The
Congo team has returned and for the last 2 weeks we have been readjusting to life in
North America. This re-entry process has been different for each of us but we have come together many times just to be sure we are all doing okay.
To give you a recap-- I did three countries in 4.5 weeks. I flew a total of 10 airplanes.
First, we attended the International Conference in South Africa. This is where the volunteers and supporting organizations of Hands at Work Africa come together for four days. They discuss their current status of projects and how they plan to expand in the future. Hand at Work Africa is currently supporting projects in seven countries as it strives to reach 100,000 orphans by 2010.
Then, on to Zambia where we spent 7 days supporting the work that Hands does in Roan and surrounding areas. I saw many changes in Zambia. I had volunteered there in 2005. It is very encouraging to see the progress that is being made there and to know first hand that the volunteers that Westside sends over really are making a difference. One of the projects that was of particular interest to me is the Youth Program called Twende. This group is led by two young women who belong to the Westside family, Natalie Blair and my daughter Jordan Dalley. To see and feel the hope that these two have for Zambia is very inspiring. They have tremendous skills to offer and so much love to give to these young people. This program helps to build confidence, assurance and love to the youth in this area.
The Congo was our next stop and the main reason for going to Africa. The Congolese have an interesting way of welcoming you into their country. The border crossing is an uncomfortable place to be to say the least. Our Visa’s were taken, money was exchanged and we were allowed to walk through no man’s land to enter the Congo where our chariot awaited us, or should I say Land Rover. An experience I’ll never forget. Two days of driving through pot-hole after pot-hole and feeling like a bobble-head doll made us appreciate our final destination of Likasi.
Three days after arriving in Likasi we were finally able to purchase the gravel that we needed and the project was underway. Our intent was to build a school. As the word spread that white men where here to help, the number of children who sat around the perimeter of the construction project grew. By our last few days, there were many hopeful and watchful eyes on us … as well as little helping hands. “Breeeek Breeeek” was Paul’s favorite saying and a steady flow of children with 1, 2 or sometimes 3 bricks stacked on their heads would offer them up to us so that we could place them on the walls. I had a hard time lifting 2 bricks at a time and these little boys and girls would carry them around like nothing. It was amazing that even though none of our Team could speak French we still had the uncanny ability to communicate with these children. Although our project was not quite completed, we have the assurance of Maurice our contractor that he would finish the roof and tidy up all loose ends over the next several weeks.
The inspiring part of what I experienced was to be able to see people who are going to die, live and others that need friendship and love receive this gift from Margaret and Dominic and their amazing team of volunteers, who give so much of themselves.
Thanks, to five guys who decided to “let it slide” and did a great job of not letting the stress and frustration get to us or between us.
BFF … ha ha!!!
