Beni - "blessed"

I arrived in Beni, DR Congo on October 23, 2007. After a short night’s rest in Entebbe, Uganda, our MAF flight flew to Bunia, DR Congo, then on to Beni. Words cannot describe the beauty of the Congo viewed from above. Shades of green cover the valleys and mountains. Like the Great Lakes region in the Midwest, so holds the name of the eastern DR Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania. Carved into the landscape lies large, abundant lakes. As we approached Beni, to the west rolled a sea of jungle known as the Ituri forest. For miles and miles the canopy of this lush vegetation reached for the horizon. To the east, the Ruwenzori mountain range stood tall and mystical as clouds tried to cover it's enourmousy. The land is a paradise. As it would be said by my Congolese mother, Kaswera, “You can throw any kind of seed on the ground and it will grow”.
We were greeted by harmonious songs of praise from a number of leaders, pastors, and students. This is when it hit me…I’m in Africa, and I joined in to the best of my rhythmic inability. The welcoming was incomparable. We immediately headed over to the city government building where we met the mayor of Beni, minister of the Nord Kivu province, and director of the office of DR Congo. I flew to Beni with a delegation from the United States to include an advisor to the governor of the State of Arizona, the assistant mayor of Phoenix, and a prominent businessman and pastor from Milwaukee. The Rev. Stuart Briscoe joined us as well. So, before I could really start to take in the environment, I found myself in the middle of a formal welcoming from the provincial government. Of course, I was still chewing the old piece of gum I placed in my mouth that lessened the pressure on my ears while in flight.
After the formal welcome, we drove along dirt roads that make SUV commercials look weak. We arrived at the Kasali’s house and my new home. The house is large with many rooms and beds to accommodate the many visitors that come to Beni. I met their nephews and nieces…Festo, Grace, Amani, and Babi; and Kaswera’s brother Benjamin. They are blessed to have running water, which is not a common luxury. I am fortunate to call it home. We had a quick lunch that consisted of the most amazing pineapple and passion fruit juice, plantains, kasava leaves, potatoes, rice, and beef. Kaswera is a wonderful cook…I will do well here!
After lunch, we headed straight over to the Universite Chretienne Bilingue du Congo (Bilingual Christian University of Congo), for the beginning of the consultation conference – The Role of the Church and Nation Building. The school has not been completed, but the people continue to work diligently. I will be teaching English here. The building stands on 36 acres of land that was provided at a reasonable cost to U.C.B.C. by a local chief. The land is beautiful and holds great potential for the growth of the University.
Now, let me explain briefly what occurred this past week at the consultation or conference. A beautiful and historic event is beginning here in Beni. In a country that is striving to come out of years of destruction and absolute devastation of humanity, leaders from the local region have gathered to share ideas, vision, passions, love, and hope for the rebuilding of the region and nation. Pastors, businessmen, authorities, professors, chiefs, and others, gathered at Universite Chretienne Bilingue du Congo (U.C.B.C) for a consultation focused on the Church’s Role in Nation Building and the official opening of U.C.B.C. It was encouraging to see these leaders and community members come together to share the ideas and passions to support the vision of the Congo Initiative and U.C.B.C. It was no different from the exciting and challenging seminars and discussions I’ve attended at other universities. Furthermore, the consultation was not only a group of leaders gathered to discuss pertinent social, educational, and political issues, but included an absolute dependence on God. It is encouraging to hear these voices give thanks and praise after coming out of years of destruction and devastation of their country. Their hope revolves around the message of the Gospel. These leaders have experienced first hand the suffering and oppression and now stand together to support a vision that will bring hope and empowerment to their communities.
It is also evident the immediate community came together to make this event happen. From the construction of the building, to the preparation of food, to the incredible Congolese music; all participated, providing a glimpse of what is yet to come. The students’ hearts long to learn. Despite the language barrier, it is evident their hearts beat with excitement and desire to participate in the rebuilding of their country. Like the present leaders, they are tired of the conflict and instability. They are the leaders of tomorrow and their desire to learn and contribute is incomparable.
This is a poor attempt to summarize the last 10 days. There is much more to be said. I left out many details and realities for the sake of bringing to front last week’s consultation. The realities, some beautiful and some dark, you could find in much more professional writings in media. However, I will try to touch on these in future entries. Let me lastly mention this; it is telling that the name, “Beni”, comes from the French word “benir”, which means, ‘to bless”. In a land with a troubled history, the Congo Initiative is a gathering of many lights beginning to shine. I consider a great blessing to be a part of the community here and desire to see this city, province, and country, transformed.