May 26-June 10 – Jimmy Shafe led a group of former Congo missionary kids and their spouses for their first return trip to Congo in 40 years! The emotional impact of this return home for the MKs was significant. As we crisscrossed Congo from Kinshasa in the west to Lubumbashi in the far southeast there was reminiscing – of course. But there were also major bonds created with individuals and current programs. This trip managed to bring the past and present together for the group.
We prayed with and encouraged individuals all along the way as we visited: Kinshasa – the ROW Orphanage, a Congo Presbyterian Community (CPK) women’s empowerment program, and explored ways of working jointly with the United Methodist Church in Congo which is led by Bishop David Yemba; Tshikaji – Good Shepherd Hospital and the ROW-CK Sewing School for Single Mothers; Katubue – assessed needs at the Secondary School; Bibanga – assessed needs for electrical generator at the Bibanga Hospital and held a memorial service for Day Carper, a long serving Presbyterian Missionary; Lubondai – visited and encouraged the people and assessed the repairs needed on the hospital water tank; Mulungwishi – were absolutely blown away by worship choirs at the secondary school and college. Greatly moved by hearing the personal stories of ladies in the ROW-CK Sewing School for Single Mothers, several members of this group came alongside our Sewing School and generated full funding for 2012!
June 15-26 – group two was a little more hands-on. Our nurse delivered and helped inventory 14 trunks of medical supplies taken out by the first group. Many of these supplies fell into the category of “What’s this for?” being asked by the Congolese healthcare workers as they had never seen them before. Our Tshiluba speaking former Congo MKs led more than 200 children in a Bible School program. In Lubondai and Tshikaji we taught Frisbee (taught may be stretching it — we played Frisbee with kids) kicked soccer balls, and told the Gospel story using the J3.16 soccer ball as a vehicle (Yellow – God, Black – sin, Red – blood of Jesus, white – washed clean of sin, green – growing in the Spirit, yellow – God, the Alpha and Omega). We distributed baby caps and school supplies and we visited with orphans, school children, school directors, and encouraged leaders. We visited in hospitals, hugged on children everywhere, and we worshipped – boy did we worship.
We hiked down into the valley and inspected water filtration systems funded by ROW-CK and installed by Good Shepherd Hospital workers in the past year. In one village the change is dramatic. In June they had only one case of severe dysentery. Prior to the filtration system being installed, in a typical month they had 15-18 cases. In Congo, dysentery is one of the leading factors in childhood deaths! ROW is saving lives!
One special treat was getting a guided tour of the brand new Medical School at the University Protestant Congo in Kinshasa. The building was dedicated 10 days after our trip but we got to the “almost” finished product. Dr. Sam Mampunza, our Medical School Dean has built the program from scratch to approximately 1,000 medical students in just 5 years. Our goal is to greatly impact healthcare mainly in rural Congo.
I am moved to find and read this text. I met the good people of this team when travelling for Italy. I am mightily amazed by what you achieved during your stay. And to say that I didn't know anything of it when we met. We shared the shuttle bus to Kinshasa's Ndjili International Airport. We came to know each other and chattered all the way to the airport. I really have fond memories of that short time we had as all of you (Jimmy, Ngalula, Luse, … –I was so happy to recognize your faces on the pictures above) were so kind. God bless you.
Jean-Marie – how delightful to read your comment – thank you! It was also a delight to meet you.