<p>A relative by marriage has released a book recounting his and his family’s life in Congo. Roger worked as a missionary surgeon there for several years. Over the years, my family would receive letters telling of poverty, disease, surgery done under horrible conditions and other heart-breaking stories. We always were so proud of this family and the love they gave and received from the people of this country.</p>
<p>My copy is on the way, so I really can’t tell you about the book itself. But I wanted to make people aware of it, if it sound like something that would speak to you.</p>
<p>I inadvertently broke rules of cc by posting a link to a review of the book that was on a commercial site. Sorry. Anyway, the author is Roger Youmans, Title: “When Bull Elephants Fight: An American Surgeon’s Chronicle of Congo”.</p>
<p>Wow, mkm56, that’s fascinating! During what decade did your relative live in the Congo? I’ll bet his stories are amazing. Upon reading of your kin’s stint there, I was reminded of a novel I once heard on tape, “The Poisonwood Bible”, by Barbara Kingsolver. It involved religious missionaries back in the forties. The story was engrossing, and sometimes downright hair-raising. Did he ever encounter the infamous Driver Ants that are known to sweep through villages, killing everything that moves?</p>
<p>I can’t remember the exact years but I know he was there when S1 was in middle school as he sent many pictures and letters for son to share with class when they were studying Africa (1994-5).</p>
<p>I read the Poisonwood Bible years ago and enjoyed it very much. When we would hear from R and family, I always pictured scenes from that book.<br>
As far as the ants, I never heard him mention them—but I’m sure I’ll read much in the book that we never heard about first hand. Much of what was shared with us was the need of individual families. In one area where they lived, school was available for children (at a cost) but only to ones who had shoes–many families could not afford the small (to us) cost of the school plus the expense of buying shoes. I remember sending something like twenty-five dollars that would pay for shoes and tuition for one family!</p>
<p>LOL. I’m sure there are some on this board that would be able to easily read through that. However, unfortunately I’m not one of them! But I am impressed–does that count?</p>
I ordered one for my D who spent 8 weeks in Africa last year.</p>