December 28, 2014 - Clark

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Having written a letter on Christmas Day, I was tempted to skip a Sunday without a letter,  but I just had to write week 36-Clark.  For Christmas we had activities at the mission home that were similar to Thanksgiving.  We had a dinner Christmas Eve and then another on Christmas Day.  Each of the senior missionaries had a pot-luck dinner assignment and the meals were wonderful.  

Sister Renee Mikesell from St. George prepared a special reader’s theatre to reenact the nativity including scriptures, hymns and we ended with a testimony meeting.  Seemed like a perfect way to celebrate.  I’m sure we will remember our Congo Christmas for years to come.  

We enjoyed face timing with family and friends and sharing your Christmas with you.  Young children bring magic too the holiday and we were happy to see our grandchildren.  Unfortunately, mom caught a cold and has been feeling under the weather since Christmas Day.  We cancelled our work schedule on Friday and I spent the day in the office alone.  We both went to the office on Saturday after shopping for the incoming missionaries.  23 are scheduled to arrive January 6th.  This doesn’t represent a net increase simply restoring the numbers after those who returned home in December.  

One of our assignments for the mission is to purchase incoming supplies for all the missionaries.  They each receive: blanket, sheets, pillow, water-filtering bottle, led lights, mosquito net, umbrella, and colored pencils all packed into a fancy bag with their name attached.  We have enjoyed shopping for these items in downtown Lubumbashi.  It seems you have to go to a different store for every item on the list.  It has been a way we can help and with Elder Clawson’s help, we know where to shop.  

I spent most of the time on Friday and Saturday updating our project files, completing the financial accounting side of things and preparing project development worksheets to be submitted in 2015.  We were notified back in September that for the last 3 months of 2014, we couldn’t submit any more project development worksheets (PDW’s) for local area initiatives.  These are the projects under $25,000 that are left to the discretion of the local humanitarian couple.  Of the 7 projects we have received approval for since coming to Lubumbashi, 5 are local area projects.  

I was trying to have 5 new PDW’s to submit on January 1st but we just received notification that Johannesburg has not finalized the 2015 budget and they asked us to wait until after our annual senior’s seminar in Johannesburg, January 11-17.  This means for a full 4 months of our mission, we have been unable to submit local area project requests; what a bummer.

We’ve been reading more about the DRCongo on the internet today.  Our Province, Katanga, has the highest child mortality rate in the world.  DRC is the poorest country in the world or next to the poorest depending on the source.  The average life expectancy was 47 but has risen to 51 over the past several years.  Operating under these poverty conditions, it seems as though we have been handcuffed with the restrictions on our project proposals.  I have often said that if I were an employee, I would have walked long ago.  We have however been anxiously engaged in humanitarian projects such as the orphanages that didn’t use any church funds.   

We’ve enjoyed having a family home evening group with the other senior missionaries.  I’m responsible for tomorrow’s lesson on preparing for the second coming.  I’m not ready for the lesson or the event.  

Have a great week and a Happy New Year,  Love Dad (Elder Davis)

December 25, 2014 - Christmas

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Christmas morning in Lubumbashi and my thoughts are turned to the orphanage activities we have had this week.  I want to record them before my memory fades.

Monday, December 22, 2014-Katimel is an all-girls orphanage that Flavien first introduced us to.  The origin of the orphanage started nine years ago when two Catholic nuns started a safe house for girls from the streets who were living in prostitution.  These are young girls; their current enrollment is 20  girls from ages 6-16.  These two nuns provided a place for the girls to sleep during the day and then they began feeding them.  They eventually introduced them to educational opportunities and a way out of  the lifestyle they were dependent upon.  The nuns would go out at night and try to round up girls on the streets of their neighborhood and for doing so, they were beaten by the men or the pimps.  Katimel is the name of one of the nuns who founded the orphanage who died in an auto accident about a year and a half ago.  The orphanage is located on the same street as Flavien’s ward building.

We have visited there several times in an effort to establish a friendship and a relationship with Fifi who is the current director.  Sister Riendeau taught art lessons here, Therese from Notre Dame School has made arrangements to teach sewing classes to the girls.  When all of the area initiative money was frozen for the year over 3 months ago, we felt it was important to develop a continuing relationship since we had no money to contribute to any of their needs.  We decided rather than simply giving gifts at Christmas, it be better to join with the girls in doing a service project.  We decided upon painting the girls rooms and we solicited the help of all senior missionaries for the project.

I need to tell you that preparing for this type of project isn’t like going to home depot.  You have to locate the stores where supplies are available.  The girls had requested 4 different colors and we made an executive decision to select only one (sky blue).  Brushes, rollers, paint, tape, rolling pans, ladders, extensions, etc. all had to be figured out in a foreign language without a perfect match in any category.  Nonetheless, we did the shopping and thought we had purchased latex paint only to realize while applying it that it was enamel and we had no thinner or cleaning materials for cleanup.  

The population at the orphanage fluctuates from day to day.  We had prepared for 13 only to find out a few days before that they were back up to 20 girls.  Shelley had to prepare the bags of clothing from clothing bundles we had purchased and had to redistribute the clothing.  Who knew about clothing bundles? They come from different countries and with varying sizes and quality.  We learned some lessons and can now give you pointers on where to buy, how to negotiate a proper bundle selection.  We thought we were prepared only to find out that when handing out the bags, we were one short.  Luckily Shelley had brought the surplus clothing in a separate bag so that everyone received something.  Sister Thomas added to the bags with items from the mission home: nail clippers, tooth brushes, floss, small wallet, stickers and a card.

We arrived at 9:00 and divided the senior missionaries into groups of four to supervise the painting in the rooms occupied by the girls. They girls had a vested interest in the quality of the work because they were painting their own rooms.  We spent a few hours together in a one on one situation.  Although Shelley and I don’t have many French language skills, we thoroughly enjoyed painting with Schola (14), Chouncel (12), and Benedict (12).  You never would have been able to guess the ages of these girls.  They were a lot of fun to work with and they adopted us as well.  Needless to say sky blue paint is much more dramatic on black skin than white and they seemed to get that enamel paint everywhere.  

After the painting, they entertained us with singing and dancing numbers.  They have no musical instruments, but with a few crude instruments like a bongo drum and a hollow tree limb, they made great music.  Their dancing is really modest and conservative but do they every have rhythm.  It is amazing how they can sing and dance and entertain.  I took some videos and several still shots as well.

We had ordered 15 pizzas from Pizza Inn in downtown Lubumbashi.  I made arrangements with the manager to call in the order and we had the AP’s pick up the pizzas.  We had to pay them off with their pizza selection.  They met us at the Katuba Stake Center to deliver the pizzas.  The timing was fabulous by Congo standards and we returned to the orphanage for a meal together with the girls.

None of the 21 girls in attendance had ever eaten pizza before.  They began with reluctance and started by politely picking off the toppings from the top of the pizza before Elder Draper showed them how to eat pizza.  After that the main word was encore (more).  We brought orange soda of course for the perfect meal.  They were so polite and well behaved.  We delivered our bags of clothing and goodies after lunch and shook hands with every girl before returning to the mission home.  

Something haunted me.  There was a girl by the name of Nicole who had not been on the list and increased the number from 20 to 21.  I knew I had seen that name somewhere before.  When we returned home that evening, I searched the prior pictures of Katimel and discovered that Nicole was the girl who painted a painting that Shelley purchased from the orphanage.  They do painting as part of their therapy to escape the street life they have lived in the past.  Nicole had changed her hair and were sorry we didn’t recognize her for her painting.  I’m sure Fifi had invited her to attend because of our connection and we failed to recognize her.  

Wednesday, December 24, 2014-Tumaini orphanage-Ruashi.   We had organized through Flavien a visit to Tumaini orphanage.  They have 26 boys and 26 girls who live here.  This is where Rose lives.  Rose was introduced to us by Esther, the director of the orphanage.  Rose is the orphanage star because she just graduated from the university with a 3-year degree in accounting.  Flavien’s family has befriended her with temporary employment and a home to visit and see LDS family life.  They have been having some civil unrest in Ruashi because they have not had electrical power for almost 3 months.  They apparently need a new transformer and there were people in the streets demonstrating. As we approached the turnoff for Tumaini, we saw at least 20-25 police if full riot gear with clubs, guns, shields, etc.  When we turned off the main road that was cluttered with rocks, we soon realized why as a crowd of 60-70 began throwing large rocks at our vehicles.  

The police told us to turn around.  We told them we were bringing relief to the orphanage and so they charged down the street making the crowd retreat.  It was really a hostile environment.  We had 4 vehicles and as we pulled into the orphanage compound, the police retreated and the unruly crowd repositioned themselves.  There is no security wall around the orphanage and as the protesters saw us unloading presents and chickens from our vehicles for the orphans, their hearts must have been softened because they ceased to harass us or throw stones at us.  When we left, Flavien went into the streets and told our story.  Neighbors escorted us out of town by way of the back streets rather than run any risks on the main road.

Flavien had  purchased all of the food for Tumaini: 10 live chickens, oil, rice, flour (all  traditional Congolese  food).  These things were brought for their meal on Christmas day.  The orphans had practiced their program.  We were welcomed by Rose who served as the MC.  They sang and danced for us but the most impressive event was their reenactment of the nativity.  All of the children from the orphanage participated in their roles.  They added Herod’s decree to kill all the male children under the age of two.  It was very creative and the portrayal of the angel was very touching.  The program was in Swahili and yet we understood this universal language of the Savior’s birth.  It will be one of those memories captured and remembered for a lifetime.  

We felt so good after the bags were distributed because both Steve, our translator, and Flavien commented that this needs to become an annual tradition of helping orphanages.  These two certainly caught the vision that can be shared with others.  

After our orphanage experiences, we’ve reflected upon the question, “have I done any good”?  We brought  presents, pizza and paint but will there be any lasting change in anyone’s life because we were there?  I suppose I have to turn to myself and say, yes, I was changed by being there and I hope the feelings last and can be refreshed with other acts of service.  For the orphans, I hope they felt of our love and concern for them in a way that will life their spirits and inspire them to press forward in faith.  I also pray that Steve and Flavien will continue in their humanitarian efforts long after we have returned home.  I have often felt these two priesthood brethren may be our most important humanitarian projects.  

December 21, 2014 - Shelley

December 21, 2014

We’ve had a week of bundles and weddings!  In preparation for this

upcoming week, we have purchased three bundles of clothing to take to two orphanages.  In the photo above, the other senior gals and I are sorting one bundle at the mission home.  We sorted

another bundle at Flavien’s home.  Here is Clark with Brent and Dan, Flavien’s sons.  The other bundle was done at Thanksgiving.  Anyway, it has been a way bigger project to get 72 clothing bags ready than we had anticipated.  Fortunately, we’ve had lots of help.  We go to the first orphanage tomorrow, on the 22nd, and the other one on Christmas Eve.  I’m excited and nervous at the same time.  I know how picky teenagers can be about clothing – and I just hope they feel happy.  They are used to the bundle system, so I hope it works out.

Last week I mentioned a large wedding that was going to take place in a government office in our area.  These were LDS couples who were married in churches or in tribal weddings previously – some of them many years ago.  The government won’t recognize any marriage unless they perform it.  So 35 couples got married at the Commune Annexe Building by the Bourgemeistre of the Commune on Friday.  As with anything else we’ve experienced here, it wasn’t at all what we had expected!!!!

This is the group from the Bourge-

meistre’s point of view.  

I thought this was a really nice looking couple.  But these were some of the gals who stole the show (among family members and other supporters).

Right outside the door to the room, a vendor was selling plastic whistles, plastic flowers, and spray snow!

The wedding went on for FOUR HOURS, and the noise level just got higher and higher, with hoots and whistles.  I thought I would surely be deaf by the end!  Sister Draper and I had our hair covered with spray snow by the time it was over.  And Clark did a great job after being recruited as the event photographer.  Nonetheless, it was festive and fun!  These are the rings

that were exchanged!

Just to break up the wedding news in my letter, I’ll tell about the car accident we had!  Not to worry – no one was hurt.  But the new car has been initiated to the crazy Congo driving.  Clark was

going less that 5 miles an hour, but he bumped into another car while trying to merge into traffic at the same time.  The car ahead made an abrupt stop and we hit him!  So sad!

I’m also including this very unflattering picture of me.  This old gal and I are NOT friends (I’m referring to the sewing machine that is being operated by some young chick! haha)  I wanted to get a sewing machine to use while we were here.  At time time, it seemed like such a good idea to get something that the local people use so that I could say I had had an authentic experience!  There are electric machines available, but our power is so unpredictable, that I thought I would just go with a local model.  Well, let me tell you, it’s a lot harder than it looks!  You need to

note that it is necessary to wear my headlamp in order to see.  It makes for a very attractive set-up!  Anyway, Clark mentioned in his last letter that he was so relieved this year that I didn’t have a million projects to work on at Christmas time.  I think he must have thought I had given up.  Au contraire! It’s a good thing I don’t have to make a living sewing, but my simple neighbor gift project is almost finished!!!!  Wahoo!

Through our projects we have met a wonderful young lady who is the director of public affairs in her stake. She has helped us so much in planning events.  Anyway, she got married yesterday.  The civil wedding was in the morning and the reception was at night.  We attended one other reception several months ago, so we were familiar with the format.  This is Solange and her new husband, Romain.

They are flanked by Justin and Christine, her Stake President and his wife.  Justin is also the office manager at the mission office.  There was a floor show with a

dancing group.  Then the guests kind of

“sashayed” up to the couple with their presents.  We were the only “white” couple there, but I must say that the people made us feel like we fit in.  It was all fun!  Same refreshments as the last reception we went to:  popcorn and soda!

This isn’t quite like our traditional Christmas card, but I think it’s one we will always cherish.  We feel so full of love for the ultimate gift of our Savior, Jesus Christ – and love for each of you.  Merry Christmas!    Mom/Soeur Davis

December 21, 2014 - Clark

Sunday, December 21, 2014

I’ll attempt to remember the entire week, but yesterday was a week in and of itself.  We had so many varied experiences and we’re already starting to worry about what we’ll do for entertainment value when we return home.   We started the day by spending the morning in preparation for our orphanage projects.  We plan on attending two orphanages this week; Katimel on Monday (23 girls) where we will paint rooms, order in pizza and present sorted clothing from bundles purchased, Tumaini on Wednesday (52 boys and girls).  First we put names on all of the bags we purchased and attempted to equalize clothing in each bag.  We spent part of the morning at Flavien’s home because he had also purchased a bundle from France.  We sorted with his wife, three children and Rose.  Rose is a 22-year old orphan from Tumaini that we met several months ago.  Flavien befriended her and hired her in his office.

Rose told us her story amid tears.  She is from the northern part of Congo.  Her mother died while giving birth to her brother.  Rose was seven at the time and her brother died a year later.  At the age of 9 her father moved with his 4 daughters to Lubumbashi to escape the armed conflicts up north.  He died shortly after their move and the four of them ended up in Tumaini.  Her older sister married as soon as she was able in order to leave the orphanage and her two younger sisters were placed in foster homes.   Rose chose to stay at the orphanage because they saw in her potential and her best hope of finishing school was to stay at the orphanage.  She completed her 3-year degree at the university in accounting just a couple of months ago and yet jobs are scarce and she is temporarily working at Flavien’s print shop as a receptionist while looking for a better job.

After returning to the mission home once again to equalize all the bags and account for all of the children’s names, we were returning home to our apartment when I had my first accident.  I emphasize first because by the looks of the cars and the nature of the traffic, it could easily be a regular report.  We were crossing the Zambia road or the road that leads to Kipushi.  We will often follow other cars who are trying to cut into the endless line of traffic.  The car in front of us started to pull out in the intersection and I followed, glancing back to the right to make sure I was safe on that side when unexpectedly the lead car stopped and I rammed into his bumper.  At this point, the senior missionary advice from Johannesburg is to flee the accident and report it to the mission home for notification of the police.  I felt impressed not to flee and to follow the lead car across the intersection and turn right to pull over on a side street.  The driver of the lead car was a Methodist Bishop and a national senator.  A member of the Kisanga Stake Presidency witnessed the accident and came running to my aid.  We politely exchanged numbers and he said he would call on Monday.  I’m so happy I didn’t flee and worry about the negative impressions I could have left on several people.  The reason the advice is to flee is because often crowds gather and beat the driver at fault if anyone is injured and sometimes destroy the car.  I didn’t feel like this was that type of situation and I just listened to the Spirit, I’m glad I did.

In the afternoon, we had the missionary choir Christmas program at the Kisanga Stake Center.  Matilda is the choir director for the stake choir.  There was a major cloud burst during the first 30 minutes of the program and the rain was so loud, you couldn’t hear the microphone or the public address system.  Following the program we had been invited to a marriage celebration for Solange, the public relations director for the Kisanga Stake.   She was a convert baptism of Elder Tshimpe, our current AP.  She has helped us with several activities and hosted several events we have attended.  The traffic was locked as Steve would say and we were supposed to be at the Katuba Stake Center at 5:00 for the wedding reception.  We didn’t arrive until 6:45, but then proceeded to listen to extremely loud music for 45 minutes before the couple arrived.  We were the only white people there and felt privileged to be invited.  People are so attentive to us and always make us feel like the guests of honor.  Following the reception, we took Matilda home and arrived home at 9:00 for another late-night dinner.  Just another day at the office.

We have spent most of the week with our orphanage preparations.  We had to buy additional clothing bundles and bags.  All clothing bundles are not alike.  We had two sorting days with the senior missionaries.  Clothing from France and Germany is preferred over other import locations.  Women’s clothing is almost always superior to men’s and costs more.  Originally we didn’t know if the orphans would just have clothing in common but we were reassured they had separate ownership and responsibility of their own clothing.  We felt it was important to give them separate bags rather than simply dumping a few 100-pound bundles on their doorstep.  We are attempting to get the stakes and local wards to adopt orphanages in the boundaries but it hasn’t happened yet.  Flavien thinks this could be the beginning of a tradition that can be carried on after we leave; we sure hope so.  Mom and I decided our contribution would be our gift to one another.  Wish us luck and I’ll report back on our two days at the orphanages next week.

Regarding projects, we spent much of the effort this week with Regideso, the government supplier of clean drinking water.  I explained previously that we are attempting with their help to identify neighborhoods where the water lines could be extended from the main trunk line at a lower cost than drilling new wells.  They had identified 5 neighborhoods.  4 of the 5 neighborhoods are located in Commune Annexe.  There are 7 communes in the city and Commune Annexe is larger than all other 6 combined.  The 6 are the center city and Commune Annexe is the area surrounding the city with larger land mass and less population density.  

We had met the Burgermeister of Commune Annexe at our bridge celebration where he cut the ribbon.  His vice-burgermeister had attended the promotional dinner for 10   last Saturday evening at the Grand Karavia.  I spoke with him there and told him of our water project.  He made an appointment for us with the Burgermeister and we became quick friends.  The Burgermeister showed us some property (his own) where a new water point was really needed.  The problem was it was 25 km from the end of the main line.  I noticed a marketplace located only 1.3 km from the main line.  He gave us a marketplace tour and I suggested this location had a much better chance of becoming a Regideso priority.  He called immediately and secured a promise that they would conduct a study and report back to him next week.

Our relationship with Burgermeister extended into Friday.  Apparently here there are different types of marriages.  One is a traditional or tribal marriage, another is a government performed and recognized marriage and then a temple marriage.  Many or most do not have a government-performed marriage because of the cost, however, you can’t get baptized or married in the temple without it.  Justin Mukuna, Katuba Stake President negotiated a discounted price for marriages with the Commune Annexe Burgermeister.  He then arranged for 35-40 couples to take advantage of the discounted price.  Shelley talked about this previously; original price = $70 plus one plastic chair, discounted price = $35 and no plastic chair.  Friday afternoon was the appointed time.  We attended four and a half hours- worth of weddings, all performed by the Burgermeister.

At the beginning of the celebration, the photographer for the Commune adopted me - a new-found friend.  I quickly became the wedding photographer.  There were many but he took me to all the special spots and gave me lots of coaching.  He was pretty drunk, so I’m not sure it was a compliment because I felt like I was the team photographer all over again.  It certainly helped to pass the time much faster and 326 photos later I was finished.  I’ll give them all to Justin to distribute or share.  It was fun.  It was also a chance to actively take pictures of these couples dressed to the nines and see a little affection.  There is next to no display of public affection.  Men and women often don’t even sit together in church, so it was great to see them share a kiss and an embrace.

I’m sure this will be a Christmas to remember.  85-90 degrees, rain every day, no tree, no decorations, no Christmas projects, no presents to buy or receive, no traditional Christmas foods and activities, but Hakuna Matata (no worries).  Absent the stress, but not absent the Spirit.  We love and are happy to be serving the Lord in hastening His work here in the Congo.

Love, Dad (Elder Davis)

December 14, 2014 - Shelley

December 14, 2014

After the week we had two weeks ago, this week has been very calm.  We’ve gotten caught up on some of the office work we do – and worked on getting ready to send several young missionaries home before the holidays.

We’ve really enjoyed keeping in touch with other senior missionary friends we have who are serving in various parts of the world.  Nancy and Barr Cannon, who are in New Zealand, recently wrote about how hard it is to get into the Christmas spirit when it’s summer in the Southern Hemisphere!  We can relate to that!  

Bonnie and Don McCauley, who are serving in Ukraine, told about their Primary Sacrament Meeting program and said how darling the children were.  We also witnessed a Primary Program, but it was in a ward that had been split from another ward the week before.  So this was the first Sunday that this group had met together!  An older child led the music (without accompaniment) and the children hopped right up and gave their parts without any prompting.  After tearing my hair out over several of these programs at home, I can’t imagine how they pulled it off!  Actually, one thing that is totally natural here kept us on our toes!  A well-endowed Primary teacher on the stand spent the entire meeting breast feeding her baby.  And I don’t mean with a cover-up!  It’s a very, very common occurrence everywhere we go – in all public places.  But it did seem a bit much for being on the stand in Sacrament Meeting!  We all stayed awake.  

Whoever invented the plastic chair made a fortune in Africa!  They are everywhere!  One really wonderful thing concerning chairs is happening this week.  Marriages that take place within a church aren’t officially recognized by the government.  Most people get married in the mayor’s office.  Well, couples who want to be sealed in a temple have to have a marriage that is recognized by the government.  The president of one of our stakes made arrangements to have 40 LDS couples (who were previously married at church) married in the government office.  These are people who are planning to be sealed in the Johannesburg Temple soon.  Now the chair part:  The cost of a government wedding is $70 AND A PLASTIC CHAIR!!  The president got a special rate for this group of only $35 – AND A PLASTIC CHAIR!  Isn’t that funny!?  But it’s a break-through!

Just like home, there are Christmas decorations in the stores – not nearly to the extent that we see at home, but we know the holiday is coming.  Recently we visited an orphanage with a very interesting Christmas decoration.  It must be for people who want to have all their bases covered!

Last night we were invited to a very nice dinner at the Hotel Karavia.  These were

all people that we have worked with in our projects.  President Tshibanda, on the far right, was the host.  Guests included Charles, who is over physical facilities for the Catholic Church – and the Bourgemeistre and his wife from Commune Annexe.  His wife is the fancy gal in the middle with a gold top.  My plain missionary clothes felt just like that – PLAIN!!  Oh, well.  It was a nice evening.

We had another invitation this week.  This one was about as opposite from that one as you can get – but it was very touching!  One of the two chiefs of the neighborhoods where the bridge was built invited us to his home.   His name is Daniel, and his home is very, very humble.  Daniel’s parents live with

them because his mother suffered a stroke.  (They have 70 grandchildren!!!!) Daniel has nine children and they live in a small home made of homemade bricks.  Here he is with his

wife and some of his children.  (Congolese people are not usually big smilers in pictures!)  And yes, the baby is wearing a wig.  I have no idea why.  There was really no agenda for the visit – we just sat and chatted (Steve was there to translate) and they served us Fanta Orange drinks.  Below is a picture of his daughter and her friend playing

dolls – very much the same as we might see our granddaughters doing.

All of the doll furniture and accessories were homemade from empty containers – and the dolls were white.

We have loved hearing about your Christmas programs and recitals.  This is such a very special time of the year – my favorite!  We also had a Christmas choir program – actually, we’re going to do it three times.  There are three stakes here in Lubumbashi.  Each one has a stake choir.  Sister Draper, one of the senior sisters, organized a program with the stake choirs and also a missionary choir.  The senior missionaries are the “token whites” in the missionary choir – we really stand out!  Anyway, we have had our “Chantons Noel” in the Katuba Stake yesterday and have the other two next weekend.  Christmas music sounds good in any language!

This week we have some family birthdays:  Ruby Roche, our granddaughter, turns nine tomorrow on Dec. 15th – and Nate’s birthday is on Friday, Dec. 19th!  Hugs and kisses to both!

I’m going to close with yet another picture of a darling child from church

today.  Judging by her teeth, I think she must be about 6 or 7 – she’s the Branch President’s daughter in Kipushi.  

We love you!  Have a wonderful, “last week of school for this year” week!

Much love,  Mom/Soeur Davis

December 14, 2014 - Clark

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Can you believe it’s the 14th of December?  Here it is about 90 degrees, partly cloudy and rains most every day.  Mom is really going through withdrawal without Christmas pressures to keep her awake at night.  She wishes she was in her sewing room knocking out grandchildren and neighbor gifts.  It has been murder but I am surviving just fine.  It hasn’t disrupted my Christmas preparation routine all that much.  I’ll start by telling you about some of our Christmas activities.  

Yesterday we had the first of 3 stake choir performances.  It was an hour and a half program completely in French with the exception of a single verse in “Away in a Manger” We were the token whites in the missionary choir.  Sister Draper is the director and does a fabulous job.  She practices organ and piano 4 hours a day when she is at home in Calgary, but she has really gone through withdrawal here.  The music regardless of the language really gets you into the spirit.  Sister Draper had combined narrative, a children’s choir, a stake choir, the missionary choir, soloist for organ and voice as well as audience participation songs.  The audience clapped after several numbers and it was a festive environment.  We have two performances remaining next Saturday and Sunday.

For a service project for Christmas we have adopted two orphanages.  The first is Katimel, an all girl’s orphanage that currently only has 13 residents.  They have placed many of their number in foster care before Christmas.  We are planning on painting the 4 bedrooms with the girls, giving them clothes from two clothing bundles and bringing pizza.  In addition, there is an orphanage in Ruashi with 52 children where we will deliver clothing and food on Christmas Eve.  Flavien is in charge of the second activity.  He plans on purchasing fou-fou flour, oil, rice and 5 live chickens.  The kids at the orphanage are planning a program of poems and singing.  We will be sorting clothes tomorrow for FHE and organizing them next Saturday with Flavien’s family in their home.  We don’t often get invited to homes, so we’re looking forward to that.

We had an enjoyable evening last night.  We were invited to the dinner for 10 at the Grand Karavia.  This is a public relations event where the Public Affairs representative from the Kisanga Stake recognizes people in the community who have helped the community.  We were invited along with Charles, Catholic director of physical facilities and a friend and partner on previous projects, and the burgermeister of commune Annexe and his wife.  The Grand Karavia is known as the nicest hotel in Lubumbashi.  The church members present were President Tshibanda and his wife, President Mwali and his wife, Mbidi Ilunga and his wife, our translator Steve and the stake PR person, Solange.  Everyone spoke twice, once to introduce themselves and secondly to talk about their family.  A very nice affair and we felt special because the events discussed were the projects we have been a part of.  A side note was that Charles ordered two bottles of Simba beer; about 48 ounces each.  That charge may be hard to explain on the church billing.

We began the week trying to recover from last week.  Monday we spent the entire day in the office documenting the potential projects we had discussed with Phillip during his visit.  We submitted three draft proposals for new or expanded projects.  It felt like we were restarting our efforts again after closing 3 of our projects the previous week.  I’ll bore you with two of the project visits we made during the week:

1. Regideso is the government water utility company.  World Bank is currently making a multi-million dollar investment in installing water lines in Lubumbashi.  Their plan is for main lines only and doesn’t include many line extensions to neighborhoods.  Regideso has identified 5 neighborhoods where they are suggesting we extend the water lines and create water points for the general public.  This is an attractive option to drilling because we are dealing with an established utility where the water resources have already been developed and we wouldn’t have much training of residents.  We visited two of the five sites and plan to visit the other three on Tuesday.  We are visiting chiefs of neighborhoods who organize public meetings in an attempt to secure the written approval of the people.  Their buy-in is to dig the trenches to install the new piping.  The trenches are one meter square and we figure they will represent about 10% of the project cost.  One problem is with government entities, you never know who to trust.  There seems to be extensive corruption at almost all levels of government.
2. The Ministry of Health organized a fieldtrip with a company owned by Eastern Indians by the name of Shazia.  Their name is on almost every business in town.  Shelley commented that the Indians seem to control everything, similar to the Jewish control of business in many US locations.  They took us to a drilling site near Bukanda School where the local Rotary Club is drilling a well for a future hospital.  We are interested in meeting the Rotary representatives and the Indian contractor will make those connections.  They are drilling several “free” wells based on input from ministry office in an effort to buy influence.  They call it humanitarian work for the community but they’re suspect.  You never know who to trust.

One fun thing we did this past week was to respond to an invitation from the Chief of the Kisanga Quarter, Daniel. He assisted us with the bridge project by being a peacemaker with representatives from both sides of the river.   He invited us to his home and introduced us to his parents who live with him.  We were telling them about the size of our family but felt like we were almost childless when his father said they had 70 grandchildren.  Daniel and his wife had 9 children so far and his parents had 11.  They had a fuzzy TV on in the background, a sign of prosperity.  The room was about 10 feet square, dirt floors but homey.  They served us Fanta orange while they all drank coke.  If they only knew.  We were honored to be invited.  Steve teased us that we needed to prepare our stomachs for what he would feed us, but we escaped with only the Fanta challenge.  

While we were at the chief’s house, Phillip and Elder and Sister Lee called from Johannesburg.  They wanted some pictures of the bridge for a public relations story the church is preparing where bridges have been built to unite people.  We have hundreds of pictures of the bridge under construction, but almost none of it in use.  We returned the following day.  It is very difficult to get natural pictures because we stand out and always attract a crowd.  Anyone allowing their picture to be taken wants to pose and see the results of the photo.  Most of our pictures look like a flash mob.  

Yesterday, we were invited to the coordinating council.  This is a meeting of the 3 stake presidents, 2 district presidents and an area 70 from Kinshasa.  Previously we had been instructed to conduct our humanitarian work independent of the local priesthood direction.  President McMullen said that was crazy and introduced us the very first week to these priesthood leaders.  I’m certainly happy he did.  They are invaluable when it comes to identifying welfare needs.  Phillip, our Area Welfare Manager now agrees.  

We received good news from our friends, Terri and Kevan Clawson.  She was our mission medical advisor and they have been called on another mission to the West Indies, the Guyana Region, as the mission medical advisor.  We’re amazed at the dedication of so many of these senior missionaries.  They returned home from Lubumbashi less than 3 months ago.  

Shelley commented just this last week, “I don’t know why we’re in such a hurry to get home”.  It takes you a while to find your grove or discover your call.   Just a note to President Ferry.  Someone knew where we could be used.  We meet with government leaders, church leaders and community leaders in trying to identify humanitarian projects that will benefit humanity.  It’s really a pretty good match with our prior experience.  We are feeling more and more comfortable here.  I wouldn’t exactly call it being at home but we’ve made many good friends.  The people are very engaging and the needs are endless.  We just hope we’re making a difference.  I know this mission is changing us but will we leave a mark?  We’re hoping to develop programs that are repeatable.  We’re also starting to worry about having a humanitarian couple to replace us.  Any takers out there?

Love, Dad (Elder Davis)

December 7, 2014 - Shelley

December 7, 2014

Well, if ever we could say that we had a big week, it would be this one!  We have had 5 humanitarian projects – and 3 of them had their closing ceremonies this week.  We more or less planned it this way because we had a visitor from South Africa.  His name is Phillip Moatlhodi – he is the big boss in the Area Office.  He is the Area Welfare Manager for all of Southeast Africa. He was here for 5 days, and we wanted to be able to show him the projects we have been working on and to get input for future projects.  We learned so much from him, even in this short amount of one-on-one time.

I promised in my last letter that I wouldn’t mention the “L” word again, but here I go once more!  I’m sure I’ve

shown this picture before of the 4 make-shift latrines at a school that has 3,000 students.  Mapendano School was one of our projects.  We paid to have 32 latrines repaired and their septic system pumped.  We didn’t have to build latrines – just refurbish the ones they already had but weren’t using because they didn’t work.  

Here is Clark speaking to the faculty and special guests while the student council is lined up behind him.  The kids sang a few songs when we first came.  The people in the photo are (on the left) the principal, Clark, Steve, and Charles (from the Catholic Diocese).  

Above shows the contractor holding a plaque we had made that basically tells that the LDS Church repaired the latrines.  He is standing in one of the fixed bathrooms.  Then two unexpected things happened.  Almost as soon as the program was over, the whole sky opened up with torrential rain.

Above shows the spot where the kids had been standing – a total flood!  One more funny thing was that we ordered 400 sodas and cookies for the student council and guests.  Well, unbeknownst to us, the principal ordered a case of beer for the adults! Haha

A second project that was completed was the Katuba Bridge.  As you can tell

from the picture above, the rainy season is upon us and we have been worried that the bridge wouldn’t be ready before the river started rising.  It was just in the knick of time!

Here is the Bourgemeister for the Commune Annex, accepting the gift of the bridge from us.  After this, he cut the white ribbon you can see.  We had to pay the media $300 to cover the event, and it wqs on the nightly news.

And last, but not least, was the celebration of a new kitchen for the Notre Dame School for Girls.  We’ve mentioned the director of the school many times.  Her name is Therese.  She and her husband run this school for disadvantaged girls in an effort to teach them skills so that they aren’t forced into an early marriage.  This is a common practice especially in cases where the girls have not gone to school.

Therese received 10 sewing machines from the LDS humanitarian couple in 2012.  With those, she has developed a wonderful sewing program.  This year she added the skill of knitting – and it is astounding what these girls have produced.  Therese had displayed the things the girls had made so far this year.  Below shows Therese and her

husband in the display room.  Therese wanted to add a culinary class to her curriculum, so our project was to outfit a kitchen for her with refrigerator, stove, freezer, and small appliances.

When we first arrived at the celebration, it was obvious that Therese had gone to a lot of work to make this special.  There were streamers and Christmas decorations.  The younger kids (they attend just regular school classes – not sewing or cooking) were all wearing birthday party hats.  The girls had prepared songs and dances and poems.

Here we are under the decorated bowery.

These are some of the younger kids – aren’t they so darling!!!!

Here we are with Therese and her husband with the students behind us.  Just when we thought the program was winding down, someone very unexpected (at least to us!) arrived – Santa Claus!!!!  I dare say that he is not like any Santa I have ever seen before, but the kids went wild!

He threw candy and gave out a few presents.  He even gave a party hat

to Elder Davis!  Very becoming, if I do say so myself!

Needless to say, we are feeling very grateful that the celebrations were successful and that we are now able to officially close a few of our projects.  We can only have 5 of them “open” at a time, and we want to get our new proposals ready to turn in for the 2015 projects.

It’s been a great week!  Last night we were even able to “attend” a violin recital via Face Time in which two of our granddaughters played – Elizabeth Chamberlain and Ruby Roche!  They were wonderful!  

We put the tree up (easiest one yet!), so we’re feeling the Christmas spirit!  We love hearing about your festivities!  We love you all and hope that your week is wonderful!  Much love,  Mom/Souer Davis