All Survive Crash of United Methodist Mission Plane in Congo

From the United Methodist News Service:

All Survive Crash of United Methodist Mission Plane

All persons aboard survived the June 12 crash of a small mission aircraft on take-off from the Diengenga airstrip near the city of Lodja, Democratic Republic of Congo. The pilot, United Methodist missionary Jacques Akasa Umembudi, and four passengers, were flown to Kinshasa for medical examination. Umumbedi sustained a head injury, but numerous scans indicated no internal damage. His wife, Missionary Poto Valentine Shutsha, was with him in the hospital, where he also was visited by Bishop David K. Yemba, who leads the Central Congo Area of The United Methodist Church. The four unidentified passengers were released without treatment. The aircraft is insured through the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries. The aviation ministry provides transportation, notably in the Congo region, where there are few roads or public conveyances. Umembudi is assigned to the Wings of Caring Ministry, based in Kananga, and has been flying for almost two decades. – UMNS

Watch our New Video!

UMCOR update

news from the United Methodist Committee on Relief:

DRC: FARMERS PRODUCE NEW FOODS

In Kamina, Democratic Republic of Congo, farmers are learning how to process their crops to make new and marketable products by using UMCOR-provided equipment and training.

In collaboration with World Initiative for Soy in Human Health, UMCOR provided five VitaGoats, a non-electric food processing system that allows new food products to be created. VitaGoat has the capability to process soybeans to make soymilk, yogurt, soy butter and coffee; create cereals from corn, wheat and rice; and produce sauces or purees from fruits and vegetables.

These foods have an extended shelf life and may be used in the home or sold in local markets to increase a household’s income. An additional benefit to processing is that it makes it easier for vulnerable groups such as weaning toddlers, the elderly and people living with HIV/AIDS to consume more nutritious foods. To support this work, please give to DRC Emergency, UMCOR Advance # 198400.

Friendly Planet Blogging

Hi folks-

Just a friendly reminder that I'm blogging more on the Friendly Planet Blog these days. Don't forget to check it out!

http://friendlyplanetnews.blogspot.com/

Interview with Bishop Arthur F. Kulah of UMC-Nigeria

My friend Dauda Marafa from the United Methodist Church's Nigeria Conference, just sent me the transcript of an interview with Bishop Kulah, who has had a very challenging first year as bishop there.
Read interview

Watete's Good Friday Sermon

Ever wonder what pastors in the Congo say in their sermons? My friend from North Katanga, Mbayu Ilunga Watete just sent me the manuscript of his Good Friday sermon that he will be preaching in a congregation near his school, Africa University. Click here to download the Word file.

Death of Church Leader's Child

Please include in your prayers this week our friend Arthur Mpoyo (works in North Katanga Conference's community development department) and his family. I just received this message from him:

"I am sorry to let you know about the death of my second child. I tried to go with him in Lubumbashi for treatment. Finally, he died in February 14."

The death of Arthur's young son, like the deaths each year of so many of our Congolese friends' children, could have been prevented with access to quality medical care. Let us continue to work to put an end to such tragedies.

Metals in mobile phones continue to help finance Congo atrocities

Global Witness Press Release – 16/02/2009

Annual industry meeting highlights need for due diligence on supplies

As the Mobile World Congress opens in Barcelona on 16 February, Global Witness is calling on mobile phone manufacturers to audit their supply chains in order to exclude minerals financing the armed conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

There is a direct causal link between the metals trade in eastern DRC and atrocities perpetrated by armed groups against Congolese civilians. Recent work by Global Witness and the UN Group of Experts revealed that all of the main armed groups involved in the current fighting in eastern DRC finance themselves through the trade in high-value minerals. These minerals are processed into metals such as tin and tantalum, which are used in the manufacture of mobile phones.

“The surging global demand for mobile phones has been helping to bankroll armed groups in Eastern Congo’s conflict,” said Annie Dunnebacke of Global Witness. “Mobile phone manufacturers need to undertake checks all the way up their supply chains to make sure they are not buying from mines controlled by militias and military units.”

The UN Group of Experts’ latest report, published in December 2008, asserts that the world’s fifth largest tin-processing company, Thailand Smelting and Refining Co (Thaisarco), buys ore from an exporter who is supplied by mines controlled by the Forces Démocratiques pour la Libération du Rwanda (FDLR). The FDLR is a Hutu militia whose members are alleged to include perpetrators of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. The group continues to commit grave human rights abuses against Congolese civilians. Thaisarco, based in Thailand, is owned by British metals giant Amalgamated Metal Corporation (AMC) Group.

Global Witness recently wrote to major mobile phone manufacturers as well as mineral and metal traders to ask them what due diligence measures they are taking to ensure that their sourcing practices are not fuelling the conflict. While some firms have pledged to tighten their supply chain control, the mobile phone industry as a whole lacks sufficient measures to guarantee that phones and other electronics are free of conflict minerals.

“Mobile phone users do not want to buy products that are associated with crimes such as murder, torture and rape,” said Mike Davis of Global Witness. “If mobile phone manufacturers want to avoid the risk of a consumer backlash, they must act now. The Mobile World Congress is a prime opportunity for an industry-wide commitment to comprehensive due diligence measures.”

click here for more information

Union UMC United with DR Congo

From the UMCOR-HOTLINE Digest for Monday, March 03, 2009:

Union United Methodist Church in Conway, South Carolina, recently took on a new challenge to meet the church’s needs while benefiting the people in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The new initiative, called Union with the Congo, raises funds to split equally between Union UMC’s much-needed church repair work and construction of wells and latrines in partnership with UMCOR’s work in DRC.

Union UMC, a small church of about 150 members, raised a remarkable $14,200. The funds will cover the needed church repairs and dig one well and latrine in the Kamina area of Congo where people lack access to both. Please support UMCOR’s work in DRC by giving to DRC Emergency, UMCOR Advance #198400.

Prayer Requests

Please pray for my dear friend Shabana Banza, a pastor's son and English major, who has been too ill to attend school the past few weeks. We are trying to determine the causes of his sickness, but one of his medical problems is related to a brutal attack he suffered last year that badly hurt his forehead and jaw. If you would like to assist with his medical expenses, please let me know.

Please also pray for Pastor Itela. He is currently in Zimbabwe awaiting a miracle. He began his masters degree in the Peace Leadership and Governance program at Africa University on the hopes of a scholarship opportunity that fell through. Now he fears he will have to return to Congo with his degree half completed, since he has not found the funds to register this semester. If you feel called to help Rev. Itela complete his studies, which have focused on addressing domestic violence, please let me know.