Five days after getting back from South Africa, we took the road again to go to the center of Katanga province, more precisely to Kamina and Kaboto to see the possibility of an extension of ISTEK there.  This was a 10 day adventure on 2000 kms of Congolese "roads."  And what can I say about these roads?  Judge for yourselves by these few photos.
 
   

  

It was after traveling many rocky, crevice-filled roads, with enormous potholes like craters, on bridges that were hardly reassuring, and a ferry on the Lualaba river, that we arrived in Kamina. It was 6:00 PM, and we wanted to get to Kaboto, 250 km away.  We traveled all night long before arriving there at 5:30 the next morning.  It was a very trying trip, but was also a blessing for us and for our brothers and sisters in the faith who were blessed by our visit.
 
We returned to Lubumbashi safe and sound, after six flats and having been stuck many times, with three pieces of our suspension having been broken.  I, Marielle, and pastor Ilunga posed for posterity, in front of our church.  We had conquered Congolese roads.  But wait, the best is yet to come...
 

This trip on Congolese roads reminded me of the story of a 10 year old boy who used to dream of making a trip around the world in a jeep.  Every Saturday morning he would take the Canadian Tire (a very popular store in Canada) catalogue and would draw up a list of the items that he considered necessary to undertake such an adventure.  He would see himself crossing rivers, going the length and breadth of unexplored roads, and going almost to the ends of the earth to discover new things.  Forty years later, his dream came true.  Because you see, that little boy was me.  So even though this trip had been very tough, it was a joy to realize that God sometimes brings to pass our unspoken desires.  May all the glory be given to Him.