I've talked to them regarding helping out Grace Kindu Ville Church's renovation (the church I'm currently based at). I started my sharing with the youth last month and I was supposed to share with them against last week but unfortunately, my interpreter was ill. I'm schedule to share once a month for now.
I've been talking to some of the church leaders regarding the plans for the church renovation. They are planning to reconstruct the whole building as the structure is not too safe. I was told that 14 pillars were needed to complete the structure of the building. The 14 pillars are divided between the man, the woman and the youths; 5 pillars for the woman, 5 for the man and 4 for the youths. Each pillar cost approximately USD 170. As I am more involved in the youth, I sat in one of their meetings on how to raised the money and it was a total chaos. Everyone is shouting (which is their normal talking volume) and giving many opinions which were impractical (I was told by Papa Maxime). At the end of the day, they decided to split into 10 groups and try to raise USD68 per group to raise the funds for 4 pillars. I'm not too sure what are the plans for the man and woman but it's not gonna be easy for them.
The locals in my company are paid between USD80 - USD120 per month which is considered high pay in Kindu. Finding a job here is very very difficult. Papa Maxime who holds a Bachelor Degree in English language struggled to find a job after graduating. He was unemployed for more than 3 months before securing a job here. Even with his job, he said the salary (USD400/month) he received is just enough to make ends need. How is the world can they raise over two thousand dollars with the kind of economical environment they are in? In addition, the cost above does not include the equipments, benches, proper flooring, etc. I'm not saying it's impossible but they need help. They really do.
Cost of living here is very high. We are very fortunate d. For example :-
Grace Kindu Ville Church was founded by a missionary from America about a hundred years ago. I was told that the missionary's grandson was also here in the DRC before I came. Before he went back to the states, he left a brand new laptop for the church. One of the church member proposed that the laptop should be sold, so they could use the money to secure 2 pillars. It was not well accepted by the congregation and they sounded like they were going to throw stones at one another.
For me building the church is not as important and feeding the people there, especially the children. Every time I walked out of my house, children will start chasing me, asking for biscuits. They are always smiling and they don't look at the difficulties of life they are facing over there. They are simple, tough, independent and strong. The kids would just sit on the ground, play with sand and mud (if it rains), they make clothes out of plastic begs and the play with unwanted bicycle rims, just running around with it.
The locals in my company are paid between USD80 - USD120 per month which is considered high pay in Kindu. Finding a job here is very very difficult. Papa Maxime who holds a Bachelor Degree in English language struggled to find a job after graduating. He was unemployed for more than 3 months before securing a job here. Even with his job, he said the salary (USD400/month) he received is just enough to make ends need. How is the world can they raise over two thousand dollars with the kind of economical environment they are in? In addition, the cost above does not include the equipments, benches, proper flooring, etc. I'm not saying it's impossible but they need help. They really do.
Cost of living here is very high. We are very fortunate d. For example :-
- Petrol per litre - USD 2.17
- Small egg - USD 0.54
- Bread - USD 1.09
- Bananas - USD 2.17
- Big bananas - USD 6.52
- A skinny chicken - USD 10.86
- Goat (serving for 3) - USD 8.15
- Fish (serving for 3) - USD 9.78
- Onions (500gram) - USD 3.26
- Potatoes (500grams) - USD 4.35
Grace Kindu Ville Church was founded by a missionary from America about a hundred years ago. I was told that the missionary's grandson was also here in the DRC before I came. Before he went back to the states, he left a brand new laptop for the church. One of the church member proposed that the laptop should be sold, so they could use the money to secure 2 pillars. It was not well accepted by the congregation and they sounded like they were going to throw stones at one another.
For me building the church is not as important and feeding the people there, especially the children. Every time I walked out of my house, children will start chasing me, asking for biscuits. They are always smiling and they don't look at the difficulties of life they are facing over there. They are simple, tough, independent and strong. The kids would just sit on the ground, play with sand and mud (if it rains), they make clothes out of plastic begs and the play with unwanted bicycle rims, just running around with it.
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| Some of the kids I first met when I came here |
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| This is how you do a head stand |
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| There it is! |
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| The rest started to follow |
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| All got excited around me |
The children here are super talented and skilful when it comes to football. I had the privileged to play with them (around 6 -10years old) one evening and I was impressed with their skills. Sick! They could dribble pass me easily and more.
I don't really know how to help all these people but I would love to start with my church. And it would be great if you could contribute, partner and share your ideas with me on how to improve the living standards of these people. My parents and brother has pledged 3 months of their tithes in this project. I call this the "Faith, Hope and Love" project, excerpted from 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. I've seen it with my own eyes and I can assure you, we are extremely blessed compared to the people here.
Feel free to send me your questions, comments or suggestions to deswynwan@hotmail.com with the subject 'Faith, Hope and Love' and I'll let you know how you could help.
I don't really know how to help all these people but I would love to start with my church. And it would be great if you could contribute, partner and share your ideas with me on how to improve the living standards of these people. My parents and brother has pledged 3 months of their tithes in this project. I call this the "Faith, Hope and Love" project, excerpted from 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. I've seen it with my own eyes and I can assure you, we are extremely blessed compared to the people here.
Feel free to send me your questions, comments or suggestions to deswynwan@hotmail.com with the subject 'Faith, Hope and Love' and I'll let you know how you could help.
The children of the church singing. Click here. It's mind blowing!
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| Sunday morning |
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| Group meeting |
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| The youth and I |
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| Structure of the building |
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| Uneven dirt/mud floor |
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| I don't know anything about architecture, but that don't look to solid to me |
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| Drummer on duty |
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| Worn out drum set and they don't even have proper drumstick. There was one Sunday where the bass pedal broke. Someone had to quickly fix it but that didn't bother anyone. If you notice the videos I've posted up, there are a lot of distractions during service. i.e electricity goes off half way, goats bleating, cars honking, guitarist tuning, chicken running and many more but no one really cares about that. Amazing! |
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| This bench is really pain to my butt. The length of the service is a minimum of 3 hours. At least 15 - 20 songs per week. My dad would love it here. |
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| Another group meeting near the PA system. Their soundman is superb. They can fixed any broken instruments and make it start working again on the spot. |
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| The pulpit where the Pastor would sit and preach |
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| Can't remember his name but he is always sticking to me. He even helped me take one of the video with my phone |
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| 3 beautiful girls sitting in front of me |
More photos and progress report soon. I am hoping to raise a minimum of RM15,000 by the end of the year. Continue to keep us in prayer, that's the least you could do.
