TheJourney in Africa

Clay Iles in Mali, Africa Our oldest son Clay just returned from a memorable trip among the Bozo tribe in Mali, Africa. To read about it and see photos, click on http://www.suemanakomina.blogspot.com/

Below is our schedule for this week’s trip to Liberia, Africa. While there we’ll be working with the Ricks Institute, a school near the capital of Monrovia. We’re sharing this schedule so you’ll know what we’re doing and how to pray for us. (Liberian time is 5 hours ahead of US-CDT.) We are carrying plenty of school supplies as well …

The Evening Holler This group of Zulu (South African) boys are giving the “Dry Creek Hoot Owl Call.” I’d been in their village the week before and shared “The Evening Holler.” They greeted me with it when we returned. It was a neat experience. To read this story– the first one in my first book (Stories from the Creekbank) click …

Green Lake, a volcanic lake near Goma, Congo. Eastern Congo is located in a branch of the Great African Rift valley. Because of this, Goma is surrounded by five active volcanoes. With one of the churches we visited in the foreground, Mt. Nyiragongo lets off steam. African stories and faces The walls of African churches are simple. The worship taking …

African Eyes This photo was taken while we taught Congolese pastors. I later placed my hand through one of the cracks, and soon a small black hand grasped mine and began stroking the hair on my arm. It was a special moment in our trip and I hope this photo captures the beauty of the young eyes and hearts of …

  Photos from Africa Bill Calloway of Glenmora teaches at a “Bible School” in Goma. This is where pastors and church leaders come for training. Our fine translators, John and Plamedia. These two young Christians were a key in our teaching and visiting throughout the Congo. Notice that Plamedia is holding a copy of Wind in the Pines. One of …

Pictures from Africa Pictured in Rusty Pugh, a wonderful Southern Baptist missionary in the Congo. When Rusty put his cowboy hat on, I had him pull it down over his eyes and sing, “The devil went down to Georgia, looking for a soul to steal.” He does resemble Charlie Daniels (especially when he puts the hat on.) Rusty, a Lower …

The children of Goma Faces from Africa I’ll be adding photos in the coming days. (Above) Pastor Habimana Athanase and his granddaughter, Lovely. Pastor Habimana is the leader of a strong fellowship of over 80 Baptist churches in the city of Goma, Congo. My favorite picture of the trip. This “singer in sneakers” was part of the children’s choir in …

More sketches Top left If an African’s hands are dirty, wet, or they’ve been ill, they’ll extend their wrist to shake. Middle left: Everything can be carried on an African head. The old sewing machine was my favorite. Middle right: Every move of a “Mzungo” (white man) is followed closely. Even a trip to the outhouse draws a crowd or …

Sketches from AfricaScroll down to an earlier entry to read about the lesson on living passionately I learned from a dancing deacon. I am not a true artist. I’m only a sketcher. I’m learned that one of the best “friend-catchers” in a foreign country is one’s journal and sketches. Even the shyest person cannot help but looking over your shoulder …

My great great aunt, Eliza Iles, as she left for the Belgian Congo in 1920. The caravan arrives at the mission house in Congo. Notice the covered hammocks the natives carried the missionary women in. in. This picture was taken in Nov. 1920, over three months since Aunt Eliza left New York City by boat. Eliza Iles and Leroy Harris …

A church built on the rock… Volcanic Rock! This is one of the Union of Baptist Churches near Goma, Congo. In the background is Mt. Nyiragongo (0ver ten thousand feet high), one of five active volcanoes in this area. You can see the smoke boiling out of the mountain. At night, you could see a red glow from the crater. …

The following is a proposal and outline on a new book entitled Eliza’s Journey. I’d appreciate your input on the book title, the plot’s twists and turns, as well as the name “Frederick.” (see below. I believe there’s got to be a better name.) Let me hear from you. Curt Author’s notes: Tentatively Eliza’s Journey is planned as an 80,000 …

The following fascinating article is from a Beaumont Daily Journal article in November 1920. It features a letter from the Belgian Congo, Africa written by my great-grandfather’s sister, Eliza Iles: Headline: Miss Eliza Iles writes of trip to Congo, Africa Miss Eliza Iles, who was deaconess for the First Methodist church in this city for three years and is now …