Child Action Initiative: October 2013

DEDICATION OF THE NAZARETH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH PARSONAGE, KASUNGAMI, DRC

Following are excerpts of a recent email received from Isaiah Njimbu Chot, Founder & Executive Director of Child Action Initiative providing an account of the recent dedication of the parsonage in Kasungami, DRC. Included are photographs of the parsonage under construction and of the dedication.

Sunday June 9, 2013, was a phenomenal day at Nazareth United Methodist Church Kasungami, DRC. Local municipal authorities, Episcopal area officers, leaders of the Bishop Katembo District, pastors, church members and members from other church congregations, mission organizations including World Vision and villagers were excited about this event and enjoyed witnessing this memorial dedication and historical event. It was exciting, meaningful and most importantly an enriching learning experience that people will never forget in Kasungami and the South Congo United Methodist Annual Conference.

Speeches were presented by the lay leader of Nazareth UMC, Isaiah Njimbu Chot and the Bishop’s Representative, Rev. Chibambo Shebele. The lay leader especially thanked American brothers and sisters in Christ who, through their donations and talents, made this project truly benefit the church and its dreams.
Isaiah related, "During Bev and Ed Wentz’s visit to Lubumbashi and Kasungami in 2008, they learned the minister at that time, Pastor Jean Kalau Zombil and his wife Esther, lived several miles from Nazareth United Methodist Church. It was difficult for them to visit the church without transportation and minister to the congregation, especially during the rainy season. During a meeting with the church members the need for a parsonage was raised to enable the pastor and his family to live close by. After more than four years the building team was organized and funds were raised under the leadership of Max Kern and his team: Shirley Kern, Dave Heiser, Amy Hurley, Jayne James and Bill Baxter. It was so amazing for them to visit June 15–30, 2012, and begin construction of the parsonage.

Before dedicating the parsonage, Rev. Shebele, the Bishop’s representative, blessed people who first gathered together to come up with the idea of building the parsonage and the building team from the United States of America who did a great job in helping to get the project underway by fund-raising and then begin building the structure with the help of members of the church.

The congregation assembled outside the door of the new parsonage with joy and grateful hearts to join in this act of dedication. Rev. Shebele declared the parsonage to be a place where the Nazareth pastor will rest, nurture his family and prepare God’s people for the abundant life. After receiving the keys to the Parsonage from Isaiah, she prayed for the house; opened the door; and advised the church to maintain it properly.

Everyone had a great time and shared food with joy. Thanks for doing such a wonderful job and making this event happen!"

By (Isaiah) Esaie Njimbu Chot

The following was written by Shirley Kern when she returned from Kasungami in 2012. This article summarized the experiences of the building team led by her husband Max Kern. The team began construction of the parsonage for Nazareth United Methodist Church, Kasungami, DRC June 15 to June 30, 2012.

"When a Fork is Not Just a Fork!"

"Isaiah joined us often and one night he was thanking us for the medicine, clothes, shoes, toys, school supplies, etc. we had brought with us. He made a statement to us that had us scratching our heads. He said, "sometimes a fork is not just a fork". He further explained, every single thing we brought had a purpose and God knew who would get each and everything sent. Each dose of medicine had a name on it, each pair of shoes was desperately needed by a particular child unknown but to God. This became evident when I saw two sisters standing side by side. One sister had on the left shoe and one sister had on the right shoe because there was only one pair of shoes for them. Sometimes when we send something small and seemingly trivial to us, someone there is in desperate need of it. He went on to say, it might just be a fork to us, but to them it represents something they desperately need. So, everything we send fulfills a need someone there desperately has. They were SO VERY THANKFUL for everything we brought with us. Thanks to all of you for your donations. They were received with such gratitude!"

As Shirley also stated in her article, "We had hoped the Western North Carolina United Methodist Conference Building Team program would have been able to send three teams to build the Nazareth United Methodist Church parsonage and raise the $15,000 for building materials, but only six people could make this commitment."

In a conversation we had before the team left for DRC, Max Kern stated, "God chose this team!"

This accomplishment demonstrates what two groups of people of different cultures can do through faith and the belief in God.

Contributions can be made to Child Action Initiative Advance Special 3021036.

Blessings,

Bev & Ed Wentz
U.S. Coordinators/Advocates for Child Action Initiative
Oak Ridge UMC, Oak Ridge, NC
Northern Piedmont Conference
Western North Carolina Conference