Congo Leadership Support Network, Week 3

12022520_10153497072834473_3982604055302065183_oHere are a few more photos from the work of the Congo Leadership Support Network. Charles Buller 11987192_10153483621794473_5803144854275168977_nreports that Adam and Bill left on Sunday after all of them were able to participate in worship at a protestant church in Kinshasa. They all shared a Congolese meal that was “to die for” before they left. (Anybody jealous?)

11999010_10153496998089473_534473538574673443_nCharles is thankful to report that the pace of meetings have slowed, but important work is still being done. They have planned the next steps as they move toward putting the Leadership Coaching Network in place. May their plans succeed to make meaningful contributions to the lives of leaders.12002252_10153483622234473_6183182241427902953_n

 

 

 

 

©2015 Hope4Congo

An Artist Must Create

thumb_DSC06388_1024thumb_DSC06389_1024My husband’s family recently moved their elderly aunt, Elda Hiebert into a rest home. Aunt Elda was a missionary midwife to Congo for 20+ years. The auction of her worldly possessions occurred this week.

Among her collection of African mementos were these beautiful collages of parrots and an African woman. Look closely. Do you see what they’re made of? Butterfly wings.

An artist must find a way to create. thumb_DSC06391_1024It doesn’t matter that there isn’t any paint, pencils, or colored chalk, they’ll improvise to express themselves somehow.

I’m not advocating chasing down butterflies, but I must admire their creativity with what they possess. They found a way to use their talents to earn money legitimately and feed their families.

©2015 Hope4Congo

Leadership Training Continues

 

11904748_10153467533469473_3447438446879572383_nCharles Buller and Bill Frisbie with the Congo Leadership Support Network continue their work in Kinshasa. Charles says, “Bill Frisbie’s seminar on Forming Leaders According to the Model of Jesus is going very well. We’re into day two with about 35 in attendance. ECC has generously made their chapel available to us for these five days.”

11947497_10153469823959473_4444987339093765441_n“Here’s a snapshot of the participants half-way through our first seminar focusing on Developing Leaders After the Model of Jesus. Please pray for the group as Bill Frisbie teaches through Friday (September 4),” Charles says.

©2015 Hope4Congo

 

Congo News

Charles Buller of the Congo Leadership Support Network is on his way to Congo for three weeks. At least two miracles reported thus far:

  1. Even though his Congo visa was delayed amazing progress occurred. The Congo embassy received, issued, and returned his passport in one day. That had to be God’s intervention.
  2. Thanks to free wifi Charles was able to skype with Leonard in Kinshasa. Leonard got a team together in Congo to pray for Charles and their plans. This was another miracle since the prayer partners are dispersed throughout the city.11951289_10153451217359473_6601374479789068483_n

More details are available on the Congo Leadership Support Network’s facebook page. If you’re interested in news about this ministry send them a friend request.

©2015 Hope4Congo

Africa’s Problems

Meeting new people provides challenges when we encounter differing viewpoints.

Two weeks ago my husband and I took a vacation trip along America’s northwest coast. While we waited for our tour bus to arrive, I got acquainted with my fellow travelers. One couple had recently returned from a trip to Tanzania. They regaled us with stories of the wildlife they viewed from the safari tour’s land cruiser.

Another traveler spoke of his life in Congo during the upheaval of the 1960s. The talk turned to a discussion of Africa’s current political climate and poverty. The man declared, “Only Africa can solve Africa’s problems!”

“That’s an interesting perspective,” I said. I mentioned I blogged for this ministry to Congo. I summarized Fred and Dale’s Congo Trip 2015. Feeling pleased about the success with the rainwater collection system, I told them it also provided a small business opportunity for the Congolese men who were part of Fred’s team.

The man cut me off. “Humph! That won’t help. That’s not enough water.”

His tone softened when he allowed me to explain the size of the rainwater collection tanks.

IMG_1808
Fred with a rainwater collection tank he and his son installed at the conference center in Tshikapa, Congo.

After further discussion I asked him, “So you think we’re wasting our time trying to help the Congolese. Should we just give up?”

He shrugged. “No. You should keep trying.”

The tour bus arrived and our conversation ended, but his judgment still hung in the air: “Only Africa can solve Africa’s problems.”

What do you think? I’d like to hear your opinions about this.

©2015 Hope4Congo

Summary of Congo 2015

Fred has returned safely home. Dale returned three weeks earlier. It’s time for a summary of this year’s trip to the Congo.

As reported earlier, Dale and Fred along with their drilling crew were disappointed that they were unable to successfully dig a well. Although two attempts were made and they did strike water, both wells collapsed. This is a problem that needs to be investigated further with the company that engineered the equipment. Pray for wisdom and a solution to this problem.

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Fred and the potential new businessmen

Before Fred left the Congo, he and his crew were able to attach rainwater collection systems to four houses. Using roofing tin, the team devised guttering to carry the water through a downspout into thirty gallon plastic containers. These containers, readily available in the Congo, make fine water reservoirs. The system should work quite well during the approaching rainy season.

Pray for the success of the collection systems on these homes. The Congolese have never tried to collect rainwater before. If the Congolese people see these reservoirs as effective, they will be more willing to utilize this method to provide safe drinking water for their families. This could be such a wonderful solution for these dear people since they have a plentiful supply of rainwater.

Pray also for the Congolese crew members who learned how to create and install these rainwater collection systems. This could be a fine business venture for these men, a much-needed source of income for them and their families.

IMG_3076
Candid shot, Dale on left, Fred on right

Finally, we here at Hope 4 Congo are so grateful for the work of Fred and Dale. They were not only willing to go, but joyful for the opportunity. Dale developed malaria upon his return home. Fred contracted malaria while in Congo and was quite ill for a few days. Please pray for the full recovery of both men.

©2015 Hope4Congo