What's Woody Doing Now

READING: One of the Many Maternal Death Stories

Sadly, one out about 11 Congolese women die during children birth.  Thousands of women die each year due to lack of access to prenatal care.

Here's a story from two American missionaries in Congo of a recent death.

SUBJECT:  Pastoral school in mourning  -Feb.21

Dear Friends and Family,

IPK ( Pastoral Institute of Kikongo) is officially in mourning until Thursday. One of our second year pastoral school wives died during a C-section at the hospital yesterday. Her baby, her first, survived. IPK is in shock. Our student wife stayed at her home in our camp using several different kinds of traditional roots and herbs to assist in her labor until the baby's head had already crowned, which, according to the hospital, complicated an already complicated situation. The young mother was 21. Students, staff and Kikongo friends gathered around the body at our IPK chapel for an all night wake last night. Glen and I took shifts. I don't know how our students kept up such a high level of energy drumming, shaking rattles and singing so far into the night.  (Did you know that old dental work can ache when exposed to too much drumming?) Mats were spread out all over the floor with sleeping children. This morning, instead of a traditional church service, we had the funeral and burial. It went well, except that part of the hole had to be dug all over again, because the diggers ran into an old coffin going in one direction. Graves are only marked temporarily here, so it is easy to forget where previous bodies have been placed. Yesterday afternoon, when the students received word of the death, tensions were running very high. We were sure immersed in the culture as we tried to figure out what the issues were, and how to best deal with them.

In the end, our students really showed maturity, especially our graduating class. It isn't just the young father who lost his 21 year old bride that has been put through the fire, but all of us, staff and students have been tested. The young lady was just learning how to read, and was baptized in October. This afternoon we are all resting. The father of the new baby was just by. His village is a considerable distance away to the south, ( six days walk) so help from his family is out of the question. Another IPK family with a new infant has agreed to take care of this special new baby until they graduate in June. A real sacrifice. Staff is trying to think of some practical ways that we can assist the new mother as she nurses an extra baby now. Milk? Ground corn? Black eyed peas?

Please pray for IPK as we unite around this unique challenge, and especially for our young student who has lost his wife.

Glen and Rita

Tune-In Thursday To HBO's New Documentary, "Reporter"

Check out the "Reporter" on Thursday February 18 at 9:30pm on HBO.

Nick Kristof has traveled to and written (for the New York Times) about Congo from a wild, wild east perspective many times.  Also, he is a respected columnist, blogger, and best-selling author.

Tune in to HBO tomorrow.

This Thursday, February 18 at 9:30pm, HBO will premiere Eric Daniel Metzger’s new documentary “Reporter,” which follows Pulitzer Prize winning New York Times columnist Nick Kristof on his travels through Congo. Through his talent for recounting individual stories, Kristof strives to bring the crisis in Congo to the forefront of his readers’ minds and hearts. Two young Americans, a high school teacher and a medical student, trek alongside Kristof as he journeys through villages, Tutsi rebel jungle hideouts, and refugee camps.

With the help of producers Mikaela Beardsley and Steven Canto, Metzger, in the role of both narrator and director, has produced a passionate and telling account of the situation in Congo and the reality of public reactions to the horror. Join him and Nick Kristof Thursday at 9:30 for the premiere of “Reporter” on HBO.

 

One of the Reasons Why I DISLIKE Kinshasa

I always told my kids to never use the word, hate.  BUT the city of Kinshasa, the capital of DR Congo is one place that I almost hate.  I really DISLIKE Kinshasa.  Unfortunately, I do not know if all 3rd- or 4th-world large cities are similar to Kinshasa.  I hope not!

Here's an email I just received from a missionary friend.  The day before I departed for the US, Glen arrived in Kinshasa from his missionary post in the bush.  It was good to see him again.  The following is Glen's latest adventure in Kinshasa.

Dear Friends,
       Kinshasa is a friendly city as far as big cities go.
        People are generally polite, (except if they are behind a
steering wheel), helpful, and eager to talk.

        When I go shopping at the big down town market, I usually go
with a Congolese friend.  It is so crowded, and the most professional
thieves stake out the place.     Kinshasa has few violent crimes that
I know about.  People are more interested in ripping someone off, but
not in hurting anyone.

         The streets of Kinshasa are a mess after a big rain.  A
crowded market is made even worse as you negotiate narrow passages
around the standing water and garbage.  I gave my friend Mador my
backpack to carry so that I wouldn't be as much of a target. I still
had a portable phone in a buttoned shirt pocket, and a money pouch
attached to my belt.  I also had some money in my pants pockets.    At
the big market, you walk with a purpose.  You decide where you are
going, and head in that direction, while trying to avoid distractions.
 The thieves are masters at distraction.

          The street was crowded when a young man concealing his hand
under a bag reached to my chest and said "Put your hands up".  I
stepped aside , and addressed the man in Lingala, the Kinshasa street
language.  I also called out to my partner who turned around and was
with me in an instant.  The thief said something like "Oh this is a
native", and began backing off. I pressed my advantage and began
loudly lecturing the fellow in Lingala about his shameful behavior.
By this time, the crowd on my side of the street, and the other side
of the street knew what was going on.  People were yelling at him
because of the "shameful" act.   The thief then fled the area.

            The men on the other side of the street told me "he got
something of yours".  I still  had my money pouch, and my cell phone
in my left shirt pocket.  I assured people that he had not succeeded
at getting anything, then I noticed that my other shirt pocket was
unbuttoned.  He had managed to get into my pocket after all.  Earlier,
I had been given some small change.  but the bills were nice and
crisp, so I put them in that pocket hoping to save them to take back
to Kikongo.   The value of the money stolen was  25 cents !   What a
relief !  My $ 400 was still safe in my concealed pouch, my reading
glasses were untouched and my phone was still in my pocket.    The
poor thief thought he was going for dollars, but only ended up with
small Congolese notes.

             So that's my Kinshasa adventure with a happy ending for
me, but a little disappointing  for the professionals.

              Sounds like in my absence Rita is taking care of a two
meter python!   Is that a substitute for me?  I will find out when I
return on Tuesday.

              I plan to worship in my own language with the
international community today.


                Blessings,

                   Glen (in Kin) and Rita (at Kikongo)

VIEWING a Video Report On Congo Conflict Minerals

Here's a great video report to watch.  STOP funding rapists and killers in the Congo.  Next year, you may be able to make an informed decision.

1.  Conflict Cellphones.

2. US House of Representative introduces a Bill to stop the use of conflict minerals from Congo.

 

 

Heart of Diamonds: Video Report On Congo Conflict Minerals.

As Representative Jim McDermott (D-WA) introduced his bill in the U.S. House of Representatives to help stop the use of conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo in cell phones and other electronic devices, my colleague Rima Abdelkader filed this incisive report.

Do You Know of Any Financial Assistance Offered for Adopting A Congolese Child?

Today, I had an inquire about grants or other financial assistance available to a family who wants to adopt a Congolese child.

Adoption in the Congo is a new issue for me.  But it is possible.  And there are many worthy children now waiting on adoption.

If any know of a resources, please contact me. 

"We have been wanting start our second adoption for a while.  We have been giving this a lot of prayer.    It seems that somehow we have been led to The Democratic Republic of Congo.  The people there they have so many hardships our hearts truly break for them.  Our only problem is finances, I was wondering if you happen to know of any resources that offer grants or other financial assistance for adopting from Congo, anything would help."

READING: Is There Such a Thing as Agro-Imperialism?

Yes, Virginia, there is an Agro-Imperialism!  And, it is beginning to take shape in Africa, today. 

It has even arrived in Congo.   I thought it was mislead humanitarian or development effort.  If you read this article in the NY Times, you will see the next round of imperialism looming for Africans is here.

Africans have faired poorly under the past Mineral-Imperialism.  But will Africans get a better deal under Agro-Imperialism? 

Is There Such a Thing as Agro-Imperialism? - NYTimes.com.

In a series of meetings, Saudi government officials, bankers and agribusiness executives told an institute delegation led by Zeigler that they intended to spend billions of dollars to establish plantations to produce rice and other staple crops in African nations like Mali, Senegal, Sudan and Ethiopia. “They laid out this incredible plan,” Zeigler recalled. He was flabbergasted, not only by the scale of the projects but also by the audacity of their setting. Africa, the world’s most famished continent, can’t currently feed itself, let alone foreign markets.

The American scientist was catching a glimpse of an emerging test of the world’s food resources, one that has begun to take shape over the last year, largely outside the bounds of international scrutiny. A variety of factors — some transitory, like the spike in food prices, and others intractable, like global population growth and water scarcity — have created a market for farmland, as rich but resource-deprived nations in the Middle East, Asia and elsewhere seek to outsource their food production to places where fields are cheap and abundant. Because much of the world’s arable land is already in use — almost 90 percent, according to one estimate, if you take out forests and fragile ecosystems — the search has led to the countries least touched by development, in Africa. According to a recent study by the World Bank and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, one of the earth’s last large reserves of underused land is the billion-acre Guinea Savannah zone, a crescent-shaped swath that runs east across Africa all the way to Ethiopia, and southward to Congo and Angola.  

New Uses For Old Billboards

I drive our interstate highways a lot.  In the last two months, I have drove Indianapolis to Maryland, Indianapolis to Colorado, Indianapolis to Wisconsin, plus many shorter trips. 

I have seen many billboards.  The older ones made of wood or paper are boring.  The newer ones made from vinyl and even electronic lites are eye-catching.  They are a welcome relief of the sometimes boring landscape.

But what happens to those newer vinyl billboards when they are replaced or become outdated?  I have noted the billboards around Indianapolis are changed frequently.

I thought about the houses and schools located in rural Congo.  They could use some of those old vinyl billboards.

I am contacting people in the industry to find out more details.

Business finds new uses for old billboards - WTHR.

Andrea Morehead/Eyewitness News - WTHR

Indianapolis - It is not your kid's art class, but a major craft making two local moms a household name.

It's a name that some may like, and you definitely can't forget it. "My mom hated it," said Ann Stark. Beth Mast added, "It also means to be streaked with color."

It's a Freakin' Billboard.

That's right. That's the company name and Beth and Ann are the founders. "We want stuff in all 50 states that's one of our goals," said Ann.

And everywhere you drive, you can't help but pass by the huge square advertisements. But have you ever wondered - what happens when the plastic ads become useless? Do they go to our local landfill?

Well, think green, all thanks to a challenge by Ann's husband whose business is billboards. Some old ones were on the office floor headed for the dumpster.

Buying Candy For My Kids in Congo After Halloween

Kids in the Congo do not celebrate Halloween.  They are too poor for costumes.  And, families are too poor to have candy and other goodies.

So late tomorrow evening, I will buy candy for little ones in rural Bulape.  Oh, I will have to get a few pieces for the BIG kids, too.

Stop Texting For One Minute to URGE YOUR SENATOR to support the Congo Conflict Minerals Act

Did you text anyone between 12pm and 1pm YESTERDAY?  I didn't!  I bet most of you didn't either.  BUT you probably did not realize (like me) that you asked to stop texting for one hour to call attention to the Congo conflict.

The silent majority is DEAD!  YOU MUST TAKE ACTION TO BE HEARD.  I am asking to take a positive active action to be heard.  Follow the link and urge your senator to support S.891, the Congo Conflict Mineral Act of 2009.

Take Action Now!  Urge your Senators to support S. 891, the Congo Conflict Minerals Act of 2009, as a good first step towards addressing the causes of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). 

 

Stop Texting, to Save Lives (in Africa) | OneWorld.net (U.S.).

Activists asked cell phone users to stop texting for one hour today -- not to save energy or focus on the road, but to call attention to one of the deadliest and most underreported conflicts in the world.

The so-called "Cell Out" campaign is part of Congo Week, a series of actions being held worldwide between Oct. 18 and 24 to call attention to what many believe is the largest humanitarian crisis in the world -- the ongoing war over resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Coltan, a mineral needed for many electronic devices, including cellular telephones, is at the center of the conflict in the DRC, which the United Nations has called the deadliest conflict anywhere since World War II.

PROPOSAL: Taser Congolese Girls and Women for $40,000

I am trying to raise $52,000 to drill water wells in the Congo.  The project will save lives with clean safe drinking water.  Also, women and girls will not have to walk 2 to 4 hours a day to get water.  I think they will accept $40,000 for getting tasered in return for village water wells.

A 72-year old grandma wants $135,000 for pain and suffering, medical expenses and humiliation!  Where is the justice in the world?

 

County offers $40,000 to Tasered grandma - Crime & courts- msnbc.com.

A Texas county offered a $40,000 settlement to a 72-year-old grandmother whose Tasering by a deputy constable was captured on video and shown nationwide. Kathryn Winkfein, who was shocked with a stun gun after she dared the constable to do so during a May traffic stop, wanted $135,000 for pain and suffering, medical expenses and humiliation. But Travis County commissioners on Tuesday approved $40,000 as their "firm" counteroffer.