2015: January to June 2015

News from Kinshasa

I made home safely Wednesday, May 06 2015 night, and I am praising God who took me to D R Congo again to serve him and his people in my motherland.  According to the work calendar produced by Central Africa and DR C office two trainings and meetings with schools' leaders were scheduled during this trip. 

Training in Lubumbashi, Katanga & Kinshasa

Lubumbashi in Katanga province was the first target for training: Rev. Romain Mulumba went there and more than seventy people attended the training and the introduction presentation about ACSI and Christian Schools.  All of the expenses were covered by the school in Lubumbashi and it was a wonderful experience to reach out in the southwest side of the country. 

The second training held in Kinshasa at Samuel Levi.  59 teachers and schools staffs attended the training which was based in introduction in ACSI, in other words, what it is ACSI, what we believe and do.  The attendees reviewed the three modules of the elephant’s project that means Rev. Mitogo taught the fundament of Christian Education, Spiritual formation and philosophy of Education. 

Exploring Kongo Central Province

Route de Matadi 

Route de Matadi 

At Boma in the province of Kongo Central there were two important missions to accomplish:  First step was to meet with the president of Christian Alliance University in Boma, that it is located at 700 Km from Kinshasa.  Finally I had to set up training program with the coordinators of schools in the area. 

First step, I met with Rev. Ngoma Nzita, the president of UAC, we discussed the opportunity to incorporate the eight modules to prepare chaplains for the region, and the collaboration that should exist between ACSI DR C office and the University, as it is preparing to start the college of education.  In sum we established a principle to work together in the coming year to prepare teachers and school leaders for the Bas Fleuve region (Bas Fleuve region is located after Matadi going toward the boarder of Angola), and D R Congo in general. 

Rev Lubika, Assistant Prof. of Worship and Practical

Elementary School "Children of Sarah" in Boma 

Finally, I met the president and schools coordinator of Evangelical Community of Christian Alliance in Congo (CEAC).  Together we agree in the collaboration and training of the majority of teachers to understand the ministry of ACSI in D R Congo, and we planned for potential training for next summer especially from July 10 to 17, 2015.  For membership contribution with the coordinator we put a strategy for next year and to be more efficient by reaching more of the protestant schools in the province, the coordinator advised to meet with the provincial coordinator, Mr. Bungena in Matadi.  I set up appointment to meet with him in Mbanza Ngungu. 

Next trip in Kongo Central Province was to meet with the provincial coordinator and the Baptist Community coordinator in Mbanza Ngungu.  Unfortunately, Mr. Bungena was busy to prepare the state exams, and also it was raining he could not come to Mbanza Ngungu, Kongo Central province from Kimpese.  Therefore, I spoke and set an agreement with the CBFC schools coordinator and charged him to talk to other school leaders from the region about ACSI; and I promise to follow up with him during the vacation period, which it is from July 02 to September 03.  Mbanza Ngungu is located at 150 km of Kinshasa and takes 6 hours to get there from public transportation if it does not rain and the traffic is opened. 

National Association of Christian Schools

Mrs & Mr Kalume, Samuel Levi 

 I had opportunity to gather some of the school leaders and we talked about the creation and organization of the National Association of Christian Schools in D R Congo.  During the meetings the participants recommended that director to pursue conversation with the lawyer Augustin Tshakeni whom I personally met and discuss all legal requirements to organize an organization in D R Congo.  We conclude to continue the conversation during my next trip or during summer. 

National Christian Educators’ Day: May 02, 2015 

Participants of the first Celebration of Christian Educators' Day 

On May 02, 2015 forty-six Christian educators from different schools in Kinshasa gathered in local church of CBFC- Lisala to pray and meditate the word of God.  The ceremony was led by Rev. Romain Mulumba and Rev. Mitogo Opira who preached about Unity.  This is the first ceremony and all of attendees wished to have it again next years.  Therefore the first Saturday of the month of May 2016 all Christian educators in D R Congo will celebrate a special day for Christian educators.  I am thinking to make it a celebration day for prayer and encouragement.

Meeting with ECC’s Schools leaders

Under the leadership Justin Lubaki the current ECC Kinshasa province schools coordinator we discussed the issue of schools contribution.  During the meeting, I requested that each coordinator should deposit their contribution to the ACSI office instead of sending to the provincial office, and the amount current must be revisited and determined to allow the ACSI office to properly function, and it will be better to fix it before the next school year.  We did not conclude the discussion but we have to continue it this summer. 

Upcoming event

1.    July 10 to 25, 2015: Schools leaders Introduction to ACSI and Training in the first book (Module 1 to 3) at Boma, Kongo Central Province

2.    July meeting with school leaders to discuss the membership and National Association

3.    August 3 to 7, 2015: Missionary Conference at Ark of Covenant Church

4.    August : High Education Conference in Uganda

5.    August 16 to 22: Coordinators meeting with Samson Makhado

6.    August 28 to 29: First Bible Camp for students
   September 05 to 10, 2015: Church Leaders Conference at Bolobo, Bandundu

7.    September 12, 2015: Opening service of School year 2015- 2016

8.    September 15, 2015: Returning to USA