 Reminders of God's love in the Democratic Republic of Congo |
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by David and Lori Persons |
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David and Lori Persons and their children are a missionary family of The United Methodist Church serving in the Republic of the Congo. An excerpt of a recent newsletter stresses the importance of progress of higher education in the war torn region. We are constantly reminded of God’s love and blessings to us this past year. We are so grateful for His provision for the Seminary. You are a very large part of this expression of love and provisions. We are humbled by your generosity and faithfulness. God bless you for being such an intricate part of what God is doing in this part of His world. We recently opened the Methodist University in Katanga at Mulungwishi. With the Seminary (which already has its recognition by the national university system, as the cornerstone of the university) we have added colleges of Educational Science and Information Technology. This venture is a huge leap of faith by the North Katanga and Southern Congo Episcopal Areas. The church feels a keen responsibility in the reconstruction of the Congo, where the aftermath of war has decimated the population at every level. The University is part of the answer in meeting this challenge. The young people need to be trained to take position of service within the community. This year, there are 36 students in the Seminary; 35 in the Women’s School and 27 in Colleges of education and Information Technology. Be in much prayer for this venture and the students and faculty. We have shared with you through the years, growth of our Seminary staff. Dr. Kasap Owan is now the President of the University. He, himself, is a product of Mulungwishi having received his theological training at the seminary. He served as a pastor in the Southern Congo Episcopal Area, and as a teaching assistant at the Seminary prior to traveling to Europe where he received his Ph.D. in Practical Theology from the Protestant Faculty of Brussels. The Pacific Northwest Annual Conference has taken strong leadership in the effort of partnering with the Southern Congo Episcopal Area in the initiatives to meet needs. A container of clothing for the orphanage in Lubumbashi, medical supplies for the dispensaries and hospitals and computers for the University was received. Several graduates of the national university in computer science just stood in amazement at the sight of installation by a Danish missionary. The students had gone through the university with only one computer! Others had their degree but had studied theory and never touched a keyboard! We can’t forget the many of you who have continually provided scholarships and funds to run the Seminary. All of your efforts translate into lives of your Congolese brothers and sisters taking their place in ministry for the Lord. Our God is such a good and generous God . Thank you again for being a conduit for His love.
Date posted: Apr 14, 2003 |
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