UCBC "Coat of Arms"

U.C.B.C. (Christian Bilingual University of Congo)

"Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in
the wilderness
And rivers in the desert."
Isaiah 43:19 (NKJV)

Love - Work - Faithfulness

The people of Beni, Congo are wondering why the community at UCBC is so different. Why they love. Why they work hard. Why they are faithful. The answer - Jesus - the Lord is bringing Himself glory through these students.

Our prayer is that UCBC will continue to be a place of spiritual transformation. The UCBC community is not perfect but in spite of our imperfections, the rest of Beni is standing up and taking notice. Bwana Asifewe Sana!! (Praise the Lord most high!)

First Class

I just taught the first computer class...intro to Computer Literacy for 90 students (we have decided to break the class up into 4 groups...praise God!) At the end of the day, some of the students piled into our 4x4. The students are SO HUNGRY for knowledge! As we drove home, we sang thanks to God - the students were asking for more teachers, more computer classes (and goofy things as well :) - they are SO funny) They have such a STRONG desire to change their country. To redeem it from the enemy.

Before the class, a student told me that he knows we love them because we are here, sharing ideas with them. He said that the Holy Spirit is strong in us and he sees the love we have for them...please pray that the Lord would raise more teachers for these promising students!! Experienced, qualified English teachers are crucial at this time.

Getting to know the students

Heather and I have spent our 3rd day with the students. The Lord is knitting our hearts with theirs - they are smart, beautiful students with the STRONG desire to see the Lord's Kingdom come to Congo. Some will be missionaries, teachers, pastors, engineers, computer scientists and political leaders but the Congo Initiative is more than a school - it is a place of spiritual transformation...not just of the students but I believe for us teachers as well. I'm sometimes overwhelmed with JOY when I think that these faces I see are the ones the LORD is raising for His harvest in Congo - the future leaders of the DRC and Christ's Church. What a humbling, honoring pleasure it is to be with them! Bwana Asifewe Sana! (praise the Lord!)

An old Swahili saying puts it well:
Unaona nini?
What do you see?
Ninaona uwa, ina meta meta.
I can see a flower shining.
(A student named Busch shared this with me - he desires to follow his father and become a missionary/pastor)

Technically, the computers and satellite internet equipment should arrive late this month! The students are EXCITED!!

Prayer requests:
The Lord's protection over His PRECIOUS students
Protection over us (Justin, Heather, myself, and the Kasali household)
Resources needed to teach (books, paper, pen, etc...)
A bus for the students
Rest for us weary travelers
Planning for the computer class
Continued health
Safety for the shipping container
Safety for Internet equipment