©2015 Hope4Congo
Give Thanks for Answered Prayers
Ordination Celebration
Jacque M. was ordained this past weekend. He served with Campus Crusade in the ’80-90’s, then worked with various evangelistic efforts, although he was never officially ordained. Recently he has been working with a few young churches located at the Bateke Plateau – some 100 kilometers from Kinshasa.
The Bateke people have been historically resistant to the gospel. However, in the past twenty years there has been an opening. Various evangelistic churches have seized upon this opportunity.
Jacque’s wife died of diabetes in 2007. He has raised his family alone. All of them share a deep vibrant faith and are already leaders among their peers. 
For some time now, Jacque has not had a consistent income. He and his family were living in a home in exchange for protecting the property while a large home was being built. The home is completed now and his family must move, but they have no place to go. Please pray for a home and that God will provide for their needs.
©2015 Hope4Congo
A Lonely Ride
Pray for safe travel for Albert M. who began his week long motorcycle journey to Tshikapa a few days ago. Many potential hazards on this treacherous journey including bandits who could take advantage of a lone rider far from villages or towns.
Adam F. calls Albert a gentle and friendly soul–unpretentious, but driven. Pray that Albert’s work is fruitful as he seeks to make connections with various church leaders and extension sites for theological education work.
Finally, please keep his wife and family in your prayers, too. They remain behind at home.
©2015 Hope4Congo
Damien and Sylvie
Praise God for the generous outpouring of financial gifts to AIMM for Damien and Sylvie. These gifts are also part of the healing process for them.
Please continue to pray for their complete healing. Damien is receiving good care. As mentioned previously, quiet and rest are essential for healing of brain injuries.
©2015 Hope4Congo
Update on Damien and Sylvie
It looks very much like our prayers are having an effect. Please continue to pray for complete healing. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. The brain needs quiet and rest in order to heal after a head injury. Below is an excerpt from an update regarding their condition.
Charles Buller with Congo Leadership Support was able to talk briefly with Sylvie (wife of coaching network team member, Damien) on September 24th by phone. She and Damien are resting and recuperating following the assault by bandits last Saturday. She sounded positive and hopeful. Apparently surgery for Damien may not be necessary. They were instructed to stay in a quiet place to give medications a chance to work. (And a time for God to do His sacred work of healing.)
The costs for their care and long-term healing will outstrip Damien and Sylvie’s financial resources by many fold. Whatever you would be willing to contribute toward their financial needs – even $5 or $10 will be an invaluable investment in the lives of these two servants. Checks can be made to AIMM, P.O. Box 744, Goshen, IN 46527; or in Canada, 440 Main St., Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5. Please clearly designate on your check, Kakhenda medical expenses.
©2015 Hope4Congo
URGENT — Prayer Request Pastor & Wife Attacked!
From ROD HOLLINGER-JANZEN (AIMM)
Dear Friends,
Here is an excerpt from an email message that I’ve just read, from Charity Eidse Schellenberg who is based in Kinshasa, DR Congo:
This past Sat-Sunday night our pastor, Damien Kakhenda and his wife, Sylvie Ufulielo Wayindama, were brutally attacked by the infamous Kuluna gang at 11:30 p.m. as they were going home from their daughter’s dowry negotiations. They were both beaten with machetes. Damien sustained a 10 cm. cut to the skull and lost consciousness. Sylvie has terrible internal back pain. They are in hospital. Today we were able to pay for Damien to get a CT scan. They found that he has internal bleeding in his head and a fractured skull. He will be seeing a surgeon tomorrow.
The Kuluna gang is a spillover from the violent tactics of the war in the east, and has taken root in Kinshasa in the past ten years, with the arrival of internally displaced people. They use primitive weapons like machetes and broken bottles or clubs, to maim or kill and steal. All the Kakhenda couple’s belongings were stolen. They had just been paid their salary from the Kimia church and we had contributed money for the bereaved families of 2 CMCO (Community of Mennonites in Congo) pastors: Sambi (missionary to the un-reached people on the Bateke Plateau east of Kinshasa) and Katshingu (who had replaced Damien at Tshikapa, CMCO national HQ as the head of the CMCO Board of Missions). Both pastors’ funerals were held in Kinshasa yesterday (Sunday). Damien was to officiate at Sambi’s funeral. Just a week or so ago Damien also had his briefcase stolen at an event where he was officiating, with his iPad and all his preaching library that it contained.
Please pray for the precarious condition that Damien is in and that his life will be spared. Pray also for Sylvie who is suffering. Pray that funds would come in for diagnostic tests for both of them and emergency surgery in a facility that uses best medical practices. They also need to replace their belongings and means of living that were stolen. Please pass the word around that this is an urgent opportunity to serve Christ by giving. In caring for this humble, yet powerfully effective servant leader couple in CMCO, we may be the difference between life and death. There has already been too much death of faithful spiritual leaders!
Thank God that Damien is conscious and able to speak! We long to be by their side, but have been cautioned that if white friends show up, the amounts billed will increase. We have offered them to recover in our home, once they are released from hospital, for as long as it takes.
Thank-you for your faithfulness in keeping everyone informed and for your willingness and compassion to walk alongside those who are suffering!”
If you wish to help with medical expenses for Damien and Sylvie, please send your contributions to AIMM, P.O. Box 744, Goshen, IN 46527; or in Canada, 440 Main St., Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5. Please clearly designate on your check, Kakhenda medical expenses.
Thank you for your prayers and support!
Rod Hollinger-Janzen
Executive Coordinator
Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission (AIMM)
©2015 Hope4Congo
Hope 4 Congo 
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