Church at Mbandaka III today - and signing of the partnership agreement between the Indiana Region and Mbandaka Disctrict. Exchange of gifts.

From Ilumbe, a sculpture of two figures shaking hands and holding in their opposite hands knives, symbols of a promise to create a path forward together. As Rick Spleth noted, "In the rain forest a path or trail is a big thing. It requires maintenance. And the "jungle" that encroaches on the path of both churches is significant: war, disease, poverty, secularism, global warming ... "

From Rick Spleth, a piece of Indiana limestone carved in the shape of the state of Indiana. As he gives the piece to his partner, Rick talks about the coltan that comes from Congolese soil. Coltan (which no one's ever heard of but which is in every cell phone) we take for granted. Coltan, mostly stolen from Congolese soil with no benefit going to the people. Bonanga reiterates the point, to be sure nothing is lost in translation.

So the limestone piece is something from our soil. It's what we use to build buildings that we want to stand the test of time. It's what we use for the really important buildings, Rick Spleth says. Limestone starts strong and gets stronger. As with our partnership.

We sign the partnership agreement. We take communion together. To the sound of singing, we leave the church and go for one more Mbandaka dinner before heading out to the airport. We leave with real sadness. It's only been five days, but we feel as though we've laid the groundwork for a new era of common witness - and made real friends.

Monday, May 26, 2008 »

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