Seven Companions on the Road to CAR: Photos 21 to 42

From February 15-26, 2008; I embarked in the challenging enterprise of facilitating a leadership travel for three companion synods. Six faithful but season travelers from Texas Louisiana Golf Cost, Western North Dakota and Eastern-North Dakota synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America responded to the “CAR 2,000 Challenge”. The challenge consisted in crossing 2,000 kms (1,000 each way) on dirt road from Douala (Cameroon) to Bouar (West of CAR); defying all odds, security risk and possible harassment at border crossing point to arrive on time at the dedication of both the women center and the newly renovated church in Bouar. To make the challenge more attractive, we also need to fit at least 8 people with their luggage and carry-on(s) in a Toyota Prado; stay healthy while responding to hospitality; visiting most of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the CAR ministries in a week while setting time aside to develop relationship and celebrate with the women and the church leadership.

In preparation of this trip, I’ve traveled two days ahead of scheduled arrival time of my companions from Dakar, Senegal to Douala, Cameroon via Lagos Nigeria. I spent one night in Douala and took a ride from my colleague

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