Hotel Ixoras Kinshasa

... shook us back to the hotel. And we were very happy to have transportation. The local leaders and talked in the garden for another couple of hours continuing and wrapping up the discussion from yesterday. Francis mentioned that the manager of the complex where we had services today told him afterwards that he had been afraid we might make lots of noise and carry on like some groups do. He was impressed that we were an organized, well-behaved, serious group. He ...

... The older driver started the fairly long driver into town. We chatted as we moved slowly on the mangled road. He told me the local news too: when President Obama was elected there was dancing in the streets, literally. And lots of drinking in the streets too, apparently. He also told me that the manager of the Grand Hotel one of the two good hotels in Kinshasa had died unexpectedly. I asked what had killed him. "Sorcery", was the answer. "He was poisoned" said the driver ...

... would be a huge tourist attraction. There is so much the people could do for themselves with such a resource. Their government is crazy... All the roads here have huge potholes and are so ****. I asked why residents did not team up to fix their roads. Turns out its illegal. Its illegal to repair the road yourself because its the governments job. WTF? Everything is in disrepair. On top of it all, you'd think that since this country is so rich, the people would all have gardens with all ...

Its 7:13 and dawn and I have spent the last 1hour getting ready to go out for new years. I have spent the last 10 min trying to stop tearing up. :( You guys all know that I dont wear make-up, and the reason is because I am a make-up gimp. I cant put on make-up without something going horribly wrong. :( Here is what happened. I started with the foundation and that went ok, I actually looked OK. Then came the eye ...

... What I would not give for snow. A freak storm. Ah man, I can totally see the first few flakes falling. Then a chilly breeze picking up... then a huge truck of snow being dumped on me.... I know, I am complaining and I should be thankful for getting the opportunity to come to the Congo. Yeah, well if someone sends me a fan, Ill be thankful, right now as I sit here, an insomniac, sweaty, unwashed, THIRSTY and hungry, I am everyones enemy. Merry Christmas everybody...

... at the airport wearing an Obama ball cap and I figured almost everyone here would be favoring him. Not so, I was told. "Some are for Obama" Jacob told me, "but many are for McCain." When I asked why, he said "because he is Tutsi." Since Obama's father is from Kenya, and Tutsis are found in Rwanda, Eastern Congo and Burundi, I asked for clarification. "Well, he's Nilotic, same as the Tutsis" Jacob said. There are two large tribal groups in eastern ...

... go along over the next few days. I'll give the hotel some thought. Jacob, Justin, the Mukendis and Mr. Bamongo agreed to meet again tomorrow. I'll visit one member, who is sick, and we'll also try to flesh out plans for this upcoming Feast of Tabernacles and the future of the Church in Congo as far as registration and legal recognition is concerned. Tomorrow will be my last full day in Congo, and it should be another full one.

... eld** in nearly 15 years! Neith** Jacob nor he was expecting the oth**, so I introduced them and we talked to get to know one anoth** while we waited. My suitcase showed up and then my passport. We checked carefully to make sure the passport had the prop** entry stamp in it. If that is missing it can mean trouble (and paying a bribe) lat** one. Then we headed to the taxi for the drive into Kinshasa to the hotel. We drove through night air thick with ground ...

... is just across the street from the French embassy. That's always a good neighborhood in French-speaking countries; the French are good about evacuating nationals of other countries in the event of trouble. The US embassy is father but it would still be possible to get there on foot in a pinch. The lobby was clean and modern and there were enough other Westerners about that I decided I'd try it next time. Our next stop was out toward the airport at the conference center where ...

... while supplies abroad have not been seriously interrupted in twenty years. Summoned to give evidence, the technical director of the national electricity company (SNEL), blamed antiquated, unserviced equipment, and financial deficits due to expenses outstripping production. (Incidentally, the ...