Hi, back in the US, I've paid attention to how often DRC is in international news. The best sources of news are MONUC and BBC. Tuesday night, National Geographic Explorer is hosting back to back 1-hr programs focused on different issues in the Congo - and I urge you to watch these informative views of this complicated, fascinating place.
Tuesday, Sept 16 on National Geographic Channel
9 EST - Gorilla Murders - Virunga Natl Park, East DRC
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/explorer/3817/Overview
10 EST - Congo Bush Pilots - have served as the only reliable transport during the last 30 yrs, flying humanitarians, missionaries and businessmen all over the jungle.
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/explorer/3818/Overview
I am so fortunate to have had a great learning opportunity this summer, and am thankful that all travels were safe...planes, cars, motorcycles, border crossings...I am fortunate. People who shouldn't get hurt sometimes do....a 23 yr old professional pilot flew me all the way across DRC on a humanitarian flight 3 weeks before he piloted the same flight and perhaps the same plane crashed. It was carrying a copilot and 15 passengers and bad weather somehow caused it to crash into a mountain. He had amassed an incredible amount of hours on the Beechcraft 1900 and other planes, but something went wrong very quickly between Kisangani and Bukavu. This NGO was the only airline that the USG, UN, and other humanitarians are permitted to fly, and has a perfect flight safety record since its founding in the 1980s. Its a tragedy, as a talented man's life was cut far too short, but he truly lived and served in his given years.
Fortunately, the two other staff members who worked my flight were not on the plane that crashed. Rest in Peace to the pilots and humanitarians who have given their lives in the service of others.
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/explorer/3818/Overview#tab-Photos/0
2 comments:
Hi there,
Thanks for your blog. It will be very helpful for me, as I'm on my way to Kinshasa (it's a question of days...). My first concern is how I can visit DRC, instead of staying in a secured office in the Capital City, for up to 4 years... To visit the country in which you have a job is part of the reason why we work abroad in my opinion...
Joel,
Thanks so much for your thoughtful commentary on your experiences in the DRC. We are thankful to God for your safe return and know that you are being formed by your wide variety of experiences.
Mom and I love you and are very proud of you!
Love, Dad
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