A few headlines

Some of the news for the day.


On World Malaria Day, UNICEF distributes mosquito nets in DR Congo
The last time nets were donated to the country, a man made a lot of money off of the free nets - at least in Beni. 
And probably elsewhere around the country.
Noe said he's still in prison and also (others have reiterated this) - that however these nets make it to Beni, you can be sure that someone is going to profit in a big way, from these "free" mosquito nets.
So this problem isn't instantly "fixed" by this attempt of UNICEF to help people... At least not yet.


Freeport versus the People of Fungurume, DRC 
"The sad fact is that TFM could be the driving force behind economic growth and sustainable development in the area. In 2010 alone, the mine produced around 115,000 tonnes of copper and 8,000 tonnes of cobalt in 2010 – and an income of nearly US$1 billion. And with reserves estimated at 119 million tonnes, the mine should be transforming the lives of everyone in the area for the better."


Congo's "Papa Machete" sculpts life out of death - Reuters 

"People are asleep here," he said. "We have to shock them."

A little motorcycle ride to UCBC

(This is not the gate to our house. But I used to live here!)

Noé and I are really blessed to have our motorcycle. I call it ours but he's had it for almost a year already. Since I got back from the States in July, Noé's called it my motorcycle, and I've called it his. But, "what's mine is yours, what's yours is mine..." It's our motorcycle and it's really helped us so much. 

I remember so many times in the last few years where we'd have to borrow from friends or rent them if we needed to go places for the day... It's really just been a huge blessing for us to have our own source of reliable transportation.

A few days ago, Noé and I left home to go to work (albeit a bit late, due to yours truly). When we left the house, Noé said he didn’t know if we’d have enough gas to make it. I thought maybe we’d stop to buy some gas along the way, to ensure we’d “make it…” But he said, let’s see! :)

So we left.

And we passed the gas station.

And as we were going around the last corner before UCBC, I was feeling pretty good about how we’d nearly made it!

And then Noé says, “Oh, that’s the sign. We’re out of gas.”

(I still don’t know what the “sign” is, but this has happened a few times where he knows we have a few moments [or meters or centimeters or…?] to go until we actually run out of gas. And at this point, we'd never actually run out of gas, so the "sign" is actually pretty helpful.)

Anyway, instead of stopping on that corner, where the last little boy was selling gas in old ½ liter water bottles – we kept going.

We were so close.

We got to just before the UCBC driveway, when we were no longer sputtering forward, but coasting… And then we coasted to a stop. So I hopped off the motorcycle and Noé pushed it across the street (we have to cross traffic to get to UCBC).

He then told me to get back on. I smiled and couldn’t help but say, “Shouldn’t I just walk down the driveway?” He was like, no – let’s go. So I get on, and we easily coasted down the whole driveway to our regular parking spot underneath one of the trees.

As I got back on the motorcycle to enter UCBC, Noé reminded me that the entire driveway slopes downhill… And sure enough, my husband got us to UCBC, in spite of us not having enough gas.

It was hilarious.

Memorable.

And a lot of fun.

I’m thankful for these little moments that God gives us.

It could have been stressful, annoying, frustrating. But it was something that just cracked us up. Nobody knew we ran out of gas, and so what if they had known! We got to UCBC, we were able to get more gas before the end of the day, and get back home - all without a "problem."

It was a good morning! 

A timely reminder

Recently, I was reminded of the voice, the platform, the eyes that I have… And that I can and should use it to educate, inform and enlighten those without the accessibility and exposure that I have… Especially the unique perspective and experience that I have to life in eastern Congo. It’s a calling and an opportunity and most don’t have.

Of course the reminder wasn’t so direct as that. But this man did encourage and surprise me when, after introducing myself to him for the first time he responded with, “Bethany, as in ‘Bethany in the Congo’?” I was taken aback for a moment and then realized that he was referring to my blog!

Wow. A reader. Not just a reader but one who knows the current title of my blog. He then went on to say how he and his wife came across it when looking for information about Congo that wasn’t all grim, bleak and heartbreaking. They were looking for something positive, he said, since they are considering a long-term move to the Congo. He also told me how they have appreciated what I’ve posted… And they follow my writings.

That brought me to feeling guilty for not updating in a long time… And then I felt even more shame when I remembered that my more recent “updates” were re-posts or news articles about Rwanda-Congo relations, or scandals in Congo with US professional sports players – I had written nothing (much less anything personal) in ages.

When was the last time that I had even reflected on what I’m seeing, living, hearing here?

Not long after that, Noé and I were going back to Beni, after church in Oicha (this was now March, two or three weeks before our wedding).

I was remembering a trip that Chelsie, Megan, Kizito and I had made to the DRC-Ugandan border at the end of November. We had left Beni to go to Kampala to wait for elections and the results here. Along the way, while still in Congo, we passed a few small towns in Virunga Park, which we drive through to get to the border.

One of the towns we came to had a military camp nearby – or maybe it wasn’t a town but just a camp, I really don’t remember. As we were approaching a few soldiers standing on the left side of the road, I struggled with my typical feelings when I see the national soldiers: distrust, fear, skepticism, doubt. I then realized that there was a little girl in a red dress standing very near to one of the men. And I fought against my feelings even more! Who do these men think they are? How dare they intrude in the lives of the people living here, the families, this little girl! God, protect that little girl from these men!

As we were about to pass them, while these thoughts were swirling around in my mind, I saw that the little girl, not four years old, was standing very close to one of the soldiers – and he was holding her hand.

He was protecting her.

He was caring for her.

He (likely) loves her.

I was arrogant. And very assuming.

Who do I think I am? How dare I project my assumptions on people I don’t know! God, thank you for that man. Is he her father? Brother? Uncle?

I then had to praise God for showing me the humanity in some of our soldiers. I thanked God for reminding me that the soldiers are not just people like I am, like my Congolese friends and family are – but they are also fathers, friends, brothers, uncles, sons, grandfathers…

Soldiers in a poorly managed / trained army... But they are still people.

So anyway, back to the Sunday after church in Oicha. Noé and I were headed back to Beni on the motorcycle and for some reason; I remembered the trip in the car to the Ugandan border and seeing the soldier near the young girl in the red dress.

After these thoughts re-entered my mind, we came up to a small military camp near a cluster of small houses, along the side of the road. As we got closer to one house in particular, I saw a small child who was totally naked and covered in soap suds. I started to smile, knowing that he was getting his bath, when I noticed the person bathing him – was in army fatigues. And he had a gun strapped to his back.

A father? An uncle?

Moments later, I could see two soldiers walking along the side of the road, heading towards us. The one in front was smoking a cigarette. The one behind him, was tightly holding onto the hand of a young girl, in a light blue dress. It looked like he had just swung her by the arm, kind of like how my parents used to play with us when we were kids – propelling us forward by the arms – a game where you were left feeling like you had just flown forward those 3 or 4 feet. How exhilarating!

And this young man was playing with the little girl in blue, as they walked north up the road.

I was dumbstruck for a few minutes.

God, what are you teaching me? What am I missing? What have I forgotten?

These three brief moments have really touched me deeply. I’ve seen how judgmental I am, especially towards the army. Even how fearful I have been – assuming the worst in the people that I see.

But what do I know? Maybe I know just a little, a percentage of the “truth,” and I project my assumptions, my generalizations on to the collective group.

When I am included in the stereotyping of Americans, women or white people – I get all bristly.

How dare you assume something about me when you don’t even know me?!

Yet, I’m guilty of the same thing.

God forgive me and help me to see others with your eyes… God help me to see the Congolese army with your eyes.  And help me to remember that everyone, every single human, is your creation.

I am so thankful for the reminder a few weeks ago – to keep informing people back in the States about life here. For some, I may be the only set of eyes that they have access to. And for some, I may be the only one they know of who’s seeing good things here.

I don’t want to waste that. It’s a privilege to be here. It’s an honor to be a part of life here. To see, with my own eyes, what’s happening in Beni. And I want to share that with you, my family, friends, supporters and community in the rest of the world outside of Beni and UCBC.

In other news...

My family in Congo!

After a long silence..... Here is a little update on some things going on around (and outside of) Congo right now. I intend to write more soon: about Congo, about UCBC, life here, and maybe even time with family in Beni and our wedding!


Have a blessed day, wherever you are!






Congo's Kabila taps finance minister for premier post - Reuters
Matata Ponyo has been named the DR Congo's Prime Minister. He's not from a different political party... But as a friend recently said, he can still do something for the Congolese people. Let's hope so. I guess we just will have to wait and see.


The killer king - MO
"Bosco Ntaganda: smuggler king, kidnapper, war criminal and... general."
It's an interesting article about a man who is by far, above the law in this country.






Views on the 2012 Election, Candidates and the Economy - NY Times
I forgot that the US has elections this year... It's amazing how the world continues to spin even when I'm wrapped up in the things around me. I wonder if I can vote by absentee ballot this time? I forgot to do it in time in 2008.


Green Bay Packers Team Page - NFL.com
I also forgot who won the Superbowl this year... I was sad (again) to realize (remember?) that it wasn't the Packers. Thanks to Stevie for helping me remember though. However, the new schedule has been released and here's hoping for better things this year! :)








Chelsea stun Barcelona in Champions League semifinal - CNN
Sad day for Barca fans... like my husband, Noé. Sorry, babe.


DICK CLARK, 1929-2012 - NY Times
Just found out that Dick Clark died...


An update on the desertions - Congo Siasa
Desertions in the Congolese army... An update from Jason Stearns.


A New Thing
Beacon of Light
DRC - Congo Initiative

John working with eMi team volunteer

A few eMi (Engineering Ministries International) team members reflection on their time with us here at UCBC in February.












Ok I guess that's good for now... Happy Thursday!


love,
Bethany

31 March 2012