A letter from Bob and Kristi Rice in Congo
April 2011
We lurch along the dirt road from Luebo to Mueka, deep in the rural northern part of West Kasai. We notice some palm branches stuck in the ground at the side of the road — a clear sign of welcome to expected visitors. Then we see several people standing in the road, waving. As we approach the village of Bongo-Tshiela, we hear whoops and yells, and a man approaches the vehicle, dancing passionately. We say to the excited villagers that we will meet them at the church. The car is immediately surrounded by people, and we realize that we have no choice but to get out and walk. The procession to the church feels somewhat like a parade with everyone participating — we shake hands as we walk, and the height of excitement is electrifying. The yells and singing is deafening, and the dancing and movement almost too much to take in. We encounter a traditional warrior-dancer on the road, who comes to welcome us with vigorous dancing.
We enter the church, and are seated at the front, facing a crowd that is pressed in as if at a rock concert. A choir sings, then the pastor prays, while a buzz of excitement continues in the air. All of the visitors are introduced, including Pastor Mboyamba, the newly elected legal representative for the Presbyterian Community of Congo (CPC). Pastor Mboyamba shares with the crowd that this journey is important for helping us to get a “snapshot” of the life of the church in rural regions. We are given an opportunity to speak also, and Bob declares to everyone that in this village of Bongo-Tshiela it feels like we are in heaven with the angels, given the joy and excitement of the crowd. After the introductions, we are ushered across the village to the pastor’s house, where we are served a meal. This is the fifth meal we have been served on this day, and no one is hungry. But we eat a little anyway, and drink the local palm wine to appreciate their hospitality. We get back on the road, chuckling that in this village Pastor Mboyamba has gived a goat, so that he only remained with six in the back of the Land Cruiser.
This Kuba warrior-dancer welcomed us into Bongo-Tshiela.
Our brief stop in Bongo-Tshiela was a highlight of our recent 10-day journey. On this journey, we spent time in three different “hubs” of the church in the northern part of our province. In each location we met with leaders of the women, the youth, the laity and the pastors. They described for us how they operate, what projects they are doing and what their hopes and struggles are. We asked lots of questions, trying to get a picture of how God is at work in these distant villages. We heard lots of needs expressed, and dreams of what could be done, and sometimes felt lost about where we can focus our energies.
Pastor Mboyamba told us that because travel is so difficult in Kasai, these rural churches often feel “forgotten”. A visit from leaders in the church and foreign missionaries is a significant boost to their spirits. After our visit, there will probably be a surge in attendance at the church, as others in the village are impressed at the value shown to the parish community. Some of those who visit will hear and believe in God’s grace to forgive sin. We know that the gospel and assurance of eternal life has power to give people hope.
The outside of Isalele church’s building. They constructed out of bamboo poles and palm fronds.
One of the visits that impressed us was a new parish in the village of Bulape. The Isalele (“Israel” in Tshiluba) parish was established last year and is already a large, thriving community. They built a temporary structure of bamboo and palm fronds themselves, and the care and effort they took in the construction is admirable (see our online photo album[p1]). Buildings are one of the biggest challenges for the rural church. It is hard to see the churches with crumbling walls or the classrooms that do not have roofs. When the poverty is so severe, it is hard to know how to encourage the parish communities while also challenging them to creatively use the resources they have locally.
This journey certainly helped to open our eyes to the life and needs in the rural communities. We toured a couple of CPC’s hospitals in the region and heard of the needs of medicines, mattresses and staff. We saw many schools with eager students crowded into temporary stick structures. We heard the complaints of several rural parishes whose congregants are without a pastor. Everywhere, nearly the first need we heard was for Bibles and songbooks.
We have come to Kasai to live and work with our Congolese brothers and sisters. Our presence is a tangible symbol for them that they are not alone. We know that the good news Jesus proclaimed transforms lives and brings freedom. We work alongside the CPC, seeking to strengthen the church in depth and reach. We are encouraged by these glimpses of how God is at work, even though sometimes it takes extra effort for us to untangle the vast cultural differences and physical challenges which lie on the surface.
In the midst of the poverty and the harsh environment in Congo, the power of the gospel shines brightly. The joy and the excitement that we encountered in villages like Bongo-Tshiela are reminders to us of God’s power to heal and transform. Their experience of peace and wholeness in God is what prompts such exuberant hopefulness. God cares about the Congolese and grieves at the physical suffering here. We, too, look forward with anticipation to how God wants to grow His church in Congo. Please pray with us that all that God desires here would be accomplished!
Grace and peace,
Bob and Kristi
The 2011 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 61
