It is with great anticipation that I popped out of bed at 6A this morning after slipping into it well after 2A.
We've planned, packed, and pondered our preparation till we're second guessing ourselves. Paul bugged Shannin for wet wipes late last night, "Are you afraid you won't be able to wash your hands?" she asked. "It's not for my hands!" he replied. Apparently on some trips to a more rural mainland China, toilet paper is considered a luxury.
One of our friendly neighbors was kind enough to report that the DRC just had an uprising where several were killed, but all I could find on the Internet was a newspaper clipping reporting that some "white men" were killed near Katanga (far east from where we're going - Kinshasa) - the clipping was from 1893 which is probably why they reported that "white men" were killed.
Paul and Doug are anxious, but the rest of us are excited.
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2 comments:
We are all praying for you and your mission! Please keep safe! And PLEASE get Paul some wet wipes!!!!! Love you, April
The following summary or background was taken from the US Government's World Factbook. This Factbook contains a wealth of information about countries (including the USA) and can be found at https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cg.html
Background for the DRC:
"Established as a Belgian colony in 1908, the Republic of the Congo gained its independence in 1960, but its early years were marred by political and social instability. Col. Joseph MOBUTU seized power and declared himself president in a November 1965 coup. He subsequently changed his name - to MOBUTU Sese Seko - as well as that of the country - to Zaire. MOBUTU retained his position for 32 years through several sham elections, as well as through the use of brutal force. Ethnic strife and civil war, touched off by a massive inflow of refugees in 1994 from fighting in Rwanda and Burundi, led in May 1997 to the toppling of the MOBUTU regime by a rebellion backed by Rwanda and Uganda and fronted by Laurent KABILA. He renamed the country the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), but in August 1998 his regime was itself challenged by a second insurrection again backed by Rwanda and Uganda. Troops from Angola, Chad, Namibia, Sudan, and Zimbabwe intervened to support KABILA's regime. A cease-fire was signed in July 1999 by the DRC, Congolese armed rebel groups, Angola, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zimbabwe but sporadic fighting continued. Laurent KABILA was assassinated in January 2001 and his son, Joseph KABILA, was named head of state. In October 2002, the new president was successful in negotiating the withdrawal of Rwandan forces occupying eastern Congo; two months later, the Pretoria Accord was signed by all remaining warring parties to end the fighting and establish a government of national unity. A transitional government was set up in July 2003. Joseph KABILA as president and four vice presidents represented the former government, former rebel groups, the political opposition, and civil society. The transitional government held a successful constitutional referendum in December 2005 and elections for the presidency, National Assembly, and provincial legislatures in 2006. KABILA was inaugurated president in December 2006. The National Assembly was installed in September 2006. Its president, Vital KAMERHE, was chosen in December. Provincial assemblies were constituted in early 2007, and elected governors and national senators in January 2007."
Now, again there is fighting in the DRC. I realize that the fighting is in the east and not at this time near your location. Please family, be careful while you are there doing God's work. We want you all to return safely.
You are in our prayers.
Love,
Grandpa Bob
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