Lake Munkamba

Lake Munkamba is a place of mystery and majesty.  It once never was.  According to popular myth, one day village boys found a spring of water.  This spring grew until it swallowed an entire region including a village.  Hundreds died while hundreds more fearfully fled.  No one braved the water until Muambi Mutombokatshi, a missionary evangelist/pastor, “softened” the harsh waters by traversing by boat and ceremonially laying salt, food, clothing and other offerings on the water.  Having invited all of the local chiefs to witness this “softening of the water,” he made the place hospitable once again.  Lake Munkamba has never looked back.  It has served as a refuge and retreat for missionaries for decades.  It symbolizes unity and reconciliation between two major tribes of Kasai.  Its pristine waters and tranquil environs lather one’s soul with peace. 

Early morning dip

Kristi and I first experienced Lake Munkamba in March 2010 with fellow missionaries.  We then spent a month there learning Tshiluba.  Munkamba feels like our “home village” in Congo.  In Munkamba our names and our habits are remembered.  We feel like we belong to the Bakua Luntu tribe of that region.  The trademark greeting of Munkamba, “Songayi Wabo,” brings a smile to our face.  Munkamba is special.  One’s burdens feel lighter and a spring returns to one’s step.  The water is irresistible. 

In February, 2011, Christian Education Coordinator Pastor Mbikayi and I scouted out Munkamba with the hope of hosting our Evangelism Department Board Meeting there in April.  We sat with Tatu Willy, Mukulu Moises Bob and other community leaders.  We listened to them describe the destruction wrought on the Presbyterian Center at Munkamba during the protracted war between ‘98 - ‘03.  Zimbabwean soldiers encamped at the center,  eschewed all the villagers away, and generally left havoc in their wake.  Homes remain in disrepair, graffiti stains the gathering places, and the touch of a foreign army’s presence remains.  Yet, these resilient villagers of Munkamba long for a better tomorrow.  They believe that God can lift up the Presbyterian Center at Lake Munkamba, making it a place of refuge and retreat for God’s people once more. 

Sitting with community leaders, February 2011

 

Village Friends, pictured February 2011

Unfortunately, it was decided unwise to host our Board Meeting in Munkamba in 2011.  Our hopeful village friends would have to wait.  Yet, their prayers and longing hearts did not go unnoticed.  Just last week we were able to host a seminar in Munkamba, the first time such an event has happened in years.  Moreover, we stayed after the seminar to assess the needs of the place and pray.  We conducted a formal meeting to evaluate the situation and how to move forward.  We painstakingly visited each structure of the Centre, taking pictures and making notes.  We sat with community leaders again and listened as they shared their challenges.  We encouraged them and prayed for them. 

Seminar Participants, August 2012
 

By God’s grace Lake Munkamba will be resurrected once more.  It will serve as a bastion of peace and crossroads for God’s people.  Meetings, seminars and conferences will be conducted.  Choirs will sing through the night, keeping fishermen awake on the lake.  Munkamba reflects heaven and has been singed by hell.  It is a  place of heart and home.  It is a place to dream and dance, to pray and sing, to look back and look ahead.

 

CPC leaders discuss future of Munkamba Center

Pictured with local chief, Kayinda Mukendi Samuel -
his father was one of the chiefs present when Muambi Mutombokatshi
“softened” the waters of Munkamba

Munkamba…Lord hear our prayers!  Lift up this place and enfold us into your embrace!                  

‘Tis the season for big meetings…

This is a ‘General Assembly Year’ for the CPC in Congo. The General Assembly is usually held at the beginning of August. Since so many leaders and church representatives have to make the arduous trip to Kananga from all corners of Kasai, it is an opportune time for other meetings, seminars, etc. to be held. So, the last few weeks we have participated in or helped to organize several of these gatherings. I thought we could give you a brief photo tour of the gatherings that have happened…

A women’s conference for the Synod that Kananga is located in.
We went to share a greeting and show our support.

Then, there was General Assembly (GA). We only attended the first day of the 3-day meeting, but were encouraged that this time we knew several of the leaders who were coming from other regions!

Then, a few days after GA, the Evangelism Department organized a board meeting for the 3 rural Pastoral Institutes. Each of the 12 synod leaders are included in the board meeting, so it was an opportune time for this meeting while all of them were in town. We helped with the logistics of this 2-day meeting, so we were exhausted by the end of it. But, it was a productive time and we are excited about the progress made toward equipping these schools.

…and now we are on to the final seminar of the season: A seminar for the directors of Christian Education of each Synod, with the intention of preparing them to hold regional youth conferences next year. This seminar is at Lake Munkamba, and Bob leaves early Monday morning with a car packed full of people for the 4-hour arduous drive through the sand. Please pray for protection, inspiration, and God’s presence to be evident to all!

Our friend Rachael poses on the road to Munkamba in its current state

Crazy Day in Kananga

In May Kristi made a post regarding a “typical day” in Kananga.  As she noted, life here is invariably unpredictable.  There is great need for patience and flexibility.  I will describe last Friday, July 27th.  Hopefully this post will give you another “picture” of our life here.  The times given are approximate. 

6:50 am  In the middle of morning devotions we hear a knock at the door.  It is Mamu Anna, the wife of our night guard.  Their daughter is scheduled for surgery this morning in Tshikaji, a long, bumpy, 15 kilometer ride from Kananga.  They were originally told they could travel with the hospital workers, but this morning they are turned away.  They ask for our prayers and help.  I call the hospital administrator, Bernard Kabibu, and explain the situation.  He encourages me to come to PAX (the hospital’s clinic in Kananga) with the family and wait.  We pray with the family below our apartment, and then I walk to PAX with Mamu Anna and Rita.  Bernard arrives.  He calls me over and makes room for Rita and her Mom on the worker-bus for Tshikaji.

7:30am  Everyone on the main street stops and respectfully watches the raising of the Congolese flag.  I wait at PAX to see the worker-bus set off for Tshikaji.   

8:55 am  After finishing devotions, prayer and breakfast, I head off to the bank to get funds for our next month and money for two new tires for the Land Cruiser.  Kristi heads to IMPROKA (CPC Print Press) to access and print a document from the internet for our 10am meeting.   

9:40 am  Having finished at the bank, I head for our office.  Quickly I call Kristi to ask her if she has seen Pastor Mboyamba at IMPROKA as we would like to connect with him.  She tells me that she didn’t see him, and that the internet is down so she couldn’t access and print the document.  I suggest that I go to a nearby internet cafe to try printing the document.  She agrees.  She informs me she has gone to pay our internet bill at the Micro-Com office.  She is on her way to the CAA office (airline) to inquire about tickets for an out-of-town visitor. 

10:10am  Having successfully accessed and printed the document, I walk to our office and try calling Mboyamba along the way.  No answer.  I also swing by his office.  He is not there.  I meet Kristi at our office for our meeting with Pastor Mukenge (who hasn’t arrived).  We call him and he arrives shortly thereafter.  We discuss with him a strategy for selling Christian literature which our department has recently purchased.   

11am  Kristi and I meet to discuss the program for the upcoming Conseil (Board Meeting) for our three Pastoral Institutes.  Pastor Mboyamba calls from Tshikaji to inform me that he cannot make our meeting the following day due to the graduation at UPRECO, the Presbyterian university/seminary.  He says he can meet us today at 2pm.  Kristi was planning to attend a meeting on a women’s justice program at 2:30 and our day is already full, but we decide this meeting with Pastor Mboyamba is important and we will make it work.

11:50am  Kristi and I go home to pray as we had planned.  We eat a little something around twelve thirty.  I send some important emails.   

1pm  Kristi and Ruth head to the governor’s office to deliver letters to James, an American friend.  He will give the letters to a group from Indiana who leave Monday.  Pastor Mukenge and I go to IMPROKA to pick up 250 copies of the “Dilongolola” (CPC’s Book of Order) which they had promised would be ready.  I greet Tatu Alan.  He tells me that they aren’t ready because of an order placed by the General Secretary which needs immediate action.  “Return Monday,” they tell us.  Slightly frustrated, we return back to 16 Lac Fwa (where we live).  Pastor Mukenge goes to deliver some important documents on behalf of our department.   

1:35pm  I sit on the balcony of our 2nd story apartment and work on some scripture I have memorized, enjoying fifteen minutes of peace. 

1:55pm  I head out the door for our meeting only to be greeted by Theo, “the bread guy.”  As I buy some bread, Kristi calls to tell me she is running late. 

2:20pm  I sit at the office alone for fifteen minutes.  Kristi arrives.  I call Pastor Mboyamba.  He tells me that he can’t make the meeting because he is still in Tshikaji at the Board Meeting for the hospitals.  He says he will stop by this evening.  I tell him we have guests this evening, but he can stop by briefly.  Sitting on the steps of our office, tired and frustrated, we wonder what to do.  We decide to call Pastor Mukenge and commence with the meeting.  He arrives shortly thereafter.  We meet with him for twenty minutes to discuss the program for the Conseil for the Pastoral Institutes.  

3pm  Kristi and I head home because we have guests arriving at 5pm.  I lay down for 20 minutes.  Kristi helps Tatu Muanda with the food preparation.  Pastor Mboyamba arrives, to our surprise.  He tells us he didn’t want to come when we had guests.  I sit with him for twenty minutes.  It is a productive time of connecting and planning.

4pm  I head out to a local restaurant with five empty soda bottles.  I buy seven 30-ounce bottles of orange soda for the evening festivities. 

5pm  Our guests arrive.  We are hosting a friend and her siblings for dinner.  Marthe has just finished her bachelor’s program in medicine.  Kristi went to see her successfully defend her “memoire” (final dissertation) on Wednesday.  She passed with great adulation!  Tonight we will celebrate.  Pastor Kabue, a mutual friend, joins us.  We had expected as many as 6-8 guests, but only 4 are able to come.  Marthe and two children from her deceased older brother arrive, along with Pastor Kabue.  We have a fun, relaxing evening after a long day.  We enjoy a classic Congolese meal of bidia (corn flower and cassava flour cooked with water), goat meat, potato leaves, fried sweet potatoes, beans and rice.  After stuffing ourselves, we enjoy lots of “bako” (orange soda). 

8:30pm  Kristi sends an important email.  I rest on the couch.  A few minutes later I bring in Jackoo and we go to bed early!  :)     

Dinner in honor of Marthe, second from left

Pursuing God

Last weekend I took a 24-hour “personal retreat” to the Thabor Catholic Center in Kananga. Even 24 hours of stepping out of the normal demands of life and making time to rest, read, pray, and reflect make a significant difference! God knew that we needed a Sabbath.

I started reading the book The Pursuit of God, by A.W. Tozer (thanks, Dad!). It felt like exactly the prophetic correction and challenge that I need right now. Tozer articulates with clarity and conviction God’s heart for active relationship with his people, and the ways that our sinful natures hinder us from recognizing and living into that reality. He says,

“Right now we are in an age of religious complexity. The simplicity which is in Christ is rarely found among us. In its stead are programs, methods, organizations and a world of nervous activities which occupy time and attention but can never satisfy the longing of the heart. The shallowness of our inner experience, the hollowness of our worship, and the servile imitation of the world which marks our promotional methods all testify that we, in this day, know God only imperfectly, and the peace of God scarcely at all.” (pg. 13)

The “world of nervous activity” too often keeps me preoccupied, hindering me from the peace of God and intimacy with our Savior that God longs for me to have. On this particular retreat, UNICEF was holding a big conference with 100+ people at the Catholic center when I arrived. To get some space and quiet, I went farther out into the neighboring field than I have ever gone, and God provided each day a place where I could be alone and be refreshed by the beauty of creation and His presence.

I felt like my eyes were being opened again as Tozer articulated ways that our sin blinds us and hinders us from becoming and doing all that we were created for. Through faith and by grace, we are made new in Christ – a new nature because the cross has broken the power of sin over us. In a poignant and powerful chapter called Removing the Veil, Tozer says “this rending of the veil [in the temple at the crucifixion] opened the way for every worshipper in the world to come by the new and living way straight into the divine Presence.”

Now, back in the throes of daily life, I have tried harder this week to take a step back, at least in my mind. Recognizing that God IS, and that he is HERE, with me, makes a world of difference in the midst of the “world of nervous activity” around me!

Empowering the Laity, Lubumbashi (DRC)

Genesis 1:28 (NRSV)
God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth."

 

Late June Kristi and I made our first trip to Lubumbashi.  Lubumbashi is the second largest city in Congo, behind Kinshasa.  Lubumbashi is the capital of Katanga Province, a region traditionally known for its copper and mineral wealth.  Katanga sees itself as different from the rest of the country; some refer to their province as the "Other Congo” (Rorison, 2008).  Katanga is a two hour plane trip from Kananga (where we live).  This large province sits on the southeastern corner of Congo.  In Lubumbashi we helped facilitate a Laity Seminar with Pastor Mboyamba, the Director of the Evangelism Department of the Congolese Presbyterian Church (CPC).  In 2007 at a church in Kananga, the city where we live, the leadership of the laity* of the CPC requested that our department sponsor and lead seminars to help them better understand their role in the church and the building up Christ’s Kingdom.  Since 2007, our Department has travelled to each of the 12 synods to conduct these trainings.  Lubumbashi was our final stop.

Pastor Mboyamba (in blue suit), church leaders in Katanga Province, us  

A central verse for these seminars is Genesis 1: 28, with the central theme “You will have authority over the earth.”  This verse and theme empower delegates to know that God has given us authority to steward the resources and riches of the earth.  In a poor environment like the country of Congo, where church members often feel that something needs to be done for them or given to them, this theme reminds us all that God has given us creativity, intelligence and the ability to improve our surroundings and take responsibility for our communities.  We have taught on such topics as:  laity and the Great Commission (evangelism), the work of the laity in the church, responsibility of leaders in the church, HIV/AIDS awareness, why we give to God, laity and development, laity and song leading, laity and Christian Education, the priority of prayer, vision and goal setting, and laity and church order/procedure.  I have attended and participated in four of these seminars over the last 15 months.  I am always amazed to see how hungry church leaders are for knowledge, skills and empowerment.  We are always blessed to see delegates encouraged, strengthened in spirit, and further resolved to serve God and their communities.

Pastor Mboyamba teaches on a changed heart as the first step in development

  Bob teaches from the book of Nehemiah

The seminar in Lubumbashi was no different from other seminars.  About 100 delegates came from different parts of the large Katanga Synod.  They eagerly took notes, asked insightful questions, and engaged thoughtfully with the teachings.  There was a great balance of men and women delegates.  While many aid organizations focus on ways to help countries and communities develop, Pastor Mboyamba reminded us that “evangelism is the first key to development.”  People’s hearts must first be changed; our role is help people know God.  Kristi taught on the need for planned action, making SMART (e.g. realistic, measurable) goals.  I taught from the book of Nehemiah on prayer and leaving a lasting legacy.  Kristi and I have felt empowered ourselves in these seminars, as we have taught sessions and led devotions.  We have also had opportunities to sit with delegates and learn more of their stories.  We are always amazed by their self-sacrifice, travelling extraordinarily long distances by foot or bicycle to attend these seminars.

Delegates taking notes

Exuberant singing!

Seminar Delegates

As is the case in all regions, the folks in Katanga want us to return to see them again.  Because Katanga is so far away and CPC church members in this region often feel overlooked, we hope to visit again before the end of this year.  We hope to travel to different parts of the Katanga Province, strengthening and encouraging believers.  May God lead us as we consider the ways in which we can walk alongside our Congolese brothers and sisters.  May God’s name be lifted high in Congo! 

Kristi exhorts youth leadership of Lubumbashi
at a Sunday afternoon meeting (the tail end of a very long day!)
 

*Within the CPC here in Congo, the laity include:  elders, deacons, church members, youth, children, and pastors (teaching elders).  Essentially, all who worship in one place and are members of the church are part of the laity.  Note that women also serve in leadership roles (elders, deacons, pastors).