.JPG" /></a> On our day off last week, we traveled about 3 hours out of Kinshasa to Tifie Farms, a huge project that is the brainchild of a wealthy Church member from Utah. The farm grows mostly cassava root, which is the staple here. Different village people are assigned to work on the farm each week, and for pay they get $4 per day, plus they can take home some of the smaller cassava roots for their own eating. This little lady below took a liking to Elder B, because they both have white hair and she immediately wanted him to marry her. She did a little dance with him to show him her interest.....<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhfx5F9tm8903Tv-d9-GEFVi3YlAX-yQz5CE-3Bw6XDF4unzQw4CnaE49AelKG5HtIQBiFUL8Zf8isiPs0Oopv7EtGXoRJr1pL_M97FonfKKfPf3KykbFgAUwmSnr_rbll52yoyIUi7M/s1600/tn%255B1%255D.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 113px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5762731393784680930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhfx5F9tm8903Tv-d9-GEFVi3YlAX-yQz5CE-3Bw6XDF4unzQw4CnaE49AelKG5HtIQBiFUL8Zf8isiPs0Oopv7EtGXoRJr1pL_M97FonfKKfPf3KykbFgAUwmSnr_rbll52yoyIUi7M/s320/tn%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a> Below are some school children near the Tifie farm. It was the day the children received their school certificates and grades. They were very excited to see all the mundeles suddenly appear in their midst, and of course, pictures were the order of the day as a result.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tNOZ32K24Wb9W-1T8tPLdiL-RWc-v3oVrKZp2fmUW3cYKtsC1pP9dLIDElzpepy94ZIUEP2GRhKbHUmzFRsdL_3H4JAL6LC3NAuo3voQOUrR8F-60rcnvxFIbKgT26lZmZpZc-X4qqY/s1600/Tifie+School+students.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5762731388431753170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tNOZ32K24Wb9W-1T8tPLdiL-RWc-v3oVrKZp2fmUW3cYKtsC1pP9dLIDElzpepy94ZIUEP2GRhKbHUmzFRsdL_3H4JAL6LC3NAuo3voQOUrR8F-60rcnvxFIbKgT26lZmZpZc-X4qqY/s320/Tifie+School+students.JPG" /></a> The tree below is a typical African tree, the baobob tree. Immense and sturdy, unusual in shape.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeO3rfYP43aRM4AJBdNZ84MZ7CBY-Uys_csBCaYNjc3Wg6H-r4coRCE3tATCd7_ZH2y9llXjP78X4TBwu_IWQlOhFGMET6t62_8c-jQ0FWI5mcm8R-sE80ulcbiN7_HbsKplzE-DFD7As/s1600/IMG_1716.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5762727993185582226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeO3rfYP43aRM4AJBdNZ84MZ7CBY-Uys_csBCaYNjc3Wg6H-r4coRCE3tATCd7_ZH2y9llXjP78X4TBwu_IWQlOhFGMET6t62_8c-jQ0FWI5mcm8R-sE80ulcbiN7_HbsKplzE-DFD7As/s320/IMG_1716.JPG" /></a> These little guys were having a sweetie snack, and needed to have their picture taken.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQ4JxAwZeFXITHnjeokBbQlWqNuK0I0IH732W80QTf8lsGADjkrd0aZVy17zNfQZR3gOrJqktTPyDwS7jGH2M-gMU4VfrAhnbb7ZqMbeaWVzYG-Zzpgba0uP4jyigJ3kJ42NGLlQRcHk/s1600/IMG_1708.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5762727985666152242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQ4JxAwZeFXITHnjeokBbQlWqNuK0I0IH732W80QTf8lsGADjkrd0aZVy17zNfQZR3gOrJqktTPyDwS7jGH2M-gMU4VfrAhnbb7ZqMbeaWVzYG-Zzpgba0uP4jyigJ3kJ42NGLlQRcHk/s320/IMG_1708.JPG" /></a> The birds below love sitting on this same branch every day around 4 pm. Wish you could really see them - they are so much more colorful than the picture shows. We can watch them out our kitchen window. They are blue-breasted bee eaters. They actually have green backs, a stripe of orange and black around their neck and a yellow belly. If you zoom in on the photo you can see some of that color. Congo has a wonderful assortment of birds, but no bird sanctuaries that we have found to visit. Elder B has gotten quite a bit of use out of his binoculars here though. And many Congolese have had their first lesson on looking through them.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOoV8W5zQKqwn0UzQFw2YGrc8qo6IpvF5cBRUdmP5rNACx3ryrSc3ktqJmBG6F5pjGI14R7GB9-mIlow92kfgn_qr9gFwJ09zesK88CPhYp1g_DAn2a875B9LMduLxULDRTo3T8fzAoY/s1600/Bob%2527s+birds+on+a+branch+3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5762727981550103810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOoV8W5zQKqwn0UzQFw2YGrc8qo6IpvF5cBRUdmP5rNACx3ryrSc3ktqJmBG6F5pjGI14R7GB9-mIlow92kfgn_qr9gFwJ09zesK88CPhYp1g_DAn2a875B9LMduLxULDRTo3T8fzAoY/s320/Bob%2527s+birds+on+a+branch+3.JPG" /></a> Last Sunday we attended Church with one of our Engineers, Albert, who was having his baby blessed. Her name is Esperance, Espè for short. Babies aren't taken out at all until they are three months old. This was one of Espè's first outings.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFRgwAUNuYIR_EjIKqCfQGuR5FHaD8aPux0-KX9AZtmIYvEX_j4cw0gQY00orwByAmjeoZyXBUiBuBnDeGAVQKFT7WYvMFKcJX5tuo1qHCc9F_VVA5PoEGALyfwMwfTM-JDLXMFv0UQI/s1600/IMG_1691.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5762727976089246930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFRgwAUNuYIR_EjIKqCfQGuR5FHaD8aPux0-KX9AZtmIYvEX_j4cw0gQY00orwByAmjeoZyXBUiBuBnDeGAVQKFT7WYvMFKcJX5tuo1qHCc9F_VVA5PoEGALyfwMwfTM-JDLXMFv0UQI/s320/IMG_1691.JPG" /></a>Elder and Sis. B with a new interpreter, Aime, at one of our sites near a spring.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfO8A7fb97iEtvFsx1S1e-6Sup-fORps6h8jPHCp1jZI7AFv54MP9bm33XX-BwMz-EXCAMF-L7R_Dg4a8xldWFwh3V6tQ39SvrOIujjB5_5SEYNOWsr79NmIonio17qIm8F4jn4E2kJNg/s1600/Aime+%2526+Binghams.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5762727964972900258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfO8A7fb97iEtvFsx1S1e-6Sup-fORps6h8jPHCp1jZI7AFv54MP9bm33XX-BwMz-EXCAMF-L7R_Dg4a8xldWFwh3V6tQ39SvrOIujjB5_5SEYNOWsr79NmIonio17qIm8F4jn4E2kJNg/s320/Aime+%2526+Binghams.JPG" /></a> We look forward to a new week, new adventures, new work, old work, and getting things in place for our new couple to arrive.</div><br /><div>Thanks to those of you who tolerate long blogs. Most of the time 'you just have to be there' but we want to TRY to share what we have here.</div><br /><div>Have a happy week, and we will too...</div><br /><div>We love you.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Elder and Sister Binghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689033707433734782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881167007122606872.post-84964559758405397942012-07-01T10:01:00.003-07:002012-07-01T11:09:34.120-07:00Congo's Fruit and Crawly Things<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdx2qgfnKUdWTP0w4Tzu-w0dmoHNZ_5gN7EB8qm_VgPo8RzoZNDfWO7vALEdhfnM9tlfYAoIRMtxoldn23m_XN-M117Oh30frc0mUTIFabk76-i70sUeClLmo4QZ-n7XJRMWviNWFUFjo/s1600/IMG_1671.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760257308987788594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdx2qgfnKUdWTP0w4Tzu-w0dmoHNZ_5gN7EB8qm_VgPo8RzoZNDfWO7vALEdhfnM9tlfYAoIRMtxoldn23m_XN-M117Oh30frc0mUTIFabk76-i70sUeClLmo4QZ-n7XJRMWviNWFUFjo/s320/IMG_1671.JPG" /></a> The picture above has nothing whatever to do with fruit or crawly things, but it was a fun picture because we love when this happens.....we were visiting one of our projects and took a new translator, Aime, with us. He has recently returned from serving in our mission in Cameroon, where the missionaries all speak English. and he had companions from the U.S. As we were walking from one of the springs we went to visit, this woman told us she would show us another spring. We followed her, and on the way back she began asking questions about our Church. Of course, we couldn't communicate with her, but Aime could! Here he is giving her the first discussion. She was very interested, and we gave her a Book of Mormon and some Missionary pamphlets that we always carry in our truck. Humanitarian Misionaries are not to proselyte, but we sure can answer questions and, more commonly, refer those questions to our translators, site monitors, or engineers. Most of them are LDS. They love having those missionary experiences, and we love watching them and feeling the Spirit.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRi1fhXOBB3xo6zOtIkRlvPGmWPeozM3AbGmcqg43myUWxB38u28t8X8SdeFXJUQjGlI0_ysbv8iqRiR5XP3fCEvnZ8lj4vR2wjfzX_z7gMR9OCWPHscQdZPb2cWG53r27sb3-v6V0PY/s1600/IMG_1677.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760257301681034386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRi1fhXOBB3xo6zOtIkRlvPGmWPeozM3AbGmcqg43myUWxB38u28t8X8SdeFXJUQjGlI0_ysbv8iqRiR5XP3fCEvnZ8lj4vR2wjfzX_z7gMR9OCWPHscQdZPb2cWG53r27sb3-v6V0PY/s320/IMG_1677.JPG" /></a> Elder B was trying to show all of us that it is no big deal to carry a full bucket of water on his head just like the women do here. So ok, he got it on his head, with some help, but he didn't do any walking....that was another thing entirely!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_LZDpDckPhW0f-3xqyjPuYGxkbBIBXoiEBpXPesy9XZplEMkuhc9Jbk0LIAimo3cR0jVCqlkch6n95t_0zII3oh3B4vGV-JpBTuyPzCUgJph84TvMdYJkeJvqJo9Lujzrdw0uQR5BTE/s1600/IMG_1678.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760257293221043778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_LZDpDckPhW0f-3xqyjPuYGxkbBIBXoiEBpXPesy9XZplEMkuhc9Jbk0LIAimo3cR0jVCqlkch6n95t_0zII3oh3B4vGV-JpBTuyPzCUgJph84TvMdYJkeJvqJo9Lujzrdw0uQR5BTE/s320/IMG_1678.JPG" /></a> Excuse me, what I meant to say was "with a LOT of help, he got it on his head".<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzc1qxJdh1pIcyLA9AVFkWtjzsSveFJMQ6tdi4gEWdDEkdJRsH8Qm9xxddqDrdyCWmUdENCAHpQjYoNiZa7u5FvKhl4gZDBI9G1ASZ5H95Ct8bqpXKK-A3h9dcso63wPF17eGrNe4hqfU/s1600/IMG_1679.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760257286826183186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzc1qxJdh1pIcyLA9AVFkWtjzsSveFJMQ6tdi4gEWdDEkdJRsH8Qm9xxddqDrdyCWmUdENCAHpQjYoNiZa7u5FvKhl4gZDBI9G1ASZ5H95Ct8bqpXKK-A3h9dcso63wPF17eGrNe4hqfU/s320/IMG_1679.JPG" /></a> Here is the owner of the bucket, showing how it is really done. After the picture, she just casually walked off as if she were strolling through a park without a care in the world. Hopefully our newly captured spring with spigots has simplified her life somewhat. Before the construction, the only way the women could get water at this spring was to scoop it up and pour in into their bidons - a backbreaking and slow process. Now those bidons are filled more quickly and easily.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbANOqq0WYiyArzJzbAGmkxEFQs4xn0zPLrhEBXUDqaL2lUHYXIQXpYmnXZr2ymVaWTiuh8PRQrE6P6cQFskSAcmJ20tULiw2ACR76059B2XmDTPtICeD7sWFXa6ZcvKoETVaqL5bz__Y/s1600/IMG_1681.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760252493149906114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbANOqq0WYiyArzJzbAGmkxEFQs4xn0zPLrhEBXUDqaL2lUHYXIQXpYmnXZr2ymVaWTiuh8PRQrE6P6cQFskSAcmJ20tULiw2ACR76059B2XmDTPtICeD7sWFXa6ZcvKoETVaqL5bz__Y/s320/IMG_1681.JPG" /></a> Above is an amazing papaya tree. We have never seen such huge papayas, nor so many on one little tree. They won't be ripe for another month. (Elder B's favorite fruit here).<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-HUwTyYBXwVItgbJMVeWoU8vpYxF6XLwZCsZm-BHk53lAV__Kgn1Rg8UoHyriqOkevh5PlQ-yZUTh4nUBGqEaoeTIdJoea6pl35T6h6DuXMes7Js-kPy9pB7QyYH27TRdrT09yyQzj8/s1600/IMG_1683.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760252478730593026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-HUwTyYBXwVItgbJMVeWoU8vpYxF6XLwZCsZm-BHk53lAV__Kgn1Rg8UoHyriqOkevh5PlQ-yZUTh4nUBGqEaoeTIdJoea6pl35T6h6DuXMes7Js-kPy9pB7QyYH27TRdrT09yyQzj8/s320/IMG_1683.JPG" /></a>This is a Congolese watermelon. I think they all look like an old fashioned bomb with the stem sticking up like that. They aren't seedless, but if you're lucky, you can get one every bit as delicious as the ones back home.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_JHChkKHF2tTxUVmfdAGyOzC7u-o6u27GlqgWm7kV3eTtrAGWNyWBzpyYbiExFzicHKR82UnQDoNYYePQDUKQ0E_GHUSqeeLhgrnwuINU4cJyuuEM0Wrutv_BFedI9IbpAA9W-2fnpU/s1600/IMG_1685.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760252475753912626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_JHChkKHF2tTxUVmfdAGyOzC7u-o6u27GlqgWm7kV3eTtrAGWNyWBzpyYbiExFzicHKR82UnQDoNYYePQDUKQ0E_GHUSqeeLhgrnwuINU4cJyuuEM0Wrutv_BFedI9IbpAA9W-2fnpU/s320/IMG_1685.JPG" /></a> This is what they call a pumpkin. I am going to bake it and freeze the meat to make into pumpkin bread (with chocolate chips, of course).<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-iJ7FL5oK5k5NCueXqoxhTe1C9X9UXtkdR7GL41WWlnk5P6Df_3vkH7bTcwd6S3r5tnKafsBGnTkExUJGFMSrm9IpN9wvalA7y0fyYaWE0oJkSS3GPV2CwcjOWv5rxuPlfs4Svcw23w/s1600/IMG_1687.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760252466964380962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-iJ7FL5oK5k5NCueXqoxhTe1C9X9UXtkdR7GL41WWlnk5P6Df_3vkH7bTcwd6S3r5tnKafsBGnTkExUJGFMSrm9IpN9wvalA7y0fyYaWE0oJkSS3GPV2CwcjOWv5rxuPlfs4Svcw23w/s320/IMG_1687.JPG" /></a> Here is our little friend who lives in a tree. While visiting one of our water projects our translator saw it up in the tree overhead and shook it down. After we 'played' with it for a few minutes, a woman came along and took it home to cook and eat. No kidding!<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmpwss946AUNUhLDc9LZPdiwQnZJWcTEnfsztXqPWvJSwr8TbrbTQWyWqE3LtXx47AAxdIu_WKv9AMDJHg8H7CUeF1movyTiV9gUOnHrzpI2DEhKO4KkinnKY8NLjoKTwTQVWOYNghuw/s1600/IMG_1686.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760252462607279986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmpwss946AUNUhLDc9LZPdiwQnZJWcTEnfsztXqPWvJSwr8TbrbTQWyWqE3LtXx47AAxdIu_WKv9AMDJHg8H7CUeF1movyTiV9gUOnHrzpI2DEhKO4KkinnKY8NLjoKTwTQVWOYNghuw/s320/IMG_1686.JPG" /></a> Happy little caterpillar!<br /></div><br /><div align="left">That's all for this week. We are winding down, and are beginning to understand just how much we have learned here. We don't regret it for a moment. It has been an incredible journey. For those of you who can, start planning your own mission. We highly recommend it!</div><br /><div align="left">We love you.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Elder and Sister Binghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689033707433734782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881167007122606872.post-21365745272529340132012-06-17T07:36:00.010-07:002012-06-17T13:49:11.196-07:00It's a long story.....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFw3CkbJ-eBsAynZdvyHaggt7CvxR8XHeuiXTu6B6eznFdBmoh_RDUysUmpZZ4bZlJjs5FqmMtQ9F73fslsPa68qnjum2XciKE-XCgJFDf50KvaIRfdZE94d0IGuXPvRGJXlY97oZiVA/s1600/IMG_1617.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5755103087565054594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFw3CkbJ-eBsAynZdvyHaggt7CvxR8XHeuiXTu6B6eznFdBmoh_RDUysUmpZZ4bZlJjs5FqmMtQ9F73fslsPa68qnjum2XciKE-XCgJFDf50KvaIRfdZE94d0IGuXPvRGJXlY97oZiVA/s320/IMG_1617.JPG" /></a> We begin with the end. These are three very special men who are holding up their certificates we presented to them during a closing ceremony at the completion of the project you will read about below. Eddy, on the left is our trusty site monitor, Percy in the middle is the school headmaster, and on the right is Jean, the contractor. If you could only meet these individuals!!<br /><br /><br /><div>Now we'll tell you about this small project we started working on about a year ago -- one of those that I, Sis. Bingham, "Just <strong>had</strong> to do! " in spite of Elder B's reluctance. It started out well, except for some huge delays in the banking transfers, but we worked through those. We have talked a little about this project before on the blog. Here's the rest of the story. It is a small (you can't even visualize how small so we won't try to explain) handicapped school - where sewing, book binding, orthopedic brace construction, and basic literacy is taught to a handful of physically and mentally handicapped persons. Two of the students actually live at the school as they were out living on the street and the school headmaster just took them in. And when we say "live at the school" do not for a minute imagine that these boys have a bedroom or a bed or a kitchen or any other comforts that we take for granted. They have a roof over their heads. Period. But they are happy, and always have a smile on their faces when we visit the school.</div><br /><br /><div>We were (ok, <strong>I</strong> was) excited to do this project because it would provide some school supplies and materials, and also the construction of a shower room and latrine (like an outhouse) that were handicapped-accessible. Handicapped-accessible is unheard of here. These handicapped people would drag themselves over the dirt to the old latrine, rain or shine, and IF they happened to have borrowed the one and only broken wheelchair that one of the students uses, that chair does not fit through the doorways of the latrine or shower. So we will let your imaginations go from there. Oh, if you don't know, a latrine here is simply a hole in the ground. No toilet. A bucket of water is used to 'flush' the hole, maybe.</div><br /><br /><div>The project went bad when our partner, the non-governmental organization, stole or sold all the school supplies we had purchased for the school. Elder B had taken him shopping for these supplies (basic school books, sewing machines, orthopedic tools - about $2500 worth) and then delivered them to a storage room. Unbeknownst to us, the NGO made off with ALL the goods, and then he disappeared, never to be heard of again. So here we are with a half-constructed latrine/shower, and no partner to direct the construction, and having to explain to the school staff and students that all the new supplies are gone. The first contractor had already walked off the job, and we had to use one we didn't know anything about. But our dilemma was, who would manage the remainder of the construction work? Who was qualified? Elder B certainly is, but we couldn't be out at the project every day because we have many other committments. So we took a leap of faith and assigned Eddy, our Site Monitor, to manage the job, handed him an amount of money he had probably never before held in his hand, and said, "Finish the project and turn in all your receipts!" Eddy was awesome. The final cost of the project was, of course, much more than we had budgeted. (Wouldn't you know?) So he had his work cut out for him to figure out how to do the work and stay within the budget. He was so humbled that we would trust him to do the job, and he made it all work. We couldn't have done it without him. We are extremely pleased with the results. And the school people are delighted! At our small closing ceremony, Eddy gave a little speech. In his speech he explained, and did some demonstrating, how to use a real toilet. "Don't climb up and stand on it, you sit on it". (We take so much for granted!!) And then he demonstrated how to use the flexible shower hose -- instead of taking a bucket bath.<br />Do you see why we love this mission?<br /></div><br /><div>Below is the old 'shower room'.</div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEfCuNrzGcCjWnktgfCsWRUs4u3_fqU-Qb2T4mbtP-qSZ-mg-8ezOC03SuklfL9OyFbsytBsBE6YrwgTQFs6DWb1p4AuJOD0z_xwtXHTX0ZsRNd25cWQKxWUk5evyE-RdwjZ6C3TPqeI/s1600/IMG_1575.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5755091591045821570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEfCuNrzGcCjWnktgfCsWRUs4u3_fqU-Qb2T4mbtP-qSZ-mg-8ezOC03SuklfL9OyFbsytBsBE6YrwgTQFs6DWb1p4AuJOD0z_xwtXHTX0ZsRNd25cWQKxWUk5evyE-RdwjZ6C3TPqeI/s320/IMG_1575.JPG" /></a> This is our interpreter Dede demonstrating how to take a shower in the new shower room. (We love Dede!) The floor is gently sloped so the water runs into a drain under the shower chair. There is also a huge shower head above Dede that the person can use instead of the flexible hose. The black garbage can in the foreground is to hold water when the water company isn't providing water - then it's back to bucket baths, but at least they have a nice facility and a comfortable water-proof chair.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAW1UaoMIAZkwAo7eQECOhpp3-EmoZzBC0C25PLJt6-YMqbUbAhJtzbUkFemJ5rxpPK7MdGefOR51B7zHkTacjGx5LSo2ksjZW8-gZPrXMAyqDFy4idu09_eCNtmNdOds55fes6OWX3I/s1600/IMG_1574.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5755091588901114290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAW1UaoMIAZkwAo7eQECOhpp3-EmoZzBC0C25PLJt6-YMqbUbAhJtzbUkFemJ5rxpPK7MdGefOR51B7zHkTacjGx5LSo2ksjZW8-gZPrXMAyqDFy4idu09_eCNtmNdOds55fes6OWX3I/s320/IMG_1574.JPG" /></a> Below shows the beginning of the construction and the septic tanks in front of the shower and latrine. At this point I wasn't much impressed. Looked pretty rough.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRu4bAW_4MCpjONcqXL58gi4pWQnLOWzzQA8bEL0qNNLO9EAs8Y0X8AC-CC6hxIXkguhyR7mvby1Zime81jGEHX3V7pfemiW-5sa1WftEhZDRpPpWnn75d_vazjlX6PgcRjisii04syc/s1600/IMG_1164.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5755087373244390290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRu4bAW_4MCpjONcqXL58gi4pWQnLOWzzQA8bEL0qNNLO9EAs8Y0X8AC-CC6hxIXkguhyR7mvby1Zime81jGEHX3V7pfemiW-5sa1WftEhZDRpPpWnn75d_vazjlX6PgcRjisii04syc/s320/IMG_1164.JPG" /></a> Elder B walking past the nearly finished shower and latrine. Lookin' better!!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXIJU0zW4w6v3-Miq5wOESio8jWmJmuNpD7g6k5DRKYI3FdBPHMk8P5plburDce2iz56bcAqIYvsKI4-HGekL-IIzMLluDyHHAs3Vv_vkhNDAJdYaCxkZXoDLDlpR50GdNQ_nn8dCllU/s1600/IMG_1572.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5755087369764884082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXIJU0zW4w6v3-Miq5wOESio8jWmJmuNpD7g6k5DRKYI3FdBPHMk8P5plburDce2iz56bcAqIYvsKI4-HGekL-IIzMLluDyHHAs3Vv_vkhNDAJdYaCxkZXoDLDlpR50GdNQ_nn8dCllU/s320/IMG_1572.JPG" /></a> Below is the old latrine - the hole in the ground. No septic tank. Just a hold dug underground. When it is full, they cover it and move to a new hole.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpTr8lm22PpopCc6N70VTdO9U0ZWI-UHtGezeb9mh2eFOh7B3StuyOee1wUNtbsFQz-yALzhcyJT1BmYyXyAxpNSky-NOLQS0g6rKlfT4oGJLgPClj0SZM7kZQD4awff0hN8hnfpmnlU/s1600/IMG_1576.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5755087361436267554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpTr8lm22PpopCc6N70VTdO9U0ZWI-UHtGezeb9mh2eFOh7B3StuyOee1wUNtbsFQz-yALzhcyJT1BmYyXyAxpNSky-NOLQS0g6rKlfT4oGJLgPClj0SZM7kZQD4awff0hN8hnfpmnlU/s320/IMG_1576.JPG" /></a> The finished latrine, complete with handrails. Eddy also had to show the school staff and students how to flush the toilet. Would you say this is an improvement over the old latrine?<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXdhZpk1Lgm58CbTBkdDh3n6aobm3bxWMqGesG57_hVjpiXQ45Q0AJMt69s5zcnQDdNM4ciDH_G52wBOy4L4Yxepv6bVrIMpXoRhSdhTvGmOUa808ECOsQ4ebN6mThWrUOIrqngcVQHA/s1600/IMG_1578.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5755029540668308722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXdhZpk1Lgm58CbTBkdDh3n6aobm3bxWMqGesG57_hVjpiXQ45Q0AJMt69s5zcnQDdNM4ciDH_G52wBOy4L4Yxepv6bVrIMpXoRhSdhTvGmOUa808ECOsQ4ebN6mThWrUOIrqngcVQHA/s320/IMG_1578.JPG" /></a> During the closing ceremony, Percy, the Headmaster, gave a little talk. What was very touching to us is that he himself is attending English classes 3 days a week at his own school, and he wrote and read his talk in English for Elder B and myself. You will notice that Percy is also physically handicapped. Can you see the smile on his face? He was very proud of his achievement in speaking English for us.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRvA1dR1i7wCtP4b_a8VNC-2lhYtGh58pqavM5VnOo5zuZSihvyopZnpshyJl15U5iGMWnzEPJLi-t9Uf35dFLZub16h8gRW7kGwKAqrv8dlhGsX59-p0yWQSZhi2W23V16jDNZ-jCrU/s1600/IMG_1616.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5755029533579933330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRvA1dR1i7wCtP4b_a8VNC-2lhYtGh58pqavM5VnOo5zuZSihvyopZnpshyJl15U5iGMWnzEPJLi-t9Uf35dFLZub16h8gRW7kGwKAqrv8dlhGsX59-p0yWQSZhi2W23V16jDNZ-jCrU/s320/IMG_1616.JPG" /></a> We love this mission! There are disappointments, even failures, but when we have the great blessing of being part of a project like this, all the bad and the sad are wiped out. We will never be able to express the feelings of our hearts for the great opportunity of serving our Heavenly Father and the remarkable Congolese people here in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As Elder Russell M. Nelson said in April General Conference, "Thanks be to God!"</div><br /><div>We look forward to a new week and the adventures that will take place the moment we step out the door. May you all have a wondeful new week as well. We love you!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Elder and Sister Binghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689033707433734782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881167007122606872.post-21788344716371906432012-04-29T12:34:00.005-07:002012-04-29T13:35:20.986-07:00The Kinshasa Shopping Experience<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaur0oFiTX_rFIks4D4UHwPtBEjclRjX5y_Nih2o3burco_dZZacjVjijf8uZG2hPXOpD0xyHlJiTtI0rjNKnE1UMmoHM0w5iBygqd2D8U7p0o-dLOzqjL92k3pIw8_VnDfun1hVj7Lo/s1600/IMG_1221.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736910753456023746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaur0oFiTX_rFIks4D4UHwPtBEjclRjX5y_Nih2o3burco_dZZacjVjijf8uZG2hPXOpD0xyHlJiTtI0rjNKnE1UMmoHM0w5iBygqd2D8U7p0o-dLOzqjL92k3pIw8_VnDfun1hVj7Lo/s320/IMG_1221.JPG" /></a> Before we get to the shopping, let's begin with a sunset on the Congo River, and if you look very closely, you will see three pirogues with fishermen returning home after a day of fishing on the deepest river in Africa.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ds3MjoKNv3fBpEM2UeP895owf163WwlAFKHL8_OyIEaPAOqvKOiXETLvdn6Dxk5FAMEuGlx6OTBKSo29B_Z0t4GlMOSMRLW9ahNEeqPRWobL6lDr4PE8ZeFewFt6a1idyyfBRMsp6Zg/s1600/IMG_1220.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736910750511098450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ds3MjoKNv3fBpEM2UeP895owf163WwlAFKHL8_OyIEaPAOqvKOiXETLvdn6Dxk5FAMEuGlx6OTBKSo29B_Z0t4GlMOSMRLW9ahNEeqPRWobL6lDr4PE8ZeFewFt6a1idyyfBRMsp6Zg/s320/IMG_1220.JPG" /></a> Here's an example of the beautiful flora we have the pleasure of seeing every day here. This is a single flower that evolves into two. It begins as the spiky light-colored bloom and expands into the coral flower.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4QcfRx3_g8ipiPrJizO58NgS8gFjGbqXJu_gv1h0JlpsVVnGRihbF_clQ5u7gRe_x3ls5Ra1AYWNc8xk8LrcHXOgbRCwb4GYdvObIellzWD28Dc398ciPNCShJqYvOmytjtZkAx5ydw/s1600/IMG_1250.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736910737699604450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4QcfRx3_g8ipiPrJizO58NgS8gFjGbqXJu_gv1h0JlpsVVnGRihbF_clQ5u7gRe_x3ls5Ra1AYWNc8xk8LrcHXOgbRCwb4GYdvObIellzWD28Dc398ciPNCShJqYvOmytjtZkAx5ydw/s320/IMG_1250.JPG" /></a> Speaking of pirogues, here is one a little closer to the camera, serving as a bridge in Kinkole, a fishing village on the banks of the Congo River. The man waiting for Sis. B is going to charge her a toll for crossing his bridge. She doesn't understand what he is asking, so she smiles, says "Bon jour!" and keeps walking. On our return, he again asks for his payment, to which Elder B replied, "Sorry...we don't speak French."<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Now to get to the shopping. Below is our produce "section" of our market.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jYSEjsfud6AkPRrgP-0KAB8jSzYXhRwQjf0bx9fB4m44A_Kzb7pnQXmcRY2WpY7LbLsSbvs0adya_rIxTiwr9O-RyWdufHfJkvNPLB_vWM3tdU5DHbaceq2dD8GmEWtOJk6-HjDnYIM/s1600/IMG_1239.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736910734177418034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jYSEjsfud6AkPRrgP-0KAB8jSzYXhRwQjf0bx9fB4m44A_Kzb7pnQXmcRY2WpY7LbLsSbvs0adya_rIxTiwr9O-RyWdufHfJkvNPLB_vWM3tdU5DHbaceq2dD8GmEWtOJk6-HjDnYIM/s320/IMG_1239.JPG" /></a> Then we have the poultry case....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7f8YjV-HBAhTFlXKvP582FF8qLexH8WWxm1e9FbtZalrXx13FiZeECQz0ASgJgtKnJ7jh3ocwRCX_beuhqBh2Ah3cPhrOoiAptWWmpXbssb-XIJ3gQozD3cSbxvqwd4zIzcKBbkSnqPQ/s1600/IMG_1238.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736910724890855010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7f8YjV-HBAhTFlXKvP582FF8qLexH8WWxm1e9FbtZalrXx13FiZeECQz0ASgJgtKnJ7jh3ocwRCX_beuhqBh2Ah3cPhrOoiAptWWmpXbssb-XIJ3gQozD3cSbxvqwd4zIzcKBbkSnqPQ/s320/IMG_1238.JPG" /></a><br />The outdoor barbeque section sells charcoal...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wQfVjW4SOm7_oO-eChUpJ3g_ic_Af0U4AGKhKWwCbdROEBfG1mddAjo_-pLUYVxO4Dz0QAXkm_fcxdYG3GwXzXM2Xw5uWVJmakE2864cInWaqE6tjoMVSLHr1H2S9deFtad__IDSwjI/s1600/IMG_1245.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736909497495029570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wQfVjW4SOm7_oO-eChUpJ3g_ic_Af0U4AGKhKWwCbdROEBfG1mddAjo_-pLUYVxO4Dz0QAXkm_fcxdYG3GwXzXM2Xw5uWVJmakE2864cInWaqE6tjoMVSLHr1H2S9deFtad__IDSwjI/s320/IMG_1245.JPG" /></a>and in the clothing section, the "pant rack".<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXX8io0Fro7FK__HQ4uXb1UU-EQGL9nRG2DQExoHdeGvJ8cWdYYdL0_4V9tOvlXDSn0fHJCN7-_cIyUdiuCrrWIPEjd2xkHDR3E7euFs4WX_C76pOqAye3Lc9i4k-0aOsRbUg2JNO1Ac/s1600/IMG_1243.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736909488624258850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXX8io0Fro7FK__HQ4uXb1UU-EQGL9nRG2DQExoHdeGvJ8cWdYYdL0_4V9tOvlXDSn0fHJCN7-_cIyUdiuCrrWIPEjd2xkHDR3E7euFs4WX_C76pOqAye3Lc9i4k-0aOsRbUg2JNO1Ac/s320/IMG_1243.JPG" /></a><br />But as of last Friday, a new market came to town -- a real store, a South African store that carries iceburg lettuce and broccoli and cauliflower ($13 - $17 per head). We couples just had to check it out.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1C12EfFTi0U7YiieKRGrbkrLKmxzoGAiJ2gylIjCPgFIAKVSRCsAGa7Pklbn9016lX8uLDlhzc85vfDTT0qvVVW9lCicjRV3p0XWnwC7VVvRF1jEJuSLs-0LiSERXKe_hC3-ke8VG1c/s1600/IMG_1240.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736909482120625570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1C12EfFTi0U7YiieKRGrbkrLKmxzoGAiJ2gylIjCPgFIAKVSRCsAGa7Pklbn9016lX8uLDlhzc85vfDTT0qvVVW9lCicjRV3p0XWnwC7VVvRF1jEJuSLs-0LiSERXKe_hC3-ke8VG1c/s320/IMG_1240.JPG" /></a><br />Here is the entrance. Now this may not look like anything special to you, but we haven't seen a sight like this for many moons!! It was awesome!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBU0yl8-J40WSxvFDm-PQqw9HViTWYnCjSeSAhuIcG7AOsMH5ckCq04-3oO3uJSlaDzUJrs9dH3-kaz698o2vM_LsWqCQLM5yaUnwg2zW4a20eEu4SSquB7HgtisgGJG-NcWGtntFAAk/s1600/IMG_1241.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736909479209452338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBU0yl8-J40WSxvFDm-PQqw9HViTWYnCjSeSAhuIcG7AOsMH5ckCq04-3oO3uJSlaDzUJrs9dH3-kaz698o2vM_LsWqCQLM5yaUnwg2zW4a20eEu4SSquB7HgtisgGJG-NcWGtntFAAk/s320/IMG_1241.JPG" /></a> We have actually been doing Humanitarian work here, too, besides visiting Shop Rite -- honest!!</div><br /><div>We have spent all week with our US team doing Neo-natal resuscitation training. We just said goodbye to Elder and Sister Doucette from Arizona, who are our NRT specialists. They are real troopers, flying all over the world putting on these trainings with other doctors in tow. They were supposed to have been picked up at our apartment at 5:30 pm by the airport shuttle, to get them to the airport by 6:30 for a 10:30 flight out. But the shuttle didn't show up, the roads are being worked on, it looked like a good rainstorm coming in, and Elder B ended up driving them through all that to the airport (a good 1 1/2hr trip, the 2nd one today). Luckily, one of the other senior Elders offered to go with him, so here I am all alone at the apartment waiting for his safe return. He just called to say he was on his way back and the Doucettes will make their flight just fine. Every day is an adventure!!</div><br /><div>Tomorrow is our Shelley's birthday....Happy birthday, daughter!</div><br /><div>Have a wonderful week, and enjoy your families.</div><br /><div>We love you!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Elder and Sister Binghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689033707433734782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881167007122606872.post-83924595300303282362012-04-15T11:54:00.003-07:002012-04-15T12:46:20.461-07:00Twins and more Twins<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbH5XqOGD1063jQyH3rCnpysotkWq6vDSvgMkyvNOhJeLBhVMlDFjr7gIIJ4vpv_A0oQ5SubmwzOZCtkgNNKTI0ccgpUZOcTBQDjEkWyfDqAGw_jxcWVg1O8rewXPBgJCiztT_T4Ur3IU/s1600/IMG_1192.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 321px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731706426303176530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbH5XqOGD1063jQyH3rCnpysotkWq6vDSvgMkyvNOhJeLBhVMlDFjr7gIIJ4vpv_A0oQ5SubmwzOZCtkgNNKTI0ccgpUZOcTBQDjEkWyfDqAGw_jxcWVg1O8rewXPBgJCiztT_T4Ur3IU/s320/IMG_1192.JPG" /></a> Here are our dancing twins. We were walking through Camp Luka (pronounced Ka'Luka) where one of our hand-dug well projects is located, and saw these two with their fancy hair extensions - just couldn't resist the photo op!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBVSJE5JvvwVI0e940dpKxHloYwNJwPzuZEcgqPSNUEhV-RPnyv5yN50nCT2MaMsqjlMxCljmJkWPsP81Vty2i1nbKxsYjHt73inVQ5I_6iHRKOwcnAREi08rEzXvmpHCLqidJXQMRuc/s1600/IMG_1188.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731706412492396946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBVSJE5JvvwVI0e940dpKxHloYwNJwPzuZEcgqPSNUEhV-RPnyv5yN50nCT2MaMsqjlMxCljmJkWPsP81Vty2i1nbKxsYjHt73inVQ5I_6iHRKOwcnAREi08rEzXvmpHCLqidJXQMRuc/s320/IMG_1188.JPG" /></a> And here we have twins Judith and Judith...I think there is a resemblance, no? This Judith was attending one of our Neo-natal Resuscitation Trainings (NRT) and when we found out we shared the same first name, we immediately became kindred spirits.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yLojqgOVvd3myqXebRAThYy3d6gt3GfUAPFtVUf7BKz3QpqrKXCtH-qUWuuZ9rfdkHgtZ1WGg5Iy8ghzQvpZefhHtya8fhV1hzDbmmlWlW0iAcuil7xdkBJgd77HDZWA8DDVKvzj8SM/s1600/IMG_1147.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731706407688538402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yLojqgOVvd3myqXebRAThYy3d6gt3GfUAPFtVUf7BKz3QpqrKXCtH-qUWuuZ9rfdkHgtZ1WGg5Iy8ghzQvpZefhHtya8fhV1hzDbmmlWlW0iAcuil7xdkBJgd77HDZWA8DDVKvzj8SM/s320/IMG_1147.JPG" /></a> Easter Sunday dinner, doing what we couples do best -- eating! Here is Elder B with his good friend Jeanine (the short lady from France) enjoying a bit of ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans, crunchy rolls, green salad, deviled eggs, and frozen yogurt for dessert. We know you were sad that we wouldn't be able to have a yummy Easter dinner here in the DRC, but now you have the truth! However, the ham (just a chunk of a picnic ham so we could each have a taste) cost $40. Obviously, we don't eat like this every day.......<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheaIxHwqSnAWZbCCN7IBD-YehSGayA77bh1Pf3HYR1Va17mo5_lTQk4qSfCuiuKNixnc6O42JuIOLJLV7HjUYLqWEpe725kDkFAAzR5uY7Ifrho3rwQTFPnxEx_S0W81NcFniU8Ib2A_8/s1600/IMG_1192.JPG"></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0n3g4jRBkD52i1Bnvbt8LNoSwe2wJtHxW5gD6d2YAShmC6cneHVWCqYtyzWBm9ZVD7dcx09yxbbwtDKdhxTjqRTFabzeOC58cUDAP5owsRQHGII3IRseZ3EkiTc4W1tQGTflnpC98dQ/s1600/IMG_1198.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731705518121549074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0n3g4jRBkD52i1Bnvbt8LNoSwe2wJtHxW5gD6d2YAShmC6cneHVWCqYtyzWBm9ZVD7dcx09yxbbwtDKdhxTjqRTFabzeOC58cUDAP5owsRQHGII3IRseZ3EkiTc4W1tQGTflnpC98dQ/s320/IMG_1198.JPG" /></a> Here you have a very sleepy poussair (I think that is how you spell it), who is the driver of the pousse-pousse. Can you see how cold he is, needing that knit cap? It was probably close to 100 degrees, yet we often see our Congolese friends wearing jackets and warm caps. Maybe this knit cap was to cushion his head against the edge of the cart??? These amazing people can sleep anywhere!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFHBM4SPxhREXLFS4OPL_-MuGvMU68SMzXM5l3kFTVPVC-4GVVfE_ElnKlCbqcjk6aTv3-kDXOuPEdPIgpXWRau-qGq-o71OZP_XESVgrVMPzBQGMDewep6a5cILMOLvQYgAaFiyzUXY/s1600/IMG_1163.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731705516171087026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFHBM4SPxhREXLFS4OPL_-MuGvMU68SMzXM5l3kFTVPVC-4GVVfE_ElnKlCbqcjk6aTv3-kDXOuPEdPIgpXWRau-qGq-o71OZP_XESVgrVMPzBQGMDewep6a5cILMOLvQYgAaFiyzUXY/s320/IMG_1163.JPG" /></a> Elder B is demonstrating the incredible Leatherman tool to these workers at one of our sites. He is cuttting wire for them. But the reason we put this picture on the blog -- our funny Fils posing for the camera. He loves having his picture taken.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTR6uiKdfsMaq60f7fweq5ajZaWP16mxs9mav0_B_OmLfHmLfdeylXP6cDcNq7YoJQPBzRqKhDJQzNMTO6h8DlGbCF-bMxpjX1snFdkIi6ROIF-Gk7zOnNA_KkqWj16ggZEsdf9NhkXWE/s1600/IMG_1199.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731705512102645618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTR6uiKdfsMaq60f7fweq5ajZaWP16mxs9mav0_B_OmLfHmLfdeylXP6cDcNq7YoJQPBzRqKhDJQzNMTO6h8DlGbCF-bMxpjX1snFdkIi6ROIF-Gk7zOnNA_KkqWj16ggZEsdf9NhkXWE/s320/IMG_1199.JPG" /></a> We visited a ward sewing class this past week. The students were quite excited to show off their finished articles. We were able to provide hand-crank sewing machines for these sisters to learn the skill so that they can then sell their items or sew for their families, or even go into the business for themselves. Their instructor is the girl in pink - a non-member who is volunteering her time to teach these sisters this very valuable skill. She is also taking the missionary discussions and will be baptized soon. We learned that the woman in the orange print dress, who is the Relief Society President, joined the Church a few years ago, noticed that most of the Church members could read, so began going to a literacy class, became literate, was able then to teach others literacy, and eventually was called to be RS President. Talk about self-reliant! Now she is sewing clothing. A successful Humanitarian project.</div><br /><div><br />Yesterday and today General Conference DVDs were shown in all the Stake Centers here - in French, of course - so we English-speaking couples stayed home and read the talks on-line. There is no satellite dish here so we are very thankful we have internet to at least see the written talks. The internet is too slow to watch it. It's been a quiet, peaceful day, and we enjoyed our time reading the words of our Prophet, Apostles and other leaders. Now our job is to "walk the talk".</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We have a very busy week getting ready for the NRT doctors from the US to arrive and do 6 days of NRT training for our Congolese medical people. Again, we thank all of you who donate to the Humanitarian fund for these activities and projects. It is humbling to have the responsibility of spending your donations in appropriate ways here in this wonderful place. Just know that we count it a privilege and an honor to be here doing this. There just isn't anything else like it!</div><br /><div>Have a blessed week! Happy birthday Hailee girl!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Elder and Sister Binghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689033707433734782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881167007122606872.post-63578112136937123762012-04-08T06:52:00.003-07:002012-04-08T07:39:08.641-07:00Sites Around Kinshasa<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7sbvB9gRA-v0XjaYD4IK1y5ZYNxy06gI7cerw66rd5y6w8XC9fWk3BL53roijEc0wONNb8_U6GaEXArw59M6a82gp6FIxLm4StCawvDYFPROaMIegGUIyivRzvEXFIQk5CZE4WHIhfJE/s1600/IMG_1120.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729034069209732642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7sbvB9gRA-v0XjaYD4IK1y5ZYNxy06gI7cerw66rd5y6w8XC9fWk3BL53roijEc0wONNb8_U6GaEXArw59M6a82gp6FIxLm4StCawvDYFPROaMIegGUIyivRzvEXFIQk5CZE4WHIhfJE/s320/IMG_1120.JPG" /></a>You may remember the drawing Sister Smith made of us for the Mission Bulletin Board. Elder Bingham really wanted one in color, so he and I posed for this nice photo and presented it to the Mission Office Staff. We feel it is quite an improvement. Look at the color of that tie! Nice!!! And isn't Elder B looking grand?<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeqRS5mKo5WrXHnbE7jKg9iwJXLhbo_5P_zsfdWiXng5W-jHdl2DZENuGbk9ccruAb4QCBFzb9jC5fALRsKTxePeXzOK4_k7PGaQHV4WRtLKERA4w1xGdQrKfTQnTEtJrXaoQnga13xA/s1600/IMG_1125.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729034065270566866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeqRS5mKo5WrXHnbE7jKg9iwJXLhbo_5P_zsfdWiXng5W-jHdl2DZENuGbk9ccruAb4QCBFzb9jC5fALRsKTxePeXzOK4_k7PGaQHV4WRtLKERA4w1xGdQrKfTQnTEtJrXaoQnga13xA/s320/IMG_1125.JPG" /></a> Yesterday we spent the day showing the two new couples some of the fun places we have discovered in our travels outside the city. These children were very interested in a carload of mundeles, so we showed them our interest in their smiling faces by taking this photo. Happy children, wherever they are!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVEoKM1a3dEM263rZe0u-AzoJ9Umz83T8sK9kkiw6iKTFoPPnP-UeCs5vOg6s_KCM9hgqW4qorKMP6KWdySmaOR4HhOScxMwyh7EvpVtz2tabkrZpRhe8Z22XQaM9Q9Qs421NQ48h1RM/s1600/IMG_1140.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729034055900413954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVEoKM1a3dEM263rZe0u-AzoJ9Umz83T8sK9kkiw6iKTFoPPnP-UeCs5vOg6s_KCM9hgqW4qorKMP6KWdySmaOR4HhOScxMwyh7EvpVtz2tabkrZpRhe8Z22XQaM9Q9Qs421NQ48h1RM/s320/IMG_1140.JPG" /></a> We stopped off at a touristy place called the Bonobo Park. A Bonobo is a relative of a chimpanzee that lives in Eastern DRCongo. However, the bonobos were relocated during one of the civil wars there, and they are happily whiling away their time at this park, which is a very decent place to visit. Besides the bonobos, which you know I was thrilled to see, we happened upon this cool termite hill. If you zoom in, you can see the termites making their way up Elder B's arm to his nose. (j/k)<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9Il2YFoSLjYBqXLkXRSv638klZtyl41FklDS83O7L4Sp0-1YgB1gycpWp-8Lj9LdxO9C8doQgaem7eU9vCfXqJ5GdP5e8V7YzZILzLTCp-b8RFcSmrqgDXL3801dyuP3PHxPWdjsT6U/s1600/IMG_1134.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729034044843109490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9Il2YFoSLjYBqXLkXRSv638klZtyl41FklDS83O7L4Sp0-1YgB1gycpWp-8Lj9LdxO9C8doQgaem7eU9vCfXqJ5GdP5e8V7YzZILzLTCp-b8RFcSmrqgDXL3801dyuP3PHxPWdjsT6U/s320/IMG_1134.JPG" /></a> Now we get to the star attraction. If you zoom in closely - no kidding this time -- you will see that the black blob is actually a critter looking right back at you. Bonobo.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rSmozap1ekeUaG0FkprtXfnCaUN1JPp2sux2RQQgthJ0T7pXW3b5d3TcS7Ib9cRDgy0WvDOJ7W4MNSdHVFeMLeiXQa4UlyV8WpBBzkVZRj8whZmU48cFE6s8Ve0IFeiaVWgw6sL39Bc/s1600/IMG_1137.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729029314972585906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rSmozap1ekeUaG0FkprtXfnCaUN1JPp2sux2RQQgthJ0T7pXW3b5d3TcS7Ib9cRDgy0WvDOJ7W4MNSdHVFeMLeiXQa4UlyV8WpBBzkVZRj8whZmU48cFE6s8Ve0IFeiaVWgw6sL39Bc/s320/IMG_1137.JPG" /></a> A very darling and cuddly Bonobo. (Yeah, right. If you know how I feel about monkeys and anything related to them, you know my heart wasn't really in that introductory sentence.) These guys have learned to come running when the tour guide calls out because they know they will get some sugar cane. They put on quite a noisy show. Interesting to watch (for a minute...)<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYh3wBrmbWq9AA8OOphaKRUl1Kv77n2Pr30jOUzaDbTa64nDgi5RGkSjIEDj83Af515Fbju-XLCl5_X1EQkAeudxn7kFUyp5CyAtNIM5xqAVaGt3GNyFBw7ZGbExH12U7NVWmQfJC4G0s/s1600/IMG_1126.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729029302937833186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYh3wBrmbWq9AA8OOphaKRUl1Kv77n2Pr30jOUzaDbTa64nDgi5RGkSjIEDj83Af515Fbju-XLCl5_X1EQkAeudxn7kFUyp5CyAtNIM5xqAVaGt3GNyFBw7ZGbExH12U7NVWmQfJC4G0s/s320/IMG_1126.JPG" /></a>A cute picture of Fils and his wife Natasha. Fils was our first interpreter and continues to work for us. They were in town to get the paperwork done for their visas to go to South Africa with their little guy Freddy to be sealed in the Johannesburg Temple.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvtn7teE_PwfnAu5xW0exKSq5qwemXT6vcE69kco5IVduLRPYwpZIuDEnfYm9Y4FQ7mt9KzHdQ6P_a1LVCUC7fN2Fe7eb7hvhAS-ecMS1C6DC4RIVnVtxzt_K8cY2X5F8OOGw7YxF2zQ/s1600/IMG_1123.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729029300583778322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvtn7teE_PwfnAu5xW0exKSq5qwemXT6vcE69kco5IVduLRPYwpZIuDEnfYm9Y4FQ7mt9KzHdQ6P_a1LVCUC7fN2Fe7eb7hvhAS-ecMS1C6DC4RIVnVtxzt_K8cY2X5F8OOGw7YxF2zQ/s320/IMG_1123.JPG" /></a> Also at Camp Luka, this woman is using her hand-crank sewing machine ON THE GROUND to sew clothes for her family. Oh my aching back!! She has a very nice-looking men's shirt completed, a small child's shirt, and is working on a blouse. I can't imagine trying to sew with only one hand to guide the fabric while the other hand is turning the crank. Very talented. At least with the pedal machines (like Gramma Bingham had) you have both hands free. By the way, there is no electricity in Camp Luka, so an electric machine is not an option.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixadAt-dx3UlQu9MEvuMZzzlitfU1o3s67YN8kPVQvF6lN5hb_Oo9qQSt8eJ0VsZMEsvJ0YpzE2LdEe3DFl9WPHF87TKY6qYdiYW6PX3H_czPfckfwrFOKnUweWcEUl08HrS1eT359sUw/s1600/IMG_1121.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729029289963776786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixadAt-dx3UlQu9MEvuMZzzlitfU1o3s67YN8kPVQvF6lN5hb_Oo9qQSt8eJ0VsZMEsvJ0YpzE2LdEe3DFl9WPHF87TKY6qYdiYW6PX3H_czPfckfwrFOKnUweWcEUl08HrS1eT359sUw/s320/IMG_1121.JPG" /></a> Here I am giving the well digger some important advice on how to do his job. This well is at Camp Luka, a very densely populated area where they will never have enough wells to meet the needs of the population. This particular well was dug only 11 meters deep, and even though they found plenty of water, when it was capped off with the pump, so many people came to pump it that it ran dry, so the contractor agreed to take the pump off and dig it deeper. This happened at 3 wells in this area, and it makes us sad that our contractor wasn't more aware of what could happen. He lost some bucks on this project, but he also learned a valuable lesson.<br /></div><br /><div>It is with mixed emotions that we receieved our proposed itinerary for our flight home. We can't believe this adventure is drawing to an end. Less than 4 months to go and it will fly! It seems that we wake up on a Monday morning and when we go to bed it is already Friday. How does that happen? We are busier than ever and learning things that we wish we had known a year ago because we would have been so much more efficient. But at least we learned them!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We are spending our spare moments catching up on the Conference talks. We couldn't see Conference - no satellite dishes here -- internet too slow to watch them -- but we can print them out and study them. We are very thankful for that. Today in SS class the teacher listed some topics on the board from one session of Conference. At the top of the board he wrote the date April 1, 2012. Then on another board we went through Jacob 1-4 and listed topics from some verses. At the top he wrote 500 BC. Guess what? We realized (as if we didn't already know) that the Book of Mormon was written for OUR day! The lists were so similar. Great lesson. WE are thankful for the word of God, both from the scriptures and from our Prophet. We are so blessed.</div><br /><div>Have a wonderful week! We love you!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Elder and Sister Binghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689033707433734782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881167007122606872.post-35046431779419060892012-04-01T14:54:00.023-07:002012-04-03T09:38:55.285-07:00Congo Crossing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxeej0KhynAiPVoUUOUDLDrm4-Kcx3GNu5OJ_sCUNGqTYGsNBFrx93yHFIMzM6v2mLfo1fbenS348mBU0QSAsug5lZniWxAkIATI4_PqvLsHMoK9XkSPNjmqLJG5axlye851WJHuT-Qa4/s1600/SAM_0227.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726583951137123762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxeej0KhynAiPVoUUOUDLDrm4-Kcx3GNu5OJ_sCUNGqTYGsNBFrx93yHFIMzM6v2mLfo1fbenS348mBU0QSAsug5lZniWxAkIATI4_PqvLsHMoK9XkSPNjmqLJG5axlye851WJHuT-Qa4/s320/SAM_0227.JPG" /></a> Three weeks ago a series of enormous explosions erupted at an Army Camp across the Congo River from us in the capital city of Brazzaville, Republic of Congo (not to be confused with our country, the Democratic Republic of Congo). The explosions were caused by a fire accidentally setting off the munitions storage at the camp, resulting in loss of lives, homes and literally leveling the camp. The tragedy left nearly 10,000 homeless, and the death count has not yet been published as it is still too dangerous to go back into the camp area where there may be unexploded ordinance to look for bodies.<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>One of the opportunities we Humanitarian Missionaries have is to provide for such emergencies in the form of Emergency Response projects. At the approval and encouragement of our South Africa leaders, we wrote up a quick project to receive funding for basic food items and mattresses for those homeless families who had been evacuated to 4 separate sites around the city. We have just returned from a trip to Brazzaville where we spent three days shopping, loading, and delivering the items to the 4 sites. We have to say right here that our part was very small in comparison with the work done by the Church Welfare Committee, which was headed by an amazing man named Gaetan. Never have we seen such a committed, organized man. We simply cannot say enough about him except that we were privileged to watch him in action during our stay there. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>We had only heard stories about the boat trip to Brazzaville, and now we can say we have done it! It was quite an adventure in itself. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 321px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726562228898205810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZgedMpl62wef7eUDYdoAx0T7Y-YbtNcGULzneeeLVioNW9BYyJgshiuntcLjEHIv2TUzlf1UaEFSj0voMs9eAcitBfLNzeZLHxM7N-ivtPr3Qq9Q7cXWA6t7K1qwlJQ7cMCk0rVl7yU/s320/IMG_0932.JPG" />This is one of the several boats that take passengers back and forth between Brazzaville and Kinshasa. This boat looked a little crowded, so we opted for a smaller, faster one (whew!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div>Below is a landmark we see from the Kinshasa side, and always wondered what exactly it was. Now we know! It is an unusual office building/skyscraper! Really wanted to go in it, but we weren't there for the sight-seeing. Maybe another time....</div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdWxUV0tUsCXYIimamxALfSaDrBcn1UND8Iuy2zN6qHANPYvLTrxVujPVPdQZh16Ah4MBG0JzcZV9F7nhGZR1lvMCl6yhyphenhyphenlLA8XoOyayzUnGqjMPQ4xhWsuWk1k_wV381aw5AAG5tB7Q/s1600/IMG_1053.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726562218782791762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWdWxUV0tUsCXYIimamxALfSaDrBcn1UND8Iuy2zN6qHANPYvLTrxVujPVPdQZh16Ah4MBG0JzcZV9F7nhGZR1lvMCl6yhyphenhyphenlLA8XoOyayzUnGqjMPQ4xhWsuWk1k_wV381aw5AAG5tB7Q/s320/IMG_1053.JPG" /></a> We began by going to several stores to shop. Bishop Gaetan had the amounts, prices, and had already cashed our checks. We just followed him around. Below we are shopping for 150 buckets. And he was on the phone constantly arranging all the details.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWsVPUrOBSzRMQ8YFHJTyRwusc8qeB4gbwV59618eIYtzvokq84UjfPgXicd1QmLOo0XmhLr7QhuilfjetOeYNLBv0tPANi_75dd9jEQKWpsCWakfcsWk7Du0IfGMvd22feexWCDMA5o/s1600/IMG_0943.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726562212669807794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWsVPUrOBSzRMQ8YFHJTyRwusc8qeB4gbwV59618eIYtzvokq84UjfPgXicd1QmLOo0XmhLr7QhuilfjetOeYNLBv0tPANi_75dd9jEQKWpsCWakfcsWk7Du0IfGMvd22feexWCDMA5o/s320/IMG_0943.JPG" /></a> When we had purchased a truckload, it was loaded onto the trucks and taken out to the sites to be delivered.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGcd4IqSYM_5LeIBz2OvCYp9xM4brOMRFYD144ilXjDfZ4vT-XzoyIQWdzs0rqZG9XrUX3165lQ7rCDdguycjHJvMC6poqqn_1tCuUiCXQyzObom8XMhojaxN1FNzq-sGt2kc1iKtS4Y/s1600/IMG_0996.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726561166017182850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGcd4IqSYM_5LeIBz2OvCYp9xM4brOMRFYD144ilXjDfZ4vT-XzoyIQWdzs0rqZG9XrUX3165lQ7rCDdguycjHJvMC6poqqn_1tCuUiCXQyzObom8XMhojaxN1FNzq-sGt2kc1iKtS4Y/s320/IMG_0996.JPG" /></a> Here below is a truckload of foam mattresses.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyjTENrZzNcsP4km4WqZWUw0aBT_aNQRSzPmALew3QKaLF1p0HGda_GLdKTNxPGp8dzaLn6MbCmwR-IkQepc7PqNw36LcBSG2E9yBbTDAN0yqEHUHr1ytkyWCRRsTlGGfMFCQE0P06UI/s1600/IMG_1067.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726561161389288546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyjTENrZzNcsP4km4WqZWUw0aBT_aNQRSzPmALew3QKaLF1p0HGda_GLdKTNxPGp8dzaLn6MbCmwR-IkQepc7PqNw36LcBSG2E9yBbTDAN0yqEHUHr1ytkyWCRRsTlGGfMFCQE0P06UI/s320/IMG_1067.JPG" /></a> Then came the toilet paper. Even the children helped with the unloading.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnF3AUpTBztiebjwSBLFwdrGwoPwodb31fxCIkG5TKe3niSjwfe1UK-mZH_1dGs7yJ6EDS1RS59rwov9apRoJAircGXNTC6OIFzz9PYGr9bfYiBGiKEjmsrp6rxke8pjTDbx-uVvkQIkY/s1600/IMG_1027.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726561158566379202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnF3AUpTBztiebjwSBLFwdrGwoPwodb31fxCIkG5TKe3niSjwfe1UK-mZH_1dGs7yJ6EDS1RS59rwov9apRoJAircGXNTC6OIFzz9PYGr9bfYiBGiKEjmsrp6rxke8pjTDbx-uVvkQIkY/s320/IMG_1027.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><div>And of course Elder B couldn't just stand around.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYg7y3TroRCtsOWFjy3Wb7_x7wi-NdYYeDWqEw59SVs_c5_S3iFaJfehQuCR8akyUVvyXAmYVJBFmY2ozXImb67EVQu31JaZV_bWgI6F0JykUrLD_2PXXOKxyVDXCXscn0fSRH00xiLs/s1600/IMG_1023.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726561148596519762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYg7y3TroRCtsOWFjy3Wb7_x7wi-NdYYeDWqEw59SVs_c5_S3iFaJfehQuCR8akyUVvyXAmYVJBFmY2ozXImb67EVQu31JaZV_bWgI6F0JykUrLD_2PXXOKxyVDXCXscn0fSRH00xiLs/s320/IMG_1023.JPG" /></a> This fellow below is carrying 2 heavy bags of rice. Awesome!<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIKYOee0lwRRWdrlGNZSyH6QP3PFFreBLxN9YWYh6xSo7tIji4jF98yRSEv3rPDxbvgfEEUHQAt-WJS-uhv6IXYRyl1PzGmQ9dBro1V09jD8Tk48QPUj6y_wmkLBeJjqviG2KAGXeWxU/s1600/IMG_1029.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726559830923881154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIKYOee0lwRRWdrlGNZSyH6QP3PFFreBLxN9YWYh6xSo7tIji4jF98yRSEv3rPDxbvgfEEUHQAt-WJS-uhv6IXYRyl1PzGmQ9dBro1V09jD8Tk48QPUj6y_wmkLBeJjqviG2KAGXeWxU/s320/IMG_1029.JPG" /></a>Well, it was awesome until Big Mama came around to show her stuff! Three bags! She just wouldn't be outdone!</div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfn63V1evwqXMr4v_kSskptxiboRHvqga5sSLCS1r9xXZRJN9OlDEeFBuSVbd2_9bMFE8wV1RcF2DVYSE7qMGbg7zjmghKTxjMs28rJwhaM-wQU4f91FtIxq7hO_ur7hVylNnlaQ6oNw/s1600/IMG_1030.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726559825756155682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfn63V1evwqXMr4v_kSskptxiboRHvqga5sSLCS1r9xXZRJN9OlDEeFBuSVbd2_9bMFE8wV1RcF2DVYSE7qMGbg7zjmghKTxjMs28rJwhaM-wQU4f91FtIxq7hO_ur7hVylNnlaQ6oNw/s320/IMG_1030.JPG" /></a>She immediately became Elder B's hero!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7PKXM4nxhSaRODt6MvgPY5-a5zNts_Ua5NuKXS-3oPP6FNs4y9qpV7GE9TSFPlI5m9ZfKKZCpK-VFIn4rrJDt-FS7RDwZ2FiHPb79sH5ENXLN1WJdgolYErmGXqJUeZXS3GQacn0GpZg/s1600/IMG_1036.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726559825078511186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7PKXM4nxhSaRODt6MvgPY5-a5zNts_Ua5NuKXS-3oPP6FNs4y9qpV7GE9TSFPlI5m9ZfKKZCpK-VFIn4rrJDt-FS7RDwZ2FiHPb79sH5ENXLN1WJdgolYErmGXqJUeZXS3GQacn0GpZg/s320/IMG_1036.JPG" /></a> Below is one of the homeless camps. Lots of people, lots of crowding. But it was working.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Let's talk about a few miracles:</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Miracle #1 was that the explosions took place on a Sunday morning, when the children were not in crowded school rooms, people weren't out on the streets yet. The schools were terribly damaged, mostly by roofs and walls falling in. But those schools were empty on Sunday.<br />Miracle #2 was that large covered pavillions like the one below had just been constructed to be used as a market place. But it hadn't yet been opened and became a wonderful shelter for these families.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6U35MsMFyXcTiNpzcH6GxU61PIYSTNvKVdqmD4VdMaI62uy6A8g4nV730xy-sY2PRlh1muZKk7_Y6UELxVoORw5gpJP3g2hyphenhyphen4C3koxaJHOT6XEZpKnH_Bq7bj4Q1AeTDXBDZjMfS-aBs/s1600/IMG_1071.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726559813138878626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6U35MsMFyXcTiNpzcH6GxU61PIYSTNvKVdqmD4VdMaI62uy6A8g4nV730xy-sY2PRlh1muZKk7_Y6UELxVoORw5gpJP3g2hyphenhyphen4C3koxaJHOT6XEZpKnH_Bq7bj4Q1AeTDXBDZjMfS-aBs/s320/IMG_1071.JPG" /></a> Miracle #3 is that Heavenly Father created little children who are extremely resiliant. They did not look or act any different than any other children who still had homes. They played games, smiled, laughed, helped, wanted their pictures taken, and enjoyed meeting other children who had suddenly become their neighbors.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFr5qG3jRhJI4StDCnIQ0SGk2ETlc5yB3VqNICo4QotnIxEwTJVOtsUbl_dgqtKgpW_CV3sUL1XV6Y7o5rN5783SCvz4YxdhmZ9eqqAnA-fyp8BXmnQyK2tglt67zz6d4q6vdyBu7u-Q/s1600/IMG_1082.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726558951811781506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFr5qG3jRhJI4StDCnIQ0SGk2ETlc5yB3VqNICo4QotnIxEwTJVOtsUbl_dgqtKgpW_CV3sUL1XV6Y7o5rN5783SCvz4YxdhmZ9eqqAnA-fyp8BXmnQyK2tglt67zz6d4q6vdyBu7u-Q/s320/IMG_1082.JPG" /></a><br />And this little guy wasn't really saying to himself, "What am I doing here?" He was saying, "What are you mundelis (whiteys) doing here?"<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 321px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726558948895497906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoFjmErTuyNKrmsgbBX57M40ebnvQcNpf6Z-q1TJLTdj4KvazzzJ-Q6qNEBQOpL7_l5ANphvVYuHOQ121ryXwvRmnPZ79q40De81EBeskoRpbEJFEBEX-trvkYxa5aRcAvIinX0ExbNY/s320/IMG_1017.JPG" /><br />They do love to pose!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8No7gAsIh9zU8pOGywvVa0a2NMu6ed_bsVHrrELOHn-0wZgPyn0UR1pDp6C2J7O_1qcLnDNIQX5BxnfwLeTx4u51wb_CFOM6pspgM2KZpb0SzJ5igGWElfx-5Z7j4L4FYu8iBDuxiwM/s1600/IMG_0987.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726558942613860162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8No7gAsIh9zU8pOGywvVa0a2NMu6ed_bsVHrrELOHn-0wZgPyn0UR1pDp6C2J7O_1qcLnDNIQX5BxnfwLeTx4u51wb_CFOM6pspgM2KZpb0SzJ5igGWElfx-5Z7j4L4FYu8iBDuxiwM/s320/IMG_0987.JPG" /></a> The government provided these nice tents. We were very impressed with the number and quality.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipayJ47kzbKIG7ytSfYyw85_z2S31GRZh0KZvyeC6IIsId6GSFceNG5E1skZsl3-i60U3hDsdpUhD2v1Na61jsD2aMx_vaX1m25OFGjpO0faB4dNIvd4mspScEIjU4L24Ua8tx6cTeVM/s1600/IMG_0995.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726557865258764146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipayJ47kzbKIG7ytSfYyw85_z2S31GRZh0KZvyeC6IIsId6GSFceNG5E1skZsl3-i60U3hDsdpUhD2v1Na61jsD2aMx_vaX1m25OFGjpO0faB4dNIvd4mspScEIjU4L24Ua8tx6cTeVM/s320/IMG_0995.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdG3uXCUYOLCDy_iItPo5aFyKzjhZVuzlSR8lWLTpekylGYwVc5MwqYEjkryz-c7BTLGgm-y3ukHKJnfuKW1jCQLsf5nw7D2DroDjkW8CjUzZyBJOo7G0TEbYFkE9osqhRLQ8yNPiFS0/s1600/IMG_1070.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726557861832200226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdG3uXCUYOLCDy_iItPo5aFyKzjhZVuzlSR8lWLTpekylGYwVc5MwqYEjkryz-c7BTLGgm-y3ukHKJnfuKW1jCQLsf5nw7D2DroDjkW8CjUzZyBJOo7G0TEbYFkE9osqhRLQ8yNPiFS0/s320/IMG_1070.JPG" /></a><br />Miracle #4 was the fact that the huge downpour that was about to happen while we were still unloading the trucks didn't begin until we got back in our vehicles to go to the hotel. Look at the sky in the photo below. The wind was blowing, lightning and thunder, but the rain held off until the goods were under cover. But boy did it come down on our trip back to the hotel! We were very glad that Bishop Gaetan was doing the driving.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIR32WltVSkED-EQSFAfa1xN_09rHxCb-oz_LDuNx_cA87rrmCt93MOINOdEWhq1-xqN4Cd5UBbsRuGZdv0JsQbeXTAanroHiYxzjuAdlbt6XgokWDVUNse_Pu8ctrSet3QcQT9QDK3RA/s1600/IMG_1012.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726557854068918210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIR32WltVSkED-EQSFAfa1xN_09rHxCb-oz_LDuNx_cA87rrmCt93MOINOdEWhq1-xqN4Cd5UBbsRuGZdv0JsQbeXTAanroHiYxzjuAdlbt6XgokWDVUNse_Pu8ctrSet3QcQT9QDK3RA/s320/IMG_1012.JPG" /></a> Miracle #5 was that ordinarily the traffic between downtown where we did all the purchasing and the homeless camps often took Bishop several hours to drive - every time - because of horrible traffic. With our loaded trucks we made it in about 30 minutes. He was amazed! He called his wife and she said when she saw the storm coming she started to pray that we would arrive, unload, and return in good time. We know we were being watched after. Bishop told us later that in the Congo rain is often a sign of a blessing coming after a bout of adversity.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>The last photos are just a few of hundreds that we could have put on this blog showing the destruction we saw first-hand. We felt the blasts here in Kinshasa that Sunday morning. In fact, windows blew out of homes just from the concussions. Those of you who know earthquakes undertand how that first big boom and shake feel. These blasts were many many times worse. We wondered at the time if Kinshasa was being bombed.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VylqkGzxtnDgzl1N8UgAI8I8b3aUQWBAifvqKBU2s47x-m080-10jxCiL25QL2ahPKpde8vJGaTOvguryEWaknT08648SdrMM7WBAfXOdSLNmau0ohSggQUsu9PL4age9-tzi2rIO2M/s1600/SAM_0210.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726556552660103922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VylqkGzxtnDgzl1N8UgAI8I8b3aUQWBAifvqKBU2s47x-m080-10jxCiL25QL2ahPKpde8vJGaTOvguryEWaknT08648SdrMM7WBAfXOdSLNmau0ohSggQUsu9PL4age9-tzi2rIO2M/s320/SAM_0210.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbEeNffnkdxbXV-YhsTr5Jq26tLPu-JtmpE1XBNvdoq1yyzUGq4XEM-YkbRaJn5_8r9Zl_U_8JXkAgLFVGCqpvh4RcbdcbWV3OiR_ViLUZttEPGvwlGa6rXYEdNAC6q0q5LR5CEWLjw8/s1600/SAM_0206.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726556548815689698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbEeNffnkdxbXV-YhsTr5Jq26tLPu-JtmpE1XBNvdoq1yyzUGq4XEM-YkbRaJn5_8r9Zl_U_8JXkAgLFVGCqpvh4RcbdcbWV3OiR_ViLUZttEPGvwlGa6rXYEdNAC6q0q5LR5CEWLjw8/s320/SAM_0206.JPG" /></a><br />We are safe, we have learned so much, and there is so much more to be learned, but we love it, and we are blessed to be here doing what we are doing. There is nothing better -- except hanging out with the grandkids -- and we highly recommend it!<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Have a wonderful week. We sure will!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>P.S. I am still having trouble deleting all the empty space between pictures and paragraphs. I was given instructions, followed them to a T, and it worked just fine until I published the blog, and those pesky spaces were still there! I wanted to rearrange some of the pictures, and was told how to do that, too, but it didn't work either. Then I tried to download the new and improved blog, but so far that hasn't happened either. Maybe it just isn't meant to be......<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Elder and Sister Binghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689033707433734782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881167007122606872.post-8170307017599291032012-03-11T10:21:00.009-07:002012-03-11T12:05:20.499-07:00A few weeks in review<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWzHf61E9E781DKFYqecODQKLXcLQPTTkLGdTi1hyphenhyphenoEI3JZ3ogZhtnyCqUDCu0G9bpKIuOPfwaz0Gu-iIV0MhZCaxAe0A_-VQ19YoOliDA6Za_WDVjBwSV6BaM-FKgxN3xR5QgwJwqTI/s1600/SAM_0227.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718706733902716514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWzHf61E9E781DKFYqecODQKLXcLQPTTkLGdTi1hyphenhyphenoEI3JZ3ogZhtnyCqUDCu0G9bpKIuOPfwaz0Gu-iIV0MhZCaxAe0A_-VQ19YoOliDA6Za_WDVjBwSV6BaM-FKgxN3xR5QgwJwqTI/s320/SAM_0227.JPG" /></a> We begin on a sad note. One week ago we felt a series of horrible, loud, scary booms at 7 am. Similar to the first big shake of an earthquake, but 100 times louder and bigger. New cracks appeared in our ceiling. We didn't know what the source was, but suspected some sort of bombs or explosions. We went up the roof of our apartment building and saw smoke billowing up from the city of Brazzaville, capital of Republic of Congo across the Congo River from us. We learned that a munitions depot at an army base had an accidental fire, and the munitions exploded, leveling the entire Army base, and causing damage to homes and buildings in the surrounding area. The death count is over 300, and there are at least 5000 homeless. Humanitarian Services is involved. We quickly wrote up an Emergency Relief project to purchase $35,000 worth of basic food items. As soon as it is approved and the money is transferred, we will boat over to Brazzaville with one of our translators and begin purchasing the food and help to distribute it. A very good man, Bishop Gaetan, gave us these photos above of the desolation. The top photo is what is left of the army camp, and now it has been deemed too dangerous to go in and look for survivors or bodies as explosions were still going off as of yesterday.<br />Below shows the damage to some of the buildings in the areas near the camp.<br />This experience, watching Bishop Gaetan get his Welfare Committee together immediately, forming a plan, working directly by cell phone and e-mail with us so we could get the information we needed to contact the Area Presidency about the needs, has been a humbling lesson to us. We find that we get a little too lackadaisacal about just how the Church operates under the Welfare plan. Sure, we donate to the Humanitarian fund, but do we really consider just what those funds are used for, and how the money gets to those in need? It just wouldn't work without the organization demonstrated by great Priesthood leaders like Bishop Gaetan. It is an inspired program from Heavenly Father, who loves his children so much he has provided them with ways to serve and be served. We thank you for your Humanitarian donations and assure you that these sacred funds are blessing lives as we write. We again declare that we love this work and feel privileged to be part of it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgX6LMyq2AO7GjIEyHzvpGHOtddtN4OMu6tdNdlydwByz0h3MGRBvraLIQEb8g5xHvTWssRywhkaK0TCmi-MWmHLavmXWq2Xx525y1V_flAVOjRE7tu7Y21tZ6UnBAHOhWQM46hUrYao/s1600/SAM_0210.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718706729379916178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgX6LMyq2AO7GjIEyHzvpGHOtddtN4OMu6tdNdlydwByz0h3MGRBvraLIQEb8g5xHvTWssRywhkaK0TCmi-MWmHLavmXWq2Xx525y1V_flAVOjRE7tu7Y21tZ6UnBAHOhWQM46hUrYao/s320/SAM_0210.JPG" /></a> Now back to the events of the past few weeks--<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1G81N910hWnAAlunYr87FpVpBFE30agNG_thXQtm5iFmyaP63HFXMqVkSejD-tCrYGJNwahhlvqiS1aKVSTt0zpHZr5xss2JNJvlnS-GUMXyFMP1m4SW75CjbnHAXDBsGjdisJwl0Bc/s1600/IMG_0829.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718697722097913074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1G81N910hWnAAlunYr87FpVpBFE30agNG_thXQtm5iFmyaP63HFXMqVkSejD-tCrYGJNwahhlvqiS1aKVSTt0zpHZr5xss2JNJvlnS-GUMXyFMP1m4SW75CjbnHAXDBsGjdisJwl0Bc/s320/IMG_0829.JPG" /></a> Yesterday we attended a closing ceremony in a place called Camp Luka. This area is the most densely populated and poorest area of Kinshasa (do we say that about all the places we go?). We funded 6 hand-dug wells in this neighborhood, and the project has now been turned over to the community. Above are some of the members of the community who will now be getting clean water versus contaminated water. We love these water projects!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJa1CersdShTRoAJq8sl7Fgr91HLCiew2MqFKK7h-LjzTFw7eIlcUW1_bnRAWzC_evULNySMOFEqFYREnbM5kbh_dRU8Rz0-FAZcHfqDbmoIfiWp44fv4DE57n0nSdeZbKYGw2wfaSp9k/s1600/IMG_0819.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718697714617674882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJa1CersdShTRoAJq8sl7Fgr91HLCiew2MqFKK7h-LjzTFw7eIlcUW1_bnRAWzC_evULNySMOFEqFYREnbM5kbh_dRU8Rz0-FAZcHfqDbmoIfiWp44fv4DE57n0nSdeZbKYGw2wfaSp9k/s320/IMG_0819.JPG" /></a> This is the ceremonial first glass of water from the well, soon to be sampled by the village chief. After drinking the water, he declared it to be "bon!" (Good!) Then the glass of water was refilled over and over and we all had the chance to drink the bon water.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiqrINsrgzdtUqg8mMLu42umCEYddxknBjd_MbH58ZG18bNV5mi2LygtRYUVrma963-Dau4LE1BVHD1Bd4KgOh4Z_RKrrJjyFvmpQ4UO19NoPORsEDYSb5w3qBqpdcbCUlv9pZUYK-qk/s1600/IMG_0815.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718696762613395506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiqrINsrgzdtUqg8mMLu42umCEYddxknBjd_MbH58ZG18bNV5mi2LygtRYUVrma963-Dau4LE1BVHD1Bd4KgOh4Z_RKrrJjyFvmpQ4UO19NoPORsEDYSb5w3qBqpdcbCUlv9pZUYK-qk/s320/IMG_0815.JPG" /></a> The local district president is speaking here, telling the people that the Church has now given the well to the village to take care of. In the yellow shirt is our Albert Embimen, the engineer and president of the organization that dug the wells. A very good man who just became a new father to baby girl Esperance.<br /><br /><br /><div>Sister B below with two of our faithful gate guards. Ohdoh on the left, Sebastien on the right. We are trying to teach Ohdoh how to smile.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FN3oiUp-cG9w6_BUkJaWjbDThQIkBg0M4FoO5wBFsi2TmNmol91te-F7KLZfrgCBHFWszsAMwLWDUKwat5UqFtrPE-Ox-xLO273Fy7NSFF0f5IO4qso2_JGrK4ezVVJA26QhCJc4uak/s1600/IMG_0836.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718696758341788866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FN3oiUp-cG9w6_BUkJaWjbDThQIkBg0M4FoO5wBFsi2TmNmol91te-F7KLZfrgCBHFWszsAMwLWDUKwat5UqFtrPE-Ox-xLO273Fy7NSFF0f5IO4qso2_JGrK4ezVVJA26QhCJc4uak/s320/IMG_0836.JPG" /></a> Below is a spring that someone attempted to capture and improve, but failed. We are interested in tearing out the work and re-doing it. It has plenty of water and there are many many people who try to use it as is. But look at that dirty water they walk through to find a little bit of clean water. We can do so much here to make it right.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHn2vkcqOaSvWvbEQBchCJ0QyF5MGp2DgiJ4Gk3DnCOtC8Dn-GqgHPBsDiRtF5I6_qjoGjMtLl8OXYdk3N9S8e_xA8ZkefR7snQKFjyXHe18EP60hCJR5HVmFyhzaHFU2eyO2avPeZmg/s1600/IMG_0772.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718696755737245234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHn2vkcqOaSvWvbEQBchCJ0QyF5MGp2DgiJ4Gk3DnCOtC8Dn-GqgHPBsDiRtF5I6_qjoGjMtLl8OXYdk3N9S8e_xA8ZkefR7snQKFjyXHe18EP60hCJR5HVmFyhzaHFU2eyO2avPeZmg/s320/IMG_0772.JPG" /></a>Below is a favorite place for the Senior Sisters to go. It is called "The Beach", a very busy area near the Congo River beach where boat rides are taken to go to the other side of the river. What you see on either side of this outdoor market is a plethora of fabrics...each about 6 yards long, priced at from $10 to $20. You can't really tell from the picture, but this market stretches back several blocks, just one aisle you walk down. The variety of fabrics is awesome and overwhelming. That's why we have to go back again and again -- impossible to see it all in just a couple of visits.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqo4dCeq25B4h_4Eoj7kNt8n8FBeC7q_jroSDszgQkI1E21XQUzslfXXqNjtep152YEK_3YJffBvTWS3W3G96tIIqtnv6EcL2aHWSTn-pHPFUImL7onFQHG1LTaPp1uKxGdHoJmVILIQ4/s1600/IMG_0770.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718692415486234546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqo4dCeq25B4h_4Eoj7kNt8n8FBeC7q_jroSDszgQkI1E21XQUzslfXXqNjtep152YEK_3YJffBvTWS3W3G96tIIqtnv6EcL2aHWSTn-pHPFUImL7onFQHG1LTaPp1uKxGdHoJmVILIQ4/s320/IMG_0770.JPG" /></a> These two women really wanted their picture taken, so they posed near this tiny spring. This is where they wash their clothes. A slow process, and a scary steep trail to get there, but good clean water. The entire hillside is full of these small springs. One just above this one is another we would like to contain and improve. Just need the money!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0yqYgSUuF1k8BnAsA29MjM_FTEOdmDSHwlL1nrXWfE8Gm186fGLfPefCUU2uNqm-jTjXCtoXPuiPROoX4Pgso3nNyf_HSu2vk2nXAaacxCLn9vQ3k4NaP200xWSeIIYUvyFXnFULGZM/s1600/IMG_0776.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718692412754367362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0yqYgSUuF1k8BnAsA29MjM_FTEOdmDSHwlL1nrXWfE8Gm186fGLfPefCUU2uNqm-jTjXCtoXPuiPROoX4Pgso3nNyf_HSu2vk2nXAaacxCLn9vQ3k4NaP200xWSeIIYUvyFXnFULGZM/s320/IMG_0776.JPG" /></a> In the same area as the spring above Elder B spied this beautiful waterfall. You see, there is plenty of water all over Kinshasa, or we wouldn't be digging so many wells or capturing so many springs. They just are a bit hard to get to.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0L6WDhhH8VFlGNJnjJXwx9No3LiVCF-EavEL50EkFad3_SGi7YkrLY0QP7B_aviWFbRKBlFB0y__0kg1ItZwCYr1q3iI8E0eVSC0WMwmvCj-iZiYCHuwpIl_XXpC82gxzOKF15eq_ZeI/s1600/IMG_0774.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718692409289772226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0L6WDhhH8VFlGNJnjJXwx9No3LiVCF-EavEL50EkFad3_SGi7YkrLY0QP7B_aviWFbRKBlFB0y__0kg1ItZwCYr1q3iI8E0eVSC0WMwmvCj-iZiYCHuwpIl_XXpC82gxzOKF15eq_ZeI/s320/IMG_0774.JPG" /></a> Just one of our cute Congolese children strutting around in his daddy's big pink flip flops. Couldn't resist the photo-op.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5A27jowmg_L4EtHebYLSVThVum_70EviCKx9KJPKeJgzCWXQzSGCZqxDrUw7u-fYggFk-fcYIpL5r_TgOGGZPl2g8wdMx0GVRMlMQQwiyD6PV65cBOA2Dfaet5SySm7lIwHPohJsmrtA/s1600/IMG_0768.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718691672312728882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5A27jowmg_L4EtHebYLSVThVum_70EviCKx9KJPKeJgzCWXQzSGCZqxDrUw7u-fYggFk-fcYIpL5r_TgOGGZPl2g8wdMx0GVRMlMQQwiyD6PV65cBOA2Dfaet5SySm7lIwHPohJsmrtA/s320/IMG_0768.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoFE5j8KBSe7ki8KNEUKrm5BT3C4c6nRzKuD9yJpsnx4ra63ruDcJXycwwxaB3IYFRcVuIVG541Y1crzQgQcZb36lgOF8esfhIXVaU1eQHCUuDO73rZRqGhixK09FpuqLAmU_1r1nz7g/s1600/IMG_0761.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718691671224673154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoFE5j8KBSe7ki8KNEUKrm5BT3C4c6nRzKuD9yJpsnx4ra63ruDcJXycwwxaB3IYFRcVuIVG541Y1crzQgQcZb36lgOF8esfhIXVaU1eQHCUuDO73rZRqGhixK09FpuqLAmU_1r1nz7g/s320/IMG_0761.JPG" /></a>One day traveling in the rain and driving through this magnificent puddle on the HIGHWAY, we decided we were pretty lucky to be inside a comfortable 4-wheel drive truck sitting back and letting the truck do the work. Not so for this guy.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVJ4WcJk18r0NsPmSecgb-nVqzekj0MmuIIC1XrpNt5fpxTbx9-NOyEkQtymrjgGVk0QQGcQaS_3H2_r9juCZeTIHVhy5YDNuy2HGJYu8FMiqxZ3TA2ADVkO2JvFbP-UB0Tg-MlZPLC8/s1600/IMG_0784.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718691666824842066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVJ4WcJk18r0NsPmSecgb-nVqzekj0MmuIIC1XrpNt5fpxTbx9-NOyEkQtymrjgGVk0QQGcQaS_3H2_r9juCZeTIHVhy5YDNuy2HGJYu8FMiqxZ3TA2ADVkO2JvFbP-UB0Tg-MlZPLC8/s320/IMG_0784.JPG" /></a> Above is Salomon, one of our very sharp engineers, teaching about water at a Health and Hygiene training for a new project that is about to begin. Not only is he a great engineer, he is a gifted teacher. We didn't understand a word he was saying, but loved watching the discussions and interaction Salomon had with his students.</div><br /><div></div></div><br /><div>Tomorrow we head for South Africa (Johannesburg) for a Humanitarian Conference, along with Dede (our trusty translator) and his new wife Joselyn who are being sealed in the Temple there. We hope we can slip out of the Conference to attend their sealing. We will see and hear from the many other Humanitarian couples in the Africa Southeast Area, exchanging experiences and stories. We look forward to learning how to do our work better. We will also take advantage of the availability of food items we can't get here such as wheat flour, good granola, raisins, oats, maybe even chocolate chips that don't cost $6/12-oz bag. We are now, along with one other couple we were in the MTC with, the "old timers" of the couples. HA!! One year ago we both were the greenies and we were too dumb to even know what questions to ask. Amazing what one year can do!</div><br /><div>We will keep you posted on the Brazzaville relief project.</div><br /><div>Have a great week! Happy Birthday to Kadee Jane (10 years old!!!) and Heavy D (3 years old!!)</div><br /><div>We love you..........<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Elder and Sister Binghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689033707433734782noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881167007122606872.post-47524659392399002422012-02-26T11:39:00.007-08:002012-02-26T12:48:02.318-08:00Odds 'n Ends<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIFcGzIu0Petsn9fksEGSz0ecBv9Js6uaoVkhyphenhyphenrgJJl_kYNbwdp5t2bk2RQTVdK2xx6mCidAn5GthiOwk_p-ogit4kKNEz5DeYBLDf029B9GSSEamczsFvWS1v6YmeGqL2A51Y4OTMEU/s1600/IMG_0714.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713542227381706226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIFcGzIu0Petsn9fksEGSz0ecBv9Js6uaoVkhyphenhyphenrgJJl_kYNbwdp5t2bk2RQTVdK2xx6mCidAn5GthiOwk_p-ogit4kKNEz5DeYBLDf029B9GSSEamczsFvWS1v6YmeGqL2A51Y4OTMEU/s320/IMG_0714.JPG" /></a> We begin with a picture of our own Sister Hatch all dolled up in her latest Congolese costume, made for her (without pre-measurements) by one of her Congolese admirers. Included in the gift of the hand-made outfit was the pearls. They weighed 5 lbs. (We made her wear this to the Sisters' Conference that day -- her last day of her mission). She was a good sport, and we all enjoyed the reactions she got from the sisters she saw that day. As a side note, as is Congolese custom, she did not remove the tag/label from the necklace, but you can't see it because it is on the back of her neck. The Congolese love keeping the tags on their clothing items -- we are not sure why -- We bid good-bye to our beloved Hatches and wish them a joyous reunion with their family back home in Aztec, New Mexico. They touched all our lives for good.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mgH_Paw67DjTklfBgOlxiFj3UnnnruDC6fjIkTrTe9Gj3NkMcQCf3o04D2YNNMqj60Ee03JbHPYJURLCyN4oKBLNzvqjWjZ_8xgla38lZTbLj_ai6vlczSzJXk4C41jgSsaD4AxlLqw/s1600/IMG_0688.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713542225086104434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mgH_Paw67DjTklfBgOlxiFj3UnnnruDC6fjIkTrTe9Gj3NkMcQCf3o04D2YNNMqj60Ee03JbHPYJURLCyN4oKBLNzvqjWjZ_8xgla38lZTbLj_ai6vlczSzJXk4C41jgSsaD4AxlLqw/s320/IMG_0688.JPG" /></a> Elder Bingham took this picture so Sister Bingham could enjoy the muscles this man is developing through the hard work of digging a trench for water pipes at one of our projects. Wow.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYT4MEsE5mEl555myPYXtJy5_hLIaWzjtKZIWCCFr-0f7z3_lvieR_uzabH5KQ1ahAqzLLjPRu5Rt6OpPrRVBhArIGUF9UB6ZIs2NAsrrT-VOulpbZuvUDEJjrbhGjOL0byHF_eoylfRA/s1600/IMG_0683.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713542217524646450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYT4MEsE5mEl555myPYXtJy5_hLIaWzjtKZIWCCFr-0f7z3_lvieR_uzabH5KQ1ahAqzLLjPRu5Rt6OpPrRVBhArIGUF9UB6ZIs2NAsrrT-VOulpbZuvUDEJjrbhGjOL0byHF_eoylfRA/s320/IMG_0683.JPG" /></a> Here we are at one of our projects. The road washed out, so we got to walk to the site. I know one of these times I will lose my balance and take a little dip in this nice water. That's Francois, another one of our site monitors (also in the green shirt), waiting for me to successfully cross the chasm.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzqw-HxcQWrZp92t4OGHR7bq_lF25AoPbI4MtW_yP7na_ltvF5hCkmHh8PjmHGtT5Y35pibmb3dlLFiI8Qdq3ddiy42KdWrkCerNrk17jXAMnqj2AkG3S7ZjB6VKahiLR2p4A39ANPXU/s1600/IMG_0704.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 282px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713534083458634210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzqw-HxcQWrZp92t4OGHR7bq_lF25AoPbI4MtW_yP7na_ltvF5hCkmHh8PjmHGtT5Y35pibmb3dlLFiI8Qdq3ddiy42KdWrkCerNrk17jXAMnqj2AkG3S7ZjB6VKahiLR2p4A39ANPXU/s320/IMG_0704.JPG" /></a> This is Ezah, our apartment manager. He is wearing a shirt from the town in California where I grew up, Glendora. What are the odds that I would find a shirt here in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, with my hometown school's logo on it, on OUR apartment manager?<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOIqYNy4LtIMNBtUkXzraQbDQCubqNqUUpi0uEFdu5mH4_WIekh_hOzCzi9neCEyCWGB-WRrhY7XzxmAKdgcDxDj7LKUb1ePifnZv77B3pZCEQ-x0MjkrtEgEa12xstjZpkdK_3VW82Q/s1600/IMG_0753.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713534081620521986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOIqYNy4LtIMNBtUkXzraQbDQCubqNqUUpi0uEFdu5mH4_WIekh_hOzCzi9neCEyCWGB-WRrhY7XzxmAKdgcDxDj7LKUb1ePifnZv77B3pZCEQ-x0MjkrtEgEa12xstjZpkdK_3VW82Q/s320/IMG_0753.JPG" /></a>The man in the green shirt is Jordao Mulumbo, one of our site managers, training a water committee. There is quite a story behind this picture, far too much to explain here, but I wanted to put Jordao on our blog to share with you what a great young man he is to do what he is doing to make a water project succeed after some unfortunate setbacks. He is another reason we love what we are doing and being where we are.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHKBDqje9yxi-aCFh4GrcO-M6i8XE04iMqsubQDBW7A0kwyn_4mmEwjh0QXQq_FJOWk2GUu7gtVXKhyDzOoTQnEnMqQ6zA3EScxAD-IXXgWcluAvJI2pk0o_CNvunJ7VkfHdhBIEpl_c/s1600/IMG_0697.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713532990212486050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHKBDqje9yxi-aCFh4GrcO-M6i8XE04iMqsubQDBW7A0kwyn_4mmEwjh0QXQq_FJOWk2GUu7gtVXKhyDzOoTQnEnMqQ6zA3EScxAD-IXXgWcluAvJI2pk0o_CNvunJ7VkfHdhBIEpl_c/s320/IMG_0697.JPG" /></a> Another one of our awesome site managers (green shirt) beginning to load a concrete ring onto our truck - a load of 500 lbs or more - by 6 men pushing it up a ramp consisting of 4 boards of uneven lengths. Only one ring would fit in the truck at a time, so we made 4 or 5 round trips to deliver the rings at a new site. That's Dede, our faithful translator, in the white shirt giving a hand, and Albert Embimen, our engineer, in the red shirt. All very special men to us. Oh yes, that's skinny Elder B directing. We tried to download a video of this in action, but once again, the download failed.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBebrtXT9KYM_tOm6CLx0Yh96LG9MONtRRD250t6HVLZW5iR4kyosAlM5HqIXF9LN2bI42ZmWr3k6poMB4RAoMhViSJ5xJt_Ymw3P8ZBdUBTzqHxk-U87nerKxj9no5voYLH5F6cRkm4/s1600/IMG_0636.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713532156683860706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBebrtXT9KYM_tOm6CLx0Yh96LG9MONtRRD250t6HVLZW5iR4kyosAlM5HqIXF9LN2bI42ZmWr3k6poMB4RAoMhViSJ5xJt_Ymw3P8ZBdUBTzqHxk-U87nerKxj9no5voYLH5F6cRkm4/s320/IMG_0636.JPG" /></a> Dede Mapiya (our number 1 translator) and his new wife Jocelyn showing off their new wedding rings shortly after their wedding ceremony. About 22 couples, one after another, were married here at the government building according to law. Next month Dede and Jocelyn will fly to Johannesburg to be sealed in the temple. There is a possibility that their trip and ours for a Humanitarian conference will be the same week, and we may be able to attend their sealing. We hope so!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMp08wlkdpi-Iu3asdI-LknrdjkJo8tydvItM3NwwLgnlBPC8SRyJFQZmtvaxSY_oD6QQP_JbIsn_pisj-PiohIizu-bR_x0KdpEQfmugBbh089-Asz9GuFmkBESPvS-rVihEo9wpXMYk/s1600/IMG_0691.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713532150631593538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMp08wlkdpi-Iu3asdI-LknrdjkJo8tydvItM3NwwLgnlBPC8SRyJFQZmtvaxSY_oD6QQP_JbIsn_pisj-PiohIizu-bR_x0KdpEQfmugBbh089-Asz9GuFmkBESPvS-rVihEo9wpXMYk/s320/IMG_0691.JPG" /></a> This man knows how to get a big job done in a hurry by using a big broom -- straight off the palm tree nearby. This is at the Mission Office parking lot. And these brooms really work well. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We are in the midst of beginning a new project of 10 wells, a school latrine and water catchment system, and capturing a spring; two smaller school latrine projects; a shipping container of wheelchairs and training from some US doctors; a shipment of Neo-natal supplies and training from US doctors; refurbishing two drilled wells; a trip to Luputa to finalize a new water project there; a trip across the mighty Congo River to the Republic of Congo to go to Point Noire to evaluate a finished water project; three more closing ceremonies; and writing up another project in case we can plead our case and get more $$. There is quite a bit of paper work involved, but we think we have figured it all out and shouldn't make too many mistakes.</div><br /><div>We love our work, the people, and the country. We are blessed beyond measure. We know we are surrounded by angels every single day.</div><br /><div>We thank you for your interest and concern for us and our work.<br />We love you! Have a wonderful week.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Elder and Sister Binghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689033707433734782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881167007122606872.post-20641897301711740152012-01-29T06:58:00.000-08:002012-01-29T09:41:14.767-08:00How We Got Our Truck Air-Conditioning Fixed<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71rD9NgCYGSSxwXzOEE3YbhB3T3Tz2h1ZMEY72SzEuGq3uaJ20wpfepGnr2qWdLxPEcbUxoU2d1tVI9ynlCxfcbRA_ksBfc4zatMP3JnF3aetsQmfRROWbeRnfAcNIEzvG5e2ZlQhJyg/s1600/tn%255B3%255D+%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 113px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703088122235190882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71rD9NgCYGSSxwXzOEE3YbhB3T3Tz2h1ZMEY72SzEuGq3uaJ20wpfepGnr2qWdLxPEcbUxoU2d1tVI9ynlCxfcbRA_ksBfc4zatMP3JnF3aetsQmfRROWbeRnfAcNIEzvG5e2ZlQhJyg/s320/tn%255B3%255D+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a> We begin this post by introducing you to a group of great men (well, USUALLY great as you will come to understand as you plow through this blog). Included in this group are our Mission President (Pres. Jameson), two of our faithful translators (Fils and Felix), our Mission Office Financial Secretary (Elder Hatch), and The Three Amigos!! (Thierry, Pascal and Aime). Don't they look like a bunch of supportive, loving, compassionate men? Hmmmmm???<br />Our story begins on August 27, 2011, a day that will go down in Elder B's mind as his day of infamy. He set out early on the ROAD TO BANDUNDU with a man and the man's two uncles, a couple of their close friends, and a very heavy load of who knows what but what filled the truck's bed. BANDUNDU is about 470 km away, so Elder B was told later-- not before -- the cursed trip. The purpose of the trip was to look at a possible Humanitarian farming project (and to get our friend off Elder B's back). Five hours into the promised 2 1/2 hour trip, and after multiple promises that the destination was "just over that hill!", Elder B became frustrated. (Can you believe that?) But he persevered, mainly because he had a heavy load of who knows what in the back of the truck and he wanted to UNLOAD it soon. But the poor truck couldn't take it, plus by this time they had picked up 5 more stragglers perched on the back of the truck on top of the very heavy load of who knows what. The truck died a horrible death attempting to drive though sand, sand and more sand. Elder B ended up sleeping that night in the truck's cab in the middle of Africa in a small village of curious people who peered in the windows all night long to get a look at a mundele (who, by the way, was peering right back at them). And he had one of the uncles and the snoring friend also in that cab. (Africans can sleep anywhere, anytime.) An uncountable number of bodies also slept in the back of the truck which was now empty of the heavy load of who knows what, as it had been unloaded in a small village that was then to be hand-carried to an unknown destination "just over the next hill". Late the next day Elder B returned home to Kinshasa without the truck, and has loved every minute of the saga of the truck replacement that finally ended January 27, 2012.<br />The first step in getting the Humanitarian truck replaced was the approval from Salt Lake, which took a couple of months. Then Elder B excitedly picked out the new truck here in Kinsahsa: 4-wheel drive a NECESSITY!! And a canopy to prevent theft (that's another story). But did Elder B get to drive it out of the lot??? Oh no, no, no. First you must have license plates. Then you must have auto insurance. Sounds easy, right? You just go to the local DMV to get the plates. But our travel guy, who will remain unnamed (well, ok, we named the new truck after him) informed Elder B that "there are no license plates in all of the DR Congo." For some reason there is a shortage of license plates in a city of 14 million people. Hmmm. But being the patient man that he is, Elder B accepted that fact, and only bugged the travel man once or twice an hour to see if some license plates had magically appeared. In the meantime, the truck was somehow, without license plates OR insurance, driven to our office parking lot. Elder B got pretty excited about that!!! He ran in to the travel guy's office to get the new truck keys. "No no no! Still no license plates available." said the travel guy. Elder B was crushed, but he knew without a doubt that those plates would soon appear. And they did, 10 weeks later!!! Now is that a lesson in patience, or what?<br />But the story isn't over. (You can just put a bookmark right here and come back next week if you'd like.)<br />This is what happened. Elder B went to one of the 3 amigos, who doesn't work at our office but knows everybody and everything and how to get things done. He went to bat for Elder B, in addition to taking care of his own heavy load of mission work. His first call revealed the sad truth: there were license plates, and there had <strong>always </strong>been license plates. All Elder B needed was a form to fill out and that wonderful amigo went down and got the plates for him. !!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM12yj6bZXD2M65qlLRxAkFXprYYV1-Dv5SSldgGo5sYtBrU8FAPOn-I0HA-3Ey5RsA125uaFIJOsxIbjCfiB6_Fzr8M1b5Pt34Nv0g3aHy6r6LskunsfXc05_NMID6nXmmEAJyg9nFXY/s1600/tn%255B1%255D.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 113px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703087611134849170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM12yj6bZXD2M65qlLRxAkFXprYYV1-Dv5SSldgGo5sYtBrU8FAPOn-I0HA-3Ey5RsA125uaFIJOsxIbjCfiB6_Fzr8M1b5Pt34Nv0g3aHy6r6LskunsfXc05_NMID6nXmmEAJyg9nFXY/s320/tn%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a> The long-awaited license plates shown off by the proud papa. Aren't they cute?<br />Next step: insurance.<br />An insurance lady came to our office to "expedite" the process. She met with Elder B, who was expecting the cost of the insurance to be around $200. She wanted $445. Elder B asked to see the bill. She wouldn't show him. She wouldn't show it to the translator, either. Elder B smelled a rat. (sorry, a hippo -- after all, we are in AFRICA!) He declared, "I will go down to the office with you and take care of this. I will not pay you." So they set off. Amazingly enough, the cost of the insurance was $262, not $445. But hey, everybody has got to make a living. The woman was being resourceful, right? It just didn't work this time.<br />So now we have the plates and the insurance. All Elder B needed: the keys to the truck, and he would be home free, with a truck that would hopefully have decent air conditioning. So he presents himself to the travel guy, but wait!! The travel guy has just flown to Johannesburg, and the keys are in his locked safe in his office. Not to worry, Elder B just gets on the phone and calls this guy, who says that another man at the office has his safe keys and combo. Yippee skippee -- we're getting close! But the man with the keys had just left the office. Elder B made another phone call and this man said he would be back in several hours. Elder B disagreed with him!! "No, you are coming back right now!" And he did after a few well-chosen threats. Poor little man -- he couldn't figure out how to use the keys and combo. So another man was called in to help. Finally, they keys are in Elder B's hand. But he wants TWO sets of keys (that's thinking way outside the box -- planning ahead, etc.) That really threw them. "You can't have TWO sets of keys!!" Elder B got two sets of keys. Then he and our translator hopped into the brand new truck to take the plates down to have them mounted on the bumpers. (he didn't have the tools to do the job himself). Elder B noticed that the fuel tank was below empty (diesel). So first stop, fueling up. When that was completed, he put the truck in first gear, and before he could pull out of the station, a taxi zoomed in behind him and rear-ended him. First dent. Would you like to know what Elder B's blood presssure was at this point? Me, too. A nearby policeman came right over to see what he could do. He listened to the raving men and finally said to Elder B,<br />"Just forgive the taxi driver and pound out the dent." Dents don't mean much to drivers here. Elder B's comment right here is that the policeman's suggestion was certainly the Christian thing to do, but Elder B, at that point, had pretty much left the Christian religion and adopted something else. The taxi driver then said that Elder B had the truck in reverse and backed into him. Not so. But hey, the excitement at finally having the truck overruled a negative reply. With license plates in hand (ok, they were sitting on the dashboard), Elder B drove towards the place to get the plates mounted, and another little glitch got in the way, namely a bunch of policemen who stopped him and pointed out the fact that he was driving without license plates. Elder B patiently pointed out the plates on the dash, plainly visible from the front of the truck, explaining "We are going right now to get them mounted!" That just wouldn't do, they wanted money. Clearly, they were NOT getting any from Elder B. He'd had enough!! With a threat to call their boss, they cops decided to let him go. While waiting for the light to turn green, Elder B had second thoughts and called the cops back over and apologized for yelling at them, shook hands, and promised he would be back to show them the mounted plates. And he did. The cops laughed and pointed and thus ended a potentially ugly situation -- with smiles all around.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLScXqrppAUHuvBoI2uDpszhifPskcOfdwXFWJILPyAn_ixmYglZTqJJRjKXF3oQWxbwRu1KcoA_AHpIzZchpdkCSjOhSmAIIMg93ds7ljXTcpN-3SpsX3fIYJpliFU2qKse0Crb-h3k/s1600/Jan+2012+029.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703087605896162898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLScXqrppAUHuvBoI2uDpszhifPskcOfdwXFWJILPyAn_ixmYglZTqJJRjKXF3oQWxbwRu1KcoA_AHpIzZchpdkCSjOhSmAIIMg93ds7ljXTcpN-3SpsX3fIYJpliFU2qKse0Crb-h3k/s320/Jan+2012+029.JPG" /></a> Elder B had to return to the mission office to tell his good friends about the dent. Here he is going into much detail (similar to this blog today?) You can see they are feeling his pain at his having a wreck on the first kilometer of driving.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzuqcPwct2QIm9jENn6_vXhyphenhyphenmd-pIDqjUNRj6shQyR8jaxlb8z1l6Ck5au3eBEJAivFOfHyCYRwAtAuvNz-OxtVFQe4p24dDIqg3hJhOgffplQjVc53ElsKzWjjz4oaiqqkGP181yVU0/s1600/Jan+2012+021.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703085580006256226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzuqcPwct2QIm9jENn6_vXhyphenhyphenmd-pIDqjUNRj6shQyR8jaxlb8z1l6Ck5au3eBEJAivFOfHyCYRwAtAuvNz-OxtVFQe4p24dDIqg3hJhOgffplQjVc53ElsKzWjjz4oaiqqkGP181yVU0/s320/Jan+2012+021.JPG" /></a> Elder B is directing his friends to the dent.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAQIxQ6B5JqPtxzcAP39xpmhEZeIQ66R9EKbPJn7CE8x2f9A2vY4YnsSuJjKcgGt2DxZQOTwYVghocMm0_1E2BvQ36Dls69Z6k0TqIwX88CixA3XuD1zudl218ccf64-VNGOEwiY09uw/s1600/Jan+2012+020.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703085570939525954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAQIxQ6B5JqPtxzcAP39xpmhEZeIQ66R9EKbPJn7CE8x2f9A2vY4YnsSuJjKcgGt2DxZQOTwYVghocMm0_1E2BvQ36Dls69Z6k0TqIwX88CixA3XuD1zudl218ccf64-VNGOEwiY09uw/s320/Jan+2012+020.JPG" /></a> Elder B is saying, "Really guys, I got hit!!"<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcFr2TTSYC2sTKoHEmdJ9yjXTgSbOddFJxf_LmlWFHpuIEiJgTMqi8_IH6-Dxc0z56AXIOGAUCYYo7awKAZO3pRA74_YboyyeCldOL_XCkWkXUfxgaaq3Q82Mh1groNJiTcH_r8E2Fso/s1600/Jan+2012+022.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703080923003944098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcFr2TTSYC2sTKoHEmdJ9yjXTgSbOddFJxf_LmlWFHpuIEiJgTMqi8_IH6-Dxc0z56AXIOGAUCYYo7awKAZO3pRA74_YboyyeCldOL_XCkWkXUfxgaaq3Q82Mh1groNJiTcH_r8E2Fso/s320/Jan+2012+022.JPG" /></a> Here are Elder B's compassionate x-friends feeling just terrible about the wreck. Observe the slump in Elder B's shoulders as he must face another disappointment("You call THAT a dent?") in his day of disappointments.</div><br /><div>Sister's comment: I love the air conditioning! It was worth it!!</div><br /><div>The End.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDaavrBnAU2rNkK4rmXvz5lc2cKcZZUUhiNJQ0oAe6YyTulQ6n8JP4NRD7uijPvSYKaJPBCL_P6gbmkhIYIQcNRbJT-taKIJfAIycoPnnw1JkOs3_fLKkJ-wizMRBVj5OWzeY9zewnDfk/s1600/Jan+2012+029.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Elder and Sister Binghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689033707433734782noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881167007122606872.post-25746764747526396712012-01-15T04:06:00.000-08:002012-01-15T09:10:59.368-08:00Our Turning-over Ceremonies<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj990VQpXiu4RIQfULaqQcOCHzE8LAcjWmL4L954GSnN9kgt0-V_US5Fo_tFzjHX3LfmxJ-uLflyYg__n43WKBZCh_g5ajJrzi1U9A2MxTxUPmOj0J_Hcfo5k4pYNEJBalclJFAg_0dd5s/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 309px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 228px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697893938576279490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj990VQpXiu4RIQfULaqQcOCHzE8LAcjWmL4L954GSnN9kgt0-V_US5Fo_tFzjHX3LfmxJ-uLflyYg__n43WKBZCh_g5ajJrzi1U9A2MxTxUPmOj0J_Hcfo5k4pYNEJBalclJFAg_0dd5s/s320/010.JPG" /></a> A group of school children filing in for the closing/handing-over ceremony of their new school latrine. About 300 children attended, plus the school staff and community members.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7UT8yYQeHrOBW55TlCC8zOi1ThyyMsKzvuBT3QMWK6a-lkH34nbFbvbvXg9RSUWu-XwyPBwFQMBjIGhB8jePQYaIl1A4vbQ3mpQ5et1Lmtyk_Lm0Z5odqsLXaRneGtLkeFlvT1szDNc/s1600/014.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697893934069116738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7UT8yYQeHrOBW55TlCC8zOi1ThyyMsKzvuBT3QMWK6a-lkH34nbFbvbvXg9RSUWu-XwyPBwFQMBjIGhB8jePQYaIl1A4vbQ3mpQ5et1Lmtyk_Lm0Z5odqsLXaRneGtLkeFlvT1szDNc/s320/014.JPG" /></a> This group of young women started off the program by singing a welcome song to us, then added a Christmas song, since it is still considered the Christmas season here in the Congo. They had very sweet voices.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWWR6fYCtvfrWFKAMfZYgJPVBcq-GBQ3XGtNNAt1M-HDl2Jbl2zJX2jYWEG7eL4vUn4Ugd163RbyzFXaF1Bqk_-Ii_HPNViGduN8kXa_p2yGHn5b8-druFdae9gMIKOz1pTQO0_CTJ6A/s1600/016.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697893935422986738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWWR6fYCtvfrWFKAMfZYgJPVBcq-GBQ3XGtNNAt1M-HDl2Jbl2zJX2jYWEG7eL4vUn4Ugd163RbyzFXaF1Bqk_-Ii_HPNViGduN8kXa_p2yGHn5b8-druFdae9gMIKOz1pTQO0_CTJ6A/s320/016.JPG" /></a> Here are our guys -- our two site monitors in the green shirts (Walter and Francois), who monitor all work every day as construcion takes place and then reports to us what is happening. The man in the suit is Albert Embimen, the engineer and head of the non-profit organization of the project that we partnered with. We provide the funds, he does the work. We have come to love these three fine men. This photo shows them receiving certificates from us for the great job they did.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljphFo3qxg1MVfmLhnXJaZQ0FtzYE-8NALEE77oNGhHap4iyTEIgEwa6Sqe_nvxOk8pK_N6IMm5B_KFWrnX2eeSZRMrOtFP9FQNBJl-8EwqENP0vnmmVAScGDsSKcR6lBKSKGmmQ-p4o/s1600/025.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697839404053948130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljphFo3qxg1MVfmLhnXJaZQ0FtzYE-8NALEE77oNGhHap4iyTEIgEwa6Sqe_nvxOk8pK_N6IMm5B_KFWrnX2eeSZRMrOtFP9FQNBJl-8EwqENP0vnmmVAScGDsSKcR6lBKSKGmmQ-p4o/s320/025.JPG" /></a> The back of the brand-new latrine, with our friends, including our translator, Felix, on the far left. The sign says,"This project made possible by the grace of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, carried out by the NGO (non-profit organization) EBAT". The lettering was being finished during the ceremony.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJ-Gpa51fgDlChS4OOjETkqrSyO9QFgD-yAp4MmxhJHIxTSWBJVZ35sBzrfMMYY96IjbTs0ufF_IzG5VcFlRV7tNGsEbLSjEuybfGAnDTnYLFF66i1lHhYqqswPmUCbHkeFa8mfFMYmg/s1600/033.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697839395313700194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJ-Gpa51fgDlChS4OOjETkqrSyO9QFgD-yAp4MmxhJHIxTSWBJVZ35sBzrfMMYY96IjbTs0ufF_IzG5VcFlRV7tNGsEbLSjEuybfGAnDTnYLFF66i1lHhYqqswPmUCbHkeFa8mfFMYmg/s320/033.JPG" /></a> After the latrine hand-over (which means the Church hands over the project to the school or community, and now the school or community has total responsibility to sustain/maintain it), we moved down to the Waters of Mormon spring project for another handing-over ceremony. This picture is of yet another of our site monitors, Eric, with the village chief. He is cutting the ceremonial ribbon to open the spring for his villagers' use.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin32f0pnxWXR639dNmcXlN9dNW8hSQz3b7QW2q-qjqit313qQTmQTD-8Vh6A4s8djH3xYqF59uM0PASDQRm3wx5KaFzCcuE3BvBNDTAL-zUF-nzDBbGUzVpCzKj_8zt53SFeyYrJly_tc/s1600/044.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697839395835267522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin32f0pnxWXR639dNmcXlN9dNW8hSQz3b7QW2q-qjqit313qQTmQTD-8Vh6A4s8djH3xYqF59uM0PASDQRm3wx5KaFzCcuE3BvBNDTAL-zUF-nzDBbGUzVpCzKj_8zt53SFeyYrJly_tc/s320/044.JPG" /></a> Inbetween ceremonies, we went to see another potential project. We had to walk a ways, and on our way down a hill to the site, we came across this huge ravine where the Chinese are building a concrete run-off ditch to prevent erosion. To see the size of this, you will want to zoom in. You'll see the workmen at the bottom of the ravine. As you can see, there are homes built on the edge of this ravine that hopefully will remain standing now that the ditch is in place.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKJGH5lP8RebTk3c11f18cXtREo88qKTi7CRWAyyY7u1RRsURelmnnMcSSHe-jgnVBK9mA0oGYm0I6UaeVGObvTuBYVhSg6dBb67nG5oG8l7rVnIl_kq-AXqNH0aQjZuQM5znkcIw5Po/s1600/085.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697829516754650386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKJGH5lP8RebTk3c11f18cXtREo88qKTi7CRWAyyY7u1RRsURelmnnMcSSHe-jgnVBK9mA0oGYm0I6UaeVGObvTuBYVhSg6dBb67nG5oG8l7rVnIl_kq-AXqNH0aQjZuQM5znkcIw5Po/s320/085.JPG" /></a> At the next ceremony a few days later, the 10 hand-dug wells and school latrine project were also handed over to the community. This is the village chief taking the first drink of pure water from one of the wells. We were very pleased that President and Sister Jameson and Elder and Sister Stagg asked to accompany us to this ceremony. We think they enjoyed it and got a better feel for what we do here. <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAvdHjL-WKQczUIfIqeM9f8UU86npR93THlEpPOO_bW1MtvZRMj0z2oOorbnrOa8ch8cwr3zzz6aywnytmGuk2XlHRsk5RdhKsPOxqXMAdPYckZMq9V71dy8asLWZdn4XvVKX_836svk/s1600/086.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697829512919786898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAvdHjL-WKQczUIfIqeM9f8UU86npR93THlEpPOO_bW1MtvZRMj0z2oOorbnrOa8ch8cwr3zzz6aywnytmGuk2XlHRsk5RdhKsPOxqXMAdPYckZMq9V71dy8asLWZdn4XvVKX_836svk/s320/086.JPG" /></a> This is a very special picture to us. The engineer for this project is Masha Gideon the tall guy in the white. With him is his father. Masha proved to be an excellent engineer who worked very hard to make this project an outstanding one. We are sad that the project is at an end and we won't be associating with these good people as we have been.<br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><p></p><br /><p><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw9ym3JtKoPRHmdLz0u2MSSwYt8AK_p1pEUYfTidNjrw93aNu5mB3T6rFIlxxzAf5vxw2PB4RFj4hghcFORNA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><br /><p>Earlier in the week we visited some of our wells and heard some drums being played nearby, so we ambled over to see what that was all about. A young albino boy entertained us with some religious preaching and singing. Afterwards, I went up to him to shake his hand, and he wouldn't let my hands go -- he was fascinated that mine were the same color as his! Unfortunately, he has very poor eyesight and can only see up close. Sunlight is very hard on these children.</p><br /><p>We have two more handing-over ceremonies this next week, so undoubtedly you will see more similar pictures on the next blog.</p><br /><p>Thanks for your patience. We realize these pictures mean far more to us than they can to you. You just have to be here to understand...... </p><br /><p>We hope you had as great a week as we did. We love you!</p>Elder and Sister Binghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689033707433734782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881167007122606872.post-75067719474408316542012-01-01T05:47:00.000-08:002012-01-01T06:49:00.015-08:00Going South for the Summer/Christmas in JoBurg<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbq4ihjFdBpGw4Xe-iR2SsfUumS_KUynk8sTxnVnB4HXqqBFRFPIl5ImiBFop7z02XUtWRuMtKM8FK7dkjZ2vpNmUZA2xL1DsA1XpDOZHxljmYedugPuKE2LI2TgZIPnRhTP35rSPPUSM/s1600/IMG_0210.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692662613944798866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbq4ihjFdBpGw4Xe-iR2SsfUumS_KUynk8sTxnVnB4HXqqBFRFPIl5ImiBFop7z02XUtWRuMtKM8FK7dkjZ2vpNmUZA2xL1DsA1XpDOZHxljmYedugPuKE2LI2TgZIPnRhTP35rSPPUSM/s320/IMG_0210.JPG" /></a>Loading up for the drive to the Kinshasa Airport at 6:30 am Dec. 4, 2011</div><br /><div align="center"></div>Some of you may know by now that we American senior missionary couples becameDR Congo refugees for 3 1/2 weeks when there was political unrest in our city of Kinshasa due to a recent Presidential election. Our Mission President was forced into making a very difficult decision that we 4 couples needed to leave our country for safety's sake, so we were flown to Johannesburg, South Africa, where we languished, ate, played, and most of all, yearned for home (Kinshasa). While there, we became reacquainted with malls, cheap food and commodities, cultural events, freeways without potholes, movie theaters, and the beauty of a modern clean city . We refugees were treated like kings and queens by the missionary couples serving there. We also took advantage of the temple and attended four sessions.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-BgMTEpgqfnWLzoCt4Oq39BM08NBRRfbEEdraoVekmlwtlww0qdaZpnmHyUSYFxBipKvlWGOshfCmyTORtRI6Xa7eUDffjllfeCvLhemlHzULrCn6pHfzU-eN-lWmNipvI5nhde4bjw/s1600/IMG_0212.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692662604661442578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-BgMTEpgqfnWLzoCt4Oq39BM08NBRRfbEEdraoVekmlwtlww0qdaZpnmHyUSYFxBipKvlWGOshfCmyTORtRI6Xa7eUDffjllfeCvLhemlHzULrCn6pHfzU-eN-lWmNipvI5nhde4bjw/s320/IMG_0212.JPG" /></a> We did some fun shopping there, and as you can see, President Jameson made a magnificent purchase of an African drum. (In his previous life he was a drummer for a small band, and it has never completely left his system.) That is Elder and Sister Hatch with him. They had the unique opportunity to fly to Zambia during our vacation and train a new office couple there. They returned to Joburg shortly before we flew back to Kinshasa. We missed them!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fPdje6dz32CcAJ7ZjlmEfPPBtE0eICqqN56yM4CeTR7cH359aaI0INrRzBRejH3R0bpqCWxrpiMXA6PeHtXHqCp46REG6U3UQglT6awL_6Aokzoiw6nR8P3N97z6aJQmnJREkjEzIHs/s1600/IMG_0256.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692662601695471522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fPdje6dz32CcAJ7ZjlmEfPPBtE0eICqqN56yM4CeTR7cH359aaI0INrRzBRejH3R0bpqCWxrpiMXA6PeHtXHqCp46REG6U3UQglT6awL_6Aokzoiw6nR8P3N97z6aJQmnJREkjEzIHs/s320/IMG_0256.JPG" /></a> We went to a local Lion Park and spent the day taking pictures of the animals we will never see in the DR Congo (all were eaten). Elder B doesn't really count these animals as being wild because there is a fence around the various enclosures, and if these animals were released they wouldn't know how to survive. This guy doesn't really look very menacing -- just sleepy.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrzonsjrWKWS0Frp_DUPmvGgYaBxUloPk8m-3lcR2ptcdOL5S1ggHhVO9O94dJGs-ZwDTWUDr8w1NrZvjepT1t3xCOxZ1RR7cBvSNkD3AeX7gcjnIeQdbM_VKA2OPSrenkHAS5opff0o/s1600/IMG_0307.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692661913508262946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrzonsjrWKWS0Frp_DUPmvGgYaBxUloPk8m-3lcR2ptcdOL5S1ggHhVO9O94dJGs-ZwDTWUDr8w1NrZvjepT1t3xCOxZ1RR7cBvSNkD3AeX7gcjnIeQdbM_VKA2OPSrenkHAS5opff0o/s320/IMG_0307.JPG" /></a> Here is Sis. B with her favorite type of animal. This was taken at the Johannesburg Zoo, which is a step or two above Sequoia Park Zoo.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSDlM6jRH20VrI_7ephkWo-FuB0ctywYjXkc_lymIkRqzXE0aNd0Y-QYUbW9iy2se-lnHoMKZFPHYByBXo6EWaylMLMRUtNTuW02nM01Mk9eyPlnH5VdRb4-JPeektCpldGjQ9E3XSME/s1600/IMG_0309.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692661907745625746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSDlM6jRH20VrI_7ephkWo-FuB0ctywYjXkc_lymIkRqzXE0aNd0Y-QYUbW9iy2se-lnHoMKZFPHYByBXo6EWaylMLMRUtNTuW02nM01Mk9eyPlnH5VdRb4-JPeektCpldGjQ9E3XSME/s320/IMG_0309.JPG" /></a> And here we are at the end of our "vacation" at the Johannesburg airport, ready (and I DO mean ready) to fly home to our Kinshasa. See Elder Hatch with his new acquisitions? The outback hat and new backpack. Wonder what he plans to do when he returns to New Mexico in February??</div><br /><div>We thought it humorous that our newly acquired Johannesburg friends felt so sorry for us having to live in the DR Congo (horror stories of the great sacrifices we must make when living there....) We would explain, "Yes, Kinshasa is dangerous, has the worst roads in existence, the craziest drivers ever to get behind a steering wheel, the dirtiest air on the planet, the most expensive mission on earth, more garbage on the roads everywhere than you can ever imagine, has nowhere to go for fun except the local grocery store, no beautiful sights to see, AND WE LOVE IT!!!! We can't wait to go HOME!!! Call us crazy....<br />And now that we are home, rest assured that life is normal, we are safe, and we are happy!<br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxeKvGZ2ZEZRyHsaWG_tq7ktU7mqs1bslNlAnTLvHpbzDCx7uKCNyicHxCIitZVg-6ECWoaU-rSMzHES003-JLez4zm0NZezwUqa3yHIAaJEyZP1oQCWN0_v1w3_Rm1Zs8zHm9j6UMyM/s1600/IMG_0337.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692661903163666818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxeKvGZ2ZEZRyHsaWG_tq7ktU7mqs1bslNlAnTLvHpbzDCx7uKCNyicHxCIitZVg-6ECWoaU-rSMzHES003-JLez4zm0NZezwUqa3yHIAaJEyZP1oQCWN0_v1w3_Rm1Zs8zHm9j6UMyM/s320/IMG_0337.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div align="center">Elder B and Masha goofing around on an old broken down truck near a water project.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div>As soon as we got home, Elder B and I were back out on the road checking out our projects to see what progress had been made in our absence, and to see our wonderfu friends, the site monitors, the contractors, and our translators. It was HEAVEN to get back to work and it was even MORE heaven to see that they missed us almost as much as we missed them!! We have had some precious reunions these last few days, and for that we are most grateful. We have learned that it is definitely the people who make Kinshasa beloved to us all. What a blessing to be here!<br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGTvbVyEa0M4nkuD93OJ7glbR1La3IJSZQmqL0ed369Y1ADyIAKijU5himPcgIyXwCrAQpZFIQIXKVYr-1H5OflZqTC1SkSzBXmxLJZa-lgNWnzrVqbPGdLPVzGSAPQ0049FS0NjsuoU/s1600/IMG_0339.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692661906801965970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGTvbVyEa0M4nkuD93OJ7glbR1La3IJSZQmqL0ed369Y1ADyIAKijU5himPcgIyXwCrAQpZFIQIXKVYr-1H5OflZqTC1SkSzBXmxLJZa-lgNWnzrVqbPGdLPVzGSAPQ0049FS0NjsuoU/s320/IMG_0339.JPG" /></a> If you look closely at this picture, you will see that it is a cemetary. See the gravestones? And the people have planted corn amongst the graves -- what better use for all that unclaimed soil between the graves? These people are extremely resourceful.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWPaPFSlrMgpLrZauQTZZMwsTU9Pq4JI1-wSG3y_E340V518Du_lvXaNgQbeh9h7cx47I2ikI-Kp3NQTTzIB8s4lpUEOppm3OZN91956BsrWwnf8bV51X3sou2eH7g_0dyHU55rdbYj4/s1600/IMG_0332.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692661094776648130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWPaPFSlrMgpLrZauQTZZMwsTU9Pq4JI1-wSG3y_E340V518Du_lvXaNgQbeh9h7cx47I2ikI-Kp3NQTTzIB8s4lpUEOppm3OZN91956BsrWwnf8bV51X3sou2eH7g_0dyHU55rdbYj4/s320/IMG_0332.JPG" /></a> A completed well opened for use at the moment the picture was taken. That's Kedikedi in the long blue shirt teaching a village woman to pump properly. We love Kedikedi - a quiet, unassuming, kind and cheerful man.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2C_ORr0vcqln5HBU-OZbppMyed4g9rt3GqmTTuU4Rfd-_DCeVBYrgOWK7-Pv4Xc79cQe5s4QyE_EQgoO6M2rwm9vrTkAsGMpZtwJo8OFqs658VRSon5jceVYXCHLPUM5KorMkcMFOlFY/s1600/IMG_0327.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692661085054957506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2C_ORr0vcqln5HBU-OZbppMyed4g9rt3GqmTTuU4Rfd-_DCeVBYrgOWK7-Pv4Xc79cQe5s4QyE_EQgoO6M2rwm9vrTkAsGMpZtwJo8OFqs658VRSon5jceVYXCHLPUM5KorMkcMFOlFY/s320/IMG_0327.JPG" /></a> Some beautiful children who love to have their picture taken.</div><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszHwR_Tg1JdqAx0_i14821cXCQ8Qcn4X8gcEmu3CBFHpXyRM6Q2iKTSLNk3xMHOgj991L-wuBJiOjkvXpK_P_dqhd27yWuLSB9rCNzeAuD44aiJHa3RYA8kvpTp29WMzLs_m2vS_J5ik/s1600/IMG_0335.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692661078801582706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszHwR_Tg1JdqAx0_i14821cXCQ8Qcn4X8gcEmu3CBFHpXyRM6Q2iKTSLNk3xMHOgj991L-wuBJiOjkvXpK_P_dqhd27yWuLSB9rCNzeAuD44aiJHa3RYA8kvpTp29WMzLs_m2vS_J5ik/s320/IMG_0335.JPG" /></a>Eddy, one of our valuable site monitors, hamming it up with some more beautiful children.</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkNARn1QTS5I_X8OIiqq7HALThNVacXFsW6fSSikNtDo2JNyIDDX3JSq8t3Wwi2B3v0uQlL6aMJTNdREh7nIdp9VZrUT-PYI4gp1LBB_qvUWBm3tKrZBfK4gCCHezfxDcnJ87SipIg9E/s1600/IMG_0356.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692661075291144866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkNARn1QTS5I_X8OIiqq7HALThNVacXFsW6fSSikNtDo2JNyIDDX3JSq8t3Wwi2B3v0uQlL6aMJTNdREh7nIdp9VZrUT-PYI4gp1LBB_qvUWBm3tKrZBfK4gCCHezfxDcnJ87SipIg9E/s320/IMG_0356.JPG" /></a>A completed (and nicely painted, I might add) ten-stall latrine next to a school of 1100 students. Until we built these toilets, they were using two old stalls with no way to wash their hands or "flush" the hole in the ground.<br /></div><br /><div align="left">Now we are caught up, except for the pictures we lost on our personal lap top that crashed while we were in Joburg. Luckily we were given another Humanitarian laptop that we brought home to use in our apartment, since we do some of our work there.<br /></div><br /><div align="left">We love you. Happy New Year. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="left"></div></div></div></div></div></div>Elder and Sister Binghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689033707433734782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881167007122606872.post-87105560514347117632011-11-27T09:14:00.000-08:002011-11-27T10:04:18.543-08:00Thanksgiving Week in Kinshasa<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZMRqDuKtJ89sVvTswPaO0VmC8C26lhyk0srvcO9Ul-yBipOPI5eayqj8fXMqo3lRTFDaoRDvhkHLN_RpKUzsacMZzsWPxOkSZxmbnlikPN-T7pDlqWXvqtZe7UWi2fqFQwm2RoHWaas/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZMRqDuKtJ89sVvTswPaO0VmC8C26lhyk0srvcO9Ul-yBipOPI5eayqj8fXMqo3lRTFDaoRDvhkHLN_RpKUzsacMZzsWPxOkSZxmbnlikPN-T7pDlqWXvqtZe7UWi2fqFQwm2RoHWaas/s320/004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679728271158824722" border="0" /></a></div>Happy Thanksgiving!!<br />Above you see the beautiful Thanksgiving table just before it was loaded down with delicious dishes contributed by all the senior couples. This is the Mission Home of President and Sister Jameson. We had a very nice meal -- too much good food. So now you know that we really aren't living in a little grass hut in the middle of nowhere with no luxuries around us. We are quite comfortable, especially being surrounded by the great people we serve with.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2cFdw91xCuWSnxZg12npqERwQT0jyOiLihF7lwKeiAKaRtsoaX0CLEz3DP3hZVCxriA7m7w38JLNuMunk_veDn2RjOLaeUojXQHoAK3vNnaKTAffOQhz7eljlbLGLe6gvgBDZZag_4o/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2cFdw91xCuWSnxZg12npqERwQT0jyOiLihF7lwKeiAKaRtsoaX0CLEz3DP3hZVCxriA7m7w38JLNuMunk_veDn2RjOLaeUojXQHoAK3vNnaKTAffOQhz7eljlbLGLe6gvgBDZZag_4o/s320/001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679728269290864258" border="0" /></a>Here are the hors-d'oeuvres that Elder and Sister Stagg provided. Crabmeat on crackers and little homemade quiches. Very nice, and hard not to fill up on before the main meal.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tvtZMqAQop_Qeq7QU8BTjxt_oiLNqo8ZjnI4pZXaog1_zxRHMYKhc7uhCDYbm1GrSnTgajZdi0F2n6kKccZqhqh-lldQZCfJr8ck0947jmkBvFxlvgHK_nwquEGhkN67LV_l5zjkEo0/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tvtZMqAQop_Qeq7QU8BTjxt_oiLNqo8ZjnI4pZXaog1_zxRHMYKhc7uhCDYbm1GrSnTgajZdi0F2n6kKccZqhqh-lldQZCfJr8ck0947jmkBvFxlvgHK_nwquEGhkN67LV_l5zjkEo0/s320/005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679728266863928322" border="0" /></a>This picture is out of order, but since you know how inept I am with trying to move the pictures around, you get it this way. <br />Above is Elder B and one of our partners showing how the water which is collected off the roof during a rainstorm is stored in these tanks and used for handwashing and latrine flushing in our new school latrine (the pink and blue ones you saw in an older blog).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBmR2xISWGl0aQ_pdOu9rvDKsXNhE_yKDdm-qgMnS21sGGIkaMMnM1hbCV0PA98L3i7M0LrTyfEPmmZQrpezCGAZb2lSCjvZCkwZQkh5C1qeganLaj8MvyWmVyrZLNAgCMyBGWiOuhjs/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBmR2xISWGl0aQ_pdOu9rvDKsXNhE_yKDdm-qgMnS21sGGIkaMMnM1hbCV0PA98L3i7M0LrTyfEPmmZQrpezCGAZb2lSCjvZCkwZQkh5C1qeganLaj8MvyWmVyrZLNAgCMyBGWiOuhjs/s320/002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679728282843812738" border="0" /></a>Back to the Thanksgiving meal, here are the pies we provided for the meal. We transported them in this nifty huge basket that was in our apartment when we moved here. Finally found a use for it, aside from looking really cool in our living room. The pies - the first ones I've made here - actually came out great. We bought two huge squashes (like the one that the jack-o-lantern was carved out of in an older blog), cooked them up and made the pies. The middle one is an apple pie. Unfortunately, we had to forego our traditional chocolate silk pies this year -- not safe to eat raw eggs here.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqPrppfBbMJ8h0ml1ZpJH4YOPsLxgxospPABi0OtK9KqKDA9Mo5cq4cF7_GolPyzWA3f9MyOhRB18zGWof1MsJAmB1tC5Vew_6jpLrrTVWxpAoTioY-FoNfiJA01FbAH2rUKc9-IRz_c/s1600/014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqPrppfBbMJ8h0ml1ZpJH4YOPsLxgxospPABi0OtK9KqKDA9Mo5cq4cF7_GolPyzWA3f9MyOhRB18zGWof1MsJAmB1tC5Vew_6jpLrrTVWxpAoTioY-FoNfiJA01FbAH2rUKc9-IRz_c/s320/014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679727366475357810" border="0" /></a>Our apartment complex is getting a paint job. This was taken out our front window on the second floor. The picture below was supposed to be first, but oh well. We wanted to show you an up close photo of the man putting up the scaffolding, then show you (above) exactly where he was. No safety precautions here. Just very good balancers!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkf9hgUENzx5s538j2yQMFAJ4BdpiSi7xVNYdNzusYOTAA_O-f8PCSu1O0bJ88D2ExCxNhXJSM6TzZqJRvF6tPbstTJLUCmmEh89jQcAiC0rqlIZ5ywMnEXcv4aiSGlKkzZJ_hvutzIE4/s1600/013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkf9hgUENzx5s538j2yQMFAJ4BdpiSi7xVNYdNzusYOTAA_O-f8PCSu1O0bJ88D2ExCxNhXJSM6TzZqJRvF6tPbstTJLUCmmEh89jQcAiC0rqlIZ5ywMnEXcv4aiSGlKkzZJ_hvutzIE4/s320/013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679727363947183410" border="0" /></a>Back at the new latrine, this young artist is sculpting the name of the church (in French) onto the front of the latrine -- freehand. It will say, "Gift from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qhQ3ubc3A3XLHgrCvWuEGFepltP_1O2N7gmwVdQRiX3zdAgnFu8PMJy4douOPackD4Qj7u30jwv3vMiU3XNADyA3eQ8BmVSHdBlat30kTIeM61QfFOV7gNJSEh9ilwpL6psaWUkBiEE/s1600/011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qhQ3ubc3A3XLHgrCvWuEGFepltP_1O2N7gmwVdQRiX3zdAgnFu8PMJy4douOPackD4Qj7u30jwv3vMiU3XNADyA3eQ8BmVSHdBlat30kTIeM61QfFOV7gNJSEh9ilwpL6psaWUkBiEE/s320/011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679727370312389122" border="0" /></a>At a different site, these happy women and Gaston, a partner, are showing us how thrilled they are to have a well close to their homes so they don't have to go so far to get dirty water to drink. Gaston did a great job on this project, and we plan to do another with him next year. For those of you who remember Betty Williamson, mom of Vivian Moses, take a close look at the woman in the middle front. Doesn't she look like Betty?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1b-uLgj4ikGmJbZII2AyQ4O5tGd46TJz6lbGUBoJ40_5gJ5RjpoIJGkjJywDJzIp2fUm7WZ92r_LOm1bb1zv72zfaB56DeeOfEzpahA0QEk-sGr0GiE8xlq_mVI8_d_RhXLKi7L8utE/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1b-uLgj4ikGmJbZII2AyQ4O5tGd46TJz6lbGUBoJ40_5gJ5RjpoIJGkjJywDJzIp2fUm7WZ92r_LOm1bb1zv72zfaB56DeeOfEzpahA0QEk-sGr0GiE8xlq_mVI8_d_RhXLKi7L8utE/s320/002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679726456561874162" border="0" /></a>Below is another of the many beautiful sites as we walk along the Congo River. We have heard this called by several names -- poncianna, flaming tree -- but whatever it is, it is vibrant. We also saw this in Jamaica. The Congo has so many of the same flowers and trees and fruits we knew in Jamaica.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRXzf37TQxlZxvJqfRT6MeO-ZEJfw9cpv5VlFabLprGw9y3Enm0Q1L1YdRFp1jW2d6c98wyd0FvvNdweSLc_Kvdw14eO3ZmPthNRn_8yvWobeV1_-N0SSvfvzFzGe3nOj3WuIIO51Jmg/s1600/017.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRXzf37TQxlZxvJqfRT6MeO-ZEJfw9cpv5VlFabLprGw9y3Enm0Q1L1YdRFp1jW2d6c98wyd0FvvNdweSLc_Kvdw14eO3ZmPthNRn_8yvWobeV1_-N0SSvfvzFzGe3nOj3WuIIO51Jmg/s320/017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679726455977517906" border="0" /></a>This is how we spend Family Home Evening. Eating. That's Elder Hatch and President Jameson snacking. We had planned to play games this particular evening, but we never got to the games. Just sat around eating and talking. Our favorite way to unwind from the challenges of hot, bumpy roads with crazy drivers and hungry policemen.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLb8G0wX1CXN2Yri6kTgqL__rl_40QJBExriD97beOkfhIe2QHsNx3yqJtpyVzr1KWTR4yGmdQMYSkO8_MfuFM4vdzdC4hnfAo8m_ujFQs47vxwc0zlFFvBI2KEVSnyARtYMfJo3h-lX4/s1600/011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLb8G0wX1CXN2Yri6kTgqL__rl_40QJBExriD97beOkfhIe2QHsNx3yqJtpyVzr1KWTR4yGmdQMYSkO8_MfuFM4vdzdC4hnfAo8m_ujFQs47vxwc0zlFFvBI2KEVSnyARtYMfJo3h-lX4/s320/011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679726458755940642" border="0" /></a>At the present time we are enjoying 3 days of 'lockdown' in our apartments because of the presidential elections going on tomorrow. There may be some incidents, and the US Embassy has advised us to all stay home for a few days. We feel perfectly safe where we live, but we all want to be obedient, so we stocked up on books and a few DVDs to occupy our many hours at home. We may have to leave the country for a week or so after the 4th when the results of the voting are posted. There may be some unhappy people around. So if there is no blog next week, you will know why. We will be flying to Johannesburg, So. Africa. Another adventure!<br />Please don't worry about us. The news reports make it sound worse than it really is. We are loving this place and the work and of course, the people. Have a wonderful week, and thanks for visiting the blog.<br />Love,<br />Elder and Sister BinghamElder and Sister Binghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689033707433734782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881167007122606872.post-76552432551246465532011-11-13T06:13:00.000-08:002011-11-13T07:17:18.271-08:00Election week, no ceremonies weekHappy Birthday, Jennifer Kelly, beautiful daughter of ours!<br />This week held some disappointments, namely that our closing ceremonies had to be postponed due to the political unrest. Postponed, but not cancelled, so you will be seeing those ceremonies on the blog in the near future.<br />We begin this blog with a few random, but unique photos. Below, you see another example of the resourcefulness of these wonderful Congolese people. Elections are coming up. There are hundreds and hundreds of individuals running for office. When you are running for office, you have banners made. Lots of banners. Hundreds and hundreds of plastic banners. Then you hang them everywhere. This huge electrical transmission tower serves very well to display some of those banners. We feel that if you want a going business during election time, you should start a banner-printing business. We thought our son-in-law Brad Huskey would enjoy this....he works for PG&E and has climbed such towers....but not with banners, we'll wager.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSuLVEVxSGThUdM_3cEGLnZTavF-haXqVdv3MNjIWxik_luo6tFIXRImO2iGJ7bsAxxzoI1s-xzWDXZgs311tV-dZhVDomu9sVJQAXikmJlLDn0AKMbgj4uQnGGWv9kxzHLKOjphRVhE/s1600/013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSuLVEVxSGThUdM_3cEGLnZTavF-haXqVdv3MNjIWxik_luo6tFIXRImO2iGJ7bsAxxzoI1s-xzWDXZgs311tV-dZhVDomu9sVJQAXikmJlLDn0AKMbgj4uQnGGWv9kxzHLKOjphRVhE/s320/013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674485296650349890" border="0" /></a>This little guy below is just an average-size grasshopper we found on the ground of one of our project sites. Unfortunately, he lost his back hopper legs as the man holding him tried to situate him for the photo. Poor little hopper-less hopper. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQ-AW9UPqsj31KSenPkqrP5omigszwbPyGy5IDrUjLA4wJFnKYsmT8othxnm4iBy4oW2NSqc4__nFMSDRIIVvXk5akqbg4zYyG0Tqns10WyzLL0mMSS3bra31voXjLknilbP6cFn5gA4/s1600/032.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQ-AW9UPqsj31KSenPkqrP5omigszwbPyGy5IDrUjLA4wJFnKYsmT8othxnm4iBy4oW2NSqc4__nFMSDRIIVvXk5akqbg4zYyG0Tqns10WyzLL0mMSS3bra31voXjLknilbP6cFn5gA4/s320/032.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674485294291553858" border="0" /></a>Today was Stake Conference in the Kinshasa Stake. Afterwards, we had the privilege of meeting little Gabrielle, the daughter of one of our service missionaries who also works at the Temporal Affairs building with us. She just was not sure of that whitey holding her, and we never were able to coax a smile out of her.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnuqikmNM03iH6pFdH3m9Tqigv549IBLUuqpBCJiLjQNn_72Xyu3VJ1giJ4ItvbIENCBL7dOxv4EpYgMrvp93nsFjbI0RYZ1ptZYq9Dpe_ndYo6rN-yNrThGR7ypj9QjKqnuBdk5c5wI/s1600/024.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnuqikmNM03iH6pFdH3m9Tqigv549IBLUuqpBCJiLjQNn_72Xyu3VJ1giJ4ItvbIENCBL7dOxv4EpYgMrvp93nsFjbI0RYZ1ptZYq9Dpe_ndYo6rN-yNrThGR7ypj9QjKqnuBdk5c5wI/s320/024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674485303300694370" border="0" /></a>We were very impressed with out new camera's ability to take long shots. We were on the other side of the valley when our engineer pointed this out to us. We could barely see it with our eyes, but look at the detail! These are the hollow cylinders that are formed with concrete that are gradually dropped on top of each other as the well is dug. One meter wide, one meter across. Most of our wells are about 20 meters deep, so that means at least 20 of these are sitting on top of each other from the bottom of the well to the top. And one guy gets to be at the bottom digging with a short shovel and filling a small bucket on a rope that is lifted out, emptied, and sent back down empty. We think these people are amazing for their hard work and creativity.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_Mb4UwxzigsXNaGI_3dGkecC-RQIQ_i4eLRL4ZM6jupfW6f-limiyWChEfjWKsYlqLCPjsXmSmf4_nFE3Hdac2gJPj7k6Xp3jBPak-tLyyj4fqUAxZq7bV2cqB8-8f7EtqzfTFpozWY/s1600/048.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_Mb4UwxzigsXNaGI_3dGkecC-RQIQ_i4eLRL4ZM6jupfW6f-limiyWChEfjWKsYlqLCPjsXmSmf4_nFE3Hdac2gJPj7k6Xp3jBPak-tLyyj4fqUAxZq7bV2cqB8-8f7EtqzfTFpozWY/s320/048.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674484599455045138" border="0" /></a>We know we have posted other pictures of our wells being pumped, but this is our favorite. And in case it looks like Sis. B is struggling to pump, SHE IS! It is hard work to prime the pump, and I almost didn't make it without help. This is why the Congolese people have such muscles! They snicker over our weak ones. This well has just been completed and we asked that the contractor allow the villagers to go ahead and begin using it instead of expecting them to wait until the closing ceremony. They need the clean water NOW.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IoyUQi42XPYpee9TcQQCLQOXdbUK9YoMlziK3tf7TelUoMy7zZ8NjO7ZOg3w8DM5EigLd5NM7LqPaztA7vrGSEd99TTu7moYHvxdZyptYJ0VVtf3SQaXWtaQd8REOPwrXmZTdizC2Dk/s1600/037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IoyUQi42XPYpee9TcQQCLQOXdbUK9YoMlziK3tf7TelUoMy7zZ8NjO7ZOg3w8DM5EigLd5NM7LqPaztA7vrGSEd99TTu7moYHvxdZyptYJ0VVtf3SQaXWtaQd8REOPwrXmZTdizC2Dk/s320/037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674484595838819826" border="0" /></a>Last week we told you of the colorful latrines, but neglected to take a picture of the blue (boys) one. Here it is! That's Brother Kadi Kadi in the great hat, and President Kiembwe, President of the organization we are partnering with to do the work. He is also a counselor in his Stake Presidency. They are wonderful men and we love working with them.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8vpFB31c5pUwRg9WIQrKTAwZ3JImRKY4h8IvlDEMDPyfUVPkKbmrFSNMb6u-6xkzHOTrCovDPbmMZrT-LuPSdSQypMXSvzDAnzUbx1T6YDNeG5b_uUatUprFZWknE4UqyQec664yuk4/s1600/026.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8vpFB31c5pUwRg9WIQrKTAwZ3JImRKY4h8IvlDEMDPyfUVPkKbmrFSNMb6u-6xkzHOTrCovDPbmMZrT-LuPSdSQypMXSvzDAnzUbx1T6YDNeG5b_uUatUprFZWknE4UqyQec664yuk4/s320/026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674484603217047650" border="0" /></a>The rainy season is upon us, and the roads are atrocious. Every rain storm destroys the roads more and more. The potholes are bigger and deeper. Elder B loves the driving and dodging! <br />We did have one exciting police experience. For background, the couples get hassled a lot by the police here, because they want us to give them money in order for them to let us proceed. So much hassle that President Jameson, our Mission President, had been stopped one too many times, so he called the Police department and made an appointment with the top guy. The interview went very well, the General was very kind and interested in our plight, was very impressed with the work we do here as volunteers, and he offered to give each of us his personal card to use with his phone number if we had trouble with any of his men. Elder B has really been looking forward to using that card....As we were driving down the main street in town one day this week, the policeman up ahead looked down the line of cars and saw us, the whiteys, coming toward him. So he stepped out in front of our car and demanded us to pull over. We do not pull over. That's asking for trouble. We stay in the lane blocking traffic so the other motorists get mad at the policeman for holding up traffic. With doors locked and windows up, he tried to tell us that we had done something wrong. Of course, Elder B tried to tell him that we don't speak French. Using sign language, the policeman demanded to see our driver's license. Did that, through the window. He still wasn't satisfied. Finally we had to pull out our trump card -- the business card of General Olako. Then Elder B casually swerved around the policeman, squealed his tires, and took off. However, this policeman didn't like that, so he had his partner on a motorcycle chase us down. We were at a stop light, so he came up beside us and demanded us to pull over. No go. I was a little panicky by then, but once again the General Olako card was displayed, Elder B asked, "Do you want me to call him?" and the motorcycle cop just sort of faded away. We love this place!!<br />That's all for this week. Have an outstanding week -- we know we will!Elder and Sister Binghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689033707433734782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881167007122606872.post-16714486543865926642011-11-06T10:09:00.001-08:002011-11-06T11:14:46.760-08:00Halloween and a Pink Latrine!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVERSxkDUEBdPMaWuskzhi3zSxGBBkfatEfXtegcH8NiqhSt2Il_a5HzeVCXUAWOn32tBWJ8VWRpqJQuLcS9kMxP1rLylTdGepKu_0L7zniuk3vgjXwTvakovmV1EeBSbp4tNEEtAnKU/s1600/016.JPG"><br /></a><br />Happy Sabbath to all of you!<br />This week has been a very busy one -- not enough time to do everything we needed to do, but still enough time to take a few pics to share with you.<br />We begin, and end, with our projects. Below is Aime (pronounced Emmeh), who is an employee of the Mission, and an excellent driver if you need someone to find absolutely any place in Kinshasa in a hurry. He is also a great one to take the sisters shopping when the husbands refuse! His connection to one of our projects is his shirt. His wife has been going to the Stake Sewing Project classes, and learned how to sew, and here is her first completed item -- worn very proudly by her husband. We are thrilled at her progress, she is thrilled with her accomplishment, and Aime is thrilled with a new shirt! This sewing project has been an amazing success!! This picture was taken on Oct. 31, which leads us to the next picture....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7tSpbyLxHTOZd-xLYoKoywitCvPSP10YixIsx59r2EsY1z3xSyHSMuSsw-f_KMPzaIfodhxjxy_zBoMcL8HQWTbAIyQvFqmx-mGbDKGJpXNcD2rZC_05h7YmefaCdUALz03jv3Ne_Q8/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7tSpbyLxHTOZd-xLYoKoywitCvPSP10YixIsx59r2EsY1z3xSyHSMuSsw-f_KMPzaIfodhxjxy_zBoMcL8HQWTbAIyQvFqmx-mGbDKGJpXNcD2rZC_05h7YmefaCdUALz03jv3Ne_Q8/s320/004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671948273743974338" border="0" /></a>Our own President Jameson being a grandpa to the prematurely - born Ariel, son of another of the Mission employees, Thierry (pronounced Teery). Ariel is three months old, and a whopping 8 pounds almost. Look at those fat cheeks! President J is loving his 'grandpa duty' while parents are busy elsewhere, which leads us to picture #3........<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiho-bRg5ctNGLND5kZAc5kMeuIFts03rrA4qs5TkIttJYQbleR58yBalMYSPmHZyi_TILYDrJMjkCWr_4SOPncoS_GLKmPoO9fQMB_az2lpWOyopK8In8TVnwLNFe_uzN6sCOv6zauw2w/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiho-bRg5ctNGLND5kZAc5kMeuIFts03rrA4qs5TkIttJYQbleR58yBalMYSPmHZyi_TILYDrJMjkCWr_4SOPncoS_GLKmPoO9fQMB_az2lpWOyopK8In8TVnwLNFe_uzN6sCOv6zauw2w/s320/002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671948272901216050" border="0" /></a>Halloween is not celebrated here in the Congo. But some individuals, who will remain unnamed, wanted to know more about our strange customs on Oct. 31. So the Hatches and Jamesons hatched up a plan....have a Halloween dinner/party for the couples and mission employees AND their children (whoops, not the couples' children -- sorry), and introduce them to Halloween!<br />Binghams were given the assignment to find a pumpkin. But there really are no orange pumpkins in Kinshasa. We looked high and low for a large round squash. We finally found this interesting squash and hoped it would suffice. The Jamesons were thrilled, and as you can see, Mr. Green Squash made a delightful jack-o-lantern, cut by President Jameson himself. The children were amazed what that squash turned into, and then when Sis. Jameson inserted the candle and turned out the lights, their amazement turned to astonishment. The next activity was to go Trick or Treating down the Mission Home hallway, stopping at each doorway and yelling "Trick or Treat!!" First these little Congolese children were taught by Sis. J to say "Trick or Treat!" in English. They learned VERY fast. Then they were off down the hall with their parents in tow. Guess who had the most fun??? (Elder B and I gave the parents a little secret lesson on how to "taste-test" their children's Halloween candy after the kids went to bed...a tradition in our home. Is it in yours, too?) Finally, a loud game of "Don't eat Pete!" with peanuts. We learned the next day that one of the children used her candy-filled bag as a pillow that night, and another said, "Can we go trick or treating tonight?" AND a dad did a great job snooping in his sleeping son's candy bag.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZdoqGTgJZr2p14HRi_wZOcORUDQ-GyMnRIY2hbSYOz8_4tb-zQLRCFQ2kDtUZt_v7vgP7FRxwpZkVAU4SYfF1v1-_whGF1sSHWyJ3S812GgXQ4ED0046Tzj9p4jhpRsV6ftk8HxrOqQ/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZdoqGTgJZr2p14HRi_wZOcORUDQ-GyMnRIY2hbSYOz8_4tb-zQLRCFQ2kDtUZt_v7vgP7FRxwpZkVAU4SYfF1v1-_whGF1sSHWyJ3S812GgXQ4ED0046Tzj9p4jhpRsV6ftk8HxrOqQ/s320/006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671948276775239010" border="0" /></a>Now on to the latrine (toilet). As you know, most of our projects are hand-dug wells, and we combine those with a school latrine and rainwater catchment project. As the latrines are constructed, we check on their progress. Below are two of the latrine stalls. Yes, those are merely holes in the floor. Your feet straddle the hole and .....well, you get the picture. That's what is used here. But take a look at the tile on the walls!! This is a palace-<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVERSxkDUEBdPMaWuskzhi3zSxGBBkfatEfXtegcH8NiqhSt2Il_a5HzeVCXUAWOn32tBWJ8VWRpqJQuLcS9kMxP1rLylTdGepKu_0L7zniuk3vgjXwTvakovmV1EeBSbp4tNEEtAnKU/s1600/016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVERSxkDUEBdPMaWuskzhi3zSxGBBkfatEfXtegcH8NiqhSt2Il_a5HzeVCXUAWOn32tBWJ8VWRpqJQuLcS9kMxP1rLylTdGepKu_0L7zniuk3vgjXwTvakovmV1EeBSbp4tNEEtAnKU/s320/016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671960778764324466" border="0" /></a>On this particular latrine project, I jokingly said, "and the girls' latrine you'll paint pink, the boys' you'll paint blue, right???" JOKINGLY. Color is not gender-based here. Boys wear pink and flowered clothes. Baby boys are dressed in pink as often as any other color. Pink shoes, too. So the color thing was an unknown to them. However, this sweet engineer made sure my wishes were carried out. When we arrived at the project yesterday, the engineer and workmen were dancing they were so excited to show us the painted latrines. The boys' was the brightest blue you can imagine, too. (sorry, Elder B forgot to take a picture in all the screaming (mine). Do you see why we love this mission? It is a blast!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9vc0txgUDZykmuc-XoXvr2CL8_9L_pWupGPYJIVK1HfO469aJh2hBfQ9SvNtenNd-wJyJh2gDt5ckT8WAJQAwEPPg8c8hMJlLoAvc_A3KUoOshS2NqxXeDqKnlkfHS-ZddCyMR9ta4Y/s1600/045.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9vc0txgUDZykmuc-XoXvr2CL8_9L_pWupGPYJIVK1HfO469aJh2hBfQ9SvNtenNd-wJyJh2gDt5ckT8WAJQAwEPPg8c8hMJlLoAvc_A3KUoOshS2NqxXeDqKnlkfHS-ZddCyMR9ta4Y/s320/045.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671947675804720578" border="0" /></a><br />This picture just had to be taken. She was sitting on her mom's lap, and her grandma was nearby. Grandma asked if we could please take this picture. (She doesn't have an extra ear, that's her brother right behind her.)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfepuN2hqmxBqLoPZAyFlvGIS55QmzDvHqyelAtdCw88KJKHRPcX4a9Nd9W1T1SOA7-Hj5vLY7155Pf7re7AKNsL2KDWVsFg6chbAbxogXZaO8qL_cbxiisp5PZyAT-lTtIR41NxFYys/s1600/017.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfepuN2hqmxBqLoPZAyFlvGIS55QmzDvHqyelAtdCw88KJKHRPcX4a9Nd9W1T1SOA7-Hj5vLY7155Pf7re7AKNsL2KDWVsFg6chbAbxogXZaO8qL_cbxiisp5PZyAT-lTtIR41NxFYys/s320/017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671947673747376066" border="0" /></a>Below is what became of our beautiful Waters of Mormon spring. It's moving along, almost finished. Just wanted to give you a different view since last week. Notice the little girl hauling her water away. She'll still have to do that, but the water will be clean and unpolluted when the spring is completed and running normally again. The open box is where the water will be collected from the hillside. It will be covered. The two pipes at the bottom of the picture will be the pipes from which the clean water will flow. The runoff will be diverted to form another Waters of Mormon pool below the spring so the children will still have a place to play, swim, and bathe.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkzTKkdg0dE1uRLi3TtEM5l0J1k2PfeNt30GDKcl0IYXvXi1JbKIunmt2R1qYN7CfoxRemrWNZdIxBZIfT3Q2TnaoVZMZn8xCXxR8MXXuQrzYrbAgmUgtpjPTIFHfrQcL8uxgQoaFcMI/s1600/043.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkzTKkdg0dE1uRLi3TtEM5l0J1k2PfeNt30GDKcl0IYXvXi1JbKIunmt2R1qYN7CfoxRemrWNZdIxBZIfT3Q2TnaoVZMZn8xCXxR8MXXuQrzYrbAgmUgtpjPTIFHfrQcL8uxgQoaFcMI/s320/043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671947679194617890" border="0" /></a>Next Saturday will be our first official Bingham project closing turning-over ceremony for one of the projects. The following Tuesday will be two more. We are on a roll! Hopefully a video will be taken with our amazing new camera and we can attach it to this blog. Until then, have a wonderful week. Here's a great thought to think about:<br />"Every one of us is more beloved to the Lord than we can possibly understand or imagine." Elder Robert D. Hales, Oct. 2011 Gen. ConferenceElder and Sister Binghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689033707433734782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881167007122606872.post-26964562650831068312011-10-30T11:24:00.000-07:002011-10-30T13:25:37.890-07:00We're Back and Better than Ever!<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Hello all!<br />Due to circumstances beyond our control, we have been away from our blog for nearly two months, and if there is anyone out there actually reading it, we do apologize. But we are back and running, and running with a new camera, at that! Hopefully you will see some benefits.<br />We begin with a photo of a rather unique part of Africa -- this is a picture of Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, across the mighty Congo River from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. It is the only place in the world where two country capitals are separated only by a river. We have not yet been to Brazzaville, but we have a stake there and have a project that includes the Brazzaville Stake, so we probably will be going there in the next few months. To do that, you must, of course, travel by boat. We understand that it is a very interesting, sometimes scary, but almost always inconvenient experience that takes most of the day. The boats have been known to get hung up on a sand bar while crossing, then the passengers are transferred to another boat to complete the trip. And these boats aren't just for passengers. Oh no. These boats are the #1 way to move ANYTHING from one country to the other. So you have bags of vegetables, flour, and live animals traveling beside you.<br />But we wanted to show you how beautiful Brazzaville looks from our side of the river. We love walking along the river in the evenings. Today when this picture was taken, it was sunny and clear, the birds were singing, and the trees were in bloom. Just a beautiful day and we wanted to share it with you.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg553AlNzx6qol3E4xk1r0Lm5c2nVcN59CD_DeDnZp_R0qIbKL1AKu07Inmf5O5qDcSTUOAvPnsBHO5x-H_31uC9sPRSjNOljj3Im9NviofMxbEuv4_9Liu6hv0XTvU3SRCV_PU1WBCpOA/s1600/035.JPG"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtizPp6QEtY2BIXJaHI0eFn62ZSM24iIten6J8DoVi027fK9BXeltNOUjJoMGhEpBAb-dcC74KGzlvGT7deX10VUjvO2dpftFUyPs15BmU1QkXYphydHvDAtF5Y3cJaz37ZFkVBHTBGDc/s1600/030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtizPp6QEtY2BIXJaHI0eFn62ZSM24iIten6J8DoVi027fK9BXeltNOUjJoMGhEpBAb-dcC74KGzlvGT7deX10VUjvO2dpftFUyPs15BmU1QkXYphydHvDAtF5Y3cJaz37ZFkVBHTBGDc/s320/030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669367970708835986" border="0" /></a>Moving on to our work, the picture below is a latrine (bathroom) nearing completion at a local school. There are no sit-down toilets in most latrines, only holes in the ground. And a bucket to flush with. But since there is no water at this school, we are funding a rainwater catchment system to provide hand-washing and flushing water for the students. When it rains, which it does nearly every day during this, the summer season, the water that runs down the corrugated tin roofs of the school building is collected in gutters that drain into large tanks. The tanks have a spigot where the buckets are filled and transported to the latrine. There are 600 + students at this school, and they have been using a single-hole latrine up until now. Count your blessings!<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwkZAH95LxIrC73XWM0yHh6zvRAkEGxTyvg80dWEQ5PABu3dNNQhdZ3S3EhAFHORK2UFveR9pqhL658jeq6cqa3DfiIcMWV2vT9Obt7OuLEdp9RNneR1KaLPijK1N9pHyV5NE2XTj0io/s1600/011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwkZAH95LxIrC73XWM0yHh6zvRAkEGxTyvg80dWEQ5PABu3dNNQhdZ3S3EhAFHORK2UFveR9pqhL658jeq6cqa3DfiIcMWV2vT9Obt7OuLEdp9RNneR1KaLPijK1N9pHyV5NE2XTj0io/s320/011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669366264313218290" border="0" /></a>Another project of ours that is well underway is a spring catchment. It's a little hard to tell from this photo that this is a spring, but under all the concrete and rock there is quite a nice spring. It used to come out of the side of this hill and created a beautiful little pool that we named "The Waters of Mormon". However, we had to sacrifice the pool in order to capture the spring to keep it from being polluted by rainwater drainage, animals, and nearby latrines. Unfortunately, this simple project has turned into a huge project as it became necessary to expand the work to stabilize the hill and channel the rainwater runoff to protect the spring. But it is nearly finished, and then there will be two pipes with beautiful clean water running out above a concrete platform where the empty biddons can be placed to fill. The community is very happy to have this work done as it will improve their health by having clean water to drink.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn30baDMtart6lhlDC6U_r8OZ4Yh4GpxEDi21gKWNz8Mpqdax3iLPNXqslpE1eD5jOW55Gd9ILUJ-80mG5kPrBOL3yzcH3QveHkWXwBo0_1Ywt0BEC8jBG__9Ve7i1eN0WtmhJK5MYGmY/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn30baDMtart6lhlDC6U_r8OZ4Yh4GpxEDi21gKWNz8Mpqdax3iLPNXqslpE1eD5jOW55Gd9ILUJ-80mG5kPrBOL3yzcH3QveHkWXwBo0_1Ywt0BEC8jBG__9Ve7i1eN0WtmhJK5MYGmY/s320/010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669366258192238114" border="0" /></a>Here is our Mission President's wife, Sister Jameson, holding a little girl at Church today. The hairdo just <span style="font-weight: bold;">had</span> to be photographed. Most of the hair is fake, extensions that are braided onto the ends of her own hair (takes hours to do, but is very common in both the young and old). Hair is a very big thing here, and we think that sometimes it is more important than even eating!! We love seeing all the varieties of braiding and extensions. Lots of beads, barrettes, clips, etc. And the wigs!!! We often struggle to recognize the women because each time you see them they have a different wig/hairdo!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vGvzrJ0fkYr7QI7lodTpHFA69NH8qtfiOPehabm01hOc42_uTdOTJ8B0GboqcyvbnMyvqMHL6ZfcbcxnZk4CL-i99kdOp__1ViZzWZdwBTe6XmUsgUf6FZvONiEvgWSm1AaYN__f7Rc/s1600/015.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vGvzrJ0fkYr7QI7lodTpHFA69NH8qtfiOPehabm01hOc42_uTdOTJ8B0GboqcyvbnMyvqMHL6ZfcbcxnZk4CL-i99kdOp__1ViZzWZdwBTe6XmUsgUf6FZvONiEvgWSm1AaYN__f7Rc/s320/015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669366276582247282" border="0" /></a>Look at this precious little boy! His name is Russel, and he is the son of one of the bishops we work with at Temporal Affairs. His mom was attending the sewing class (background) which is another of our projects. Russel didn't even flinch when this whitey lady picked him up. Often just seeing us sends children running and crying to safety away from those Moondellies!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiac65VQqNdVD-kVEfajGjuZ5ibA0eCYWtye_efilR8C5QQS2cK8g8feTOMbJ8_t0YV5eRjHDMIQjcX6hgaGbCU1fEUZ4qR0hN7q9H8nRKq2-mI5z1kS9eE-1esOpH-c6ZKbeasClMoRbs/s1600/013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiac65VQqNdVD-kVEfajGjuZ5ibA0eCYWtye_efilR8C5QQS2cK8g8feTOMbJ8_t0YV5eRjHDMIQjcX6hgaGbCU1fEUZ4qR0hN7q9H8nRKq2-mI5z1kS9eE-1esOpH-c6ZKbeasClMoRbs/s320/013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669359868728991922" border="0" /></a>We wanted to show you two things in this picture below. This sewing project provided each of the 5 Kinshasa stakes with 20 sewing machines. The goal is to help women learn a marketable skill in order to improve their family income, thus becoming self-reliant. It has been a huge success! The machines we provided are Super Singer hand-crank or pedal machines (no electricity here). Imagine sewing with only one hand because the other is cranking the wheel. Very awkward, but they do it just fine!<br />If you will notice, two of these women are wearing glasses. The day we visited this project we brought along some reading classes, many of which were collected back in the US by two of our perfectly adorable granddaughters. They received permission to ask for donations of used glasses at their school and also at church. Then a couple who were coming here from the US brought them to us. Thank you so much, Holly and Kadee. We love you!! And these sisters can now see to thread those needles.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5uPvaRcWfHMBFGjNh7hjlp2RgdvpeQ7SvGYxwfgRC7TJz5uHVLOUmZIbFI_gWtfGVJCRYWVx1g91-8XVFoZDwSAoNt-E4Mo9Xo_MlbJeqSikdRivKyxllAdeJ4ossRy_QXd9MDe87U8/s1600/028.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5uPvaRcWfHMBFGjNh7hjlp2RgdvpeQ7SvGYxwfgRC7TJz5uHVLOUmZIbFI_gWtfGVJCRYWVx1g91-8XVFoZDwSAoNt-E4Mo9Xo_MlbJeqSikdRivKyxllAdeJ4ossRy_QXd9MDe87U8/s320/028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669359870927150626" border="0" /></a>This picture is out of order and should have been up with the first spring picture, but the blog didn't put the photos in the order I attached them. Oh well. Just a small frustration. Anyway, this picture is of the same spring, but taken from across the valley as we were walking down to it. We thought the surroundings were so pretty and typical of the areas we work in that we had to share it. We love the zoom on our new camera!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNissWf0zsUTpNwSCPcUTWUEWnlyMyv0kkG-wuge5RfkugDc4Oitw6q5FMFFTawrRLnTt8JKTil1KcjtSc0zpvmb1TYdiO50kBPEjdKa5DkVlli_Ufksg448rH5If_ZLsIBHyCKNYVTtE/s1600/007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNissWf0zsUTpNwSCPcUTWUEWnlyMyv0kkG-wuge5RfkugDc4Oitw6q5FMFFTawrRLnTt8JKTil1KcjtSc0zpvmb1TYdiO50kBPEjdKa5DkVlli_Ufksg448rH5If_ZLsIBHyCKNYVTtE/s320/007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669359871902310562" border="0" /></a>If you could only hear what we were hearing! This is a group of workers who are hand-digging a well, one of 10 in this project. They are singing as they pump water out of a nearly finished well. They are a wonderful bunch of men, and they entertain us every time we visit.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQB1_zpZ241ZIaMNfZhyphenhyphenhQYd3po-x7bbCWbU0ZFs5CnsI5B2-YbBWeHPDYP_DnvsgsGeEDBVgn4uMpvCB-q7gx5mBy3TO_NS7gVDcQRgLZCD4W_U98_6U01tzy4Alg9NFFvf3UhfWuuV4/s1600/045.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQB1_zpZ241ZIaMNfZhyphenhyphenhQYd3po-x7bbCWbU0ZFs5CnsI5B2-YbBWeHPDYP_DnvsgsGeEDBVgn4uMpvCB-q7gx5mBy3TO_NS7gVDcQRgLZCD4W_U98_6U01tzy4Alg9NFFvf3UhfWuuV4/s320/045.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669354083018973154" border="0" /></a>Here's another one out of order, but oh well. Below is our own Brother Bekele, who spied Elder B's camo hat and just had to have it. Elder B said no, you can't have my hat. I need it. Brother Bekele said, you need to give this hat to me. I like it. I need it. Brother B said no, I need it. Brother Bekele finally settled for a picture in the hat, but Elder B had to promise him that when we leave the Congo, the hat is his. We love Brother Bekele. We are funding a big well project with his company. His sweet little wife comes out to the project every day to stay with her husband while the children are in school.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBq0p6TFCpI4im25Wu3lrsDz8AVWOxrwkq-RgZrjoljphp5CVQupoceTbyBOk6d94qQzfb3wFSRj3JV9cR0US_YZbhm8SE78oPyb8TMdJaVxsTm7Zf7eXaTT9Yei-Vgzce5R8GHW2b-0/s1600/046.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBq0p6TFCpI4im25Wu3lrsDz8AVWOxrwkq-RgZrjoljphp5CVQupoceTbyBOk6d94qQzfb3wFSRj3JV9cR0US_YZbhm8SE78oPyb8TMdJaVxsTm7Zf7eXaTT9Yei-Vgzce5R8GHW2b-0/s320/046.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669354078724983426" border="0" /></a>Now back to the last well. This woman lives near this well and has been looking forward to the day that she will be able to get her water from this well rather than walking so far down to a polluted river and carrying back a heavy biddon on her head. This particular day Masha, our engineer, called her over and said, "Mama, you be the first to pump water from this well!" And so she did. That's Masha pumping along with her, teaching her how.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfW9DPbWCL3yxluztTJqw8jkBDSXUjDkIotfJXOhRRJic1l5EMkKGzNyv3DlmpQ9Esj5ZlSysdKf-yvHTWLiIu-h9uuK9ZN5NfwT3urHR1nl2KjDLmEX87rzgZG-Slzbuigwp3v4-_YkA/s1600/040.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfW9DPbWCL3yxluztTJqw8jkBDSXUjDkIotfJXOhRRJic1l5EMkKGzNyv3DlmpQ9Esj5ZlSysdKf-yvHTWLiIu-h9uuK9ZN5NfwT3urHR1nl2KjDLmEX87rzgZG-Slzbuigwp3v4-_YkA/s320/040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669354097102669586" border="0" /></a>We are having such a blessed time here. Words just can't describe the feelings we have. We are so thankful that, in spite of not speaking French, we were sent to this incredible place. We are well and happy. We have amazing friends, supportive family, and truly are surrounded by angels.<br />A la prochaine (until next time),<br />Elder and Sister BinghamElder and Sister Binghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689033707433734782noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881167007122606872.post-51429311636640235892011-08-07T10:03:00.000-07:002011-08-07T10:57:42.308-07:00Fences, Feet, Freddie and Fun!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoc8u2YYl6qhKJ5TCXB5PioYmsI7FoimL5wm8n2ku16jBuwRndm6Yo_iDcbPoPVDh8MC5k6z80RwdStCdSoRrmRDdp-i_EFFnagn40otqRtahcVEcPhhaEvgPrzB3kaMtWmwLEx4jAVM/s1600/026.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638173393845346034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoc8u2YYl6qhKJ5TCXB5PioYmsI7FoimL5wm8n2ku16jBuwRndm6Yo_iDcbPoPVDh8MC5k6z80RwdStCdSoRrmRDdp-i_EFFnagn40otqRtahcVEcPhhaEvgPrzB3kaMtWmwLEx4jAVM/s320/026.JPG" /></a> Here is Freddie, the baby boy of Fils, one of our interpreters, and his mom and dad. We went to their church meetings today to see Freddie blessed. Aren't they a cute family?<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLd9TPQkG7AJ_x3-rzYYvVLpubKcdoEnuN3k-vuleTZfRSXm1ubu1y5IDAQ8VM-sBGg_Vq7Z_Gc71mq3XaltpjHVOUzu2Q-SXcjdecbOQ4KMF8AbjkYbI-I0rYXvk90g9Mu3N0pDKFL28/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638166121665527426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLd9TPQkG7AJ_x3-rzYYvVLpubKcdoEnuN3k-vuleTZfRSXm1ubu1y5IDAQ8VM-sBGg_Vq7Z_Gc71mq3XaltpjHVOUzu2Q-SXcjdecbOQ4KMF8AbjkYbI-I0rYXvk90g9Mu3N0pDKFL28/s320/003.JPG" /></a> Above is a little guy at our club foot clinic having his cast removed by our own Dede and Elder B's leatherman tool. Worked great, and much faster than their serrated-edged knife or soaking the babies' legs in a bucket of water to soften the plaster. Dede would make an outstanding doctor -- he is very gentle and patient and loves children.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPu4BcjDkIe-umO_YHg2xH4fuTutaYWsjTvWkDEaG9JAjnDFUBgqRNeaiiJtzVuwN2IurgqFiiKWLrXlH5-dzeP6JQ3GEjqGRWgqjg-YEDhiCOiWm-zRvg4eTSuE3-uXg7kfWdbNDrsc/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638166120358947122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPu4BcjDkIe-umO_YHg2xH4fuTutaYWsjTvWkDEaG9JAjnDFUBgqRNeaiiJtzVuwN2IurgqFiiKWLrXlH5-dzeP6JQ3GEjqGRWgqjg-YEDhiCOiWm-zRvg4eTSuE3-uXg7kfWdbNDrsc/s320/006.JPG" /></a> This may be a little hard to see, but here is Kisungu, our 3-week old baby who first came to the clinic 3 weeks ago with two club feet. After 3 castings, she has straight feet and no longer needs the casts! Her mom had her feet wrapped in the white tape so Dede removed it for the picture. Mom is very pleased with the results, and so are we. Our project at this clinic has been approved and we (LDS Humanitarian Services) will provide $15,000 worth of plaster bands and cotton for casting so many more babies such as Kisungu will have straight feet.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7IdwF8SCM3ZVOcq8ukXaB_-BorHdaBH6zHswl4r369VR79OTSsLtFOToLqtggJNESyuiJqx8R7ygfwpzEmAVdXSpQxO_cADTlrUq06MoAWKRgu4rorcc09MBIkHSars_8flm751-bpUM/s1600/014.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638166114945217714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7IdwF8SCM3ZVOcq8ukXaB_-BorHdaBH6zHswl4r369VR79OTSsLtFOToLqtggJNESyuiJqx8R7ygfwpzEmAVdXSpQxO_cADTlrUq06MoAWKRgu4rorcc09MBIkHSars_8flm751-bpUM/s320/014.JPG" /></a> The Hatches and Binghams took a trip out to our little orphanage to build a fence. Here is little Nathan, the baby from an earlier blog. Such a cutie, but pretty solemn that day.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_-O8yrMEA75gQ-OMncFus6Ev8jYVe3MxgMlYw1l1H4NB42-Sw0zgBKwtP2-wyucOMVEgtGeJVmb1lcoYDPyWdB1iocnV6oGSLmUQUsTH1fggw9BO5RqE3yda5zt9PcG_9paA0_ezviE/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638166112126222738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_-O8yrMEA75gQ-OMncFus6Ev8jYVe3MxgMlYw1l1H4NB42-Sw0zgBKwtP2-wyucOMVEgtGeJVmb1lcoYDPyWdB1iocnV6oGSLmUQUsTH1fggw9BO5RqE3yda5zt9PcG_9paA0_ezviE/s320/012.JPG" /></a> This young man at the orphanage had broken his femur (pretty serious break). The woman who runs the orphanage is a nurse, and she casted his leg and torso herself. Do you see that rod under his heel? That is a piece of tree branch she wrapped into the cast to stabilize his foot from turning while it heals. (So resourceful!) He will have the cast on for 3 months.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisJVSQBcKPDKTbzJShzIWXx937lwWhRmZQZ6ZUun2o5Ew6CzN3rjP2YVBSmJ8jIosufD1rTMurCw3wE_XiMhplkvQPWURgKhDfhbQBK3gtIxIwgt9yit84vsiK0zY9KBx4Pr_NYarnAs/s1600/023.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638166107645410978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisJVSQBcKPDKTbzJShzIWXx937lwWhRmZQZ6ZUun2o5Ew6CzN3rjP2YVBSmJ8jIosufD1rTMurCw3wE_XiMhplkvQPWURgKhDfhbQBK3gtIxIwgt9yit84vsiK0zY9KBx4Pr_NYarnAs/s320/023.JPG" /></a> Here are some folding chairs (obviously). Now in the U.S., when we put away folding chairs, we first fold them up, then lean them in stacks upright against a wall, right? Or fold them up and stack them in a chair rack. But the Congolese are used to those plastic chairs that stack on top of each other. Hence, the folding chairs are stacked the same way!! Who cares if they fold up?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xiYaAJOEi9If5gaJDIupy7ckybEATwG6QWn-cSAwUlQ3o7Bh3QoSebabvzMQe-ueyq3amwDsG7iWaHNDfZL-WvrPIMHwpoKRyzWWWybuTZAsZtYbo6omeUpCrQ6SfkIJEincgcIuDNY/s1600/016.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638163210185008274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xiYaAJOEi9If5gaJDIupy7ckybEATwG6QWn-cSAwUlQ3o7Bh3QoSebabvzMQe-ueyq3amwDsG7iWaHNDfZL-WvrPIMHwpoKRyzWWWybuTZAsZtYbo6omeUpCrQ6SfkIJEincgcIuDNY/s320/016.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Back to the orphanage, we couples pitched in and bought the materials to have this fence built, and Elder B and Elder Hatch took us out there and set it up with rebar and wire. Now the kids can play ball without the ball rolling down the steep hillside into a very busy road!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkJ8CI701-WLbD0GEdgUNggy6KtJxVeeSDvCiUDFsjZcbpilb_J7V2K6cLQIW39AE4_XTv2FxDSUqa1j3wkJRdf8J30bgza5tKRkZKqsXeCyOTwAiqLeXnejlbUaVI9KQm_xXIQNssxg/s1600/017.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638163206925537362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkJ8CI701-WLbD0GEdgUNggy6KtJxVeeSDvCiUDFsjZcbpilb_J7V2K6cLQIW39AE4_XTv2FxDSUqa1j3wkJRdf8J30bgza5tKRkZKqsXeCyOTwAiqLeXnejlbUaVI9KQm_xXIQNssxg/s320/017.JPG" /></a><br />The finished product with the children posing for us. We also took some cookies for them which were generously donated by our two guys who run our little store downstairs. Ali and Prem are the best!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzygoGPHnEtTFPpTwAxFWEaH4cm2TK3S2RNyVzJPphN_htIdstB7aAh9wgUvI693TqbdjgJkw8xXoVR2xKQWNGsUUofYgXeRHi6OykrVbgLl3vTRFiM62dAmgS67IS2arjrCdl4S3c62I/s1600/011.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638163207712819042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzygoGPHnEtTFPpTwAxFWEaH4cm2TK3S2RNyVzJPphN_htIdstB7aAh9wgUvI693TqbdjgJkw8xXoVR2xKQWNGsUUofYgXeRHi6OykrVbgLl3vTRFiM62dAmgS67IS2arjrCdl4S3c62I/s320/011.JPG" /></a><br />Sister Hatch showing the children that she, too, can jump rope! Dig that totally African dress -- she had it made here.<br /></div><br /><div>Well, that's all for this week from the DR Congo! </div><br /><div>We love you and hope you have a wonderful week ahead of you.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJG5P3iXJSB5LTF-HEOOZ77WcdVz3jyH-RxGEo5ZxejpmppcdF7umEvj3A-dNyvuIut_kD6b0DU9V0FI9SSXJ-2A4NV9Y3xtfb6f2Z0J_Ye2lPJz0ePF5-a3C1UrLuGrvQMDSa2T9Iwc4/s1600/022.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Elder and Sister Binghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689033707433734782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881167007122606872.post-88190870392452955882011-07-31T09:29:00.000-07:002011-07-31T10:09:16.485-07:00Babies in Buckets<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVvmsnoiGeXxGBeRyt4uStZA7n4nk4x3V5Wm2FRCE4DqWM0Uzu2U5DHc3ZA1tsKt-496Q7e7RFOPE_wb3pzUuGbA2xsPFJC7XYKg7dkB7XWTRZ4dJ3dFDWoRmGzfcEUFskJ92ORzbIxE/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635557169022178018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVvmsnoiGeXxGBeRyt4uStZA7n4nk4x3V5Wm2FRCE4DqWM0Uzu2U5DHc3ZA1tsKt-496Q7e7RFOPE_wb3pzUuGbA2xsPFJC7XYKg7dkB7XWTRZ4dJ3dFDWoRmGzfcEUFskJ92ORzbIxE/s320/010.JPG" /></a> Here we are at the Club Foot Clinic again, one of our favorite places to visit. This little guy has been casted multiple times, and each time he returns to the clinic, his mom sticks him in the bucket of cold water to soften the cast so it can be removed. No cast saws here!! After the cast is soft enough, the mom takes a huge serrated-edged knife and cuts off the cast. This process takes 30-60 minutes. IF there was electricity and IF there was an electric cast saw, all this would be done in minutes. But the moms expect to do this, and they patiently work with those casts with a smile on their faces. Such dedicated moms!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYjfiffrg0InsXBuMH_fVEneRUdftVKKCWTjjst4OUUI0O6R-8ZHAZrzAFiVUscztTuLu-Abb5IO27_2Jxdtp_n4zx4dJ6NCKySAlOzMg6Y0BcANn_-wkrPCGoxbMlML4kQ_S8NZKpdc/s1600/007.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635557165609843746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYjfiffrg0InsXBuMH_fVEneRUdftVKKCWTjjst4OUUI0O6R-8ZHAZrzAFiVUscztTuLu-Abb5IO27_2Jxdtp_n4zx4dJ6NCKySAlOzMg6Y0BcANn_-wkrPCGoxbMlML4kQ_S8NZKpdc/s320/007.JPG" /></a> A beautiful little princess and her beautiful mama, waiting for her turn at the clinic. This was her first visit.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSl2zaU-3fNGQqHN9sOqr281ZJzCgedLafTpkKP7pbV3K8oF4W_NSEjfleEKfI_NS73mC91luLy0rWlGrZrLtzp0i6ev0MNriD6SxjXZVg-M07vTgbGXxWJL_264i4PpI-fmPdNIqxwA/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635557163948167138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSl2zaU-3fNGQqHN9sOqr281ZJzCgedLafTpkKP7pbV3K8oF4W_NSEjfleEKfI_NS73mC91luLy0rWlGrZrLtzp0i6ev0MNriD6SxjXZVg-M07vTgbGXxWJL_264i4PpI-fmPdNIqxwA/s320/003.JPG" /></a> This little cutie is lying on is stomach on his mom's lap while she is hard at work doing the bucket thing. He was having a ball just talking and laughing, while all the time .......<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59iCE-PHzMYUeIciWNxHnES5Ktxp4mn6ma-JCw40uV7HjzZhdpi5zu5SE1J_sQKQKji-yJANCN5jSVQTGKXeTmVU7hAThmRamZYPUmvywkUnazT5OE1ZjMgFfDaeuPAQ2UU9xEUJK7WQ/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635557157652527362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59iCE-PHzMYUeIciWNxHnES5Ktxp4mn6ma-JCw40uV7HjzZhdpi5zu5SE1J_sQKQKji-yJANCN5jSVQTGKXeTmVU7hAThmRamZYPUmvywkUnazT5OE1ZjMgFfDaeuPAQ2UU9xEUJK7WQ/s320/004.JPG" /></a>exposing his little hiney to the whole world!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLi8DvHfiX2OFLaz_USfLGYIrYcjyOE_0a2hASUR0HExqA_DprSC-tvbbvx5OUIGsmn5Yx0kS1WqjSm_H2Vgzs1798yWvgoFCYfR4U_fOAmNlxGa2Qz2_eqskwh7DgcKO3GgG_aK_vdm4/s1600/013.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635557156812946898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLi8DvHfiX2OFLaz_USfLGYIrYcjyOE_0a2hASUR0HExqA_DprSC-tvbbvx5OUIGsmn5Yx0kS1WqjSm_H2Vgzs1798yWvgoFCYfR4U_fOAmNlxGa2Qz2_eqskwh7DgcKO3GgG_aK_vdm4/s320/013.JPG" /></a> This is the clinic cook making foo-foo. This is the most popular food in the Congo- the staple - It is made from the roots of the cassava plant. The roots are peeled, chopped up, soaked, pressed,<br />spread out in the hot sun and dried, then ground into flour. The flour is what foo-foo is made of. They boil the flour with some corn flour in water, then stir stir stir. The consistency is of very thick cream of wheat. It is eaten with some sort of gravy and fish. Eating utensils are not usually used, so the foo-foo is rolled into a ball with the fingers and dipped into the gravy. We plan on trying some real soon. It doesn't have much nutrition, but it fills the belly.<br /></div><br /><div>Yesterday (Saturday) we went to the second Youth conference, this time a two-stake affair with only 600 YM & YW attending. We all learned a lot from our previous one, so this one went much more smoothly. We were dreading it because it was held in a much smaller building and we heard there would be 1000 attending. Thank goodness it wasn't quite so big. Elder B spent much of his time in the kitchen with the ladies yukking it up and making sandwiches. They sang Church hymns to him in French while working. When it was time to clean up, he tried to do some cleaning, but they wouldn't let him. At the end of the conference, there was to be a little dance (sort of talent show), but it got a little rude (again, like last week.) During one of the numbers (terrible rap song) the electricity suddenly went out. So the kids went home. It turned out that the electricity didn't really go out....Elder B just decided it was over and went out and pulled the power switch. Perfect way to end the day! He felt a little guilty about it later, but everyone else thanked him over and over.</div><br /><div>We will end this with a bit of good news from Lafayette Super Market. Not only are Ali and Prem promising chocolate chips, they are saying that they will begin ordering PEPPER JACK cheese!!! I will give them a few weeks before requesting corn tortillas and green chili enchilada sauce. </div><br /><div>Life is good.<br />From these Mundelis we bid you Botakala malambu! (Lingala for good bye)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Elder and Sister Binghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689033707433734782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881167007122606872.post-50014283141466738822011-07-24T10:02:00.000-07:002011-07-24T11:29:36.002-07:00First Youth Conference in the DRC!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsaDFmpoKiD2zqUFvXZS94htWQQ9X4z2bYUIcQ3xA0MnBmMAQ0eM_yQiNL-U1wk5nGrFb9mfl9MIwUW02V8dXSh0Mdz_aUrdv6PUUT70n2Cc-D_Mn2XzvVjdGdEaceuahnipDkDAAmG4/s1600/SAM_5677.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632976093649688866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsaDFmpoKiD2zqUFvXZS94htWQQ9X4z2bYUIcQ3xA0MnBmMAQ0eM_yQiNL-U1wk5nGrFb9mfl9MIwUW02V8dXSh0Mdz_aUrdv6PUUT70n2Cc-D_Mn2XzvVjdGdEaceuahnipDkDAAmG4/s320/SAM_5677.JPG" /></a><br />For the first time in the history of the church in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a youth conference was held. It was a tri-stake event. It was the idea of Elder and Sister Hatch, our awesome office couple, who have been involved in the youth forever, first at home (New Mexico) and now here in Kinshasa. They knew that if they did all the planning and all the work, it wouldn't teach the local members anything at all, so the whole event was delegated to the local Stake and Ward leaders. And it worked!! There were close to 800 youth in attendance!! (The picture above is only about 80% present.) We were hoping for 300. Yikes!!! And they kept coming and coming, up until lunch-time. Finally those at the registration tables said, "Just go find a class and enjoy! Don't worry about registering!" The classes taught were on Temple Marriage (taught by a darling couple just returned from the temple), Missionary Preparation taught by our own interpreter Fils, Singing taught by Joseph, an outstanding musical guy and return missionary, Duty to God for the YM, Personal Progress for the YW, and Outdoor Games taught by two US guys who are temporarily working here in Kinshasa. Classes rotated every 45 minutes.<br />In spite of some logistical problems, it was a huge success and we hope it gets in the Church News. But even if it doesn't, the purpose was accomplished: To get the youth together to have a spiritually uplifting day, and to have lots of fun at the same time. For the adults, a sampling of what they themselves can do for their youth.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHEC_X-0lVn9xSn-WPAJGX8LZuLGs2bU6rdBJiouB_ZjYfLmWqxJ-NtcRCT6CkNs0FKIjGBmZGaBBhoMQCfa454cNiW6TgyTd32N-3mghOTB6DCT3SbVeri7VRLEc5ADpBKJC9uQ4LIw/s1600/SAM_5684.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632974081473187170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHEC_X-0lVn9xSn-WPAJGX8LZuLGs2bU6rdBJiouB_ZjYfLmWqxJ-NtcRCT6CkNs0FKIjGBmZGaBBhoMQCfa454cNiW6TgyTd32N-3mghOTB6DCT3SbVeri7VRLEc5ADpBKJC9uQ4LIw/s320/SAM_5684.JPG" /></a><br />For closing exercises we tried to get everyone inside, but didn't quite make it. This is the chapel and cultural hall. You may notice that not only are there YM and YW-aged attenders, but also Primary age (their older siblings couldn't come unless they brought the younger ones) and some young single adults who just couldn't stay away. We think we also attracted the neighborhood youth, but figured why not? What better place for them to be on a Saturday?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOM9tF_QxiOcsmexZxCEzqgRNDmkaDQ-TjJKEbV04_grdJ6uFJwKUDPUVNSvvQkFSN0CmYxP4WX-blOtybVJhaHnObmIVhS1frVp3tLH4OazBfMO_OR9qg-pKBEd_8dB5RvSDODlaa8Rg/s1600/014.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632970401445168658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOM9tF_QxiOcsmexZxCEzqgRNDmkaDQ-TjJKEbV04_grdJ6uFJwKUDPUVNSvvQkFSN0CmYxP4WX-blOtybVJhaHnObmIVhS1frVp3tLH4OazBfMO_OR9qg-pKBEd_8dB5RvSDODlaa8Rg/s320/014.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Three young men who were begging to have their picture taken. We had just broken for mid-morning snack -- peanuts and a 'biscuit'.</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>The whole event was just what President Gingery used to say about his missionaries in Jamaica: herding cats! Imagine herding 800 youth at one small building.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>So much was learned! (by the leaders even more than the youth). For example, what a 'dance' means to Congolese youth. Not where everyone gets on the dance floor and dances. Oh no...It was more like a talent show. Small groups got on stage and put on a dance exhibition. Unfortunately, they are in love with rap, and the exhibitions (very suggestive) had to be ended almost before they began. Now we know what a 'dance' is. Another 2-stake conference is being held next Saturday, and there will be a few changes - especially in the dance category. That is how we learn!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweglkT-iDTilWtFFiDGLo3zis_47O58FYLw9Be16VOOGzsYeDSGU3jHzGhYU0jO5EInlRfJU-ZeNZJUcYx9YVRIy3Ge2nHAzmvIFNghVnIx93JEtRMXXQh7xrhFm2TBmaP47Ng_jo0OY/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632969289992677138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweglkT-iDTilWtFFiDGLo3zis_47O58FYLw9Be16VOOGzsYeDSGU3jHzGhYU0jO5EInlRfJU-ZeNZJUcYx9YVRIy3Ge2nHAzmvIFNghVnIx93JEtRMXXQh7xrhFm2TBmaP47Ng_jo0OY/s320/010.JPG" /></a> Above is one of our club foot babies who will begin treatment to straighten her feet.<br /></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHHRDIcWNaScTcQDeE-4buGY1_r42xSB6XU3bs8vS-2ANqcXsk06VGLnWD6zuWFYf3D3-1rYuw4h9tjkxIalIwINqrDma8V5sl1zrrfwYrxdY703rUhlW-vSrG0mgLpsZZsdKaTH3HhI/s1600/011.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632966654437764498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPHHRDIcWNaScTcQDeE-4buGY1_r42xSB6XU3bs8vS-2ANqcXsk06VGLnWD6zuWFYf3D3-1rYuw4h9tjkxIalIwINqrDma8V5sl1zrrfwYrxdY703rUhlW-vSrG0mgLpsZZsdKaTH3HhI/s320/011.JPG" /></a><br />We revisited the Club Foot clinic this week to follow our little baby girl. Last week you saw her before she began treatment. Here she is in all her glory -- and all her casts. After we left, her casts came off, she was assessed, and re-casted to turn her feet gradually. You will begin to see a difference this next week when we return for our 3rd visit.</div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />That's all for this week. We may be taking our third trip to Luputa next week to check out the water system there and offer support to the water committee. Our recently written projects are getting approved and we will start signing contracts now and get busy with the work. It has been a great (complicated, frustrating, scary, worrisome) experience, and we look forward to the future in serving the Lord this way in the Decmocratic Republic of Congo.</div><br /><div>Our love to you all.<br /></div></div></div>Elder and Sister Binghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689033707433734782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881167007122606872.post-45577214755698106742011-07-17T02:10:00.000-07:002011-07-17T09:40:40.548-07:00Our First Handing-over Ceremony<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBUy_tCMWcHakc8MVgzohc3QLowzBsDowfqAWYTW2pRtnLSwBdJOre7S1g6BF91_kP95YR454Wt9UbFuecNJucipu2zIbXWYQgpc6gQAle5NYEUug2FlXt8LoEqc45EWBGFcwd-ZbtYU/s1600/013.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630355019520796082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBUy_tCMWcHakc8MVgzohc3QLowzBsDowfqAWYTW2pRtnLSwBdJOre7S1g6BF91_kP95YR454Wt9UbFuecNJucipu2zIbXWYQgpc6gQAle5NYEUug2FlXt8LoEqc45EWBGFcwd-ZbtYU/s320/013.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMOCafGkaxTtQCtmVXbyt4ITLRSQlchEFCtoHgoFd83WeTEoTT53hsIkuQj5yWum8BWGj-BzAnJc2TuZOCsD1fGtu8oIXjIa8wBeaPT7mj7lljPkXM4LaJ9BpK_YWcQhgHlMPLApkx-4/s1600/015.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630355018345736402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMOCafGkaxTtQCtmVXbyt4ITLRSQlchEFCtoHgoFd83WeTEoTT53hsIkuQj5yWum8BWGj-BzAnJc2TuZOCsD1fGtu8oIXjIa8wBeaPT7mj7lljPkXM4LaJ9BpK_YWcQhgHlMPLApkx-4/s320/015.JPG" /></a> African dancers at the St. Joseph Hospital handing-over ceremony. Drummers were drumming, singers were singing, and we were enjoying!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZUfNL2CPpFo5I4L6m3OK3NbgZ3SEOiECJtRVLCciRJz8f1EiJQQyzNHG5h80sMIWRetoBbXd205s5_n9qamqZ8Tr41UzOk7ZhddCl3qxBSUc49bGdzepX_NYc83h0Z-l6OIKgrnWpnA/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630355015379874978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZUfNL2CPpFo5I4L6m3OK3NbgZ3SEOiECJtRVLCciRJz8f1EiJQQyzNHG5h80sMIWRetoBbXd205s5_n9qamqZ8Tr41UzOk7ZhddCl3qxBSUc49bGdzepX_NYc83h0Z-l6OIKgrnWpnA/s320/006.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />Sister Bingham getting into the act.<br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRVTVzE7PARV1MH8jQtdmzGqrtBfvbJNU_BUlJR8SfiadrPSWG7p5aROLrSfwVNmwwIAvZxH6v8Z85LinIi_sSp8Zd2AbA7exts9o1OI2GMoeoSOUFl-739R2eDszFG77RKMBEHtXfWk/s1600/022.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630323682015108146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRVTVzE7PARV1MH8jQtdmzGqrtBfvbJNU_BUlJR8SfiadrPSWG7p5aROLrSfwVNmwwIAvZxH6v8Z85LinIi_sSp8Zd2AbA7exts9o1OI2GMoeoSOUFl-739R2eDszFG77RKMBEHtXfWk/s320/022.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Yesterday we attended our very first handing over ceremony (closing ceremony). These are put on when the project construction is completed and it is time for the Church to 'bow out' and hand the project over to the community. It's the way we tell the community that the Church no longer has any responsiblity for whatever we funded -- in this case a drilled well at a local hospital -- and that now the community (or hospital) will be fully responsible for the repair and maintenance of it. It is also a celebration that the project is finally completed and can be used. We had dreaded these events because we were worried that we wouldn't know how to plan and carry these out. Sounded like a lot of detail work. But as it happened, our very wonderful Site Monitor for this project, Francois, came to us and told us he would do it all -- and all we had to do was pay for the event and attend it. We still had some reservations about how it would play out. To our delight and astonishment, it couldn't have been done any better. When we arrived, the chairs, tents, food, sound system, PR people, entertainment, speakers and attendees were already there, and it BEGAN ON TIME!!! The picture you see is of one of the African dancers. They put on quite a show!! They danced before the ceremony began, and then again during refreshments. It was absolutely astounding -- what you see on PBS but WE WERE RIGHT THERE!!! We took some videos of the dancers and the drummers, but it won't upload on the blog. So sorry about that -- you would have heard as well as seen the whole thing. At the end of the ceremony, we were all led over to a covered (tablecloth) water faucet, surrounded by a tape (torn strip of tablecloth) which they ceremoniously cut, handed a piece of the tape to the Catholic Priest (it is a Catholic hospital - St. Joseph's) and then gave out glass goblets to all the important people, including us, to take the first drinks from the faucet. The engineer even spoke, the priest blessed the water tower and pump, the hospital director spoke. And we just got to sit back and enjoy. All the other senior missionary couples attended, and so did the Jamesons, our new Mission President and wife. They all loved it. The great thing about it is the Church got some great PR, in fact our name is painted on the tower. We also learned that the site monitors always plan the ceremonies. Yes!! We have made up a certificate of achievement for Francois -- he deserves it.</div><br /><br /><div>Below is a three-week old baby's club feet. In a short two months this baby's feet will be normal. We will put up pictures on the blog as her feet are gradually straightened in the casts.</div><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKfkBkZElqvfj_XVFCY_X7y27Qp9eAxVFZXKHoucE100dAz7oCHpzQnWjttbBCtdVZOqTzVGb1-kesV8zifqHX9VXbskMwCjZD1WmTWIWXJDtAX8fd6NU6C2tWIvzEX3RG57N1YXb63Y/s1600/029.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 210px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630350189730067250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKfkBkZElqvfj_XVFCY_X7y27Qp9eAxVFZXKHoucE100dAz7oCHpzQnWjttbBCtdVZOqTzVGb1-kesV8zifqHX9VXbskMwCjZD1WmTWIWXJDtAX8fd6NU6C2tWIvzEX3RG57N1YXb63Y/s320/029.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>To the right, you will see a baby's leg being casted. This is a little clinic where we have written a project to provide the plaster of paris bands and some cotton for casting children with club feet.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7kafCaPLXY-TzL-ja3gb-yV63QQ80OlWNQ8vKXJEMaDFArgeQytV-m6IQ7-3Sorb_3wVKCMQdYg5eYwHlp-JlonYtlYWK6mFBYhFkux7UbxVuCH5XxCIG3nXfeJ-bI2DAp2vdwxUcZA/s1600/033.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630248632928696786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7kafCaPLXY-TzL-ja3gb-yV63QQ80OlWNQ8vKXJEMaDFArgeQytV-m6IQ7-3Sorb_3wVKCMQdYg5eYwHlp-JlonYtlYWK6mFBYhFkux7UbxVuCH5XxCIG3nXfeJ-bI2DAp2vdwxUcZA/s320/033.JPG" /></a><br />We learned that the incidence of club foot is 4-5 out of every 1000 births. The baby's foot (feet) can be straightened easily by just casting the foot every week for about 2 months. That is only true if the child is under 2 years of age. Older than that requires surgery. So this clinic is treating about 15 babies each month. Too often if the baby isn't casted, the cost of the surgery is too much to have it done, and then these beautiful babies grow up to crawl around Kinshasa begging for money to survive. A very worthwhile project, we think. We submitted it last Friday, and we think we have a good chance of it being approved because the medical personnel here at this clinic are training nurses, doctors, and physiotherapist on how to assess and cast these patients so they can then go to other clinics and do the same. Self-reliance is the best!! By the way, this little clinic was being held outside in the back yard of the clinic because there was no electricity or water that day and it was too dark inside to work. We all sat under a nice shade tree and were entertained by these beautiful babies, mothers, and clinic people.<br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhH3of7X0mWnXsPheeZR40ifw_YbD8XgGvW0klduUqLq6aQxomlwD0za0rsdCjcIbN0qbCJOuw-j0ES7pLTLCQyZtFH-B162DtHfv4ILe8IlgV7h922YtGafSI9wQbdu0JS9mBQ7BtNDU/s1600/019.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630248629856489426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhH3of7X0mWnXsPheeZR40ifw_YbD8XgGvW0klduUqLq6aQxomlwD0za0rsdCjcIbN0qbCJOuw-j0ES7pLTLCQyZtFH-B162DtHfv4ILe8IlgV7h922YtGafSI9wQbdu0JS9mBQ7BtNDU/s320/019.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Just an interesting sight as we travel the roads of Kinshasa. Much of what is hauled around the city is not done by truck, but by pouse-pouse. They are carts with handles on both ends for pushing and pulling. Single axel with car tires. They haul everything, including whole cars, as you can see. Nothing stops the pousair! (operator of the pouse pouse.)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Our first clean water project that WE wrote up and submitted was approved, and so we have just learned how to write contracts with the contractor and site monitor. Everything we do here is a learning experience, and being old and forgetful, it is all difficult, sometimes seemingly imossible. So we have to stop and ask ourselves, "What did we accomplish today?" Then we can say, "We learned how to do contracts." or "We went all day without getting stopped by the police." or "No fender-benders today." or "We got through another day without being able to speak French." That way we can put things in perspective and feel like we are making headway. But no matter what, we are having daily adventures that we would never have experienced any other way. (Friday night we went dancing again and took a young man visiting from the US who taught the Young Single Adults how to ballroom dance. ) We have been reminded over and over how blessed we are to be here, and totally humbled by these amazing Congolese who are happy to be alive but have so very little. They are teaching us!</div><br /><div>A closing thought from Elder Neal A. Maxwell regarding our testimony of Christ: "It matters very little what people think of us, but it matters very much what we think of Him. It mattters very little, too, who others say we are; what matters is who we say Jesus is."</div><br /><div>Take time to tell your family who Jesus is.</div><br /><div>We love you!!<br /><br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div>Elder and Sister Binghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689033707433734782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881167007122606872.post-91563837182522420372011-06-26T07:28:00.000-07:002011-06-26T10:18:54.380-07:00Children, Wheelchairs and Cotton-eyed Joe<div>Welcome to our week! I will begin with this disclaimer: This blog will be the death of me yet. On the page that I arrange the pix and type the text, it looks beautiful, all is lined up and makes complete sense. But the preview changes the location of the text and pictures. I simply CANNOT, WILLNOT do it all over. You will have to figure out which pictures goes with which description. I apologize, but what you see is what you get. Maybe someone out there can give me some advice???? And it took about 2 hours to download the video. We really really hope you can get it to play. Good luck!!<br /></div><div><div><div><div><div><div>On our last trip to the orphanage, a special children's program was being held. When we arrived, the children were all sitting up on a raised area under an awning, waiting for the program to begin. We were told to be there at 10 am, and we were early. The program began at 11:30. During this whole time the children sat calmly and obediently, no fussing or complaining. While some rock/salsa music was being played, two little boys in the front row stood up and danced in place. (Two pictures below). Where they learned their moves is a mystery to us, since they've been in this orphanage for most of their lives, and they certainly don't have tv or videos. I think it's inborn. And Dad got to hold our little guy who was sick last visit and is doing great now. What a cutie! For the program, the children sang a sad song about being abandoned by their parents, but the Lord would never abandon them. Then they presented some skits about their circumstances that brought them to the orphanage. Very eye-opening. Our little guy has a sad story == he is the tash baby. His mother was told by her pastor right after his birth that the baby was possessed by an evil spirit and had to be thrown away. She broke his arm, tied up his ankles, and the pastor began to drown him. Luckily he was rescued and the man was put in prison. He swears when he gets out of prison that he will kill the woman who turned him in, who is the owner of the orphanage. </div><div>Unbelievable! </div><div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZ1zzg5DtksORIbne5NN7RuXdS9HkJU4avtu6LQdTKPAfPbGbV0cA45_bMJbDaQJoVhuz3Urk21hOYbO5qjYKPJfQC_IlAmThcTjU5g_s4QQhqfQV5yYAkTJjp_ybHnhLWApxmcl7X9I/s1600/021.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622571764586625810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZ1zzg5DtksORIbne5NN7RuXdS9HkJU4avtu6LQdTKPAfPbGbV0cA45_bMJbDaQJoVhuz3Urk21hOYbO5qjYKPJfQC_IlAmThcTjU5g_s4QQhqfQV5yYAkTJjp_ybHnhLWApxmcl7X9I/s320/021.JPG" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_C_C-AzI6tm_8CGwcCvg6HpQIPL0PTHfRAXERc1ndpzwrEsIWE5IA7wUCro_MUqMM06rsmzZ42Dnvfw1Hw5amSQ4cz1ctpePtV-gShDlKRdLyvuREDWd-MB5XM7oYLHfjPGt8X1Okp00/s1600/022.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622571762155028306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_C_C-AzI6tm_8CGwcCvg6HpQIPL0PTHfRAXERc1ndpzwrEsIWE5IA7wUCro_MUqMM06rsmzZ42Dnvfw1Hw5amSQ4cz1ctpePtV-gShDlKRdLyvuREDWd-MB5XM7oYLHfjPGt8X1Okp00/s320/022.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>At a visit to a Health and Hygiene training in Nuna. Whenever we construct a water syster the community is required to have this training to teach them how to take care of the clean water and how to stay healthy. We always find beautiful children to photograph wherever we go. It was a very well-organized event, with the village chief walking around the village using a megaphone to announce the training. The presenters were gifted teachers. It was such a treat to see this </div><div>training take place. </div><div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURK_OCcvHzzQcrSruWupRPvk8tkNM9J2f4AX2a0N6sRSqUf5B42qwUCRCvgguQ1to8J0oV-BHUj_RfCoyyPlC-gzshNmiQWMD1Y-kjrs5x8QegVrGqKqhyiCvMbiKI2HNdk5fMw2Vhrs/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622570236459945266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURK_OCcvHzzQcrSruWupRPvk8tkNM9J2f4AX2a0N6sRSqUf5B42qwUCRCvgguQ1to8J0oV-BHUj_RfCoyyPlC-gzshNmiQWMD1Y-kjrs5x8QegVrGqKqhyiCvMbiKI2HNdk5fMw2Vhrs/s320/008.JPG" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsYc9ybfG0ajlS5U86rvNVBQ2M07Mt0ouXubXvSry_XhoynlZYHhlBJXW_1U01RSHTCZ-NZcyw9uNJuafyYYVeumrGekkHt2jCMvZNfF0EgVfFwTuN4PkgFP2DG8FwxVs8QwXRIB94_o/s1600/009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622570240404095634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsYc9ybfG0ajlS5U86rvNVBQ2M07Mt0ouXubXvSry_XhoynlZYHhlBJXW_1U01RSHTCZ-NZcyw9uNJuafyYYVeumrGekkHt2jCMvZNfF0EgVfFwTuN4PkgFP2DG8FwxVs8QwXRIB94_o/s320/009.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Some of the children outside the Health and Hygiene training in Nuna. They are so very curious about us Mondeles coming to their village! They love to shake our hands. They love to beg for money or food. They love to imitate our words. We just have a very fun time with them, wherever we find them.</div><div> </div><div>We have been purchasing some local 3-wheeled tricycle type wheelchairs with some left-over funds from an old wheelchair project. This has been such fun, because we can just give them away wherever we choose. This picture is of Bibi, a member who hasn't had a wheelchair for years and can't get to church anymore. Today we attended her ward, and there she was in her new wheelchair!! We met the young man, Koki, when we were shopping in a fabric store. He came into the store on the back of his friend. Koki contracted polio as a baby, and has never walked. His friend carries him everywhere. He came into the store begging for money for food. Of course we were approached by the two of them, (whiteys = $$$) so Elder B. pulled them to one side and talked to them, using an interpreter, and found out that Koki, age 34, had never had a wheelchair. Elder B asked him, "Would you like to have a wheelchair?" Koki said yes, but didn't act like he believed that would be possible. Elder B told him to be waiting on the corner at 1:00 that day and he would bring Koki the chair. Koki said ok. And Koki was there on the back of his friend, waiting, when Elder B arrived. Now he was beginning to believe. He asked about the Church, and was familiar with it. His friend said, "Now I will have nothing to do. Can you get me a job?" So we helped Koki, but put his friend out of a job. Can't win 'em all. </div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDMbU-habKRzr2EzLPgsdmaB8LZ0BY0KEBrbuis58DVusFVUKd4df07Y7Ki3xykahitL0XD5oy44FDCAVuipfhnWVgMqwQsVlYCOH1IID960Ea1ftKRBYmxWNVzTqk33vqBce44jU0BM/s1600/046.JPG"></a> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5f2g2RPQUGbmxICPCWwZvkA3a1wuRcmq0ppuIC3871MimN_oTbVeCgZcp_IGCUbIhOv9S6XEYwHETHAQGKErYzH0sohyXtMCHyKY3NuGtERD76loyknlMFgfWE62ci20XhuK9U0AQAWs/s1600/056.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622569107599057922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5f2g2RPQUGbmxICPCWwZvkA3a1wuRcmq0ppuIC3871MimN_oTbVeCgZcp_IGCUbIhOv9S6XEYwHETHAQGKErYzH0sohyXtMCHyKY3NuGtERD76loyknlMFgfWE62ci20XhuK9U0AQAWs/s320/056.JPG" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDMbU-habKRzr2EzLPgsdmaB8LZ0BY0KEBrbuis58DVusFVUKd4df07Y7Ki3xykahitL0XD5oy44FDCAVuipfhnWVgMqwQsVlYCOH1IID960Ea1ftKRBYmxWNVzTqk33vqBce44jU0BM/s1600/046.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622569106562731362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDMbU-habKRzr2EzLPgsdmaB8LZ0BY0KEBrbuis58DVusFVUKd4df07Y7Ki3xykahitL0XD5oy44FDCAVuipfhnWVgMqwQsVlYCOH1IID960Ea1ftKRBYmxWNVzTqk33vqBce44jU0BM/s320/046.JPG" /></a></div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div></div><p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxA4B8Xx9dPabOtXxBncqfIRKEjKL51ZmxLwkGgkixqzumV7ZjZK_2d2ulD5SlFoKY2w6llwKOe5q5md9nkKg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p>And finally, our Congolese Young Adults doing the Cotton-eyed Joe, taught and led by our wonderful Office Couple, Elder and Sister Hatch from New Mexico!! The Hatches have given so much to this mission. They are totally into the YM and YW of the Church. Elder Hatch tried to get the Boy Scout program started here in Kinshasa, but the Church said the Congo wasn't quite ready for BSA. He was sad. But he has introduced the Duty to God program to the nearby stakes, trains YM leaders, teaches in the Aaronic Priesthood class, is organizing a Stake YMYW Conference next month, and plays basketball with the YM every Saturday. Sis. Hatch teaches in YW, teaches English classes to 90 young adults every Wednesday evening with her husband, and is teaching the Personal Progress program to the nearby stakes. Then on Friday nights they drag the Binghams and the Staggs to these dances to teach the young single adults how to dance some good ol' American moves. These activities are totally voluntarily -- no one asked them to do them in the beginning. Talk about giving your all!! They are our heroes!</p><p>(Please excuse the immodest clothing on the video.) These kids have learned the cha-cha and the Virginia Reel, too. They call that last one "The Pioneer Dance" because Elder Hatch told them the pioneers used to dance this one on the plains as they trekked to the Salt Lake Valley. Next: the bunny hop! </p></div></div></div></div></div>Elder and Sister Binghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689033707433734782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881167007122606872.post-36473602054928471132011-06-12T11:50:00.000-07:002011-06-12T14:00:09.779-07:00Operation Smile and an Orphanage<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCT5Z0PMFL8yAUx6HlFr-RHGfGq39ZR4AZlHo4nKMdGdDfVE29hixwxGSlHUQVA1qBAXhzTesfG7c-gfxaKrKcnnxatJG94hKA_5ncCrhWHpDTe2PgAZrQgXdKZhYh3nDWoEjeq45fxUo/s1600/P1070148.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617428298943485730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCT5Z0PMFL8yAUx6HlFr-RHGfGq39ZR4AZlHo4nKMdGdDfVE29hixwxGSlHUQVA1qBAXhzTesfG7c-gfxaKrKcnnxatJG94hKA_5ncCrhWHpDTe2PgAZrQgXdKZhYh3nDWoEjeq45fxUo/s320/P1070148.JPG" /></a>Another highlight of our mission took place this week. One of our new projects was to donate funds to feed the patients at this Operation Smile mission for cleft palate repairs. The hospitals here do not provide food for their patients, and because many of the patients had to come from long distances, getting food was a major difficulty. We were thrilled that this project was approved, and more thrilled when we attended the event. We were taken through the entire process, from screening patients to post-op. We were very impressed with the caliber of volunteers (Doctors, anesthesiologists, nurses, etc. from all over the world) who came together to make this work. They LOVE thier work and it shows! We will share some videos about it when we return.</div><div>We were allowed to go into the operating room where two patients were being operated on. It was amazing to see the difference in the patient going into surgery and going out of surgery. We feel we were witnessing miracles. We followed these two children into recovery and post-op. </div><div>The picture of the man with the raised arms was a father who had just seen his daughter for the first time after surgery. I was there. He took one look at her face (she was a double-cleft, extremely deformed) and first held his hands to his heart, then lifted them to praise God for the miracle he was seeing. You could not keep from crying.</div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYndbYDYi1vtBXlaj9FJ-oJ9ABAOeZG3u8UBFOJgX7fj4dHf6E4WrxE3b7VtDKT44NaU7M2UyVW88yoqMA4JaxkuMig5oJFqtHamZ524uuVM2mU7sxy2qCvXBfp8SXZ9x6l5BIFTSt218/s1600/P1060917.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 206px; height: 288px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617428279635787202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYndbYDYi1vtBXlaj9FJ-oJ9ABAOeZG3u8UBFOJgX7fj4dHf6E4WrxE3b7VtDKT44NaU7M2UyVW88yoqMA4JaxkuMig5oJFqtHamZ524uuVM2mU7sxy2qCvXBfp8SXZ9x6l5BIFTSt218/s320/P1060917.JPG" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjW0bhxUFbGPaeQNsIlEMbzRU-_DFIGiLwphlXTclhZpoGfQdIcziSfb6gPJnyVXgP5gFS2pik36RK2w0HVUPub2shNmg93WLh5ulHbXmGASRMu6zC9dNSgAZ_4ffrrih1buRES3m_e0M/s1600/P1060937.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617428290756010130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjW0bhxUFbGPaeQNsIlEMbzRU-_DFIGiLwphlXTclhZpoGfQdIcziSfb6gPJnyVXgP5gFS2pik36RK2w0HVUPub2shNmg93WLh5ulHbXmGASRMu6zC9dNSgAZ_4ffrrih1buRES3m_e0M/s320/P1060937.JPG" /></a></div></div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYndbYDYi1vtBXlaj9FJ-oJ9ABAOeZG3u8UBFOJgX7fj4dHf6E4WrxE3b7VtDKT44NaU7M2UyVW88yoqMA4JaxkuMig5oJFqtHamZ524uuVM2mU7sxy2qCvXBfp8SXZ9x6l5BIFTSt218/s1600/P1060917.JPG"></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYndbYDYi1vtBXlaj9FJ-oJ9ABAOeZG3u8UBFOJgX7fj4dHf6E4WrxE3b7VtDKT44NaU7M2UyVW88yoqMA4JaxkuMig5oJFqtHamZ524uuVM2mU7sxy2qCvXBfp8SXZ9x6l5BIFTSt218/s1600/P1060917.JPG"></a> </div></div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYndbYDYi1vtBXlaj9FJ-oJ9ABAOeZG3u8UBFOJgX7fj4dHf6E4WrxE3b7VtDKT44NaU7M2UyVW88yoqMA4JaxkuMig5oJFqtHamZ524uuVM2mU7sxy2qCvXBfp8SXZ9x6l5BIFTSt218/s1600/P1060917.JPG"></a> </div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2Y_ctHPIb2gylabTAUyykgq9Sud7M5O2jeEZq72z1PsQW3U9M1UDNK4tFOb-vzlUIhk43XTZU7jTd8mHzRmBwn923S5tEjb44SSzgAskycTUdfQ5xBSB0CMNYGSjO-i_hjrNSL7C9Xk/s1600/P1060872.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 241px; height: 286px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617428279357327026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2Y_ctHPIb2gylabTAUyykgq9Sud7M5O2jeEZq72z1PsQW3U9M1UDNK4tFOb-vzlUIhk43XTZU7jTd8mHzRmBwn923S5tEjb44SSzgAskycTUdfQ5xBSB0CMNYGSjO-i_hjrNSL7C9Xk/s320/P1060872.JPG" /></a></div><div>We learned that the reason we haven't seen children with cleft palates around Kinshasa is that their parents hide them. Some feel that these children are 'devil' children and should not be seen. We only saw mothers and fathers who love their little ones and want a normal life for them.</div><div>Don't mourn over these children. They now look wonderful!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmUVf6QxO0NH0yidx6giiuumIMgKHZx_UfyD0nq7QzjMuDhzS-aMmP2hhaa1arnpXAJTJx1qLRH_pF9BznYpnoOq7H7mu5bRDXcVgD5ZG24Xq5h7dq84xNiywYWvowpZcPlacZ4b_SFo/s1600/011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617411515448075410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmUVf6QxO0NH0yidx6giiuumIMgKHZx_UfyD0nq7QzjMuDhzS-aMmP2hhaa1arnpXAJTJx1qLRH_pF9BznYpnoOq7H7mu5bRDXcVgD5ZG24Xq5h7dq84xNiywYWvowpZcPlacZ4b_SFo/s320/011.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div>On an outing to look at a potential project for capturing some springs, we had to walk through this river. The people with us are the contractor, the president and vice-president of the organization that brought the project to us, plus various and assorted other villagers who are always interested in seeing the moondellis. Even though the water looks very dirty, it really felt wonderful and we wanted to go for a swim!</div><div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULqFVFqKiTGsoCUiDt2TiXNmuln2zUKhPJ8Jqz110xj0fIJQEjtu-VB9GmTwUVx66Mkoqri4Gp5dY1oMwV748KnGUQsf6OhMpEyD9dGfiYM5gvNE5aOHt0WirC2kfYkWIQeKXbzTmMGo/s1600/027.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617411504943426658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULqFVFqKiTGsoCUiDt2TiXNmuln2zUKhPJ8Jqz110xj0fIJQEjtu-VB9GmTwUVx66Mkoqri4Gp5dY1oMwV748KnGUQsf6OhMpEyD9dGfiYM5gvNE5aOHt0WirC2kfYkWIQeKXbzTmMGo/s320/027.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>We visited an orphanage recently. That's where Elder B is, holding a sick baby. He's a natural at such things. Several of these children are being adopted by US couples. Some of the children are here at the orphanage because their parents can't afford to care for them. Others do not have parents. One is referred to as the "trash baby" because he was left in the trash. The Hatches, our wonderful office couple, found this place and have asked the rest of the couples to help them build a fence across the front of the property to keep the children's balls and toys from rolling down the hill into the road. Elder B can't wait to get to work and actually get his hands dirty!!</div><div>We are so blessed to be doing this work. It is hard, sometimes things are out of control because there are so many different aspects of the work we have to be involved in at the same time, but we love the work and can't imagine doing anything else. There are frustrations, but we are learning how to stay calm. For example, we have one of the Operation Smile nurses staying overnight with us tonight. She just came out to say her bed just broke while she was saying her prayers and the light stopped working at the same time. She is from SL City and this is her 18th Operation Smile mission!! I told her I knew she could handle it. She agreed that as long as she could have running water and a flush toilet, she was A-ok. At least those things are still working.</div><div> </div><div>There are many more pictures we would love to share, but this will have to suffice for now.</div><div>We love you and appreciate your prayers.</div><div> </div></div></div>Elder and Sister Binghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689033707433734782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881167007122606872.post-21711983842838698372011-05-29T07:03:00.000-07:002011-05-29T08:42:58.021-07:00Odds n' Ends<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguginkl2Pg7gOKtSvHl_XtDGuFgQByZN6q8CeU4tvYeUlPUhUjMUZsZHSS67Hu1u5ruB7rid02rdwNZvVXxnO5GgDa8i_WruhiHc22whIyuy8KSYuiSk4Md4a4N0TtOim6GLHWhYQpc2o/s1600/015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612150288877381986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguginkl2Pg7gOKtSvHl_XtDGuFgQByZN6q8CeU4tvYeUlPUhUjMUZsZHSS67Hu1u5ruB7rid02rdwNZvVXxnO5GgDa8i_WruhiHc22whIyuy8KSYuiSk4Md4a4N0TtOim6GLHWhYQpc2o/s320/015.JPG" /></a>We are going to do a bit of catching up.</div><div>We began the month with a 2-day neo-natal resusitation training by a wonderful Doctor named Arthur Ngoy. He has a passion for NRT and volunteers his free time, along with his Doctor wife, to train nurses and doctors from various clinics around this area. We (LDS Humanitarian Services) provide the registration, all the kits, dolls, booklets, snacks, lunches, and pens, clipboards, etc. At the end of each day we print out a special certificate for each participant. Certificates are very important here. In the picture to the right, Dr. Ngoy is the man in the blue shirt in the foreground demonstrating the procedure. I wish I had the figures to share with you of how many newborns who weren't breathing have survived because of this simple procedure, taught to Dr. Ngoy by US doctors at a training several years ago. It is a perfect project because it is self-pertpetuating. The trainers go back to their clinics and train others, who then train even more individuals. We loved the experience!<br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mGIandTpyFIRLeiqOPXCpoDspKqIeCrneG-KuvybgWITtFTso1aCJSoMmHWrsEGHlFghGgHDdcc5_kHnaEuiBOUBEs6MxzNs3pREiL_8aYhetcjTToSnb6yx0z99hvC0SC7JRsAEwE0/s1600/024.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612150281258188338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mGIandTpyFIRLeiqOPXCpoDspKqIeCrneG-KuvybgWITtFTso1aCJSoMmHWrsEGHlFghGgHDdcc5_kHnaEuiBOUBEs6MxzNs3pREiL_8aYhetcjTToSnb6yx0z99hvC0SC7JRsAEwE0/s320/024.JPG" /></a>Far right is just an awesome tree in a botanical garden.<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuxAIuXPIexvklQjuGhiLvbBrU8kezBt37lvTre0ltAYYSefx-_6RuzUEYasGuYG2bu11lbtkiyMPLj5rU4Ix3kFHPGXwAG_y7Ih89fyFRn8BIR4_sfPKtcQFmPSjoXT5mkNJS37R_W8/s1600/029.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612150278783734194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuxAIuXPIexvklQjuGhiLvbBrU8kezBt37lvTre0ltAYYSefx-_6RuzUEYasGuYG2bu11lbtkiyMPLj5rU4Ix3kFHPGXwAG_y7Ih89fyFRn8BIR4_sfPKtcQFmPSjoXT5mkNJS37R_W8/s320/029.JPG" /></a>This is going to be an official sewing project for the 6 stakes in Kinshasa. We provide 20 sewing machines and some notions and fabric for each stake. A volunteer teaches the women to sew so they can have a marketable skill. This is for both LDS and non-LDS student.s Note that the machines are hand-crank and tredle. No electricity.<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGsp0gRmG171KvqU-se7wSFO0TmsLGQ2DCuNmMsasojS-fzkFpCa0EuOCLV1mVDan4-87oSLt1wXMDklRJqk0A3F-OKX9SyLfR9s1E2fBwlYWytiyUr5wF0kQlnXX0zsWbtkVMsWxTrs/s1600/039.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612150273725655298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGsp0gRmG171KvqU-se7wSFO0TmsLGQ2DCuNmMsasojS-fzkFpCa0EuOCLV1mVDan4-87oSLt1wXMDklRJqk0A3F-OKX9SyLfR9s1E2fBwlYWytiyUr5wF0kQlnXX0zsWbtkVMsWxTrs/s320/039.JPG" /></a>Below is a Christmas Day parade! Some church here observes the holiday on May 25 each year and goes all out with the green dresses and whistles and bells.<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZLLcn6oRYx_dM5OybPto_Z9lUS3AXlrcAA1XGkT0Vr2tSDtPvrLdzoJWJmkEjs9eMvOzjRN14d6qvQu8-0Xo_wnwuafp2UptOqXssxjvoXTLODdLQ0okAo9MGbIoenF1PrYkBN1WJZY/s1600/041.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612145991924062690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZLLcn6oRYx_dM5OybPto_Z9lUS3AXlrcAA1XGkT0Vr2tSDtPvrLdzoJWJmkEjs9eMvOzjRN14d6qvQu8-0Xo_wnwuafp2UptOqXssxjvoXTLODdLQ0okAo9MGbIoenF1PrYkBN1WJZY/s320/041.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Above is a typical Kinshasa river. We have seen people do laundry and collect drinking water from such places. See why our Clean Water Projects are our favorites?</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Here are two men carrying a load of foam mattresses on their backs. A common sight. These people work very hard doing what has to be done without a murmur!</div><div><br /> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiUMjAr_wNjT1tUHT-T4juza_jbPFK1Nhdgu0m7cngtlV5aLXoAeVp7JwqOp9tcGTcUMnNS_Qe2O_2OchAKhp9avVDwmIRhsIWsf3meehXaIQ8ubgEVzEG5gHohQ_Jia6WEgZ3KQAoCo/s1600/046.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612145988687114402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiUMjAr_wNjT1tUHT-T4juza_jbPFK1Nhdgu0m7cngtlV5aLXoAeVp7JwqOp9tcGTcUMnNS_Qe2O_2OchAKhp9avVDwmIRhsIWsf3meehXaIQ8ubgEVzEG5gHohQ_Jia6WEgZ3KQAoCo/s320/046.JPG" /></a>When we first passed by this man below, he was sound asleep with his arm out, begging for money. When we came back, he had awakened.<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6l21Oxl-CRC9TCixzyueV4U6xYGlCQ-finQA3Otp5YQm0xp616opZZkY4LPle6F_tYF9dDgpH8iU6eh8qE5j1j2yQpxQiahRkdxQDYIpwDDz7xF-K9_fcugewVEMGt1Gwlqv-D-fIWg/s1600/050.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612145983399232818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6l21Oxl-CRC9TCixzyueV4U6xYGlCQ-finQA3Otp5YQm0xp616opZZkY4LPle6F_tYF9dDgpH8iU6eh8qE5j1j2yQpxQiahRkdxQDYIpwDDz7xF-K9_fcugewVEMGt1Gwlqv-D-fIWg/s320/050.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Below is a little bit of the insect life in Kinshasa. Luckily we did not find Mr. Big Beetle in our apartment, but outside one of our Church buildings. Thought the grandsons would enjoy this!<br /></div><div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY859QaI1pGvRPzPVZDfM84HoTHN_GkWZOzi508Sa_qdv08zmwU0usCnBRG84GDfytABJziQRSym0vtAj59YGJ4I2cFy1A8AEDhRHQH9a3ePZrFU5I1FZZPUAfFSCwe5Wfd8u9O5rChoU/s1600/052.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612145984663162482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY859QaI1pGvRPzPVZDfM84HoTHN_GkWZOzi508Sa_qdv08zmwU0usCnBRG84GDfytABJziQRSym0vtAj59YGJ4I2cFy1A8AEDhRHQH9a3ePZrFU5I1FZZPUAfFSCwe5Wfd8u9O5rChoU/s320/052.JPG" /></a></div><div>Below:</div><div>Some of my favorite guys: Elder B, with Brother Bekele (remember his story?), Dede standing behind him interpreting for us, and the engineer for Bro. Bekele's water project, Alain. We were discussing how to implement their project and actually increase it from 6 wells to 9 plus a rainwater catchment system at a local school and 10 new latrines. (toilets). It will be a great project and we are about ready to submit it. Wish us luck! We reward ourselves with chocolate when a project is approved. Sure could use some chocolate soon!<br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJaDg62iB6I1gpGPsEJE1PufuYyfYGNLIVDePgucLozw4dHXjnL-RixcMc_rorl1p6FlPSYqaqFKgQISGD4Zzf3yneoDkYfqNmvwiK4BFRtq9XDskaJAFtOyoShjLV_4DgUwc1zoEHr8/s1600/053.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612141861663094034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJaDg62iB6I1gpGPsEJE1PufuYyfYGNLIVDePgucLozw4dHXjnL-RixcMc_rorl1p6FlPSYqaqFKgQISGD4Zzf3yneoDkYfqNmvwiK4BFRtq9XDskaJAFtOyoShjLV_4DgUwc1zoEHr8/s320/053.JPG" /></a>Brother Bekele and his adorable wife. He always brings her with him when we have a meeting. She is the mom of 6 children and looks like she's about 20. We communicate with smiles. Isn't hers a great one?<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3W37NeLVQhPaVESaK37vgS1wDXK-n2XmftI9VKWThMR_FpKEggA5tjn4Ao9ebMihv-8oG27MPSK5aeiaR0EdsWn9ifJ-PiSHeOfp8pjWqnmjJJQk5swb-8h-5sZ150VwqZ3yDBqckVK4/s1600/054.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612141850754700306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3W37NeLVQhPaVESaK37vgS1wDXK-n2XmftI9VKWThMR_FpKEggA5tjn4Ao9ebMihv-8oG27MPSK5aeiaR0EdsWn9ifJ-PiSHeOfp8pjWqnmjJJQk5swb-8h-5sZ150VwqZ3yDBqckVK4/s320/054.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Here are the existing latrines at a school of 650 students. Only 4, and they are not toilets, they are primitive holes in the ground. And no water at the school. We are proposing to build 8 or 10 more latrines and provide water by adding a gutter along the lower edge of a roof and collect rainwater into tanks, to be used for handwashing. Also included in the project will be some Health and Hygiene training.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-S0u1z5RIaUCW8OTJYoGnXRg2ug-agM4G3Tz7zD_VYUVlo4JVFAk0g2MfH113B21oz-qfUwgP9U2tuNm_BJkldiHhoqKP-ZXGJl7VlJ1pLvKl_GXMw9wgeDkM0TM5Kpf-hm6jaxHdqlY/s1600/055.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612141850814063234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-S0u1z5RIaUCW8OTJYoGnXRg2ug-agM4G3Tz7zD_VYUVlo4JVFAk0g2MfH113B21oz-qfUwgP9U2tuNm_BJkldiHhoqKP-ZXGJl7VlJ1pLvKl_GXMw9wgeDkM0TM5Kpf-hm6jaxHdqlY/s320/055.JPG" /></a>One other project we have already had approved is to provide funds to the Operation Smile organization so the patients at the hospital here where they receive their cleft palate or lip surgery can have meals. (The hospitals here do not provide food for their patients). Operation Smile came to us because another organization had been giving them the money for these meals in the past, but cancelled out this year at the last minute. We thought this would never be approved because it is a "give away", which does not fit the criteria for Humanitarian Services. But the Area wanted us to do it, so the criteria gets bybassed and we get to give $5000 for those meals.</div><div>Another project we are working madly on right now is the Wheelchair Initiative. We find a partner (in this case the Minister of Health) who agrees to our US people coming in and doing a 4-day training on teaching the selected PTs here on how to assess the needs of a poor person with a spinal cord injury and then write a prescription for the correct wheelchair. There are also US wheelchair technicians who will train the Congolese technicians on how to adjust and fit those chairs to the recipient. Then he/she is given the wheelchair. About 300 special wheelchairs are being shipped in from China or Vietnam. Unfortunately, our little wheelchair business here can't build the type of chairs we need. Elder B and I will be in charge of the logistics for the training, as well as writing up the project.</div><div>So you can see we have lots of projects in various stages of completion, and finally feel we almost know what we are doing, thanks to a lot of wonderful people who have trained us and are constantly answering our phone calls and e-mails.<br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzeIBqqeF5snNcyvdLnjpkIZTAjgV2IZa20gNvIgYmVJXwTouPcowDC5Gw9DMxvaiXcH4-uxTMM6wB_OwdGeNMPmpSKGJL02D35fa6gXbsSGsTTrN3NWDPeH0P1BthA590ypkVQhj7e8/s1600/059.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 310px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612141848882476674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzeIBqqeF5snNcyvdLnjpkIZTAjgV2IZa20gNvIgYmVJXwTouPcowDC5Gw9DMxvaiXcH4-uxTMM6wB_OwdGeNMPmpSKGJL02D35fa6gXbsSGsTTrN3NWDPeH0P1BthA590ypkVQhj7e8/s320/059.JPG" /></a>And finally, another look at a major highway in Kinshasa, and the cheap way to get from one place to another. As Elder Richardson, our Area Welfare Specialist, said when he was visiting here with us last week from Johannesburg to train us, "Kinshasa has 14 million people, and at any given time there are 7 million people crossing the street in front of you." True true. Sorry there are no goats on top of this one, but that is not uncommon.<br /><div><em> We love it here!!! Have a wonderful week............</em></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Elder and Sister Binghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689033707433734782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881167007122606872.post-75683367562019986262011-05-08T15:53:00.000-07:002011-05-08T17:20:01.253-07:00Lovely Luputa and the Long Trek Home<div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhbs_aSbxmrYvWVw43JfD4PhJvsXzkgnnbBbzIyT3azbrjJIY_-if1XIml5PpE4sELt3mYH0RkUom9YZz28P1KRRMG6Dt_BBKp5Wz-iUYsBQCUhotCMezqbQFPWce2bctolERvruFs7k/s1600/Luputa+5-2011+016.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604484990463941778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhbs_aSbxmrYvWVw43JfD4PhJvsXzkgnnbBbzIyT3azbrjJIY_-if1XIml5PpE4sELt3mYH0RkUom9YZz28P1KRRMG6Dt_BBKp5Wz-iUYsBQCUhotCMezqbQFPWce2bctolERvruFs7k/s320/Luputa+5-2011+016.JPG" /></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhbs_aSbxmrYvWVw43JfD4PhJvsXzkgnnbBbzIyT3azbrjJIY_-if1XIml5PpE4sELt3mYH0RkUom9YZz28P1KRRMG6Dt_BBKp5Wz-iUYsBQCUhotCMezqbQFPWce2bctolERvruFs7k/s1600/Luputa+5-2011+016.JPG"></a></div><div>Our return to Luputa this week was another wonderful experience -- and this time we were on our own, although we brought our very good interpreter, Dede, with us. We couldn't have done it without him!! The Luputa Water Project is up and running, with just a few glitches, but it is progressing quite well. The construction is completed and now it's time for the water committee to learn how to become a water company. The picture on the right shows Elder B, with Dede interpreting, being recorded for a local radio station while explaining to some villagers at this particular water station how to keep the water coming for years and years to come. Namely, to commit to paying the small water fee (about 5 cents US for 2 large bidons of water each day) in order to maintain and repair any breaks as they happen. He is reminding the villagers how important the health of their children is by having clean uncontaminated water to drink. Dede was right there translating into French or Tschluba (?) or Swahili(?) or Lingala. He is amazing! Later in the week we attended a meeting called by the water committee with the local pastors. The purpose of this meeting was to give correct information and ask the pastors to talk to their congregations about the importance of maintaining the system. Elder B was asked to speak. He did a great job praising the people for all the hard work they had done to dig the 19 miles of trenches and lay the huge pipe -- all by hand -- and he pled with them not to let this "miracle" fail. Once again the radio stations were present to record the event.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJ181g0FYl8Iv92sFw8dC2X3BMvfArRTQzgG2p5DA15fM5SjbIuqMB9tckxTiGsoHJXcLYEKGXgvgiQQspBohknnUAG7eadNGgRjRKX41PjGQdEAbGsQ1wpozWsYPnwxFrvYG-wCOYJM/s1600/Luputa+5-2011+017.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604484995059765346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJ181g0FYl8Iv92sFw8dC2X3BMvfArRTQzgG2p5DA15fM5SjbIuqMB9tckxTiGsoHJXcLYEKGXgvgiQQspBohknnUAG7eadNGgRjRKX41PjGQdEAbGsQ1wpozWsYPnwxFrvYG-wCOYJM/s320/Luputa+5-2011+017.JPG" /></a></div></div><div>Sorry about this unposed picture, but we wanted to show you again how beautiful the surroundings are. And by the way, no one told these people that the Moondelees/Moontokas/Moozooloos were coming. (Whiteys to you). The people, especially the children, just appear. I watched at one water station when we arrived. No one there. Five minutes later there were 65.</div><div>Someone told us before coming to the Congo that we would be treated like rock stars. Now we understand. We are truly the big news of the day! Every day!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPTEeMBUPiiWZnGQUrJFgxp7_24WT049fhV6UtZxW8iW8-RCR-RpEMFBIjElEqdvyFUyQWcNc27OA949jY77-cUiJY9Gs8Cukwy65QjC6lAyTR3TvCcWx8ZxyYtmgfl4dRqIEmgUtATI/s1600/Luputa+5-2011+044.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604487910797481986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPTEeMBUPiiWZnGQUrJFgxp7_24WT049fhV6UtZxW8iW8-RCR-RpEMFBIjElEqdvyFUyQWcNc27OA949jY77-cUiJY9Gs8Cukwy65QjC6lAyTR3TvCcWx8ZxyYtmgfl4dRqIEmgUtATI/s320/Luputa+5-2011+044.JPG" /></a>This picture of our scorpion friend is for our grandsons. We also found one in the bathrub, but since there is no running water and the bathtub is not used, we didn't care that the little guy was living there. We are told that these scorpions are not poisonous. Be sure to double-click on him so you see his lovely tail!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXKOd5-Eg0mt0NRTi9gAbUv-0dCi_egFf8O56TXzOjnzVm4hqSuZjArCEhYxvZ2bHBx_9gzWM6J-ijniNCPuHjFANTkppcUlPr4RNRtqlBECHj2bycor4JhLb-veNidiVGn9X1KrtajM/s1600/Luputa+5-2011+019.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604484997730506050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXKOd5-Eg0mt0NRTi9gAbUv-0dCi_egFf8O56TXzOjnzVm4hqSuZjArCEhYxvZ2bHBx_9gzWM6J-ijniNCPuHjFANTkppcUlPr4RNRtqlBECHj2bycor4JhLb-veNidiVGn9X1KrtajM/s320/Luputa+5-2011+019.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div>These little piggies are on their way to market. They are very hot and uncomfortable, and they would feel even worse (if possible) if they knew what their future held. I call this picture "The Poor Piggies and the Broken Bike". The man is fixing his flat tire, so he put the green palm branches over the piggies to keep them cooler. I'm afraid the pigs were beyond caring at this point. Bicycles are the main mode of transporting EVERYTHING to and from Luputa. The bikes are pushed much more than ridden. The loads they carry are enormous. And they push them for miles and miles</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PICq1OfmmPSF9iGMtgxZ7nSLO2jV_uxY02fkYpao_F_o36hSV8cKR-JNgIYeT1Bm8dhEvJcXkIfB7UHWozcwjNF5wciLZwwyUc4K2HfQL2PcleOqwTop2LIfZEWqglRGZhOgZHIT1vs/s1600/Luputa+5-2011+049.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604487910354671938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5PICq1OfmmPSF9iGMtgxZ7nSLO2jV_uxY02fkYpao_F_o36hSV8cKR-JNgIYeT1Bm8dhEvJcXkIfB7UHWozcwjNF5wciLZwwyUc4K2HfQL2PcleOqwTop2LIfZEWqglRGZhOgZHIT1vs/s320/Luputa+5-2011+049.JPG" /></a>On our way to Luputa from Mbuji Maya we had the good fortune to be able to cross the bridge with only a small bribe to the engineer who laid down some planks over the gaping hole for us while the huge overloaded trucks had to wait. </div><div>We were just a little over-confident about our return to Mbuji Maya/airport/Kinshasa. When we approached the bridge after driving an hour from Luputa, we could see that there was NO way we would be able to cross, unless we were riding bikes. So we had to turn around and drive back one hour to Luputa and take the back road. Total driving time that day -- 10 hours on roads you can't believe. It should have been 5 hours. Dad's back was pretty banged up from the rough riding.</div><div> </div><div>Here are some examples of the surprises we would find around the corner!!</div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02GB1WGJjfuihI-GdyLed76s7tVUL-ekErO2jgkEsKeCOKCD60GW-vuqzWssij5bF2p6ld6HSqgVmNKk4E_jYkMmJG-ziGqPe6VyR2mGeZM1CGwqiPW35oPIiu7oxGuE1_M8o-jnsNUQ/s1600/Luputa+5-2011+051.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604487912862070242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02GB1WGJjfuihI-GdyLed76s7tVUL-ekErO2jgkEsKeCOKCD60GW-vuqzWssij5bF2p6ld6HSqgVmNKk4E_jYkMmJG-ziGqPe6VyR2mGeZM1CGwqiPW35oPIiu7oxGuE1_M8o-jnsNUQ/s320/Luputa+5-2011+051.JPG" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfxGVtTVEzDw0YRMbatt4yeo4kCyg0FmkOTuQwBxgY_6OLJQ8fU9wc1ZkWgM40HiEfl0MsNzbBjCGrjZcqPoA9_cXgqrusXDX3PTrmNoL0iqt_6DH0pVhRP-SADDqpMRHTDzj-ssCtdc/s1600/Luputa+5-2011+052.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 240px; height: 321px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604487918570985378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfxGVtTVEzDw0YRMbatt4yeo4kCyg0FmkOTuQwBxgY_6OLJQ8fU9wc1ZkWgM40HiEfl0MsNzbBjCGrjZcqPoA9_cXgqrusXDX3PTrmNoL0iqt_6DH0pVhRP-SADDqpMRHTDzj-ssCtdc/s320/Luputa+5-2011+052.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Yes, we got through, but only by taking detours out in the bush. And sometimes we got to take detours of the detours.</div><div> </div><div>We were asked to return in 3 months to access the water project again, and by then another couple may be assigned to the closer mission, so we would just be "training" them. We will miss our lovely Luputa and the friends we have made there.</div><div> </div><div>We will end our blog by sharing some African wisdom. Africa is never in a hurry. One saying is "Going slowly does not prevent arriving." Example from the book <em>Into Africa:</em> A South African relates how he once gave a lift to an old farmer who said he was going to visit his daughter. "How far away does she live?" the driver asked. "Three days' travel," answered the farmer. "When did you leave home?" "When I left," answered the old man. "And when will you get there?" "When I get there." "Does your daughter know you are coming?" "No." "And what will she say when she sees you?" "Oh, you are here."</div><div>We experience this every day when traveling to our project sites. Elder B will ask, "How far is it?" "Not far." "How long will it take?" "Not long."</div><div>Another favorite saying: Delay does not spoil things. It makes them better.</div><div>We love this place!</div><div>And we love you!</div><div>Happy Mothers' Day!!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhbs_aSbxmrYvWVw43JfD4PhJvsXzkgnnbBbzIyT3azbrjJIY_-if1XIml5PpE4sELt3mYH0RkUom9YZz28P1KRRMG6Dt_BBKp5Wz-iUYsBQCUhotCMezqbQFPWce2bctolERvruFs7k/s1600/Luputa+5-2011+016.JPG"></a> </div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJ181g0FYl8Iv92sFw8dC2X3BMvfArRTQzgG2p5DA15fM5SjbIuqMB9tckxTiGsoHJXcLYEKGXgvgiQQspBohknnUAG7eadNGgRjRKX41PjGQdEAbGsQ1wpozWsYPnwxFrvYG-wCOYJM/s1600/Luputa+5-2011+017.JPG"></a> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Elder and Sister Binghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06689033707433734782noreply@blogger.com0