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Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission International Central Council

P.O. Box 744 Goshen, IN 46527; 440 Main St., Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 Canada

Phone: 574-535-0077 Email; aimm@aimmintl.org Web: www.aimmintl.org

Guests, students and faculty at Kalonda Bible Institute. Left to right: Thérèsa Tudiakuile, Nancy

Myers, Charlie Kasha Kamba, Paula Killough, Marie Louise Thumba Yama, Annie Tshimgila,

Amanda Rempel, Bercy Mundedi, Sandy Miller, Anastasie Nyange, Charlie Malembe

Women Lead Women to Ministry in DR Congo

by Nancy Myers and Charle Malembe

The first women to be ordained in the Mennonite

church of Congo in late 2013 were called to minis-

try decades before the church would allow them

to exercise that call directly. But by faith they

followed the call anyhow o�en with the encour-

agement of other women.

Bercy Mundedi says that when she was a 14-year

old student in Nyanga she used to preach to her

fellow students. Seeing her talents, women in her

church urged her to study theology—something

that would not have occurred to her on her own.

She did so and obtained a degree in theology in

Kinshasa in 1996.

Mundedi says that she went back to her village to teach a�er she completed theologi-

cal studies, to show gra*tude to the women who had encouraged her to pursue her

studies. Later she became an instructor at the Kalonda Biblical Ins�tute where she has

taught for the past eight years. She teaches Pentateuch, African sociology, and the

Epistles.

She says the Mennonite Church of Congo’s 2012 decision to li� the ban on women’s

ordina*on s*rred a lot of controversy in the Kasai region, where the church is head-

quartered, because “some tribal tradi*ons are very oppressive toward women. Some

radio call - in programs aired a lot of opposi*on. But many supported the decision as

well. Women welcomed it.”

Mundedi was ordained October 7, 2013 in Kalonda. Sidonie Swana Falanga and

Fabienne Ngombe Kidinda were ordained Setptember 22, 2013 in Kinshasa.

Women Students at Kalonda Bible Ins�tute

There are 11 women students enrolled for the 2013-2014 academic year at Kalonda

Bible Ins�tute, along with 30 men for a total of 41. Following Mennonite Church of

Congo’s decision to ordain women as pastors, taken at their 2012 General Assembly,

na*onal church leaders including

President Komuesa and Vice President

Birakara spread the message in local

congrega*ons that the door is open for

women to assume formal leadership in

congrega*ons. Women are responding

posi*vely through increased enrollment

for pastoral training. While earlier in

Kalonda Bible Ins�tute’s history there

have been occasional women students,

never before has there been the number

we are seeing today!

Tshikapa Mennonite Women

Ini�ate Sewing Ministry

Mennonite Church of Congo na*onal women

leaders Adolphine Tshiama Kabundi and Chris-

�ne Mamina Bomo received a small gi� of

around $900 earmarked for “women’s ministry”

in late 2012. By March 2013, an old administra-

*ve office at the Mennonite Church of Congo

headquarters had been transformed into a sewing workshop, as Adolphine, Chris�ne

and others began to provide sewing classes for young single mothers from the city of

Tshikapa. The money was used to purchase 3 sewing machines, plus sewing supplies

and furniture. The women leaders and others are contribu*ng *me, energy and

exper*se in order to bless the younger women by teaching them a means to earn a

living, giving them at the same *me a living tes*mony of Chris*an faith.

KBI Students l-r, Thérèse Tudiakuile, Charlie

Kasha Kamba, and Marie-Louise Tumba Yama

Hospital Rebuilt in

Tin, Burkina Faso

President Traore, informed of the need in Tin, contacted various Mennonite groups

rela*ng to the EEMBF. In response, combined contribu*ons from Mennonite Central

Commi0ee, the Evangelical Mennonite Conference, and AIMM enabled the renova*on

work to move forward. Traore writes, “What had seemed to be a ruin seven months

ago is today a jewel. Yes, this abandoned building has been renovated, to the great

joy of Tin’s people.” Referring to those who contributed to the cost of the building

remake, Traore con*nued, “You were sensi*ve to the need expressed by Tin’s people,

you gave of yourselves and of your goods so that sick persons would have a decent

place to deal with their illnesses. Thanks to each one of you.”

Tin’s elders gather for prayer with EEMBF Pastor Siaka Traore (Center).

On Siaka’s left is Pastor Abdias Coulibaly; behind Siaka is Paul

Thiessen, Evangelical Mennonite Conference mission worker sent to

Tin to help translate the Bible into the Siamou language.

Elders of the village of Tin,

Burkina Faso rejoiced together

with leaders of the Evangelical

Mennonite Church of Burkina

Faso (EEMBF) at an evening

ceremony on February 16,

2014 celebra*ng the complet-

ed renova*on of the village

hospital.

Last year, the elders had ap-

proached Mennonite church

President Siaka Traore asking

for help to rebuild the hospital,

which had been abandoned for

15 years. Today, the village

boasts a facility which includes

three hospitaliza*on rooms

which will serve children,

women, and men, plus a ser-

vice room for the nursing staff.

Burkina Faso Church Launches Micro

Loans Project

A specially constituted

committee made up of 5

business-savvy members of

the Evangelical Mennonite

Church of Burkina Faso

(EEMBF) and Bruce Yoder

with MMN launched its first

micro loans program by

granting small loans ranging

from $100 to $1,000 to 47

EEMBF members on

November 23, 2013. The

beneficiaries, who are based in 9 different local congregations of the EEMBF, have one year to

repay the loans, along with a 7% interest charge that will help to cover administrative costs of the

program. Mme. Simone Ouedraogo, an EEMBF member based in Orodara who is an experi-

enced business woman, has given herself as a volunteer to receive loan payments and offer

counsel to loan recipients.

Mme. Simone Ouedraogo records informa�on during the micro

loan distribu�on event

November 23, 2014 Micro loan recipients

The micro loans project has

been made possible by gi�s

of $10,000 (cdn) from the

Project Builders

organiza�on, an arm of the

Evangelical Mennonite

Conference, and $6,000

(cdn) from Mennonite

Church Canada.

The primary school is seen

as a valuable future asset

for the church’s life and

witness in Colma. The

plan is to reach out to pri-

mary school age children

living in the neighborhood,

which is predominantly

Muslim. Teachers will be

drawn from Mennonite

church congregations, and

the school will become a

place where the Good

News is lived and shared.

AIMM partners including

the French Mennonite Mission Committee and the Evangelical Mennonite Conference are

committing funds to help build the school. AIMM is also planning its own contribution.

Joseph Sinou (right) with his mentor Siaka Traore in the room

which houses the small church gathering in Colma

The Evangelical Mennonite Church of Burkina Faso (EEMBF) is planning to open a

primary school in the Colma neighborhood of Bobo Dioulasso, in the fall of 2014.

Several years ago, the church was granted a fairly large piece of land in a central loca-

*on in that neighborhood. A small building has already been constructed on the

property, and is serving as a venue for a small group of worshipers which gather

there regularly. Joseph Sinou, an EEMBF member who recently graduated from the

Ins�tut Maranatha Bible School, is leading the work of building up a Mennonite con-

Bobo Dioulasso Outreach through Primary School

Agri-business for Congolese Entrepreneurs

Joseph, Nkongolo, Development Coordinator for Mennonite Church of Congo, orga-

nized and conducted a small agri-business seminar in Tshikapa October 8-9, 2013.

The goal was to s*mulate individual church members to aGempt new business ini*a-

*ves. 57 persons par*cipated. Mennonite Church Canada, Mennonite Mission Net-

work and AIMM joined forces with Mennonite Church of Congo to cover costs for the

seminar.

In January 2014 Nkongolo followed up by visi*ng a number of seminar par*cipants.

In general they are hard-working farmers who are looking to expand their ac*vi*es.

Here are several brief profiles:

Simon Makenga, based at Kalonda, cul*vates manioc

fields, maintains a palm nut planta*on from which he

produces palm oil, and has a small grove of fruit trees,

mainly avocados. He would like to expand his fruit

grove and his palm planta*on, and diversify his fields

to a variety of crops.

Gerard Kutemba lives in Tshikapa in the Dibumba

neighborhood. His ac*vi*es include 12 fish ponds, a

herd of 35 sheep, a palm nut planta*on and manual oil

extractor, and fields of millet, corn and manioc.

Gerard is hoping to enlarge his already started ac*vi-

*es.

Jose Nguadi is also from

the Dibumba neighborhood. He has nearly 30 fish

ponds, a palm nut planta*on, and plants a variety of

crops in his fields such as manioc, corn, soy beans, pis-

tachios and cowpeas. He would like to build lodgings

nearer his fish ponds in order to increase security.

~~~

In Memory of Loved Ones

Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord. “Yes” says the

Spirit, “they will rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them.”

Rudolph C. Martens passed away

on October 19, 2013 at 87 years of age. Rudy

married Elvina Neufeld in 1951. The following

year, the Martens began ministry in Congo.

Rudy served as a pastor, teacher, translator,

and administrator for 18 years in the Demo-

cra*c Republic of the Congo. In addi*on to

classroom Bible teaching, he spent many

hours training Congolese student pastors in

radio and watch repair, as well as in photog-

raphy skills, to allow them to supplement

their limited congrega*onal resources. He

used his enormous technical gi�s to maintain

hospital and mission equipment in nearly impossible condi*ons. He also served

congrega*ons in Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, and Oklahoma following their return to

North America. Elvina died April 11, 2011. Rudy is survived by three children John,

Philip and Elizabeth Claassen, 6 grandchildren, a great-grand child, and two step-

brothers.

Robert Sakayimbo

Cibulenu, president of

Communauté Mennonite au Congo

(Mennonite Church of Congo) from

1987-1995, died on Nov. 1, 2013.

Cibulenu was around 80 years old,

although the date of his birth is uncer-

tain. Born in a rural Chokwe village in

the territory of Kahemba, Cibulenu

received his elementary educa*on

from North American Mennonite missionaries at Kamayala. He then was sent to

Nyanga for his secondary schooling, and on to study theology in Congo’s capital city at

what is today’s Université Chré�enne de Kinshasa (Chris*an University of Kinshasa).

A�er his studies, Cibulenu returned to Kamayala and moved into church leadership.

However, it soon became apparent that he had a devasta*ng addic*on to alcohol that

made it impossible for him fulfill his responsibili*es. Church officials made arrange-

ments to care for Cibulenu’s wife, Constan*ne, and their children in Kamayala. Then,

they sent Cibulenu back to Kinshasa to be mentored by a Chokwe pastor. “Finally,

admiNng the steady unraveling of his life and the progressive loss of everything and

everyone dear to him, [Cibulenu] turned to God in despera*on, penitence and prayer.

He later would describe this as a drama*c encounter with Christ the Lord,” wrote Jim

Bertsche in CIM/AIMM: A Story of Vision, Commitment and Grace.

Facing his own brokenness and overcoming his addic*on added a humble and

compassionate spirit to Cibulenu’s wisdom. “In the end, this made him an even more

effec*ve church leader,” said Rod Hollinger-Janzen, AIMM Execu*ve Coordinator.

“Cibulenu was elected president of Mennonite Church of Congo a�er years of dys-

func*onal and divisive administra*on by his predecessors. He was able to bring order

to chao*c situa*on and worked to reconcile ethnic rivalries within the denomina*on.”

Cibulenu was also a farmer-entrepreneur who believed that small businesses could

benefit both Mennonite families and help the church in Congo to move toward greater

self-reliance.

During the celebra*on of Mennonite Church of Congo’s centennial anniversary in

2012, Cibulenu made his last great contribu*on to his beloved church. Despite his fail-

ing health, he helped to research and author the French version of biographies of Con-

golese Mennonites, 100 Ans de Mission Mennonite en République Démocra�que du

Congo (100 years of Mennonite Mission in Democra*c Republic of Congo). The English

*tle is The Jesus Tribe.

-from an ar*cle by Lynda Hollinger-Janzen of Mennonite Mission Network

Leland Emmanuel Rocke was

born to Glenn and Ina Rocke in Wauseon,

Ohio near Pioneer, Ohio where Dad was

pastor of the Pioneer Mennonite Church.

Lee passed away on January 4, 2014 at the

Medical University of South Carolina...a

fine research hospital, “with alligators and

water-birds thriving nearby”. Darrel was

with Lee those last days. His body was do-

nated to science.

Lee was proceded in death by his father Glenn Rocke, and is survived by his mother

Ina Rocke and three brothers; Darrel and Jo Rocke, David and Cathie Rocke, Keith

Rocke and Mary Lambert; Nephews Ved and Roy Rocke; Ian and Naomi Rocke,

Deanne (Rocke) and Jamie Schweitzer with daughter Neve; Hilary (Rocke) and Ross

List with daughter Mia, and Ben Rocke.

Lee had re*red early to North Myrtle Beach, SC and was enjoying his life there...but

severe pains sent him to ICU the night of Nov. 18, 2013 where they diagnosed him

with Guillian-Barre Syndrome. Six plus weeks later this diagnosis proved to be lacking.

Yeshua knows the beginning from the end.

Some have suggested that he should have wriGen an autobiography of his life be-

cause of all the various jobs and adventures that he had. Although he wasn’t much on

church going—we do look forward to hearing all his stories in Heaven.

As for a memorial fund—none has been designated. Maybe designate one yourself

and give in his memory. God knows your heart and keeps track of such things.

Memorial “service” opportuni*es may be at the next AIMM MK Reunion in Winnipeg

in July 2014 and at Mom’s birthday celebra*on. She will be 99 on June 27, 2014...and

longs for heaven. - by David

Darrel writes: “Lee’s favorite story was of the young men who re-enacted, with high

drama, for the sake of passers by, the hunt they just witnessed. Lee and I had just le�

the road, shot a paradise bird, a dikwaukwa in Tshiluba, with dad’s shotgun, in the

tangled growth of a new jungle. The Africans put words and gestures to every sound

and movement, for the sake of teaching those newcomers, “all that they had seen

and heard”, as it says in the Bible. That’s how socie*es without wriGen literature

maintain the quality of their language.

We were told the story of Salva*on by a noted evangelis*c preacher from the Presby-

terian Tshiluba speaking system, and we gracefully acknowledged it. We had several

weeks advance no*ce that he was coming, and that his story-telling was spectacular.

That culture knows what he was going to deliver—a descrip*on of God’s rule in natu-

ral order, and in our spiritual way within.

Dad, Glenn, said his favorite course at Taylor University was philosophy, taught by

Milo Rediger. Lee also had a philosophy course at Taylor. The professor tried to per-

suade Lee to pursue a philosophy degree. Just what inputs did Lee have to do that?

He wondered how they could be sufficient. (Much of Milo’s book is devoted to how to

deal with cantankerous students in the late 60s).

Lee was a student of systems; of carburetors, of the trinity of gas, spark, and *ming;

of the safety of diving and pilo*ng; of the ethics of commercial fishing in the Bering

Sea; of the best ways to discuss physics and calculus and color theory and geology,

and compe**on amongst the people and other creatures. And he was disappointed

with his physicians grasp of Big Pictures. And, by contrast, Lee was always interested

in local culture.

Thank you very much for your e-mails, cards and for joining us in our madilu (crying).

Wri0en with the joint efforts of our family.

Darrel, David & Cathie, Keith, and Deanne

Leadership Training in Lesotho

Brian and Tricia Reimer of Manitoba, Canada, former AIMM mission workers in

Lesotho, are returning to that land March 25 to April 10, 2014 to conduct leadership

training for African Ini*ated Churches. AIMM’s Interna*onal Central Council gave its

blessing to this ini*a*ve at its October 2013 mee*ng. Brian writes,

“We, Brian and Tricia Reimer, have once again received an invita*on from Rev. Isaac

Moshoeshoe to go to Lesotho to lead two weekend seminars teaching the leaders of

the churches that Isaac has planted over the last several years. This invita*on origi-

nates from the *me we worked in Lesotho under AIMM, with Isaac, in the 90’s. Two

years ago (Dec. 2011) we returned to visit the churches in Lesotho with our children

to par*cipate in their Christmas celebra*ons and gradua*on celebra*ons of what

Isaac is calling his level one church leaders training program. At that *me Isaac asked

if there was a way I, Brian, could be involved in increasing the level of training for his

church leaders. The discussion that followed resulted in a decision for me to return to

Lesotho in March, 2013 for three weeks to do teaching seminars for the leaders. At

that *me we started working through a series put out by New Tribes mission called

“Firm Founda*ons” which teaches through the story of the Bible from Crea*on to the

Resurrec*on of Christ. “

We have asked EMC/AIMM to

join us in this venture for the

following reasons

To be able to draw from the wisdom,

experience and resources to provide

advice, input and accountability.

To be able to provide charitable

receipts for those who support us

financially.

We are in process of discerning what

God has for us next in life and a re-

turn to Lesotho for a longer term un-

der EMC/AIMM is one of the op�ons

we are considering.

Please keep Brian and Tricia in your prayers as they engage

in this work, and as they discern future direc�on.

Miodi Technical High School Director

Mme. Bernade0e Manya is constantly

looking for ways to improve the school’s

offerings. A couple of years ago, she

approached AIMM reques*ng funds for

the installa*on of a lab which would enable the school to offer basic computer skills courses

to its students, who are in majority young women. In today’s environment, computer skills

and the internet can open the world to those fortunate enough to have access to this tech-

nology and learning, providing a very marketable skill.

Through a combina*on of gi�s provided by Dwight

Short, nephew of former Miodi School Director

Lodema Short, and Mar�ni Janz’s AIMM Women’s

Auxiliary supporters, including the Barkman Found-

a*on, funds were secured and sent. Six computers

have been purchased and the computer lab is up and

running. A television and satellite dish were also

purchased and are currently serving the school. Computer training is a wonderful addi*on to

the sewing skills courses that form the tradi*onal backbone of Lycee Miodi’s offerings.

Computer Lab Helping to Equip

Young Women at the Miodi

Technical High School

We acknowledge with gratitude the call to service

that both John and Tina have shown throughout

their lives. Tina served with MCC in California,

Austria, Germany, Greece and Congo, and with

AIMM in Congo and Lesotho. John served with

MCC in Germany, with International Voluntary

Service in Vietnam, with the Department of Agri-

culture in Papua New Guinea, and with AIMM in

Lesotho.

While serving in Germany for his alternative service John provided material aid to

refugees from World War II. At the end of his term, John was given the opportunity to

deliver an automobile to an American family based in Lebanon. He met the family in

Istanbul, Turkey, and then hitch-hiked back to Germany. While traveling through

Yugoslavia, Greece and Turkey his perspective on service and the needs in the world

changed. He spent several days at the PAX unit in Greece where the focus was on

agriculture development. He says this was a turning point for him in many ways as he

witnessed the work of the PAX men in Greece.

John and Tina were married April 19,1975 in Kinshasa with AIMM missionary Peter

Buller officiating and the missionary community present. Tina joined John in Papua

Tina’s assignments included secretarial work,

hospital accounting, purchasing agent, PAX

house matron, guest house hostess. John’s

assignments included horticulture and

agriculture development. Tina and John’s paths

crossed during the time they were both in Frank-

furt Germany. After leaving Europe (John in

1959 and Tina in 1960) they lost contact with

each other until John saw in a church publication

that Tina was in Congo. He decided to visit Tina

in 1974. After that time their courtship was

through letter writing while John served in

Papua New Guinea and Tina served in Congo.

John & Tina (Warkentin) Bohn

John & Tina while serving in

Papua New Guinea

John & Tina in Lesotho

New Guinea for three years and then in 1978 they moved to Lesotho to work with

AIMM. In Lesotho they joined the AIMM Bible teachers to work with the African

Federal Church Council, a council of African Initiated Churches. Their work focused

on women and rural development.

With the AIMM Bible teachers, John &

Tina participated in providing weekend

conferences. During these conferences

Tina led classes on bookkeeping and

John led classes on how to grow food,

prune fruit trees, sanitation and the safe

use of pesticides. In addition to the

weekend conferences, Tina would meet

with the women in their village and

teach them to sew by hand. One project

was to create a blanket for each of the women. Fabric came from North American

women’s groups in 1989, Tina says, “we met twice a month, and attendance was excel-

lent. Song and prayer always opened our sewing sessions. Conversation never lacked as

needles flew.

John & Tina retired from their overseas

commitments in 1993 and currently live

at Waterford Crossing in Goshen. They

attend the Eighth Street Mennonite Church

and enjoy gathering with AIMM former mis-

sionaries and interested people to prepare

AIMM mailings for the post office and they

participate in monthly lunch meetings for

ministry updates. We are deeply blessed by

John and Tina’s continued involvement in the

work of AIMM.

In a speech at the conclusion of the project,

John compared the blankets to the church.

The patches that make up the tops are the

people, the backing is God’s Word, the

batting symbolizes prayer, and the thread

that holds it all together is love.” Tina went

on to describe the blanket project of 1988 as

a significant opportunity for people to set

aside their differences and focus on their

oneness in Christ.

Joh

n &

Tin

a 2

00

3

Many young people have hesitated giving their

life completely to Christ for fear that He might

send them to Africa. “Home Is Where God

Calls Us” is the story of one young woman,

Lodema Short, who went gladly and discov-

ered her real home. Serving the Lord among

the Congolese people from 1947—1981, she

and other missionaries with the Africa Inter-

Mennonite Mission built a ministry that has im-

pacted numerous lives in every generation

since.

Ron Goertzen Congo Ministry

An*cipa*ng his current Congo visit, here are some excerpts of reflec*ons that Ron

shared with his congrega*on:

• I will no more “fix” the Congo than did genera*ons of missionaries before me.

Yet, as a mentor shared with me, I can be a friend, I can be a bridge between our

two churches, I can be a part of helping shore up the faithful leaders who have

persevered in more trials than we can ever know.

This book is not only an adventure story of mission work in the deepest parts of Africa, author

Dwight Short also outlines how the church today, a legacy of these early missionaries, is con-

tinuing to make a difference in modern day Congo. He also describes how the principles and

practices of these early missionaries can provide guidance in solving current problems.

Even if you are not a candidate for a lifetime of missionary service in Africa, this book will pro-

vide many ways you can still be involved. Serving Christ in Africa might prove to be a place you

can call home.

You can purchase this book by contac*ng the AIMM Office: $25 for hardback $20 for

paperback plus postage

Short Term Congo Trips 2014

A number of AIMM family members from North America are making Congo visits in

2014. Among them:

Fred Suter, along with his son Daniel, and Les Schlegel, will be in Congo March 3 to

April 8 to begin Fred’s “Congo Water Project” ini*a*ve.

Ron Goertzen of Dayspring, a mission ini*a*ve based at the Bethesda Mennonite

Church, Henderson, NE, le� Feb.12 to visit friends and churches in the Kamayala area

of Congo, and will be returning March 5.

Dr. John Martens will again be traveling with Mennonite Church of Congo Medical Co-

ordinator Dr. Gaspard Mahuma for ministry in the church’s hospitals at Ndjoko Punda,

Nyanga, Kamayala and Kalonda. His trip runs from March 8-28.

Charles Buller and Dr. Henry DeLeeuw are traveling to Congo with AIMM Coordinator

Rod Hollinger-Janzen. Charles and Rod leave Feb.24, and will engage in open conver-

sa*on with Mennonite leaders about various ministry possibili*es. Charles returns to

the USA on March 9, which is also Henry’s date of arrival in Kinshasa. Henry and Rod

will visit Kikwit and other loca*ons, returning to the USA on March 19.

Dennis Rempel former AIMM missionary to Burkina Faso, will be in Congo for the

months of April and May, come home in June because of commitments he already had

here and then head back in July for 15-18 months. He will be supervising road building

in Kindu province under Paul Law and Appointment Congo.

• How can the presence of Jesus be made more real in a seNng where it doesn’t

seem that God has been answering prayer…?

• How do our Dayspring projects provide a bit of respite in lives filled with the daily

grind of back breaking work in the fields, hauling water, and hopelessness?

• How is our involvement in the Congo affec*ng the lives of people spiritually?

• Dayspring approved the purchase of the Jesus film [in two local languages] and

needed projec*on equipment. I’m hoping to train others to use it.

Jesus Film Ministry

Con�nues

Vice President Joly Birakara of

Mennonite Church of Congo writes,

“Though the Land Cruiser which

used to take us to faraway places is

currently in need of repair, the

Mennonite Church of Congo has

not stopped its efforts to show the

Jesus film. In December 2013, we showed the film twice, both in Tshikapa. On De-

cember 24 it was shown in the Kangulungu congrega*on, and on December 31 in the

Kamankonde congrega*on. PuNng these two events together, over 1,000 persons

aGended.

North American Mennonite Youth: You are

Invited to Mennonite Church of Congo’s

2014 Youth Bible Camp

Robert Irundu, Na*onal Youth leader for Mennonite

Church of Congo, is working with his team to organize a Bible camp which will be held

at Tshikapa July 13-20, 2014. Robert has made it clear that he would love the par*ci-

pa*on of Chris*an youth from North America. He states, “Please let them know that

we will welcome them with open arms. We want them to come and share their gi�s

and abili*es with us during the camp.”

Mennonite Church of Congo missionary

Seraphin Kutumbana (leH) with Jean Ngangu,

chairperson of the Kimua Mpumu congrega�on

Mission on the Bateke Plateau

Mennonite Church of Congo missionar-

ies to the Bateke, Seraphin Kutumbana

and Romain Sambi, con*nue their

church plan*ng ministry. In 2013 they

taught seminars to representa*ves of

the developing congrega*ons on Chris-

*an witness, chicken raising and peanut

growing.

A highlight was a marriage seminar,

held June 12-13, 2013. 13 couples par-

*cipated, and each one benefiGed from

this ministry. The Nzau couple stated,

“These teachings have changed our

way of life. It is wonderful to live fol-

lowing Christ’s example. My husband

asked me to forgive him for his mis-

takes, something that he was unable to

do before now.” Praise God for this

effec*ve mission work, s*mula*ng and

deepening Chris*an faith.

Camp ac*vi*es will include Bible study, worship, teaching of prac*cal skills like donut-

making that youth can use to earn income, soccer, and community ou*ngs. The main

language at camp will be French, but transla*on will be available to any North Ameri-

cans who decide to par*cipate.

Strengthening Leadership Training in the

Mennonite Brethren

Church of Congo

Church President Gerard Mambakila writes,

“Training congrega*onal leaders in our own

biblical and theological ins*tu*ons is a priority

for our leadership team. We are working to

mobilize our members so that they would send

students for training, and support them finan-

cially and materially. The Prieb Founda�on

[begun by the family of long *me Mennonite

Brethren missionary to Congo Arnold Prieb] helps us with scholarships for our pas-

tors in training, but the assistance is diminishing. This being the case, Mennonite

Brethren Church of Congo’s na*onal leadership team called conference leaders and

Bible ins*tute representa*ves to a two day reflec*on mee*ng to examine the work

of our four Bible ins*tutes, and to seek

ways for our church to take financial

responsibility for this work.

Because of the drop in scholarship

funds, students o�en cannot find funds

to cover all their costs of study. In this

situa*on they can become discouraged,

and leave their studies. One conse-

quence of this, is that our church will

not have enough trained leaders in the

future. At our mee*ng, delegates decid-

ed that once a year congrega*ons in their conferences will organize a worship ser-

vice which will include gathering financial contribu*ons for Bible ins*tute students.”

Mennonite Brethren Church of Congo leaders

and Bible institute representatives

President of the Mennonite Brethren

Church of Congo, Gerard Mambakila

Current Events in the

Evangelical Mennonite Church of Congo

The Evangelical Mennonite Church of Congo (CEM) appears to have struggled with

issues of unity since its incep*on in 1962. This legacy has con*nued in recent years, as

a leadership dispute between two groups involving varying interpreta*ons of the

church’s cons*tu*on has led Mennonite World Conference to withhold CEM’s par*ci-

pa*on at its gatherings.

Leadership elec*ons were held in August 2013, redone in October 2013, then done for

a third *me in November 2013. The currently elected President is Pastor Jean Felix

Cimbalanga. However, there are two groups within the church which raise ques*ons

about this latest elec*on. One, led by former President Benjamin Mubenga, claims

that these elec*ons were unfairly manipulated by Cimbalanga’s camp. The other

group, led by Patrice Kaboya, disagrees with both Cimbalanga’s and Mubenga’s

groups and claims that during these elec*ons and in other recent church gatherings,

church representa*vity as defined by the CEM cons*tu*on has not been respected.

AIMM’s Interna�onal Central Council (ICC) has recently taken the ini*a*ve in this sit-

ua*on. In both October and December of 2013, reconcilia*on delega*ons were sent

to Mbuji Mayi in the hope of building momentum so that all three groups would be

willing to come together to aGempt to tackle cons*tu*onal reform and other long

term needs. A third delega*on is being planned for March 2014. It will be led by ICC

President Siaka Traore, accompanied by ICC Secretary Gerard Mambakila and Pastor

Fabienne Kidinda. Please pray for the success of their efforts.

AIMM Missionary Kid Reunion

♦ Date: July 11, 3 p.m. to July 13 at 2 p.m. 2014

♦ Location: McIvor Ave Mennonite Brethren Church , 200 McIvor Ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2G 0Z8

Canada, 204-339-1691 www.mcivorchurch.com

♦ Registration: please pay on-sight —$35 per person, with any overage going to a project we choose.

♦ PRE-REGISTRATION: Please email your intention to attend to Lola at lola@aimmintl.org or call

574-535-0077

♦ Lodging suggestions :The Inn at the Forks Phone—1 855 238 6635, 5.15 miles away from the

church or Place Louis Riel Suite Hotel Phone—1 855 236 6367, 5.24 miles from the church or Econo

Lodge Winnipeg Phone– 1 855 236 9144, 5.22 miles from the church. All have continental break-

fast.

Noon and evening meals will be provided at the church and will include a west

African ground nut stew, bedia with chicken and matamba. There will be a time

to share stories and current photos of your family with an open mic for

discussions, questions and answers, readings, music or any thing else you

have.

If you have questions please feel free to contact:

John & Carolyn Voth jwvoth@gmail.com 918-476-5166

David & Cathie Rocke dcrocke@netins.net 515-233-4508

Darrel Rocke manytrees@comcast.net 215-258-2541

For schedule and more details please feel free to contact Lola Gingerich at the AIMM

Goshen office by email lola@aimmintl.org or phone 574-535-0077.

Congo Water Project Update

Fred Suter con*nues his plans for going to the D R Congo in March 2014 with his son, DJ,

and his friend Les Schlegel from Nebraska. The plan is to upgrade the ram pump water sys-

tem for the hospital in the village of Ndjoko Punda. Then work will start with a team of in-

terested Congolese to drill one or two water wells in the Tshikapa area.

The hand-drilling auger kit which was purchased from the Water4 group in Oklahoma City

along with galvanized pipe and some PVC pipe has been shipped through the IMA World

Health group located in Maryland. The container le� the port of Bal*more on December

14th and should have arrived in the capital, Kinshasa, by February 14. This should be

enough *me for these materials to be in the city of Tshikapa for Fred’s arrival in March.

Thank you to all who have sent support for this project.

Workmen on the “water

commi0ee” from Ndjoko

Punda are digging a trench

across a road to bury the

water line which runs

beween the spring and the

hospital.