Return trip to Angola bears fruit for D’Altons

For John D’Alton, the second time was the charm.

The missionary in the southern African country of Namibia recently traveled north into Angola. He hoped to speak with a government official about teaching English in local schools.

“Red tape” on both sides of the border slowed the trip, and D’Alton had to abandon a camping trailer in Angola after the country’s “virtually non-existent roads” severely punished it. After the long journey, the official D’Alton needed to see had left town for another meeting. He returned empty-handed.

But the Angolan government invited D’Alton and his wife, Martie, for a return visit. A better-prepared D’Alton took to the road again. The couple met with Joao Funete, director of education for the Kuando Kubango Province.

Funete “was very positive and helpful about making the necessary arrangements and even offered to provide (us) with housing in Menongue should they decide to settle there,” D’Alton told the Chronicle March 18.

The Hillsboro church, Nashville, Tenn., sponsors the D’Altons.