APARTMENT

 There are colorful birds in and around our building compound. We see doves, crows, scissor tails, sparrows, fly catchers, and these little colorful birds, perhaps they are finches of a sort. They make enclosed, round nests attached at the ends of the thinnest branches of the trees around our building. I see them gathering fibers on our porch.

 Here are a few view of our apartment. The living area. Couches were made locally of imitation leather. The legs are nailed on and often bend when moved. The table was in the mission storage. We selected the carpet. The painting was in the apartment, so was the divider screen. We bought the plants.

 The entry area. We got the pictures from distribution in the Temporal Affairs building, then had them framed alike.

 Elevator on the left, our open door to the right of it.

 View of living area upon entering.

 View into the dining area.

 Kitchen.

 Laundry

 Guest bedroom.

 Office

 Other end of kitchen with stove, microwave, and other appliances.

 Master bath. We have three bathrooms. On has only a sink with cold water and a toilet and mirror, another with tub, shower, sink, mirror, and the master with two sinks, toilet, bidet, shower, tub, the works.

 We sleep under a mosquito net. We tried it once without it, but were bitten. The net is impregnated with insecticide of some kind. Great, huh! We take doxycycline daily.

 Another view of bedroom.

 View of porch from room area where we walk some mornings, around outside of the apartments for an hour. We live on the 3rd floor, 4th floor in America.

 Carpet etc closeup.

 Fabric purchased at the marche for bed spreads, table cloths, pillows for the couches.

Another view from end of dining area through the apartment, with Sue hard at work on the table cloths. We will see how it washes. Fabric in Africa is of every pattern and color imaginable. They wear it beautifully. We have seen men and women dressed in the bright yellow fabric with the black swoops.

TEMPORAL AFFAIRS

Temporal Affairs Offices Personnel 

These are only a few of the many people who work at the Temporal Affairs Office. We will add more as we are able.

Chamberlain Mbongo Pasi Piba, DRC Regional Member Services & Records Supervisor,  and Stake President of the recently organized Mokali Stake

Two of our favorite IT staff, the only two, left is the chief, Germondo A. Konde, whose professional goal is a Phd in computer science, has a beautiful wife and a son and a daughter. Dede is his assistant and worthy accolyte, both returned missionaries.

The head of ITT, systems manager Germondo A. Konde

Joseph Ilunga, Real Estate Assistant

 Today was a P-day. When we ran some errands.The gardener was at the Temporal Affairs Offices on a ladder trimming a vine over the entry way. His assistant was digging out a large, dead, cycad trunk. Two weeks ago I noticed a cluster of ornamental, dwarf, banana plants near the building entry. That prompted me to look for one at a plant vendor for a pot on the balcony. I asked several people and even wondered if I could get a start from the TA garden. One day, on the way to the Mission Home I saw one with mottled leaves at a roadside nursery vendor. On nearly every street there are plant vendors displaying rows of potted or sacked plants. There are hundreds of them. This is the only one where I have seen an ornamental banana. The price was $30.00 so I passed it up, but was weakening. So, today when the gardener was there, I asked him if he knew where I could get a start. He said I could have one, and how long would I be in the office? We conducted our business, and on our way out, there was the gardener who had just spaded up two starts and he handed them to me in a plastic bag. In the Photo they have joined the rest of the garden, Avocado, Lemon Grass, Manioc, and a couple of plants salvaged here and there that I can't name. We also have some squash, tomato plants started from seed saved from veggies, and lime, grapefruit, passion fruit, and a few others that may or may not sprout. The flat tray is bird seed to feed the doves, sparrows, and any other birds that find it. We enjoy watching them at each meal during the day. There is also a fly catcher that performs amusing acrobatics chasing flies and butterflies.

 There is a Catholic boys school below us. The boys are playing soccer. They start to assemble each day at about 6h30. Breakfast is served from small tables in one corner of the yard. At 7h30 the Priest gives his daily exhortation. Friday is cleaning day during their exercise break. Beyond the school is the Spanish, and the American Embassies, then the UN compound.

We are scheduled to get high speed (512?) internet at the end of the month. Perhaps this is our new receiver? It appeared today bolted to the railing on the observation deck. In the distance is the mighty Congo River.

Desserts at Couples Conference Luncheon

The Mission Home parking lot is swept of constantly using palm frond brooms.

Elder  George Billings hugs one of his building students at a site where they are constructing a facility for making cinder blocks. We toured during the couples conference.

Sue and a female construction supervisor intern. The only one. We were at a Chapel building under construction, using some of he trainees and non-member workers and contractors. The building in the background is rented for the ward that will occupy this new building.

Elder Gailey, President Jameson, Elder Wheatley, unidentified worker, and the block making apparatus. 

Luncheon at the Hotel Royal during the couple's conference.

Dessert choice, fruit tart.

Dessert Choice, Mille Feuilles, (Napoleon for non francophones)

At the "Thieves Market", arts and crafts marche. Elder Whitesides, President Jameson, Sister  Whitesides, Sister Smith, Sister Wheatley.

View of the Arts and Crafts Marche.

Single booth with masks at the Arts and Crafts Marche.

IF YOU PLAN TO VISIT...

Travel Warning
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs

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Congo, Democratic Republic of the
November 21, 2012

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa) (DRC). The Department strongly recommends you avoid all travel to the city of Goma and the province of North Kivu and all but essential travel to the province of South Kivu and the Ituri region in the province of Oriental. Because of ongoing instability and violence, the Department’s ability to provide consular services to U.S. citizens in these regions of the DRC is extremely limited. This replaces the Travel Warning dated August 2, 2012, to update information on security in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Armed groups, bandits, and elements of the Congolese military remain security concerns in eastern and northeastern DRC. These armed groups, primarily located in the North Kivu, South Kivu, and Orientale provinces, as well as the northern part of Katanga province, and the eastern part of Maniema province, are known to pillage, steal vehicles, kidnap, rape, kill, and carry out military or paramilitary operations in which civilians are indiscriminately targeted. The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) is present near the border with Uganda, Central African Republic, and the Republic of South Sudan. The UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) continues to assist the Congolese government with the protection of civilians and efforts to combat armed groups.

The region has been the scene of violent clashes that have resulted in the displacement of more than 1.9 million civilians since the start of the Rwandan conflict in 1994. In April 2012, members of a rebel group that previously had been integrated into the Congolese military mutinied and heavy fighting has been reported in Massisi and Ruthshuru territories as well as in Virunga National Park. In November 2012, members of this group captured several towns north of Goma and Goma itself, the provincial capital of North Kivu province. As a result, hundreds of people have been killed and the number of internally displaced persons has risen to 1.7 million. Moreover, violence amongst foreign and Congolese rebel groups present in the northern part of North Kivu and former Rwandan militants in the southern part of the province and throughout South Kivu pose a serious and significant risk to travelers in the region. This fighting underscores the persistent insecurity arising from activities of rebel and other armed groups operating in the Kivus, which contribute to the overall high risks and dangers associated with travel to eastern Congo. The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa currently does not allow travel by official personnel to North Kivu. Travel to South Kivu and the Ituri region of Oriental province by Embassy personnel is permitted only under exceptional circumstances.

Travelers are frequently detained and questioned by poorly disciplined security forces at numerous official and unofficial roadblocks and border crossings throughout the country. Requests for bribes in such instances are extremely common, and security forces have occasionally injured or killed people who refuse to pay. In the past year, several U.S. citizens were illegally detained by government forces. Very poor infrastructure (road and air) makes the provision of consular services difficult outside of Kinshasa.

Kinshasa has a critical crime threat level, and U.S. citizens continue to be the victims of serious crimes, including armed robbery by groups posing as law enforcement officials in both urban and rural areas, especially after nightfall. Avoid walking alone and displaying cash and other personal property of value. Avoid taking photos in public, especially of government buildings and the airport (which are viewed as places of national security), police stations, the presidential palace, border crossings, and along the river, since doing so may lead to arrest.

Lock vehicle doors and keep windows closed when driving. You should not stop at the scene of an accident or at intersections where people have gathered, as mobs can develop quickly. In areas where the roads are in poor condition and the speed limit is minimal, be wary of gangs of street children who may approach your car, open your door, and steal your belongings. Roadblocks are often found throughout the country, especially near government buildings and installations in Kinshasa, and should be avoided when possible. If stopped at a roadblock, keep doors locked and crack the window in order to communicate.

Official Congolese motorcades pose hazards to motorists and pedestrians. Drivers should pull over to the far side of the road when sirens or security forces announce their presence. You should not take photographs of motorcades. Proceed only when security forces permit you to do so.

There is no reliable public transportation system in the DRC. Overcrowded vans and taxis, which often do not meet western safety standards, serve as public transportation in Kinshasa. Few independent taxis are available, operating largely out of the big hotels, and most do not meet safety standards. You should avoid all travel by public transportation, and hire private transport from a reliable source.

The DRC has few viable roads or railways, but does have several major waterways. Boat transport is widely used; however, the vessels are often overloaded or badly maintained, and accidents are commonplace. There were multiple accidents in 2011 on both rivers and lakes resulting in hundreds of fatalities.

Public health concerns pose a hazard to U.S. citizen travelers due to outbreaks of deadly viruses and other diseases, which can occur without warning and often without swift reporting by local health authorities. Information on personal protection for international travelers, including children, can be found on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website. Travelers are required to carry evidence of yellow fever vaccination in order to enter the DRC. Health officials at entry points, such as the airport in Kinshasa, will check for proof of vaccination. If you do not have evidence of a yellow fever vaccination, you may be denied entry or required to pay a fine. Malaria is common throughout the DRC and prophylaxis is recommended.

Due to the recent outbreak of Wild Polio Virus and measles in the DRC, you should update your polio and measles vaccinations, if necessary, and refer to the CDC for additional guidance. Due to the high levels of air borne irritants (i.e., dust, burning trash, debris, etc.) individuals with respiratory illnesses should carry all their necessary medications and equipment with adaptors.

There is a high risk of traveler's diarrhea and cholera throughout the country. This can be prevented by using good judgment when choosing what food to eat and water to drink. When in restaurants, it is best to ask for bottled water and avoid ice.

Due to the immense size of the country, the density of the Congo River rainforest, the terrible state of the roads, and the poor security situation, the only way to get around the country quickly is by plane. Domestic air travel on Congolese or other local airlines in the DRC is not recommended. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has assessed the government of the DRC as not being compliant with international standards for aviation safety oversight. There have been several recent incidents causing deaths and injuries, including one on August 25, 2010, that killed all but one passenger. In April 2011, a United Nations operated flight crashed while landing in Kinshasa, killing 32 passengers and crew. In July 2011, a Boeing 737 crashed in Kisangani, killing more than 70 passengers. Crashes of private aircraft are even more common. The U.S. Embassy has prohibited official travel by U.S. government employees and certain contractors on most airlines flying domestic routes in the DRC due to safety and maintenance concerns. International flights on foreign-owned-and-operated carriers are not affected by this prohibition.

You should avoid all public demonstrations and areas where crowds have gathered because even peaceful events can become violent, and even deadly. You should exercise caution at all times, and closely monitor local and international news from reliable sources. Radio Okapi broadcasts in French on 103.5 FM at 0700, 0800, 1200, and 1800, and provides updates throughout the day. English-language news can be found on BBC at 92.6 FM. In emergencies, the Belgian Embassy operates a French-language radio broadcast system at FM 98.8. Changes in security conditions may occasionally restrict the travel of U.S. Mission personnel.

The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa strongly encourages U.S. citizens who travel to or remain in the DRC despite this Travel Warning to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so you can receive the most up-to-date security information. You should remember to keep all of your information in STEP current. It is important to include your current phone number and email address where you can be reached in case of an emergency.

The U.S. Embassy is located at 310 Avenue des Aviateurs; the Consular Section entrance is located on Avenue Dumi, opposite Saint Anne's church. The Embassy's telephone number, including for after-hours emergencies, is 243-81-556-0151; callers within the DRC should dial 081-556-0151. All telephone lines in the DRC, cellular as well as landlines, are unreliable. Click here to visit the Embassy website.

DISCLAIMER

We warn all readers that we are not yet proficient at blogging. The posts will be out of order for awhile as we sift through the hundreds of photos we have taken so far. As soon as we become more organized we hope to make posts in a chronological order. Until then enjoy the surprise.

Elder and Sister Bybee

Our second night in Kinshasa we were invited for dinner with President and Sister Jameson in their fourth floor apartment in the same building as the Mission Offices. They are very gracious and kind hosts who care about their missionaries and who made us feel very welcome.