Among the best things about being away for a few weeks is coming home. After another air tour of Central Africa (at least the Congo part) I landed in Kisangani. Stepping down the tail steps of the 727 into the heat and sun, it felt good to be home. As I made my way into the terminal several of the guards waved or nodded and some called me by name. “You’ve been gone awhile! Welcome home Mr. John!” Again, more good feelings.
By the way, I don’t know if I’ve ever explained here that the name Brian often doesn’t roll off of Congolese tongues too easily. I’m told it’s fairly common in France now and they have an anglicized pronunciation. In Congo rather, I’ve gotten a lot of quizzical looks when I introduce myself as Brian. Even some good friends call me “Brown” or my favorite “Brahmps”. The most common iteration of my name is pronounced Breeante, which in French is “Brilliant”. This works here since many people are named after positive characteristics. I’ve never looked in the mirror and thought “Brilliant!”, but I will take it wherever I can get it. To make a long aside longer and effectively get to the point… in some cases I cut the confusion by using my middle name: John. I always wanted to get more use out of it and now I am fully accustomed to responding to either one. People here have and use lots of names so nobody thinks it the slightest bit odd.
There were only three or so of us who got off the plane in Kisangani and the UN bus driver very kindly told us that he’d prefer to wait for another flight coming in from Bunia in another 45 minutes but he worked it out for two of us to ride with the guy who had a car waiting. I had a nice conversation in the back of the Handicap International Landcruiser with a new UN transportation agent from Cameroon via the mission in Haiti.
Meanwhile the staff back at the office was waiting for me to call from the usual bus terminus in town. Instead the guys from Handicap dropped me off right in front of our gate. I pushed the door open, stuck my head in and yelled, “Hodi!”, Swahili for “Hey, can I come in?!” The guards welcomed me with great big smiles, handshakes, hands on shoulders, and tapping of temples: right, left, right. The sounds of our greetings then sent ripples through the office building. The entire credit field staff was there as usual on a late Friday afternoon. I heard the insides of the building erupt in shouts of joy and the whole staff poured out on the porch. There were about 20 handshakes and smiles and 90 taps to my temples. We all gathered in a big circle in the reception and I said a few words thanking them for their good work and the jubilant welcome. A few minutes later I found myself in my office, my temples still stinging. I sat for a moment to savor that feeling. As life goes, there will undoubtedly be days to come when I will need to draw from that overflowing cup.
Hello brother, I am proud to know that you are such a positive influence in these peoples lives. I think back on the few african friends I know and remember what great people they are. Positve intelligent leadership is what we all need.