Kin Day 1--Les Théologiennes

It is hard to write in a room with three other women even if they are on their computers, too. We don’t just ignore each other like men do. But here goes. Nina is posting pictures on FB. I’m doing the words.

Today we met with Mennonite women theologians at the Christian University of Kinshasa---women who have studied or are studying theology. A few are ordained and are pastors of churches. Many of them hope to convince their church leaders that women, indeed, can and should be ordained. Only one of the three Mennonite groups in Congo allows women to be ordained. Ironically, it’s the Mennonite Brethren who have respected the Sisters enough to accept them as leaders.

Let me tell you, these women theologians can preach, pray, study, sing, and cook—we feasted on chicken, fish, pondu (manioc greens, which I still call sombe from my earlier years here, yum!), fufu (manioc/corn glob), rice, etc. etc.--plus everything else Congolese women do, including raising large families. And they look good while they are doing it. 

note the little bowl of pure pili pili in the center (habaneros)

I gave a little very impromptu speech in French. Difficile! Nina wowed them but she could speak in English while Suzanne translated. Pastor Nina is their new heroine. Role model. Big Sister to the young ones. This was a very very good afternoon.

Well, it was good for Nina and me and our host Suzanne. June was laid low already on this, our first day, with tummy troubles. We all hope she will soon be able to eat something besides Pepto Bismol tablets. Can we blame airplane food, perhaps? Or perhaps the screaming babies on both legs of the flight—8 hours Chicago to Brussels and 7 and a half hours Brussels to Kinshasa. Or perhaps the chaos and heat of the airport and the dust and diesel fumes on the ride to Suzanne’s quiet, clean, comfortable apartment. Maybe all of the above.

Traffic jams last night and tonight definitely raise my mental bar for traffic jams. Cars creating lanes where they will, sneaking into any available opening even if it totally stops other cars. Tonight, after everybody had been stalled for 15 minutes, Suzanne faced down two drivers who had stationed themselves, turning right and heading our direction, in what was supposed to be our right-turn lane. She got us home without a scratch.