Congo Kid - Life Stories

This is the 7th episode in this 7 part series about the mission work of the Evangelical Free Church in the Belgian Congo. The work started in 1920 with Titus Johnson being the visionary and initial driver of establishing the work. The last 6 episodes has been a detailed journey of the founding of our mission, the long journey and process to establish mission stations in the Ubangi area, the physical and emotional losses of the early missionaries, including health issues and loss of life. 19 so far have died in the effort. 3 evacuations due to political and military turmoil disrupted the work. Governmental restrictions in the early 1970’s along with friction in handling the hand-off from the missionaries to the Congolese church was also part of the journey. One more saint dies, and you will hear that story. Yet, from 1998 through the present, the church has grown and flourished, and you will hear about that. Thanks to Norma Colby for sharing about the passing of her husband, Dr. Bill Colby. Jim Snyder gives a recap of the 100 year celebration of the mission work held in 2022. Also Jim and Craig Wickstrom share about how the Congolese Free Church and Congolese Covenant church are continuing their work with the home missions boards only providing guidance, support and counsel. And appreciation is given to Nubako Selenga who gives the Congolese perspective of the work. He now is a missionary to his own people, the Congolese. Also thank those that provided voice-overs for this episode. The lookback of the past 100 years of this journey is humbling and amazing. Trials, too many to count resulted in many triumphs. The faithfulness, sacrifice and perseverance of all the missionaries over the years to do their part in furthering the mission work and establishment of the church is evident. **Rated in 2026 to the TOP 25 Best “Life Stories” Themed Podcasts Worldwide – https://blog.feedspot.com/life_stories_podcasts/  

This episode is about teaching in a Congolese High School. The physical conditions of the classrooms, and lack of supplies and textbooks made the job extremely difficult for both the teachers and students alike. I was a high school professor at Institute Kimia in Gemena, D.R. Congo in the 1982-1983 school year. Having finished my sophomore year of college, I returned to Zaire / Congo and one of my roles was teaching 9th grade Chemistry and English. Trying to convey concepts in French, and having minimal textbooks or other school supplies was challenging indeed, as most learning had to be by rote, as studying and retaining knowledge was difficult without textbooks. Trying to optimize the student’s learning in these conditions was a challenge for me as well as veteran school teachers. Brad Hill taught for many years in the High School and shares his journey of teaching and successes with some of his students. He explains the differences in teaching methodologies between the US school system and the Congolese system, which is mainly driven by the lack of resources for the students. He also recounts several unique stories of his experiences, one of which includes arson. Roger Eales, who taught 20 years there, also contributes with his experiences and those are woven into the episode. For any school teachers that listen to this episode, if you think you have it tough in the US, I trust you’ll be more appreciative of the incredible resources you have to help your students learn after listening to this episode. The Congolese need education to help them and the country prosper, and unfortunately the K-12 school system doesn’t get the funding and support it deserves. For me, looking back, that year of teaching was a significant growing experience for me and many things I learned by teaching that year in D.R. Congo, I carry with me to this day. Copyright © 2023 by Jeffrey W. Eales. All rights reserved. No portions may be reproduced or transmitted in any format without the prior written permission of the author.

Death, funerals, grieving and the associated rituals vary from culture to culture. This episode explores the differences and similarities as to how Americans handle end of life and grieving vs. how Congolese do. Though death is much more prevalent in Congo, they don’t prepare for it for cultural reasons. Then, when someone does die, the question of “who” caused the death must be explored, even if we would explain it away due to an illness or tragic accident. Americans suppress their grief while Congolese express their grief with considerable intensity. My thesis for this episode was to explore the differences in rituals, and also to determine if Congolese move past the loss more quickly than Americans, and if so, “why”? Three Congolese are interviewed for this episode, along with a Funeral Director from Southern California. Add to that a fantastic story about a most unusual and adventurous funeral service. You will learn some interesting information about funerals in D.R. Congo, and learn how to move past your grief. Thanks to Segbewi Mobali, Motese Moyu, Talabisa Dawena, Becky Lomaka, and Roger Eales for their contributions to this episode. Copyright © 2023 by Jeffrey W. Eales. All rights reserved. No portions may be reproduced or transmitted in any format without the prior written permission of the author.

This episode is literally just a bunch of various hunting stories from Congo, Africa. Stories from the 1950’s until the late 1970’s are shared here in this episode. Hunting for and encountering Hippos, Guinea Fowl, Antelope, Monkeys, Chimps, Buffalo (and being gored by it) and other wildlife. Or how about almost being stampeded by a huge herd of buffalo at night? There’s also a story about the life-threatening danger we were exposed to being out in the jungles of Africa for days on end – a reminder of how we were blessed with minimal injury or death from said dangers. Then there is the mysterious “Makola”, or Australopithicene sightings – are they real or just a myth like Big Foot? Hmmmmm – I’ll let you decide. Stories are shared, often 40-50 years after they happened with incredible detail and precision; the impact of the memories remain with the hunter/story teller to this day. And some multi-day hunts yielded almost nothing, save for a wonderful memory of the adventure and experience. Thanks to my fellow hunters John Lundquist, Dan Noren, James Edstrom, Jeff Dangers, Bob Widman, and Tom Peters for sharing their stories for this episode. I hunted with many of these men in my youth. Great men, friends, and fellow hunters in Congo. Copyright © 2022 by Jeffrey W. Eales. All rights reserved. No portions may be reproduced or transmitted in any format without the prior written permission of the author.

  Soccer was prevalent overseas in the 1960’s and 1970’s before it gained a foothold in the USA. Growing up in D.R. Congo exposed me to the sport at a very young age and I grew up playing soccer almost every day. So when I came to the States in Jr. High and in High School, I was the most skilled player. Then I joined my college team and enjoyed a 4 year career. This episode tells my story of soccer and college career. It also features Mark Daniels, one of the best players to come out of our school in Congo. Mark shares about the culture of soccer and its impact on his life and career. Then, Mark Schartner, my college coach who played with numerous missionary kids and foreign players in college and coached numerous foreign players shares about the lessons learned and challenges of coaching missionary kid players. The sport of soccer led to a career in coaching for both Mark Daniels and Mark Schartner. Rounding out the episode Janet Meyers and Judy Edstrom share about their playing soccer growing up in D.R. Congo and then into college and beyond. Thanks to Mark Daniels, Mark Schartner, Janet Meyers and Judy Edstrom for sharing their stories for this episode. Copyright © 2022 by Jeffrey W. Eales. All rights reserved. No portions may be reproduced or transmitted in any format without the prior written permission of the author.

  Congo’s history is one of difficulty, exploitation, political unrest, corruption and challenges for the common man. This is Part 6 of a 6 part series of the country’s history, mainly reflecting on the strength, courage, perseverance, joy, and contentment of the people, despite their circumstances. Part 6 explores where they find joy and happiness while living in corruption and in seemingly hopeless circumstances. The episode explores the role of the church to the Believers in finding joy and having peace in their souls while the world around them is in chaos and filled with uncertainty. This episode will hopefully leave you with a newfound respect for the people themselves for all they’ve endured for 6 generations. Thanks to Paul Noren and Pete Ekstrand for their stories and perspectives from the missionary lens. Thanks also go to Mrs. Nutwa Dami and Talabisa Dawena, PhD, two Congolese, that share their wisdom and views as to how the Congolese cope, find joy, and thrive in difficult circumstances. A special thanks to my friend Tim Snow for the idea of this 6 episode series. Wow – what a journey it’s been for me preparing these podcasts. And special thanks to Rick Selin, radio broadcaster extraordinaire for the final wrap up. Copyright © 2022 by Jeffrey W. Eales. All rights reserved. No portions may be reproduced or transmitted in any format without the prior written permission of the author.

  This is part 4 of a 6 part series on the History of Congo from the 1991 evacuation when President Mobutu’s government was faltering and the expatriots evacuated, through Laurent Kabila’s rebellion to overthrow the government in 1997. During this time, the country experiences political turmoil, multiple governments, out of control inflation, genocide of Hutu people living in Zaire, and another evacuation in 1996 due to the rebellion and genocide in eastern Zaire. Ultimately, Laurent Kabila and his rebel group succeeds in taking over the country, not without the loss of hundreds of thousands of innocent lives. And ultimately, President Mobutu was sent into exile and dies. Paul Noren shares of his evacuation in 1996 as well as several examples of the hyper inflation. A Congolese friend shares his thoughts on Laurent Kabila’s rebel march from eastern Zaire to Kinshasa, the capital and the horrible destruction. And Pete Ekstrand shares of his efforts to help the local church during these tumultous times of evacuation, political and economic unrest so that the mission’s ministries could continue. Copyright © 2022 by Jeffrey W. Eales. All rights reserved. No portions may be reproduced or transmitted in any format without the prior written permission of the author.