I spoke to Linda Jenkin the other evening as she was Nigel's travelling companion on his last visit to the DRC. Despite having an adverse reaction whilst on this trip due to the malaria tablets she had taken, she was keen to share her experiences as she tried to make sense of this journey which was unlike anything she had ever faced before.
Q: How did you get on Linda?
A: It was very strange indeed! Unfortunately I had 4 out of the 5 common symptoms involved with taking malaria tablets so I was in a real fog most of the time and not very well! I'm still piecing bits of it together and trying to make sense of it all.
Q: Can you elaborate?
A: I think the main thing that I found the strangest was the absolute contrasts amidst the day to day poverty. There would be people walking around, through the mud, muck and dust yet dressed immaculately and using mobile phones! And in the background there were derelict shops and people sat outside in front of them selling pieces of coal and maybe one loaf of bread, trying to earn a day's living.
Q: Was it a shock to your system then?
A: It was like being on the set of 'Independence Day' just after the big explosion and everything had been blown up. There were no street lights in most areas at night, just candles left out alongside the neglected roads. I have never been to Africa before or ever seen that sort of depravity.
Q: You visited some of the hospitals while you were there. What were your impressions?
A: I felt like a nosey onlooker with nothing to offer. I visited both the Military and Civil hospital and on entering each I was shocked by the the dereliction and the shabby furnishings and equipment.
Q: How has this experience changed you?
A: When I got back to England I was driving to work one day and was held up by road sweepers. Whereas normally I would be a bit put out, I actually burst into tears because I was so grateful to live in a country with good roads which are kept clean! I also find myself getting annoyed when people complain about having to wait 10 minutes for a Doctor's appointment or postponing an operation so they can go on holiday! We don't realise how lucky we are or how efficient our health care and medical treatment really is. I've also found myself thinking along the lines of 'If I just syphoned off one days wage a week, that would pay someone in the DRC for a whole month!'
Q: Would you go back?
A: I would! Especially to help with anything practical like painting and decorating. This could be a possibility as already there is a need for a school extension. People doing a little bit at a time really does make a difference in the long run however I can't help but think unless there is a real breakthrough of God in that area or in people's lives, progress will be painful and slow.
Q: And if anyone reading this would like to get involved in anything Shekinah is doing in Kananga?
A: Write or e-mail the church expressing their interest and what they would like to offer, practically or financially, and we'd take it from there.
Write or e-mail the church expressing their interest and what they would like to offer, practically or financially, and we'd take it from there.
Debs Smith