CONGO CHRISTMAS



A WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS
We enjoyed a 3 hour program put on by the children of our church.  They acted out several plays, sang , danced, and seemed to have a great time.  We certainly did.  They were just wonderful.




This is the African version of the Makarena.  The girl on the right (next to the woman) was a great dancer and she was really into the dance.  A joy to watch her.  



Notice this choir is getting ready to be led by this young 12 year old girl.  The woman on her left is Lily who runs the internet cafe below our apartment.  She is getting things set up for this young girl who directed the choir.



These kids sat quietly for an hour before the program started.





This is the play about Nephi and his brothers getting the brass plates from Laban.  They loved the sword fighting.



A few of the moms after the play -  parasols because it was so sunny outside

CHRISTMAS EVE
These are the two wonderful Congolese men that we work with in the office.  Serge and his fiancee are on the left and Justin and his wife are on our right.  The two girls are sisters.   Serge get married today!  It is embarassing for men and women to show public affection but Justin is learning American culture.  You usually don't even see men and women walking side by side in public.  It is a patriarchal society.  We had an office party and we went out to lunch with these four plus the Packers.  We went to an Italian restaurant and it was delicious and we didn't get sick!

CHRISTMAS DAY
This was a great way to begin Christmas Day.  We went to the hospital to visit one of our elders who had a hernia operation two days before.  They referred him to this brand new surgical hospital -  newly opened.  He was the only patient there.  We were so impressed with the cleanliness and how modern this hospital was.  It was built by a foundation and I hope it can keep up high standards.  As we were visiting our patient we decided we needed to run out and buy food for him because they weren't feeding him!  However, they told us he was doing well enough that we could take him home.  These are the Packers, our mission president and his wife, helping Elder Guehi leave the hospital. 

Another fun Christmas activity was visiting the new wildlife preservation.  The camel was the best part.  Look how friendly he is.  He loved having Greg scratch his neck -  just like our horses.  This park is making an effort at a come-back.  During the terrible 10 year war they ate all the animals in the preserve.  A year ago they only had one animal here and now they are up to a couple dozen.  It certainly wasn't a wonderful park but I think it has great potential and it is so gratifying to see this city moving forward.  We received an article from a very respected business magazine that gives predictions for the year.  They gave 100 things to watch during this coming year.  #1 was a technology item that had to do with 3D imaging which is a high tech company where Greg serves on the board and #2 item was "the emerging middle class in Africa."  We see it happening before our very eyes.  Every week we notice a little progress here.  It is moving forward.  These people deserve it.  They are humble, kind, happy people. We will never forget our first African Christmas.