Life is hard for Congolese

Consider recent news ... As forces loyal to a local general were advancing toward Goma, capital of North Kivu province they fired on UN peacekeepers. The peacekeepers battled back and secured the area. Meanwhile, a volcano has erupted in the Eastern DR Congo. After the recent election, Zambia and DR Congo signed an agreement about repatriating over 50,000 refugees, who had fled from violence in DR Congo. Mass graves have been found in the northeastern DR Congo. Every year, more than one million African newborns die within their first month of life, half with the first 24 hours. Life for the Congolese people is neither secure nor peaceful. The people and the new democratically elected government is in need of prayers.

WHO: Africa needs health investment

Africa has about 90 percent of the world's Malaria and 60 percent of its HIV cases. A major World Health Organization report says that the cure can only come through urgent investment in lowering both disease and poverty. Without major improvements in health, African countries cannot develop socially or economically, the report says.

Mulungwishi mission calendar arrives

It's here! The 2007 Mulungwishi Missions calendar is ready. Photos from recent years adorn each month's calendar. A Bible verse and brief description of the mission area rounds out this precious item. Lori suggested $10 as a price, but I notice that calendars made from photos routinely go for $12 or more. So I'd recommend donating at least $15. That covers costs (printing and binding was not free) and allows a decent amount to help fund the mission. As the cover at left gives you an idea, the calendar features the many faces of the Mulungwishi Mission:

• Pre-school
• Elementary School
• High School
• Seminary
• Women's School
• Katanga Methodist University
• Master of Leadership Program
• Health Clinic
• Nutrition Program
• Development & agriculture
• Church life
• The Persons' extended family

To order the calendars, contact the Persons' U.S. Liaison:

Jeanette Michelin 1230 County Rd., #136 Cheyenne, WY 82009

jjmcmh [at] aol.com

Heavy hearts, but thankful too

Dear Friends, First on our hearts and minds is the news of the untimely death of Dr. Samuel Munene on November 5th. We were all devastated. He had just finished conferring the diplomas to late graduates of the Katanga Methodist University at Mulungwishi when he collapsed. He never regained consciousness. The funeral service was held in Likasi (where he had served as a pastor and professor for the Pastor's School) and he was buried at Mulungwishi. Munene was a great friend, wonderful pastor, professor of New Testament studies and the Academic Dean of the University. In short, he was a man of God. We will all miss his great smile and Christian spirit. Be praying for his family and the Mulungwishi community. Results of the long Congolese election have been announced. Joseph Kabila has been declared the winner. Join with us in prayer that all the parties will accept the results and join together to begin to rebuild the country. This message finds us in Atlanta getting part of our physicals. It is good to stop for a few days after itinerating in Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, and part of Tennessee. We still have Louisiana, East Texas, and Oklahoma ahead of us before we get back to Denver in the middle of December. All along the way, it has been a blessing to see old friends and meet new ones. We are humbled by the way these churches have partnered with us and the Congolese Church to spread God's Kingdom. We were blessed to have Dr. Kongolo with us for two weeks of the itineration. He had come to the US to participate as one of the Board of Directors of the General Board of Global Ministries meeting in Stamford, CT. His strong witness of Christ in his life and being a product of mission made a strong impression in the churches he shared in. Continue to pray for us as we travel and share the story of Mulungwishi. We also wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving with your families.

Persons' photos at Cornerstone UMC

When David and Lori visited Cornerstone (UM) Church in Bear, Delaware recently, member and digital photographer Larry Wilder took some photos and posted them to his Picasa Web Albums account on the Web. Then he emailed us. Thanks for the tip about your photos, Larry! Larry reports, "During their seven day October visit to Delaware and Maryland, David, Lori and Dr. Kongolo spoke, collectively, to the Wilmington (DE) District Pastors at Asbury UMC in New Castle, DE and then made personal appearances at Cornerstone and Red Lion UMC of Bear DE, Marshallton UMC of Wilmington DE and St. Marks UMC of Easton MD." The photo album includes:

• Group shots of David, Lori, the two local ministers, and Dr. Kongolo.
• David ("Buddy Rich") with a drum set.
• The Persons presenting Cornerstone with a colorful Congo-made banner.

Cornerstone uses a team of digital photographers, but Larry is the one with the photog@cornerstonedelaware.com email address.

• Larry's slideshow of the Persons at Cornerstone UMC