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Palmberg Delegation Warmly Received in Congo

By Don Meyer

KINSHASA, CONGO (November 12, 2003) - The five-member delegation representing the Evangelical Covenant Church was greeted warmly by Covenant Church of Congo (CEUM) President Gbuda Luyada, Kin church leaders and other guests when the delegation arrived yesterday and again during activities today.

There was a brief welcome at the KasaVubu church where President Luyada welcomed the delegation, which includes President Glenn Palmberg, Curt Peterson, Jim Sundholm, Jerome Nelson and Bob Thornbloom. (See earlier story, Palmberg Leads Delegation. Luyada told of the many prayers that had been offered for this trip, both in CEUM and throughout the Covenant at large.

"Rev. Saddath Mossi gave each member tee-shirts celebrating this, the 18th year of ministry in Kinshasa," said Pete Ekstrand, World Mission regional coordinator for Africa who is accompanying the delegation and serving as a special correspondent for Covenant News Service. Keith Gustafson, country coordinator for the Democratic Republic of Congo, also is accompanying the delegation. The KasaVubu church was the first CEUM church in Kin, started in 1985, Ekstrand noted.

Palmberg greeted the assembly and thanked everyone for their warm welcome, noting he has heard stories of ministry in Congo for many years - since the days of his youth - and always had a desire to visit.

"We are here in part because we have a long history of partnership with the CEUM and we want to know how we can be helpful for the long term," Palmberg told his hosts. What is truly good for us and for you?" he asked. "What can be helpful? We also come because as a church we have much to learn from a church whose faith has grown strong in persecution."

Palmberg expressed his pleasure, and that of his colleagues in the delegation, for the opportunity to visit and said he is looking fo rward to what God has in store not only during this visit, but in the years to come.

"Glenn was received very well - they are excited to have him here," Ekstrand said during the telephone interview. "And the evening worship service also went very well - Glenn and Curt both preached."

"It's going well - it's powerful, and we've only had one day," Ekstrand continued during a satellite telephone call late Wednesday afternoon to Communications Executive Minister Don Meyer. Ekstrand was speaking from the back seat in a taxi while working his way back home following an evening worship service (there is a seven-hour time difference between Kinshasa and Chicago).

The group had been scheduled to meet with Congo President Joseph Kabila and Vice-President Jean-Pierre Bemba earlier today, but after a three-and-a-half-hour wait, the meeting had to be postponed. It is hoped the meeting can be rescheduled before the group is scheduled to return to the United States.

"We did go visit Dr. Marini Bodho, President of the National Protestant Church of Congo, the Eglise Evangelique du Congo," Ekstrand said. "What he shared about (the late) Dr. Paul Carlson (Covenant medical missionary to Congo) was absolutely outstanding," Ekstrand observed. Jim (Sundholm) interviewed him about Dr. Paul and we learned a lot of new and interesting things." Plans call for another interview with a couple that worked with Carlson in the early days at the Wasolo hospital at the time Carlson was captured.

Marini, who also serves as President of the Senate of Congo, sees the delegation's visit as a key opportunity to meet the people who are engaged in ministry in Congo. "You will be the witnesses to tell those in the U.S. what you saw and heard and what people in Congo are saying," Marini told the group. "The message from this office is that we need peace in this country. War hurts everyone. We are children of peace and have to spread peace.

"Jesus preached peace with his body," he continued. "We are to do the same, to tell people and show people peace. We need you to come and help us in Congo and for some of those who come, this may mean giving their lives." He then went on to reflect on the work of Carlson in Congo.

"I remember hearing about Dr. Paul Carlson," Marini said. "I was in my village near Kisangani and I remember listening by radio. It was very sad for us to hear that the doctor was killed. Here was someone who came to help us and he was killed. Dr. Carlson's body is still preaching to us up there (at Karawa). Your coming here gives us a kind of hope - just by seeing you they (the people) have hope."

Thursday the delegation heads for Gemena and Karawa. The accompanying photos show (top) Palmberg shaking hands with worshippers, with Peterson and Sundholm barely visible to Palmberg's right; (middle) Palmberg preaching during Wednesday evening's worship service with the aid of an interpreter, and (bottom) little girl presenting flowers to Palmberg during the welcoming ceremony.

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