Sunday Updates From the Team ... Photos!

Sunday the team spent with 1,000 people who gathered for the dedication of the Elikya Center in Gemena, in the Ubangi Province (northwest corner of the Democratic Republic of Congo).

Cal and Brian have sent about a dozen photos which are posted to their Facebook sites, and I am also displaying some of them below. (I will post more later, as I have time, so check back!) Also, below the photos I am posting the content of messages received from Cal and Brian.

A key prayer request is that three members of the team (including Elissa and Amanda, though we aren't sure who the third is) are sick with intestinal problems commonly known as "Traveler's Diarrhea." Fortunately, with Cal on the team, they are in good hands.

(NOTE: We have subsequently been updated that all who were afflicted, which actually include Brian and Dave, are feeling better now. Thank you for praying!)

Team Photos

The entire Congo team gathers at Gemena. Three U.S. churches are represented, plus two of the staff of TouchGlobal, and also Paul Rene Mowa of the Elikya Center. The Congolese appreciated the fact that the team chose yellow for their team shirts, because that is also the color the orphans wear for their graduation uniforms.

Cal poses uphill from where the team entered the Congo after crossing the Ubangi river on huge dugout canoes, visible in the background. Cal said they were not allowed to take photos at the border so they had to wait until up the hill at the local church.

Brian Sharpe at the dedication of the Elikya Center.

Cal visits with Pastor Nubako Selenga's wife, Claudine, and their 12-year-old daughter, Sarah. Sarah and Cal's daughter, Caitlin, are pen pals. Pastor Selenga stayed with the Kierums during his visit to Washington a few weeks ago.

Pastor Deolo (far right), who is in charge of HIV ministries for the Evangelical Free denomination, introduced Cal to these students, who are officers in a group called UPPLA. This group is for people living with AIDS; either they themselves have the disease, or have family members with it. The church has realized that the children in these situations have special needs so they have formed a subgroup within the UPPLA for youth and children. Cal says it was a blessing to meet these young leaders.

Earlier Message From Cal

Hi all,

I will try to catch you up a little.

We arrived in Gemena, DRC, late last night. Getting there was interesting.

We woke up in Bangui, CAR, Friday morning and crossed the Ubangi river in two large dugout canoes. That was all of our baggage (praise God, it all arrived) plus 12 travelers. We were greeted on the Congo side by a Port Policeman dressed in a cap, blue uniform, and pink fuzzy gloves. Then we took a couple of hours to clear customs/immigration and started the 12-hour drive to Gemena. This was broken into segments due to a planned stop at Bau, DRC, for a visit and tour of the hospital and Bible Institute there. I was asked to examine and consult on a couple of malnourished kids. We prayed for them before leaving. There were also three flat tires on the other vehicle that had to be changed and one stop at a checkpoint in Bari, DRC. We got lots of time to visit with the locals at each stop so these were good things.

We got into Gemena pretty late so the welcome was from the president and vice president of the denomination only. They had a nice meal ready for us also. This morning the Pres. had us over for breakfast.

It has been a great trip so far. One of the best parts is that the language is coming back to me and people still remember me. That makes it much easier. I miss Stacie and the children greatly. Of all the hardships of this trip, this is the most difficult. Thankfully I am still with friends both from America and from the Congo so not completely lonely.

For those of you who have Facebook or Skype, check from time to time to see if I am online. We have internet service 24 hours a day here in Gemena, so I could be on anytime. We are 8 hours ahead of the West Coast as far as time goes.

If I get time, I will try to send some pictures soon.

Blessings,

Cal

This Morning's Message From Cal

I am waiting to go to church this morning. It is the dedication of the Elikya Center and they expect over 1,000 to attend from all over the Ubangi. They made an open air meeting place with posts and palm branches for shade. I am looking forward to it.

Three of the team are sick with vomiting and diarrhea. Probably just "traveler's diarrhea" and should pass soon. They will stay back at the headquarters and rest today. Amanda and Elissa are among the afflicted, so please lift their health, and the health of the entire team, up in prayer today.

Blessings,

Cal

Brian's Blog Posting

You can read Brian's reflections on his blog.

Do you have any questions or thoughts to express to the Congo team? Click the "Comments" link below and post your comments, and we will make sure they get the attention of the team at their earliest opportunity.

- Larry