I have been in Beni for a week and it has been a blessing! I was warmly welcomed into the fold here at UCBC and greeted with much enthusiasm from the students! As of today, my syllabus has been approved and I will begin teaching Biblical Theology tomorrow. I am also helping out with the English class tomorrow for the Prep. Year Students.
My six month visa was approved today - so there are no more worries of being kicked out of the country! The currency here is Congolese Francs and right now they are about 700 Francs=1 dollar.
We are still working out the details of our permanent home here in Beni, but it looks like myself and the other americans will have a house to share in the NDoni neighborhood. Currently, I am staying with the President, Dr. Kasli and his lovely wife Kassie. They are spoiling me rotten with wonderful food and a cozy bed!
As of yesterday, I am a Swahili mwanafunzi (student of Swahili). I have had two lessons so far and am told I'm doing well. I haven't found a french tutor yet, but I am working on refreshing myself with my old textbook. The funniest thing that has happened is the children seeing me for the first time and screaming "muzungu," which means "white person."
The food has been wonderful. Every day for lunch we have kalengiti (beans and rice). I feel like I'm back in New Orleans - all I need is some Zaterines! We also have a lot of potatoes and vegetables, like sweet potato leaves and cabbage. Praise God that I haven't had any problems with food or water or mosquitos at all yet!
The most interesting part of the trip so far is learning to ride on a motorcycle. Here they call them "Taxies." It is the number one form of transportation. I almost squeezed the guy to death the first time I rode on one. However, I've gotten used to it now. The roads here are really bad, so they go really slow. In fact, sometimes they'll turn their motors off and just coast to save on gas! It costs about $0.75 a ride.
I will try to get up more pictures as soon as possible. Until then check out the link to the left - to my pictures on flickr!
My six month visa was approved today - so there are no more worries of being kicked out of the country! The currency here is Congolese Francs and right now they are about 700 Francs=1 dollar.
We are still working out the details of our permanent home here in Beni, but it looks like myself and the other americans will have a house to share in the NDoni neighborhood. Currently, I am staying with the President, Dr. Kasli and his lovely wife Kassie. They are spoiling me rotten with wonderful food and a cozy bed!
As of yesterday, I am a Swahili mwanafunzi (student of Swahili). I have had two lessons so far and am told I'm doing well. I haven't found a french tutor yet, but I am working on refreshing myself with my old textbook. The funniest thing that has happened is the children seeing me for the first time and screaming "muzungu," which means "white person."
The food has been wonderful. Every day for lunch we have kalengiti (beans and rice). I feel like I'm back in New Orleans - all I need is some Zaterines! We also have a lot of potatoes and vegetables, like sweet potato leaves and cabbage. Praise God that I haven't had any problems with food or water or mosquitos at all yet!
The most interesting part of the trip so far is learning to ride on a motorcycle. Here they call them "Taxies." It is the number one form of transportation. I almost squeezed the guy to death the first time I rode on one. However, I've gotten used to it now. The roads here are really bad, so they go really slow. In fact, sometimes they'll turn their motors off and just coast to save on gas! It costs about $0.75 a ride.
I will try to get up more pictures as soon as possible. Until then check out the link to the left - to my pictures on flickr!
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