Colette has returned from The DRC two weeks ago. After 10 weeks in Kandale she shares this initial reflection:
Every morning at 5am the Mission bell rings to call the church elders for their morning prayers. It is a sound that resonates within me from when I was a small child. I jump out of bed even though it is still a little dark out. I am motivated to get started with my day because once the sun comes up, the day starts. The sun and the heat wait for no one. I brave the cold water for a bath and as usual I run out of water from the bucket before washing all the suds off of me. On my return from the outdoor shower, I see the big paddle of liquid glue from the Mumyombo tree. The village carpenters will come soon to collect the glue for their woodwork. The heat has begun to push out the lingering shadows and I rush to my hide out under the Mumbunze tree. It is quiet and serene. Red ants are busy building their nests all over the tree, but they are too busy in their task to pay me any attention. The pastor arrives and he is eager to greet me and share a prayer, but I need a little more time.
From the shade beneath the Mumbunze tree I peek through the overhanging branches and I see people coming and going. At 7 AM it is my place of sanctuary. The morning sun has already risen and begun to heat up the village and its many pathways, but here under the branches it is cool like a cave. I hear the night watchman, Kisenda, sweeping in the distance under the trees. He creates beautiful undulating designs on the ground with his broom. He is sweeping up the dried leaves and I hear his handheld broom scratch across the dry ground. Men and women come early to gather the leaves from the Mumbunze tree to make their morning tea. The leaves are renowned for their curative properties.
Kisenda can identify everyone by their footprints as they pass through the compound. What a genius I say to myself. His nickname is “Chaud-Chaud” because he does everything quickly. Last night, there was a gentle knock on my door, and I saw Chaud-Chaud’s flashlight. When I opened the door, it felt like daytime because of the full moon. The night sky was in full glory, beaming with stars. Chaud-Chaud did not say anything, but I know why he mastered the courage to wake me up. I grabbed my camera to take a few pictures. When I showed him the photos, his lips turned into a big smile and he released a heart felt laugh in amazement.
In the trees, birds are pulling at small dark raisin like fruit. They are loudly quarreling back and forth, “chi chi chi chi.” Soon the day watchman comes and greets Kisenda and then the pastor returns to greet them both, “Udi mwa bonga, tata. E ngudi mwa bonga.” Other people from the village come and leave pineapples or peanuts. There is laughter and loud greetings. Visitors come to ask if I am approachable and can they touch me. The day watchman laughs and tells them that I am very ‘gentile’ and yes, you can touch her.
The sun begins to find me between the branches. Yellow butterflies are dancing along the path. Before too long my phone alarm will ring and the meetings will begin at 8. I am savoring this opportunity to reflect on the progress of the village, how much has been accomplished and how much more needs to be done. REVE Kandale Staff and volunteers begin to arrive at 7:30 and collect their materials from the office. The day guard provides them with a key to the compound. I hear the chickens outside chasing after each other and squabbling after some stray grasshopper uncovered during the sweeping. All around me are small Mumbunze saplings tentatively moving upward. Beyond my ‘cave’ Mutunu trees or ‘The Blood of Jesus’ trees, known for their blood-like sap, outpace the Mumbunze trees into the air. In the breeze there is the faint smell of caterpillars from deeper in the woods.
The alarm from my phone begins to chirp and I know that the meetings will start soon.
