This man brought this owl to us thinking we might want to buy it for our dinner! It was an amazingly beautiful owl. Elder Moon felt bad all day that we didn't buy it and set it free. We did help free a chicken that was tangled up in some string. It could only take about one inch steps because it was so caught up in this eighteen inch string. We felt so bad for it so we tried to catch it but were having a hard time. Finally, one of the people from the Monastery where we were staying caught it for us and held the chicken while Elder Moon tried to cut it loose. The lady let us free the legs from each other but wouldn't let us cut the last little piece of string from the one leg. When she let it go, the chicken took only baby steps for a minute and then seemed to realize it was no longer bound. It was really fun to watch it take some giant steps and then start to run around. Afterwards we learned that someone had probably intentionally bound the chicken with the long string to make it easier to catch when they were ready to have it for dinner. At least they were nice about it when we were freeing it and thinking we were doing this nice thing!
We often see people playing checkers with homemade boards and bottle caps as playing pieces. These men saw our cameras and wanted their picture taken. People are very creative in making things from what is laying around.
Elder Barlow is explaining details of the water project to Elder Moon, Elder Parmley ande others.
This cute little boy hiked all the way down and back up with us at the water project. He loved the baseball cap that Elder Moon was wearing and kept asking for it. It was one that the Tifie group had given Elder Moon. Just as were ready to drive off, Elder Moon gave the hat to him and he just beamed. Wish I had had my camera ready!
Elder Moon and a group of the kids that followed us up and down the trail.

All these children were gathering around as we were getting ready for the ceremony where the church was donating many items to the hospital. I had a fun time teaching them alot of songs. They loved singing and were quick to follow even though it was in English. They particularly loved action type songs.
Sister Barlow started ripping pieces of the bubble wrap used to package the items being donated and gave it to the children showing them how to pop the bubbles. They loved it!
Elder Moon assembling the operating table that was being donated. What an improvement over anything they had!
Lots of curious onlookers watched through the bushes the whole morning.

Arriving at the freshly painted hospital in Luputa.

This is an autoclave that they use at the hospital to fire up and sterilize the surgical equipment.
Elder Parmley and Sister Barlow ceremoniously handing a set of surigal tools to the head chief of the village.
Elder Parmley of the Seventy and President of the Southeast Africa area spoke at the ceremony. In his premission life, he was a well-known cardiologist. It was a wonderful experience to travel with him and his wife.
Look at the bead detail in this chief's hat!

Front view of the same hat. Elder Barlow and the chief. Notice the cane the chief is holding is decked out with the same beads.

This mother is looking at a picture of she and her baby on our friend's camera. She was so excited to see their images! Everyone wants their picture taken and laughs when they see themself on the display.

As Elder Moon was unpacking the ultra sound machine that the church was donating to the hospital in Luputa, he noticed something was rattling. So immediately after the ceremony, he took the machine apart and found a screw that had jiggled out. There were also twelve other loose screw! The roads we traveled on were extremely bumpy! He got everything back in place and tightened up. The machine worked great when he was done!
Finding the problem.
This headlight from a car is the light that is used in this operating room. It is hooked to a generator as they don't have electricity.

More of the operating room.

Giving the orphans their gruel.

Orphans and many of the neighbors who let the children spend the night at their homes. During the day, the children come back to the orphanage to be cared for. The most extreme cases stay at the orphanage all the time.
This is Marie Josee who has founded this orphanage. She is a nurse and is head of maternity at the hospital in Luputa but she also runs this orphanage and women's clinic. Here she is holding a baby that was extremely malnourished and was found lying next to his dead mother. She has a heart of gold and is truly making a difference in many peoples lives. She has no funding, just lots of love.
Elder Barlow with Marie Josee and her training chart she posted on the wall in the birthing center. She went to the Neonatal Rescusitaion Training organized by the Barlows,(DR Congo Humanitarian Directors), and went back to Luputa and starting training all the doctors and nurses. A week later she called the Barlows laughing and crying because they had just saved a baby that everyone thought was dead. She followed the procedures she had been taught and on the third try, the baby started breathing and is now strong and healthy!

Birthing table.

The people here don't have alot but they are creative! This little train was made from sardine cans, sticks and bottle caps.
This homemade guitar made from a can, stick and fishing line actually made some interesting sounds!
The children are fascinated with our skin and my hair. They love to touch us and love to feel my hair.
Every village we came to people would come running to greet us, especially the children.

Elder Moon and some of his friends.

The children in the villages love to follow us around. They all want to learn English words and are so eager to talk to us.
They love to hold our hands and will push each other out of the way to get a turn.
We stopped at this outdoor couture where they make clothes. I saw a cute top hanging up and asked how much it was. It was a very reasonable price so I decided to buy it. I found out it was only the model. Our driver told the man that he would take me to buy fabric and bring me back to be measured. The next thing we knew, we were going to the marché to buy fabric. This is the man who made my outfit. He made it that night and our driver brought it to me early the next morning.
Sister Barlow skipping with the kids.

Elder Moon and followers strutting along.

These cute families carry supplies and their family members on a single bike. Notice these roads aren't easy to bike on!

Most Congolese people have beautiful posture. They carry large loads on their heads. We have seen everything from all types of food, sewing machines, car batteries, and last week saw a lady carrying a table with a book case on top of the table.
People pay good money to go 4 wheeling and we get to experience it as part of our mission!

Our dear friends the Barlows, ready to quench their thirst with some precious water. Traveling from Mbuji-Mayi to Luputa and back, we had to carry enough water for the trip as it isn't available in the towns we were visiting.

Traveling to the Ngandjike Branch meeting

Ngandajika Branch and curious neighbors.
Elder and Sister Parmley and the Ngandjika Branch.
Exciting roads to travel on making it difficult to arrive to meetings on time.
This tree that had been chopped down by some villagers caused a slight delay in our travel but our husbands showed that even though they may be part of a senior couple, they still have muscles to move trees!

Uh-oh!