“You served us,” North Park Seminary team in Congo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I came with a heart to serve the church and the students at UPU (the Ubangi Protestant University), but you have served me,” commented Dr. Max Lee at the end of his 10 day visit to Congo.  He went on to comment: “I learned it’s not just me alone.  We need each other and need to work together, to depend on each other.  You challenged me with how you depend on each other’.’”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Max, Professor of New Testament at North Park Theological Seminary, was part of a team of 10 from NPTS to visit Congo May 16-26.  The team was led by Paul DeNeui, Professor of Intercultural Studies and Missiology.  It was composed of Paul, Max, Dr. Carolyn Johnson, adjunct NPTS professor and 7 students.  The team had two primary objectives:

1. Max taught a class on forgiveness and reconciliation to the NPTS and UPU students together. Carolyn did the translation.
2. Cross-cultural learning and understanding everyone.

The cross-cultural learning was the most interesting and (for some NPTS students) challenging.  The students and Carolyn were paired up and were hosted by fellow Congolese students during the week of school, Sunday through Friday night.  Paul and Max were hosted by Congolese school leaders living at IPOK where UPU is located.  Everyone walked to and from school each day, some walking as far as 1.6 miles one way.   The host families provided breakfasts and suppers.  Lunch at noon was a piece of bread, roasted peanuts and bananas.

 

 

 

 

 

Even with limited verbal communication skills, the NPTS students only knew a little if any French and the Congolese very little English, learning took place by living together.  Ellie VerGowe’s comment is an indication of the impact this trip had. ”It was such a joy to worship with you.  I was a little nervous to be in a host family as I do not know Lingala or French.  God helped us cross those barriers and we became family.  I’m thankful for my family here.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Linda commented:  “Thank you for your hospitality in welcoming us.  It has been a blessing to be with you and I am sad to leave.  You have blessed me.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

And what was our role for this trip?  First, we were there and available, but for most of the week we didn’t see the students.  Late in the week we provided a place of respite when one student got sick for half a day.  We helped prepare a few items for the host homes.  On the last weekend we provided a dinner, a couple breakfasts and a sack lunch for their return flight to Kinshasa.  In short, hospitality as mission.