Arrival in Kamina

Encounter Africa 2019
sponsored by Wesley Foundation United Methodist Campus Ministry at Purdue, the Found (American Baptists) of Purdue, and Friendly Planet Missiology (FPM)

They made it to Kamina!

I had a nice long face-time with Glen tonight. Everyone is doing very well and glad to have reached Kamina. Hopefully we'll see some pictures of them soon, but in the meantime, enjoy some from my visit to Kamina with Taylor and Teri last year.

It took them two days to get to Kamina from Bukama on the Congo River. They had a tough couple of days bicycling, getting stuck in the deep, loose sands of the road. They struggled for about 30 km today before they had to pack up the bicycles to drive most of the rest of the way with their 3 sag vehicles. Even then, it was a long, difficult drive. They hoped to get back on the bikes for the last few kilometers with the Boy Scouts riding out to meet them and escort them into town. However, they ended up having to drive the whole way.

Kamina, the headquarters for the North Katanga UMC Conference, has several UMCs, an orphanage, a university, and a farm just outside of town. It has some paved roads in town, and they will see people on motorbikes and maybe even a car or two. Many years ago it was a military base for the UN.

I spent time in Kamina last year with my son Isaiah, Taylor and Teri Walters. I have included a link here for those who want to see general pictures of this city or Annual Conference.

The group is staying in a nice guest house in Kamina built by retired Bishop Ntambo. It has electricity (generator), wifi, and satellite tv. They are glad to have made it to their final stop today (Friday).

This is where they will rest for several days before most of them fly back to Lubumbashi and home. Kenny will be staying to volunteer at the orphanage in Kamina. He'll get to experience Annual Conference there.

Maps of Thursday and Friday Route

Purpose of an "Encounter" Trip:  

To encounter or meet new people and build relationships with our siblings in Christ in Africa, to listen to their stories and learn from them, to work with them on projects that enhance their lives, to know as fully as possible the African context so that each in our own way we can be a force for positive change.  Students will explore their vocational call from God and learn in their field of academic focus as they make connections with people in Africa in their field.

Want more information?
 Contact Pastor Lana Robyne [email protected] 

Revised Africa 2019 Itinerary
5/27   Depart Chicago 9:30 pm,didn't go as planned
5/28   Depart DC Dulles: 11:00am didn't go as planned

5/29   Kelden and Ave arrive Harare: -- Meet Diana and other med students, stay at AU alum Esther's home. Others fly in and stay in Addis Ababa and Johannesburg.

5/30   Fly into Harare. Regroup.

5/31   Bus to Mutare and Africa University (AU), Mae stay at Mutare Teacher’s College (MTC). ran out of time for Hilltop UMC Ishe Anesu After School Ministry.

6/1 Tour AU farm, climb to the cross, basketball, choir practice.

6/2 Worship in the AU Chapel, visit Fairfield Children's Home, hike up Mt. Chiremba, go to choir practice.

6/3-6/5 stay and help out at AU campus, Old Mutare Mission Station, Hartzell School, practice with choir, do laundry.

6/5   Depart after chapel - Day back at Mutare Teachers’ College and/or Hilltop UMC
6/6   Depart AU by private bus (Batoko Safaris) -- Travel to Great Zimbabwe (greatest archeological site south of the pyramids)
6/7   Travel to Bulawayo or Matopos Hills (Matobo National Park)
6/8   Travel to Hwange National Park (sunset and sunrise game drives)
6/9    Travel to Victoria Falls (two nights:  tour falls, Bomo, elephant back safari, bungee/zip line options, sunset cruise)
6/11   Depart to Lusaka, Zambia (by public bus).. Night in Lusaka getting harassed by a police officer.
6/12   Travel to Kitwe:  Stay at New Life Center
6/13    Depart Kitwe by taxi to Kasumbalesa, on to Lubumbashi, DRC by Friendly Planet Missiology (FPM) vehicle  
6/14   Day in Lubumbashi (buy provisions for bicycle tour and visit Methodist Bishop's Offices)
6/15   prepare and wait.
6/16   Travel to Mulungwishi University), Friendship Bicycle Tour begins w/ith joint US/Congolese team visiting and listening deeply with many congregations on the way.
6/17  the group will leave Mulungwishi and drive to Lubudi.
6/18  Lubudi to Luena = ride 75 kilometers. Ride includes a descent and about 6 kilometers of a little sand.
6/20  Luena to Kabondo = ride 100 kilometers. about 8 kilometers of a mountain climb.
6/21  Kabondo to Kamina = 100 kilometers with about 7 kilometers of loose sand.
6/22  Day in Kamina. Donate the Bicycles.
6/23  Day in Kamina.
6/24  Day in Kamina.
6/25  Fly back to Lubumbashi from end of the tour
6/26   Depart for USA
6/27   Return to USA

Team Members:
From Purdue +:

• Rev. Dr. J. Glen Robyne,Christian Education & Campus Ministry!
• Elizabeth Sowinski  - Psychology
• Stacey Brittsan - Botany, Horticulture, Forestry, Plant Science
• Kelden Cook - Food Production Science
• Mae Christiansen (alum) - Education Graduate Student in Nashville
• Cheyanne Geideman (alum) - in Grad School at Northwest University while working at Purdue.
• Gabrielle Teter - (alum)Veterinary Medicine Graduate Student at MSU

From University of Illinois (UIUC):

• Agrismary Santiago - Political Science
• Ave RIVERA 1998 (male) -- International Creative Development, French
• Kenneth Smallhorn - Social Work, Child Welfare 

From Alabama Birmingham-Southern College:

• Paris Liederbach  - Art Therapy
• Milan Liederbach - Health Science
  

Africa University Students and Grads traveling with us:

• Marie Londwa - Theology
• Claudia Mbuyi - French and History
• Chantal Valery -French and History
• Tosi Munkana, Public administration and management
• Obed Aying, alum in environmental studies and recent Global Mission Fellow in Togo.

Joining Us in DRC/Congo:

• Rev. Joseph Mulongo, Director of Friendly Planet Missiology and Assistant to Bishop Mande.
• Rev. Daniel Mumba, Conference Treasurer
• Bruno Kasongo
• some other Boy Scouts (college-age men and women)

Sponsor:
Wesley Foundation
WEBSITE | EMAIL 
Purdue Wesley Foundation is a campus ministry for, by, and with students. We spread United Methodist values and practice of open-minds, open-hearts, open-doors, but ALL are welcome!
Wesley Foundation at Purdue | 435 W. State St., West Lafayette, IN 47906