: Will, Cami & Larry Robbins (SIL Central Africa Group Director and wife) and Beth Knapp (Translation consultant) preparing for the induction of the new ACOTBA-SUBO director. This happened the afternoon of our arrival in Gemena. This was the first time I had been to Gemena for 10 years!

Bolobo Obed, the new Director, during the induction

One of the many choirs who sang during the service. Congolese church music is really something special!

The ACOTBA-SUBO offices in Gemena, where we worked

During the first week I was there I met with some of the translation teams to understand their work, and its particular challenges (pictured Ngbandi-Nord and Pagabete teams), as well as with the new director and members of the leadership team. As well as learning about the work done by ACOTBA-SUBO, I also gave some training to them in the planning and management tool that is increasingly being used by SIL and their partners.

Most of the translation teams work together in the old warehouse used by ACOTBA-SUBO. There are few windows, so it soon heats up in there! Thankfully we were there at a cool time of year. A-S would like to do some work, and put in some windows and divide up the space better, but it all costs money...!

During the second week I checked Colossians in the Ngbandi-Ngiri language. This is the language we had planned to start work in back in 1996 before we had to leave.

For the two weeks we were in Gemena, Beth Knapp was checking Acts with the Mono translation team. Beth has been going regularly to Gemena from Bangui to do translation checking for the last four years.

Some typical scenes – rain from my room; the street outside the A-S offices

The house of one of the translators, Pastor Roger Nzongo; view from his house; street near his house

Don’t all missionary slideshows have to finish with a sunset!