Testimony from Claudia Mbuyu

Claudia's AU Graduation Photo

​My name is Mbuyu wa mbuyu Claudia, and I am an orphan who was raised in the United Methodist Church’s Children’s Home in Kamina, DR Congo. FPM means everything to me; it has changed my life, and I want to testify to some of the ways FPM has been there for me.  
 
It was 2014 when I first went to Zimbabwe to study at Africa University. While I had a scholarship that covered my tuition and board, I did not have enough money to buy a computer to write my papers, proper clothing for the climate, or even laundry soap. This is where FPM stepped in, even sending money for transportation and food so I could spend the long holidays back home in Congo. Because of FPM, I was even forgetting that I was an orphan because they treated me as their son.
 
FPM has given me a life I had not even dreamt for myself. I now have so many friends from far away from Congo. I made friends my own age from the USA on FPM’s Friendship Tour from Lubumbashi to Mulongo. We traveled around 600 kilometers together by bicycle, and it was the best adventure I’d had in all my life. I love going on these FPM bike adventures: I’ve been on two FPM trips from Lubumbashi to Mulongo as well as from Lubumbashi to Kamina.  
 
[FPM co-founder] Bob Walters was preparing a good life for me—he gave the world to me, and unfortunately, he left us too soon. May he rest in eternal peace. Today his daughter, Maman Taylor, is doing the same thing. This year I graduated from Africa University, and my FPM family is continuing to be there for me as I find my place in society. I thank God for that and say thank you to the leaders of FPM, especially Rev. Bob Walters’ family: Rev. Maman Taylor and Maman Teri; Pastor Lana and her family; Pastor Mulongo and family; Pastor Maloba and family, and Bishop Mande and family for your support in every way. May the God of orphans and widows be with you and your families always.

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