Visit to Goma and Bukavu Day 1

Big mess at domestic departure terminal. Apollo still does not have his protocol badge, so had to negotiate and pay to go in with me. In the end we abandoned the second box of books because it was too much hassle. There were about two uniformed officials for every passenger; never saw so many crisp blue shirts doing so many unnecessary interventions in the frantic flow of presenting tickets.

Good flight. Snack: big bun, vache qui rit cheese triangle, coffee. No trouble on arrival. Fidèle was there to meet me. Staying in same hotel as last year: beautiful Bungwe Guest House, an oasis among the lava.

Short visit with ECC N.Kivu VP, Mgr. Mauka Bulalo, a kind and gentle older man. He asked about Kirk and Mary; doesn’t think he received their report. *** Send report. Met Mittérand, who works with Fidèle in MERU office. Big hug and ho-ho-ho from Pastor Gilbert (peace, education, trauma healing); spent time with us last year.


Jean de Dieu met us at ECC, took us to his church, Christian Assembly of Goma, then to meet Inès, who works for provincial Amani program. She roomed with Georgette Nyembo at Burundi Peace Gathering last Jan. *** Photo for Georgette. Gave JdeD the three Gift Sharing books. ***He wants more, at least 30. Will meet Pastor Lufuluabo of CA church later.

Back to hotel for tea and bread with rancid butter. “Airplane ideas” for North Kivu:
-- MCC finish hangar with core funds. Christmas giving for equipment?
-- Harrisonburg (Shalom) church furnish funds to facilitate Jean de Dieu contacts with EMGL and Quakers? MCC offer to transfer funds?
-- Work on peace library again, and find current books in French.
-- Stress and trauma healing manuals to Gilbert.

Had a very nice visit with Baudouin Miruho, my phone and email correspondent whom I had not previously met. A real talker, full of energy. *** Connect him with Jean de Dieu and Pastor Lujuluabo. Gave him a Seeking Peace book, lace hanky for Mme, and $20.

I invited Jean de Dieu and Pastor Lufuluabo to supper. They also brought Ross Hollister, a Quaker volunteer. (Ross is the person who has been in correspondence with Shalom and Hyattsville pastors about getting help to send Pst Lufuluabo to Paraguay; references in the correspondence to “the relationship hasn’t been easy between JdeD and MCC Congo . . .” ) It is so hard to explain to these men what we want to do here, partly because I know JdeD feels rejected by MCC (me). I was very awkward. Wanted to bring up the issue of why we can’t support his work. Wanted to explain why we don’t know more about the Quakers. But the right moment never came. I asked them questions about politics. Nothing new. Asked Lufuluabo about his perception of ECC: “They have a superiority complex; don’t want anything to do with the revivalist churches (églises de reveil, which Christian Assembly is; I assume this is different from Pentecostal churches since they are very involved in ECC). The revivalist churches prefer to work with the Catholics more than ECC. They (ECC) only help themselves.”

We did a lot of lighthearted chatter, also. I got the impression they think I am pretty light weight. I gave JdeD ten Seeking Peace books. On parting I said, “I know we (MCC) are mostly a big disappointment to you, but we’re friendly.” He laughed hard and agreed. ***Make sure Tim meets Lufuluabo in Paraguay.