Playing Catch Up - Arrival in Mbandaka

I was unable to connect to the internet while we were in Congo, but there is much to tell about the experience.  Join me in re-living the journey as we experienced it, starting with our arrival in Mbandaka on May 25.  (Due to a mechanical problem in New York, we arrived in Brussels too late to catch the daily flight for Kinshasa.  This did give Bob and me a chance to share the delights of our old home town with the pilgrims.  While in St. Michel's Cathedral, we learned of the death of the daughter of Maman Nzeba, a good friend who stayed with us last summer during her Indiana visit.  I lit a candle and offered prayers for this family in a time of deep sorrow.  This was a reminder of how connected we have all become through the Partnership, and how deeply the sorrow of one can be felt by us all.)

Arrival in Mbandaka May 25, 2011

We’ve finally arrived in Mbandaka.   We arrived at the ECC hotel in Kinshasa fairly late at night, and rose at 5:45 a.m to go to the airport at 6:30 to be weighed in for an 8 am departure.  Unfortunately, we had the wrong figure for the allowed weight, and we had almost 100 kg too much.  They kindly removed two of the seats, and we pared everything down, but only by leaving personal items and all of our gifts except the banners behind.  MAF will bring them up when they fetch us for the return flight, so we can still get them to our partners.

The flight  up was beautiful and very calm.  When we arrived at the Mbandaka airport, there was a large contingent of soldiers and a military band on the runway.  The plane from the local airline Hera Bora had just arrived, and there were some important ministers or a general aboard, hence the welcome.  We waited until they left, but several of our partners came out to the plane to greet us while we waited.  How good to see Papa Bonanga (head of the Disciples of Christ in Congo), his wife Anna (who will be our hostess for meals), Principal Supervising Pastor Ilumbe (Mbandaka District, similar to regional minister), his wife Maman Rosette (chair of the partnership committee in Mbandaka), and our diligent protocol officer, Jean Robert.  In many ways, it feels like coming home again.  As soon as we exited the airport property, a huge crowd welcomed us with songs, dancing, and drums.

Off to the city center, accompanied by the greeters.  We descended from the cars about 5 blocks from Mbandaka III church.  The street was lined the entire distance with school children and adults, singing again to greet us.  There is always a strong Palm Sunday feel about these welcomes.  We participated in a great welcome service and presented the large partnership banner that is the gift from Indiana to the Mbandaka district.  There are small banners with the logo for all of the district churches, which will be presented as we visit them.  Lunch, rest, discussion of itinerary, and dinner, then early to bed.  We are scheduled to depart at 5 a.m. tomorrow.