A Brief Account of the Indiana Region Trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo

May 18-27, 2008

By Sharon E. Watkins

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

I would like to share with you some of my experiences on an incredible journey to an African country where I once lived and worked – the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I was part of a 9 person delegation that included representatives from the Indiana region who visited the DRC (as well as the Republic of Congo) in May.

The purpose of our trip was to formalize the partnership between the Indiana Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the Mbandaka District of the Disciples of Christ Community in the Congo.  The partnership is a new phase of a relationship that has evolved for over a century, as the Disciples’ witness in Congo has shifted from “mission” to “church.” Many still remember the living link missionaries who helped congregations feel connected to “our” work overseas. More recently we’ve assigned global mission staff to whole regions to help make those connections.

Now a new emphasis is on developing partnerships between regions and international counterparts. Even though we still encourage regions to develop relationships with particular missionaries, regions with the accompaniment of Global Ministries can now also be in relationship region to region, church to church. The intended outcome is a relationship of mutuality where each partner gives and each partner receives, and Christian witness is strengthened in both contexts.

For me, personally, this trip was also a return to my first place of work after college and an opportunity to introduce my husband to a community that dramatically shaped my life. While on the trip, I kept a daily diary of our visit. I invite you to read below about our experiences in these beautiful but challenged countries.

Partners In Mission

Produced by the Indiana Region, Partners In Mission presents the experiences of the Indiana delegation that visited Mbandaka.

My Diary

To read a daily account of our trip, choose a day to read below:

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Comments from the Community

22 total comments.

From: Norma Burns - Wednesday, December 10, 2008
What a Great God we do have! What a great love in Christ we share with our brothers/sisters in Congo...it reminded me of Miss Ruth Musgrave sharing with us at Lake Brownwood Chr. Retreat her work there in the 1940s. Beautiful! Thank you for going and bringing the News.
From: Yamilette Berríos - Sunday, December 07, 2008
I like knew much of the diciples of christ missions. I am a diciples of christ in Puerto Rico.
From: Vanessa Falgoust - Saturday, November 22, 2008
I served as missionary in Congo in the early 80's ( Zaire). The people are kind and welcoming. Generosity abounds among those who have so little. There is enthusiasm for the Gospel and an eagerness to share the Gospel like I have never seen at home. We should bring evangelists from Congo to awaken our own churches back home. Our church can learn what hospitality means to sharing just a little but all you have. Thank you for going to the Congo and sharing your experience. We have hundreds and thousands of Disciples in Congo and they need our support and friendship now more than ever. Peace, Rev. Vanessa Jean Falgoust
From: Emmanuel - Tuesday, November 18, 2008
I am one of Disciples of Christ Church in DR. Congo. I thank Sharon for all she did about my country and my church.
From: Giovanna Arnold - Thursday, November 06, 2008
Thank you for sharing your memories. It is wonderful to know that the DOC is strong in many places around the world.
From: Melissa Acres - Thursday, November 06, 2008
I am humbled by your experiences in God's world. You lived the scriptures and looked into the eyes of his people and saw them as he does. His children were created in his sight and reflect the beauty of the Creator, God. You remind us to embrace our neighbor as ourselves, which is what God intended for us. The world grows smaller as we understand the needs of others are the responsibility of all God's children. Praise God!
From: Betty McMillan - Sunday, November 02, 2008
Your diary brought back many good memories. I served in the Congo from 1959 through 1968. I lived in Mbandaka and worked as an assistant to Jean Bokeleale and then Paul Elonda who were the first two men to head the church in that area and for whom I still hold great respect and affection.
From: Avis Herndon - Sunday, November 02, 2008
Very Touching..we are the hand and feet of God... doing christ Goodness I would loved to have had some fabric ...I am a fabric kind of Girl! Avis , Blessing, UCC Ft. Worth,TX
From: Janet Mackenzie - Saturday, November 01, 2008
This all reminded me of our (FCC, Huntsville) trip to Lesotho. The hospitality, the patient waiting for us even when we were late, the opportunity to learn so much were overwhelming. What an opportunity for North American Disciples and what a responsibility! I hope we get to see pictures of the gifts, to go with all the other fantastic pictures.
From: Victoria Scott - Saturday, November 01, 2008
My cousin, Janalee (see above), introduced me to your website which I read with interest and nostalgia. I lived in Nigeria for 10 good years, a life altering experience. Overwhelming hospitality is an African tradition; rich culture is their heritage. I have been painfully distressed by recent images of suffering in eastern Congo resulting from a conflict that goes back to the 1994 genocide in neighboring Rwanda. Your story is full of hope and inspiration. Thank you for your dedication to the spread of peace and justice in Africa.
From: Eleanor Kuss - Friday, October 31, 2008
Sharon, As I read all your comments about the trip, I was remembering hearing of those places and the work done by friends Bob and Jane Williams, retired missionaries who served in Africa. He taught in a school there which must have been either the high shcool in Mbandaka or the University in Kenshasa. They went to Lesouto from there for a number of years. What a trip of a lifetime you and the others made, which will influence your years ahead in ministry. Thanks for making me feel I was there with you. Eleanor Kuss, North Carolina
From: Ed Linberg - Friday, October 31, 2008
Though I've never been to Congo, the places you visited stirred up memories of stories of the ministry of Royal J. Dye about whom I heard as a child. I remember hearing John Ross described his medical work in Congo and later Clay Hobgood whose two sons--Ben and Chris--have been longtime friends. Your report makes it clear, our giving over the years has impacted thousands upon thousands of lives with the good news of God's love. But, it also makes it clear that there is more we can do in the future. Thanks for sharing all of this, Sharon! Ed Linberg
From: Janalie Robeson - Friday, October 31, 2008
LOVED your diary, and loved the PHOTOS! I am SO into photos, and am copying & pasting both diary & some photos for our adult Sunday school class at First Christian in Flora, IN (where Pam Ditson-McCall served). I'm going to show the DVD, but will "Prime the Pump" with your diary & photos. I want us all to get as full a sense as possible of the wonderful trip and the ministry in the Congo, and our connection. Well enough from me - BLESS YOU!!! Janalie
From: Elaine Bush - Friday, October 31, 2008
How timely and impressive. A great sharing of so much!!! Our Church School study last week was about early missionaries so many centuries ago. I took the Disciple Yearbook and shared where we now have missionaries. Am a 'retired' minister! Thanks so much for the diary.
From: Mike Lee - Thursday, October 30, 2008
Sharon, Thank you so much for letting us share your trip. I had no idea there were so many Disciples there. We can learn much about hospitality from them. Thank you for going, this was a good thing. Mike Lee, Mission Sta Manager and member of Graceland CC in Southaven, MS
From: Tommy Gay Evans - Thursday, October 30, 2008
Thank you for allowing me and others to be a part of your journey. CWF mission studies over the years have aquainted us with the Congo/Zaire, and now you have made it real for me. Thank you for connecting me to my brothers and sisters in Christ so far away.
From: Virginia Taylor - Thursday, October 30, 2008
Thank you so much for sharing your trip!! It was a great reminder of the wonderful years we lived, worked and learned, in Congo. We lived and taught in Bolenge, studied language and learned much from the people, at Lotumbe, and we lived for two years in Coq. now, Mbandaka. We were there when many changes occured - independence from Belgium, the birth of the Church, from the Mission, and the beginning of education for the girls, and the great friendship and collegiality of the Bokeleale family as well as many other pastors and their wives. It is a beautiful land - beautiful people, loving, caring, Christian!! And yes, the hospitality was always ABUNDANT! Our oldest daughter was baptized in the river at Monieka. Dick helped baptize many in the Congo River on a cool morning near the closing service of an Ingathering! Your pictures are spectacular also! We can feel like we are right there! Thank you! and thank you for showing them the love from the church, their brothers and sisters, on this side of the ocean. Bolumge Naomi Virginia Taylor
From: Ronald Tarr - Thursday, October 30, 2008
Many thanks for sharing your diary. I will never look at Africa in the same light again, its as though numbers have been humanized. I kept wondering if we have or will be able to welcome them in love. Thanks again for thoughtfulness.
From: Phil Williams - Thursday, October 30, 2008
Sharon, thank you for sharing the sights, sounds, and commentary of your trip to Congo. I have often wondered about the church there whenever I read of Congo in the news. Through your "eyes" I have now seen a still flourishing Disciples community, full partners in God's mission in the world. Thanks again. Phil Williams, retired, Harrodsburg, KY
From: Joyce Goodale - Thursday, October 30, 2008
What a wonderful trip!! I completely enjoyed your diary and pictures. Made me want to "so and see" for myself. Thank you for sharing, Sharon. I'm a member of Kent First Christian Church in Kent WA. Joyce Goodale
From: Rev. Linda Nanninga - Thursday, October 30, 2008
Thank you Rev. Sharon...for the diary. I was touched and more than one tear fell from my eyes. I am very glad you - and the troup - went. You have blessed others and you have been blessed.
From: Paula Bernd - Thursday, October 30, 2008
What a story. It made me laugh;it made me cry. It made me so grateful to YOU for all that you do, and that you provide to the church. I just cannot say enough thanks-you's for letting us see the trip through your eyes. Our God is an Awesome God! Paula Bernd Church Secretary First Christian Church of Louisville (Rev. Brian Gerard's church)
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)