Mbandaka Equateur Provice

 In August 2022 I had a chance to visit my mentee Germain Ngondu. It was an awesome week spent together reviewing his growth plan, answering questions, and doing training together. It is a blessing for me to help in building the capacity of someone who can do the work I used to do in Cameroon now in this part of Congo. This will certainly accelerate Bible translation and language development work in this part of the world. Despite travel challenges where my suite case didn't arrive until one day before my return date plus the wahala with QR codes and missing my connecting flight, I enjoyed the people and the food. A lot of fresh fish. 

Take note of Covid-19 QR codes

 I had a nightmare in the Njili International airport in Congo DRC when I presented my genuine Covid-19 test rests that didn't have a QR code. I had this done in Mbandaka in the Equateur province the previous day and here am I in Kinshasa 600km away and they won't let me board the plane! I spoke with my host who knows many people and he quickly call someone who showed up to get me a result with a QR code. Well, the person took $10 and my passport but later showed up with a "pass sanitaire" which did not look convincing to me. The document rather said that I had just received two doses of Pfizer on that same day and had no Covid-19 test done. This was conflicting with the information on my vaccination card so I was surely not going to present such a document to the authorities. The authorities didn't like the fact that I had to call someone else and not use them probably because they were not going to get any from me. It really got complicated because I was clearly told that if I present my Covid-19 results to the airlines, they will just cancel my flight immediately, that was enough fear to heed their advice but I listed to myself the second time and decided to approach the airline. To my greatest surprise, the airline didn't complain. When I was properly checked in but as soon as I approach the health desk, they told me that I cannot travel with a document that hasn't got a QR code. All of a sudden, the officer looked at me and said, "even though that is not allowed, I will not bother you". I thank and blessed him and walked away. So be sure to get your QR codes before you travel to avoid airport embarrassment. I even suggest when you receive it, scan them to make sure they work. 

 

Unexpected trip to Ethiopia

 Today I was granted a transit visa in Ethiopia very quickly and even faired to a hotel because I missed my flight with Ethiopian Airways. Since I have 24 hours to be in Addis, I had a chance to hook up with my Ethiopian friends and colleagues Musie and Sammy. Musie quickly arranged for an Uber to pick me up. The receptionist was very nice to warn me twice to keep my smartphone very well because it can be easily stolen. I had a wonderful lunch with my friends and then we later moved to see their office (SIL Ethiopia). I got to meet their Director Yonathan whom I met in Nairobi 2014. I had time to pray for my colleagues and then get another Uber to rush back to my hotel room. Good chance to move around Addis-Abeba and also to rest before I continue my trip back to Cameroon tomorrow. I think this was very timely and there is no regret at all that I missed my connecting flight. We really had communion by eating together from one big dish!

Pierre the shoe shiner at Mbandaka airport

 Saturday 6th August I was at Mbandaka airport waiting for clearance and this young boy came asking if could shine my shoes but I said turned down his offer. He smiled and tried to beckon me but I turned down his offer. When I returned one week after to wait for the plane under the trees as usual, here comes Pierre again ready to shine my shoes. Even though my shoes really needed some touch but I still said no. Pierre will not let me go. He explained to me that he really needed the money for books and other school needs. He is in grade 8 and wants to be an electrician in the future. I immediately looked at him with admiration as I could identify with him years ago trying to raise money for school needs through our contexts are completely different because my village doesn't have an airport and we are not used to shining shoes. I spoke a word of blessing to him that may the Lord indeed use him as he wishes so that he will even bring electricity to his area because his village hasn't got electricity. Pierre is from the Equateur province in Mbandaka town. So he is right in the middle of the world as the equator passes right through his town.