Democratic Republic of the Congo

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  June 09, 2010 - News

  VBS Mission Projects for Kids

  by Karen Mason
  Are you looking for a mission project that your Vacation Bible School can support?  We’ve got three kid friendly projects we think you’ll love... more
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  June 09, 2010 - Journal

  Songbooks for the Bible League

  by Mike Lowery
  Our son, Taylor, is visiting us in the Congo. He has just finished his undergraduate degree and is working on an internship with a public health organi... more
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  June 01, 2010 - News

  Footsteps in Africa

  by Karen Mason
  Today’s missionaries are following in the footsteps of hundreds of American Baptist missionaries with innovative ministries.  International Mini... more
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  May 10, 2010 - Journal

  Opening doors for daughters of soldiers

  by Miriam Noyes
  These young women dominate the literacy classes at the big Lemba-Matete Congo Baptist church in Kinshasa.  They are daughters of military families... more

• April 19, 2010 - News

  Exciting new way to support Wendy’s ministry!

  by Jan Bassier
  Would you be willing to set aside $1 – one dollar – a day, to bless Wendy’s ministry in Democratic Republic of Congo? Greetings to all who suppo... more
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  April 19, 2010 - Journal

  Easter 2010

  by Mike Lowery
  Easter Sunrise Service on the Congo When I woke up at 4:00 AM it was raining hard. My brain went to work on options. We had planned a sunrise Easter se... more
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  April 19, 2010 - Journal

  A Flight to Kisia

  by Rita Chapman, Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends,   For some time, I have been calculating doing a flight to Kisia. Last time I was at Kisia was 11 years ago, and I had go... more
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  April 19, 2010 - Journal

  Boko in the Dark

  by Wayne Niles
  Boko in the DarkImagine delivering a baby in the dark!  Lightening struck the solar lighting system at the Baptist hospital in Boko several months... more

• April 14, 2010 - Journal

  International Women’s Day

  by Glen Chapman, Rita Chapman
  March 2010Dear Friends,     Today, Monday is international woman's day, and we are taking it very seriously this year.  &... more

• April 14, 2010 - Journal

  March 6 - A Plane, a Truck and a Boat

  by Rita Chapman, Glen Chapman
  March 6Dear Friends,       We had a plane yesterday, first in about 2 weeks.  A truck came yesterday with some of ou... more

• April 14, 2010 - Journal

  February Journal

  by Rita Chapman, Glen Chapman
  Feb 28Dear Friends,        We are in a real dry spell.  Dry and uncomfortably hot. The lack of rain is good for... more

• April 14, 2010 - Journal

  Feb 21 - Death at IPK

  by Rita Chapman, Glen Chapman
  Feb21Dear Friends and Family,     IPK ( Pastoral Institute of Kikongo) is officially in mourning until Thursday. One of our second ... more

• April 12, 2010 - News

  It’s Always Encouraging to Have Visitors

  by Jill Lowery
  It's always encouraging to have visitors. First of all, our eldestson, Taylor, is here. Yay! He just graduated from university. Doubleyay!!! He now hol... more
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  April 07, 2010 - Journal

  A timely opportunity to join in Congo ministry

  by Ed Noyes
  This message is not intended for churches in our missionary partnership network.  But if you are an individual asking how God might use you more f... more

• April 01, 2010 - News

  Wendy’s on YouTube!

  by Jan Bassier
  Good Morning,   As of April 1, 2010, there are 11 short videos of Wendy Bernhard on www.YouTube.com. Just search on YouTube for Wendy Bernhard a... more
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  March 25, 2010 - News

  Mud and Other Unforgettable Things

  by Jill Lowery
   I can not believe how fast this month is flying by. March has been an absolute whirlwind of church and youth group activities. I'm not complainin... more
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  March 18, 2010 - Journal

  If I just touch His garment…

  by Bill Clemmer
  Missionary doctors like to write journal entries about their patients; and I suppose I am no exception. This story of Naomi (not her real name) t... more

• March 17, 2010 - Journal

  Easter on the Move

  by Wendy Bernhard
  Easter on the Move!                 As we prepare to celebrate the holi... more
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  March 05, 2010 - Journal

  Church Picnic

  by Mike Lowery
  Last Sunday held two distinctions for us here at the International Protestant Church of Kinshasa. First of all, the big news is that we were able to ha... more
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  March 01, 2010 - Journal

  God shapes a leader

  by Miriam Noyes
  The man we see in the foreground is no compelling charismatic figure. In fact, the job he had for a number of years in the lakeside Bantu town of Ino... more
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  February 23, 2010 - Journal

  14 Years Under a Concrete Roof in Haiti

  by Wayne Niles, Katherine Niles
  The enormous tragedy last month of a 7.2 scale earthquake, right under the city of Port au Prince, was the realization of one of my worst fears dur... more
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  February 10, 2010 - Journal

  Palm planter’s manual off the press

  by Ed Noyes
  Since 2002 ACDI Lusekele, the Baptist Convention of Congo's agricultural extension program in the central Kwilu River area, has aggressively promoted h... more
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  February 04, 2010 - Journal

  Kimobo Denny - striving for God’s good gifts

  by Ed Noyes
  The mud and thatch houses of Kimbata sprawl for nearly a mile along a dirt road a bit south of Djuma.  A dense forest of huge trees once surrounde... more
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  February 02, 2010 - Journal

  I Love To Teach

  by Mike Lowery
  I love to teach. In fact that's pretty much all I do these days. WhenI'm not teaching at the Kikongo Pastor's Institute, I'm preaching atthe Internatio... more

• January 27, 2010 - News

  Dear Friends and Family

  by Jill Lowery
  Dear Friends and Family,        I hope that you all celebrated a meaningful Christmas Season and aHappy New Year. Ours w... more
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  January 24, 2010 - News

  IM Missionary Elmer Hall Receives Posthumous Honorary Doctorate

  by Andrew Jayne
  Elmer Hall was honored at the close of last year by the Bible Institute at the Evangelical Cooperative Center (CECO) in Kimpese, Democratic Republic of... more
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  January 12, 2010 - Journal

  Cell phones and literacy

  by Miriam Noyes
  Just a couple of days ago I asked Rose Mayala, my main colleague in adult literacy in Congo, if she had any news of the Twa literacy classes establishe... more

• December 24, 2009 - News

  Merry Christmas!

  by Jill Lowery
  Dear Friends and Family,        Michael and I have been thinking about you a lot these days. We want you to know ho... more

• December 17, 2009 - Journal

  Christmas in the Congo

  by Bill Clemmer
  "Christmas in the Congo" is in some ways as different from “Christmas in the United States” as the weather in Maine is different from that in Ki... more
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  December 09, 2009 - Journal

  Trader’s loss plants seeds of Kilunda Sangi renewal

  by Ed Noyes
  Léon Mavula is a Christian businessman who wears the shorts and baseball cap of a farmer, not a suit.  Twenty years ago everything seemed to be g... more
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  December 02, 2009 - Journal

  Pray for Ed and Miriam Noyes

  by Bob Santilli
  Ed and Miriam serve in a region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo where over two-thirds of the population depends on agriculture for a livin... more
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  November 30, 2009 - News

  Powered Parachute Brings Missionary to Village in DRC

  by Glen Chapman
  The following is a letter from Glen and Rita Chapman, missionaries to the people of Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), received in early November.... more

• November 25, 2009 - Journal

  Awesome ! ...

  by Mike Lowery
  Hey JP,We had one of those storms last night that come only once or so each rainy season in Congo. You know the kind that make you stand in awe and lau... more
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  November 24, 2009 - Journal

  microDevru = "Dream Home"

  by Wayne Niles, Katherine Niles
  Dear Friends, We are approaching the time of year when we all take stock of the Lord’s blessings in our lives. I want to tell you of one person ... more
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  November 17, 2009 - Journal

  When a roof means there’s enough to eat

  by Ed Noyes
  Lubidi is a Baptist church center on the other side of the Kwilu River from Lusekele.  In the 1960s, evangelists planted churches among the Yanzi ... more

• November 15, 2009 - Journal

  Well Done My Good and Faithful Servant

  by Mike Lowery
  Often when Jill and I go somewhere without our children, we call it adate. Well, today wasn't our average date. It was more like lunch anda funeral. I ... more

• November 07, 2009 - News

  Update on expulsion of Angolan family

  by Wendy Bernhard
  An item of praise is that our student family that was split apart by the expulsion of the Angolan wife and children from the Congo last month has at la... more
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  October 30, 2009 - Journal

  Making sure we keep all the pieces

  by Miriam Noyes
  We missionaries love those of you who support us personally, and love the connection we have with you.  But we also LOVE the World Mission Offerin... more
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  October 23, 2009 - Journal

  My First Week of Classes at Kikongo

  by Mike Lowery
  Dear Friends, I just returned to Kinshasa after my first teaching trip to Kikongo. I had a wonderful time there and had several adventures. I'll try to... more

• October 18, 2009 - Journal

  Blog from Wendy Bernhard

  by Wendy Bernhard
  Date:  October 18, 2009                 Current reports indicate that t... more
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  October 15, 2009 - Journal

  Life recovered, life with a future

  by Miriam Noyes
  Nellie Piti Boko is a fine Christian woman, the salt of the earth, the kind of person who’s a faithful member of the church women’s group, the wome... more

• October 14, 2009 - Journal

  This Year in a Nutshell

  by Wendy Bernhard
  This Year in a Nutshell – an update from Wendy Bernhard Democratic Republic of Congo, September, 2009        &nb... more

• October 13, 2009 - Journal

  Blog from Wendy Bernhard

  by Wendy Bernhard
  Blog from Wendy Bernhard, IM missionary to the Democratic Republic of the Congo 10/13/09 – morning, EST A prayer request for the Congo in general, an... more
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  October 12, 2009 - News

  God Is Our Refuge

  by Jill Lowery
  Dear Friends,        Greetings! It's been a couple of weeks since you heard from us. I wanted to give you an up-dat... more
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  October 09, 2009 - Journal

  Literacy : a quest for dignity among the Batwa

  by Ed Noyes
  Many of you remember the report of Rosa Mayala and a small literacy team's trip to Inongo, in northern Bandundu Province, last year. The Twa people t... more
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  October 07, 2009 - Journal

  Pray for Katherine and Wayne Niles

  by Bob Santilli
  Katherine and Wayne serve as seconded missionaries to Interchurch Medical Assistance in Democratic Republic of Congo. Wayne serves as the in-c... more

• October 05, 2009 - Journal

  Supporting the World Mission Offering

  by Glen Chapman
  September and October is the promotional time for the World Mission Offering.  The W M O provides the largest single source of funds to support th... more
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  October 04, 2009 - Journal

  Stretching creativity

  by Wayne Niles
  How do you reach Moanza?  It takes an airplane for short take offs and landings, a skilled “bush” pilot, someone willing to go, and others to ... more
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  September 26, 2009 - Journal

  Missionary Transport Broker

  by Wayne Niles
  Dear friends,Three weeks ago I (Katherine) was a warehouse receiving supervisor classifying 435 boxes of medical supplies by hospital. Then I became a ... more
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  September 22, 2009 - Journal

  A mother’s sacrifice

  by Ann Clemmer
  I was attending a local church in the town of Goma where a friend sitting next to me was translating the Swahili-languag... more

• September 18, 2009 - Journal

  Letter to JP

  by Mike Lowery
  Hey JP, I've been meaning to write to you, but, I keep waiting for time and it just doesn't come. I am busy and I'm going to get really busy real... more

• September 17, 2009 - Journal

  A Beginning and an Ending

  by Wendy Bernhard
  This month of September marks the beginning of the new school year at the Bible Institute in Kimpese, D.R. Congo, and the end of the life of ... more

• September 16, 2009 - Journal

  New Ministry Opportunities

  by Mike Lowery
  Dear Friends, I'm writing to let you know that after much prayer and seekingcounsel, I have accepted the call to become the pastor of theInternational ... more
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  September 12, 2009 - Journal

  A green revolution that could happen all over Africa

  by Ed Noyes
  Your contribution to the World Mission Offering already helped create a window of opportunity for these kids above. God put a Green Revolution in our h... more
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  September 09, 2009 - News

  A True Congolese Welcome

  by Jill Lowery
  A True Congolese Welcome I think that no matter how long I stay here, I will never get used to the kind of unashamed enthusiasm that Congolese people ... more

• August 29, 2009 - News

  We Have Arrived

  by Jill Lowery
  We Have Arrived – Sort Of...Dear Friends and Family,We are happy to say that we have indeed arrived in Congo. We had an amazingly smooth trip over an... more
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  August 19, 2009 - Journal

  Pray for Wendy Bernhard

  by Bob Santilli
  Wendy teaches at the Bible Institute of Kimpese in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 120 miles west of Kinshasa. She also works with a team of doc... more
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  August 17, 2009 - Journal

  Tough times, good times

  by Ed Noyes, Miriam Noyes
  "Are you coming back?"  Since April that has been a common question in conversations with our Congolese colleagues.  The question popped up... more
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  August 12, 2009 - Journal

  Pray for Jill and Mike Lowery

  by Bob Santilli
  Jill and Mike work with the Congo Baptist Community (CBCO), continuing the efforts American Baptists began in the Congo more than a century ag... more
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  August 11, 2009 - Journal

  Philo ends a month of sharing the Congo story

  by Ed Noyes
  Last Friday Philo sent us an e-mail.  She was waiting for the plane that would take her home to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  Physic... more

• August 05, 2009 - News

  Graduation in Kimpese 2009

  by Wendy Bernhard
  GRADUATION DAY 2009 The culmination of every academic year is the presentation of diplomas to students who have completed their course of study. ... more

• August 04, 2009 - News

  Here We Go !

  by Mike Lowery
  Well, we are finally on our way back to Congo. We have passed physicals, endured numerous injections, reserved our seats and have been given the green ... more
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  July 29, 2009 - Journal

  Pray for Katherine and Wayne Niles

  by Bob Santilli
  Katherine and Wayne serve as seconded missionaries to Interchurch Medical Assistance (IMA).  Wayne serves as the in-country liaison office... more
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  July 29, 2009 - Journal

  Pray for Ed and Miriam Noyes

  by Bob Santilli
  Ed and Miriam serve in a region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo where over two-thirds of the population depends on agriculture for a... more

• July 27, 2009 - News

  Good News

  by Mike Lowery
  Good news !Jill's biopsy results came back showing no malignant cells. So she now has a clean bill of health.Our thanks to all of you who prayed and ca... more

• July 23, 2009 - Journal

  God is Faithful !

  by Jill Lowery
  Dear Friends, Wow, what a year it has been for us here on home assignment. It's gone by so fast! We've really enjoyed our time reconnecting with fa... more
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  July 20, 2009 - Journal

  Philo before the House

  by Ed Noyes
  Philomène Bidimbu is a gifted rural extension worker. She has spent over 20 years with ACDI Lusekele helping Congolese villagers to discover new ways ... more
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  July 15, 2009 - Journal

  Eggplant!

  by Wayne Niles
  There are times in our lives when we are called on to do things which are against our personal principles.  I’m sure you have also, in your prof... more

• July 14, 2009 - Journal

  Back in Oregon -- appreciating the mission base

  by Ed Noyes
  Last Monday afternoon we drove into our driveway in Keizer, the early evening sun dropping in the west.  Three colorful flower pots hung over the ... more
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  June 29, 2009 - Journal

  Why walk in sombody else’s shoes, when you can drive a car?

  by Miriam Noyes
  “[Christ's] answer [to me] was: ‘My grace is all you need, for my power is strongest when you are weak.’  I am happy, then, to be proud of... more
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  June 11, 2009 - Journal

  Palm Investments

  by Wayne Niles
  For a modest, single, investment of $40 you can more than double the annual income of a Congolese family for the next TWENTY FIVE years.  That’s... more
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  June 09, 2009 - Story

  Lemons to Lemonade

  by Mike Lowery
  Dear Friends, As you know Jill and I have been traveling around the country raising support so that we can return to Congo. Folks have been very genero... more
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  May 30, 2009 - Journal

  A shift in focus

  by Ed Noyes
  Lumpumu and Silas are getting to know each other.  Lumpumu isn't all that sure that this will work out.  Silas has sharp teeth and an unnervi... more
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  May 29, 2009 - Journal

  Asleep in the back of the plane

  by Bill Clemmer
  We took off from an airstrip nestled between steep volcanic cliffs on one side and the pristine waters of Lake Kivu on the other.  The weather was... more
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  May 21, 2009 - News

  Swine Flu Just One of Many Communicable Diseases IM Missionaries Face Daily

  by Andrew Jayne
  The U.S. is a wealthy country, a land of abundance where common diseases like the flu are usually not life-threatening.  Yet we are in the midst ... more
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  May 20, 2009 - Journal

  Congo literacy in the off-season

  by Miriam Noyes
  What do Rose Mayala (our coordinator) and I do between literacy teacher trainings anyway?  (Besides the administrative details of reading, tabulat... more
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  May 20, 2009 - Journal

  What we do

  by Mike Lowery
  Dear friends,  I just got an email from one of our supporting churches in Ohio. The church wanted a little background on who we are and what we ar... more
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  May 13, 2009 - Journal

  Pray for Ed and Miriam Noyes

  by Bob Santilli
  Ed and Miriam serve in a region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo where over two-thirds of the population depends on agriculture for a l... more
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  May 13, 2009 - Story

  A Trip to Maine

  by Jill Lowery
  Dear friends, It's been a week since I got home from my trip to Maine. I spent ten days there and was able to see a good part of the state. The lan... more
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  May 12, 2009 - Journal

  Chief throws his weight behind literacy

  by Miriam Noyes
  Ever since I heard, in January, that Chief Massanza, the head administrator of Luniungu Secteur,** wanted to sponsor a literacy teacher training semina... more
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  May 06, 2009 - Journal

  Pray for Katherine and Wayne Niles

  by Bob Santilli
  Katherine and Wayne serve as seconded missionaries to Interchurch Medical Assistance (IMA) in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Wayne serv... more
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  May 03, 2009 - Journal

  All in a day’s work or was it?

  by Wayne Niles
  It was all in a Day’s Work, or was it?Monday, at the Kintambo Health Center, I made routine rounds to greet staff and take mental note of happenings.... more
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  April 26, 2009 - Journal

  Unlocking a door for Jean

  by Miriam Noyes
  Jean Bakoma, the man on the right in the picture, left the savanna and villages of his native Kasai region as a young man.  He sought a better lif... more
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  April 22, 2009 - Journal

  The Next Step

  by Miriam Noyes
  Rose and I have just finished series of literacy teacher training seminars. Our major objective was to choose, train and give experience to local teams... more
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  April 17, 2009 - Journal

  A Star is Born! -- we think

  by Miriam Noyes
  …Think what sort of people you are whom God has called. Few of you are men of wisdom…few are powerful or highly born. Yet, to shame the wise, God... more
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  April 15, 2009 - Journal

  Pray for Wendy Bernhard

  by Bob Santilli
  Wendy teaches at the Bible Institute of Kimpese, 120 miles west of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She also works with a team of doctors,... more
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  April 13, 2009 - Journal

  Green revolution possible -- with a fight!

  by Ed Noyes
  A green revolution is so tantalizingly close in Congo . . . and still so very far away. New high yielding varieties of manioc, peanuts, cowpeas and cor... more
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  April 13, 2009 - Journal

  Green revolution is possible -- with a fight! (2)

  by Ed Noyes
  What I said in the first installment of these vignettes bears repeating: high yielding varieties of manioc, peanuts, cowpeas and corn could  DOUBL... more
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  April 13, 2009 - Journal

  Green revolution is possible -- with a fight! (3)

  by Ed Noyes
  Sometimes it is hard to imagine the significant changes that can come from very simple innovations.  But for a family that barely scrapes a living... more
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  April 07, 2009 - Journal

  Pray for Glen and Rita Chapman

  by Bob Santilli
  Glen and Rita train Congolese students and their spouses, preparing them for ministry in their hometown in the rural environment. Glen teaches pastora... more
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  April 02, 2009 - Journal

  Palm Sunday in Congo

  by Wayne Niles
  Dear Friends,                             &nbs... more
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  April 01, 2009 - Journal

  One pastor’s vision for change

  by Ed Noyes
  Pastor Georges Kasaka Kasiala reflects on the lives of people in the 25 local congregations that he oversees.  Isolated by political neglect and n... more
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  April 01, 2009 - Journal

  Pray for Ed and Miriam Noyes

  by Bob Santilli
  Ed and Miriam serve in a region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo where over two-thirds of the population depends on agriculture for a living, ... more
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  March 30, 2009 - Journal

  Shepard

  by Wayne Niles
  Imagine you live in one of Africa’s largest cities.  Your husband earns less than a dollar a day.  You have just given birth to twin... more
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  March 28, 2009 - Journal

  When horrible is "normal", we have to do something

  by Ed Noyes
  Pastor Marcel led the way, down a steep path, through a dense stand of Imperata grass, across a small stream and up the hill on the other side.  F... more

• March 20, 2009 - News

  Greetings from Wendy’s Missionary Partnership Network!

  by Jan Bassier
  Missionary Partnership Network with Wendy Bernhard Missionary to the Democratic Republic of Congo "And the things you have heard me say in the presence... more

• March 20, 2009 - Journal

  Successful Youth Rallies in Kimpese!

  by Wendy Bernhard
  February 2009 Newsletter Wendy Bernhard Missionary to the Democratic Republic of Congo "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many w... more
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  March 09, 2009 - Journal

  The market just got 146 kms closer

  by Ed Noyes
  Compared to many pastors in rural churches, Pastor Mubangu is well-paid. But $30 per month doesn’t stretch very far. His oldest daughter is starting ... more
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  March 07, 2009 - Journal

  Remote Breakdown

  by Wayne Niles
  Dear friends,                             ... more

• February 23, 2009 - Journal

  IM Volunteer Emily Andree.

  by Bob Santilli
  Emily is serving with Glen and Rita Chapman in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She writes: I have now received 100% of my funding support, thank you ... more

• February 10, 2009 - Journal

  We are not close, we are home

  by Katherine Niles
  A useful proverb learned during years of service in Haiti says, “Byen pre, pa lakay” (close, is not “home”).  However, when you arrive hom... more
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  January 29, 2009 - Journal

  Ed and Miriam Noyes

  by Bob Santilli
  Ed and Miriam serve in a region of the Democratic Republic of Congo where over two-thirds of the population depends on agricu... more
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  January 29, 2009 - Journal

  Jill and Mike Lowery

  by Bob Santilli
  Jill and Mike work with theThe Congo Baptist Community (CBCO), continuing the efforts American Baptists began in the Democratic Rep... more

• January 29, 2009 - Journal

  Blessed to return to Congo

  by Katherine Niles
  Our six months of US/PR assignment is drawing to a close.  On Jan 13, we return to Congo for another term of service.  We’ll hug Christophe... more
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  January 28, 2009 - Journal

  Literacy workshop on the Congo estuary

  by Miriam Noyes
  The training had been talked about and always put off.  Now, near the end of October, we were on the overnight bus rattling al... more
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  January 14, 2009 - Journal

  Katherine and Wayne Niles

  by Bob Santilli
  Katherine and Wayne serve as seconded missionaries to Interchurch Medical Assistance (IMA).  Wayne serves as the in-country liaison office... more

• January 06, 2009 - Journal

  The women’s Christmas gift

  by Rita Chapman
  Dear Friends and Family,The Kikongo women and I were totally blown away Dec. 22nd. It was during our annual Christmas meeting that the big surprise cam... more

• December 22, 2008 - Journal

  Season’s greetings from the Nelsons in retirement

  by Virgil Nelson
   We are listening to the sounds of silence. “Be still and know that I am God”(Ps. 46.10)“Great ideas, it has been said,     &... more
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  November 19, 2008 - Journal

  Ann and Bill Clemmer

  by Bob Santilli
  Ann and Bill serve in The Democratic Republic of Congo as IM seconded missionaries to Interchurch Medical Assistance (IMA). Bill is involved with the t... more
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  November 18, 2008 - Journal

  A ministry of care in the midst of conflict

  by Bill Clemmer
  I remember the words of a Congolese woman during one of my trips to the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. “I wish we were as ... more
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  November 13, 2008 - Journal

  A contrast in cultures

  by Bill Clemmer
  Our 17-year old son started college this fall.   In an e-mail last week he mentioned that he will have difficulties purchasing a ticket to vi... more

• October 26, 2008 - Journal

  Guide our feet in the way of peace

  by Virgil Nelson
  GUIDE OUR FEET IN THE WAYS OF PEACE. (Luke 1:79)    We continue to reflect on our 10 years of ministry with American Baptist Internation... more
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  September 17, 2008 - Journal

  Pray for Ed and Miriam Noyes

  by Bob Santilli
  Ed and Miriam serve in a region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo where over two-thirds of the population depends on agriculture for a living... more

• September 17, 2008 - Journal

  Back to Congo

  by Wendy Bernhard
  After an exciting and fruitful year traveling around the United States and serving as Missionary-in-Residence at Judson University, Elgin, Illinois, th... more
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  September 12, 2008 - Journal

  Water after 35 years

  by Ed Noyes
  Lusekele was built as a farmer training school in the early 1960s. Classrooms, housing for staff and workers, complete water system, generator el... more

• September 10, 2008 - Journal

  Pray for Congo Plane Crash Victims’ Families

  by Bob Santilli
  A humanitarian aid flight carrying 17 workers of the Global Fund crashed while trying to land during a storm in remote eastern Congo earlier in... more
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  September 04, 2008 - Journal

  One more step forward

  by Ed Noyes
  Two years ago five friends from Oregon and Illinois visited Lusekele and help put a roof over a large water storage tank, a key feature of the pl... more
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  August 22, 2008 - Journal

  Early rainy season

  by Miriam Noyes
  The rain came in unexpectedly, a few drops tapping on the forest leaves as Jean Luc and I came back up from the pump house. Then as we checked a ... more

• August 14, 2008 - Journal

  Learning words, learning the Word

  by Rita Chapman
  Dear Family and friends,    Our summer has been so busy I don't really know where to begin. It is still busy! So many visitors, so many projec... more
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  July 28, 2008 - Journal

  When I think how hard my day was

  by Ann Clemmer
  When I complain about the traffic and congestion in Kinshasa’s streets … I think of those who walk miles each day to carry water and other items es... more
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  July 24, 2008 - Journal

  Powered parachute debuts in Kikongo

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends,     Monday was a day of historical significance.       To our knowledge we had the firs... more

• June 18, 2008 - Journal

  One ministry ends, another begins

  by Virgil Nelson
  Greetings from the Nelsons!It has been too long since we wrote.  We've been busy "sailing" the smooth roads and skies in the USA versus the r... more
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  June 01, 2008 - Journal

  Sharing the Joy

  by Mike Lowery
  Congratulations Nate and Tchela ! In Romans chapter 12 verse 15 Paul writes," Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep." I ... more
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  April 23, 2008 - Journal

  Pray for: Katherine and Wayne Niles

  by Bob Santilli
  Katherine and Wayne serve as seconded missionaries to Interchurch Medical Assistance (IMA).  Wayne serves as the in-country liaison offi... more
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  April 23, 2008 - Journal

  Congo Youth Retreat

  by Jill Lowery
  Hi everybody! I just got back from our annual retreat with the youth group. One of my main jobs over the last three years is to help lead the y... more
• 

  April 20, 2008 - Journal

  I feel clean

  by Bill Clemmer
  Do you remember Manwana -- the young boy we wrote about two months ago? I returned to his village this weekend where we have been working ... more

• April 18, 2008 - Journal

  We want to hear from you on home assignment!

  by Katherine Niles
  If you could package our weather for resort hotels in northern climates, you could make a lot of money for mission. Brilliant morning sunshine glisten... more
• 

  April 17, 2008 - News

  Hospital partner seeks help after plane crash in Congo

  Heal Africa, a hospital and partner of American Baptist International Ministries in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Co... more

• April 16, 2008 - Journal

  Pray For: Glen and Rita Chapman

  by Bob Santilli
  ChapmanCouple 2006.jpg Glen and Rita Chapman train Congolese students and their spouses, preparing them for ministry in their hometown in the ... more

• April 15, 2008 - Journal

  Mama Sakweno

  by Rita Chapman
  Dear Friends and Family,    Last night, Glen and I spent several hours with the community at the home of our hospital chaplain, Pastor S... more

• April 04, 2008 - Journal

  Showers of blessing

  by Rita Chapman
  Dear Family and Friends,Village chiefs around Kikongo demonstrate their authority over even the heavens by never getting caught out in the rain. I'm g... more
• 

  March 23, 2008 - Journal

  He Has Risen!

  by Mike Lowery
  He has risen indeed ! This morning Pastor Walt Shepard led the International Protestant Church of Kinshasa in our annual Easter Sunrise Service... more

• February 29, 2008 - Journal

  Sharing the fire

  by Virgil Nelson
  A common village sight around dusk in Kikongo is that of a child carefully carrying home a smoking stick with fiery embers at one end, or one transport... more
• 

  February 28, 2008 - Journal

  A Sunday of circumstances

  by Katherine Niles
  It was Sunday, in the Baptist Church at the mission of Kikongo, a “Sunday of circumstances”. I (Katherine) was visiting Kikongo with my parents, r... more
• 

  February 24, 2008 - Journal

  Three generations at Vanga

  by Katherine Niles
  What scampers up a tree on two legs, hurls itself fearlessly from a high branch to land with a heroic splash in the river current, surfaces again swimm... more

• February 13, 2008 - Journal

  Update from Kikongo

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, Just a quick note before my batteries are drained. It has been a long week. We have had board meeting... more
• 

  February 06, 2008 - Journal

  Manwana

  by Bill Clemmer
  I met him in a small village 58 km away from Vanga Hospital. I had been traveling two hours by motorcycle visiting villages in the Vanga health distri... more
• 

  February 04, 2008 - Journal

  Was blind, but now I see

  by Wendy Bernhard
  Greetings from the snowy Chicago suburbs, where I'm serving as missionary-in-residence at Judson University during my US/Puerto Rico assignment! The w... more
• 

  January 29, 2008 - Journal

  Bringing hope to the other side of the river

  by Jill Lowery
  One of my favorite things to do when in Kikongo is to take a canoe ride across the river, hike across the hot grassland to the forest on the othe... more

• December 28, 2007 - Journal

  Christmas in Kikongo

  by Glen Chapman
  I know you heard from Rita before Christmas. This is a little post- Christmas report. Christmas at Kikongo is different than any other ... more
• 

  December 26, 2007 - Journal

  The gift of healing for Congolese children this Christmas

  by Bill Clemmer
  If I could make a wish for Christmas this year it wouldn’t be something as lofty as world peace, end of hunger, or a cure for HIV/AIDS in 2... more

• December 24, 2007 - Journal

  This Christmas we are all pregnant!

  by Rita Chapman
  Dear Friends, What a shock it was to find out recently that all the women at Kikongo are pregnant -- including me, Rita! Well, as it turned ... more

• December 18, 2007 - Journal

  Ordaining pastors, renewing the church

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, It is one muggy, hot, steamy evening. Recently, it wouldn't stop raining. Now we are hoping for some relief! It ha... more

• December 18, 2007 - Journal

  Hello friends near and far! Have we been following the star?

  by Lynn Nelson
  Dear Friends: 2007 has been a year of transition for us. We distributed our goods, packed up for good, said goodbyes and passed on the torch ... more

• November 30, 2007 - Article

  Hope, help and healing for HIV/AIDS

  by Bill Clemmer
  As we struggle to understand the “war on terror” and the various ethnic and religious conflicts that dot our global landscape, it is easy to overlo... more

• November 30, 2007 - Article

  Meeting medical facts with ministry faith

  Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?(Jeremiah 8:22) Those of us... more

• November 28, 2007 - Journal

  Embracing arms, everlasting arms

  by Virgil Nelson
  Behold how good and pleasant it is when folks dwell in unity! Psalm 133:1 We are thankful for ARMS AROUND US: For couple-reunion after months ap... more
• 

  November 18, 2007 - Journal

  Pray for: Katherine and Wayne Niles, D.R. Congo

  by Bob Santilli
  November 18, 2007 Katherine and Wayne Niles, D.R. Congo  Wayne is helping Congolese grow more food to make a living. He is part of a team of missio... more

• November 13, 2007 - Journal

  Getting back our books, and how the priest got his pants

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, I got frustrated with all talk and no action, so I borrowed a bicycle and rode to Fatundu. Fatundu is where the local gover... more
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  October 26, 2007 - Journal

  When true love waited

  by Wendy Bernhard
  Dear praying friends, Greetings from the campus of Judson University (formerly Judson College) where I’m serving as missionary in resid... more
• 

  October 25, 2007 - Journal

  Up Country: ABCUSA delegation visits DR Congo sites

  by Wayne Niles
  On Friday, Oct. 19 and Saturday, Oct. 20, I had the privilege of accompanying the American Baptist delegation on a whirlwind tour from Kinshasa... more

• October 11, 2007 - Journal

  We invite you to have a closer relationship with us!

  by Ed Noyes
  To all our friends: We arrived safely in Southern California on Friday, Oct 5. Thank you for your prayers. From Oct 12 through 28, we will b... more
• 

  October 02, 2007 - Journal

  Constants and Change in Ebola Outbreak

  by Katherine Niles
  There is a popular expression, which says, "The more things change, the more they stay the same". In the Kasai, around the epicenter of... more

• October 01, 2007 - Journal

  In and Out missionaries

  by Virgil Nelson
  At the Lord's command they encamped, and at the Lord's command they set out. Numbers 9:23a, NIV God has enabled miracle transitions for us sin... more
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  September 21, 2007 - Journal

  Remembering Kwete

  by Bill Clemmer
  Pastor Minga was the oldest of three brothers and it was said, the most respected member of his family. His parish was the village of Kampungu ... more

• September 21, 2007 - News

  Remembering Kwete

  by Bill Clemmer
  Pastor Minga was the oldest of three brothers and it was said, the most respected member of his family. His parish was the village of Kampu... more

• September 20, 2007 - Journal

  Pray for safe travel for fall deputation to US

  by Ed Noyes
  Fall is here, and in Congo planting season has arrived. The second rain arrived almost a month ago. Second rain is planting peanuts. Most fields sho... more
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  September 17, 2007 - Journal

  Relief from a fatal epidemic

  by Bill Clemmer
  It started in the forest. A man from the village Bena-monyi had been in the forest hunting. He came to an area where there were dead birds and m... more

• September 10, 2007 - News

  Missionary doctor confronts Ebola outbreak in Congo

  Dr. Bill Clemmer, a missionary based in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is working with international agencies in an effort to confront an ... more
• 

  September 04, 2007 - Journal

  Servants, friends and comforting strangers during the summer in Congo

  by Mike Lowery
  Dear Friends and Family,The kids' school has only been in session a few days and already it feels as if summer vacation was months ago. Before it... more
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  July 26, 2007 - Journal

  Modified

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, Some of my friends have been helping me work on my Powered Parachute. I will attach a before and after picture. BE... more

• July 26, 2007 - Journal

  Back in the USA to Stay

  by Virgil Nelson
  Yes, Virgil and Lynn Nelson are back here in the USA to stay. They will be visiting support churches and attending conferences around the country unti... more

• July 26, 2007 - Journal

  Spiritual Battles Raging

  by Ed Noyes
  A lot of things are going on in Congo with the work at Lusekele. There is great potential to impact Bandundu region for Christ through the agr... more

• July 26, 2007 - Journal

  Simply Faith

  by Bill Clemmer
  We were in Bas Congo Province; Congo’s most western province and only geographical link with the Atlantic Ocean to supervise some of our... more
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  July 14, 2007 - Journal

  A little stability

  by Mike Lowery
  Recently, as we were working with a visiting team at the hospital in Kikongo, we struck up a conversation with a boy with a broken leg. T... more

• June 20, 2007 - Journal

  Thank You Oregon ABWM

  by Ed Noyes
  Literacy teachers in the Molembe area are ecstatic about the gift of Bibles from the Oregon American Baptist Women's Ministry. On Saturday, Miriam bic... more

• June 18, 2007 - Journal

  Responsibility for Their Actions

  by Virgil Nelson
  I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good ... more

• June 11, 2007 - Journal

  Literacy Program in the Dry Season

  by Ed Noyes
  Since our last prayer information the literacy program has continued and gone well in several areas. In other areas programs have been cancell... more

• May 16, 2007 - Journal

  Place Where the Ancestors Lived

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, We are back this evening from two weekend trips within California. This is a big state and we have logged over 2,000 miles. ... more

• May 16, 2007 - Journal

  Setting Example for the Global Community

  by Ed Noyes
  Dear Friends, It's a hot muggy evening and work still remains. Tomorrow a USAID team is bringing the deputy director for Africa to Vanga and L... more

• May 16, 2007 - Journal

  Parting Gifts

  by Virgil Nelson
  God wants to include all of mankind in His Blessings. Led by the Lord to the Gentile Cornelius, Jewish "Peter opened his mouth and said, 'Trul... more

• May 16, 2007 - Journal

  God’s Protection

  by Mike Lowery
  Hi Everybody, I'm sure you heard about the heavy fighting that went on in the past few days in Kinshasa. I just wanted to let you know that th... more

• May 15, 2007 - Journal

  A Village Chief

  by Bill Clemmer
  This is my third trip back to Africa during our year of home assignment. For the next seven weeks I will be in the interior of the Democratic R... more
• 

  April 10, 2007 - News

  Glen and Rita Chapman received the Meeker Award from Ottawa University

  Glen and Rita Chapman — longtime missionaries to Democratic Republic of the Congo — received the Meeker Award from Ottawa Uni... more

• March 30, 2007 - Journal

  See the Love of God in Uganda

  by Mike Lowery
  I just returned to Kinshasa from a two week trip in Uganda. I really had no plans of ever traveling to Uganda. God made it happen and I was ble... more

• February 15, 2007 - Journal

  Prayer Information

  by Ed Noyes
  Again much has happened since our last prayer letter in December.We have updates on the literacy work, the agricultural work and Miriam's health.The ... more
• 

  January 29, 2007 - Journal

  The Next Chapter

  by Glen Chapman
  This story was written by my flight instructor Troy Townsend. He wrote it for his young nephew. ---It was exciting! Glen This documents my late... more
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  January 23, 2007 - Journal

  Signs of the Kingdom

  by Ed Noyes
  Why is it that it is so hard to find an unambiguous indicator of "progress" in the march toward God's kingdom?Just at the moment when one feels a gen... more
• 

  January 23, 2007 - Journal

  Leaving on a Jet Plane

  by Bill Clemmer
  Dear Friends, We wanted to let you know what life has been like for our family, "Out of Africa" these past six months…..our first extended time ... more
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  December 20, 2006 - Journal

  Ask for Guidance in the Way of Peace

  by Virgil Nelson
  Dear Friends: We are rejoicing with the Congolese that there is calm in the capital, and a commitment on the part of the losing Presidential candi... more
• 

  December 18, 2006 - Journal

  Innovative Ways to Do Ministry

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, Here are my plans for January:Marcie who graduated from UC Davis with a degree in International Agriculture Development is headed to F... more
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  December 12, 2006 - Journal

  Praise and Prayer

  by Ed Noyes
  Since our last prayer letter several things have happened.Elections have come and gone in Congo.Kabila won with 58 percent of the vote.Bemba has cont... more

• December 08, 2006 - Journal

  Peace Reigns

  by Mike Lowery
  Hello! We're happy to announce that we have safely returned from South Africa! Our reason for travel was to avoid the violence that was expected... more

• November 08, 2006 - Journal

  A Privilege to Stand with God’s People

  by Katherine Niles
  Dear Friends, Great claps of thunder woke us up Sunday morning, Election Day in the DRC, as a huge storm began dumping its water on the earth... more

• November 07, 2006 - Journal

  Calmness Reigns

  by Virgil Nelson
  Dear Friends: Sunday the 5th will be a week after the beginning of the Run-Off election for the presidency, and we are VERY THANKFUL to report that ... more
• 

  October 26, 2006 - Journal

  Pray for Respect and Working Together

  by Virgil Nelson
  Dear Friends: Sunday the 29th of October is the date for the run-off election for President, and the election of Provincial (read State) represent... more
• 

  October 26, 2006 - Journal

  Anticipating Election Day in DRC

  by Katherine Niles
  Hello from Congo, As run-off presidential elections are to be held here in just 3 days, we are so thankful for all of your prayers.Here in Ki... more
• 

  October 24, 2006 - Journal

  Noyes’ MPT Prayer Information

  by Ed Noyes
  September is planting time in Congo.Over the dry season, fields have been burned, tilled and are ready for planting.With the first rains, the peanuts... more
• 

  September 27, 2006 - Journal

  It is the Women Who are the Champions

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, Thank you for your prayers as the Chapman family crosses cultural barriers to address people in English! I (Glen... more

• September 21, 2006 - Journal

  World Mission Offering is a Vitally Important Tool

  by Ed Noyes
  A lot has happened this last month. The work team to Congo has returned. Ed has tried to get a visa transferred to his new passport so he could ... more
• 

  September 12, 2006 - Journal

  Pray for Peace

  by Mike Lowery
  "Kana banjoko ke nwana, yo kele matiti ke monaka mpasi." That was my Congolese friend's explanation of the recent troubles here in Kinshasa. The o... more
• 

  September 07, 2006 - Journal

  Joy of Winning

  by Wendy Bernhard
  Dear praying friends, The fall season is approaching in North America, and with it the annual American Baptist World Mission Offering blitz. My t... more

• August 28, 2006 - Journal

  Dry-Season Cheer

  by Virgil Nelson
  2 Corinthians 7:6 "God cheers up people in need" in Kikongo where Lynn and Virgil Nelson are ministering. Dry-Season Cheer MINI-VBS. Over 200 ch... more

• August 25, 2006 - Journal

  Precarious Times

  by Jill Lowery
  Hello Everyone, I just wanted to keep you all posted on how things are going here in the D.R. Congo. Yes, we are still here!Last night, the r... more
• 

  August 10, 2006 - Journal

  God has Certainly Blessed Us

  by Ed Noyes
  Dear Friends, You want to know what has been happening and I want to share it with you.Why is that always so hard to do?I've got nearly seven hund... more
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  July 27, 2006 - Journal

  Famine of Information

  by Virgil Nelson
  Presidential Elections July 30 "Wise men lay up knowledge." (Prov. 10:14) How can one lay up knowledge, without information? In the world of th... more
• 

  July 18, 2006 - Journal

  God is Glorified Through Our Partnership

  by Wayne Niles
  Dear friends, It's our first summer in Kinshasa as a family.Wayne grew up in this city and knows it's the last place you want to be in the summer!... more

• July 18, 2006 - Journal

  Three Week Whirlwind

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, This is Glen writing this morning from our (stateside) home in Santa Cruz California. I have not caught my breath yet after our very... more

• June 30, 2006 - Journal

  LES IMPREVUES (The Unforeseen)

  by Virgil Nelson
  "Life is what happens when we've made other plans." We worship the God of "Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob", the God of "Faith, Laughter and Surprises"... more

• June 30, 2006 - Journal

  MPT Communicators at Work

  by Ed Noyes
  As a part of the Noyes Mission Partnership Team, I committed to doing a monthly prayer article with some one-line Prayer items. A MPT's purpose is t... more
• 

  May 31, 2006 - Journal

  Pray for Selflessness

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, We are getting word that the government wants to close down the Kikongo airstrip unless we pay back taxes of close to $ 5,000. Miss... more

• May 25, 2006 - Journal

  Image of the Church Universal

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, On Saturday May 20th, our pastoral school took a field trip to the Catholic mission of Ngi upriver from Kikongo.We have been having ... more

• May 15, 2006 - Journal

  Plant the Seeds of Environmental Awareness

  by Glen Chapman
  As we come to the close of another four year term in Congo, we have come to realize that even though we are involved in so many projects, each term h... more
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  May 04, 2006 - Journal

  Easter Trip from Kikongo to Kinshasa

  by Virgil Nelson
  Easter did its work in us. The seeming 'end' is, in reality, a "new beginning". We came back for our students and ministries in Kikongo refreshed an... more
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  April 25, 2006 - Journal

  Breaking Down Barriers

  by Ed Noyes
  Had we stumbled into Medieval Europe, with its culture of endemic warfare and the rule of knights here in the heart of Africa?Popes unleashed the Cru... more
• 

  April 18, 2006 - Journal

  Siam Weed Teaching Soil Management Technique

  by Wayne Niles
  Dear Friends, Around Karawa, about 800 miles to the north of Kinshasa, they call it "Mr. Fuga."In the Kasai region, 600 miles east, they call it "... more
• 

  April 18, 2006 - Journal

  Easter Greetings from Kimpese, D.R. Congo!

  by Wendy Bernhard
  This has been a busy Easter week in Kimpese! Friday evening at the local Methodist church, and Saturday evening here at CECO, we showed a special ed... more

• April 10, 2006 - Journal

  He Provides for Our Needs

  by Ed Noyes
  This week Philippe Kikobo and I made a rapid survey of the district east of the Kwilu River.Because there are Baptist church centers scattered throug... more

• March 27, 2006 - Journal

  The Greater Concern Before the Lord

  by Ed Noyes
  Dear Friends: Last Saturday Miriam, Rose and two literacy supervisor/trainers left for Muzo, some 70kms or so east of Lusekele.They planned a rout... more
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  March 13, 2006 - Journal

  Parfait’s "Preferred Provider"

  by Bill Clemmer
  You may remember baby Parfait, the 8-month old child with hydrocephalus who we wrote about in December.God answered your prayers….in a big way. We ... more
• 

  February 24, 2006 - Journal

  The Parable of the Soils Retold

  by Mike Lowery
  When you look at this picture what do you see? Well, you might say something like, "I see Jill Lowery, American Baptist Missionary in the Congo, stan... more
• 

  February 24, 2006 - Journal

  Responsible Living Skills Team

  by Wendy Bernhard
  Greetings from Kisangani! As I write this, I'm preparing to leave the third largest city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where we've just... more

• February 24, 2006 - Journal

  God Desires to do Great Things Among Us

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, Sorry you have not heard from us for awhile. I'm a bit handicapped since my computer went down.Tech support is hard to come by in... more

• February 21, 2006 - Journal

  Victory Amidst Suffering

  by Virgil Nelson
  The Holy spirit has been at work in Kikongo to show the ways to victory amidst suffering. During the same week, God called our colleague Glen Chap... more

• February 16, 2006 - Journal

  Constant Innovation

  by Ed Noyes
  In the 1966 Arthur Mosher wrote a thin book entitled "Getting Agriculture Moving."He identified 5 factors essential to transforming agriculture into ... more
• 

  January 27, 2006 - Journal

  Two Things

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, Rita is off to Kinshasa today (Tuesday the 24th) for a medical check up.Hopefully, she can return to Kikongo on Friday.Thank you for you... more

• January 27, 2006 - Journal

  Great Expectations

  by Glen Chapman
  As Director, one sixth of my Women's School student body and one of my staff are expecting new babies this month! I asked a few of our expectant moth... more

• January 05, 2006 - Journal

  Reflections on Entrances and Invasions

  by Virgil Nelson
  The invasions of the DRC from the "east" were "officially ended" several years ago, but it is taking years to end the fighting. The UN presence is i... more
• 

  January 03, 2006 - Journal

  The Night Before Christmas - At Kikongo

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, Raising orphaned animals does lead to some inspiration!This is what the Chapman household is like… Twas the night before Christ... more
• 

  December 19, 2005 - Journal

  A Perfect Act of Kindness from God

  by Bill Clemmer
  Once a month I take a small plane to Vanga Hospital in the interior of Congo where for 48 hours, I put aside the rigors of running a relief program a... more

• December 14, 2005 - Journal

  A Pioneer Baptist

  by Mike Lowery
  Just last week, I took a trip from Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of Congo to Brazzaville, the capital city of the Republic of... more
• 

  December 07, 2005 - Journal

  Something Out of Nothing

  by Katherine Niles
  Dear friends, How can a thin, all but abandoned woman, with nothing but a crumbling mud hut, manage her two young children, already puffy wit... more
• 

  November 29, 2005 - Journal

  Thanksgiving for Long-Term Fruits!

  by Virgil Nelson
  "The fruit of righteousness is the tree of life…."Proverbs 11:30. SINGING in worship, less than a week after his death, was the CHOIR which Tata... more
• 

  November 29, 2005 - Journal

  We are very Thankful Here

  by Ed Noyes
  We have currently 3 American couples and 3 German brothers from a Lutheran monastic order in and around Vanga, who will be celebrating Thanksgiving t... more
• 

  November 08, 2005 - Journal

  A Full Camp

  by Mike Lowery
  The 2005-2006 school year is underway at the Pastor's Institute of Kikongo and we have lots to be thankful for. This year we have a full camp! Our... more
• 

  November 03, 2005 - Journal

  Rejoice! They’re here.

  by Wayne Niles
  Dear Friends, Rejoice with us in the safe arrival of 42,000 High yielding oil palm seeds, enough to plant more than 10,000 acres.These are actuall... more
• 

  November 01, 2005 - Journal

  Seeds Promised on the Plane Tomorrow

  by Ed Noyes
  Normally, I would wait until we could seed the white and green stripes of the boxes before saying that the palm seeds arrived.But word arrived this a... more
• 

  October 31, 2005 - Journal

  Making History

  by Ed Noyes
  The people of Lusekele are making history today ... or at least they hope they are making history.The independent electoral commission set up shop in... more
• 

  October 28, 2005 - Journal

  Seeds Still Held Hostage

  by Ed Noyes
  Ah, the saga continues.But in complete obscurity, complete silence from the players in Kinshasa.We can only pray that the Lord shapes the negotiation... more
• 

  October 27, 2005 - Journal

  How to Reach the Community

  by Wayne Niles
  Dear Friends, With a mixture of delight and ambivalence, Mrs. Rita, the nutritionist at the Kintambo Health Center, unpacked several large boxes d... more
• 

  October 25, 2005 - Journal

  WMO Mission Praises and Thanks

  by Virgil Nelson
  To our friends who are changing our worlds for Christ in the United States: We thank God each day for your ministries there and for your faithfulnes... more
• 

  October 12, 2005 - Journal

  Forest Buffalo and Bill

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear friends, We have rain coming across the continent from East to West today.All our rain thus far has been local storms. This is the first big ... more
• 

  October 10, 2005 - Journal

  A Trip to Kinkosi

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, It is Monday and I am back from my weekend trip to Kinkosi.The trip did not turn out as I had anticipated.The Kinkosi youth never show... more
• 

  October 07, 2005 - Journal

  Help Getting Seeds Out of Customs

  by Ed Noyes
  Dear Friends, As you know we're still waiting for the pre-germinated palm seeds shipped from Costa Rick about 10 days ago.Our contacts in Kinshasa... more

• October 06, 2005 - Journal

  A Prophet is Not Listened To in His Own Town

  by Ed Noyes
  We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your prayers for rain for us! The comment was made two days ago that peanut seed they thought had di... more
• 

  September 29, 2005 - Journal

  Pastoral School Retreat

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, We just finished up a two day spiritual retreat with our pastoral school students. This year our theme is "being salt and light".Rit... more
• 

  September 28, 2005 - Journal

  Rural Living

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, It tried real hard to rain this morning, but the effort did not pay off for us.It seemed to fizzle off to our east.The 15th of Septemb... more
• 

  September 27, 2005 - Journal

  An Answer to Prayer

  by Ed Noyes
  This past week the dry season showed no sign of loosening its grip; hazy atmosphere, hot days, sometimes clear nights, parched grass everywhere, and ... more

• September 23, 2005 - Journal

  Waiting and Praying

  by Ed Noyes
  Hi, all, We shared some ice cream and cake with the Vanga folk over evening prayers for my birthday this Sunday. I'm a little discouraged and a... more
• 

  September 21, 2005 - Journal

  New Bible translation in Kikongo

  by Wendy Bernhard
  May 22, 2005, was a historic day in the life of the church in the Lower Congo province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.The Bible Society, in ... more
• 

  September 20, 2005 - Journal

  Agriculture & Community Health in Congo

  by Wayne Niles
  Dear friends, We had quite a summer.We sorted, packed, moved, and unpacked so much "stuff" so many times that by the end we were experts, and alle... more
• 

  September 02, 2005 - Journal

  Back from the General Assembly

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, I just stepped off the plane after our trip to Kinshasa.Our house is right next to the grass airstrip.Things are still very dry here a... more

• August 24, 2005 - Journal

  Where There Once was Darkness…

  by Bill Clemmer
  Do you remember what it was like when your children were born?I remember the colors in the room.The bright lights, the vibrant wall hangings, the pin... more

• August 23, 2005 - Journal

  Maybe Monday

  by Ed Noyes
  This morning four pressing items clamored for attention. First, waste water from the bathtub doused the bathroom floor again after a wonderful shoe ... more

• August 04, 2005 - Journal

  Dry Season Thirst Quenchers

  by Virgil Nelson
   "SCHOOL-MOBILE"  2 Tim 2:2  "…entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."  Kick-off for Dry Season here in Kikongo wa... more
• 

  August 03, 2005 - Journal

  Graduation Day in Kimpese!

  by Wendy Bernhard
  Dear Praying Friends, Our senior class of 4 students and their spouses celebrated graduation from the Bible Institute in Kimpese at the end of Ju... more
• 

  July 18, 2005 - Journal

  God Has Surrounded Us

  by Ed Noyes
  Thank you all for your intercession and direct help through this transition. Wednesday morning Don and Ken showed up in the dark to pick up packed fo... more
• 

  July 18, 2005 - Journal

  Grace to Accomplish Everything

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, Shistosomiasis Remember the spiritual retreat that I went on when I was the guest speaker? It was our trip down country where we cl... more
• 

  July 12, 2005 - Journal

  An Unusual Pirate Adventure

  by Mike Lowery
  It was supposed to be a normal trip up river. But before we knew it, our river trip had been transformed into a real-life pirate adventure! The story... more

• July 05, 2005 - Journal

  Congo’s Independence Day

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, There has been a lot going on at Kikongo.It is the 4th of July, and the rest of the family is off somewhere doing some firecrackers.I ... more
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  June 23, 2005 - Journal

  Turbulent Traveling by River Boat

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, It is quite an honor to be able to help our freshly graduated families set off towards their homes and places of ministry. On Sunday ... more
• 

  June 15, 2005 - Journal

  Colored Lenses

  by Bill Clemmer
  We recently had a video crew from International Ministries come to Congo to document the various ministries that the American Baptists have been unde... more
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  June 10, 2005 - Journal

  The In-Between Times

  by Ed Noyes
  This morning the travel agency sent us an itinerary for travel to Congo leaving Portland on July 13.Yesterday afternoon the freight company picked up... more
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  May 31, 2005 - Journal

  Honoring Guests Runs Deep in African Tradition

  by Mike Lowery
  Mike just got back from two weeks up at Kikongo. It was an exciting trip filled with activity.The first Sunday Mike accompanied fellow missionary, Gl... more
• 

  May 17, 2005 - Journal

  Partnerships, Both Here and There

  by Ed Noyes
  To all of you who partner with us in Congo ministry, This past week I received several e-mails from Timothée Kabila at Lusekele catching u... more
• 

  May 13, 2005 - Journal

  Looking for Web-Savvy Partner for Congo Ministry

  by Ed Noyes
  International mission is not the exclusive domain of a few elite specialists called missionaries. It is a challenge for the whole church. Each pers... more
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  May 02, 2005 - Journal

  Transformation Africa: Pentecost Sunday

  by Wendy Bernhard
  "Transformation Africa" gathered 45,000 people together in March 2001, in the rugby stadium in Cape Town, South Africa. In March 2002, Christians fr... more

• March 29, 2005 - Journal

  Full of Gratitude

  by Virgil Nelson
  First of all, we are giving thanks for our Author and Finisher in Whom we live and move and have our being. We rejoice that we can be Easter peop... more
• 

  March 23, 2005 - Journal

  The Good News Spreads

  by Mike Lowery
  Recently a Bible study group from one of our churches in the U.S. got together and raised $1300 to purchase Bibles for pastors here in Congo. There w... more
• 

  March 22, 2005 - Journal

  Literacy Team On the Road Again

  by Ed Noyes
  Dear friends, In February, after more than four years of discussion with people of the town of Feshi, in southern Bandundu Province, our literacy ... more
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  March 17, 2005 - Journal

  Follow the Word of the Lord and Work Together

  by Wayne Niles
  Dear Friends, I recently visited a Baptist church community on the outskirts of Kinshasa where we saw 600 school children, sitting on the floor be... more
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  March 11, 2005 - Journal

  Recent Baptism at the Intnl Protestant Church

  by Mike Lowery
  We moved to Kinshasa with quite a sense of dread. For one thing we considered ourselves, basically, "bush" missionaries. We feel most comfortable ... more
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  March 11, 2005 - Journal

  IM MK Baptism

  by Wayne Niles
  Dear Friends and Family: I'm sure you share our joy that this passel of Congo MK's were baptized on Sunday, March 6, 2005 by Mike Lowery along with ... more
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  March 10, 2005 - Journal

  Holy Baptism!

  by Bill Clemmer
  Not one, not two, not three….but five American Baptist missionary children were baptized by ABC missionary Rev. Mike Lowery this past Sunday. In ... more
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  March 07, 2005 - Journal

  Freedom and Opportunities

  by Wendy Bernhard
  Dear friends, Kimpwanza!That's Freedom in Kikongo, the name I've given to a very sturdy Toyota Land Cruiser that I was able to buy in September.Ma... more

• March 02, 2005 - Journal

  Good News!

  by Ed Noyes
  It's always fun to share good news -- this past Wednesday afternoon Eleazar Ziherambere, our interim director for Africa, told us we can begin making... more
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  February 22, 2005 - Journal

  Imagination Motivated and Directed by God’s Love

  by Ed Noyes
  In Tom Hanks' epic HBO series on our national program to explore the moon - From the Earth to the Moon - Frank Borman testifies before a congressiona... more

• February 16, 2005 - Journal

  Colleagues in Agriculture

  by Ed Noyes
  Timothée Kabila, our colleague at the Lusekele agricultural development center, wrote yesterday that Marthe, his wife, was still in the hospit... more
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  February 14, 2005 - Journal

  Conflict as Holy Ground

  by Virgil Nelson
  "Peace has come in the Democratic Republic of the Congo"! "Peace has come in the family of CBCO." I WISH that I could report that "peac... more
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  January 18, 2005 - Journal

  Pray for Marthe

  by Ed Noyes
  Timothée's e-mail arrived in the middle of our 10-day trip to southern California to take Mark and Rebecca back to school and see Miriam's par... more

• January 18, 2005 - Journal

  We have Witnessed God’s Provision and Protection

  by Bill Clemmer
  "Those who see God's hand in everything can best leave everything in God's hand." Life in the Congo is anything but dull.We have had our share of ... more

• January 10, 2005 - Journal

  God’s Wondrous Works

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends: Their eyes are bright with expectation as they sit on the grass mat waiting for Mama Anna to put her finishing touches on her prepar... more
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  December 15, 2004 - Journal

  The Prince of Peace

  by Wendy Bernhard
  As we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we can't help but remember that He came as the Prince of Peace. However, as we look a... more
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  December 07, 2004 - Journal

  New Hope, New Vision and New Determination

  by Ed Noyes
  To our extended family (counted according to blood and enlarged through the sharing of a vision for fulfilling God's purpose in the world): Yester... more
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  December 02, 2004 - Journal

  Children’s Caterpillar Cookies

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, "Mikey likes it!"With just a hint of that delicate dried caterpillar flavor, our first high protein caterpillar cookies came off the g... more
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  November 28, 2004 - Journal

  Good News: The Bridge is Still There!

  by Mike Lowery
  Hi Folks, Glen wrote about a recent 4-inch rain at Kikongo. He was happy to report that the bridge that we built over the Yassa held its ground. I... more
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  November 18, 2004 - Journal

  Bringing Great Glory to His Name

  by Wayne Niles
  Dear Friends in Mission, Tambourines rattling, three girls, perhaps 7 years old, scampered over the cleanly swept sand floor to the front of the ... more

• November 17, 2004 - Journal

  Christmas R & R

  by Virgil Nelson
  A time of RISKINGANDREJOICING Is.43:19Behold I will doPs.67:4O let the nations a new thing!be glad and sing for Joy! God (the Infinite) took th... more
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  November 16, 2004 - Journal

  Change is good. Sometimes it’s not easy.

  by Mike Lowery
  Dear Friends, Mbote diaka! (Hello again!) Well, here we are in November right in the middle of rainy season in Congo. In fact, it rained so har... more
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  November 08, 2004 - Journal

  All of God’s Creation

  by Bill Clemmer
  Dear friends, Ann and I often receive letters from children and Sunday schools asking about 'animals in Africa'. "Why don't you mention animals i... more
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  November 05, 2004 - Journal

  Women: Partners with Christ

  by Wendy Bernhard
  "Women: Partners with Christ" was the theme of the Central Africa Baptist Women's Conference, held from August 16 to 20, 2004, in Kinshasa, in colla... more
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  October 31, 2004 - Journal

  Our Boogy Man

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear friends, As October draws to a close this year, we're reminded of the games and fantasies being played out all over the U.S. this Halloween.It'... more
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  October 27, 2004 - Journal

  Letter to Rita

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, Rita just received a letter from one of my former students, Pastor Zola. Zola and his family were with us at the Kikongo pastoral scho... more
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  October 25, 2004 - Journal

  His Mercy and Love is Evident

  by Ed Noyes
  Dear friends, I was just checking back, and realized that I have not written anything about what's happened in our literacy ministry since last Sep... more

• October 21, 2004 - Journal

  Prayer Request for Marthe Kabila

  by Ed Noyes
  Dear prayer partners, We have been away from home for a week sharing the Congo ministry with folks in northern California. What a pleasure to be ab... more

• October 04, 2004 - Journal

  What a Privilege!

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, The following is part of a letter Rita was writing to some friends.I thought it was something she should share with all of you who regul... more

• September 29, 2004 - Journal

  Was it for Him?

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, It is Monday afternoon, and I have just returned from my trip down river to Fatundu. On Saturday morning I had the pastoral students w... more

• September 21, 2004 - Journal

  Most Thankful

  by Virgil Nelson
  Dear Friends: Welcome changes are in the air! Church worship usually starts at 9:30 and while it is now 10:45, church has still not started!Why?Becaus... more
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  September 08, 2004 - Journal

  Walking into this by Faith

  by Wayne Niles
  Dear friends, We depart for the Democratic Republic of the Congo September 17th. If this news is surprising to you, it has been to us too!In our las... more

• September 07, 2004 - Journal

  Infinite Value

  by Wendy Bernhard
  Dear praying friends, September 2004 marks the twenty-first anniversary of my arrival in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which was then known ... more
• 

  August 19, 2004 - Journal

  Mitendi Women’s Center

  by Wendy Bernhard
  On July 2, 2004 the women of the Western Congo Baptist Community organized the graduation ceremony of 14 girls who just completed a one-year training c... more
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  August 12, 2004 - Journal

  Partnering with Jesus Christ to Change the World

  by Ed Noyes
  To all of you who stand alongside us in ministry, A week ago, the World Mission Conference ended with a challenge.A vast spiritual battle rages arou... more

• July 28, 2004 - Journal

  YAMBI!!!

  by Mike Lowery
  In our local dialect that means "HUG!!!" We use the word mostly when we welcome new visitors to our church. And, if I was asked for a descr... more
• 

  July 06, 2004 - Journal

  Assurance of Salvation and Abiding Peace with Jesu

  by Bill Clemmer
  Dear Friends, We last wrote in April about an attempted coup in Congo and being awakened in the middle of the night by artillery and machine gun fir... more

• June 18, 2004 - Journal

  Jill’s Recent Trip to Kinshasa

  by Mike Lowery
  "Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His loving-kindness, To deliver their soul from death and to keep them ... more

• June 18, 2004 - Journal

  What is God like? He is like a good shade tree.

  by Glen Chapman
  After reading my last journal, about projecting and canoeing, some of you think all we missionaries do is have fun.You may in fact be right.I sure had ... more

• June 16, 2004 - Journal

  Pastoral and Theological Education

  by Wendy Bernhard
  Kimpese Bible Institute: We are in the midst of final exams at the Bible Institute, but unfortunately only 10 of our 24 students are allowed to take t... more

• June 15, 2004 - Journal

  God’s Surprises

  by Virgil Nelson
  John 10:10,"....I have come that they might have life...and have it abundantly." (NASB) MIGHTY DUCKS, and PILOT PATIENCE Local farmers associations... more

• June 03, 2004 - Journal

  A Visit to Nsaka

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, A few weeks ago, we built a bridge over the Bulumbu River.Many people from Nsaka were present.At the time I did some filming with the vi... more

• May 24, 2004 - Journal

  Serving God Can Be a Real Adventure

  by Mike Lowery
  Dear Friends, Mbote diaka! (Hello again!) Yesterday's trip wasn't really meant to be evangelism or church planting. The primary goal wasn't even to ... more

• May 12, 2004 - Journal

  I Went to Prison

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, While I was in Kinshasa, I had the opportunity to visit the dreaded main prison named "Makala".Pastor Dikiefu, a graduate of the Kikongo... more
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  May 03, 2004 - Journal

  Reorganizing the Baptist Community in Congo

  by Mike Lowery
  Dear Friends, Mbote diaka! (Hello again!) It's been quite a while since we've sent out an update. Lots have gone on in the last few weeks. We've ... more
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  April 30, 2004 - Journal

  New Bridge

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, Early one morning I left Kikongo on my bicycle and headed South.When I got to the forest near the Bulumbu River, I was stopped by a cr... more

• April 21, 2004 - Journal

  The Crisis And Mobile Schools

  by Ed Noyes
  Last year, Pastor Ngalubenge, the Baptist Convention's coordinator for evangelism and discipleship, gathered three alarming statistics.First, more than... more

• April 21, 2004 - Journal

  Mobile Schools

  by Ed Noyes
  In the last segment, I spoke of the urgency of leadership training for Baptist churches in western Congo and the mobile school initiative that Pastor N... more

• April 13, 2004 - Journal

  Oh, the Trials of Technology!

  by Ed Noyes
  Over the past three years we have rejoiced at having the simplest of e-mail connections 7 kilometers away in Vanga.And last year a limited Internet con... more

• April 06, 2004 - Journal

  Project Development Report for 2003

  by Virgil Nelson
  Dear friends and partners in ministry and service: With the start of the new calendar year we are finally finding some time for SUMMARZING and REFLE... more
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  April 05, 2004 - Journal

  A Night of Gunfire and Uncertainty

  by Bill Clemmer
  "Go back to sleep it will stop", I assured Ann when she woke me up at 3:30 in the morning to tell me there was sporadic gunfire in the street. It had b... more

• March 11, 2004 - Journal

  God in His Mercy, Protected Us

  by Wayne Niles
  We continue to thank God for each peaceful passing day, and for the calm, which the Cap Haitian area enjoys. Truly God has blessed this area with peac... more

• March 09, 2004 - Journal

  A Tumultuous Time in Haiti

  by Wayne Niles
  Dear Friends, We have been asked to post a journal about the last few weeks in Haiti during this tumultuous time. Following are several emails we sent... more

• March 08, 2004 - Journal

  Church Visit Follow Up

  by Mike Lowery
  Mike accompanied Pastor Mbu to another church this week. The visits are part of the training of the student pastors. Each student pastor is assigned to... more

• March 01, 2004 - Journal

  Tastes Of Grace

  by Virgil Nelson
  The Nelsons continue to find joy in their ministry of teaching in DR Congo. "You taught well today, I really understood the lesson!" commented one ... more
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  February 23, 2004 - Journal

  Tangible Improvements

  by Ed Noyes
  Saturday morning two weeks ago, Philippe, Gervais, Jean Luc and I sat around an old power sprayer unit.Four bolts on top of the tank show where the gas... more

• February 09, 2004 - Journal

  Couples In Ministry

  by Mike Lowery
  Well, it's February here in Congo. It's the hottest time of year for us. We are in the "small" dry season (ilanga), which is between the "big" and "sma... more

• February 09, 2004 - Journal

  Absence of a Pastor or Lay Leader

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, Thank you for your prayers for my trip to Minshia. We didn't have enough gasoline for the trip, so I did some maintenance on our du... more
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  February 03, 2004 - Journal

  "Honey…look who I brought home"

  by Bill Clemmer
  Near the Virunga Forest in Eastern Congo…. I was visiting one of our Christian hospitals on the other side of the Virunga National Park in Eastern C... more

• January 30, 2004 - Journal

  God Leading the Way

  by Ed Noyes
  If we want to have some inkling of the future of our society look at our children.The sense of right and wrong, respect for others, the willingness to ... more

• January 26, 2004 - Journal

  Small Village Churches In Congo

  by Mike Lowery
  Dear Friends, Mbote diaka! (Hello again!) Pastor Mbu and I just returned from a trip to Kikwe village; a 25-mile round trip by bicycle from Kikong... more
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  January 26, 2004 - Journal

  White Cross Shipments to Congo

  by Bill Clemmer
  The American Baptists support 7 health districts in the interior of Congo comprising 8 hospitals, 6 nursing schools and over a hundred health centers..... more

• January 20, 2004 - Journal

  Blessings in the Midst of an Ordeal

  by Ed Noyes
  Sometimes the most routine trips turn into the most unexpected ordeals.Tuesday, December 16, early afternoon, the third-year agriculture students had f... more
• 

  January 06, 2004 - Journal

  Arrival in Kimpese

  by Wendy Bernhard
  It's been more than two months since I moved back to the Evangelical Center of Cooperation (CECO) in Kimpese, 100 miles south-west of Kinshasa, to the ... more

• January 05, 2004 - Journal

  Apologies

  by Virgil Nelson
  Virgil and Lynn Nelson, WHO are these people? We are missionaries serving with the Pastoral Training School in Kikongo the D. R. of Congo with American... more

• December 26, 2003 - Journal

  Rejoice And Appreciate What God Has Done For Us

  by Mike Lowery
  Mbote diaka! (Hello again!) Just like for you, our December has been pretty full. Interestingly enough, it's been full of pretty much the same thing... more

• December 11, 2003 - Journal

  The Dark and Light of Christmas

  by Ed Noyes
  The clusters of berries on the quinina trees have turned a brilliant red, new peanuts and roast corn on the cob are plentiful for many people, as pe... more

• December 10, 2003 - Journal

  We’re Having A Ball This Christmas!

  by Virgil Nelson
  Five new soccer teams in two villages, have soccer balls this season due to the donation of these expensive balls by folks in the USA, plus because ... more

• December 09, 2003 - Journal

  A Missionary’s Purpose

  by Ed Noyes
  What is the focus for today?What hat do I put on?Sometimes the answer is not so easy to give.For example, today I led 3rd-year agricultural edu... more

• December 04, 2003 - Journal

  Confront The Darkness With True Light

  by Mike Lowery
  Jill got home late last night from the "mafwa." In Kituba the word "mafwa" comes from "lufwa" (death) and means "mourning" or "bereavement." In Cong... more
• 

  December 03, 2003 - Journal

  Advent in the Congo

  by Bill Clemmer
  This has been a week of tragedies in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Last Tuesday a ferry over laden with people capsized in the middle of Lake Ma... more

• November 24, 2003 - Journal

  A Slice of Life in Africa

  by Mike Lowery
  The rains have come in force. We had a really nice rain that soaked the ground well. Our "test" fields of soybeans and peanuts are doing very well.I... more
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  November 20, 2003 - Journal

  Carry On When The Going Gets Rocky

  by Wayne Niles
  Dear Friends, Last Monday Katherine got home from her trip to the Danda clinic earlier than usual (that is before dark). The old Isuzu trooper ea... more
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  November 17, 2003 - Journal

  More Than a Soccer Match

  by Mike Lowery
  The soccer match took place in Fatundu, a village about 15 miles down river. Kikongo women's president, our two coaches, and myself escorted 40 girl... more

• November 14, 2003 - Journal

  Playing in the Dirt

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, I guess some people never do stop playing in the dirt. But hunger, true hunger day after day, is not easy to watch.Often our nursery ... more

• November 10, 2003 - Journal

  Our New Life In Him Will Be Eternal

  by Virgil Nelson
  Dear Family and Friends: It is still the custom in many cities in the States, for the cars to stop when a funeral procession and the hearse (c... more
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  November 10, 2003 - Journal

  Girls Soccer Game

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, Thank you for your prayers for our trip to Fatundu.On Saturday morning, we set off with a boatload of 50 people including 40 girls f... more
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  November 06, 2003 - Journal

  God Has Touched Their Lives

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, One of the thoughtful questions we are occasionally asked, is what happens to handicapped children in Congo?When I first met 4 yr ... more

• November 03, 2003 - Journal

  What A Privilege It Is To Serve!

  by Mike Lowery
  Mbote diaka !Hello, again ! Yesterday was Sunday and I had the privilege of traveling to Kikasi, a village about 8 miles from Kikongo, to preach in ... more
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  October 21, 2003 - Journal

  Search And Rescue - Sort Of

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, I am back from my weekend trip.I feel like I need an extra weekend to recover! I had prepared work to leave with my four classes, so... more
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  October 17, 2003 - Journal

  Downs and Ups

  by Ed Noyes
  What do you do when 15,000 palm seeds arrive unannounced in the Congo customs warehouse at the end of the month and the customs agents (and fifteen... more
• 

  October 17, 2003 - Journal

  How They Can Help Their Fellow Church Members And

  by Ed Noyes
  We originally planned to do our literacy teacher's training at Kwa-Mouth at the end of April, but plans fell through and we postponed it to the end of ... more

• October 16, 2003 - Journal

  A Great Testimony Of How God Answers Prayer

  by Mike Lowery
  This morning in our chapel in Kikongo an elderly church member shared this story from his youth to show the importance of prayer and faith in God. I ho... more

• October 13, 2003 - Journal

  Respect Amid Turmoil

  by Virgil Nelson
  Dear folks; The end of September we had the retreat kickoff for our Pastoral School year. The theme was "knowing God and being known by Him to bet... more
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  October 07, 2003 - Journal

  Visiting With Survivors Of The Nyankunde Massacre

  by Bill Clemmer
  "I was a stranger and you invited me in…...I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I nee... more

• September 29, 2003 - Journal

  Moving On

  by Ed Noyes
  How do you feel when you have been pleading with God for a certain something to happen and it doesn't?It's not too hard to accept when the ans... more

• September 18, 2003 - Journal

  Cool Water

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, I'm back at Kikongo, finally! I thought I would arrive in Kinshasa with the container already out of customs and only be spending a... more

• September 12, 2003 - Journal

  The next couple of weeks are chocked full of movem

  by Ed Noyes
  Miriam leaves for Kinshasa today, to start a boat trip up the Congo River to Kwamouth.She and Rose Mayala will lead another in the series of trainin... more

• August 26, 2003 - Journal

  Retreats and Tru Love Waits

  by Wendy Bernhard
  I've been back in Kinshasa for seven weeks now, and in some ways it seems like I've never been away.The Lord is at work in many ways, and I've been pri... more

• August 21, 2003 - Journal

  The Future for ISP Milundi

  by Ed Noyes
  Lusekele, August 21, 2003 God, what is your vision of the future for ISP Milundu? For two years the Institut Supérieur Pédagogique Milu... more
• 

  August 20, 2003 - Journal

  Back to School

  by Ed Noyes
  Lusekele, August 20, 2003 Today the house is quiet. The piano isn't ringing with the calypso of "It is the joy of my heart" or the intricacies of a cl... more
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  August 19, 2003 - Journal

  Yasa Bongo Rural Health Zone

  by Ed Noyes
  The Yasa-Bonga rural health zone resembles the Vanga area: large villages, dwindling forest land, area wide malnutrition hits 25% of the children under... more

• August 11, 2003 - Journal

  Back from Lower Congo

  by Glen Chapman
  Glen and Rita Chapman, Democratic Republic of the Congo Dear Friends, Thank you for your prayers during the past two weeks as I traveled in the lower... more

• July 21, 2003 - Journal

  New Proposal for Congo

  by Ed Noyes
  Ed and Miriam Noyes, Democratic Republic of Congo Dear family and friends, Many of you know that Ed has been part of a multi-disciplinary team prepa... more

• July 21, 2003 - Journal

  RETURN TO CONGO

  by Wendy Bernhard
  Wendy Bernhard, Democratic Republic of Congo I returned to Kinshasa on July 5, after a busy but productive year in the U.S. It's the dry season here ... more

• July 16, 2003 - Journal

  Greetings from Kinshasa

  by Virgil Nelson
  Lynn and Virgil Nelson, Democratic Republic of the CongoJuly 2003 Greetings from the capital city of Kinshasa where we have now been one week, lodged... more
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  July 14, 2003 - Journal

  Will you help ‘plant a tree’……in Congo’s Equatoria

  by Bill Clemmer
  Bill and Ann Clemmer, Democratic Republic of Congo When Martin Luther was asked what he would do if he knew that Christ was coming back this day, he ... more

• July 11, 2003 - Journal

  Changes in the Congo

  by Ed Noyes
  Changes in the Congo Ed and Miriam Noyes, Congo To you who share the joy of serving the Lord in Congo, The land across the dirt track in front of... more
• 

  July 01, 2003 - Journal

  Maddening Mixture Of Opportunities And Challenges

  by Ed Noyes
  Farmers in the Vanga area harvest second-season crops and take a very brief breather before clearing fields for the main rainy season in September.... more
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  June 25, 2003 - Journal

  The Value Of The Skills I Pass On

  by Wayne Niles
  Dear in Friends,June 23, 2003 You wouldn't think that offering to overhaul someone's vehicle would be an evangelistic activity, but that happened... more

• June 23, 2003 - Journal

  Please do not pray!

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, Here at Kikongo the only sport is soccer.Sometimes, the Kikongo soccer team visits other villages.Other times, local villages come he... more
• 

  May 27, 2003 - Journal

  What are we to do?

  by Bill Clemmer
  The town of Bunia in Eastern Congo is a quiet town, nestled in the rolling hills of Ituri Province; a former colonial rest stop on the road between ... more

• May 16, 2003 - Journal

  Responsible Living Skills Seminar Update

  by Wendy Bernhard
  The True Love Waits Program spreads in Kinshasa Over half the population of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is under 15 years of age! These... more
• 

  May 12, 2003 - Journal

  To Read And Write Is Just The Beginning

  by Ed Noyes
  Dear friends, Back in March I told you that we were getting ready to do a literacy teacher training in a fairly new evangelism area of the c... more

• May 11, 2003 - Journal

  Resources To Produce The Modest Fruits Of Prosperi

  by Ed Noyes
  Dear family, Calvary Baptist co-workers, and other partners, When we're sick or hurt, our whole world seems to shrink to the confines of our own ... more
• 

  May 09, 2003 - Journal

  Tumble Into The Mixing Bowl Of Life

  by Ed Noyes
  We all have days where everything seems to go right.Other days disasters seem to bunch up in the wings eagerly jostling each other for their chance... more
• 

  April 09, 2003 - Journal

  Visit To Milundu Village

  by Ed Noyes
  VISIT TO MILUNDU VILLAGE, LUNIUNGU SECTOR ASSOCIATION OF LUNIUNGU FISH-FARMERS HIGH-YIELDING HYBRID OIL PALM PROJECT Pictures were taken on Fe... more
• 

  April 08, 2003 - Journal

  Literacy In Moanza

  by Ed Noyes
  In our last report, after our training trip to Mbali, we were traveled out and wanted to stay at home for a bit.And so we did, taking part in our wo... more
• 

  April 08, 2003 - Journal

  February Update on Oil Palm Project

  by Ed Noyes
  Many of you will remember that ACDI Lusekele, the Baptist agricultural extension program working in the central Kwilu River region, launched an expe... more
• 

  March 25, 2003 - Journal

  Trip to Kinkosi

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, It is Monday. Time to kick my feet up and recuperate from my trek to Kinkosi, which means "the lion." On Friday evening, we waited ... more
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  March 20, 2003 - Journal

  "There are no demons in hell…they are all her

  by Bill Clemmer
  read the cover of Time Magazine in 1994, quoting missionary Karen Homer during the Rwandan genocide. Few in this part of Africa could ever forget the ... more
• 

  March 10, 2003 - Journal

  A Visit With Pastor Kafuti

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, On Saturday morning, I took off on my bicycle, heading East, accompanied by one of my pastoral students.The purpose of traveling to Mbon... more
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  February 28, 2003 - Journal

  Christ-Like Mission

  by Ed Noyes
  FightingMalnutritionThe second rainy season is really the best time for producing cowpea seed in the central Kwilu River region.But maximizing the seed... more
• 

  February 24, 2003 - Journal

  Second Stage Relief Mission To Yumbi

  by Bill Clemmer
  Less than two weeks after the SANRU health team responded to a tornado, which displaced over 20,000 persons in the Congolese river city of Yumbi, a cha... more
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  February 03, 2003 - Journal

  A Shared Ministry

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, Thanks to the boat and it's newly repaired motor, Glen and I were able to visit the family of one of our recent graduates from the Kikon... more
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  January 30, 2003 - Journal

  Ministry On A Daily Basis

  by Bill Clemmer
  Hello friends,Here is an update of our work….and current prayer requests, Bill is currently co-managing a church based relief project in Congo... more

• January 27, 2003 - Journal

  Emmanuel, God With Us

  by Glen Chapman
  This morning I joined many other Kikongo women sitting around the body of a beautiful 5-month-old baby girl.She died at our hospital yesterday. Grievin... more

• January 15, 2003 - Journal

  Richer For Both Traditions

  by Glen Chapman
  Glen and I (Rita) are often reminded of the privilege we have of training pastors and their wives here at Kikongo.As I welcome the women for classes ea... more
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  January 09, 2003 - Journal

  A Missed Opportunity…Forever

  by Bill Clemmer
  Do you ever wish you could go back in time; just an hour, or a day…to undo a mistake or make up for a missed opportunity?I did this past week...wishi... more
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  January 06, 2003 - Journal

  The Work of the Holy Spirit

  by Charles DeRolf
  Kanto Gakuin Church celebrated Christmas today with a beautiful worship service filled with the Holy Spirit. There were two baptisms that highli... more

• December 20, 2002 - Journal

  Needles and Knives

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, " Come in peace to our village. When you come, bring a needle, (for mending) Instead of a machete." (for cutting) In Kikongo we say:... more
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  December 18, 2002 - Journal

  Sampling of CBCO Projects 2002

  by Ed Noyes
  Neighborhood Water Supply in KikwitThe leadership of the Kwilu-Kikwit region of CBCO completed a 14,000-gallon (50,000 liter) fresh-water cistern in th... more
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  December 17, 2002 - Journal

  Revisit: Nyankunde Massacre

  by Bill Clemmer
  Four of us set out from Western Congo last week to revisit the refugees who had escaped the massacre at Nyankunde Mission Hospital and to assess needs ... more

• December 12, 2002 - Journal

  Slaughter Of The Innocents

  by Virgil Nelson
  The Biblical account of the birth of Jesus includes one segment which we conveniently forget or consciously omit, but it is the "big event" in the Chri... more

• December 02, 2002 - Journal

  Peacemakers

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, I (Glen) have been working on preparations for our general assembly, which will be December 8-12 in Kinshasa.I have been asked to be the... more
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  November 25, 2002 - Journal

  Serving The Gospel Here In Congo

  by Ed Noyes
  I'm just back from that "remote corner of Bandundu Province", my destination when we last wrote you in early October.Mbali-Iboma is about 60 miles nort... more

• November 15, 2002 - Journal

  Chop Suey?

  by Wendy Bernhard
  I'm enjoying the cross-cultural experience of living in New England for the first time in my life!For example, if you saw "Chop Suey" on a menu, what w... more
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  November 13, 2002 - Journal

  God as Our Guide

  by Charles DeRolf
  Dear All, Here it is November and the Ginko trees I can see as I sit at my desk are turning a beautiful golden yellow, telling me winter will be... more

• November 11, 2002 - Journal

  Building Bridges

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, Thanks for your prayers for our activities this weekend. On Saturday, I took our pastoral school students down to the Yasa, where we... more

• November 11, 2002 - Journal

  When it Rains, it Pours

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, Greetings from a rainy Kikongo.It is November, and this is what is supposed to happen in November.The rains, however, make life somew... more

• October 28, 2002 - Journal

  Weekend in Congo

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear friends, We have had a good weekend.On Friday, the MAF plane came with one of the Roman Catholic sisters (an American). She asked me to take her ... more

• October 18, 2002 - Journal

  A Slice of Life

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, October is typically the month with the most rainfall. In keeping with our concern for good stewardship of the earth, we have taken adva... more

• October 14, 2002 - Journal

  A Worthwhile Trip

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, Well, I am back at Kikongo after my first weekend trip to the villages. On Friday, I took off from Kikongo by boat.We could not get the... more
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  October 07, 2002 - Journal

  Our Hope Rests In Him

  by Ed Noyes
  Dear family, Calvary Baptist co-workers, and other partners, Lightning flickers off to the east, but no thunder rolls reach us through the thick air... more
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  October 07, 2002 - Journal

  Massacre at Nyankunde

  by Bill Clemmer
  At 8:30 in the morning on Tuesday, September 5th, 2002, Mr. Kakani, the head nurse in the intensive care ward at Nyankunde Christian Hospital, had just... more

• September 23, 2002 - Journal

  Dateline Haverhill, Massachusetts

  by Wendy Bernhard
  I'm having a great time on US/Puerto Rico assignment, house-sitting until December for a retired occupational therapist who is working as a volunteer a... more

• September 18, 2002 - Journal

  Finding The Word

  by Glen Chapman
  Dear Friends, New students are beginning to arrive at Kikongo to attend the Pastoral school.As she was introducing herself in church, one of the new... more

• September 11, 2002 - Journal

  Thankful For God’s Provisions

  by Bill Clemmer
  Greetings to our American Baptist Churches! We are thankful for God's provisions and blessings this past year, as we have been able to carry out our... more

• August 05, 2002 - Journal

  Welcome Home

  by Glen Chapman
  Welcome Home August 5, 2002 Dear Friends, Home again!It is good to be back in our home at Kikongo.When we landed here by Mission Aviation Fellows... more

• July 22, 2002 - Journal

  The Miracles Continue

  by Virgil Nelson
  Dear Friends: Thankfully we have arrived safely back in the USA and are in Ventura, CA, and mostly in good humor. Air travel increasingly provides t... more

• July 10, 2002 - Journal

  Back In The U.S.A.

  by Wendy Bernhard
  I arrived in the U.S.A. for what is now called "U.S.-Puerto Rico assignment." First spending a few weeks with family members near Elko, Nevada, wher... more
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  June 29, 2002 - Journal

  Can a bokor put a person’s soul in a bottle?"

  by Wayne Niles
  Dear friends, "Can a bokor put a person's soul in a bottle?" Pastor Amors asked thoughtfully looking around the room.Some of the workshop participants... more
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  June 10, 2002 - Journal

  "Suffer the little children… to come unto me&

  by Bill Clemmer
  "Suffer the little children… to come unto me" 06-20-02 "Suffer the little children… to come unto me" is a Bible verse we have all heard.It remi... more

• May 30, 2002 - Journal

  Promoting Unity

  by Mike Lowery
  We had a very special, even historical, weekend in Kikongo last week. Jill, along with the youth of Kikongo, organized a series of activities with the ... more
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  May 30, 2002 - Journal

  Just Dropping In

  by Mike Lowery
  Yesterday we had some special visitors just drop in (pun) at Kikongo. A Mission Aviation Fellowship plane was on its way to Vanga mission about 45 minu... more
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  May 23, 2002 - Journal

  Laboratory At The Danda Clinic!

  by Wayne Niles
  Dear friends, We now have a wonderful lab at the Danda clinic! Until January, any patient needing laboratory tests had to go (by foot, donkey, or pub... more

• May 03, 2002 - Journal

  Incredible Women

  by Mike Lowery
  Recently our fellow missionary, Lauren Bethel, came to visit us here in Congo. We spent a full week touring CBCO women's programs in Kinshasa. Even wit... more

• May 02, 2002 - Journal

  War and Peace

  by Glen Chapman
  While the rumors of war circulate in the United States, the talk is of peace for "Africa's first world war".Congolese have completed two months of an "... more

• May 01, 2002 - Journal

  The Cat and Rat

  by Virgil Nelson
  Dear Friends: Every house has its own unique "sounds in the night," so it was no surprise when we were warned.Sure enough: the pitter-patter of little... more

• April 27, 2002 - Journal

  Here we come!

  by Virgil Nelson
  Dear Friends: "California here we come!" AT LAST we have some more definitive travel plans for our return and the beginning of our exciting year of p... more

• April 17, 2002 - Journal

  First Fruits

  by Ed Noyes
  As you know, our move to Lusekele came from a desire to do something about malnutrition in one of the most densely populated areas of western Congo. W... more

• April 15, 2002 - Journal

  Desperation

  by Bill Clemmer
  "I have never seen such desperation," remarked Dr Ngose, a Congolese doctor, trained in one of our American Baptist affiliated residency programs and... more

• April 12, 2002 - Journal

  Replacing Fear with Joy (Wayne)

  by Wayne Niles
  Have you ever seen one of those comics where someone is sticking needles in a voodoo doll?This image resembles reality in Haiti, sort of.Edner, my exte... more

• March 11, 2002 - Journal

  A Bible and Some Shoes

  by Mike Lowery
  We have known Pastor Malala since we were in Vanga in 1990. He's a great young pastor with a heart for evangelism and community development. He ... more
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  March 04, 2002 - Journal

  Reaching Young People

  by Wendy Bernhard
  The Responsible Living Skills (RLS) team I've been working with for the past two years held its first rally of the New Year on February 10, with over 4... more

• March 01, 2002 - Journal

  Joy and Sorrow - Co-Mingled.

  by Virgil Nelson
  One major challenge here is coming to some "understanding" of the "meaning of suffering".Why should 1,000's of children die of malaria, when the "cures... more

• February 14, 2002 - Journal

  A Student’s Story

  by Mike Lowery
  Last year was a difficult year for student pastor Muntu-Ndombe. Economically, things went from bad to worse. As a student at the Pastor's Institu... more

• February 11, 2002 - Journal

  Perspectives from Goma

  by Bill Clemmer
  We were in a plane circling over the city of Goma in Eastern Congo. The pilot, MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) missionary Dan Carlson was radi... more

• February 07, 2002 - Journal

  A Brighter Future

  by Ed Noyes
  This afternoon I returned from a two-day trip to Nsona Mpangu, one of the early church stations in lower Congo. A casual conversation with Bill Cle... more

• February 01, 2002 - Journal

  Healing a Hospital?

  by Virgil Nelson
  Sounds a bit bizarre, doesn't it?Well the Kikongo hospital has been in need of "healing" for some time.With a bed capacity of 100, the daily patient av... more

• January 14, 2002 - Journal

  Surviving Africa

  by Glen Chapman
  We are spending the year of home assignment in Santa Cruz, California. One thing that has put Santa Cruz on the map recently is that it is the ho... more

• January 09, 2002 - Journal

  New Year, New Beginnings!

  by Ed Noyes
  Already the New Year has swept us nine days into the future. The current's strength is a surprise. The banks rush by and slip away into the past. Somet... more

• January 07, 2002 - Journal

  Tidings of Good News!

  by Glen Chapman
  Being in America now gives us the exciting opportunity to share our experiences of the Congo with friends. I recently met a Congolese who ... more

• January 01, 2002 - Journal

  Many Miracles of Healing

  by Virgil Nelson
  Massive burns to four children and their mother resulted from the accidental spill and ignition of kerosene by their father, while filling an oil lamp ... more

• December 26, 2001 - Journal

  The Joy of Giving

  by Mike Lowery
  Our Christmas service was special for us this year. As usual for December it was very hot and very humid near the equator in Congo. As usual the ... more

• December 15, 2001 - Journal

  Still On the Road

  by Wendy Bernhard
  I got back home to Kinshasa August 30 from nearly a full month of "going global" with an evangelism team to several of our rural church centers in Bas ... more

• December 01, 2001 - Journal

  A Child Will Lead Us—told by Lynn

  by Virgil Nelson
  One Sunday morning last spring, due to heavy rain, only a few gathered for worship. In sharing an umbrella for the walk home, I had the fortune of g... more

• December 01, 2001 - Journal

  Where are all the people?

  by Glen Chapman
  It is fun to see the United States through the eyes of someone who has never been here. We were recently with a Congolese pastor who was visiting the ... more

• December 01, 2001 - Journal

  Serving God in a War Zone

  by Bill Clemmer
  It has been three years since the Democratic Republic of the Congo was thrust into another war; its second during our career as American Baptist missio... more

• November 15, 2001 - Journal

  On the Road

  by Wendy Bernhard
  I got back home to Kinshasa August 30 from nearly a full month of "going global" with an evangelism team to several of our rural church centers in Bas ... more

• November 01, 2001 - Journal

  Making a Dream a Reality

  by Ed Noyes
  It takes a bunch of small steps to make large advances. While Mark and Reba were home for a short fall school break we watched Tom Hank’s mini-ser... more

• October 01, 2001 - Journal

  Agents of Change

  by Mike Lowery
  Not long after Jill and I had fallen asleep our daughter Hannah burst into our bedroom. "There are ants everywhere in our room! Army ants!" she said. J... more

• October 01, 2001 - Journal

  Planting not Burning

  by Virgil Nelson
  During this dry season, the tradition of burning the grasslands and forest prevails. Used ostensibly to "chase out the animals" for immediate food and ... more

• October 01, 2001 - Journal

  God’s Armor

  by Wayne Niles
  A few weeks ago Edwar came over to talk. Edwar has been a Christian for nearly two years, now. After about 10 minutes of small talk, he finally sha... more

• October 01, 2001 - Journal

  Future Generations

  by Ed Noyes
  Thursday morning I found myself in the jeep with a car full of college students. As we jolted over the eroded road to Vanga, I asked, “What do you ... more

• October 01, 2001 - Journal

  Battles

  by Bill Clemmer
  Yes, there was a battle fought, along the bend of the Congo River in this city of Kisangani and its surrounding health zones. The city was under siege ... more