We ride up hill for an hour, then level out on a plateau. The plateau goes on for so far that it's hard to remember that you are on top of the world. It's flat. The tall grass hides the fact that this plateau is not draining well. We find ourselves riding though a sea of grass on a lake of black water. It's not so deep that we can't ride, but this calls for some leadership.
Elephant is our chief mechanic, motorcycle support rider, and all-round strong man. At river crossings or on steep mountain trails, he is my best friend. Everyone calls him Elephant. He spells it the English way, but it is pronounced the French way: El-ee-fant. The name fits. The elephant is known for making the first track through the forest for all other animals to follow. Back in 2009 when I visited in Kalemie, the first UM missionary to visit there since the war, they gave me a carved elephant and said, "You have broken the trail for the others to follow."
Elephant, on his motorcycle, makes the track through the grass and black water and we follow. OK, not the most dangerous part of our adventure, but a great metaphor.
At the next stream crossing, Elephant puts my fully loaded Cannondale touring bicycle over his head and walks on water. (He knows where the rocks are.)
Bob
Kansenya Gar
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