September 20, 2015
My first thought as I typed in the date on this letter was – 32 years ago today, I had a baby!!! Happy Birthday, Matt! You were then, and you continue to be a joy to me!
One of these days, our schedule is going to slow down a bit – but it didn’t happen this week! I feel like we have had “company” for three solid weeks. I guess it’s because we’ve had visitors (wheelchair and vision projects plus area office people) every day since August 28 - except for last Wednesday. And it’s been wonderful!
Our week began with a visit to the city of Likasi. Kenneth Mofokeng, the water specialist from the Southeast Africa Area Office was still with us. Likasi is the nearest city to Lubumbashi – about 120 km away – and is accessible by car. Likasi is the home to several mining operations – copper and diamond – and we’ve been told that the mining companies put in the road (not exactly I-15 by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s PAVED). ☺
When we had only been in Lubumbashi a week or two, we took a road trip to Likasi and Kolwesi (the next city after Likasi) with another senior missionary couple, the Clawsons. Elder Clawson helped maintain missionary apartments and we went with them to check on a couple of apartments. Our “eyes” were not yet accustomed to Africa – we were still in the “shock and awe” stage – and we totally didn’t appreciate what a beautiful oasis Likasi is! But it’s absolutely lovely! It’s located on rolling hills and the sidewalks have CURBS! Apparently, it was once a thriving Belgian city and still has many of the original buildings in tact. We saw several homes with swimming pools – with cracked cement, chipped paint, and no water. About 43% of the population has access to clean water. Kenneth went to assess the possibility of adding several new water stations in a partnership with Regideso there.
Kenneth left on Tuesday. And – wonder of wonders – while we were dropping him off at the airport, we actually picked up the 13 boxes of vision equipment, which arrived a week after Dr. Hunsaker and Dr. Kilangalanga were supposed to use it in their training at the eye clinics. We ended up paying $250 in “incentives”, but, who can complain? At least we got the equipment. Dr. Kilangalanga will return in a few weeks to do the training.
Wednesday was a glorious free day that we spent in the office writing reports, etc. ☺
Thursday we picked up Phillip Moatlhodi (Director of Southeast Area Humanitarian work) and Sharon Eubank (WORLDWIDE Director of all humanitarian work in the church). We spent the next 24 hours with them – showing them what we’ve done in the last 17 months or so. They are both so knowledgeable and easy to be with. Phillip has been here before, and we correspond with him regularly – he lives in Johannesburg. Sharon lives in North Salt Lake, is single, and has worked for the church for the last 17 years. Her specialty is the Middle East, but she has never been to the DR Congo. And yes, her dad and brother are the weather guys on KSL. It was really an inspiration to be with both of them.
We were asked to bear our testimonies in the Katuba Stake Conference today. It’s crazy to think that we are almost finished. I cannot truthfully say that the time has flown by – it hasn’t’, and some things have been very hard. But both of us recognize how much we’ve grown - yet I don’t think I’m quite ready to say “good-bye”. When we are this far from home, it feels very possible that this is “good-bye” until the next life. Hopefully, the next life has plenty of WATER!!!! Haha
Well, it’s pretty boring to write a letter without pictures, so I’m going to quit for now. But I can’t quit without wishing “Happy Birthday” to two of our darling grandchildren - Gray Davis and Annabelle Roche! We’ll see you SOON! Wahoo!!!! Much love, Mom/G-ma D./Soeur Davis
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