Category: Investing in Lives

Mangungu Work, Part 1

Sandy roads leading to Mangungu

The following post is taken from a letter regarding recent repair activity at Mangungu. Four men made a trek there this summer. Part 1 of the letter from Clement (Bud) Kroeker follows:

July 12, 2017

Dear Friends,
First day in Mangungu. Our trip here took 5 hours with a one hour stop because of rain. Mangungu covers a vast area and the road coming in is barely visible among the tall grass and trees.

When we arrived in the evening, we were welcomed by a huge crowd of children singing and calling welcome. By then it was dark, but all the folks gathered for a big welcoming ceremony. The Pastor Mushifele Degaule had emptied his house to let us use it for our living quarters. But in the black of the night, inside and outside of the house, it’s very difficult to find anything at all. We just had to wait until the cock started crowing about 4:00 a.m. to have the light of day. People began strolling by to visit us at 5:00 a.m. and there was a constant gathering around our house all the time!

David, Bud, Nelson & Mark at Brussels Airport

Women cooked on an open fire outdoors in a tiny hut at the side of our house to provide us with meals. They cut the wood, boiled the water, and did everything from scratch. Down on the other side, the chickens walked around our court yard, looking for crumbs falling from our table or drinking the water from the basin on the ground where we washed our hands.

We started the day with a guided tour around the mission. The Pastor, our tour guide, explained each thing. The men who came with us from Matende were very astonished and touched to see the sad state of the buildings here. They didn’t realize it was so bad.

The Health Center is in ruins and can no longer even be called a Health Center. The Secondary School, which used to be a Bible Institute, has had a few tin roof panels stuck on, but the entire roof is open to the sky. The Church building consists of a few adobe bricks still standing that haven’t given in to the rain.

Finally we walked by the stone house we had come to rescue. After 60 years without a roof, the walls are still in better condition than all the other former buildings, at least they have fewer cracks in the walls. The folks here at Mangungu have emptied out all the trees and grass growing inside and around this stone house.

__________________

Join us next week for part 2 of their adventure. All repairs in Congo are an adventure in ingenuity.

Clement Kroeker’s website: http://congoopenheart.org/projects/

© 2017 Hope4Congo

Making an Impact

Making an Impact
God’s ways are above our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. We make our plans but God directs our steps. Below is a partial list of how God has expanded the efforts of Hope for Congo over the last eight years.

Hope for Congo is . . .

Invested in Projects
• Bible Distribution (10,000 Bibles to date)
• Safe Drinking Water (Ram pump supplies water to Ndjoko Punda and the hospital)
• Hand Drilling Equipment
• Training for Well Drilling
• 20 Hospital Beds
• Medical Equipment
• Tools for 4 Technical Trade Schools

Joseph

Invested in People
• Academic Assistance for 8 People in Post-secondary Education
• 2 Young Men Completed Education & Ready to Serve God
1. Joseph trained in areas of mechanical and electrical technologies,
He also studied agriculture and animal husbandry
2. Daniel received a degree in Theology from the Protestant University
He has the gift of evangelism
Both young men have said yes to God
They return soon to invest their time, energy, and skills back into the community
They will represent and assist Hope for Congo directly with projects in Ndjoko Punda

Invested in Healthy Partnerships
We have been blessed through collaboration with these groups:
• AIMM
• Church in Congo
• Congo Collaboration Group
Our goal is to continue these relationships and to expand our collaboration to include other faith-based organizations. Together we can create an even greater impact over a larger geographical area and population.

You Can Partner with Hope for Congo . . .

Our Congolese brothers and sisters our able to work for themselves. What they need are tools and resources to help their community move forward in areas of agriculture, community health, education and jobs that will enable them to break the cycle of poverty.
You can help the Congolese move forward and bring hope to the next generation.
Over the coming weeks we will expand on the details of this initial outline. In the meantime please consider how you may support the people of Congo through your donations and especially through your prayers. We are asking for your help.

Prayer Requests:

Daniel
  • Ndjoko Punda – May Christ intervene in this horrific situation.
    Reports indicate battles rage between the military and the militia. People are in hiding.
  • Pray for peace.
  • Pray for an end to the evil that is causing the violence and greed.
  • Daniel and Joseph planned to return to Ndjoko Punda.(Photo above is from their commitment ceremony at the Kinshasa church, their church family throughout their education and training while in Kinshasa) Hope4Congo was able to return them safely to Kinshasa. Praise the Lord. Pray for their safety in Kinshasa where they will remain for the near term. Pray for the safety of their Kinshasa church family as well.
  • Pray for wisdom and safety of all Christians working in Congo to Change this Powder-Keg Atmosphere

© 2017 Hope4Congo

God Still Rules

If you’ve been following our prayer requests, you know that Stan and Brad had hoped and planned to go to Congo in July for two events: Daniel’s graduation from the Christian University of Kinshasa (UCKin) Theological School and the Youth Evangelism Training conference. Unfortunately the visas did not arrive from Congo.

Although we are disappointed Stan and Brad will not be able to attend, we know God still rules. His thoughts and ways are higher than ours. We can trust He knows what is best and we rest in that knowledge.

We praise God that Dr. David received his visa. He was able to attend Daniel’s presentation of his thesis paper. Left to right in the featured photo above are Daniel’s supporters: Kalenga, Dr. David, Daniel, and Pastor Damien.

Photo below left shows Daniel as he successfully defended his thesis. The university committee who heard and judged Daniel’s presentation and paper are shown in the photo below right.

Daniel.Grad.Committee

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daniel Graduates July 30th
Praise God for helping Daniel. Daniel has worked hard with good results. He will graduate July 30, 2016.

Youth Evangelism Training Conference
Since Dr. David arrived in Congo safely this past Friday, the Youth Evangelism training will go forward. The training sessions begin this weekend after Daniel’s graduation. The team hopes 200 young people will attend.

Included on the organization team are: The President of the Mennonite Youth of Kinshasa; André Kalenga, V.P. of the Mennonite Youth of Kinshasa; Alfreud Kabangi, Secretary; Dr. David Ishingu, Organizer; and Pastor Damien Kakhenda. The team members began their planning July 25th (and continue to do so) for the evangelism meetings beginning this weekend.

H4C.Dr.Daivd.Youth#4Themes being developed for the event by the team:
1. Church and Peace
2. Type of leaders needed for the church of tomorrow
3. Role of women in the development of the church
4. Problem of drugs and sexually transmitted diseases among youth
5. Youth and Mission
6. Choice of a good marriage partner

Time at the conference will include prayer, worship, and preaching. 

Prayer Requests:
• Pray for wisdom for the organization committee
• Pray for all details to come together for this Youth Evangelism Conference
• Pray that God will bring the youth He wants to hear His messages
• Pray for God’s chosen leaders to hear His call and lead His youth in Congo
• Pray that Daniel’s graduation is a blessed time for him (He has worked hard for this moment)

Please praise God with us and continue to pray for these requests. God will accomplish what He desires and achieve the purposes for which He sent His word. May He be glorified through all these people and the evangelism training.

© 2016 Hope4Congo

Daniel’s Testimony

The past two weeks you heard from Brad about Hope4Congo’s goal to multiply the ministry through the discipling and training of Congolese youth. Today we’ll introduce you to the first of these young people we’ve been supporting. His photo is below followed by his testimony.
IMG_2118My name is Daniel Ngalamulume. I was born at Ndjoko Punda, the historic first Mennonite mission in Congo where I spent my childhood. I completed my primary and secondary studies there. My father was a deacon in the local Mennonite church. I was orphaned when both my parents died. My life became very difficult as I was practically rejected by my paternal family.

I was a chorister in an independent evangelical choir, but I still was not converted. I led a life of debauchery, drugs, and delinquency.

Thankfully, Dr. David Ishingu Matala arrived to be the doctor and director of the General Hospital at Ndjoko Punda. At that time the local Mennonite church there was failing.

Dr. David initiated an evangelical movement through Youth for Christ of our Mennonite church in North Kasai near Ndjoko Punda station. Through his teaching, guidance, preaching, and leadership, I decided to give my life to the Lord Jesus Christ and I was baptized at the Mennonite church. I made the decision to serve my God for my whole life.

After my conversion Dr. David recruited me to be a leader of the youth group he had established. I was responsible for evangelism within the youth ministry. During my time of leadership the doctor helped me see I had a gift and call to pastoral service.

My activities at Ndjoko Punda included two Bible camps and many evangelization campaigns among the youth. These different projects were supported by our coach (Dr. David) and by the Graber brothers.

After four years of service to the Lord as a youth, Dr. David decided to take me with him to Kinshasa to look for ways and means for me to pursue university studies. We were confronted with various difficulties: financial and logistical. None of this was easy to overcome. Spiritual warfare was especially strong against Dr. David. This also made it very difficult for me, but the doctor stood by me. He continued to help me and the difficulties were finally cleared away for me to attend university.

I give thanks to my God for touching the hearts of our Christian brothers, Stan Graber and Brad Graber. The Graber Missionary family once lived at Ndjoko Punda station. Their sons, Stan and Brad, in agreement with our coach, Dr. David came alongside to help and support me in my studies. They benefited me and other youth morally, spiritually, and financially.

The Graber brothers supported many projects for the whole Mennonite Church in general by providing Bibles and Song Books. They supported the Ndjoko Punda station in particular through the water project, and by providing the hospital with much-needed new equipment and supplies.

My desire is to finish strong my final year of university. There is much to memorize this year and it is difficult for me. I would appreciate prayers for my memory skills.

Version 2
Dr. David Ishingu Matala

When I graduate my prayer is that God, Stan, Brad, and Dr. David will be present.

After university I wish to get married before entering my professional life. This would be the best way to minister and would be more acceptable in the community.

My primary goal for my professional life is to work with youth through evangelism and coaching. All of my training: through Youth for Christ, through university theological studies, and through the missionary team led by Charles Buller has prepared me for this moment.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

©2016 Hope4Congo

 

A Spiritual Tsunami: The Redirection of a Life, Part 2

by Brad Graber

10427233_461654877373616_5006811043279402727_nGod has chosen, since the beginning of time, to work through people committed to him. Jesus gave the great commission saying, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, Go and make disciples of all nations…and be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” What a commission, what power, what a promise, what a guarantee of success on investment of things eternal.

It was during the time of Hudson Taylor, D.L. Moody and C.T. Studd that mission work began to take place in Africa by many individuals and different missions from various parts of Europe, England and America. AIMM was one of those mission agencies.

With every missionary effort there are untold stories of individuals who have persevered in their faith and been used mightily by God. Individuals whose redirection of their life through the power of the Holy Spirit had a magnitude of impact that could not have been predicted.

Many of the AIMM stories recorded in the book entitled “The Jesus Tribe”, serve to illustrate this far reaching impact. (Grace Stories from Congo’s Mennonites 1912 – 2012). A compilation of stories that cover a 100 year period. The titles often are descriptive of the individual’s strong faith. They include:
• A Mennonite evangelist tied to a corpse
• I just did what Jesus said
• Please send us that lady with the book
• He sold corn at ten cents a bushel to raise boat fare
• An open Bible at rebel headquarters; From houseboy to great leader
• A good and faithful steward; A great pastor who turned the other cheek.

God will use any life willing to seek him out and join Him in His work. The lives of Mathieu Kazadi and Maurice Stahly, two brief examples taken from the “Jesus Tribe”, attest to this truth and reveal that God uses a variety of events, resources and people.

Mathieu Kazadi was a man whose life spanned a large portion of the first 100 years of work in Congo. He arrived at Ndjoko Punda, the first mission station, in 1912. Mathieu was only a few years old. This little boy would become the founder of the Evangelical Mennonite Church of Congo. This body of believers came into being during the tumultuous years surrounding Congo’s independence when the believing body was split by tribal warfare and a mass exodus to a new regional location. A long and painful journey as refugees to the South Kasai. He also became one of the early teacher-evangelists. Mathieu was known for the way he proclaimed the gospel everywhere he went: in airplanes, hospitals, restaurants and in church gatherings. His main preoccupation throughout his life remained the preaching of the Good News of salvation. He was fair, generous, hospitable, a defender of the rights of others and adept at linking deeds to the Word of God. Mathieu Kazadi came face to face with his Saviour in 1994.

Maurice Stahly was a child of a farming couple, Ali and Anna Stahly, in central Illinois. Maurice witnessed the commitment of his parents to God when they sold 1,000 bushels of corn during the depression in order to provide a young missionary couple the $100 needed for their boat fare from New York City to Matadi, the seaport of Congo. Missionary work in distant Africa was extremely important to his parents. Memories of that ten-cent-a bushel corn stayed with Maurice throughout his life. Maurice later commented: “We felt God saying to us, ‘some I send out. Others I call to stay at home and support the work of the kingdom.”’

Maurice started a trucking business with a fleet of trucks and his business flourished. “I started out by saying, ‘God, I want to use you in my business.’ But I found out God says, ‘It’s my business and I want to use you.’” Over the remainder of his life he continued to be involved in God’s work in Congo through his faithful support. He maintained a lifelong relationship with Congo Inland Mission/ Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission. He served as a board member from 1956 – 1975. He passed away in 2012.

Partner with us!!!

Jesus said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added onto you.” What better way to seek his kingdom than to invest in the lives of people who, led by God through the power of the Holy Spirit, will become the C.T. Studds, D.L. Moodys and Hudson Taylors of current and future generations.

Hope for Congo will continue, with your prayers and support, to invest in the lives of God’s people in Congo. Over the next several weeks we would like to provide you with some stories of individuals God has placed in our path to support by way of education. Young people with integrity, a heart for God and ability to serve others with the gifts God has given to them.

Follow us so you won’t miss any of these stories of changed lives.

©2016 Hope4Congo

Spiritual Tsunami: The Redirection of a Life, Part 1

H4C_18by Brad Graber

A tsunami generally consists of a series of waves, creating a “displacement (redirection) of a substantial volume of water, of which the magnitude and volume cannot always be predicted.”

The greatest tsunami of all time was when God raised Jesus from the dead. Triumphant over sin, death and the grave, the book of Acts is a witness to the power of the “Great Commission” and the additional waves that followed resulting in a world turned upside down.

God continues to “redirect lives” creating tsunamis within each successive generation. We often think of the ripple effect that takes place when we throw a pebble in the water. I like to think of the ripple effect being that of man’s efforts while the tsunami effect is that of God.

Hudson Taylor, Missionary to China and founder of the China Inland Mission, was born into a God fearing family and is the product of a praying sister and mother. Thus was the humble beginnings of a great tsunami.
Hudson Taylor was the first to penetrate all of China with the Gospel believing that “faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it”. I Thessalonians 5:24 The redirection of a life through the power of the Holy Spirit whose magnitude of impact could not have been predicted.

D.L. Moody was brought to Christ by an unknown Sunday school teacher. Dwight L. Moody was used by God to lead thousands of people, in England and United States, to Christ. He was founder of Moody Church and Moody Bible Institute both of which continue to this day. The redirection of a life through the power of the Holy Spirit whose magnitude of impact could not have been predicted.

C.T. Studd, missionary to China, India, Africa and founder of what later would become known as Worldwide Evangelization for Christ Mission or WEC International. The redirection of a life through the power of the Holy Spirit whose magnitude of impact could not have been predicted.

C.T. Studd was brought to Christ under the ministry of D.L. Moody and C.T. Studd went to China under the leadership of Hudson Taylor. All three lives intersected to create one of the largest spiritual tsunamis of all time as it relates to missions and lives changed for eternity. These individuals are but a few examples of thousands God has used down through history to accomplish His will and to build His Church.

Part of our work through Hope for Congo is assisting the younger generation of Congolese with their educational development and pursuits. Our goal is to assist a wide range of students with interests in pastoral studies, medical profession, technical skills, education and business. An investment in the redirection of a life through the power of the Holy Spirit is an investment whose magnitude of impact is yet to be seen.

Follow our blog as we share some stories of the lives God has directed us to and pray that God will use them to help build His Church. Please fill out the information requested so that you’ll receive our updates regularly in your inbox.