Ndjoko Punda – Page 2

A School for Ndjoko Punda

Matthew 9:35-38 Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. “What a huge harvest!” He said to his disciples. “How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!” (The Message)

Before the harvest can occur, the farmer must first turn over the ground, prepare the soil, plant the seed, and water it.

Wherever the Gospel was taken, this same type of process occurred before the spiritual harvest happened. Missions brought medical aide, education, agriculture, and industry. Missionaries sought to improve relationships and the overall quality of life in the communities they served.

Ministry to the whole body, mind, and soul . . .
Resulted in schools, hospitals, print shops, bookstores, etc.

History reveals this pattern of ministry to be true for many mission efforts around the world. It is seen throughout all of Africa wherever the Gospel was taken.

Ministry to the whole body, mind, and soul is still relevant today. The youth of the Democratic Republic of Congo are the leaders of tomorrow.

For the children at Ndjoko Punda, school is the opportunity of a lifetime.

Problems Prevent Children from an Education:
-Children are needed at home to help the family
-Lack of money to travel for school
-Lack of educational resources
-Lack of nearby classrooms

For several years Hope for Congo has been waiting for the right opportunity and time to build a set of primary classroom buildings at Ndjoko Punda. The time and opportunity has arrived now. “Seed” money has been provided for us to build the first building, which will provide three classrooms.

Only a few buildings remain of the original school complex which once existed. They are in ruins as the attached photographs reveal. They were destroyed by age, neglect due to lack of resources, and damage from periodic storms. This building project will replace the old school buildings.

The complete building plan calls for a total of four buildings in the complex. Two buildings with three classrooms each, one administrative office, and separate lavatories for both boys and girls.

The total project is estimated to cost $56,000. More money is needed to construct all the buildings and to furnish the classrooms and administrative offices. Your prayers and tax-deductible donations can help make this possible.

Mail your U.S. Dollar Donations to:
Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission (AIMM)
P.O. Box 744
Goshen, IN 46527-0744

Mail your Canadian Dollar Donations to:
Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission (AIMM)
440 Main Street
Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5

Kalenga’s Testimony

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.

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.
My 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.

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.

Road Trip, Part 7

Brad 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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Road Trip, Part 6

It’s after 2:00 a.m.
Stan and Brad are exhausted from their long jarring road trip. They have finally arrived at the Kasai River across from their desired destination, Ndjoko Punda. Dr. David and several young men are ready to take them across the river in their canoe. Only one problem….

The young men from the village were almost finished packing the canoe when the policeman came. His drinking buddies trailed behind. Together the men formed a line, blocking Stan and Brad’s way to the river.

In a drunken drawl, the policeman yelled a demand. “Let me see your papers!”

“You don’t need to see their papers. These men are the children of former missionaries. They’ve come to help our village. They’ve brought supplies for the hospital,” Dr. David said.

“Are you interfering with me?” The policeman bellowed his question. He waved the doctor aside.

Stan and Brad produced their papers.

The policeman staggered over to the fire. He squinted at the papers in the flickering light. Teetering unsteadily, he returned to them. “State your business here.”

“We’ve brought supplies for the hospital at Ndjoko Punda.” Stan’s voice was quiet and respectful. Brad nodded his agreement.

Dr. David spoke again, “Alright, you’ve seen their papers. Now let them pass. We need to get these men to the village.”

“You can’t go across the river tonight,” the officer said. “The river is rushing too wildly. It isn’t safe to cross at night.”

One of the church youth flung his arms outward. “It isn’t safe to stay here at night.”

“These men are my guests.” The doctor stepped between the policeman and the brothers. “We’ll get them safely across.”

Four of the policeman’s sidekicks surrounded David.

“He’s the policeman!” one of the sidekicks shouted.

Another man screeched in a high-pitched voice, “He’s in charge! You have to do what he says.”

“That’s right. You need his permission to do anything!” a third comrade hollered.

A fourth man rubbed his fingers together. “Yes. Permission. You need permission.”

Stan and Brad collapsed under a tree as the argument continued.

“They want money,” Brad said. “And lots of it.”

“Yep.” Wearily, Stan rested his elbows on his knees. “All the authority, but no pay. It’s no surprise they depend on bribes to feed their families. A drowning man will grab at anything that comes along,” he quoted the Congolese saying.

Brad fanned his face with his hat. “I think he’s taking his courage from the bottle and his buddies.” He leaned against the tree. “I’m beat. A whole day just to get to the river. Now this.”

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?”
***

What would you do if you were in this situation?

The Mission Station Changes

This week Stan describes what their home was like on the mission station when he was a child and then describes its condition when he and Brad returned to Congo in 2008.

“When we lived on the station, the homes were built of brick with cement floors. They had screen doors and windows. My mom had a garden and a hired Congolese gardener.

“The station had its own diesel-powered generator for electricity. We ran the generator at noon for an hour everyday. This was the designated time we used our radios to contact the other mission stations. (Stations where anywhere from twenty to one hundred miles apart in our province of South Central Kasai.) We kept in touch with each station through the noon radio. We also ran the generator in the evenings for light in our homes and of course the generator provided electricity for the hospital.

“One of the missionaries had hooked up old crank telephones at each of the six missionary houses on our station. These gave us a convenient way to communicate. Each home had their own ring (a combination of long and short rings) just like in the states years ago.

(Over the years I’ve heard of many ingenious missionaries like this man. They creatively made do with available resources. –note from SuZan)

“When we returned to Congo we found that the village pastor and his family live in our old home. This is good. We’re glad they’re making use of it. However, it’s sad that the roof leaks and the screens are all gone. The windows are boarded up so it’s always dark in the house. And of course they have no electricity because the generator is long gone.”

Family Home-Ndjoko Punda — The Graber family home at the Mission Station, Ndjoko Punda

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Hope 4 Congo

Providing Hope to the Next Generation

Tag: Ndjoko Punda

A School for Ndjoko Punda

Kalenga’s Testimony

Daniel’s Testimony

Road Trip, Part 7

Road Trip, Part 6

The Mission Station Changes

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