Log On

Wonderful news: I'm the new recipient of internet at my residence! Thanks to Cousin Bruce who, on the night before I left Spring Lake, gave me the wise advice, "It might cost a lot, but it will be worth it to you to be able to work on your own computer, on your own time, at your own home." Right on all counts, Bruce. It was expensive, but I have a feeling that my ten months here are going to be much more enjoyable knowing that I can log on anytime I want to to check the news, get my mail, write this blog, etc. It's hard to describe how vulnerable I felt without the connection to my life back home.

Bad news: The plane crash in Kinshasa. Many of you have asked me about it. I don't know anything more than you do. I wasn't close to the airport when it happened. Traffic was no worse than normal. I was at the Embassy at the time of the crash and security was not unusual. Is that a reflection on the attitude toward physical disaster? Unfortunately life is fragile here.

Tonight I sleep in my own residence for the second night in a row. Prior to this I was staying in the protestant guest house, C.A.P., Centre d'Accueil Protestante. Carole, a former ELF from Lubumbashi, is staying with me till she starts working on her project there, about 600 miles southeast. Sorry, but my photos still won't attach. I may need some technical help with that. I'll have to describe the place. It's a spacious four bedroom, two bath house, with a veranda with papaya, mango, avacado trees growing on the grounds. It comes (for a price) complete with house boy, 2 guards, and chauffeur with automobile. When I wear my big sun-hat, I feel a little like Meryl Streep in Out of Africa. Dean Cornwell, the missionary who rented the house before me, is leaving for the States next week. I'll try to get the photo connection to work soon. I'm just so thankful that the internet worked when they hooked it up. Simple pleasures!