We are safely back in Johannesburg from Lubumbashi, D.R. Congo. It wasn't as scary as we thought it would be. We had to pay $10.00 each at the airport going in to Lubumbashi and $ 50.00 each when we left to come back to Johannesburg. They call it an "airport tax" and we were told that we would not be allowed on the airplane to come back to Johannesburg unless we paid the money. We gladly paid it, but it would be interesting to know where that money ends up.
The church leaders, including stake presidencies, bishoprics, clerks, and stake auditors (from two stakes) that we met in Lubumbashi were very friendly to us, and greatly appreciated the training that we provided.
One evening I was giving a powerpoint presentation on financial auditing to some of the stake auditors and leaders. Because all of the folks there are French speakers, I was working through my interpreter, who is one of the bishops there. About half way through it, a thunder storm came in and it started raining. It began raining so hard on the metal roof that we could hardly hear ourselves talk. Then the electricity went off, the lights went out and my powerpoint projecter went off. We were warned that this might happen, so it was no big surprise. Fortunately, the church building had an emergency generator, which they cranked up and we continued on as if nothing had happcened. The next day, we trained one group of about 16 the morning for over two hours, then another group of about 45 in the afternoon, which went on for about four hours. The second group, from another stake, asked lots of questions. I taught about auditing, and church financial administration, and Sharon taught them about entering data to membership records, etc., honesty and integrity. Theft of church funds is not uncommon in some areas of Africa, especially in high poverty areas. We felt good about what we had accomplished, but we were exhausted that evening.
Our translator was also our driver, taking us where we needed to go. We took him to lunch to show our appreciation for his help. We never felt at all unsafe on the streets. There is a lot of poverty in the area and the streets are full of potholes. The major industries in the Lubumbashi area is copper and uranium mining There are bad areas and nicer areas of the city. Ironically, there is a large beer brewery next door to the stake center where we attended church on Sunday. The people that we met there seemed to be humble, hard working people raising their families and doing the best that they can under their circumstances.
We met with President Packer, (Lubumbashi Mission President), and his wife, and he intrepreted for us in a Sacrament meeting. They then had us and another senior missionary couple over for lunch. Most if not all of the missionaries that serve in this mission are Africans, from Cameroon, Ivory Coast and other African countries. He indicated that this is one of the fastest growing areas in regard to baptisms in the world.
We are now planning training trips to Capetown, and East London here in South Africa, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya. We can tell by looking at the completed audits, which stakes are mostly in need of the financial and auditing training.
What we are doing here is sometimes demanding and stressful, but very rewarding, as we have many opportunities to help the African people.
am saddened by Tony Carleton's remarks. if he is truly as educated more than the Africans he's looking down upon, he should know very well that it's not Africa's culture to rape, kill and all other filthy things he just mentioned.In fact when you talk about the killings and stealing of Africans and Africans resources, the culprits are none other than the west! Get your facts right before airing your views friend, or else you will just come out the bigger fool. that in French we call it 'conseil gratuit'
Posted by: mimitu | November 14, 2010 at 05:35 AM