CongoJuly2008

Congo July 2008

In July 2008, professional photographer Stephanie Matthews of Columbus, OH and I traveled to Kamina, DR Congo to visit North Katanga church leaders and document their work and lives. During our visit, we attended North Katanga's Annual Conference, got first-hand updates on several church projects, and had the honor of listening to powerful stories from survivors of the recent war. While I normally return from Congo with hundreds of photos to share, traveling with a professional photographer was a bit intimidating, so I left it to Stephanie to take most of the pictures. She took thousands and looks forward to sharing the best in her gallery exhibits and in-depth slide show presentations. Some of her favorite images from the trip are on www.kaminabeautiful.org.

Stephanie came to Congo with a deep sense that God was calling her to use her gifts there--she just did not know what exactly that would mean. By the end of the trip, Stephanie made a life-changing decision. After sharing with Bishop Ntambo her love of the orphaned and abandoned children she had met and her vision of a creating a leadership academy for them, Bishop appointed her to serve as Executive Director of The United Methodist Church's orphan ministries in Kamina. She will be returning to Kamina in 2009 after spending several months preparing for this new role.

Taylor Walters Denyer with goddaughter Ann Taylor Banza

Stephanie Matthews (with camera)

photo by Taylor Denyer

While we now have up-to-date images of many North Katanga church projects (which will be used in our future e-reports), the images below are a small sample of what keeps me coming back to Congo--the amazing people I am honored to know. The photos were taken by Stephanie (sometimes with my amateur camera); please ask before reproducing.


Our 48 kids at the Kamina Children's Home are growing up quickly. Bazil (front&center) even created his own large vegetable garden this summer. It's important that they are given opportunities to develop their vocational goals. (When interviewed, the kids plan on being everything from pastors to pilots, journalists to judges, doctors to designers, and computer scientists to agronomists)	Mama Regina--a widow, church leader, choir director, amazing singer, and midwife--and Taylor (named after me), an orphaned child she is now raising (unaided) as her own.

Dr. Murielle, newest director of our Lupandilo Nursing School in Kamina. She shared with us one of the biggest challenges for the school: Most of its students come from impoverished villages that are in great of trained nurses, but since they come from these villages, they cannot afford to pay for their studies. With so many unpaid school fees, Dr. Murielle struggles both with how to pay her faculty and avoid expelling most of her students. A gift of $200/year could provide 1 basic scholarship. Even more could provide assistance for room/board/supplies.	Tshinish Kabong, head of our Kamisamba Farm and other agricultural initiatives. Papa Tshinish works hard everyday to help turn Congo into the breadbasket God designed it to be. Tshinish welcomes visitors from the USA to come volunteer on the farm--especially if they have agricultural expertise. (It helps if you also speak French, but this is not a requirement)

Doctor Kasanka, head of nearly all things medical (both at the college and clinics). Stephanie had the honor of watching him perform multiple surgeries one day at Shungu clinic(I chickened-out), so she can testify to his challenging work conditions.	Visiting my dear friend Esperance, who was in the Shungu clinic recovering from a surgery performed by Doctor Kasanka.

Rev. Ilga, Africa University graduate,--at her ordination during the 2008 Annual Conference. Ilga is a grace-filled and inspiring woman of faith. We were honored to be invited to eat at the house of her and her husband (newlyweds) this July.	Rev. Kabongo, Africa U. graduate and formerly District Superintendent of Kamina. He currently is appointed to oversee pretty much all of the work in Kamina. He is 'no-nonsense' in his approach, but has a heart of gold and has taught me much about how to navigate my way through the local culture.

Rev. Willy Banza, Africa University Graduate, appointed both as pastor of our Kamina-ville parish and chaplain of our Kamina Children's Home. I rely on Willy to contact me whenever any of our kids or caregivers get sick or otherwise need extra prayers.	Mama Alpho is on my list of living saints. She currently serves as one of the 'mamas' (caregivers) at the Kamina Children's Home. We were deeply moved this summer as she and her husband shared with us their experiences during the war. Mama Alpho' s husband was seriously injured by an explosion while serving as an interpretor for foreign troups and was flown to a hospital. Having no way to contact him (and fearing him dead), she was forced to flee with her children (while pregnant and caring for children she found along the way)--walking for four months until they finally found safety in Kamina. During the long walk from Kalemie, they ate only what they could scavenge from fruit trees and other vegetation. Not everyone in her family survived the journey. Today they both have health problems--especially Mama Alpho, yet they continue to be full of faith--acting as powerful grace-filled witnesses of the love of Christ. Over the past few years, Mama Alpho has never asked me for anything for herself, but frequently reminds me that there are many orphans in Kamina and Kalemie that the church has yet to find the resources to assist. This summer, though, she did made one request for her family--that we help her find scholarships so that her biological children can go to college--ideally Africa University (her two who have finished high school want to be a doctor and an agronomist). If you would like to provide such a scholarship, please let me know. (photo of Mama Alpho mine--we're still hoping the ones Stephanie took of her can be recovered from a bad disk)

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