Where do I begin? It has been 11 days since we left the States to return to Democratic Republic of the Congo. The plane ride was uneventful, gratefully so. Lots of empty seats, smooth flight, little turbulence, but tough on mask-wearing rules, even though you can’t get on a plane without a negative covid test in your hand. Which, by the way, was really difficult to do during the New Year holiday week-end!
Our layover in Amsterdam was short and easy. Landing in Kigali, however, was another experience altogether! White coated service people asked many questions. It turned out Brenda’s Covid test was the wrong kind according to Rwanda’s rules. Also, some code was missing we were supposed to have we know nothing about. It was amazing how calm we all were because we really didn’t know if we would be able to enter or be sent home. But in time, when all the terminal passengers were gone, a lovely young woman came to find out what we needed. She knew her stuff and kindly figured everything out.
One by one we went behind a curtain in a corner of the terminal to get another Covid test taken. Afterward we picked up our luggage and were whisked away to a government sponsored hotel to be quarantined until the results returned. Mine came right away, Ray’s and Brenda’s did not. That meant they were stuck in their rooms while I got to go shopping with a friend. (I bought Rwandan coffee and sliced cheese.) We had a connecting sitting room in between our tiny bedrooms so no one actually felt too confined and the staff were always helpful. It was a beautiful place we could never have afforded under normal circumstances, but there were special prices for quarantined visitors. They brought us 3 meals a day. The hotel was called “Heaven Boutique Hotel” so we joked a bit about visiting Heaven.
Complicated circumstances concerning why Brenda and Ray’s test results took so long, but eventually, with help from our friend Christoff, we were released. He rented us a small bus for our combined baggage and off we went for the 7 hour trip to the Congo border. Because we got such a late start, we arrived at the bridge/border after dark and there were no lights. We stood outside in a line in the rain and mud at the Rwandan side to check out of the country, then walked across the dark and muddy bridge to the Congo side. Normally the border and Imigration offices close before dark but they had been told we were on the way and – wonder of wonders – 2 immigration officials waited for us! They greeted us like long lost friends, and asked all the important questions in a little room with one light bulb, wrote down the answers by hand in a log book of sorts (no computers) and off we went. They did not open even one bag or suitcase! Up the hill we trudged, our coworkers and vehicle waiting, where piled in; wet, bedraggled, jet-lagged, tired and hungry, but happy to be “home.”
From then on problem after problem arose. Electricity was off for the first 4 days as the electric company worked on our street to put in something called Cash Power. That means we go to their office to prepay for electricity as often as needed. No pay, no electricity. Sounds good, we thought! When the workmen got to our house they asked for nails, screws, hammers and wire to do their work. They had no tools or equipment! Yes, we’re definitely back in Congo. Now does our electricity work all the time as we thought? Nope. Is it strong all the time? No, sometimes not high enough to run household appliances but we have lights and a propane stove! So we have more than we used to. Our motto: magnify the positive.
Water, too, seemed to be a problem as Brenda’s pump wouldn’t work. Back to bucket bathing. Our guard dog had chewed up the wires. Then a fully loaded semi had tires explode, sounding like a bomb going off. Where? Right in front of our gate! It sat there for 3 days waiting for help to unload it so it could be fixed and moved. Consequently we could not get out to buy needed supplies. I could go on.
Please be advised I am NOT whining, crying or angry, I am only sharing the facts. Disappointed? Sure. Hopeful? You bet. But this is the reality of living in a third world, especially the Congo. MOST of the time we are prepared for it. But there is work to be done here, good work, and we know in our hearts this is our time and place!
Under His Wings, Jayn
Next time: What is the future of our prison ministry?
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HFCA ℅ the Harkemas
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Heart for Central Africa Mission
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Email: jayn.a.harkema@gmail.com
Thank you so much for the update. We know you are both positive and find your own joy through the Lord, but, My Word, it is draining! Prayers for overflowing peace and rejuvenation!