This is the 4th episode in this 7 part series about the mission work of the Evangelical Free Church in the Belgian Congo. The work started in 1920 with Titus Johnson being the visionary and initial driver of establishing the work. Episode 1 discussed the difficult journey to get to the Ubangi region in NW Congo and the long process to establish the first 3 stations. Episode 2 saw 3 more stations established. Yet these advancements included missionary adults and children succumbing to the harsh climate and disease. One person died at from a German submarine torpedo in the Atlantic. Episode 3 included 4 more stations established and an infant and 1 adult tragically passing away. This episode covers 1953 – 1962, which included Congo’s independence and the subsequent evacuation and political turmoil. More stations were procured, constructed and established during this time. Several were easily procured and several faced barriers to entry. You will hear about 4 mission stations: Ngwenje, Tandala, Goyongo, and Bumba, as described by Dr. Tim Wester, Thelma Landrud, John Lundquist, and Dan Noren. And 2 infants and 1 adult pass away in the time period. I extend special thanks to Aldy Almquist for sharing about the loss of his brother, and Dr. Gretchen Berggren for sharing about the loss of her son. And to David Lundblad for sharing about Clyde Carlson. Also thanks to Jeff Peterson, Rick Selin, the others that provided voice-overs for this episode.
**Rated in 2024 through 2026 to the TOP 25 Best “Life Stories” Themed Podcasts Worldwide – https://blog.feedspot.com/life_stories_podcasts/
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Another informative and excellent podcast episode, Jeff.
Being MKs, we can be ignorant of all the sacrifice that came before in the lives of the adults. This was a great reminder of the Congolese gift of presence. I also remember at the funerals I attended that they truly wailed. No polite hiding of grief. I think they get it right. And the community support was always so incredible.
I remember so many all night prayer meetings initiated by our Congolese family. It was as if they shook heaven’s gates with their earnest pleadings. They have stood in the gap over and over again. It’s a debt I cannot repay and one that I cannot wait to see rewarded by Jesus one day.
Great episode! Thank you!
Thanks for highlighting the virtue of presence.