Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel. But the Pharisees said it was the done by the prince of demons. – Matthew 9:33 (After Jesus healed a demon possessed mute man)
It was simply too hot for Ruth to be in the back of the bus on my lap. There were 18 of us cramped into the taxi-bus the size of a minivan. We were taking the children from Bomoi ya Sika (New life or Mercy Home orphanage) to see the Bonobo ape preserve. I decided to get out of the bus and allow Ruth to feel the breeze and cool off,
I have become accustom to people staring at me, but today it was Ruth that caught people's attention first. Ruth is 4 years old but is the size of a one year old due to malnutrition. Women from the surrounding market started to ask me questions. Since I couldn’t respond in their language of Lingala, a crowd formed around me and the voices got louder as the crowd grew. I could tell it was time for me to disappear as pastor Jean Baptiste & pastor Mueller answered their questions and explained the situation. So, Ruth and I got back in the bus hoping to prevent a scene from developing.
Mundeli are seen as the ‘boss’ who separate themselves from the Congolese. They drive their SUVs with tinted windows and concern themselves with commerce.
When we gathered for our farewells following our return from the Bonobos, several of the orphanage staff explained how counter cultural it was for those in the market to see an older Mundeli (white person) holding a malnourished child. Nothing like this has ever been seen in their area. Many believe that these children are cursed, witches or sorcerers and therefore shunned. The staff went on to say it was a counter-cultural testimony of Christ’s love and humility. To see Mundeli taking direction from Congolese pastors and serving as volunteers and interacting with the orphans caused some to pause and consider another world-view that is free of demons and rich with equality.
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