Can you believe the last post was about 12 hours of time? Only half of my 24-hour day. Sorry I'm a little behind, the past 1 1/2 days were kinda crazy. So, where were we?.....
So, from the Brazzaville Airport to the hotel. Before leaving the airport, this is Congo. A little less-refined for the Westerner's taste but full of life and activity. Brazzaville is the little brother to Kinshasa, although they hate hearing that. The people are basically the same, they speak the same language and they are only separated by about 5km width of the Congo River. So glad I didn't take the fishing boat across and took the 5 minute flight instead. Too bad, that story's for another blog at another time.
I'm staying at Hippocampe, under Tim's suggestion, a great restaurant, an OK hotel. Owned by a French man and his Vietnamese wife they run a wonderful restaurant together with her Vietnamese parents. This is a place that's been around for quite a while. Even my dad has come here and spoke of the wonderful soup. I'm not sure how many have stayed here. I don't believe that the entire complex was always owned by the current owners. OK, to the room, I've stayed in better, I've stayed in worse. All I really ask for is running water and A/C. Remember we've entered tropical climate. Use the weather add-on beside the posts to see how hot it is in Brazzaville. About 35 + 10 degrees of humidity. So you need A/C. I heard that (and I know that) the electricity (aka "le current" pron cooron) is not always constant and that when the generator (aka "le groupe") is functioning, the A/C isn't. We'll see! After settling into my "suite" (bedroom + bathroom + additional room with another single bed, table, fridge and small tv - fans in both rooms), we prayed together and then went for lunch. By this time it's about 12 Noon.
Brazzaville is all too familiar to me. I even recognize where we are and what route to take where although I don't know exactly where we are in terms of N-S-E-W. Brazzaville has about 1,000,000 inhabitants and is much calmer and tolerable than Kinshasa.
Went to Mandarine for lunch with Apostle Kalala & Joel. This is one of two Lebanese restaurants (that I know of) in Brazzaville. You seem to find at least two kinds of restaurants all over the world } Lebanese & Chinese and sometimes more than one of each. Mandarine is one of our stomping grounds here in Brazza. A few Shawarmas, fatouch, tabouli, hoummos, nice bakery as well. Can't remember which soccer game was on TV anymore but it was good nonetheless.
Back to the hotel to rest and recuperate for a while. Tried using the 'weak' wifi and the hotel owner liked my ACER portable computer. Not a laptop but a netbook. Smaller and lighter, a real God-Send. Went to Choir Practice in Tsaba where the service was going to take place tomorrow. They sang Zadok the Priest + a nice syncopated song that I remember from Pointe Noire last year, Ayimuna. I'll probably post a video from last year of this song. By the way a couple of youtube videos now under nacbram, I'll add more when I can.
Gotta go, I'll continue........
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Eh DE Andrew. What a great idea, writing a blog. I have been reading your 6 days while eating supper. The Boltons are at my place this week. What a great change that is for me. Also lots of time for retrospecting, we are friends for a long time. Anyways, I will give them your blog address also, in case they won't know about it. We sure pray for you, and everyone, that you stay healthy and strong :)...
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your other posts, it give me an insight into the day to day activities of the work.
Till next post,
Love Ruth,
Hi Andrew. Thanks for the updates; I totally enjoyed reading your 6 days! Creating a blog was such a good idea. I love blogs with good content! Boltons/Leubechers are at my place for the week, so I will pass it on to them, in case they do not have it.
ReplyDeleteWe will pray for your health and strength. I look forward to the next posts :)
Love Ruth
Andrew, just a little note from Heather, Alex and the boys.We have been following your blog since last week, but have not posted any comments. Documenting your journey in this fashion, does make it very interesting and informative.Keep in touch, and KEEP SAFE
ReplyDeleteIf it's any consolation my portable doesn't have air conditioning either (and with 22 students who are fidgety it can be quite challenging!!!). However, I do go home to my parent's air conditioned home =P On a more serious note, I hope and pray for your safety during the remainder of your travels and on your journey home. Also, I'd like to share some good news with you =) I have indirectly been offered other teaching positions for September so although my contract with my current school expires at the end of June, I am almost guaranteed another position for September! I'm sure our Heavenly Father will provide something for me so I'm not concerned. I still remember the verse you told me to read: Matthew 6:34. In any case, I look forward to your return home.
ReplyDeleteMake it a great day!!!
Ruth A. Bakhsh
Hello! Dist. Elder, I thought none of my comments went through but I guess it takes time. At least two went through anyways. Hope this one as well. I am waiting for Olive to give me a few sentences to send to you from her. I printed your blog comments from most recent to beginning and gave them to her to read and she enjoyed them including all the humorous tidbits. Still praying and thinking of you and enjoying reading your daily blogs. Love you, Danielle & Brian :-)
ReplyDeleteHaven't "heard" from you in a while. It must be a) no internet connection b) very busy doing what you were sent to do c) all of the above! Keep well, be safe. C.
ReplyDeleteIsaiah 40:28-29 (New King James Version)
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.”
Thoughts: God is a never-ending source of strength. When we are tired and weary, He gives us strength. When we are depressed and have lost hope, He can provide strength. All we need to do is ask God to provide it! In Psalm 37:5 it says “Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you.” (NLT) During our lifetime there may be circumstances that trouble us to the core of our soul. It is then we must find the courage and wisdom to trust our Heavenly Father, despite the circumstances. We must turn over all our concerns in prayer to the Lord. God will protect us and care for us and, if we allow Him, He will renew our spirits and bring us comfort and peace. Trust, always, and He will never fail you!
Have a day filled with love and peace!!
Dear Dist. Eld. Latorcai, Yinna, Yinna, Where are you on God's great earth. You are in places I haven't heard of but we know what you are there for is to bring your gifts and talents and share them with our brothers and sisters for the furtherance of Our Heavenly Father's work. Praying that this will be appreciated over there as we do here. A little advice "Don't eat, or drink or sleep, and especially don't get eaten alive and keep well :-) Dani and I are planning a date with Lisa. Had a most blessed Sunday with our Dist. Apostle, he drew us into the realm of the departed when he served the souls by proxy, with our bishop and Rector, he said he knew where everyone sat in church when they were there even Margaret said "Aunty Olive, I felt them" and so did I. Yesterday evening, service with Evang. Zipplinger was most enjoyable and he also prayed very earnestly for you. Totsiens, Love you and hurry back. Ollie
ReplyDeleteDEL,
ReplyDeleteI hope the rest of your trip is safe and successful. Keeping you in our prayers. Missed you last night - was with David & Peter and the rest of the clan at Alice Fazoolies (good food - no baquettes LOL). Greetings to everyone including Apostle's Muhima & Mayele if you see them (they stayed at my parents for Pentecost '99).
Scott
Hi D.E.,
ReplyDeleteI've been following your blog since the beginning. This is the first chance I've had to respond we just seem to be really busy. Emily and I are starting to pack for the move. (I can't remember if we told you before you left but, our mortgage was approved!)
We have some work to finish on the sri's basement before we leave. That plus I've been in school since march 16th for the last part of my apprenticeship. Exams are coming up next week. I’m not too worried but I could use a few extra hours of study time. Plus all the wedding celebrations going on. Between Dave and Manuela, Stevie and Soka and the Emery’s 25th we have been busy the last few weekends. And now it’s time to start cutting grass at the church too. Needless to say we have alot to juggle. I hope you are well. I’m sure you are busy. I’ve also heard you may be home sooner than expected, is this true?
See you soon,
Ke>in