Thursday, December 30, 2010

From CI/UCBC's Founder

Dear friends of Congo Initiative,
We greet you from Beni, in the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC). We pray that you and your family have had a MerryChristmas and will have a blessed New Year.

David Kasali-2Some people refer to the DRC as the world capital of rape; others as a hopeless country, and so on... But for us who live here and work for its restoration, this is a land of great promise as holistic ministries like Congo Initiative (CI) and the Université Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo (UCBC) are persevering in spreading hope.  We are doing this through an innovative and transformational university, professional development, women's empowerment, community outreach, and more.  

We are so grateful to all of you who have generously supported CI-UCBC this past year. God has used you to advance our mission, giving hope to the people of Congo.  

Now we invite each of you to join us in believing the words of God to Moses, "Now you will see what I will do..." (Exodus 6:1).  If you have not yet done so, would you please consider giving CI-UCBC an end-of-year gift?  Our undivided commitment to our mission and to prayer, coupled with your generous gifts, will have a life-giving impact on this nation.

You can send a check to the address below or make your donation online through our secure website.  We thank you, and we thank God for you.  And once again, have a wonderful New Year!

Yours,

David M. Kasali, Ph.D.
Founder and President, Congo Initiative

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

What does the world really need for Christmas this year?

I found this short video (actually it was a commercial I saw last night!) to be very powerful:


I love this little video. It has such an important message.

There are lots of things that we can do this Christmas... Not just through the Methodist Church (and that isn't bad either), but through so many organizations abroad and locally... 

Of course there is UCBC (www.ucbc.org)
And Congo Initiative (www.congoinitiative.org)
The Salvation Army (www.salvationarmy.org)
Habitat for Humanity (www.habitat.org)

And really so many more organizations... But I won't give you a huge list of places... If you want some more places to get involved / support / volunteer at - email me and I'll share some ideas with you.

But for now, what can we do to give of ourselves, to others? To give them a better Christmas... And not just a better Christmas, but a better life?

Friday, December 17, 2010

The things we have

Sometimes I really think that ignorance is bliss. It's better to be unaware than to know, and be responsible for the knowledge that I (could) have. If I don't know, I won't worry, won't think about or talk about it. 

I think at one time that had been my attitude about some things... Some things just seemed far enough removed from me, my family, friends, life - that it didn't really matter. To me. 

But that is irresponsible. That is neglecting my neighbors, my brothers and sisters. It's not right. Although it's easier, it is not right. 

It seems to be common for people to think: If someone has a phone which has certain components in it that were taken at the expense of others, at the cost of people's lives - ok. If someone wears a sweater that was made in a sweatshop by poor starving children. Or enslaved women - ok. 

Because we don't think past what it is that we have, we just see our new toy. Not the expense with which it came. 

I don't need to know about it right? I mean, it's their lot, their fate, their choices which put them in those places anyway... Isn't it? 

This is something that we need to talk about. We need to be aware of what is happening to those around us... What our desires, obsessions, WANTS are doing to others around the world. We need to take responsibility for our own actions. My want of a new camera - who does that impact, and how? Do I have to buy Cannon? Is there another brand that can make a good camera, without using minerals that were taken from conflict areas? What about my cellphone, computer and mp3 player? 

"Although Congo's conflict stems from long-standing grievances, the trade in conflict minerals provides the primary fuel for the conflict," according to the Enough Project - Taken from the article which I believe everyone should read, IS YOUR CHRISTMAS GIFT FUELING WAR, by Tristan McConnell. http://www.npr.org/2010/12/16/132089765/is-your-christmas-gift-fueling-war

What does it really cost to get the latest computer you've been drooling over? The incredible cell phone that does exactly what you want? The mp3 player that I think I need?

What are the things that we have, our possessions, doing to contribute to the pain, suffering, torture and loss of live, of others? Who and what should we be focused on, instead of ourselves and the newest gadgets that we long to have? Not just at Christmas time (although it's a good time to start!), but throughout the year? 

As we quickly approach Christmas... What can I do to help someone else? The money that could be spent on gifts for me, what else could be done? Do I really need much more? And if I don't buy that mp3 player, could I be helping someone who is trapped in the conflict surrounding these sought-after minerals? 

Sunday, December 12, 2010

To my students, colleagues, friends and family:

Winter in Wisconsin.

This is what it looks like today. It's cold. Windy. Snowy... 


Currently it's 15 degrees F, in Celsius that is about -9.5 degrees C! Even my family's dog, Cooper, didn't want to be outside for long. The wind is blowing at about 40+ miles per hour, or 72 kilometers per hour...



Me, bundled up in the snow!
The snow is blowing all over the roads, things are very icy.
Church was even canceled today, due to the bad weather conditions!

Thank goodness it's warm in the house... We have the wood-burning stove so the house can stay pretty cozy!

Brrr...

Winter is here!!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

"Opportunities to Lead"


The following is written by Congo Initiative board member, Mary Henton. Please read and reflect... What are we being called to do? In our own lives, in the lives of others? It's a question that I think I need to ask myself more often... And listen to the answer(s) that I am given! 

This is a beautifully written piece and I hope you will enjoy it.
-Bethany 


A recent weekend trip to the town of Epulu (about 250 miles northwest of Beni) provided an opportunity to observe, reflect, and listen. What I observed, reflected upon, and heard in my heart were two persistent themes: (1) UCBC can take a lead in environmental education; and (2) UCBC has a responsibility to take action on behalf of women.


The scenery along the road to Epulu was magnificent: lush vegetation, surging rivers (Ituri and Epulu), glorious skies. But I was troubled to see evidence of the race to extract Congo's natural resources: old growth timber toppled, workers loading trucks with timber, plots of forest burned and tattered. Our hosts in Epulu spoke about the decimation of wildlife from poaching and loss of habitat. Here in Beni we see the pollution of waterways. But in the midst of this destruction UCBC has an opportunity. It is an opportunity to educate, to raise up professionals and practitioners, to develop and demonstrate a new ethic of resource stewardship, and create new models of sustainable resource management.

UCBC has an opportunity to transform how communities see and use their natural resources by cultivating a creation care ethic. We can make wise choices about our own land and natural resource use. We can also educate our students about the ethics of resource stewardship. And what an impact we could make if we established a faculty in environmental studies and/or sustainable resource management!

A second theme - As we passed Congo's women carrying loads of firewood, charcoal, water, and crops, I was reminded of the evidence regarding the significant role that women play in developing their local and national communities. A growing body of literature, including the recent publication, Half the Sky (WuDann and Kristoff), confirms that as the education, health, and opportunities for women improve in developing communities, so do the health, education, and opportunities for the entire community. As we passed women along the road, I thought, "We must, at UCBC, develop our women students and nurture strong women leaders. If we are going to transform this nation, we must make an intentional commitment to women's development." But what does/would that look like?

To begin with, we can be proud of our track record in highlighting women and gender issues such as our annual celebration of Women's Day and last year's gathering of women lawyers. We can also be proud of the ratio* of female/male students at UCBC.

However, we also have the challenge of bringing into similar balance the ratio of female/male faculty and administrators-Congolese or African faculty and administrators. We must give our students models of women in leadership, academics, and research. We must give them opportunities to learn from the voices, perspectives, and styles of women as well as of men.

We will keep listening for how our priorities and plans might coalesce around the deep needs and promises of this magnificent country that is Congo.
  
- Mary Henton
Mary Henton
Mary is a Congo Initiative Board member and has spent the past two months living in Beni working on a variety of projects with our Congolese team.  She is a life-long educator with expertise in teacher education, curriculum development, experiential learning and non-profit management.



* Female students constitute about 44% of the student body, which is remarkably high for a Congolese university.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Update letter

As I look back on the past two years, the word that permeates my mind is “incredible.” When I left the States in 2008 to work with the Christian Bilingual University of Congo (UCBC), I didn’t know what to expect. I knew the Lord would probably do remarkable things in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but I didn’t know how, or that I’d be witness to so much of it. And I didn’t know how much he would work in my own life. My own presuppositions have been challenged, and beliefs strengthened.

It’s hard to believe that in a short amount of time, I have seen so many changes not only in my own life, but at the university: we have a beautiful community center that while under construction can hold classes, our student body keeps growing (and we expect close to 400 students this year!), we have received full accreditation from the government (for more about that, please ask!), our teachers and staff have taken ownership in UCBC and the students, we have welcomed teachers and visitors to UCBC from around the world, and our students have developed a new kind of reputation around Beni – one that respects and honors the people within the community.

The name of UCBC is spreading throughout the country and the Great Lakes Region of Africa. I am continuously amazed when students come from not just far-off places within Congo, but also other countries such as Tanzania! We continue to see our students grow and develop. Our staff has slightly increased in number. Overall this past year was a challenging and good year in Beni! In spite of the difficulties, hope remained and the blessing of the Lord was shown. It is fulfilling to work where I am called, and to have pride in my job.

I will return to the Congo, for my 3rd year, working as the International Staff Coordinator again. Here in the States, I am working with potential teachers and staff to help them through the application process and also to prepare for their time living and working in the DR Congo. Teaching calculus or macroeconomics is one thing, but teaching it in the DR Congo, requires a different mentality and certain preparedness. I still help people prepare as best as they can, for their time, however long, in Congo.

My job continues to be working with the international staff – here and in the Congo. Last year it wasn’t easy, balancing all of the different personalities and expectations that people have – and trying to help ease people into the culture and lifestyle in which we live. In fact, at times it was downright discouraging and hard. But it was worth it. Our goal is to glorify our God and in doing so, to instruct the students and raise them up to change the trajectory of their country. Without solid teachers and staff, who are able to adapt to the culture, our students have little hope for their own futures. This makes my job worth it every day.

Additionally, I started teaching a Basic English course during the second semester. That was hard as well, since I don’t have a background in education or in English grammar! However, I did a lot of research and was able to work with others in building a curriculum. I’ll continue teaching this next year, and I’m really excited to do so – I feel much more prepared and ready to face this challenge. A training seminar that I was able to attend in early August also helped me a lot. Thank God for that!

On a personal note, I have been dating a wonderful man for the past year or so, who is from and works in Congo with me. His name is Noé and he is a professor of Psychology at UCBC, and very involved with the students and in the community. He is a strong Christian, who lives his life for Christ. Just before leaving Congo in June, he asked me to marry him, and I said yes! We are both committed to the Lord as well as to the work in Congo. Getting married does not change the call that either of us has; we will continue serving in our same roles with UCBC and for the Lord.

Noé and I intend to be married next year. Not long after that, we hope to return to the States so I can further my own education, allowing me to be better equipped for my job at UCBC. Therefore I will need to stay in the Congo longer, in order to prepare the UCBC team and my replacement, for my absence. After our time in the States, we will return to Beni, to continue working at UCBC.  

In order to stay in Congo through 2011, I will need to raise $18,000. This equates to $1,000 a month which will cover my food, some transportation to and from UCBC, flights, visas, and other bills while in Congo. After that, we hope to be in the States for our own education, before returning again to Beni to continue working with UCBC. Please prayerfully consider joining my support team – together we can work to bring a God-glorifying future to the people of the DR Congo.

I know this is a lot of money to raise in support. And if I’ve only learned one thing since joining UCBC, it’s that the Lord is the one who provides. In order to raise this amount of financial support, it will take a miracle and a work of God. But I believe that our God is able to do things that seem impossible and unimaginable. Pray with me for this necessary support, and for the work that is being done in Congo. There has been and will continue to be problems and obstacles at UCBC and in the country. Our weapon in overcoming these challenges is prayer. Knowing that you are in prayer for me, the work and the people of Congo would mean a lot. Thank you. And God bless you.

Peace,
Bethany 

UCBC Education