DR Congo-Kinshasa's Ups and Downs

(This is the post I was preparing while still in Africa.  

We returned to the USA on Nov. 5, 2013 after 21 months, 

due to a health emergency)

KINSHASA HAS CHANGED A LOT IN 20 MONTHS.

THERE ARE PRACTICAL & COSMETIC DIFFERENCES 

AND A GOOD ARGUMENT COULD BE MADE FOR

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LATTER 

AS WELL AS FOR THE FORMER.  

UNFORTUNATELY, MANY OF THE ON-GOING 

POLITICAL, CULTURAL & COMMERCIAL TRADITIONS

PREVENT THE DR CONGO & IT'S PEOPLE

FROM REACHING FULL POTENTIAL.

WE KNOW THAT THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST WILL 

MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR THE CONGOLESE TO PROSPER.

8

This is close to the location of our Church meetinghouse.

You can hear the bystanders yelling, in Lingala, 

for the people in the shaking building to "Get out!".

It is a dramatic example of the inferior, sub-standard construction

which prevails here.  There were deaths & injuries.

ELDER OMAN'S TESTIMONY

One of our best missionaries.  A great example to his family,
fellow missionaries and all he met. (Click on above for URL)

A small portion of the whole Kinshasa missionary group listening
to Elder David A. Bednar who spoke to us the day before
George & I began our 66 hour flight back to Salt Lake City.
On the front row, the Gates are in the middle,
Elder Smith #2 (l) and Sister Sneddon (r) appear to be dozing off. :)
the Moons are way back left. George & I are way back middle.

Elder Bednar both asked and received questions from everyone,
and discussed the worth of ALL of Heavenly Father's children.
He said that both the man & the woman are equal before God,
but different in their gifts & contributions.
Several times he returned to a theme directed at the men
for the time when they returned from their missions & got married.
"LISTEN TO YOUR WIVES!"
Needless to say, all of the Senior Sisters  have reminded
 our husbands frequently of that counsel.

Our Gombé (G.B.) Ward meetinghouse with
the Seminary & Institute building to the right.
This view overlooks the future site of the Kinshasa temple,
which will bless all the people in the DR Congo
and several surrounding countries.