Greetings to you there. Yes, let me try. But please pay no attention on the order.

1. I have once mentioned on this forum that Africa is an easy-to-sell product. Whoever wants to get credit, make a name, get visa, he or she needs only to say Africa. How many times we heard that with only X=small amount of dollars, you can do great things. But when money goes there it is another story that often comes up. You will start hearing you know the African culture, the African mind, the African tribalism, the African this the African that.

2. Accountability. In my view this is the thing that needs to be enforced, particularly in financial matters. You can easily hear about things like "Oh be careful once African see money they start to ask and come. So never let them know." It may be true. But it should not be an excuse for not keeping an account book. Of one the weaknesses of my native country is that you never know where the public money goes.

3. Manipulation of Poverty. Yes, poverty causes conflict. But in the case of Congo, leaders (both native and foreign) have used it to manipulate members, putting one group against another and even facilitating the kicking out of the another National Messiah. Meanwhile, members who catch the attention of a missionary, to keep their good 'relation' in order to guarantee their daily economical survival, do not hesitate to play the informant. And when there is no situation to report secretly, they create one based on whatever.

4. Mutual Prejudices. Given the unresolved history of abuses, deception, exploitation, misunderstanding, etc, there exists a pre-made concept on each side against each other. For the missionary, the African is in primitive state, and for the African, the 'new' missionary is just the extension of the old one. Over a year ago now, one Congo NM wife had a meeting with Congo couples living in Japan. I was there translating from English to French. As she explained the Congo situation and explain about how Congolese members are like beggars asking money from the NMs. She told the wives present there that if your husbands complain about the way NM are doing, DIVORCE them I will give you good and better husbands.

5. Fear of those local who can say, NO. Those members who look like informed are not seen as opportunity for growth but obstacle.

6. Keep them uninformed and ignorant.

7. Keep them undivided. Missionaries do with members. But some cunning members do with missionaries.

8. Selfishness and Failure to see beyond the personal and national interest. All of us involved.

9. Lack of Dialogue on both sides.

10. Lack of appreciation on both sides.

There is certainly more. But I leave it there. Thanks for showing interest. Wish you well.

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