Past Work Trip Reports

Rolling Hills Volunteers Tell of Congo Trip

Rosa Alvarez and Divina Apolinario, of Rolling Hills Covenant Church in California, were among the team that traveled to Congo in September 2006. Here is their reflection on their experience. (See below for another report on the trip, from Pastor Keith Carpenter of the Kent Covenant Church in Washington.)

September 25th was the start of  twelve-day adventure to the Democrataic Republic of Congo for both of us. We left praying friends and family from Rolling Hills Covenant Church in Southern California and flew across the ocean, with strangers with whom we would soon be experiencing a whole different world. With no real expectations but a lot of excitement to see what the Lord had in store for us, we followed the lead, and discovered a beautiful country with warm and hospitable people who won our hearts. We were greeted by crowds. Wherever we went, we were fed and welcomed like kings and queens by members of the church who themselves often go without food. Such is the cultural tradition of the Congolese people. The welcome ceremonies at times were overwhelming, with children, excitement, and celebration.

Not surprising for a country that has been ravaged by war and continual political unrest, we saw poverty and want that broke our hearts. Divina, with a nursing background, was particularly interested in the condition of the hospitals and the clinics. Some conditions literally led us to tears. Such was the case with the Paul Carlson Hospital in Loko. Its condition created a deep commitment to return home to tell the story in the hopes of inspiring the RHCC community into action. We realized that this was perhaps one amongst many of the reasons we were led to make this trip. Divina is already prayerfully planning to lead a work team next year.

There were plenty of fun times together with our fellow travelers --Keith, Ted, and Roger from Kent Covenant Church and Dan Peterson and Bob Thornbloom from the Paul Carlson Partnership. Bob kept us laughing with his numerous mission stories. We all managed to have an exciting four-hour trip of laughter and fun-making while traveling the bumpy road from Karawa to Bokonzo. The bad roads of California are a "piece of cake" in comparison. The event that unglued us all was Roger's announcement that he had experienced a "divorce" (between his lower body and spinal cord) when Dr. Sanguma [president of the Covenant Church of Congo], the driver, made a sudden break that had us all grabbing for something to hang on to. Fortunately, a successful but painful (according to the client) reconciliation was had, much to the credit of the hysterical clinicians on board. Laughter is such a great healer!

There is not a doubt that our lives have been changed. We trust we have become more compassionate and Christ-like. We were filled with satisfaction and joy to know that just our presence had brought so much hope, encouragement, and blessings to a people forgotten and in so much need of attention and life-giving love. To have been able to bless them with the gifts of hope and encouragement, in the name of Jesus--that, in itself, has made the trip worthwhile.

Kent Covenant Team Reports on Trip to Congo

Three members of Kent Covenant Church in Washington were part of the team that joined PCP staff members Bob Thornbloom and Dan Peterson for a two-week work-and-vision trip to Congo in September 2006.  Here is a report on the experience from Keith Carpenter, pastor of Kent Covenant. 

The three-person work team from Kent Covenant Church that ventured to Congo from September 25 through October 6 has now returned with positive reports about their progress. Ted Stephens, Roger Yurczyk, and Pastor Keith went to Congo with three primary goals. The first goal was to identify several schools that will receive permanent metal roofs as part of the "Kent Covenant--Congo School Roofs Project." The second goal was to build a swingset as the first major piece of recreational equipment in a new park for the children of Bokonzo. And third, to consult with local leaders regarding urgent building, electrical, and plumbing needs that could be addressed on this or future work trips. Also part of the Congo work team were Rosa Alvarez and Divina Apolinario, of Rolling Hills Covenant Church.

Everywhere the team went they received a warm and enthusiastic welcome from the people of Congo, whose hope for a better future was bolstered by seeing Christians from the West who are concerned about their plight and want to help. Besides building the playground equipment and assessing school roofs and electrical and plumbing needs, completed projects included a table-stand for a grinder given by PCP for use in milling corn, peanuts, coffee, etc.; repairing the broken birthing table at the Bokonzo Medical Clinic; and repairing an administrative table and cabinet. 

The group reports that they were extremely well fed due to the efforts of Sabuli Sanguma, wife of CEUM president Mossai Sanguma, and her team of African cooks. The menu included some traditional African dishes such as goat, jungle rabbit, chicken, fish, vegetables, and various local fruits, as well as American favorites like spaghetti, lasagna, hamburgers, scrambled eggs, French toast, and oatmeal. The group credits the food and care of the Sangumas for the fact that no one got sick. They also report that they did not have any problems with mosquitoes or other insects, although they saw a few very large spiders.

Kent Covenant hopes to send another group in February and at least one more team after that. Roger indicated that he would like to return to design and build an electrical system for central Bokonzo.

Work Team Returns from Congo

In February 2007 the work team that was to follow the visioning trip reported above set out for Congo. This article reported after their return home.

Ten of the twelve members of the work team returned home last weekend. Remaining for another two weeks are Bob Thornbloom, PCP Technical Director, and Tom Christy, an engineer from Salina, Kansas, with extensive Congo experience. Here is a list of their primary accomplishments during their trip:

* Rhonda Beilke (Kent, Wash.) taught English to 16 CEUM church leaders.

* Paul Scott (Kent) and Larry Trice (Redwood City, Calif.) installed three computer networks in offices and taught computer networking to staff.

* Darren Willis and Roger Yurczyk (both Kent) supervised the installation of an 18.5kv generator and distribution grid.

* Lynck Fikes, Jeff Pearson, Jason Jones, and Kurt Hordan (all Kent) supervised the tear-off, rafter construction and metal sheet installation of a 30 x 100 foot school.

* Larry Trice and Paul Scott did computer software training and taught a photography class.

* Dan Peterson led a grant writing and business development workshop for CEUM staff and leaders, and also a sound reinforcement/music workshop. 

Tom Christy went up to Loko with Bob Thornbloom for a short time, then left for Wasolo, to work on the water system there. Bob and Tom looked extensively at the water system in Loko, which has no water at all right now. They identified the problems and got the necessary information on parts. The next team, then, will come back with the parts and to the work. Bob expected to fly to Karawa today. The rest of the team are in Gemena.

We also received a greeting from CEUM President Mossai Sanguma, which is included in full below these reports. Our great thanks to Pres. Sanguma for hosting the team and for providing the workers who will work with our team and learn new skills from them. Here is his message in full, sent on Friday, Feb. 16:

"God is good. It is correct that the team got in Kinshasa last night. They were well received and all at Guest House at CAP (Centre d'Acueil Protestant). "They are coming to us in Gemena, where they will spend their most time, tomorrow by Bravo Air Congo. People at Gemena are mobilized to welcome them. We are excited that God has made this visit possible and our prayer is that they have a safe trip to the end. "I wish you could be here to see how the CEUM is excited to see them coming. It has brought spiritual revival though they have not yet arrived. People who will work with them here in Gemena came already. Some of them biked more than 85 miles, some drove from 300 miles, and some rode motorcycles from 150 miles. They need to learn from the PCP team and go home full of excitement in order to do the same at home. It will be a learning by doing training style, because they are going into action but not theory. The time of rebuilding Congo has come and we need your prayer support for those who want to be part of reconstruction. "As they come, students will go to nice school building, because people from Kent Covenant Church are committed to it; patients will be consulted in nice clinic because the rehabilitation will be made; the headquarters of the CEUM will be well organized as computer technicians are committed to set up everything ready for it. Internet never being installed in our location, our dream is to see this happen. All of this in 10 days. They will need your prayer." The message was signed with "Thanks."

NOTE: If your church is interested in exploring the possibility of sending a work team to Congo, contact Bill Clark. If you would like to be on the PC Updates mailing list to receive periodic e-mail notes on work teams and other news from the Paul Carlson Partnership, send your e-mail address to Sally Johnson.