File - Africa Inter

Africa
Journal
Congo: Traveling
on THE WAY
August 2009 Vol. 9
“Following Jesus, Making Disciples, Empowering the Church”
The New Testament gospels
are replete with descriptions
of travel- disciples walking
distances in groups or alone,
scrounging food from fields
along the path, dealing with
annoying crowds or hostile
territory, and always trying to
stick close behind the Master.
Pastor Vende Byngu Leavean
Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission: International Central Council
P.O. Box 744 Goshen, IN 46527 440 Main St., Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 Canada
Ph: 574-535-0077
Email: [email protected] Web: aimmintl.org
Such descriptions are easily understood by
Congolese Christians today. The Congo
Mennonite Church held its General Assembly in
Tshikapa this past February. The Assembly took
place in a spirit of calm. Arnold Harder attended
as a representative of the AIMM Partnership
Council. Here are a few brief glimpses of how the
delegates made the trip to Tshikapa.
Mme. Mubi Matemba walked 350 miles
from Kahemba north east to Tshikapa over
an 8 day period, eating and sleeping in
roadside restaurants along the way.
• Jean Tshimanga Kazadi, Gastof Kabaselé
Mukita Bungi
Bungi,
ungi and Rev. Mpoyi Dieudonné
Kamba traveled from Mbuji Mayi 285
miles west to Tshikapa by bicycle over
sandy, potholed roads. It took them 5 days.
Pastor Vende Byngu Leavean traveled from Gungu east to
Tshikapa, visiting churches along the way. As the crow
flies, the distance is around 125 miles: no doubt he made
many more than that. He was on the road for 6 days.
•
•
Jean Tshimanga Kazadi, Gastof Kabaselé Mukita Bungi, and Rev. Mpoyi Dieudonné Kamba
Congo Outreach through the Jesus Film
During 5 weekends in April and May, an evangelistic team led
by Mennonite Church of Congo Vice President Birakara brought
preaching teams and the Jesus film to a number of Mennonite
congregations and
their neighborhoods.
Locations visited
include Kele-Kabondo
and Madi in Tshikapa;
Tshibemba;
Tshimbondayi; and
Ngombe.
Pastor Birakara
Birakara
estimates that over
7,500 people listened
to the message and
watched the film. As a result of these events, 51 people were
baptized and admitted into local congregations.
From August 23
through September 6,
the same team is
planning another trip.
This time, they plan to
visit the following local
churches and surrounding areas: Iroro Munene;
Ibombo Iyeye; Mapono;
Ibombo Itimu; Kikunga
Tembo; Khoma; Nyanga;
and Sashila.
Pray that people who hear the message and see the film will
respond positively to the Word of Life. AIMM supports this
ministry through gifts to help cover transportation costs.
AIMM Archives Find a
Home
The Illinois Mennonite Historical
and Genealogical Society’s
Mennonite Heritage Center,
located on Hwy 116 just west of
Metamora, is the home of the AIMM Archives. This collection
of files, photos and publications which document the story of
Congo Inland Mission/Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission from its
inception in 1912 to the present, is housed in the IMHGS
Center’s climate-controlled archives room in a series of metal
file cabinets.
Several trips have been made to
the Center recently by AIMM staff,
and volunteers Jim and Jenny
Bertsche,
Bertsche in an attempt to
properly organize the collection
and render it easily usable to
those interested. Currently an
updated index of the holdings is
available both at the Center and at
the AIMM Office.
We encourage
interested persons to visit the Center and
the AIMM’s Archives! Center staff can be
reached at 309-367-2551. The Illinois
Illinois
Mennonite Heritage Center is open April
through October, Fridays & Saturdays from
10:00 am to 4:00 pm & Sundays from 1:30
to 4:30 pm, or by appointment. In addition
to the archives, it also houses a museum, a
library, a meeting room and the Congo Room. The latter
professionally displays a number of Congolese artifacts
depicting village life during the period that the donors, Jim
and Jenny Bertsche,
Bertsche lived and worked in Congo with
CIM/AIMM. (photo L. Julie Hendricks MHC secretary, R. Jenny & Jim Bertsche, Lola Gingerich )
The Change We Wish to See…
Melanie Quinn
(MMN) in
Francistown,
Botswana,
Botswana, writes:
“Sitting on the
veranda of
Bopaganang Basha
we casually talk
about the sky. Pearl
gray and sepia
clouds spread across
the huge African sky
and I once again tell
the youth how much
I love the vastness of
space here. We are
waiting, as usual.
Today is different though. While passersby may think we are idle,
we are far from being still.
These past few months we had been embroiled in a rather
traumatic scenario. The Youth Centre has been funded through a
clearinghouse that is supported by overseas funds. Unfortunately
it was discovered that the financial officer was misusing funds
and the Youth Centre was his personal jackpot. The result is that
our Centre's funding has been suspended. Bopaganang Basha
has not received anything since March!
There is an ongoing investigation, auditing, and many reports
that must be continued. I will confess to quite a bit of frustration
and even anger at this situation. After all, these young folks are
heavily involved in peer counseling and education through the
outreaches and dramas they themselves organize. And may I
add-they are so talented!
The first Bible study after everything came to light was hardreally hard. After all, how dare I suggest we all work on
forgiveness? And, was I ready to show the example?
Forgiveness is a powerful action;
action we must engage it often in
order for it to be valid. I must change my action-my behavior. I
cannot bring up the anger just to vent. Rather, I must forgive
totally so we can gather ourselves and move on. So, I pray for
the strength to let go of my anger and frustration.
Now we are left to start anew and begin to bring in new
administration to handle our office. We are committed to moving on and rebuilding. So, I ask my young brothers and sistershave you forgiven yet? Are you able to let go and give it to God?
With harder than necessary faces, many of them do not answer.
The ones who do just tell me-” Mommy, you will know.”
Today we are waiting for a truck to come and load our stage
for a special competition. The youth are all patiently preparing
themselves for this event. It took a lot to get them here to this
place of action. What inner reserve they have!
The truck arrives, and the guys put their stage into the back.
As they finish loading, we stand together to pray for the day,
for safety, for love, for friendship. As I look around at their faces,
I feel a great comfort. Suddenly the young women lift their
voices in song. I watch them open their eyes and, wow it is like
the sun coming out from behind a cloud-big smiles.
As they leave, I get hugs, and with laughter, one young man
assures me-”We are not angry anymore-we are free!”
Please continue to pray for Bopaganang Basha Ba Semoya.
Pray that we continue to seek Our Lord's guidance in all that
we do. Pray for a healing upon our hearts as we move into the
future of our centre.
Kagiso
(peace of Our Father)
After six years of service in
Botswana, the Allison Jones’
family- Glyn & Susan with
children Maeyken and
Adriaena- are transitioning
back to life in Canada.
They served through
Mennonite Church Canada
Witness.
AIMM VolunteersVolunteers- THANK YOU!
Congo Centennial Book Project
In order to mark the 100 year anniversary of the Congo Mennonite Church and also of CIM/AIMM in 2012, we are embarking
on a major story gathering project. We want to hear, preserve
and publish stories of Congolese Christians faithfully witnessing to and living out the gospel in their context across a century.
This project is
divided into
three phases:
research;
translation and
editing; and
publication.
Each phase is
projected to
cost around
$40,000.
L to R clockwise:Tina Bohn,Carolyn & Nevin Albrecht, Jim Bertsche, Peter & Gladys Buller,
John Bohn, Martini Janz, Elvina Martens prepare Africa Journal for mailing February 2009.
AIMM benefits tremendously from hundreds of volunteers who
help the mission in many ways. Some of the more obvious
examples include: praying for African and expatriate churches,
leaders and mission workers; stuffing envelopes for AIMM
mailings; sharing encouragement and ideas with AIMM staff
personally and through phone and email conversations; serving
on an AIMM board, either in North America or internationally;
investing time, energy and resources into specific projects
through AIMM; mobilizing financial support for AIMM; hosting
people for meetings; organizing AIMM events; etc. Without you
working beside us as your AIMM support staff, our tasks would
quickly overwhelm us.
THANKS for all you do for God’s mission!
The early church
Jim Bertsche and Rod HollingerHollinger-Janzen have been making
contacts with individuals and church communities who are
connected to the Congo Mennonite story through AIMM.
They are willing to travel to present this project to anyone
who expresses interest. They may be contacted through
the AIMM office.
To launch the research phase in November 2009, $40,000
needs to be raised. Presently we have received $28,000.
Are you willing to help close this gap?
In Memory of Loved Ones
Hulda Banman Thiessen,
Thiessen AIMM
missionary in Congo from 1956-1971,
went to be with Jesus on April 2,
2009. Hulda spent her missionary
years training Congolese nurses at
Kimpese and Tshikaji. In 1987 Hulda
married Henry Thiessen, who
preceded her in death in 1996.
Elmer Neufeld,
Neufeld AIMM Board member
from 1968-77, and Board chair from
1971-75, passed away on March 30,
2009. Elmer worked at Bluffton
University as a philosophy
professor and academic dean
before a long stint as President
from 1978-1996. Elmer also
worked extensively with
Mennonite Central Committee,
including a term in Congo as
MCC Country Director. Elmer is
survived by his wife LaVera, and
their children Carolyn Huffman,
Cynthia Neufeld Smith, Timothy
Neufeld, Iris Neufeld, and
Francene Merrin.
Lowell Short,
Short longtime AIMM supporter from Archbold, Ohio,
went home to be with the Lord on March 27, 2009. Lowell was
a farmer and a developer. He is survived by his wife Jane, along
with their children Barbara Goble, Sam Short and Linda Ross.
AIMM Missionary Kid Reunion
The first AIMM
Missionary Kid
Reunion
Reunion was
held at the
Grace Church
in Morton, IL.
June 26-28.
By all measures
it was a
successful
event, thanks
to God who
blessed it, to
the many
people who
made a great
effort and covered Lee Rocke, Judy (Schwartz)Good, (Carolyn Harder)Voth
long distances in
order to attend, and to organizer Tim Bertsche,
Bertsche
his wife Laura and their children David, Mika and
Erik,
Erik who all helped to make it happen.
Attendees (for all or part of the event) included
the following: Jim & Jenny Bertsche, Tim &
Laura Bertsche with Mika and Erik, David &
Callie Bertsche, Vangie Claassen, Delbert Dick,
Rudy & Sharon Dirks with Nathan, Shawna and
Stephanie, Lola Gingerich, Carmen & Judy Good,
Tim Bertsche
Brad Graber, David & Karen Harder, Harold & Joyce Harms, Rod
King & Sandra Bertsche King, Heidi Regier Kreider, Rod HollingerJanzen, Jo Ann Harms Loewen with Zachary and Connor, John
Martens, Phil Martens, Chuck Regier, Dave & Pris Reimer, Darrel
Rocke, Dave & Cathie Rocke, Ina Rocke, Keith & Mary Rocke, Lee
Rocke, Loren & Nancy Graber Roth, Marc Roth, Yvonne Roth
Smith, John & Carolyn Harder Voth, Jim Yoder & Linda Bertsche.
Some of the highlights: an extended
sharing time Saturday morning dealing
with the opportunities and struggles of
transition from one country and culture
to another; exchanging photo albums;
birthday party #94 for Ina Rocke with all
of her children present; an authentic
Congolese meal prepared by the Rocke
family, complete with bidia, chicken in
palm oil, and greens; lots of storytelling
around tables; Jim Bertsche explaining
that the “boarding school experience” of
sending children away for education to a
faraway city was difficult for the parents
as it was for children…
A big THANKTHANK-YOU to all who
participated in this event! Your
commitment and enthusiasm is an
Jim Bertsche, David Bertsche, Nathan Dirks
indication that such a gathering should be planned again in
several years. Thanks also for your generosity in contributing
toward reunion costs. Due to higher than anticipated
attendance, we were able to cover those costs plus contribute
over $1,300 to the AIMM Congo
Story Gathering Project.
Cathie Rocke, Nancy Roth, Vangie Claassen
Loren Roth, Phil Martens, Chuck Regier, Nancy Roth & Rudy Dirks
AIMM Family News
Irene Weaver grew up in India as the daughter of Mennonite
missionaries. She and her husband Ed pioneered work with
African Initiated Churches, first in Nigeria and then in various
other parts of Africa. The Weavers lived in Botswana 1975-77
while helping AIMM to begin its work of accompanying AICs.
Irene will celebrate her 100th birthday on Jan.23, 2010.
Peter and Gladys Buller celebrated their 60th Wedding
Anniversary with a program and open house at Silverwood
Mennonite Church on Sunday June 28. Their children Charles,
Jeannette and James organized a wonderful program celebrating what God has done through Peter and Gladys.
Former AIMM missionary to Congo receives
award
(reprinted from Canadian Mennonite July 27, 09 issue by Henry Neufeld)
The University of British Columbia Department of Surgery
recently announced the establishment of the Henry D.
Hildebrand Award for Excellence. The late physician was a
pioneer and leader in vascular surgery. The cash award will
be given annually to a promising junior resident surgeon.
Hildebrand, originally from Niverville, Manitoba, had a long
and successful medical practice, taught medical students
and served in Congo, Central America, Kazakhstan and Kenya.
The inaugural award was presented at a recent ceremony by
Hilda Hildebrand. The Hildebrands were long-time members
of Point Grey Inter-Mennonite Fellowship, Vancouver.
Burkina Faso Church Responds to Disaster
KANGALA,
Burkina
FasoFaso- by
Lynda
HollingerHollingerJanzen
(MMN)
Mennonites
in Burkina
Faso are
living out
Jesus’ love
through a
largehearted
response to the devastation caused by lightning-induced fires in
three villages.
Five days after the May 21 storm, leaders of Eglise Evangélique
Mennonite du Burkina Faso (Evangelical Mennonite Church of
Burkina Faso) visited communities that had lost homes, food
supplies and their
means of transportation
– bicycles and
motorcycles. Members
of two Mennonite
congregations were
among those left only
with the clothes they
were wearing and their
hoes. The three nearly
simultaneous lightning
strikes ignited fires late
in the afternoon while
most of the villagers
were working in their
fields, located at a
distance from their homes.
“We cannot remain indifferent as we observe this picture of desolation. We want
to express our compassion
and bring aid at all levels –
individually, as a community
and internationally – to comfort those who have experienced this disaster,” reads
the report written by four
members of the Mennonite
executive committee following their visit to the scene of the fires.
After consulting with local authorities who are coordinating grain
collection, the Mennonite Church of Burkina Faso contributed an
initial $600 and is encouraging each congregation to take a love
offering for fire relief. Church leaders also committed to repairing
five damaged roofs. Gifts from international partners including
AIMM, Mennonite Church Canada, the Evangelical Mennonite
Conference, the French Mennonite Assistance Fund and other
concerned friends have enabled Mennonites in Burkina Faso to
purchase around $8,000 U.S. of grain. The grain has been
transported to the needy villages and is being distributed.
“As a result of our visit, the executive committee saw the
immediate needs and decided to offer the modest means we had
to the victims. We decided to help the whole village, but to also
respond to the specific needs of our church members,” said
Siaka Traoré,
Traoré national president of the church.
In Kangala, 468 people are now without shelter. Because most of
the homes were constructed in the traditional style with mud
walls and thatched roofs, the walls remain. Given the season,
thatch will be difficult to replace. Villagers must wait for new
grass to grow long enough to be harvested for their roofs.
There are Mennonite churches in Kangala and Kotoura, a village
less than two miles from Kangala. These churches grew out of
the ministry of AIMM and its partners, the predecessor agencies
of Mennonite Mission Network and Mennonite Church Canada
Witness.
The losses in Kotoura were limited to five homes. About 12 miles
away in Fitiguedjassa, a mother and her two children died in the
fires.
New Executive Committee for the
Evangelical Mennonite
Mennonite Church of Burkina Faso
Evangelical
Evangelical Mennonite Church of Congo (CEM)
Plants New Congregations
Under the leadership of Pastor Benjamin Mubenga, CEM
church planting efforts are bearing fruit. In 2008, three new
congregations have begun meeting: Bakwa Kashila, led by
Pastor Kadima Tshiashinda, is 40 miles south of Mbuji Mayi;
Bakwa Tshinena is 60 miles east of Mbuji Mayi, led by Elder
Mitenga Nduba; and the third is in an outlying quarter of
Mbuji Mayi, with leadership given by CEM Vice President
Matthieu Shimatu.
The AIMM Congo Partnership Council is helping to support
CEM’s efforts at training church planters. In December 2008,
a weeklong seminar was held in Mbuji Mayi, bringing together 44 delegates nationwide. The main course taught was
entitled, “The Mission of the Church”. Others included, “The
History of CEM” and “Church and Development”.
Basic notions of pastoral ministry as well as the national church budget
were also discussed.
Photo, from left to right (standing): Daouda Traoré, Secretary; Benjamin Traoré, Assistant
Secretary; Siaka Traoré, President; Bala Sourabie, Treasurer; Abdias Coulibaly, Vice
President; (crouching) Salif Traoré, Assistant Treasurer.
Pastor Benjamin Mubenga
presents a church planting
seminar participant with a
certificate at the closing
ceremonies.
News of Miodi Girls’ School
Pastor Komuesa Kalunga reports that at the end of the 20082009 school year, 12 young women wrote their final exams.
Director Mama Manya continues to provide good leadership.
In May, she attended an historic conference initiated by
ICOMB, the Mennonite Brethren worldwide body, and focused on renewing Mennonite
efforts in education in Congo.
Bakwa Kashila
congregation in worship
Construction of two
additional classrooms is
underway, as well as the
completion of the school
fence. Funds for these
improvements, and for the
gift of a sewing machine for
each graduate, are being
provided by AIMM Women’s
Auxiliary supporters led by Martini Janz,
Janz with a major annual
boost from Barkman Concrete of Steinbach, MB.
Martini Janz traveled to
Manitoba in August 2009
to gather AIMM Women’s
Auxiliary supporters and
share an update on the
school. She continues to
provide leadership in
raising funds to support
Lycee Miodi.
Bakwa Kashila church members
AIMM Office News
•
•
•
The AIMM-U.S. Board has accepted a request from the
AIMM International Central Council to assist the AIMM
Office in providing an additional level of financial
accountability. U.S. Board President Erwin Rempel and
Treasurer Arnold Harder can now view all AIMM bank
account activity and receive quarterly updates of all
financial transactions. They are working in cooperation
with our financial reviewers, McGladrey & Co.
AIMM’s 2008 Financial Review is available from the office
on request.
Lola Gingerich,
Gingerich AIMM Office Manager, is planning to attend
a weeklong course on organizing mission archives in
September, at the Overseas Mission Study Center, New
Haven, Conn.
AIMM Speakers Available for your
Congregation or Sunday School Class
The following persons welcome invitations to share with you
about what God is doing through AIMM.
Brad Graber
[email protected]
Stan Graber
[email protected]
Arnold Harder
[email protected]
Dr. John Martens
[email protected]
David Rocke
[email protected]
Rod HollingerHollinger-Janzen
[email protected]
Dayspring Relates to Mennonite Churches in Kamayala
Region of Congo
Ron Goertzen writes,
“To date, our congregational involvement (Bethesda MC, Henderson,
NE) has funded multiple projects such as: supporting the medical
work and the purchase of medical supplies; the purchase of 20
bicycles for pastors; building school classrooms; purchasing school
supplies; currently supporting 14 students who are preparing for
church work; assisting in the construction of a regional guesthouse
as well as a church; supplying garden seeds; supporting an
orphanage; starting women’s literacy classes as well as other
women’s projects.
These involvements, as well as several others have been a source of
great encouragement to a people who have long felt isolated and
abandoned. I was told that despite their long history and association with Mennonite Missions, the region we are involved in hadn’t
received a visit from a North American delegation for over 20 years.
The impact and accompanying hope that Dayspring represents is
significant. I am humbled that God is using us to reach out in a
concrete way to a people group I bonded with over 35 years ago.
A friend recently shared this African proverb with me, “I know we
are people because you came to visit us.” That’s a picture of the
hope and encouragement that the Bethesda congregation has been
a part of; the simple power of presence and caring. “
Congo Interest Group Meeting
On August 1 & 2, Congo Interest Group members Harlan & Grace
Bartel,
artel Ron & Linda Goertzen, Brad & Sharon Graber, Stan Graber,
John Martens, David & Cathie Rocke, and Rod HollingerHollinger-Janzen
met at the home of fellow members Arnold & Grace Harder in
Mountain Lake, MN. Discussion centered around projects meant to
communicate encouragement and hope to Congolese Mennonites.
Agenda items included CMCO’s Century Welcome Center; needs in
Mennonite Hospitals; the development of technical schools; the
development and manufacture of bicycles in Congo appropriate for
freight and/or human transportation; and an update from Kamayala.