Mulungwishi news

Thank you for your continued support for the Seminary and Women’s School at Mulungwishi.  We are so grateful for the way the Lord has continued to use you in the training of the Lord’s servants in the Southern part of Congo.

A great loss!

The Church in Congo and Zambia suffered a great loss the day after Christmas.  John Enright was killed in a car accident.  His parents were contemporary missionaries with our parents and we grew up together.  John served as a missionary with the GBGM in Botswana, Congo and Zambia.  Kendra, his wife, survived the crash and is now recovering slowly.  John’s love for the African people consumed him and he was the driving force behind the Kafakumba Pastor’s School.  He used agriculture to help fund the mission work he was involved in.   His wife and two sons and their families live on the farm in Zambia.  Please keep his family in prayer.  John will be deeply missed.  He was so much a vital part of our lives.

New Seminary leadership

We would like to share a little about the new leadership at the Seminary.  Dr. Sul A Nawej is the new Dean of the Seminary.  He is a product of Mulungwishi having done both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the Seminary. His wife, Kasongo, is a real joy and they have 7 children.  Sul is an excellent pastor and served the largest church in the Annual Conference.  While he was there, he and Kasongo, had a beautiful ministry with young couples. He then went on to do his Doctorate in Brussels and Kinshasa specializing in Wesley studies.  During his studies in Belgium, Sul also pastored a church.  After completing his doctorate, Sul was appointed to Mulungwishi as the chaplain of the University, pastor of the mission station and professor at the Seminary.  We are so pleased with his appointment as Dean and will be, with Kasongo, a strong mentor for our students at the Seminary and Women’s School.

Seminary and Women’s School life

The Seminary and Women’s School are in full stride for the year.  New students for both the Bachelor’s and Master’s level arrived in September and classes started in October.  By this time, those in the Master’s degree who will graduate this year are working hard on their thesis and getting ready to defend them.  Often the subjects deal with contextual issues that they have encountered in the ministry.  Some of the subjects such as funeral and initiation rites.  While you pray for them and their education, pray that the Holy Spirit will also be working in their hearts and lives.

Rev. Kalombo serving a church in New York

This last week, we were so proud of Rev. Nelson Kalombo.  You remember him from a previous letter.  He is a graduated from the Mulungwishi Seminary and is currently serving a church in New York.  Nelson successfully defended his PhD thesis.  David was one of the readers for the thesis and took part in the defense over the internet.  His subject was most interesting dealing with the “Prosperity Gospel” in Congo.  He sees it as being “a means for the leaders to rob the poor.”  Nelson also sees that there is a lot of syncretism with traditional African belief.  The spiritual leaders parallel the witch doctors manipulating things in their world.

Head Nurse Kalumba now a doctor!

Another source of joy and pride is Alfred Kabamba.  He was our head nurse and with help from many in the States he has just completed 7 years of medical school in Burundi.  He is now Dr. Alfred.  Because of the tribal tensions against Congolese in Burundi he had to leave his family at Mulungwishi.  He came back on vacations to be with the family.  Some hundred students started and only 30 completed the course.  This is amazing since he had to do it in English.  Alfred also endured many harrowing experiences in his travels through conflict areas in Rwanda and Burundi.  We are so pleased and thankful to the Lord to have Dr. Alfred back at the dispensary at Mulungwishi!

Seminary and Women’s School need continued support

We were unable to go back to Congo last year because of David’s sciatica problem.  He is much improved and we plan -- the Lord willing -- to return this year.  We still feel strongly that the Seminary and Women’s School are vital to the continued growth of God’s Kingdom in Africa.  So we encourage you to continue your support, love and prayers for these young men and women preparing for the ministry.   As you are in prayer, remember the country of Congo which is going through a very difficult period.   Our church is called to bring the love of God in these very trying times.

Again, we want to thank you for your support during the past year. 

• Mulungwishi Theological Seminary, Advance #05773A
• Mulungwishi Women’s School, Advance #08112A
• David and Lori Persons, Individual Volunteers in Mission, Advance #982465