The New Commander - Part 1 of 2 (2001)

Excerpt from the draft of "Apostle to the Pygmies – The Doctor Jerry Galloway Story"

While I was in Kiri, the new military commander in Kiri came to see me. He was young, educated, and spoke English and French. He wanted to know how the soldiers in Pendjua behaved. "They are acting, as usual, stealing the ducks, chickens, and goats from the people," I told him. "Things are going to be different," he said. "I want to have a good relationship with the missionaries." I replied, "Well, I've heard the same promise from five or six other commanders." But the commander insisted, "Brother, things will be different. You will see."

"Time will tell," I responded. I left with a pick-up truck full of smoked fish. There was room for three passengers in the back. When we arrived at a village ten miles from Kiri, four soldiers stopped us. Three were drunk. "We are going to Pendjua, and we need a ride," one of them demanded. When I told them there was no room, the soldiers became angry and did not let the truck pass. I informed them we were going to Kiri and would tell the new commander.

When the commander heard, he was embarrassed and furious. He gave us a letter to advise the soldiers to let us pass, or he would arrest them. We left Kiri again, heading for Pendjua. When we came across the same soldiers, we gave them the letter. One soldier brandished his bayonet and threatened the passengers. The soldier in charge asked if he could accompany us, as there were two other soldiers ahead. I consented to let him get in the back of the truck. He had a jug full of moonshine and was completely drunk by the time we were halfway there. We dumped him off at the house where the other soldiers were.