[Dialogue] News from the Congo

[Del Morrill]

Another from our granddaughter, Kathryn.



Hi friends and family,

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers as we traveled a

couple of weeks ago. We arrived in Lubumbashi after 27 hours on the

train (when we got to see the Congo River), and a day and a half by

truck. It was an experience. Independence day came peacefully in

most of the country. The capital and another region had some violence

and 10 deaths, small by comparison. We are thankful that things were

calm in Lubumbashi. We are now back in Kamina and thankful to be back

to normal, more or less, and back to the kids.

A number of you have financially supported us and so we wanted to

write and introduce you to some of the people you have blessed through

your giving.

Orphanage:

Our 3rd week here in Kamina Mbombo, Kellie, and Buyee were dropped off

at the orphanage. I think I have mentioned them before. They

traveled many many miles seeking medical treatment for their mother

who died in Kamina. They lived a the hospital for a few days not sure

what to do until an employee took them to the orphanage. We instantly

loved these three. Dave especially grew attached to Kelli, the middle

child, who loved to make faces and reminded him of a girl/child Bill

Cosby. A number of weeks later a visiting doctor recognized them and

told me that he had treated their mother and she had died of AIDS. 

This was really difficult news considering the likelihood that the

baby, Buyee, was also infected. We inquired and found out that none

of the kids at the orphanage had ever been tested for HIV because of

finances. Dave and I arranged to use some of the money that you all

contributed to have all the children to be tested. And we have good

news to report: All the tests came back negative. We are going to

have the three girls retested in a couple months at the request of the

doctor, but things look positive.

Beyond the HIV tests we have been acting as nurse, bought meds, and

instigator of various treatments. One child, Nsenga, had had serious

wounds on her feet for years untreated. The the first doctor thought

it might be Leprosy, we brought in a specialist, and determined in was

something else. We supplied and administered the medicine to her and

a number of other kids with worms and malaria. It is really great to

see these kids now laughing and playing when before they looked so sad

and miserable. All the kids are currently getting a physical and lab

work. Thanks

George:

George and his older sister fled to Kamina after their parent's death

during the war. They were a part of the church's feeding program for

months until his sister married a man in the army and they moved to a

neighboring village. A month ago the husband was relocated, but they

abandoned George with a serious arm wound. He some how made it back

to Kamina, remembering that he had been fed there. A pastor's wife

found him and brought him to the orphanage. That day his wound was

discovered and I took him to the clinic to have it looked at and

cleaned. His infection was worse than we thought. Much longer and the

doctor said he would have lost his arm. The infection had gotten into

the bones and was eating it away. With lots of medicine and daily

cleaning we have been able to stabilize the infection, but he will

need surgery in the coming weeks and then a 2 month hospital stay. 

George is a sweet boy, with a beautiful spirit. He stays positive and

smiles despite the pain. there is a gentleness about him that is

endearing. Your gifts have allowed George to keep his arm.

Mama Alfo and Baba Mwilumba:

Baba Mwilumba, our Swahili teacher, and his wife Mama Alfo, second in

command at the orphanage, have become friends of ours, but it was not

until recently that we heard their story. They are from Manono, a

town we recently visited that has been completely gutted because of

the war. Rawandan soldiers clashed in the MaiMai over the precious

coltan found there. They were helicopter evacuated from the area

after a bomb exploded next to Mwilumba, killing his friend, and

seriously burning his body and damaging his eyes and ears. The church

in Kamina had him sent to Lubumbashi and then Belgium to undergo

reconstructive surgery. They then gave him and his wife both jobs to

support their 6 children. We asked how we can help them and Mwilumba

has requested a new pair of glasses. We are working to get these for

him.

These are some of the people that we have met and love. Thanks for

supporting us by your finances, thoughts and prayers, and friendship.

Kathryn