Author: SuZan Klassen

Soccer Success

Would you practice soccer at 5:30 a.m.?

Last week I promised you’d be hearing more about the Transformational Leadership Seminars conducted by Congo Leadership Coaching Network, CLCN). I think you’ll be pleased to read the praises contained in this preliminary report from Charles Buller (CLCN). The following excerpts focus on the success of the soccer clinics.

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The soccer clinics were planned with regional youth leaders for more than one afternoon during the seminars. We had several goals for expanding these clinics:
• To reach more youth with the evangelistic message of salvation in Christ
• To present a vision and basic tools for discipleship for those already following Christ
• To broaden the sense of ownership and involvement in the vision for these events among the national youth leadership team
• To interest the leadership of the regional church in the youth and their formation as young leaders
• To deploy the multiple gifts of the coaching team in the soccer clinics.

Our goals were reached far beyond my expectations. These youth events became a significant part of our ministry and had a meaningful impact in many young lives. The leaders gathered for the adult seminars witnessed the importance of youth ministry.

Andre Kalenga (center, white shirt) exhorts youth at the end of soccer practice.

I could write volumes on how and why I believe the clinics were such noteworthy successes, however I’ll condense my thoughts on the subject in two basic observations or convictions.

1. Andre Kalenga became a burgeoning transformational leader. It was exciting to see him develop over the course of the two weeks that we were on the road. Major growth occurred in his life! His presence on the trip meant he also got to take in the adult seminars, which clearly impacted his own life.

Andre teaching at Kahemba

I think he was equally surprised to see how powerfully God used him to mobilize hundreds of youth. He knew he had to step up or it wasn’t going to happen. At first he was a bit hesitant, but quickly took on the leadership mantle. The youth respected and followed his leadership.

His style was authentic to who God made him to be and his gentle, but direct way of leading proved most effective. He modeled the principles of leadership that we seek to impart in the seminars.

In order to participate in this trip, Andre had to seek permission to be excused from two weeks of classes at UCKIN. This was a big price to pay.

I believe his leadership set the course for some new patterns in these sports clinics. He involved the coaching team all along the way and each of us shared in some aspect of the teaching and the exercises on the soccer field.

2. The reformatted clinics, spread out over four days, with the accompanying discipleship and evangelistic content were a powerful one-two punch. This magnified the impact of the gospel and the importance of the church in participants’ lives.

Youth met for workouts in the early morning (note the 5:30 a.m. practice photo above). Then gathered for a teaching at 4:30 p.m. followed by soccer-triangle drills from 5-6:00 p.m. At the end of the clinic a final match day was held. These final games gathered hundreds of spectators.

Reconciling Players after a fight

If a disagreement occurred between participants the coaching team could stop the games and reconcile the players. This added benefit due to the coaching team’s involvement turned the whole event into something of an evangelistic and discipleship experience.

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If you’ve been following this blog you already knew that Robert Irundu sent his national vice president, Andre Kalenga to lead the soccer clinics this time. You may not have known that Hope4Congo supports Andre in his Theological studies at the Protestant University.

Praise & Prayer:
• Praise the Lord for how He provided this opportunity for Andre to grow in his leadership skills
• Praise the Lord for the effectiveness and willing participation of all the leadership team
• Praise the Lord that the regional churches saw the importance of youth ministry
• Praise the Lord for the evangelism and discipleship that took place at both the youth and adult seminars
• Pray that the Lord will continue to provide funding for the training of young leaders like Andre
• Pray for wisdom about continued soccer clinics alongside the leadership coaching seminars
• If it is God’s will to continue them, pray that He will bring forward leaders for the soccer clinics
• Pray for God’s direction regarding the potential for more leadership coaching seminars this spring

© 2017 Hope4Congo

Home Safe

Charles Buller made it home (from Kinshasa to the USA) safely at 4:00 a.m. March 1st. He wrote: “Our plane having tiptoed through powerful thunderstorms swirling through Indiana at that time. Grateful to be on the ground and in the arms of mon cheri (he means his wife, of course).”

I think you will enjoy the story of their return journey as told through photos and descriptions provided by Charles.

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Caravanning our way back to civilization
h4c-mukoso-10pm
Arrival in the village of Mukoso (halfway from Kahemba to Gungu) where we spent the night. We felt dirty and fatigued. The church elders kindly provided heated water for sponge baths and somehow pulled together a fabulous meal for us at 10 o’clock at night.
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Enjoying a group meal . . . good to the last drop.
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Due to unusual fuel consumption in one of the vehicles, we ran out of fuel, requiring someone to ride out to us with a 30 liter drum of diesel fuel on the back of his motorbike.
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Aberteen and Andre looking cheerful in the steaming heat of our 8-hour bus ride from Kikwit to Kinshasa.

Praise to God for His Answers to Our Prayers:

  • Praise God for safe return of the CLCN team members
  • Praise God for the healthy ministry that occurred
  • Praise God for the leadership of each team member
  • Praise God for Andre Kalenga’s willing new leadership

h4c-andre-leadershipCharles wrote: “(Andre), the youngest member of our team, stepped up to the task of leading the soccer clinics and won the hearts of the next generation of leaders. Here they bid him farewell in Gungu, giving him as a gift a live rabbit.”
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Charles will fill us in with more details from their trip as he is able.

Since Andre had to step into new leadership so recently after graduating, he has been on my prayer list. I’ve been thrilled to thank and praise God for what He has done through this young man. No doubt there will be many other things for us to praise God. In the meantime, please continue to pray. ~sk

Prayer Requests:
• The political situation in Congo is still of concern
• A Catholic seminary experienced vandalism
• Wisdom and integrity for those involved in negotiations
• Lessons shared by the CLCN team will have lasting affects in Kahemba & Gungu
• Rest & restoration of the CLCN team members

© 2017 Hope4Congo

Showers of Blessings

h4c-damsylvie-relax-kahembaIt’s been a busy interesting week in Kahemba for the Congo Leadership Coaching Network team (CLCN). Thank goodness they had a rare moment of refreshment on Saturday morning before they began this busy week.

On February 18, Charles wrote:

“Our team had an open time to simply worship without having to cut it short for another meeting or engagement. I have no idea how much time passed as we poured out our hearts to God and experienced an unprecedented infilling ourselves.

“Lots of tears, deep worship, silence, persons simply being overwhelmed with the sweet intimacy and love of the Father. Just what ‘the Doctor ordered’ after experiencing deep fatigue from the past week of teaching in Gungu.”

More information about both the Kahemba and the Gungu seminars will be forthcoming upon their return. The team has made plans to cut their trip short.

On February 22, Charles explained why:

“Another productive seminar day here in Kahemba. Around 11:00 a.m. we got hit with a vicious downpour that brought everything to a halt (so loud on the tin roof that we couldn’t even hear ourselves speak) and soundly put out the charcoal fires that were cooking the fufu, catapillars, and pondu for lunch. Needless to say, lunch got pushed back by a solid 2.5 hours.

“But once again we felt the Wind beneath our wings as we engaged the content. It has been beautiful to watch times of worship deepen as the seminar unfolds and we are all seized by the fresh revelation of our participation in the community of God (aka the Trinity!).

“The youth soccer games were held today instead of their scheduled time on Thursday due to our decision to leave tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. in an attempt to make the village of Mukoso by dark. Between Kahemba and Mukoso are some very nasty roads and bridges, so we deeply appreciate your prayers.

“So much good is happening here on a daily basis–both in the seminar and around that I simply don’t have time to write about. But please know that this great labor of Love in which we are all joined is not in vain. Thanks again for your prayers and encouragement!

“As I write these words, another thunderstorm rumbles in the background and will soon be upon us. With that in mind, may God’s blessings rain down upon you wherever these words may find you.”

We pray the same for you Charles, as well as all the team members and participants.h4c-jacque-worship-leader

Prayer Requests:
• Praise God for the times of refreshment and strength He has given the team
• Praise God for the mighty work of the Spirit among the participants
• Pray for travel safety for all the team members as they navigate through the poor road conditions.
• Be in prayer as soon as you read this.
The team leaves tomorrow, Feb 23rd at 1:00 p.m. considering the time difference of 6 hours it will be approximately 7:00 a.m. EST. Remember that they are all traveling by different conveyances. Those of you who have spent any time in Congo know how bad the roads can be normally. These torrential downpours will only make the situation worse.

Charles sent his thanks for holding the team before the throne of grace and mercy.

We praise God for your prayers, too.

© 2017 Hope4Congo

Come & See, Part 2

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Flooded roadway on the way to Gungu

This week the Congo Leadership Coaching Network team has conducted a seminar and soccer clinic for Gungu area churches. They’ve spent significant time on ministry. On Tuesday, Feb. 14th Charles updated us via Facebook:

We’ve had two very intense but powerful days of seminar. I feel our team is working together at a much deeper level which has been beautiful to watch and to be part of. The afternoon sports clinic has been drawing a lot of youth. Today has been surgery on marriages with Antoinette and Bercie bringing a powerful teaching on leaders’ marital life. Thanks again for carrying us in prayer. Deeply appreciated!!

After today’s work (Feb. 16th) they’ll adjourn to enjoy the youth soccer games. All are invited to these games. This provides a significant outreach to the community.

Why Soccer?
Perhaps you’re wondering why CLCN has been conducting soccer clinics. Charles Buller explained in his recent newsletter below.

From the outset of the leadership seminars, our desire has been to target the emerging leaders within the CMCO community. Coaching team member Robert Irundu also serves as CMCO’s national youth leader and has been periodically hosting soccer clinics in different regions as an evangelistic tool for reaching youth. This vision originated out of a providential meeting between Dwight Short and Robert at the centennial celebration in 2012.

While these clinics have been successful, we have been inspired to explore ways of being more intentional about both incorporating regional youth leaders in our main seminars and upgrading the soccer clinics to be something of a youth camp for local youth—introducing them to the basic principles of following Christ through the paradigm of playing soccer.

We will expand these clinics from one to four sessions with the youth, including a movie night. While we are still in the initial phase of developing the model, we hope to take advantage of the gifts of the entire coaching team to inspire youth to begin a life of radical discipleship.

Since the church leaders are already present for the seminar, they will be invited to attend a portion of the camp and even to engage in some of the soccer drills as a way of building bridges between them and the youth.

Andre on right
Andre on right

Our hope is that by introducing the youth to the principles and practices of discipleship, they will over the course of three such clinics (one every two years over the next six years) embark on a serious journey to become leaders among their peers as future apostles, evangelists, pastors, and teachers in the church.

As you can imagine adding this component to our already full schedule is a giant step of faith. It means purchasing additional equipment (soccer balls, micro-projector, energy sources, cones, etc.) printing more materials, and a greater amount of communication not to mention planning.

The soccer clinics will follow the same basic format this coming week (Feb 20 – 23) for the Kahemba area churches as they’ve utilized in the Gungu area. Monday and Tuesday there will be soccer clinics, a movie night on Wednesday and conclude the week with youth soccer games on Thursday. An open invitation is extended to the community for the games.

Prayer Requests:
Pray for wisdom, favor, and fruitfulness as the team introduces these expanded soccer clinics.
Pray for Andre who is leading the soccer clinics since Robert was unable to attend.
Pray for the CLCN team leaders:
Andre, Jacque, Bercie, Charles, Leonard, Antoinette,
Damien, Sylvie, Albert, Aberteen, Joly

Calendar of Activities:
As you pray through the calendar below, please be mindful of the time difference. All Congo/DRC times are 6 hours ahead of our Eastern Time zone (EST) in the U.S.

February 17th
• Evaluation with local leadership of and follow-up to the seminar/clinic
• Wash clothes, vehicle repair, and possibly start for Kahemba
February 18th
• Arduous 14-hour journey with roadblocks, sand and mud pits, few bad bridges,
and some nasty roadblocks
• Goal: to arrive in Kahemba by Sunday morning or before
February 19th
• Ordination of several pastors; a region-wide celebration is planned
• Sit-down session with church / youth leaders
to work through myriad of details for the seminar / clinic
February 20th
• 200 leaders (men and women) signed up for seminar
Great Grace required for all aspects: food, lodging, protocol in seminar
• Soccer clinic at 4:30 p.m.
February 21st
• Kahemba is a relatively remote region that has often been left out of CMCO events and opportunities
Pray for healing and crown of honor
• Soccer clinic again
February 22nd
• Coaching introduced in the context of the marriage relationship
Marriage requires a relationship that supports, encourages, and builds in accountability
• Movie night for clinic
February 23rd
• Activations and partner exercises along with significant ministry time
Pray for Outpouring of God’s Spirit
• Youth Soccer games follow seminar
February 24th
• Travel back to Gungu and God-willing, as far as Kikwit
• Albert & Aberteen begin motorbike journey back to Tshikapa
visiting churches & leaders along the way

The Congo Leadership Coaching Network is a ministry in partnership with Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission (AIMM). In addition to praying for the team’s work you may donate to their ministry by contacting AIMM.

If you’re unfamiliar with AIMM, you may read their Statement of Faith here.

© 2017 Hope4Congo

“Come and See!”

Guest Post by Charles Buller

h4c-bibleThese simple words were spoken twice at the outset of Jesus’ ministry (John 1). Once when two of John’s disciples inquired of Jesus where he was staying (v. 39), and again when Philip responded to Nathanael’s doubts whether “anything good could come out of Nazareth” (v. 46). In both cases, rather than giving heady explanations, they issued an invitation, “Come and see.” In other words: Come experience the answer(s) your heart seeks.

These three words sum up the spirit with which we hope to conduct the upcoming transformational leadership seminars in Gungu and Kahemba. Rather than multiply words and elaborate theologies, we seek to create a space where leaders interact with one another and with God through simple acts of faith, hope, and love.

Many attending these events will come from considerable distances. And almost always on foot. There is nothing convenient about the journey or even the stay, as there are no hotels or restaurants to accommodate large groups. In many cases, the blanket and the tin plate they pack in their travel bag will serve as their room and board.

I, too, am eager to ‘come and see.’ The past four seminars have taught us that God’s Spirit never does it the same way twice. As unique as we all are, the Holy Spirit tailors these seminars to the unique needs of each group and to our own growth as a team. We feel very much as if we’re in a grand, unfolding experiment where both great love and great suffering serve as the primary catalysts. ~Charles

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The Congo Leadership Coaching Network team is busy with the details for this February’s seminars. Charles arrived safely in Kinshasa earlier this week. The team went right to work preparing copies of the manuals for the seminars and the soccer clinic.12112198_10153540203524473_5436124667136037704_n

A thousand other details and connections must be made. Logistics are difficult as always in the Congo. Teammates and seminar participants will arrive at the seminar locations via various vehicles (plane, motorbike, local bus, 4×4, and on foot across rivers, sandy savannahs, and dense jungles).

Please be in prayer for the teams’ and participants’ safe travel and physical health. Also for the following list of what needs to occur between this week’s blog post and next week’s update. The first seminar will be held in Gungu area churches Feb 12-17(Remember all times are 6 hours ahead of EST):

• Eight team members will eventually meet in Kikwit and travel to Gungu
• Upon their arrival they hope to met with the team coming from Tshikapa
• Many trouble-spots on the road including crossing the Kwilu River.
• Coaching team members will be dispersed to preach among several different local churches
• A session with church/youth leaders to work through details for the soccer seminar/clinic
• Feb. 13th Pray for open hearts for the opening seminar
• Pray for the Soccer clinic at 4:30 p.m.
• Feb. 14th Pray for participants’ willingness to work with God on their transformation and their relationship with their spouse; Soccer clinic occurs again
• Feb. 15th Seminar work on the marriage relationship; Movie night for clinic
• Feb. 16th Partner exercises along with significant ministry time followed by Youth Soccer games, all are invited.
• Feb. 17th Evaluation and follow-up of the seminar/clinic; vehicle repair; possibly start for Kahemba
• Continue to pray for a peaceful political climate throughout Congo

© 2017 Hope4Congo

Lessons in Compromise

h4c-catholicsleadnegotiationsJust a brief update on the national scene in Congo: First of all, it really is a testament to the grace of God expressed in countless prayers around the world that the situation in Congo has not degenerated into a bloodbath at the turn of the new year.

A midnight deal (literally the last hour of 2016) was negotiated by the Catholic Church fathers. It has resulted in something of a road map to free and fair elections for Congo – hopefully by the end of this year (2017).

To lay the groundwork for these elections to happen the parties at the negotiating table have agreed on a shared government structure that is still being worked out. Please continue to lift up in prayer the Catholic leaders that have boldly stepped in to ‘hold the peace’, as their task is a very thorny and tricky one, to be sure.

Virtually every point of the fine print of the deal has to be further negotiated between the stakeholders as ‘the devil is often in the details.’ It’s a huge, painful, ongoing exercise in compromise. But tremendous lessons are potentially being learned in the process that could serve the country for generations to come!

Please continue to pray for these negotiations. May the participants utilize godly wisdom and exercise personal humility to find their way to a healthy lasting peace for their country.

© 2017 Hope4Congo