On Wednesday, September 13, we flew to Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.  With 70-90% unemployment and many social and political problems, we knew it was a poor and backward country, but we were still amazed by our experiences there.   Everywhere were masses of people walking, many carrying loads of things on their heads—baskets of bread, boxes of vegetables, packets of wood—everything!   And everywhere are little stands with people selling anything they can put together to sell.  The streets are literally lined with people selling everything imaginable—and throngs of people just walking somewhere—everywhere.  The streets are mostly dirt—so there is dust and dirt and mud everywhere.  It’s all so colorful, though, because most of the women wear the traditional African dresses out of bright prints with matching dukes (fabric wrapped on their heads).  Even the men often have colorful outfits.  There is a lot of trash all over the ground and the traffic is bad because there aren’t any traffic lights—it’s kind of a free-for-all on the roads.  Fortunately we always had a local driver taking us wherever we went.  

However, in all of this, we found the members of the Church to be so wonderful—so full of hope and happiness in the midst of struggling lives.  We attended Church on Sunday, and even though it was all in French, I felt the Spirit and truly enjoyed every minute of it.  We saw the piece of land that has been chosen for the new Kinshasa temple and felt the enthusiasm of the people for that temple.  I wish we could be here to see it completed and be part of the joy that will bring.   Here is a picture from the temple lot looking toward the existing stake center and seminary/institute building on the property.  The church buildings are the nicest structures in town!

While Dave was working with the local stake presidents and other local priesthood leaders, I went with the mission office couple, the Smiths from SLC, to look at new missionary apartments for some of the young men companionships.  I was shocked at how simply they live and eat, but they are all from the Congo or other similar African countries, so this is actually better than most of them had in their lives before their missions.  We stayed in President & Sister Jameson’s apartment, the mission president, and it was very nice.  Here are some of the sights from the neighborhoods.