Reading is a key ability in a changing Congo. People moving to the city realize it. Non-readers are motivated to learn. A majority of CBCO churches in Kinshasa are responding to the demand by running literacy classes. In rural areas the need is perhaps even greater and still more difficult to address. In many areas more than 75% of women don't read. Literature is scarce and mobilizing a literacy program is hampered by costly transportation and poor communication. But what a difference reading could make for peoples' lives!
Masi-Manimba is about 100 kms west of Kikwit on the main road to Kinshasa. For some time, church leaders there have been asking for Miriam and Rose Mayala to come put on a workshop for volunteer literacy teachers. Arrangements for a Masi workshop have fallen through several times. But Miriam saw Pastor Makasi in Kinshasa as we passed through at the beginning of the month and confirmed that the December workshop was a go. "December" is no longer the future; it's this Sunday and next week.
Rose and another workshop leader will hitch a ride on one of the vehicles that take passengers back and forth across the Kinshasa-Kikwit highway. "Highway" is an exaggerated term for a rural road that in many places winds around deep holes or churns through sand pits. But they say significant repairs and improvements have been made this year. At least "public transportation" is no longer limited to riding on top of a transport truck.
Miriam will take a taxi (jammed pack Land-Rover) from Vanga to Petit Kasai, a stop on the main road about 80 kms from Lusekele. There she will probably have to wait until the next morning for a west-bound truck to complete the 40 kms to Masi-Manimba.
Pastor Makasi wants to make a push for every local congregation to organize literacy classes for members and neighbors. Apparently the invitations have gone out. But parishes are spread out over a wide area. For some people that might mean a 40 or 50km walk or bicycle ride and a week away from family and work.
Communication is still difficult. Everyone agreed on December 2 as the kick-off and Rose is supposed to bring the teaching materials. Pastor Makasi is supposed to make sure that everybody knows about the opportunity. And the Masi-Manimba church is supposed to host the workshop (providing makeshift housing and teaching space.) And Miriam just heard this morning that it might be difficult to get cash from the Literacy account -- not because there is no credit, but because the CBCO treasurer hasn't arranged to have cash on hand.
So Miriam will head off day after tomorrow in the firm trust that the details will work out. Even in the age of fringe cell phone service and e-mail we still can't count on the network to reach to the people we need to reach to confirm that everything is ready.
If you would like to pray for the workshop, here are some elements:
- inspired participants -- people who see literacy program as a way to help their communities, to reach out in Jesus' name, and willing to take responsibility for the ministry
- safe travel for Rose, Miriam and other trainers depending on rickety public transportation
- Masi-Manimba church hosts -- welcoming spirit, good organization that help the workshop to run smoothly
- Pastor Makasi, Rose and Miriam trying to pull the disparate pieces together
- the opportunities for pastoral counseling and reflection that always take place on the side of these workshops
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