FIRST CHURCH MEETING IN DRC

The pink house in the background visible above the yellow restaurant, where the first LDS Church meeting was held in 1986. Brother Mbuyi Nkitabungi standing in front of the "Jeep" was present at the meeting held at his father's home, which to day has changed much.

The carport today, where the first LDS Church meeting took place in 1986.

Photo of the attendees at the first LDS meeting in Kinshasa, 1986.

CONSTRUCTION APPRENTICE CONCRETE FINISHING COMPETITION

A competition was arranged for construction apprentices to test their skills. The date was set for a visit from the Presiding Bishop and his Executive Secretary, Brother Bonnet, and other local Temporal Affairs personnel. Three equal slabs were to be poured by three teams and judged by the instructors.

The work area for mixing concrete was set up under the brick production shed in three equal piles.

The only woman in the program arrived a bit late to join the crew.

Instructions were given and the prizes in the bag, trowels for the winners. Elder Gates in blue and Elder Billings in tan.

Showing the trowel.

The woman apprentice dressed for work with the men.

Water barrels for mixing the concrete.

Push-ups to limber the muscles and get the blood flowing as excitement grows for the start.

Wheel barrow ramps are in place.

Relaxing after the start is postponed so the work will be in progress when the Presiding Bishop and entourage arrive.

Sand and gravel piled and ready to begin.

Waiting.

Traditional dance to let off steam. This the young woman apprentice who danced around in this fashion during the wait for the count down to start.

Pouring the first wheel barrow full of concrete.

The Presiding Bishop, Gary Stevenson and Gary Porter, Executive Secretary and Elder and Sister Renlund in the background.

Visitors observing.

Brother Bonnet, regional Temporal Affairs Director.

President Eustache Ilunga, local Temporal Affairs Director.

More observation. The block in the background has been made by the apprentices. This work area is a block making facility for building the chapels.

Everyone is impressed and happy about the results of the Construction Principles education program, which, in two years will be run by all Congolese, and in five years will be building all the chapels in the Congo.

The first slab to reach near completion. This team finished the slab first, but was not judged the winners of the competition because of the contentious interaction among the workers at times. The program emphasizes harmonious cooperation, virtuous family life, high building standards, and generosity to toward employees when they become successful builders.

Closing in on the finish, beginning to level.

Filling the low spots.

Work stops for a word from the visitors who complimented them, described the vision for future success, and exhorted participants to incorporate into their lives the lofty goals of the building trade into their lives, be square, level, and plumb with the Lord, family, and community.

Greeting every participant.

Cheering them on to success.

Group picture. I had to dash from my truck to take this because we were preparing to depart and to follow the visitors back to town to a morning devotional with missionaries and employees at the Seminary and Institute building.

SENIOR COUPLES DINNER WITH ELDER RENLUND

Elder Renlund and President and Sister Jameson hosted a dinner with all senior couples, Friday, 24 May 2013 at the Jameson's apartment. The table setting accommodated all five couples and the hosts as above. Lasagna is the main dish.

Side dishes, coleslaw, roasted vegetables, fruit salad, served buffet.

Here is the gathering, at ease after dinner for introductions, and a message from Elder Renlund. Pleasant surroundings, with other couples, and comfortable, secure apartments, add to the joy of missionary life in the Congo. L-R around the circle, the Gates, Jamesons, Bybees, Renlunds, Smiths, Moons, Billings.

AUTO REPAIR GARAGE, KINSHASA

We took the truck to the dealer for repairs to the damaged hood and back fender, and for maintenance. The owner is Belgian and drives dune buggies in rallies here in Africa. Si I asked if he kept the dune buggy here and could we see it.

Here is the dealership owner beside his racing dune buggy.

Inspection and work order signing. Thierry at the left and two garage employees.

Damage to the hood from large truck that back into us as it started up in a traffic jam.

View inside the garage.

Sue and Frere Malabi waiting for us at the entrance to the garage.

BRAZZAVILLE 3

Closeup of free hand razor used to outline hair line.

Hallway in the rented church building where we attended Sunday.

Meeting hall for Sacrament Meeting.

Choir singing prelude hymns.

All the church officials after Church.

The boat ride home was much better than the ride over where we were crammed into a boat that should have had 15 passengers, but which had 32 and we were eight in the forward cabin where four would have been comfortable.

Leaving Brazzaville.

Enjoying the ride.

We rode with Elder Mabaya and President Mbaya in a large boat reserved just for the five of us.

President Mbaya in the forward cabin on our way to Brazzaville. He is about 6ft 3in.

One of two women squeezed into the cabin where we were at 8 on the way to Brazzaville.

View out of the narrow window in the forward cabin.

Olivier in forward cabin.

Cramped quarters.

View up the stairs from cabin toward the open area and the captains assistant who, before we  left the dock, kept shouting at us to arrange ourselves so more could fit.

Olivier before being squeezed in with us and other passengers seated in the open deck.

Elder Mabaya, the captain, and his assistant.