Tag: Dr. David

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

Kalenga’s Testimony

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Left to Right: Stan, Kalenga, Brad

Kalenga Andre was born at Ndjoko Punda in 1980. He went to both primary and secondary schools there. The following is his translated testimony edited for clarity:

In 1993 when I was thirteen years old I was baptized. My father died that same year (a rough time for me). From my baptism onward, my desire has been to serve God. I sang in the choir for two years beginning in 1994. After that I was elected Chorale Leader and served in that role for two additional years.

Mbombo Anne and I were married in 2002. My wife and I have six children, 3 boys and 3 girls.

I was devoted to my church at Ndjoko Punda and became a deacon in 2004. When Dr. David arrived to mentor the youth in Ndjoko Punda, I worked with him and was elected to be the President of the youth in our church. I also served as a steward at the hospital. So I had the opportunity to work closely with Dr. David in both capacities.

Stan and Brad Graber along with Fred Suter came to work on the Congo Water Project. It was my privilege to work as their Director here in Congo.

My heart’s attention is drawn to advance the good work of evangelization and develop our Congolese youth. I have been preparing toward implementing this desire through my studies. The reason I came to study in Kinshasa is because of my desire to know the mind of Christ and to share this knowledge with others.

History has proven through the work of the Congo Inland Mission in Ndjoko Punda (originally the area/district called Charlesville) and the American Mennonite Church that when the Good News is preached it will bear fruit. We are summoned to continue this legacy.

If Christians are awakened intellectually to study their Bibles they will see God’s Word provides the best way to live. I hope to raise awareness among the Christians in Ndjoko Punda in particular and in the larger district community in general.

Thank you Kalenga. It warms our hearts to read of your service from a young age and of your continued desire for growth. May God richly bless your studies and fulfill His desires for your ministry. May He also bless and protect your family.
***
Regarding future testimonies: We have been awaiting the arrival of Joseph’s testimony, another young man we’ve helped to support. However, we recently received word that he has been sick. Please join us in praying for Joseph’s recovery.

© 2016 Hope4Congo

Naomie’s Testimony

unknownNaomie Tite Kangu Kangu is another one of the youth Hope4Congo has been supporting. She was born at the Kalonda (an old missionary station), Tshikapa on December 2, 1994. Today we share her testimony:

“I began to serve God when I was very young under the supervision of Dr. David. I was a chorister in the choir. His wife, Bebesh was our director. I am a born again Christian. I continue to serve my God in worship and praise.

“My family situation is the sad page in my life; I do not know my biological father. My parents divorced while I was still in my mother’s womb. My father took my older brother and I, of course, stayed with my mother. So I have a brother and a biological father I do not know.

“I finished my primary education at the Ndjoko Punda primary school and started school at the secondary institute of Ndjoko Punda. From there I went to Kinshasa to finish my education.

“I thank my God that he put Dr. David alongside me. Through his guidance and support I was able to complete my primary and secondary studies. As I came to embrace the university studies, I had great financial difficulties. Dr. David was trying to support me financially, but the money did not make it because of the crisis in Angola.

“My goal is to complete my university studies in computer management in order to help our community. My studies are in translating literature, especially in translating English into the various African dialects and vice versa. I had to stop my spoken English classes on the second level. I still have one level to finish.

“I am so grateful for the enormous service you men (Stan and Brad) have provided to us and the other youth you plan to support. May God continue to protect you.”

* * *
Your continued support of Hope4Congo allows us to help these youth financially so that this next generation will receive the necessary training to carry forward the work of God’s kingdom. Please help us multiply the ministry.

Ways you can help:
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3. Pray regularly for these young people. Who knows what God longs to do through their lives?
Your prayers could have a dynamic role in their current training and future ministry.

4. Pray also for Dr. David and his wife. It is through their faithful commitment and heart for the youth
that we have received discernment regarding which youth to support.

© 2016 Hope4Congo

Road Trip, Part 7

H4C_18Brad and Stan are trapped at the banks of the Kasai River. A drunken policeman and his equally drunken buddies block their way. Dr. David and youth from the church at Ndjoko Punda (the village across the river) are arguing with the policeman. Stan and Brad have sat down to wait under a tree. We pick up our story as the argument has escalated.

The babble of voices increased to higher decibels as several of the youth joined in the shouting match. Tempers flared. Arms flailed in excited gestures. Enraged shrieks split the night air.

“This is going nowhere fast,” Brad said. “What are we going to do?”

“Yes. It’s dangerous.” Stan thought a moment. “What would Dad do? He’d pray.” Stan rose and stood just outside the angry group. In a loud voice he said in Tshiluba, “Let us pray.”

The arguing ceased instantly. Silence. Startling after so much noise.

Stan continued in Tshiluba, “Lord, we’ve just made a long trip. We’re hot. We’re sweaty. And we’re tired. We’ve come to help the church at Ndjoko Punda and encourage the believers there. We just want to get to the other side of this river so we can go to bed and get some sleep. We know that YOU are all powerful and YOU can solve this problem and get us to the other side. Amen.”

Hushed, the policeman and his friends stepped aside like a parting of the Red Sea.

Dr. David smiled. Brad clapped Stan on the shoulder. They boarded the canoe with all the young men and slipped silently across the river to the village.

***

True stories of God’s deliverance help put daily frustrations into perspective for me.

What about you? What’s happening in your life today? Don’t allow a small problem to get in the way of a big God. Reach for the fire from heaven.

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©2015 Hope4Congo