I arrived at Bunia, Congo on Weds, June 22, to be greeted by the driver and Jamie Calloway, now the Secretary General of the Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion. Some of us know him from Trinity Wall Street. What a surprise! He was here for the laying of the cornerstone of the Anglican University of Congo! the Archbishop of Canterbury arrived on Friday, 24th; it was the first visit of an ABC to the Congo ever. There was a reception at which the governor of le Province Orientale spoke, as well as the UK ambassador, the Archbishops of Canterbury and DR Congo. During his visit, the Archbishop met with women who have been the victims of violence. He also met with young people who had been recruited into the militias and are now being integrated into public service in the Army or Police force, to protect the people. It was very powerful.
The hospitality has been amazing! Archbishop Isingoma and his family invited me to stay with them until we all move to Kinshasa, the capitol, on July 27th. In the meantime, I have been blessed to hear stories about Congolese culture from many people. I am so impressed by everyone's willingness to exchange greetings, 'Bonjour' elicits a 'bonjour', an 'Habari' (how are you) elicits a 'Nzuri' (fine). Ca va, in French is responded to with a 'Oui, ca va. Comment ca va? ALL greetings come with a smile from both parties. My French is coming along; I speak only in the present tense, but people have been very forgiving.
We saw fields upon fields of cassava, a spinach-like vegetable which cooks up nicely with garlic, onion, red pepper, but then, doesn't everything? The fish is fresh, from Kasenyi, on Lake Albert (Google!) and mangos, avocados, bananas, oh, my!
My time at the computer lab at Shalom University is up. I will post again from Kinshasa. A bientot.
love and peace,
PaminCongo
