District Superintendent Mulongo Ndala Joseph was our team leader. I knew as soon as he emailed me that he would meet us in Tenke and ride with us the whole route, that the expedition was already a success. He arranged with every community along the way for hospitality and support. We were never more that two days away from the full embrace of the United Methodist Church, safe drinking water, and grand meals. Mulongo set a constant, steady pace up front and kept us on the bikes long after the day was spent. Going up to Mulongo, it was in his best interest to get us there on time. Coming back, he was working for my wife, Mama Teri. (Mulongo is one of 8 General Conference delegates who enjoyed Teri's hospitality in Indiana.) He's the one who had to fend off all attempts to slow us down. Every district wanted just another day. He's the one who was Mr. Cool when the reports came that the bridge between Luena and Lubudi was out and began the process that got us on the train. In the end, Mulongo offered to lead the next expedition.
Shabana Banza, who has worked with us before, served as our translator and language coach. I was a bit concerned that he might not be strong enough for the ride. He had typhoid fever last year and is not the strongest looking young man. We did have to put him on the motorcycle the third day out, but by the time we took our final ride in the Tenke District, he was setting the pace. While at Mulongo, Shabana taught the class on medical English to the nursing school students, many who were just this class short of graduation. Medical English is required because most of the drug instructions are in English. This caused us to stay in
Mulongo several days longer than planned, but it was probably the most helpful thing the team did for the community.Umba Nkulu Prospere is Shabana's brother, the strong one. He was the strongest rider of the team. Prospere was my wingman, always right with me. He also was the camera man and Mr. Fixit. I watched him rewire an iron, a cassette player, and take apart a cell phone battery. He loved tinkering on the bikes. Our bikes were in fine tune. At Mulongo,we got word that Prospere's wife had twins in Kamina, so we released him to go be with his family.
Ngoy wa Kasongo was our mechanic, riding a motorcycle as a safety vehicle and for heavy hauling. His nickname is Elephant. Elephant carried my bike over the deep water and was often around when I needed help pushing up the mountains. After Prospere took off, Elephant became the one who was always right there behind me. After all was done, Mulongo said to me,
"Elephant told me that he would be proud to walk with you again."I would be most proud to walk with this team again.
Bob
2 comments:
An excellent testament to an excellent team.
We thank you our Almighty God who is carrying his people everywhere aroung the world. And that was concluded by our Jesus Christ when he commissioned his this Disciples to go everywhere around the world to preach and to make all nations his discipleship. The question is How to accept to go and where we are going if we don't have any vision? To understand that we need to see the way which Rev. Bob Walter did in the way going and come back to Mulongo. Is the first experiences to what Jesus was saying about 2000 years ago. The whole world is disciples of Jesus. How to go there? we need courage, confidence,love,faith and hope. These are the keys for successfull for that kind of Mission. Somehow is difficult to understand and we need some how have faith to agree with the servant Bob. We continue to pray God who make this success and Himself help that mission and we are hoping to get many fruits in such journey.
To God be glory today and frorevermore. Amen!
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