WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA UNITED METHODIST CONFERENCE VOLUNTEER IN MISSION BUILDING TEAMS TO CONSTRUCT PARSONAGE FOR NAZARETH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, KASUNGAMI, DRC

CHILD ACTION INITIATIVE NEWSLETTER           AUGUST 12, 2011

The Western North Carolina United Methodist Conference (WNCUMC) Building Team Committee will send up to three Volunteer in Mission (UMVIM) Building Teams in 2012 to construct a parsonage for Nazareth UMC, Kasungami, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Nazareth UMC is the church with which Child Action Initiative (CAI) is affiliated to educate AIDS orphans and initiate other programs in the community of over 40,000 people. CAI was founded by Africa University graduate Esaie (Isaiah) Njimbu Chot in 2006 to provide orphan education programs; drill wells; provide medical services; initiate a sustainable agriculture & development program and construct a parsonage for Nazareth UMC.

Max Kern, a member of Oak Ridge United Methodist Church, Oak Ridge, NC, USA and chairman of the WNCUMC Building Team Committee has agreed to lead the first building team June 15 -30, 2012 to Kasungami. Max, a general contractor by profession, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this project: he has served on 22 international building teams, 10 of these as building team leader to Guatemala, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Cuba, Chile, Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Armenia, Israel/Palestine and Haiti. He has also led 12 domestic building teams to North Carolina and Iowa as well as the Gulf coast of the U.S. following hurricane Katrina.

Anyone interested in a life changing experience and joining Max’s Building Team June 15-30, 2012 please register. If you have any questions please contact: Max at (phone: 336-643-7297 or e-mail: hmaxkern@gmail.com) or Ed or Bev Wentz (phone: 336-643-3007; e-mail: ewentz1@triad.rr.com).

In the event the June, 2012 dates do not suit your schedule, additional building teams will visit Kasungami July 13 - 27, 2012 and August 10 - 24, 2012. Please sign up accordingly.

If you are a qualified Team Leader and interested in leading Team 2 (July 13 – 27, 2012) or Team 3 (August 10 - 24, 2012) please contact us at the above telephone numbers or e-mail addresses.

If you are interested in participating on any of the three parsonage building teams please go to: www.wnccumc.org/vim/bgt-ScheduleStatus.htm:

A. Access 2012 WNCC Building Team Essential Information;

B. Access 2012 Projects for all countries. Scroll down to Congo, Democratic Republic of the, for information on the project;

C. Application/Medical Forms.

NOTE: The deadline for Nazareth UMC Parsonage Building Team member applications (WITH PASTOR’S SIGNATURE) to be submitted no later than January 14, 2012.

There will be a Building Team orientation meeting January 14, 2012, at 10 A.M. at Oak Ridge UMC, Oak Ridge, NC

Total cost for the 16 day trip to DRC is $3,300 (based on departure from North Carolina through Dulles International Airport, Virginia). This includes airfare, room and board at Nazareth UMC, Kasungami, DRC and the United Methodist Guest House in Lubumbashi, DRC. Total cost is contingent upon point of departure and air fare.

Team members will also assist raising $5,000 in donations per team to cover cost of construction materials for their phase of the parsonage construction. Donations for building materials for the parsonage may be sent to: Oak Ridge United Methodist Church, 2424 Oak Ridge Rd., Oak Ridge, NC, 27310, USA. Please indicate in Memo: Nazareth UMC Parsonage Building Material Fund.

You are also invited to attend the Volunteers in Mission Rally & Reunion at Western North Carolina United Methodist Conference, Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, Oct. 7 - 9, 2011 to meet building team leaders and prospective team members. Please go to: www.wnccumc.org/vim/bgt-Rally.htm for additional information. Attendance at the rally/reunion is not a requirement to participate on a Building Team. However, attending the rally introduces interested parties to other individuals and team leaders who have the common goal of serving others.

In His Service,

Bev & Ed Wentz

U.S. (UMVIM) Coordinators for Child Action Initiative
Oak Ridge United Methodist Church
Oak Ridge, NC
Greensboro District
Western North Carolina United Methodist Conference

Matthew 28 vs. 19: ……”Go therefore and make disciples of all nations”……

DEDICATION OF WELLS PROVIDED BY CHILD ACTION INITIATIVE AND WORLD VISION IN KASUNGAMI, DRC

CHILD ACTION INITIATIVE NEWSLETTER   MAY 17, 2011

In the previous edition we outlined the events leading up to the completion of the Child Action Initiative (CAI) well drilling project in Kasungami, DRC which spanned a period of 4-1/2 years. See blogspot for archived editions.

The following narrative and photographs by Isaiah Njimbu Chot describes the dedication of the wells on March 22, 2011:

DEDICATION OF THREE WELLS IN KASUNGAMI

On the morning of Tuesday March 22nd, 2011, Kasungami community was extremely honored with the presence of Lubumbashi Mayor’s representative, World Vision staff, UNICEF delegate, community leaders, various officers including local chiefs, children, women and men who attended the dedication of the community wells,

Until recently, most Kasungami Community had taken for granted the safety of their drinking water. The events alerted all of them, have stimulated and reminded the importance of effective health prevention. Also the event was a best opportunity to inform and sensitize the population through speeches, role playing and songs to protect drinking water to reduce the risk of waterborne illnesses.

The community drank dirty water with parasites and bad sanitation conditions. People attempted to combat waterborne diarrhea and guinea worm disease, but they were unsuccessful. So we recognize that we are fortunate in Kasungami to have these wells. “Thanks to the generosity of donors of The Water Project, the entire community will benefit from safe drinking water”, said the children.

World Vision director: “We would find it extremely difficult to drill wells this year if other people could not do something to help. Because of the generous donations sent to Child Action Initiative for the water project, we were able to continue with this effort to take it beyond that to helping the people with safe water. We appreciate to partner in these collaborative efforts for the first time. The community should then protect and maintain these pumps.”

Representative of the City of Lubumbashi Mayor's Office: “On behalf of the Lubumbashi City, we truly appreciate Child Action Initiative’s work for providing three wells to the community. We recognize, as you do, the valuable role you play in building brighter futures for Congo’s next generation. It is through the positive efforts of people like you that we can “Change a Lifetime” for a child in need. We appeal to your donors to do more wells which will help many families to have access to safe and protected drinking water all through the day. People can survive much longer without food then without water. Thank you for your continuing support.”

Therefore, after experiencing the first event dedicating the three wells, the community pumped with eager anticipation, praising God when water flowed freely. The people were excited to begin using their new source of clean water.

Reported by

Isaiah Njimbu Chot
CAI Founder and Executive Director



On behalf of the residents of Kasungami, we wish to thank everyone for their prayers and financial support of the well drilling project over the past 4-1/2 years. Your support has has been a blessing. Now, we will focus on: a. Implementation of a developmental farming program to enable the residents to raise crops to improve their health, nutrition and become self-sufficient; b. Creation of United Methodist Volunteer in Mission Building Teams to construct a parsonage for Nazareth United Methodist Church, the summer of 2012 and c. Purchase a vehicle for Isaiah's use to enable him to more efficiently serve the people of Kasungami.


Blessings,

Isaiah Njimbu Chot, Dave Heiser, Bev and Ed Wentz

Bev Wentz, R.N. (Retired) ; Ed Wentz, P.E. (Retired)
U.S. UMVIM Coordinators for Child Action Initiative
Oak Ridge United Methodist Church, Oak Ridge, NC
Greensboro District, Western North Carolina United Methodist Conference

Dave Heiser, P.E., B.C.E.E.
U.S. UMVIM Technical Advisor for Child Action Initiative
Fuquay Varina United Methodist Church, Fuquay Varina, NC
Raleigh District, North Carolina United Methodist Conference

School Children Dancing at the Well Dedication Ceremony



Children thanking the donors for the wells



World Vision Director, center, Arlette Ngonso and Julie of World Vision





World Vision Director’s representative, School's coordinator, Isaiah Njimbu Chot,  Mayor’s representative, Assistant to the Bishop’s representative, UNICEF delegate. Woman sitting with yellow and green, is Nazareth UMC lay leader



Kasungami Chief with drinking glass, plate and bowl for the dedication ceremony



World Vision Director’s representative, Julie, DS’ secretary, Education Coordinator, Nazareth Pastor, Isaiah Njimbu Chot, Mayor’s representative, Assistant to the Bishop’s representative, UNICEF delegate,

Deacon Tshilomobo DS’ Secretary, Ms Sylvia, Rev Jacques, Isaiah and Arlette Ngonso



WELL DRILLING PROJECT FOR THE PEOPLE OF KASUNGAMI, DRC

CHILD ACTION INITIATIVE AND WORLD VISION COMPLETE WELL DRILLING PROJECT IN KASUNGAMI, DRC

CHILD ACTION INITIATIVE NEWSLETTER                     MAY 2, 2011

With the Grace of God and a concerted effort by many following four and one half years of praying, planning, and fund raising the well drilling project in Kasungami, DRC has been completed. Thanks to the assistance of the dedicated staff of Christian engineers, geologists and well drillers in World Vision’s Lubumbashi, DRC office this need has been fulfilled. This was made possible through negotiations by Isaiah Njimbu Chot, Founder & Executive Director of Child Action Initiative (CAI) and Dave Heiser, Technical Advisor with CAI, during their meeting with World Vision personnel July, 2010.

World Vision expressed gratitude to Isaiah and Dave for CAI’s primary mission working with and educating AIDS orphans and for this reason decided this was a project worthy of their support which benefits many.

In December, 2010 World Vision began delivering well drilling materials and supplies to Kasungami and meeting with the residents to discuss water use, conservation and sanitation. The drilling of the first of three wells in Kasungami, DRC was started in early January, 2011. (See photographs below) One of these wells is located on the property of Nazareth United Methodist Church (UMC), the focal point of CAI.

We are grateful to everyone who contributed to this project: A $15,000 donation from Hershey Rotary Club, Hershey, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. and additional sums from anonymous donors. Kasungami residents now have access to a larger supply of clean drinking water.

In a recent e-mail Isaiah Njimbu Chot wrote:

THREE NEW WELLS FOR THE COMMUNITY IN KASUNGAMI

December 20th 2010 was another beautiful day as World Vision started delivering drilling materials in Kasungami. It was a happy and joyous moment for people. Happy faces of the aged mothers and fathers together with the young men and women and their children expecting to get new wells for safe drinking water.

After putting everything in place, World Vision people started drilling with the participation of the community and church members:

January 7th -8th the first well was drilled at the community Maternity Building. January 10th -11th 2011 the second well was drilled at Nazareth United Methodist Church. January 13th -14th 2011, the third and last well was drilled at Church of God.

The parents, guardians and community members came in large numbers to witness the well drilling. Everyone wanted to say thank you. Many of them reported that now it will enable (them) to avoid getting sick from water disease because drinking clean water will be available at their households.

There was one woman who gave a testimony describing the new well as their only savior. She said:

“They have been suffering from water related diseases for example, typhoid as a result of taking turbid, muddy water, she also added that they had difficult time to concentrate on their daily activities such as going to school and to church instead they were forced to walk miles away looking for dirty water.”

Now she believes that this will never happen again with this new well near them. On behalf of the orphans and Kasungami community she expressed thanks to the donors for caring (for) the lives of the community by providing them with safe clean water.

One man stood and said:

“We are the most blessed and now we look like other human beings, we never thought to have a well in our area. GOD came inside you people and brought life to us.”

On behalf of the community and children he was very thankful to the UMVIM Child Action Initiative coordinators for being ambassadors and Hershey Rotary Club in Pennsylvania and other donors funding the project.

Watch for the next issue of this newsletter which will feature the dedication ceremonies of the wells during which many local dignitaries were in attendance.
Blessings,

Isaiah Njimbu Chot, Dave Heiser, Bev & Ed Wentz

Isaiah Njimbu Chot
Founder & Executive Director of Child Action Initiative
The United Methodist Church South Congo & Zambia Episcopal Area
Lubumbashi, DRC

Bev Wentz, R.N. (Retired),  Ed Wentz, P.E. (Retired)
U.S. UMVIM Coordinators for Child Action Initiative
Oak Ridge United Methodist Church, Oak Ridge, NC
Greensboro District,  Western North Carolina United Methodist Conference

Dave Heiser, P.E., B.C.E.E.
U.S. UMVIM Technical Advisor for Child Action Initiative
Fuquay Varina United Methodist Church, Fuquay Varina, NC
Raleigh District,  North Carolina United Methodist Conference

ISAIAH HEALTH AND WHOLENESS

       

  CHILD ACTION INITIATIVE NEWSLETTER           APRIL 4, 2011

Follow Isaiah Njimbu Chot as he describes life in Kasungami, DRC. You will see villagers, some of the homes, the area and meet Tete and David who were orphaned and abandoned until a kind woman found them and they traveled to Kasungami where the woman knew she would find help through Child Action Initiative. Tete and David are living with their benefactor, attending school and feel safe and loved.

Isaiah founded Child Action Initiative, in 2006 to educate orphans. The program has been expanded to provide new drinking water sources, improved medical services, rebuild Nazareth United Methodist Church and parsonage and construct latrines and a developmental agriculture program.



Please consider making a donation to Child Action Initiative through United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries Advance No.: 3021036. Please click on the DONATE button and follow easy steps. 100% of all donations go to Child Action Initiative and are tax deductible.

Thank you Jan Snider with United Methodist Communications for on-site interviews in Kasungami and Henri Giles, free lance writer and TV producer, Nashville, TN, for producing this informative DVD.

Blessings,

Bev and Ed Wentz, Dave Heiser

Beverly A. Wentz, R.N. (Retired; Edward L. Wentz, Jr., P.E. (Retired)

U.S. (UMVIM) Coordinators for Child Action Initiative
Oak Ridge United Methodist Church
Oak Ridge, NC
Greensboro District
Western North Carolina United Methodist Conference

David Heiser, P.E.

U.S. (UMVIM) Technical Advisor for Child Action Initiative
Fuquay Varina United Methodist Church
Fuquay Varina, NC
Raleigh District
North Carolina United Methodist Conference

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

CHILD ACTION INITIATIVE CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS WITH CHILDREN, PARENTS, GUARDIANS AND PASTORS

CHILD ACTION INITIATIVE NEWS LETTER     -      JANUARY 16, 2011

In a recent e-mail received from Child Action Initiative (CAI), founder Isaiah (Esaie) Njimbu Chot wrote:

“On December 18, 2010 a CAI Christmas celebration was organized with children, parents, guardians and pastors in attendance. The Children sang Christmas songs and read biblical verses in connection with Christ’s birth. Children playing the roles of angels and shepherds announced the good news of Christ’s birth. It was a very exciting event for all.”

“The World Vision Administrator for the Kasungami Area was in attendance and brought musical instruments for the celebration and blue and white material to be sewn into school uniforms” by the women.

“Child Action Initiative provided clothing as gifts and refreshments for the children.”

Isaiah stated: “This event was so important. Many orphaned children are not often lucky to enjoy such kind of event after the death of their parents. Due to socio-economic conditions many parents would prefer to buy clothes, food and organize gifts for their children but cannot afford them. Many orphaned children are neglected with no one to care for them. Their hearts are broken when they remember their parents who they cannot see again. So they need affection.”

CHILD ACTION INITIATIVE PROGRESS DURING 2010:

• 52 children successfully completed the school program for 2009 & 2010. These children were enrolled in the program for 2010 & 2011 school year;

• First phase of the Women's & Children’s Activity Center was completed. 10 women completed the sewing and knitting vocational training classes taught by Isaiah’s wife, Yvette. We are hopeful they will be able to market their products to earn income. A pharmacy has been added to the Center and is expected to open soon to dispense over the counter drugs as required;

• Nazareth UMC received new windows provided by Dave Heiser during his visit to Kasungami the summer of 2010; new doors were provided by an anonymous donor; dirt floors were replaced with a new concrete floor; the steeple was reconstructed and a cross added, various repairs to the brick structure were made. The corrugated steel roofing was donated by the local Catholic Mission. Labor was provided by church members ;

• Isaiah continues to enlist volunteer doctors and nurses from various United Methodist Churches in nearby City of Lubumbashi to periodically visit Kasungami and provide much needed medical services;

• The construction of two latrines and hand wash facility which was started at Nazareth United Methodist Church (UMC) this summer by Dave Heiser and Isaiah, has been completed by Isaiah and church members;

• September, 2010, Dave Heiser met with Ms. June Kim Coordinator of UMCOR’s Sustainable Agriculture & Development (SA&D) program. This meeting enabled Dave to learn about the programs goals and objectives and how it will benefit CAI;

• Dave Heiser, Bev and Ed provided Power Point CAI presentations at our respective home churches in 2010. In early October, we were invited to make a presentation to The Foundry, a very large Sunday school class at Edenton Street United Methodist Church (ESUMC), Raleigh, NC. Dave was also invited to meet with the Congo Subcommittee at ESUMC to discuss the scope of CAI to determine if there is mutual interest in working with or supporting CAI.

Women's and Children’s Activity Center

Thank you for your continued prayers and support of Child Action Initiative.

Blessings,

Bev & Ed Wentz, Dave Heiser

Beverly A. Wentz, R.N. (Retired) & Edward L. Wentz, Jr., P.E. (Retired)
U.S. UMVIM Coordinators for Child Action Initiative
Oak Ridge United Methodist Church
Oak Ridge, NC
Greensboro District
Western North Carolina United Methodist Conference

David M. Heiser, P.E., B.C.E.E.
U.S. UMVIM Technical Advisor for Child Action Initiative
Fuquay Varina United Methodist Church
Fuquay Varina, NC
Raleigh District
North Carolina United Methodist Conference